The Key (33 page)

Arkarian touches my arm and a warm sense of calm fills me. I mentally thank him and he turns his attention back to the group. ‘To retrieve the key, we need Matt.'

‘But he's not here,' Dillon is quick to reply. ‘He could be away for hours. Let me go, Arkarian. I'll bring this key back. Where is it exactly?'

Arkarian explains, ‘Jimmy has constructed a secret panel in the floor of the vault at the centre of the maze.'

‘Sounds easy enough.'

Dillon might think so, but nothing is ever as easy as it sounds.

Arkarian hears my thoughts and lets me know he agrees. ‘Matt has performed an enchantment on the key. He has made it invisible. Only he can remove the enchantment, or see through its invisibility.'

‘What?'
Dillon exclaims.

‘And remember, the key is deadly to touch.'

‘Oh that's just great, isn't it? So how are we supposed to retrieve this
invisible
key?'

‘I can touch it,' I say into the silence that follows Dillon's sombre comment. I wave my hands in the air. ‘As long as I have these gloves on.'

Arkarian turns to me with a gold box in his hand. ‘Once it is safe in this box, anyone can hold it. But you still can't go, Rochelle, because you don't have your wings.'

‘So?'

‘Without the weapons, the only way to destroy the wren is by drowning them. As soon as the key is lifted from its lock, a trigger will release the flood gates. You can't be at the bottom of the city when this happens.'

I think about what he's saying. ‘So how long will it take to flood the city?'

‘Exactly nine minutes.'

‘I'm a fast runner, Arkarian. I can do it.'

‘It's all uphill!' Ethan calls out.

I ignore him. Sometimes he almost sounds as if he cares. ‘Just let me try.'

Arkarian peers at me, his head shaking. ‘Not without your wings, Rochelle. You wouldn't make it.'

So maybe this is my destiny. Maybe the Prophecy can't be changed after all. And without Ethan in my life, what would be the point anyway? I don't want anyone else. I know this now. I can admit it. And if I go, won't that prove once and for all my heart is true to the Guard? All I have to do is extract the key from the secret panel in the floor of the vault and place it safely in this box and my job is done. As long as someone who has their wings comes with me, I can pass them the box and they can fly to safety.

‘It's simple, Arkarian. I will go.'

‘There has to be another way,' Ethan says.

Arkarian's eyes lower to where I'm clasping my hands together. ‘Rochelle, take off your gloves.'

I carefully peel each of them off. As my hands are revealed, the others gasp and stare. Since Lorian increased their power the electric charges haven't stopped growing stronger. Sparks fly off in a colourful display. I give them a shake. It feels good to give them
some air. But the shake sends sparks flying around the room. Shaun and Dillon have to duck and cover their faces as several sparks fly straight towards them.

Arkarian locks his gaze with me as he takes the gloves from my hand. ‘Why didn't you say anything? The pain must be excruciating.'

Stupidly, his kind words, his compassionate look, brings tears to the backs of my eyes. I blink rapidly before the tears turn into a flood and embarrass the life out of me. ‘They don't hurt much,' I try to convince him. ‘Really.'

He doesn't believe me, and while he's controlling his thoughts, his eyes are saying a lot more. He tries to put the gloves on, but his fingers are too long. He hands them to Shaun, but they don't fit him either. Ethan takes them next, but Ethan's hands are broader than his father's. Dillon reaches for them. ‘Here, they'll fit me!' He yanks them down hard, pushing between his fingers, but it's hopeless.

I take the gloves back. ‘That settles it. I'm going.' I take the golden box from Arkarian's hands and slip it into my coat pocket.

‘I'll come with you,' Arkarian says. ‘You will climb as fast as you can. You're a good strong swimmer too, aren't you, Rochelle?'

I nod, but Ethan has other ideas. ‘You're needed here, Arkarian.'

Shaun touches his son's shoulder firmly. ‘Are you sure, son? You've only just mastered your wings. What if they fail you?'

Ethan brushes his father's hand away. ‘They won't fail me.'

Isabel looks from Ethan to Arkarian and back again,
distressed. She obviously loves and fears for them both, but appears to have one serious concern for Ethan. She steps up to him. ‘You
will
use your wings and come back. Won't you, Ethan?'

Ethan looks at me and I can't look away. And for a moment I am filled with a warmth that is fuelled from a fire that comes from deep inside his soul. ‘I'll do what I can,' he says. ‘But I'm not making any promises.'

The birds are flying higher than I first estimate. The closer we get the larger they appear. Their heads are shaped like condors', their bellies like pelicans', but that's where all earthly resemblance stops. They have small, round eyes that sit out on a bony ridge. The eyes have no pupils, and are just orbs of shiny black.

We should change into the shape of the vultons
, Neriah suggests.

Though I am reluctant to turn into the shape of a bird from another world, Neriah is probably right. It would be our best chance to communicate with them.

Taking her advice I change form and she follows. Suddenly we both start dropping. It takes a moment to adjust to the heavier bodies, and their unusual shape with the weighty pouches attached to our chests. As we regain height, I wonder what it would be like to fly with a full pouch. I'm grateful for my empty one.

What's wrong with you? Why is your pouch empty?
These thoughts from one of the vultons blast into my head.
Why didn't you fill up as the Master directed? What a waste, to come all this way for nothing!

Neriah's head turns slightly to indicate she hears the
vulton's thoughts too. Soon another bird speaks out.
How much further, Lydia? My wings grow weary with this heavy load
.

The first bird, with the very human name of Lydia, replies,
Well, Justin, if you had paid more attention to the Master during training you would know that we are nearly there!

Justin! Another human name. While making my way through the underworld I met and became friends with a wren called John. His human name was the only memory he could recall from his past life.

But this last comment from Lydia is my cue. I project my thoughts in her direction.
You're wrong, Lydia. We're still a long way from our destination
.

Who is that? Identify yourself!

The Master sent me to make sure you stick to the right path. Which, by the way, you have strayed from. The Master will be furious that you have led everyone in the wrong direction
.

Now that we know which one is the leader, Neriah and I fly in closer, one on either side.

What are you talking about?
Lydia demands to know, her head shifting from me to Neriah.
I have followed the Master's co-ordinates to the exact degree. Look below. There is the lake, and over there is the school
.

Neriah sends me a sharp look and takes over.
But Lydia, the Master sent us because there was a late change in his plans. We have new co-ordinates that you must follow and direct your flock
.

Lydia goes silent. I sense her confusion. She was ready to argue with me, but Neriah's voice sounds so convincing.

Also sensing this doubt, Neriah keeps going.
It's not
such a long way. In fact, it is only a short distance to the north and then west
.

But we came from the north! What are you talking about?

Lydia's not the only one who's wondering what Neriah's talking about. And then Neriah explains.
The Master gained new information about a secret meeting of the Guard. It's being held right now in the depths of Angel Falls forestland. He wants you to drop your loads right over the top of where the Guard's elite soldiers are meeting at this very moment
.

I keep my thoughts quiet. Neriah is doing a fantastic job. She almost has Lydia eating out of her … claw.

Below us the school becomes clearer. We will have to get the vultons to alter their course soon or it will be too late. Once they have the school and township beneath them, nothing much we say is likely to stop them from releasing the drugs.

Lydia squawks.
I think you must be mistaken
.

I'm not mistaken
. Neriah flies out in front. Taking her cue I fly out beside her. It's a risk, as we could end up isolating ourselves from the flock. They're getting tired, and the idea of following two strangers on a new course, when their original co-ordinates are almost beneath them, could prove too much to ask.

I think you lie
, Lydia says, her head shifting left to right and back again.
Down there is our destination
. And to the pack she commands:
Prepare to drop!

It is
you
that is mistaken!
Neriah explains calmly, but with a firm tone.
The Master speaks through me. To the forest! he commands. It is his chance to annihilate the Guard's most powerful soldiers!

Lydia is silent for a moment, her head tilting slightly
as if she can't believe what she's hearing.
How dare you claim the Master speaks through you! I am the Master's favourite. I am the one he prefers! I demand that you identify yourself. Tell me who you are now!

Neriah gracefully tilts her wings and circles around so that now she is flying backwards. She inches forward until she is beak-to-beak with Lydia.
I will tell you who I am, and you will never question me again, for I am the Master's daughter!

Lydia is stunned into silence. Neriah's statement rings with truth. It is the truth! And Lydia can see it in Neriah's black eyes. The vulton finds herself at a loss as to what to say. To defy her Master would be unthinkable. And yet, here is Marduke's daughter, the Master's very own blood.
To the forest, you say?

Neriah sighs, relaxing slightly now that she has won.
Follow me and I will show you the way
.

Neriah circles back around, and gracefully tilts her body in a northerly direction. I do the same, keeping slightly behind her. Thankfully Lydia follows, and her command is quickly passed on to the rest of the thousand or so vultons.

We make the turn in a massive arc. The school remains in our sights the whole time. At last we start to cover fresh ground. The lake zooms into view, with the mountains making a spectacular backdrop. From this height it is an amazing sight. Neriah gently swings to the west and leads the flock towards the dense centre of the forest.

As we pass, people look up and stare in wonder. Some cower at the sight of such a large and intimidating flock, but mostly they simply stare. Never have they seen so many birds in formation together.

When the forest is at its thickest, Neriah searches the minds of all the animals below and tells them to leave quickly. Sharing a look with me first, she then tells Lydia we have reached our destination.

When they release their loads, it is a strangely beautiful sight. The poison resembles dust, and then I remember that it is made from thousands of crushed flower petals. The grey, ash-like dust drifts downwards towards the treetops, disappearing as soon as it hits the moist green foliage.

As the last of it lingers, caught in a breeze, some brushes against my claws. I flutter my feathers to rid myself of it quickly, but the feel of it against my leathery skin has a strange familiar feel. It nags at my consciousness. I've felt this touch before. Then I remember. It was in the palace courtyard in Athens. On the cage of the two golden birds! But what does this mean? Are the birds drugged?

Lady Arabella said the dust swept in on the night wind. But who is sending it?

I glance at Neriah, wondering if I should let her in on my suspicions. But she's distracted by the vultons. Lydia, especially, has her attention. This particular vulton looks drained suddenly, and strangely lost.

For a moment I feel as sorry for Lydia as Neriah does. On the bird's return to the underworld she will have Marduke to face. All those years spent nurturing that garden for this very purpose. He will be outraged. But how do you punish a creature that is already dead? I'm sure Marduke will find a way.

Neriah listens to my thoughts, and is upset by them. She knows that while the vultons planned to bring havoc and chaos to Angel Falls, they were simply creatures
following instructions for someone they believed in, and for their cause.

Lydia flies around in a circle, squawking and disoriented. She's starting to panic. But a lot of time has passed since we left the others, and I have a growing sense something is terribly wrong.

We can't just leave them!

Neriah's right. We have to show them the way back from here. But the sense that my powers are needed grows stronger with every flap of my wings.
Something is wrong in Veridian!

I know. I feel it too. Matt, you have to go. The vultons trust me. I'll lead them home and make sure they all get back through the rift
.

The last thing I want is to leave Neriah in the sky with a thousand lost birds that come from another world. What if they realise we fooled them? What if they turn on her?

I'll be fine
, she implores.
I'll join you soon
.

With no other choice, I change into the form of a hawk, and head back to Veridian.

The wren are everywhere. Up close they're hideous, with round, red eyes that glow even in the dim light of the ancient city corridors. They resemble pigs, but have these funny, awkward-looking wings with human feet and longish human hands. It's these hands that are their most useful feature. They have weapons – axes, chisels and hammers, but they're using them to dismantle the walls. At first they don't seem to be interested in us and let us pass. They're too occupied with peeling away layers of ancient timbers, mud and bricks.