The Key by Marianne Curley

same thing that happened to the underworld. Waves of darkness will sweep across our lands, and the world will grow darker and darker. Eventually the moon, and then the sun, will be completely obliterated. No crops will grow. Oceans and rivers will have no tides and confusion will reign. Ultimately, all that is natural will die and evil will win.’
    It’s hard to believe
anyone
would want this to happen. ‘How can Lathenia want this?’
    â€˜She is the Goddess of Chaos. Cold and darkness, fear, greed, and all that is evil, are the very things that make her stronger, the things that bring her contentment.’
    We’re quiet for a moment, absorbing Arkarian’s disturbing words, when Rochelle asks, ‘How soon before they attack?’
    Arkarian breathes in deeply. ‘By the looks of those troops, I would have to say
very
soon.’
    Quietly Arkarian shifts the three of us back to themountain, delivering us directly into his main chamber. When we appear, Isabel and Ethan can’t conceal their relief.
    â€˜What’s happened?’ Arkarian is quick to ask.
    Ethan points to the sphere. ‘A portal has opened.’
    Arkarian stares into the sphere, adjusts its magnification several times, studying the past. ‘It’s Plymouth on the 24th of August, 1768.’ He looks up. ‘The night before Captain James Cook sailed the
Endeavour
in search of a great southern continent.’
    â€˜Is that Cook down there among that rabble?’ I can’t help asking.
    â€˜Yes,’ Arkarian confirms. ‘A complement of ninety-four are preparing for the adventure of their lifetime. A journey that will last just under three years.’
    â€˜Where is the danger going to come from, Arkarian?’ Isabel asks.
    He glances at her, and as usual when their eyes meet, his soften. ‘I need more time to study this, but by the looks of this narrow portal, it’s not going to be open for long. This means the Order are planning a quick and decisive mission. My guess is that there will be two of them: one to distract us, while the other attempts to assassinate Cook.’
    â€˜What are we waiting for?’ Isabel asks.
    Arkarian pulls back from the sphere and looks at each of us in turn. ‘I would send Jimmy, but his skills are needed on another mission tonight.’
    â€˜Arkarian,’ Isabel says in a tone devised to get his attention. ‘
I
will go.’
    Without answering her directly, Arkarian looks at Ethan, then at me. ‘It will be Ethan and Matt.’
    A wave of excitement and relief washes through me. The relief is that Isabel isn’t going. Unlike Arkarian, Idon’t care about insulting her. The excitement is at the prospect of my first mission into the past. And I haven’t even got my powers yet! Suddenly that wave of excitement turns to slop in my stomach as nerves kick in.
    Beside me, Isabel fidgets restlessly, then pulls on Arkarian’s arm, tugging him to the side. ‘What are you doing?’
    â€˜Just my job, Isabel. What I’m trained to do. Assessing the situation and making judgements based on those assessments.’
    â€˜But why are you sending Matt?’
    â€˜Hey!’
    She glares at me. ‘Shut up, Matt. I just need to know why.’
    Obviously these two are still finding their way. Working together and being together would have to strain anyone’s relationship. I glance briefly at Rochelle. Well, at least I don’t have to worry about that.
    â€˜Isabel,’ Arkarian says patiently while pointing to the sphere. ‘There are ninety-four
men
down there.’
    She starts to get it. ‘Oh.’
    â€˜If I sent you, or any female for that matter, you would attract a lot of attention. Look at those men.’ His head tilts towards the sphere. ‘I don’t need to tell you how that would put the entire mission in jeopardy.’
    Ethan can’t help himself. He bursts out laughing.
    Isabel