centuries, they may not even know about the Institute anymore.”
“We have to make sure that doesn’t happen,” Michael said. He gave a sudden grin, his eyes sparkling. “As for our descendants, we Greenwoods have a long history of getting things done. Whether it’s one year or five hundred, I’m confident my family will be able to re-unite the Armour and topple Suktar once and for all.”
“I wish I shared your optimism,” Charlotte said.
Michael put a friendly arm around Charlotte’s shoulder. “We Greenwoods are also optimists. You should try it sometime; it makes life a lot easier. Come, let’s get back to work. We have much to do.”
— Chapter Two —
The Wait is Over
Present Day
A sharp rapping on Ben Greenwood's door woke him with a start.
“Ben Greenwood!” His step-grandmother Anne's voice was even shriller than usual. “I don't know what you think you're playing at, but it's 7:36am and there's no milk in the house. You know how much I enjoy my tea while I watch the morning news. Is this some sort of cruel joke?”
Ben thought about trying to drown his grandma out by putting a pillow over his head, but her voice could penetrate a three-foot-thick steel vault. He sat up and yawned.
“There was milk last night when I checked,” Ben said, his voice croaky from sleep.
“That was barely enough for my Coco Pops this morning. How many times have I told you to keep at least two cartons in the fridge?”
“None,” Ben said softly to himself. Then in a louder voice he said, “I'll go get some, Grandma.”
“I need it in the next ten minutes, so get a move on.” She gave another rap on his door. “And stop calling me Grandma. Do you ever listen to me?”
“I try not to,” Ben said, making no attempt to keep his voice down.
There was a huff from the other side of the door and then some muttering – Ben heard the words “ungrateful” and “selfish” mentioned – before Anne headed back downstairs.
Normally Ben would go straight back to bed – after all, it was the start of the summer holidays and no self-respecting teenager would be up before 8am. But today was different. Today was special. Today was his first day as an apprentice at the Royal Institute of Magic.
Ben sprang out of bed, heady with excitement. It had only been a couple of weeks since his adventures at the Institute, but when he had been told he would have to wait until the end of July to start the apprenticeship, it had seemed a lifetime away. Each day seemed to contain twice as many hours and he and Charlie had exhausted every possible subject on the Institute until there was nothing left to do but wait patiently. Patience was not one of Ben's strengths.
Suppressing another yawn – he had trouble getting to sleep last night – Ben threw on a pair of his newer jeans and a plain white t-shirt. He spent a moment in the bathroom taming his wavy blond hair. His deep blue eyes were full of life and showed no sign of his poor night's sleep.
Ben hurried downstairs. The kitchen was a mess again, filled with dirty dishes. The fridge was left ajar – probably from Anne's search for milk – and from it came an unpleasant smell. Ignoring the urge to clean up, Ben headed out to the corner store to get some milk.
It was 8:15am by the time Ben had returned and downed some breakfast. He went back to his room, preferring to keep his distance from his grandma and the blaring TV she had on. Charlie was due over in fifteen minutes and together they would set off to the Institute. Ben found himself checking the time every thirty seconds.
Ben couldn't decide what he was most looking forward to: the apprenticeship programme; the Unseen Kingdoms; the magic; the ridiculously cool dragon transport system; or the Institute itself. More significantly, he would have the chance to keep looking for his parents. They were out there somewhere. He was sure he had seen them during the final battle at the Floating Prison. Why they hadn't come back for him was still a mystery that constantly played on his mind, and he was determined to find out.
His thoughts were disrupted by a buzzing in his pocket. He pulled his mobile out and saw a text from Charlie.
“I'm outside. Can you come out? I'd rather not have another encounter with the devil (carefully disguised as your grandma).”
Ben