Kardia: Precious metals: Gold (Olympians), Silver (Gods), Bronze (Heroes)

Highest order of immortality including Olympians, Gods and Heroes. Naturally imbued with great powers.

CONSTELLATIONS

Kardia: Crystal

The thirteen members of the Zodiac Council, charged with administering the immortal community.

NEUTRALS

Kardia: Glass

Rare immortals whose special gifts render them immune to other immortals’ powers.

DAEMONS

Kardia: Onyx

Immortals with individual responsibility for human experience (e.g. Happiness, Luck, Wealth, Misery etc.). Require instruments to manifest powers. Currently imprisoned in Tartarus, except for THANATOS and HYPNOS.

ELEMENTALS

Kardia: Naturally occurring substances according to class, e.g. stone, wood, rock etc.

Any immortal entity not listed above. May have human, animal or fantastical form. Often used for manual labour.

Artefacts

CHAOS STONES

Four elemental gems with potent powers, given by Chaos to her son Erebus, Daemon of Darkness (former King of the Daemons, deceased, father to THANATOS and HYPNOS). Earth Stone (diamond), Air Stone (emerald), Water Stone (ruby) and Fire Stone (sapphire).

KARDIA

Necklace worn by all immortals to denote Category and Class. Materials vary according to above, but all shaped like a heart within a flame.

HYDRA BOW

Souvenir of Hercules’s labours, the poisonous arrows are one of few substances lethal to Gods.

ARIADNE’S TWINE

Magical satnav, narrated by Ariadne. Not generally in favour of men.

The Final Thank-yous

It’s with no small amount of snotty emotion that I write these final thanks at the end of a series that has taken me on almost as many adventures as Elliot and Virgo. When I first imagined Elliot’s story back in 2009, I had a strong and spooky feeling that this book was going to change my life. Like Virgo, into whom I have poured so much of my own personality, I was, of course, absolutely right.

The belief that Chicken House have had in me and my books has been an unshakeable bedrock upon which to build this world. They saw a potential in this series that few did and I hope that it has been everything they wanted it to become. To Barry, Rachel H, Elinor, Anja, Jazz, Laura M, Laura S, Kes, Esther and Sarah, my heartfelt thanks for everything you have done for me on the page and off. You are heroes, one and all.

My agent Veronique continues to be a source of strength and Sauvignon as I wobble my way through publishing – V, I cherish you more than you know. Thanks for everything, you utter Goddess.

The series cannot jump into hands from the shelves alone (although it would be so awesome if it could) and so I thank all the teachers, librarians, book fairies, reviewers and bloggers who have helped it on its way. You do vital and brilliant work and I am with you every step of the way. Please file restraining orders accordingly. You won’t be the first.