c. j. daugherty: night school resistance
DESCRIPTION
After months on the run, Allie returns to Cimmeria Academy to find the school in turmoil. The atmosphere is thick with danger. Overshadowing it all is Nathaniel. He is close – very close – to getting everything he wants.A secret civil war is tearing the British political elite apart. And Allie’s family is in the thick of it. Both sides want her. She knows Nathaniel will take her by any means necessary. But she is determined to fight him to the end.Her friends are ready to stand by her – even to die for her. But if anything happens to them she won’t be able to live with herself.The fightback starts here. Everything is at stake now. The winner takes allTRANSCRIPT
NIGHTSCHOOL:RESISTANCE
NIGHTSCHOOL4
C.J.DAUGHERTY
BOOKOUTURE
TABLEOFCONTENTS
CopyrightEpigraph
1. One2. Two3. Three4. Four5. Five6. Six7. Seven8. Eight9. Nine10. Ten11. Eleven12. Twelve13. Thirteen14. Fourteen15. Fifteen16. Sixteen17. Seventeen18. Eighteen19. Nineteen20. Twenty21. Twenty-one22. Twenty-two23. Twenty-three24. Twenty-four25. Twenty-five26. Twenty-six27. Twenty-seven28. Twenty-eight29. Twenty-nine30. Thirty31. Thirty-one32. Thirty-two
33. Thirty-three34. Thirty-four35. Thirty-five36. Thirty-six37. Thirty-seven38. Thirty-eight39. Thirty-nine40. Forty41. Forty-one
LetterfromC.J.AcknowledgmentsAbouttheAuthor
PublishedbyBookouture,animprintofStoryFireLtd.
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Copyright©CJDaugherty2013
CJDaughertyhasassertedherrighttobeidentifiedastheauthorofthiswork.
Allrightsreserved.Nopartofthispublicationmaybereproduced,storedinanyretrievalsystem,ortransmitted,inanyformorbyanymeans,electronic,mechanical,photocopying,recordingorotherwise,withoutthepriorwrittenpermissionofthepublishers.
This book is awork of fiction.Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places and events other than those clearly in the publicdomain, are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead,eventsorlocalesisentirelycoincidental.
ISBN:978-1-909490-33-8
Toknowyourenemy,youmustbecomeyourenemy.SunTzu
1
ONE
‘Youmustrelax,’Sylvainsaid.‘Ifyou’retense,you’llsink.’Allieglaredathim.Everymuscleinherbodywasstretchedtightasawire.‘Iamrelaxed.’Theystoodincool,waist-deepwater,gentlewavesjostlingthem.Thesandwassoftbeneaththeir
toes.Alliecouldfeeltheheatofthesunstrongonherskinasshelookedoutoverthecobaltwaters.Sylvain’seyebrowswingedup.‘Youarenotrelaxed.’Hegesturedathertightshoulders,andhands
curledintofists.‘Lookatyou.We’reswimmingintheMediterraneanSea–youactlikeyou’reabouttobetortured.’
Allieshrugged.Shewasaffectingnonchalancebut thefactwas,shecouldhardlybelieveshewasreallyhere.Withhim.Doingthis.
IaminthesouthofFrance,shethought,andSylvainisteachingmehowtoswim.WTF?Sylvainwasstillwaitingforhertosaysomethingsoshemuttereddarklyaboutwaterboarding.Hislipstwitched.‘Here,’hesaid.‘It’seasy.Just…sit.’Lookingaroundattheutterlackofanythingtositon,Alliesquintedsuspiciously.‘Sit?’Hedemonstrated,loweringhisbodyintothewater,whichseemedtopickhimupandcarryhim,as
ifhewererelaxinginaninvisiblechair.Thenheleanedbackandfloated,weightlessasafeather.‘See?It’seasy.’
Hesitantly,Allieletherbodydropintothewaterashe’ddone.Thesecondsheliftedherfeetfromtheseabedshesanklikestone.Splashingwildly,sheregainedherfootingandturnedtohim,sputteringandoutraged.
‘Ican’tsit,’shesaid,fuming,‘onwater.’Sylvaintriedtoholdasympatheticexpressionbuthiseyesdancedandhislipscurvedup.‘Thatwas…unfortunate.’‘Unfortunate?’ Still tasting salt water, Allie seemed to have lost her ability to put a sentence
together.‘Look,’hesaid,steppingcloser.‘Tryitagain.ThistimeI’llholdontoyou.’‘Ohno.’Allie,whohadjustabouthadenoughswimmingforoneday,steppedquicklyawayfrom
him.Laughingnow,Sylvainfollowedher.‘Ohyes.’Allie tried to run towards shorebut the sandandwater conspired to slowher and in secondshis
handswereonherwaist.Hepulledherbackoutassheflailedandgiggledwithhelplessindignation.
‘I can’t swim. Please don’t make me learn,’ she implored. ‘I hate learning. Learning is stupid.Learningisbad.’
‘Learning,’Sylvainsaidcalmly,‘iswonderful.’He was swimming beside her now and her feet weren’t touching the sea floor. His hands were
steadyonherwaistandthenshewasfloatinginthewaterwithoutquiteknowinghowithadhappened.Treadingwater,Sylvainturnedaslowcircle,spinninghereasilyasshelayflatonherback,staring
upattheperfectbluesky.‘See?’hesaid.‘Iknewyoucoulddoit.’‘Butyou’reholdingmeup,’shesaid.‘NoI’mnot.’Andhewasn’t.Atsomepointhe’dletgo.Shewasfloating,free.‘Ican’tbelieveit,’Alliewhispered.Butitwastrue.Shewasn’tsinkingorsputtering.Thewaterheld
her,likegentlehands.Shefeltsafe.For justa second, sheclosedhereyes. Itwassoquietandcalm, theonlysound theswishof the
wavesreachingthesand,andthesighasthewaterreturnedtothesea.Itwas…perfect.Thatwaswhenthefirstshotsplittheair.
Theexplosivesoundrippedthroughthequietcove.Allieflinchedandstartedtosink.Beforeshecouldgounder,Sylvaingrabbedher,pullingherclose.
Hiseyessearchedtheshore.Clinging tohis shoulders,Allie followedhis gaze.Everythingwas just as it hadbeen: soft sand,
toweringboulders,bluesea.Butsuddenlyitlookeddifferent;dangerous.Irrationalangerflashedinsideherlikefire.Thiswasthefirst timethey’dleft thecompoundsince
they’darrivedatSylvain’sfamilyhomeamonthago.Nowthey’dneverbeallowedoutagain.Wasthishowherwholelifewasgoingtobe?Constantlyontherun?
Constantlyafraid.ShethoughtofRachel,whoshe’dleftsittingbythepoolatSylvain’sfamily’svilla.Whatifshewas
underattack,too?Theyhadtogetoutofhere.Getbacktoher.Shesentupasilentprayer.PleaseletherbeOK.Stillholdinghertightly,Sylvainbeganswimmingtowardsarockjettythatedgedthebeach,jutting
outintothesea.Feelinglikeadeadweight,Allietriedtomakeherselfassmallandlightaspossible.Buthewasastrongswimmerandtheymovedwithsureswiftness.
Thewholetime,theybothwatchedtheshore.Nothingstirred.Thenanothergunshotrangout.Asthesoundechoedoff therocks,AllieandSylvainexchangedashockedlook.Theybothknew
betterthantospeak.Withoutaword,heshiftedhertohisotherarm,puttinghisbodybetweenherandthesuddenlydeadlyshore.
Thewaterseemedcoldernow;Allie’steethbegantochatter.
Guns. They’d faced a lot of things inEngland, but never guns.You couldn’t outrun a bullet.Oroutswimit.
ForthreemonthssheandRachelhadmovedfromsafehousetosafehouse.Eachmoreelegantthanthelast.Eachmoreisolated.Eachmorelonely.
Afewweeksagothey’darrivedinFrancetofindSylvainwaitingforthem.Likeapieceofhome.Andthey’dactuallybeenhavingfun…Untilnow.Ishouldhaveknownitcouldn’tlast.The second they reached the rock jetty, Sylvain navigated to a hidden nookwhere the boulders
naturallyshieldedthemonallsides,likeahousewithoutaroof.Theycroucheddownlow,bothofthemtense.Inthesafetyoftherocks,Alliefeltsafeenoughtowhisper.‘What…?’‘Idon’tknow.’Hisvoicewastaut,andamuscleworkedinhisjaw.‘ButI’mgoingtofindout.’FearburnedAllie’sstomachlikeacid.Itmusthaveshownonherfacebecausehetookherbythe
shoulders.Hishandsweresteadyandhiseyespleadedwithhernottoargue.‘Stayhere.’Thoughwhispered,thewordsseemedtoechoaroundthem.‘Please,Allie.I’mgoingto
seewhat’shappeningthenI’llcomerightback.Ipromise.’Avisceralfrustrationshookher.Sheshouldgowithhim–shewastrainedforthis.Butshedidn’tknowhowtoswim.Ifsheinsistedongoingtoo,she’dmakethingsmoredangerous
forbothofthem.Sheheldhisgazefiercely.‘Becareful.’For a moment he looked at her as if he wanted to say something; instead he pulled her close,
huggingherhard.Hisskinfeltwetandcoldagainsthers.Thenheslippedoutbetweentherocksanddivedintothewater,disappearingwithbarelyaripple.Assoonashewasoutofsight,Alliewantedhimback.Herchestached.Shewrappedherarmstightlyacrosshertorso.Peoplekeptgettinghurtbecauseofher.FirstRuth,thenJo,thenRachel.IfNathanielgothishands
onSylvain…Three gunshots rang in quick succession and she gasped, ducking low. A bullet ricocheted off
somethingwithahigh-pitchedwhine.Alliegrippedthestoneinfrontofher,digginghernailsintoacreviceintheblackrock.Barnacles
werelikerazorbladesbeneathherfingertipsandshewelcomedthepain.Ithelpedherthink.MoretimepassedandSylvaindidn’treturn.Itwasbecomingdifficulttobreathe.Shecouldn’tstayhere,couldshe?Hecouldbehurt.Hemightneedherhelp.Foralongwhileshestayedlow,tornbetweenrushingouttofindhimanddoingashe’dasked.She
countedherbreaths.Fifty-threebreathsin.Fifty-four.Fifty-five…Heshouldbeback.Finallyshecouldn’ttakeitanymore.Shecouldn’tswimbutshecouldwadeor…walk.Something.
Sheleaptup.Atthatprecisemoment,heappeared,drippingfromthesea.Reliefthreatenedtobringtearstohereyes.Someof the tension left his face as soon as he sawher.Hemoved swiftly into the safetyof the
rocks.‘Iwassureyouwouldn’tbehere,’hesaid.‘Ican’tbloodyswim.’Helplessfrustrationranginhervoiceandsheforcedherselftolowerittoa
whisper.‘What’shappening?’Hisexpressionchanged,becomingmorebusiness-like.‘Therearetwoofthem.Ourguardsareholdingthemofffornowbutmorecouldbeontheway.We
havetogetoutofhere.Weneedtobefast.’Heheldhergaze,hisblueeyesdarkwithworry.‘Staywithme–nomatterwhathappens,OK?’
Allie,whohadnointentionoflettinghimoutofhersightagain,noddedvigorously.‘Ipromise.’Takingherhand,hebentdownlowastheylefttheshelterandslippedintothechillysea.Fearhad
heightenedAllie’ssenses–shethoughtshecouldseethingsmovinginthewater;feel thembrushingagainstherskin.
Ashe’ddoneearlier,Sylvainheldherclose,propellingthemthroughthewaveswithstrongkicks.Butinsteadofsteeringtowardsshore,heheadedawayfromit.Slowly,workingagainstthecurrent,theymadetheirwaytotheendoftherockjetty,andthenaroundittotheotherside.
Here,nobeautifulbeachgreetedthem.Theunshelteredcoastlinehadbeenbatteredbywavesandwindandallowedtobecomeovergrownwithscrubtreesandweeds.
Somewhereinthedistancesheheardshouts.Sylvain’sarmtightenedaroundher.Grittinghisteeth,hekickedharder.Withthewavesattheirbacktheyglidedswiftlytowardstheshore.
Assoonastheyreachedtheshallows,theystoodandran.Sylvainheldherhandinatightgripasthey stumbledoutof the sea, fighting the forceof thewaves tuggingat their legs as if tohold themback.
Whentheyreachedtheclusterofbouldersthatshieldedthecove,theystoppedtocatchtheirbreath.Therelentlesssunlightbleachedthesceneinfrontofthem,tintingitallwithhazygold.
Fromtherocks,Alliecouldseetheirguards’SUVs.Justbeyondthataflashofbrightred–Sylvain’smotorcycle.
Shoutseruptedinthedistance.UnfamiliarvoiceshurledFrenchwordsateachother.Alliecouldn’tseeanyone–theguardshadtobeintherocks.
‘Shh…’Sylvainhelduphishandashelistened.Thenheturnedtoher,hiseyesurgent.‘They’remakingamove.Getready.’
Footstepspoundedacrossthehardsand.Moreshouts.Ashotwasfired.Hepulledatherhand.‘Now.’Takingoffatarun,theyhurtledacrossthesand.ThornyscrubbushesscratchedatAllie’slegs,sharp
shellscutintoherbarefeet,butsheignoredthem,pushingherselftorunfaster.Thesunturnedthesandabrutalwhite.Herbreathburnedinherthroat.
Aheadofthemthemotorcyclewaslikeabeacon.Red.Stop.Danger.Thentheywerethere.Sylvainleapedontothebike,reachingbacktohelpherclimbonbehindhim.
Shoutseruptedbehindthemandhethrewthehelmetstotheground–therewasnotime.They both knewwhatwould happenwhen he turned the key,which glittered hot in the ignition
wherehe’dleftit.Theattackerswouldallcomerunning.Withguns.Heturnedtomeethergaze;hispiercingblueeyeswerefierceanddetermined.‘Holdon.’
2
TWO
Theroarofthemotorcycle’senginewasdeafening;itdrownedouteveryothersound.Someonecouldshootatthemandthey’dneverhearit.
AlliewrappedherarmstightlyaroundSylvain’swaist.Hisskinfelthotagainsthers;feverish.Hegunned theengine.Thebikeshotdown thedirt roadas if ithadbeen fired fromacannon. It
moved like a living creature beneath them and, even clinging to him with all her strength, Alliestruggledtoholdon,grittingherteethfromtheforceofthespeed.
Itfeltlikegravitywastryingtotearthemapart.Sylvain’smusclestensedfromtheeffortofkeepingthemotorcycleuprightandmovinginastraight
line.TheroughdirtroadjostledthemsoviolentlyAllie’steethchattered.Thenanintersectionwithapavedhighwayloomedaheadofthem.Theroadwascrowdedwithlate
afternoontraffic;they’dhavetoslowdowntomergeontoit.CrouchedlowbehindSylvain,Allieturnedtolookoverhershoulder.Inthedistanceshesawadark
vehicleroaringafterthem.Itwasn’tcloseyetbutitwasfast.ItwouldcatchuptothemwhenSylvainhitthebrakestomergeontotheroad.
Butastheygrewcloserandclosertothebusyroad,hedidn’thitthebrakes.And,withsuddencoldclarity,Allierealisedhewasn’tgoingto.
Hewasgoingtoturnintothatcrowdedroadatfullspeed.Therewasnotimetoreact–tosayanything.Totryandtalkhimoutofit.Squeezinghereyesshut,
shetightenedhergrip,pressingherfaceagainstthebareskinofhisback.Theyhittheintersection,cuttingoffasmallcarthatslammeditsbrakestoavoidcrashingintothem.
TyresscreamedasSylvainturnedthebikesharply.Theacridsmellofburnedrubberfilledtheair.Thatwaswhenhelostcontrol.Thebikeswervedwildly.Theroadshotuptowardsthem.Alliescreamedandturnedherfaceawayjustintimetoseealorrypiledhighwithproduceswerve
offontothedirtshoulder,sendingupadarkcloudofdustanddirt.SwearinginFrench,Sylvainfoughttorightthebikeasitwobbledwildly.Atthespeedtheywere
going,withnohelmetsorprotectivegear,Allieknewthey’dlikelydieif theycrashed.Buttherewasnothingshecoulddobutholdon.Holdingherbreath,sheclungtoSylvain’swaist.
Then, just as suddenly as he’d lost it, hewas in control again.Thebike steadied.He revved theengineandtheytorestraightandfastdowntheroad.
Exhalinginrelief,Allieloweredherchintohisshoulder.Shecouldn’ttellwhetheritwasherheart
orSylvain’sshecouldfeelpoundingbutafinesheenofsweathadappearedonhisbareshouldersandshewasfindingithardtobreathe.
Heglancedbackather.‘YouOK?’Nowordsseemedsufficienttoconveyhowshefelt,soAllienoddedherreply.Astheirspeedpicked
up,hebentlowoverthebars.Theseawasablueblurbesidethem;ontheothersidefieldsrushedby,awatercolourofgoldandgreenandlavender.Hehandledthebikesmoothlynow,passingcarswithouthesitationorfear.
Shedidn’tknowhowfasttheyweregoingbuthadafeelingitmustbewellover100milesperhour.She wondered how Sylvain could see – the wind burned her eyes, whipping her damp hair into aweaponthatslicedatherfaceandthebareskinofhershoulders.
Butsoontrafficgrewheavierandtheywereforcedtoslow.Sylvain swerved, looking for a way out, but found nothing. It was summer time on the French
Riviera.Trafficwasinescapable.Still,Allietoldherself,atleastthey’descapedthegunmen.Andbynowtheyhadtobenearlyback
tothehouse.They’dmadeit.Justasshe’dbeguntorelax, though,ablackBMWswungintothelanebehindthem,creepingso
closeitalmosttouchedthebike’sreartyre.She could never be certainwhere it came from. Just, suddenly, itwas there; its powerful engine
roaring.Tintedwindowshid the faceof thedriver,making thecar seemasblankandmenacingasarobot.
AlliefeltSylvain’sbodytenseashestudiedthecarinthebike’sside-mirror.‘Isitoneofus?’sheshouted,hervoicedisappearinginthewind.Heshookhisheadveryslightly.Allie’sheartsank.Itwasoneofthem.Bynow,sheknewwhattoexpect–hedidn’thavetowarnher.Shetightenedherarmsaroundhis
waist,bracingherself.Sylvainpulledintooncomingtraffic.Cars scattered around them like toys in a playground.Discordant hornblasts formed a chorusof
ragebutSylvainignoredthem,speedingstraightahead.Behindthem,thedarkcar’sengineroaredasifenraged.Ashriekofbrakesandacrash.ClingingtoSylvain,AllietwistedaroundtoseetheBMWknocka
smallercarofftheroadintothescrubbrush.Thenthedriverflooreditandheadedrighttowardsthem.‘Sylvain!’Hearingtheurgencyinhervoice,heglancedback.Swearing,heswervedhardtotheright,ontothe
narrow,unpaved,shoulder.Pebblesshotoutfromunder their tyres likebulletsas theyspedalongtheroughdirtstripforhalfamile,passingcarsliketheyweresittingstillbeforecareeringatlastontoanarrowroad.
Thankfully, the tree-lined lane was mostly empty. Sylvain accelerated, taking the curves at
impossiblespeeds.Allieknewsheshouldbeafraidbutshe’dseenwhathecoulddo.Shetrustedhimtokeepheralive.
Shekeptlookingoverhershoulderfortheblackcarbutitdidn’treappear.Thenanimposingmetalgateappearedaheadof them.TwofamiliardarkSUVssatoutside it like
sentinels.Thegatewasjuststartingtoopen.Theafternoonsunshinepouringthroughtheblackmetalwasso
whiteandcleanitlookedlikethegatestoheaven.The opening didn’t seem big enough for the bike but Sylvain obviously thought differently. He
headedforit.Allie’s hands clenched against his waist; she murmured a prayer under her breath. They shot
throughwithinchestospare,skiddingsidewaysontheelegant,flower-lineddrive.Sylvainslammedonthebrakestoavoidrunningintothehouse.Theystoppedabruptly,andAlliejoltedforwardagainsthisspinebeforethuddingbackhardontotheseat.
Sylvainturnedofftheengine.Thesuddensilencewasshocking.Swinginghislegsforward,heleapedathleticallyfromthebikeandheldhishandouttoher.‘The
gatesarestillopen,’hesaid.‘We’reexposedhere.Wehavetogetinside.’Shewantedtodoashesaidbutshecouldn’tseemtomove.Herkneesfeltlikerubber,herstomach
churned.Hadtheyeverbeensoclosetodeathbefore?‘I’mnotsuremylegswillwork,’sheadmitted.Apleasedsmilequirkeduphislipsandheleanedcasuallyagainstahandlebar.‘Itwasfast,no?ItrainedwithaMotocrosschampion.Myfatherinsistedasaconditionofgiving
methebike.’Alliefoughtanabsurddesiretolaugh.Howcouldhebesorelaxedwhenthey’djustnearlydied?Sheswungherlegsoverandjumpeddownfromthebike.Theyranupthestepstothefrontdoor.‘I’mgladheinsisted,’shesaid,hervoiceshakingjustalittle.‘Ilikebeingalive.’
3
THREE
Thethingwas,thedayhadstartedwithsuchpromise.Itwassosunnytheskywaslikeasheetofblueglass. Itwas the day beforeAllie’s birthday, and she andRachel had a busy schedule of sunbathingplanned.
Rachel,ofcourse,sunbathedwithherchemistry textbookbecauseRacheldideverythingwithhertextbooks.SheplannedtogotoOxfordandthentomedicalschool,andnothing–notevenanattackbyNathaniel that decimated the school and left them both injured – could stop her. They’d both beentutoredlongdistanceeversincetheyleftCimmeriaAcademyonacoldMarchnight.Overthemonths,they’dbecomeprettyadeptatindependentstudy.
As theysatby thepool thatafternoon,Alliehadattempted todoherhistory readingbut found ithardtofocus.ItwasonlyJunebutalreadyitwassummerhotandshekeptfindingreasonstodropthebook.
After all, she thought, lying back on the sun lounger, do you have to study the day before yourbirthday?Isn’tthatabitlikestudyingonChristmasEve?
Overhead, a seabirdwheeled in lazy circles, never flapping itswings, only soaring.Not a singlecloudshadowedthem.
Allie glancedover towhereRachel sat in the shadeof a largeumbrella, utterly immersed inherwork.ThescarsGabehadleftonherbodywerehardtoseenow,andshewasglad.Maybeeventuallythey’ddisappearcompletely.
It had takenweeks after they left CimmeriaAcademy for Rachel’s nightmares to stop.And shewasn’ttheonlyonewithbaddreams.
Allie touched the long, thin scar on her own shoulder. It felt hard beneath her fingers and stillsensitive.Areminderofwhatshe’dbeenthrough.Andwhatshewasrunningfrom.
Itwasonlyreallywhentheycameherethatthey’dbothfeltsafeagain.Theyhadn’tevenknownwhosehouseitwaswhentheyfirstarrivedinaconvoyofSUVs,aftera
shortjourneybyprivatejet.Whentheheavyblackgatesopened,theyrevealedagrandvillathatseemedto absorb the sun into its goldenwalls.Lush,magentabougainvilleawrapped around it like abrightblanket.
Itwasbeautiful.Butitwasjustanothermansion.Theyhadbeenstandingintheheat,waitingforthedrivertounloadtheirbags,whenthefrontdoor
swungopenandsuddenlySylvainwasinthedoorway,smilingatthemlikeapieceofCimmeria–likehome.
Withouteventhinkingaboutit,Alliehadboundedupthestepsandhurledherselfintohisarms.He’djustlaughedandpulledhercloser,asiftheyhuggedeachothereveryday.‘God,’he’dwhisperedintoherhair,‘I’vemissedyou.’Later,asheshowedthemaround,Sylvainwouldexplainthatthiswashisparents’summerretreat.
Thegroundsheldseveralhousesaswellasthesprawlingmainvilla,sotherewasroomforguardsandstaff.Highwallsandalocationatthetopofahillkeptitsecure.
Itwas theperfectplace tohideand, after aweek,Allie andRachelhadagreed theycouldprettyhappily livehere forever. In theconstantFrenchsunshine, itwaseasy to forget thechaos they’d leftbehind.EasynottoworryaboutNathanielandwhytheguardswereconstantlyaround.Whytheyneverleftthecompound.
Exceptfortoday,whenSylvainhadshownupbythepoolwiththetantalisingofferofafewminutesoffreedom.
‘Iwasthinkingofgoingtothebeach,’he’dsaid.‘Wanttocome?’Alliehadn’thesitated.‘Areyoujoking?’she’dasked.Whenheshookhishead,grinning,she’dleapt
toherfeet.‘Comeon,Rach.Youhavetocome,too.’ButRachelhadshooedthemaway.‘Yougo,children,’she’dsaid,glancingatthemindulgentlyover
thetopsofhersunglasses.‘I’vegotlearningtodo.’SoAllieandSylvainhadgonetothebeachalone.As they’d driven across the French countryside on Sylvain’smotorcycle,Allie had absorbed the
beautyofthelandscapewithhungryeyes.Shelovedithere.Theonlyproblemwas,they’dalreadybeeninFrancenearlyamonth.Thatwaslongerthanthey’d
stayedanyplacesinceleavingCimmeria.Atanymoment thecallcouldcome.Thentheplane.Somenewanonymousmansionwouldawaitthem.AndsheandRachelwouldbealoneagain.
Whoknewwhenthey’dcomebackhere?Whenshe’deverseeSylvainagain?Butsofarthecallhadn’tcome,andAlliehadbeguntoletherselfdreamthatmaybetheycouldstay.
MaybeNathanielwouldneverfindthem.Orperhapshesimplydidn’tdaremesswithSylvain’sfather.After all, Mr Cassel was a powerful leader of the French government and one of the country’swealthiestmen.
Butonsomelevelshe’dalwaysknownthiswasjustafantasy.Nathanielalwaysfoundher.Always.ThemarblefloorwascoolbeneathAllie’sbarefeet.Aftertheheatoutside,thevillaseemedaschilly
asarefrigerator.Goosebumpsroseonherarmsandshoulders.Above theirheads,vaulted ceilings soaredup twenty feet; at the top, fans circled steadilywith a
faintmechanicalwhirr.‘IhavetofindRachel,’Alliesaid,turningtowardsthebackofthehouse.Butshe’donlytakentwo
stepswhenatrioofguards,cladinblackT-shirtsandshorts,burstintotheroom.StoppinginfrontofSylvain,theyspokeinrapidFrenchashelistenedattentively.
Allie,whoseFrenchwasonlyso-so,waitedimpatientlyforhimtotranslate.Afterabriefconversationthemenranoffagain.Sylvainturnedtoher,hisbrowfurrowing.‘Everything’sfinehere,’hesaid.‘Therewasnoattackonthehouse.Rachelisinherroom.They’ve
gonetogetmyparents.’Alliebreathedarelievedsigh.AtleastRachelwasOK.Atleasttherewasthat.ButSylvaindidn’t lookrelieved.Worrystillcreasedhisforehead.‘What’s thematter?’sheasked,
searchinghisfaceforclues.‘Hassomethingelsehappened?’Heshookhishead.‘Idon’tknow.Somethingtheysaid…Ijusthaveabadfeeling…’Hedidn’thavetofinishthesentence.Allieknewthatfeelingwell.‘They’resendingusaway.’Hertonewasmatter-of-facteventhoughherheartached.‘Tothenext
safehouse.’Atherside,hishandfoundhers.‘Iwon’tletthem.’Hesoundeddeterminedand,asAllielookedintohiseyes,thecolouroftheFrenchsky,shewished
itwaspossible.But itwasn’t.Sylvaincouldhandleamotorcycle likeaprobutevenhecouldn’t tellLucindaMeldrumwhattodowithhergranddaughter.
Evenhecouldn’tkeephersafe.‘They’llmakeus,’shesaidsimply.Then,becauseitwastrue,sheadded,‘I’llmissyou.’He looked at her longingly, as if therewas something hewanted to say but he couldn’t find the
words.Hisgazebrushedherlipslikeakiss.‘Allie …’ he began but, before he could finish the thought, another guard rushed in saying
somethingAlliecouldn’tunderstand.Droppingherhand,Sylvaingaveherahelpless,apologeticlook.‘Myfather.Ihavetogo.’‘It’scool,’shesaid.‘We’lltalklater.’Butashewalkedawayshecouldn’tsuppressthemelancholythought:Ifthereisalater.
AfterSylvainleftwiththeguards,Alliehurriedupthestaircase,whichcurledupwardsgracefullyinaswirlofdelicatewhitewroughtiron.Sherandowntheairylandingtoasetoftall,doubledoors,whichswungopenathertouch.
Theafternoonsunfilteredthroughthelongsheercurtainsthatcoveredthefloor-to-ceilingwindows,givingherbedroomacreamy,apricotglow.Awide,canopiedbed,drapedinpalelinens,dominatedtheroom,butAllieheadedstraighttothedresser.
Quickly,shepulledashortskirtandatanktopoverherbikini.Afterslidingherfeetintosandals,shestoppedinfrontofadoorthatcouldeasilybemistakenforacloset.Sheknockedonitlightly.
‘Comein.’Rachel’svoicesoundedmuffledthroughtheheavywood.Allieopened thedoor to the adjoining room,which lookedagreat deal likehers, onlywithpale
yellowcurtainsinsteadofpeach.Rachellayonherbedsurroundedbystacksofbooks.Herglasseshadslidhalfwaydownhernose
andsheblinkedatAllieoverthetopofthem.
Alliehatedtobreakthenews.Rachelwassohappyhere.Sosafe.Butnooneiseverreallysafe,sheremindedherself.Safeisanillusion.Aliewetellourselvestomakeiteasiertogoaboutourverydangerouslives.‘Youbettercomedownstairs,’shesaidquietly.‘Nathanielfoundus.’
‘You have to go.’ Sylvain’s father sat on a stylish armchair upholstered in lush, white linen. Allie,Sylvain andRachel perched across fromhimon a long,matching sofa. ‘Thiswas a real attack.Youcouldhavebeenkilled.’Heheldhisson’sgaze.‘YouandIbothknowNathanielwouldhavekilledyoutogettoAllie.He’llnevergiveup.’
Sylvain’s gaze didn’t flicker but, for Allie, Mr Cassel’s words were the equivalent of someoneopeningthecoverofanendless,darkwellandshovingherdown.Theyechoedinherhead.
He’llnevergiveup.Nevergiveup…‘Wheredowegothistime?’Rachel’stonewasneutralbutAlliecouldsensethewearinessshewas
hiding.Theywerebothtiredofrunning.Hisnextwordsstunnedthemboth.‘BacktoCimmeria.’Allie’sheartflipped.Rachelshotheradisbelievinglook.Wasitpossible?Theycouldgohome?Lucinda had always made it clear they couldn’t go back to the school until the situation with
Nathanielwasresolved.Whichitclearlywasn’t.So…whathadchanged?‘You’reserious?’Alliesaid.‘Wecanreallygoback?’Watching them from her seat near the tall windows that overlooked the pool, Sylvain’s mother
seemedunnaturallycalminthefaceofallthisupheaval.‘Everyplaceyou’vegonetohasbeendiscoveredeventually.’Hervoicewasarichalto.HerFrench
accentmadeeachwordelegant.‘Foryou…noplaceistrulysafe.’A slight frown darkenedMrCassel’s expression. ‘That is not precisely true.’He turned toAllie.
‘Lucinda–yourgrandmother–hasdecidedyouwillbesaferinEngland.And–’hehesitatedbriefly–‘weagree.Atleast,wethinkyou’llbeinnomoredangertherethanyouarehere.Andyoucangetonwithyourstudies.’
Alliecouldn’tbelieveit.ShesawRachelfightinganexcitedsmileandsheknewhowshefelt.Home,shethought.I’mgoinghome.ShewouldseeZoeandNicoleagain.AndCarter.Theverythoughtofhimmadehernervous.She’dnevergotachancetosaygoodbye.Neverhada
chancetosortthingsthrough.Nevermadeuphermind.‘Whendoweleave?’Sylvainheldhisfather’sgaze,hisexpressionintense.MrCasselopenedhismouthtoreply,thencloseditagainasifhe’dthoughtbetterofit.Allielookedbackandforthbetweenthem,awaresomemessagewasbeingexchangedbutunsureof
whatitwas.MrCasselfinallyspoke.‘AllieandRachelleavetonight.Ifyouchoosetogowiththem…thenthat
iswhenyouwillgo,too,Isuppose.’‘OfcourseI’mgoingbackwiththem,’Sylvainsaidevenly.‘Youknowthat.’Fromherseatbythewindow,Sylvain’smothermadeasmallsound.Shewasstillgazingoutofthe
window, her lips tight. As always, she was elegantly dressed – in her white linen blouse and greytrousers;apalebluepashminadrapedacrosshershoulders,shecouldhavesteppedoutofamagazine.
ButAlliehadneverseenherlooksosad.‘Wewouldratheryoustayedhere,’MrCasselsaidfinally.‘Wherewecanprotectyou.’Sylvainrepliedtohisfatherinrapid,lowFrench.Alliehadbeenpractisingbutshestillonlycaught
onlyacoupleofwords.Jamais–never.Andcomprend–understand.Hisfatherstoodwithsuchabruptnessitmadeherjump.HesaidsomethingtoSylvainthatshedidn’t
catchandstrodeoutoftheroom.‘Whatdidhesay?’sheasked,lookingatSylvain.ItwasMrsCasselwhoresponded,hereyesonherson.‘Hesaid,“Doasyouplease.”’‘Maman…’Sylvainbegan,buthismotherheldupherhand,herwhitesleevefallingbacktoreveal
aslimwristthesametawnycolourashisownskin.‘Youdon’thavetoexplain,’shesaidquietly.‘Iunderstand.Butweloveyou.Andweareafraidfor
you.’HergazemovedtoencompassAllieandRachel.‘Forallofyou.’Anuncomfortablesilencefell.‘Well.’Rachelclearedherthroat.‘Iguessweshouldpack.Andleaveyoutwototalk.’Standing,she
gesturedatAllie.‘Comeon.ThoseT-shirtswon’tpackthemselves.’‘No,theywon’t,’Allieagreed,scramblingtofollow.‘Andthetrousers.Someonehastopackthose,
too.’Sylvaindidn’tevenglanceatthemastheyhurriedupthestairs,leavingaheavystillnessbehind.
Alliehadalreadythrownallherthingsintobagsbeforeaguardinformedhertheywouldn’tleaveuntilnightfall. Once they left the safety of the Cassel compound they needed to move fast, the guardexplained,andforthattheroadshadtobeclearoftraffic.
Intheend,itwasaftertenbeforetheywerefinallycalledtothefrontdoorwhereaconvoyofblackSUVswaited,headlightsglowing,enginespurring,
Withoutaword,Sylvain’sfatherkissedAllieandRachelonbothcheeks.HesaidsomethingquietlytoSylvaininFrench.AlliesawSylvain’sjawtightenashelistened.Thenhedisappearedbackintothevilla.
MrsCasselhuggedRachel.‘Goodluckwithyourstudies,Rachel,’shesaid,inherbeautifullyaccentedvoice.‘Ishouldlikeyou
tobemydoctorsomeday.’‘Thanksforeverything,’Rachelsaid.Thewomangaveheranaffectionatesmile.
AsRachelheadedouttothecar,MrsCasselturnedtoAllie.‘Goodbye,my dear.’ She pulled her close.Allie breathed in her perfume, a headymix of exotic
flowersandspice.Whenshesteppedback,MrsCasselheldherbytheshoulders,studyingherfaceasifshewantedto
saymore.Therewassomethinginherwarm,hazeleyesAlliecouldn’tread.Caution,perhaps.Ordoubt.Butallshesaidasshedroppedherhandswas:‘Becareful,chèreAllie.’‘I will,’ Allie promised. Then something occurred to her. ‘What about you, though? Nathaniel
knowswhereyouare.Heknowsyouhelpedme.’MrsCasselseemedtouchedbyherconcern.‘Wearewellprotected,’shesaidgently.‘Besides,it’s
notushewants,mydear.’HerhonestywaschillingbutAlliewasgratefulforitnonethelessasshehurriedafterRacheltothe
lineofcars.Sylvainlingeredonthefrontsteps.Throughtheopencardoor,Alliewatchedashetalkedquietlyto
hismother.Asalways,ithurtalittletoseeanyonesoclosetotheirparents.Shehadn’tspokentoherownparentsinmonths.Phonecallswereimpossiblewhileshewasontherun.SheknewIsabellekepttheminformedabouther.Butitwasn’teasytoacceptthattheydidn’tcareenoughtoinsistonspeakingtoher.
Iwonderwhat it’s like to be liked by your own parents,Allie thought.And then she pushed thethoughtaway.Itwaseasiernottothinkaboutthem.
MrsCasselpulledSylvainintoatighthugbeforefinallylettinghimgo.Asherandownthestepstothecar,Alliesawherwipeatearfromhercheekwithaquickbrushofherfingers.
By the timeSylvainwas seatedand lookingbackather, she’dcomposedher face.Shewavedatthemwithserenely.Asiftheywerejustnormalkids,headingofftoanormalschool.
AguardclosedthedooroftheSUVandAllieheardthethunkasallthedoorslockedautomaticallythroughthecentralsystem.
Athrillofexcitementranthroughherlikeelectricity.Evenifthey’dchangedtheirmindsnowitwastoolate.
Theyweregoinghome.
4
FOUR
‘YOUHAVEtomakeyourmindup,Allie.’Josoundedexasperated.Allieturnedtolookatherinsurprise.Theysatbeneaththespreadingbranchesoftheancientyew
treeinthechurchyardatCimmeria.Thesettingsunhadturnedtheskyafieryred.ItcaughtJo’sshort,blondehairandtingeditpink.
ThecoloursremindedAllieofsomethingbutshecouldn’tplaceit.‘Aboutwhat?’Allieasked.‘Sylvain,’Josaid.Sheleanedbackagainstthetreetrunkwithasigh.‘Ifeelsoguilty.Likeitwasmy
faultyougotintothis.’‘Intowhat?’Alliewasperplexed.‘I’mnotinanything.’‘You’reinamuddle,’Josaid,andherfamiliarcut-glassaccentmadeAlliesmile.‘Youdon’tknow
whatyouwant.’Allieflinched.ThatwaswhatSylvainhadsaidtoherbeforesheleftCimmeria.Jowasn’tfinishedyet.‘Youhavetochoosetheoneyoulove.’‘Iknowthat.’FrustrationmadeAllie’svoicesharp.Jo’seyebrowswentupandAllieraisedherhandsinanapologeticgesture.‘Soz,Jo.It’sjust…Letmetryandexplain.’Buthowcouldsheexplainwhatshedidn’tunderstand?Thatshecaredfortwoboysanddidn’twant
tohurteitherofthem.Thatherrelationshipswithbothofthemwereloadedwiththebaggageofpastmistakes.
Thatwhenyourownfamilydidn’tseemtoloveyouitwashardtoloveanyoneelse.‘Iguess…Iwouldn’trecognisetrueloveifitwalkeduptomeonthestreetandbitmeontheleg.So
howcanIsayI’minlovewithSylvain?OrI’minlovewithCarter?Ilovethemboth.ButIdon’tknowwhat“inlove”evenis.’
Joreachedoverandtookherhand.HerfingersfeltlikenothingagainstAllie’sskin.Asinsubstantialasacloud.
‘IcanonlytellyouwhatIknow,’Josaid.‘LoveisIcareaboutyou.Itrustyou.Iunderstandyou.Iwantyounearme.Inlove…’Jolookedwistful,hergazefixedonsomepointfaraway,justbeneaththeredsky.‘Inloveis:Iwouldgiveupeverything.Evenmyself.You,Ican’tlivewithout.’SheturnedherwideblueeyesbacktoAllie;theywerefilledwithtearsthatglistenedlikestars.‘Doyouunderstand?’
Thebedroomdoorflewopenwithacrash,floodingtheroomwithlight.
Startled,Alliescrambledbackinbed,armsinfrontofhertorsoprotectively.WhereamI?‘It’strue.You’rereallyback.’Zoe’sflat,familiarvoicesteadiedher.Squintingintotheglare,shecouldseethegirl’ssmallframehoveringinthedoorwaylikeashadow.Hergazeskitteredaroundtheroom.Desk,bookcase,whitewashedfloor…Cimmeria.Mybedroom.Home.Itallcametoherinarush.Zoewasright.Shereallywashere.‘Hi,Zoe,’shesaid,hervoicehoarsewithexhaustion.‘Longtimenosee.’Ithadbeenafterfourinthemorningwhenthey’dfinallyreachedtheschool.Alliehadfallenasleep
inthecar,herheadagainstRachel’sshoulder.Sylvainwokethembothwhenthecarstoppedattheendofthedrive.
Everything had felt dreamlike. The damp and chilly English night. The Victorian, gothic schoolbuildingtoweringoverthem.Itwasalldarkerthanshe’dremembered.Moreintimidating.
Groggy,she’dblinkedupattheschool,wonderingwhynolightswereonatall.Noteacherscameouttogreetthem.
They’dstumbledupthestepstothefrontdoor,but,beforetheycouldopenthedoor,aguardhadopeneditfrominside.
Wheredidhecomefrom?Alliehadwonderedastheblack-cladmanstoodbacktoletthempass.They’dpartedatthegrandstaircase,Sylvainheadingtotheboys’dorm,sheandRacheltothegirls’
rooms.Itwassoquieteveryfootstepseemedtoecho.Eventhoughitwasthemiddleofthenight,Alliecouldn’thelpbutfeeldisappointedthatIsabellele
Fanult,Cimmeria’sheadmistress,hadn’tcometogreetthemaftersolongaway.Butwhen she’dwalked intoheroldbedroomshe found that someonehadmadeup thebedwith
crisp,freshsheetsandturnedbacktheduvet.AsetofpyjamaswiththeCimmeriacresthadbeenleftonthepillow.Thedesklampcastawarmglowoveritall.
Itwasallshe’dhadtimetonoticebeforewearinesstookover.Strippingoffhertravelclothes,moreappropriatetoawarmnightinthesouthofFrancethanacoolEnglishsummer,she’dfallenintobed.
‘Youmusthavegotbacklate,’Zoesaidnow.‘IsabelletoldmetoletyousleepbutIhadtoseeifitwastrue.’Shelookedtoonesideasiftryingtoremembersomethingshewassupposedtosay.Thenitcametoher.‘Sorry.’
Zoe’soddverbalcadenceandherlackofsocialskillsweresofamiliarAlliefeltarushofaffectionforheraswarmassunlight.
‘Idon’twanttosleep,’shesaid,pushingherhairoutofhereyes.‘Whattimeisit?’‘Nine,’Zoe said. ‘It’sSaturday so there areno classes.Youmissedbreakfast.There’s ameeting.
Isabellesaysyoudon’thavetobethere.’ShepausedblinkingatAllie.‘Youshouldbethere.’Nineo’clock.She’donlysleptafewhours.Butshewaswideawakenow.‘Ihavetogetcleanedup,’shesaid.‘Seeyoudownstairsintenminutes?’
‘Hurry,’Zoesuggested,beforeflittingawaylikeabird.Alliefoundherdressinggowninitsusualplaceonthedoorhook,anddughershowerthingsoutof
oneofthebagsshe’ddumpedonthefloorinthenight.Thebathroomwashalfwaydownthelongcorridorandsherelishedeverystep.Familiarwoodfloor.
Familiarlineofwhitebedroomdoors,eachwithafamiliarnumberinglossyblack.Familiarbathroomwithitsfamiliarrowofwhitesinks.
Whenshereturnedtoherroomafterahotshower,sheputontheCimmeriaschooluniformforthefirst timeinmonths.Short,pleateddarkblueskirt,crisp,whitebutton-downshirt,blue-and-whitetie,knottedlooselyatherthroat.
Thenshestudiedherselfinthemirror–shelookedlikeherselfagain.She’dneverbeenhappiertowearsuchboringclothes.Grabbingadarkblueblazerfromthewardrobe,shethrewitoverhershouldersasshehurriedout,
slammingthedoorbehindher.Thelongcorridorwasquietasshehurriedtothestaircase.Normallyshe’dexpecttojostleagainst
theshouldersofdozensofothergirlsasshewalkeddownstairs,butthiswasempty,too.Sherandowntothelandingwheresunlightpouredthroughbroadwindows,illuminatingarowof
marblestatuesandmakingthechandelierssparkle.Downthesweepingmainstaircasewithitsornate,carvedbannister,tothegrandhallway,panelled
inpolishedoakandlinedwithoilpaintingsinheavyframes,andthehidden,panelleddoortoIsabelle’soffice.Pastthecommonroom,strangelyquiet.
ShefoundZoeneartheentrancetotheclassroomwing,waitingimpatientlyatthebaseofastatueofarotund,intimidatinglookingmanwithspectaclesandaludicrouswig.
‘Youtooklongerthantenminutes.’Zoe’stonewasaccusing.‘Wehavetohurry.’Allie,whowasusedtoherabruptness,didn’ttakeoffence.Sheswungintostepbesideherasthey
walkedintotheshadowyhushoftheclassroomwing.‘Whatkindofmeetingisit?’‘Theusualkind,’Zoesaid.
‘Howhavethingsbeen?’Allieasked.‘Here,Imean?’‘Likethis.’Zoegesturedatthedarkandemptyhallway.‘Quiet.Weird.Wrong.’Sylvainhadalreadytoldhertheschoolwasdownfromtwohundredandfiftystudentstofewerthan
forty.Sheshouldhavebeenreadyfortheemptiness.Butshewasn’t.Itallfelthollow.This was just the start. Nathaniel was openly courting sympathetic members of the board; he
regularlymetwithMembersofParliament.Hewasgettingreadytotakeover.ThethoughtmadeAllie’sstomachfeeltight.Ifhetookover,everythingwouldbelost.
‘I’mgladyou’reback,’Zoe said.Althoughneitherhervoicenorher eyesbetrayedanyemotion,Allieknewshemeantit.
‘I’mgladtobehere.’The lightswereoff, butwindows illuminated the staircase as they climbed two flights to the top
floor,wheresmallclassroomslinedeithersideofthecorridor.Halfway down the hallway, Zoe shoved a door open without knocking. The low buzz of
conversationinsideceasedabruptlyastheywalkedin.The roomwas fullof seniorNightSchoolstudentsand teachers.As theyall turned toseewho it
was,Alliehungback,suddenlyshy.‘Allie’shere,’Zoeannounced.Therewasapause,theneveryonerushedtowardsheratonce.Isabellereachedherfirst.‘Zoewassupposedtoletyousleep,’shesaidwithawrysmile.Alliewassohappytoseehersheforgotanyhurtatalackofwelcomethenightbefore.‘Iwasn’ttired.’Isabelle pulled her into a tight hug. Allie inhaled the familiar scent of the headmistress’ citrus-
scentedperfume.Shesmelledlikehome.‘Welcomeback,Allie,’Isabellesaid.Isabelle’sdarkblondehairwasneatlypulledbackinaclip–ithadn’thadtimeyettodaytoworkits
usualescape.Hercardigan,thecolourofdoublecream,wassoftbeneathAllie’scheek.Onlywhen theheadmistress releasedherdidAllienotice the shadowsunderher tawnyeyes; the
delicatenewlinesworryhadcarvedintoherforehead.Shelookedexhausted.‘Ineedtotalktoyouaboutwhathappened,’Alliesaid.‘InFrance.HowdidNathaniel—’Butthentheotherteacherssurroundedthem,pullingheraway.Isabellecaughthereye,‘Let’stalklater.’Allie couldn’t understand why she hadn’t already been debriefed. No one had sat her down to
discusswhathadhappenedinFrance.Whyshe’dbeenrushedhome.Butshedidn’thavetimetothinkaboutitasEloise,thelibrarian,pulledherintoanervous,barely
therehugthatendedasquicklyas itbegan.They’dbeenquiteclosebeforeAlliehadaccusedEloise,wrongly, shenowbelieved,ofbeingNathaniel’s spy.Allieglancedather,wonderinghowshecouldapologiseforeverythingthathadhappenedbecauseofherallegation,butEloisedodgedhergaze.
ThenJerry,thescienceteacher,steppedbetweenthemandpumpedherhandwarmly.‘It’sgoodtohaveyouback.’
Afterheletgo,hetookoffhiswire-framedglassesandpolishedthemwithacloth,smilinginhisusualdistractedmannerastheotherstookturnswelcomingher.
Asshesmiledandmadeappropriatecomments,AlliescannedtheroomforCarter.Shecouldn’tseehim–butthen,theteacherswereallintheway.
‘Allie!’Anelfingirlwithhugebrowneyesandlong,darkhairfoughtthroughthecrowdtoherside.
Shepulledherclose,strongarmstightaroundherneck.‘Welcomeback!’‘Thanks,Nicole.’Alliegrinned.‘It’sgoodtobeback.’Sheglanceddown.‘How’syourleg?’‘Allbetter.’Nicolestoodononelegandbenttheother,demonstratingitswellness.‘Readytofight.’ThelasttimeAlliesawNicolewasthenightNathanielattackedtheschool.Nicole’sleghadbeen
brokeninthemelee.‘I heard what happened in France.’ Nicole’s French accent thickened as she lowered her voice.
‘ThankGodyou’reOK.Sylvainisverygoodonthebike,no?’Nicole hadgrownupwithSylvain; theywere as close as siblings. SoAlliewasn’t surprised she
alreadyknewthedetails.Atthatmoment,Sylvainwalkedacrosstheclassroom.Likeher,hewasbackinhisschooluniform–
gonewere the elegantly loose shirts and chinos he’dworn in France.But hemanaged to look sexyanyway.
‘Yeah,’Alliesaid,smilingathim.‘He’sgoodonabike.’Ashesteppeduptojointhem,hiseyesturquoiseinthelight,Alliethoughtofherdream.Jo’svoice.
‘Makeupyourmind.’Forjustasecond,hersmilefaltered.ShewishedDreamJowouldmindherownbusiness.In France, she and Sylvain had grown closer as friends but nothing else had happened, in part
because theyweresorarelyalone.Surroundedbyaconstantcoterieofguards,hisparents, theirstaffandRachel,therewasnowayeventotalkaboutthingsthatmattered.
Yesterdayhadbeentheirfirstrealtimealone.AndNathanielruinedit.‘IthoughtIsabellewasgoingtoletyousleep,’Sylvainsaid.Thewayhesaiditmadeitseemoddly
intimate–likehewassomehowinvolvedwithhersleep.Allieblushed.‘Zoe…’shesaid,tryingtorecoverhercool.‘Shewasmyalarmclock.’Thewayhearchedoneamusedeyebrowmadeherthinkheknewwhyshe’dblushed.‘Ifsomeonewasgoingtowakeyouup,’hesaid,‘I’dratheritwasme.’Allie’sblushdeepened.Shetriedtothinkofatartresponsebutherbrainwouldn’tcooperate.Looking back and forth between them, Nicole’s lips curved up in a knowing smile. She’d been
tryingtogetthemtogetherforever.‘Takeyourseats.Weneedtogetthismeetingunderway.’Zelazny’svoicewaslikeaglassofcold
waterthrownovertheirconversation.Thehistoryteacherstoodatthefrontoftheroom,gloweringatthemoverhisclipboard.Alliewassurprised tofindshewasalmosthappy toseehim.Sherememberedhowhe’dstood in
frontoftheschool’smaindoor,overrunbyNathaniel’sguards,tryingtokeeporderevenastheguardsdragged students away against their will. Until that moment she’d really thought Zelaznymight beNathaniel’s spy at the school. But when she’d seen how frightened he was – how furious – she’ddecideditcouldn’tbehim.
AsZelazny continued to complain and bluster, the small crowd began to settle untilAllie could
finallyseetherestoftheroom.ShelookedaroundagainforanysignofCarter.Hewasn’tthere.Shewas trying to ignore the pangof disappointment she feltwhen she spotted a headof glossy,
flame-colouredhair.‘Wait,’shesaid,leaningforwardtogetabetterlook.‘Isthat…KatieGilmore?’Nicole nodded. ‘Yes – she’s been helping us. Her parents are friendly with Nathaniel so her
knowledgeofhowheworkshasbeenveryuseful.’Alliewasstunned.Katiehadneverbeenincludedinseniormeetings.She’dhelpedthemoutatthe
endoflastyearbut…onlyalittle.Thiswastheinnercircle.Theseweretheschool’selite.Katiewasn’teveninNightSchool.Buttherewasn’ttimetoaskformoreinformation.Theroomhadquietened.Stillpuzzled,Alliesank
intoaseatatthebackbetweenSylvainandNicoleasZelaznyyieldedthefloortoIsabelle.Theheadmistressstoodatthelectern,lookingoutatthemwithtiredeyes.‘We’ve called thismeeting to discuss renewed security issues.Now thatAllie has returned,’ she
flickeredasmileinAllie’sdirection,‘thesecurityschedulewillchange.I’msureweallareawarethat,as soon as Nathaniel finds out she’s here, he’ll redouble his efforts. Therefore, we’ll be enhancingpatrolsonthefencelineandincreasingsecurity throughout thebuilding.Effectiveimmediately, therewillbeaguardinthegirls’dormwingeverynight,allnight.’
Nobodyelseintheroomseemedsurprisedbythenews,soAllietriednottoshowhowtakenabackshefelt.There’dalwaysbeensecurityatCimmeriabuttheguardshadkepttheirdistance.Theideaofstationingtheminthedormwingtowatchthegirlsconstantlywasabitcreepy.
As if she knew Allie was thinking this, Isabelle glanced at her. ‘The system of placing guardsthroughoutthegroundsinkeylocationshasproveneffectivesowe’veexpandedit.Thecommunicationsystemhasalsobeenenhanced—’
‘Wait.You’restillusingit?’Alliewasstunned.AfterNathanielhackedthesystem,shefeltcertaintheywoulddropit.
‘Muchhaschangedherewhileyou’vebeenaway,Allie,’Isabellesaid.‘Rajhasbroughtinatalentedtech expertwho’s helping us learn to fightNathaniel on his own level. I’ll explainmore later.’ Sheturnedherattentionbacktothegroup.‘Obviously,aspertherevisedRules,thenewpatrolrotawillnotbeputonpaper.You’llbetoldyourtimeandit’syour—’
Theclassroomdooropenedsuddenly.Isabelle’svoicetrailedoff.Turningtoseewhoitwas,Alliefroze.Carterstoodinthedoorway,staringatherwithanexpressionofutterdisbelief.
5
FIVE
‘Carter,you’relateagain,’Isabellesaidwithanunsurprisedsigh.‘We’vespokenaboutthis.Andwewillspeakofitoncemore,afterthismeeting.Takeaseat.’
Buthedidn’tseemtohaveheardher.Hejuststoodinthedoorway,eyeslockedonAllie.Helookedfurious.
‘Now,Carter.’Isabelle’svoicesharpened.Wrenchinghisgazeaway,heslunktoaseatatthebackoftheroomasfarawayfromAllieashe
couldget.AsAlliewatchedhimwithincreasingdismay,hesatstiffly,staringstraightahead.Hewasthinnerthansheremembered–hischeekbonesweretoosharp,andhisuniformseemedtoo
bigonhim.Hisdarkhairhadgrownlong;alockfellintohislarge,browneyesandheleftitthere.When it was clear he wasn’t going to look at her again, she slowly turned back to the front, a
worriedfrowncreasingherforehead.Somethingwasterriblywrong.
Itwasastrangemeeting, and soonAlliewas toobusy trying to figureoutwhatwasgoingonat theschooltoworryaboutCarter.Isabellewasright:muchhadchangedatCimmeriawhileshe’dbeengone.
NathanielwasonlymentionedonceortwiceandtheeventsinFranceweren’tdiscussedatall.Eventhe school’s strictly-enforced Rules were no longer the same. The old Rules on electronics andcommunicationsequipmenthadbeendroppedandnewRulesseemed tohavebeenbrought inhelter-skelter.Theguardswereincharge.Studentsweretightlycontrolledandconstantlywatched.
Thesituationfeltdangerousandfutile.Everyoneseemedafraid.Or,worse,resigned.Itwasasifthefightwasalreadyover.Whydidtheybringmeback?Alliewonderedwitharisingsenseofpanic.Ifallwe’regoingtodois
giveup?She’dsolongedtocomebacktoCimmeria–toseeeveryoneagain.She’dmissedthemallsomuch.
Butnowthatshewasherenothingwasasshe’dleftit.Itdidn’tfeellikethesameplace.Whenthemeetingended,theotherstudentsgatheredaroundher.‘Let’sgooutside,’Nicolesaid.‘It’sniceout.’‘Wecouldplayfootball?’Zoesuggested.Nicolewrinkledhernose.‘Sportsaresoboring.’TheysettleddowntobickeringinawaythatseemedsocomfortableAlliegotthefeelingtheymust
doitallthetime.Astheyheadedtothedoor,shehungback.Carterwasstill inhis seat. Isabelle stoodoverhim, speaking ina lowvoice.He listenedwithout
apparentemotion.NeitherofthemseemedtonoticeAllieasshestoodinthedoorwaywatchingthem.Feelingoutofplace,shehurriedintothehalltowheretheotherswaited.Warm summer sunshine streamed through thewindows on the landing and theywalked together
down the stairs just like they used to –Nicole and Zoe chatting in animated tones about the patrolschedule,SylvainlaughingsoftlyatsomethingZoesaid–butitwasn’tthesame.
Nothingisthesame.Allieblewoutherbreath.Nicoleshotheracuriouslookandfellintostepbesideher.‘Itmustfeelstrangebeingbackhereagain.’Hervoiceechoedinthehollowstairwell.‘It’sweird,’Allieadmitted.‘Somuchhaschanged.’Nicolenodded.‘It’sverydifferentnow.Eversincetheattack.’‘Thesecurity ismental,’Alliesaid. ‘Iseveryonecoolwith that? It’sallverypolicestatey.Which
seems,like…notgreat.’Nicoleconsideredthis.‘Isupposewedidn’tthinkwehadmuchchoice.Thingsgotverydangerous.
Whenthingsaredangerousyouprotectyourself.’Sheshrugged.‘It’snatural.’Theywerewalkingslowly,andZoeandSylvaindisappearedaroundacornerahead.Normallyshe’d
hurryafter thembut todayAlliewanted to take in the familiarbeautyof theold schoolbuilding. Itschandeliersandtallceilingshadalwaysseemedsopermanent.Solid.
Now,itallfeltfragile.The sweeping expanse of hallway was lined with old oil paintings in heavy frames showing
Cimmeria at various phases in its history. The building grew and shrank, advanced and retreated,brightenedanddimmedastheymoved.
Theschoolhadalwaysbeenhere,sheremindedherself.Itwouldalwayssurvive.Ithadto.Just ahead of them, Zoe reappeared from around a corner and beckoned with short, impatient
motions.‘What’stakingyousolong?’NicoleandAlliehurriedtowhereZoewaitedinthestone-flooredentrancehall.Sylvainstoodnear
thedoor talking to aguard.A stainedglasswindowset high in thewall sent shardsofgold and redflyingacrosstheroom.
NicoleandZoeheadedforthefrontdoorandAlliebegantofollowthembutSylvainreachedforherarm,pullingherback.
Withanapologeticgrimace,hesaid,‘Ihavetogo.Zelaznywantsmetomeetwiththeguardsforafulldebrief.’
‘Oh.’Allietriedtohideherdisappointment.Shefeltsolostrightnow.SheneededhimorRachelaroundtofeelnormal,andRachelwasnowheretobeseen.Butshecouldn’tsaythat.
‘Noworries.’Shegaveashrugtoshowhowlittlesheminded.‘I’llcomefindyoulater,’hepromised.Asheturnedbackdownthehallway,Zoeknockedonthedarkwoodofthefrontdoor.Aguardin
blackopeneditfromoutside.Throughthedoorway,Cimmeria’slush,greenlawnsbeckoned.‘We’llstayinsight,’Zoetoldtheguard,thenshedashedoutintothesun.Allie’seyebrowswingedup.Sincewhendowehavetoaskpermissiontogooutside?Theguardsteppedbacktoletthempass.Hisexpressionwaspureicyprofessionalismbuthisgaze
lingered onAllie’s face a little too long and she realised he knewwho shewas.He’d probably talkaboutherlater.
‘Isawher.TheoneNathanielwants…’Forcingherselftopretendshehadn’tnoticed,shewalkeddownthefrontstepswithherheadheld
high.Outside, thesmooth lawnssprawled inalldirectionsbeforefading intodarkforests. Itwassunny
butcool–nothinglikethebrutalheatinsouthernFrance–andAlliepulledherblazertighteraroundher.
Afewotherstudentssatelsewhereonthelawn.Atthefaredge,somewerekickingaballaround.NicoleandZoechoseaspotinfullsunlightnearaflowerbedandstretchedoutonthesoftgrass.
Alliesatdownnexttothemfeelingoddlyforeignastheychatteredaboutclassesshehadn’tbeentoandpeoplewhosenamesshedidn’trecognise.
‘HaseitherofyouseenRachel?’sheasked,whentheirconversationlulled.‘Ihaven’tseenhersincewegotback.’
‘Shewenthomewithherdad.’Nicolegaveheralookthatsaidshewassurprisedshedidn’tknowthisalready.‘She’llbebacktomorrow.’
Rachelhadn’tseenherfamilyinmonths–itmadeperfectsense.ButAlliefeltlonelierknowingshewasgone.
Theothersdidn’tseemtonoticeherdarkeningmood.Nicoleleanedbackonherelbows.Zoepulledupabladeofglassandblewonit,tryingtomakeitwhistle.Itjustsoundedlikeloudair.
‘I’msohappytofeelthesun.’Nicoletiltedherheadsothelightfellonthedelicatecurvesofherface,turningherfairskintogold.‘Allit’sdoneforweeksisrain,rain,rain.’
‘Didit?’Alliewassurprised.‘It’sbeensunnyeverydayinFrance.’‘Don’t.’Laughing,Nicoleheldupherhand.‘Idon’twanttohearhowgloriousFrenchsummersare,
Ialreadyknow.Englishsummersaresohorrible.Theyshouldn’tcallthemsummersatall.It’salie.’Rememberingsomethingshe’dmeanttoask,AllieturnedtoZoe,whowassearchingthelawnfor
morelikelygrasswhistles.‘Hey.Whydidyoutelltheguardwe’dstaywithinsight?’‘Newrules.’Zoe’s tonewasmatter-of-fact. ‘Guardshavetoknowwherestudentsareatall times.
Can’tgointotheforestwithoutpermission.’Alliewas stunned.Most of the groundswere forested. The students had always had freedom to
roamwherevertheywished.‘How’severyonetakingthat?’Lookingaround,forthefirst timeshenoticedall thestudentswere
stayingonthegrass.Noonewaswanderingoffdownthemanyforestpaths.‘It’sOK.’Nicoleshruggedandherdarkhairshimmeredinthelight.‘Yougetusedtoit.’Opening
hereyes,sheglancedoveratAllie.‘Nowthatwehavesomeprivacy,couldyoutelluswhereyou’vebeen?’
Alliewassurprised.‘Youdon’tknow?’Thegirlsshooktheirheads.‘We knowyou ended up in France at Sylvain’s place and that’swhereNathaniel found you, but
that’sit,’Nicolesaid.‘Noonewouldtellusanything,’Zoe’stonewasaccusing.‘Youjustdisappeared.Wecamedownto
breakfastthatdayandyouwerejustgone.Isabellewouldn’tsaywhereyouwere.Itwasalltopsecret.WereyouinFrancethewholetime?’
‘No,’Alliesaid.‘Wekeptmoving.’‘Really?’Nicole’seyesreflectedamixofcuriosityandenvy.‘Thatmusthavebeensoexciting.’Alliedidn’treallyknowhowtoexplainwhatithadbeenlikenevertoknowwhereyouweregoing.
Tobeconstantly takenplacesyouhadn’t chosen foryourself andknewnothingabout.Tobeheld ingrandhousesyoucouldn’tleave.Soshejusttoldthemthebasics.
WhenNathanielkidnappedRachelandattacked theschool,anumberofstudentswere injured. Itwasclearthestakeshadbeenraised.NathanielwouldstopatnothinginhisefforttotakecontroloftheOrionSociety – the secret organisation that effectively controlledmuch of theBritish government –fromAllie’sgrandmother,LucindaMeldrum,whohadoverseenitforyears.
She wouldn’t let go of her grip on power and he would use any weapon he could to hurt her.Cimmeriawasonesuchweapon–Lucinda loved theschoolandwaspersonallyconnected to it.Herfamilywasanother.He’dalreadyconvincedAllie’sbrother,Christopher, tojoinhim.NowhewantedAllie,too.Andhewoulddowhateverit tooktogether.LucindaandIsabellehaddecidedshewasn’tsafeatCimmeriaanymore–andthatherpresenceendangeredeveryonethere.Soearlyonemorning,sheandRachelclimbedontoLucinda’sprivatejetandleft,withoutacluewheretheyweregoing.
It turnedout their first stopwasSwitzerland,where theyweredriven to themountainestateofaSwissbillionairewhowasanoldfamilyfriendofLucinda’s.They’dbeengivenseparate,palatialsuitesbutstayedineachother’sroomseverynight.Neitherofthemwantedtobealone.Anursehadcometoseethemeveryfewdaystochangethedressingsontheirwounds;checktheirstitches.
After a fewweeks, they’d been told to pack and they’d boarded the jet again. This time they’dendedupat avastmansion inCroatia.There, theyweregreetedby stacksofhomeworkanda letterfromIsabelletellingthemitwastimetogettowork.
Croatiahadlastedonlyacoupleofweeks.Whenthey’dbeentoldtopackagain,theyhadn’tactuallyminded.ThebigCroatianhousehadbeen
oddly empty – no one lived there but them, the housekeepers and guards. It had echoedwhen they
talked.Afterthatthey’dspentafewweeksinGermanyinahyper-modernhouseasbigasahotelwherethe
blindsshutbyremotecontrolandthey’dneverfiguredouthowtomakeitwork.Theplaceafter thatwasSylvain’shouse.
‘AndthenNathanielfoundus.’Thememoryofthathotafternoon–howclosethey’dcome–madeherstomachflip.‘Ifitwasn’tforSylvain—’
Zoejumpedtoherfeet,cuttingAllieoff.‘There’sLucas.Ihavetogo.’Andjustlikethatshewasgone,dartingacrossthelawntowhereagroupofstudentswerewarming
upforagameoffootball.Wounded,Alliestaredafterher.‘AmIthatboring?’Shekepthertonelightbutitdidhurtalittle.‘She’smissedyou,’Nicolesaidgently.‘Andyouknowhowsheiswithemotion.Shedoesn’tknow
how to tell youwhat she feels.’ She looked over towhereZoewas kicking a ballwith unnecessaryforce.‘Ithinkshe’supsetaboutwhathappenedtoyou.It’s…hardtotell.’
‘Iknow.’Allieshrugged.‘Idon’tmind.’Butthatwasn’ttrueatall.‘So…’Nicolepluckedawilddaisywithalongstemfromtheedgeofthelawn.Thenanother.‘You
andSylvain…?’Sheraisedhereyebrows.HeatfloodedAllie’sfaceandshehurriedtofindmoredaisiestoaddtoNicole’scollection.Shethoughtaboutthatmomentintheseajustbeforethegunshots.She’dbeencertainhewasabout
tokissher.Buthehadn’t.ShehandedNicoleaflower.‘SylvainandIarefriends.’Sheemphasisedthelastword.‘Hmmm.’Nicolebeganbraidingthedaisystemstogether,formingafragilechain.‘It’sgoodtobe
friends.’Hertonewasnon-committalbutAlliecouldtellshewasdisappointed.Alliedecidedtoswitchthetopicbacktosaferground.‘SoNathanielreallyhasn’ttriedanythingheresinceIleft?’Nicoleshookherhead.‘LucindaisfightingwithhiminLondoninmeetingsratherthanherewith
knivesbut…’ShelookedatAllie,herdarkeyesserious.‘Ithinksheisnotwinning.’HerwordssentachillthroughAllie.
If her grandmother lost, Nathaniel would take over the school and the entire organisation. Isabellewouldgo.EveryonewhoreallycaredaboutAlliewouldbegone.She’dhave to leave theschool.Orstay.AndbepartofNathaniel’ssickeningplans.
‘Enoughsadtalk.’Nicolesaiddecisively.‘Thisistoodepressingforyourfirstdayback.Wewillnotlosetoday.’
Kneeling,shedrapedherdaisychainatopAllie’shair,acrownofflowers.‘There.’ A satisfied smile brightened her perfect oval face. ‘Now you look like a fairy princess.
QueenAllieofCimmeriaAcademy.’Shepretendedtobow.Alliewasgenuinelytouchedbythisgesture.‘Thankyou,Frenchpeasant.’Shegavearegalwave.‘Youmayrise.’Laughing,Nicoleleanedbackonherheelstostudyher.‘Youlookgoodinacrown.’Someonecalledtoherfromthefrontstepsandsheclimbedtoherfeet,shadinghereyeswithone
handasshepeeredtowardsthefrontdoor.‘It’sIsabelle,’shesaid,glancingdowntowhereAlliesatstraighteningherflowercrown.‘I’llgosee
whatshewants.’‘Youhavemypermission,’Alliesaid,stillplayingqueen.‘Sallyforthandreportback.’AsNicolehurriedoff,though,shecalledafterher:‘TellIsabelleIneedtotalktoher.’ButneitherNicolenorIsabelleseemedtohearher.Thetwodisappearedinsidetheschoolbuilding.Thedoorclosed,andtheguardresumedhisplace
outsideit,staringoutoverthegroundsintently.Whydidn’tIsabellewanttoseeme?Isshetoobusytotalkaboutguns?AndNathaniel?She leaned back on the grass, considering her options. She could run after them and insist that
Isabelleexplainwhatthehellwasgoingon.Shereallycould.Butshedidn’tmove.TherehadtobeareasonwhyIsabellewasmakingherwait.Somethingmustbegoingon.Theexhaustionofthelasttwenty-fourhourscaughtupwithherand,inthewarmsun,hereyelids
feltheavy.Thesoftgrasstickledherbarelegs.InthedistanceshecouldhearLucasandZoeshoutingandkickingtheball.Thefaintbuzzingofbeesinthenearbyflowerbedsformedasoothingbackdrop.
Maybeshefellasleepforawhileorperhapsnotimepassedbut,suddenly,somethingblockedthesun.AllieblinkedhereyesopentofindCartertoweringoverher.
6
SIX
‘Carter…?What?’Shewasinstantlywideawake.‘Ican’tbelieveyou,’hesaid.‘Youbloodyidiot.Howcouldyoubesostupid?Whythehelldidyou
comeback?’‘Hey!’Allieprotested.‘Imean…what?’Shescrambledtoherfeet.‘Yougotaway,’hesaid.‘Youwerefree.Andyoucameback?Whywouldyoudothat?’Hesoundedbothangryandgenuinelybaffled,asifshe’ddonesomethingunbelievablystupid.Allie bristled. ‘You don’t knowwhat happened out there, Carter. I didn’t have any choice. And
whateverhappenedtohelloandwelcomeback,anyway?’Heignoredthat.‘Ohreally?’Histoneturnedsardonic.‘Couldn’tyouhaverunaway?Imean,that’s
yourthing,right?Runningaway.Whydon’tyoudoitwhenitmatters?’Thatonestung.BloodrosetoAllie’scheeks.‘Icamebackbecauseitwasn’tsafeoutthere,’shesaid.‘That’sall.Not
becauseIwanted…’toseeyou‘…tobehere.’Thisdidn’tplacatehim.‘Lookaroundyou,Allie.’Heflungouthisarmandthesweepinggesturetookinthequietgrounds,
themostlyemptyschoolbuilding,themuscularguardsprowlingtheedgesofthelawns.‘Doyoufeelsafenow?Becauseyou’renot.Outthere,atleastyoucouldrun.Here,you’reinacage.’
Alliewantedtoarguewithhim–totellhimhowwronghewas.Buthadn’tshefeltitallmorning?And in that meeting? The insecurity. The futility of their resistance against Nathaniel. The guardswatchingtheireverymove.
Thefightwentoutofher.‘Look,Carter,allI’vedoneformonthsisrun.’Sheranherfingersacrossherforehead,whichwas
beginningtothrob.‘Anditwasn’tanysaferoutthere.Nathanielfoundme.Itwas…bad.’Aflickerofsurpriseandconcernlightenedhiseyes.Sohedidn’tknowwhathadhappened.Andhecared.‘Idon’tknowifI’msafehereornot,’shecontinued.‘Idoubtit.I’mnotsafeanywhere.Butneither
areyou.Somaybeyoushouldworrylessaboutmeandmoreaboutyourself.Seriously,Carter…’Herglanceslidacrosshis sharpcheekbones,and the tiredcirclesunderhiseyes. ‘What’s thematterwithyou?Youlooklikecrap.’
Instantly,hisexpressionhardened.Hetookastepback.‘What’sthematterwithme?Nothing.I’mjusttheonlyhonestpersonyouknow.You’vegotgrassinyourhair.’
And with that baffling combination of statements he turned and walked away at a rapid pace,kickingattheground.
Asshewatchedhimgo,Alliereachedupcautiouslytotouchherhair.HerfingersfoundthewilteddaisychainNicolemadeforherearlier.
‘It’snotgrass,’shesaid,althoughhewastoofarawaytohear.‘It’sacrown.’
Bydinnertime,Alliehadgivenupputtingabrightfaceonthingsandwasinfull-onmopemood.Maybeshe’dbeenaway too long to just…comeback. Itwasas if,whenshe’dgone, lifeatCimmeriahadclosedinbehindher,fillingwhatevergapshemighthaveleft.
Shewalkedintothediningroomwithhesitantsteps.Atfirstglance,everythingwasasithadalwaysbeen–theroomglowedwithcandles.Thetablesweresetinthetraditionalway,withcrystalglasses,heavysilvercutleryandwhitelinen.Butitwasmostlyemptynow.Thestudentseasilyfitatfiveroundtables.Theteachersandguardsoccupiedfourmore.
Innormaltimes,dinnersatCimmeriawerelivelyaffairswithahigh,constantbuzzofconversationand laughter.But themood tonightwas distinctly subdued. People did talk but it all lacked life andenergy.
SpottingNicoleandZoewithLucasandKatie,Alliemadeherwaytothem.‘Hi,Allie.’Katiesmiledatherasiftheywereoldfriends.‘Welcomeback.’‘Hi,’Alliemumbledwithoutenthusiasm.Katie’ssmilefaded.Anuncomfortablesilencefell.ZoelookedfromKatietoAllie,frowning.‘Katie’sbeenhelpingus,’sheannounced,inatonethatsaidAlliewasbeingunreasonable.‘She’s
ourfriendnow.’EveryonewaslookingatAllie,waitingforhertosaysomethingdiplomaticorfriendly.Shecouldn’t
doit.Sheknewshewasbeingchildishbutshecouldn’tseemtostop.ItwasasifKatie,ofallpeople,hadreplacedherinthegroup.
Shefixedtheredheadwithacoldstare.‘Awesome.’Colourrisinginhercheeks,KatieturnedtoLucasandaskedarandomquestionaboutcoursework
inaclearattempttochangethesubject.LucasshotAllieadisapprovinglookbeforeanswering.ZoelookedlikeshewantedtosaysomethingelsebutNicolerestedahandonherarmandshookher
head.NoonetalkedtoAllieafterthat.Atseveno’clockprecisely,CarterandSylvainwalkedintothediningroomtogetherwithZelazny,
whoclosedthedoorsbehindthem.SylvainslippedintotheemptyseatnexttoAllie,whostudiouslyavoidedCarter’sgaze.Seeingherexpression,Sylvainleanedclosetoher.‘AreyouOK?’Allie’slowerliptrembledbutshejustshookherhead.Shedidn’ttrustherselftospeak.BecauseCarterwasright:shewantedtorunaway.Onlytherewasnowheretogo.
As soon as dinner ended, Allie made a beeline for the door. She was half-running down the mainhallwaywhenSylvaincaughtupwithher.
Takingherbythehand,hepulledherwithhimintotheshadowsundertheswoopingcurveofthegrandstaircasenearIsabelle’soffice.
‘Allie…’hesaidassoonastheywereoutofsight.‘Dîtesmoi.What’sthematter?Youhardlysaidawordatdinner.Youhardlyate.Youseemsosad.Didsomethinghappen?’
Hesearchedherfaceasiflookingforclues.Alliedroppedhergaze.Shecouldn’treallytellhimaboutCarterbecausetherehadalwaysbeenso
muchtensionbetweenthetwoofthem,andifsheexplainedaboutKatieitwouldsoundpetty.Infact,nowthatshethoughtaboutit,itallsuddenlyseemedridiculousandoverlyemotionalanyway.
‘I’msorry.’She sighed,pushingherhairbackoutofher face. ‘I’m just feeling sorry formyself.NothingisthewayIexpectedandeveryone…’Shestoppedandshookherhead.‘I’llbefine.I’mjusttired.’
Hewas standing so close to her she could feel thewarmth of his body. Itwas hard to feel self-pityingwhenhewaslookingatherlikethat.
‘You’resure?’hesaid.‘Noonesaidanythingtohurtyou?’Alliegaveawansmile.‘No,’shesaid.‘I’mbeinganidiot.IguessIjustmiss…France.Yourplace.Thewaythingswere.
Everything’sso…Idon’tknow.Complicatedhere.’Sylvainsteppedcloser;his legspressedagainsthers.NowAlliecouldsmell thefaintscentofhis
sandalwoodcologne.Feelhisbreathonhercheeks.Shelookedupathimquestioningly.Withlightfingers,hepickedupaloosestrandofherhairfromthetopofhershoulderandletitrun
throughhisfingerslikesilk.GoosebumpsspranguponAllie’sarmsandshoulders.
‘There’ssomethingthatwillcheeryouup,’hesaid.Hisvoice,lowandaccented,madehershiver.‘It’sasurprise.Butthere’ssomethingIhavetodofirst.Meetmeoutsidethebackdoorinhalfanhour?’
Excitedcuriosityranthroughher.Atthismomentshewantednothingmorethanadistraction.‘I’llbethere.’
AfterSylvainleft,Alliedidn’treallyknowwhattodowithherself.Shewalkeddownthegrandhallwayasfarasthelibrarydoor,thenturnedandpacedbackagain.
Therewasnodoubtwhathehadinmindinvolvedkissing.Takingeverythingtothenextstep.Andthatwasfine,right?Afterall,shewasattractedtohim.AndCarterwasobviouslynotanissue.
He’dbeenalotofthingstoday,butromanticwasn’toneofthem.Whydidthatmattersomuch?ShelongedtodiscussitallwithRachel.She’dknowwhattodo.
‘Hey,Allie.’Katie’s familiarChelseaaccent stoppedheroutside thecommon room.Turning, shesawtheredheadhurryingtowardsher,bluepleatedskirtflaringaroundherperfectlegs.
Ohgood,Alliethought,despairing.ShebracedherselfforKatie’swallofsarcasm.Butitdidn’thappen.Instead, the other girl seemed almost nervous. She kept toyingwith a delicate gold bracelet that
dangledfromherslimwrist.Thelightfromthechandelierabovethemglintedoffherhair,makingitsparklelikefinestrandsofcopper.Herskinwasporeless.
‘Thisisgoingtosoundodd,’Katiebegan.‘ButIjustwantedtosayI’mgladyou’reback.And…Iknow you don’t likeme and I don’t blame you. I’ve been a total bitch. I’m sorry… kind of.’ Shestoppedplayingwithherbraceletand lookedupatAlliewith thesharpgreeneyesofapedigreecat.‘Youwereabitchtometoo,youknow.’
Briefly,Allieconsidereddefendingherself.Butshechangedhermind.WhatKatiewassayingwastrue.Shegaveasgoodasshegot.
‘Anyway,’Katiecontinued,‘thenNathanielhappenedandyouwerelikesomekindofsuperhero.Idon’tknowifIevertoldyouthatIthoughtitwasamazingwhatyouandtheothersdid.Idon’tknowhowyou’resobrave.Ijust…’Shebitherlip.‘IjustknowthatI’mnot.Brave,Imean.’
Alliewasflabbergasted.Whatevershe’dexpectedKatietosayitwasn’tthis.‘Andnow…thethingis…Idon’twanttobeyourenemy,’Katiesaid.‘Ithinkwehaveenoughof
those right now. So, I’d like to declare a truce.With you. For awhile, at least.’ She paused beforeadding,‘Whenit’salloverwecangobacktodespisingeachotherifyou’dlike.’
‘Youwant…You…Tobe…friends?’Alliefoundithardtosaywordsthatmadeanysense.‘Iknow,right?’Aruefulhalf-smiletouchedKatie’slips.‘Queloddity.Butyoudidsavetheschool.
AndI’mnotacompletecretin.Besides,ImostlyhatedyoubecauseofSylvainanyway.AndI’moverhimnow.’
Shesmoothedthelinesofherskirtwithademuresweepofherhands.‘Isthisforreal?’Alliefinallyrecoveredthepowerofspeech.‘Youseriouslywantatruce?’‘Iseriouslydo.’Katieheldhergaze.‘Thisisnotagame.Whatdoyouthink?’Thiswashuge.AllieandKatiehadhatedeachotherfromthefirsttimetheymet.Katiehadbeenso
vicious,socruel.Alliewonderedifitwaspossibletoputthatbehindher.Totryagain.ButKatiehadhelpedthemwhenNathanielcameforthestudents.Andeveryoneelseseemedtohaveforgivenher.
Theleastshecoulddowasgiveitashot.‘OK,’shesaidafteralongpause.‘Truce.Butit’sweird.’‘Isn’tit?’Katie’slipscurvedup.‘Welcometothenewnormal.It’sallmessedup.’‘Katie!Overhere.’TheybothlookeduptoseeLucaswavingfromacrossthecommonroom.Mostof the remainingstudentsseemed tobe in there,but the roomstill feltwrong.Onanormal
night in theolddays, itwouldbepacked at this hour.The sprawling spacewith its tall bookshelvesstackedwithgamesandbookslookedthesame,butitsleatherchairsandsofasweremostlyempty.The
babygrandpianointhecornersatsilent.Katiewavedbackathim.‘Ishouldgo.’Shetiltedherheadtooneside.‘I’mreallygladwesorted
thisout.IthinkI’lllikenotfightingwithyou.’Without waiting for a reply, she turned and sashayed across the room. From the doorway, Allie
watchedherwalktowhereLucassatonasofa.HewelcomedherwithajovialinsultbutAlliedidn’tmissthewayhiseyesskatedapprovinglyacrossherfigure.
Afrowncreasedherbrow.LucaswasRachel’sboyfriend.KatieandLucasweren’texactlycuddleduptogetherbuttheylookedawfullycosy.
Something drewher glance to the back of the room. In a dim corner,Carter sat alone in a deepleatherchair.Aheavybookwasopeninhislapandhewasreadingitintently.
Alockofdarkhairhadfallenforwardintohiseyesbuthedidn’tseemawareof it.His longlegswerestretchedoutinfrontofhim.Helookedolderthansheremembered.Moregrown-up.
Shewonderedifshelookedoldernow,too.Shewished they could just be friends without all this… stuff between them. One of themwas
alwaysmadattheotherone.Theywerealwaysfindingreasonstobeupsetwitheachother.Whileshe’dbeenawayshe’dmissedhimmorethanshe’dexpectedto,anditthrewherintoconfusion.Lyingbythepoolpretendingtostudy,she’dfindherselfwonderingwhathewasdoing.Ifhemissedheratall.
ButSylvain’sconstant,attentivepresencehadmadeithardtoknowhowshefelt.Now,withbothofthemaround,thingsweren’tgettinganyclearer.
7
SEVEN
WhenAlliereachedthebackdoor,adark-hairedfemaleguardwithatorchattachedtoherutilitybeltlikeahandgunopeneditforherbeforesheasked.
‘Uh…thanks,’shesaid,tryingnottosoundasweirdedoutbyallofthisnewsecurityasshewas.Theguardgaveanofficiousnodandclosedthedoor.Outside,theskywascobalt,justbeginningtoblackenattheedges.Acoolbreezeliftedherhair.Afewfeetaway,hishandsshovedinhispockets,Sylvainpacedthestonewalkway.Assoonashe
sawher,hebrightened.‘Thereyouare.Let’sgo.Wehavetohurry.’Alliesquintedathimsuspiciously.‘Why?Wherearewegoing?’Hislipsquirkedup.‘Iknewyou’dhatethispart.’Heheldouthishand.‘Comeon.Ipromiseit’sOK.It’sjustasurprise.
Agoodsurprise.’She’dneverseenhimmoreexcited.Hewaspracticallyhoppingupanddownwithit.Hismoodwascontagious.Putting thoughtsofunfixableCarterandmiserableCimmeriafromher
mind,Allietookhishand.
‘Thisway,’hesaid,pointingtotheright.Thefootpathcurvedawayfromtheterracedgardensbehindtheschooltotheedgeoftheforest.If
youfolloweditfarenough,Allieknewitwouldbringyoutothewalledgarden.Fromthereyoucouldfollowitupthehilltothecastleruins.ButSylvainturnedoffthepathearly,intothetrees.
‘Ithoughtwecouldn’tgointothewoods?’shesaid.Hegaveamysterioussmile.‘Ihavepermission.’Itwasdarkernow–thelastofthelighthaddisappearedfromthesky.Astheymovedfurtherinto
theforesthelacedhisfingersthroughhers.Alliecouldnotfigureoutwherehewastakingher.Sheknewtherewasnothingaheadofthembut
forest.Thewholethingdidn’tmakeanysense.‘Seriously,Sylvain.Thisiscrazy.Wherearewegoing?’Herimpatienceseemedtoamusehim;hestifledagrin.‘Trustme.’Just when she was about to demand information, a ghostly glow appeared ahead of them, and
suddenlysheknewwheretheyweregoing:Thefolly.Butwhy?
Thentheysteppedthroughthetreesintoaclearingandthenightlitup.Alliestoppedinhertracks.Droppingherhand,Sylvainsteppedbacktowatchherreaction.Thefollywasa fanciful littlestructure thatservednorealpurpose–nothingmore thanagazebo
madeofmarblewithadomedroof,itwasintendedonlytobepretty.ApleasantsurpriseforVictoriansoutforastroll.Insidewasastatueofawoman,caughtinthemiddleofadance.
Tonightithadallbeendrapedinfairylights.Everypieceofmarblewasenrobedintheirsparklingglow.Eventhedancinggirlheldstrandsoflightsinherraisedhandlikeanilluminatedveil.
Fourstepsleduptothestatue.Andsomethinghadbeenleftatthetopofthestairs.AllieturnedtoSylvain.Intheglowofthelightsshecouldseetheanticipationinhiseyes.‘Goahead,’heurgedher.Hesitantly,shewalkedclosertothefollyuntilshecouldseewhatitwas.Acakesatatthedancer’sfeet,surroundedbycandlesthatflickeredinthebreeze.‘Oh…’Alliepressedherfingersagainstherlips.‘Thereareseventeencandles.’Sylvainhadjoinedheratthefootofthesteps.Sheblinkedupathim
instunnedamazement.‘Happybirthday.’Alliewasstruckspeechless.Inallthechaos,she’dcompletelyforgottentodaywasherbirthday.ButSylvainremembered.Tearsburnedhereyes,blurringthescene.Ithadbeensolongsinceanyonegaveherabirthdaycake.IthadtobebeforeChristopherranaway.
Lastyearshe’dspentherbirthdaynightoutwithMarkandHarryinLondontaggingbuildingsalongatrainline.
Markhadpainted‘HappyBloodyBirthday,Allie!’onawall.Andthatwasthat.‘I…’Hervoicewasunsteady,soshestoppedtalking.ItwouldhavetakenSylvainagestostringallthoselights.Andthecandles.Theywerethekindthey
hadonthetablesinthedininghall–hemusthavegonebackafterdinnerandsneakedthemout.Sheturnedtohimtosaysomething–anything–thatcouldconveyhowmuchthismeanttoher,but
thereweren’twordsforthat.Notanythatsheknew.Soshereachedupandpulledhismouthdowntohers.
Hislipsweregentleagainsthers,questioning.Teasingthecornersofhermouthuntilherlipspartedandshecouldtastehim.
She stood on her toes, stretching up to twine her wrists behind his neck, deepening the kiss,demandingmore.
She’dwantedtodothiseversinceshesawhimstandingonthestepsofthehousethatfirstdayinFrancewiththeskyinhiseyes.
Thishadtoberight,shetoldherself.Therewasnowayshecouldn’tchooseSylvainnow.Notafterthis.Itfeltright.
Tanglingherfingersinthesoftcurlsofhishair,sheleanedintohim,lettinghimbearherweight.
Instantly,hisarmstightenedaroundher.Supportingher.Forthefirsttimeinalongwhile,Alliethoughtmaybeshewasmakingtherightdecision.
‘It’smydreamcake.Chocolatewithextrachocolate,sprinkledwithchocolate.’Lickingicingfromherfingers,AllielookedupatSylvaininthetwinklinglight.‘Amazing.’
Theysattogetheratthefootofthedancingstatue.Hisarmwasdrapedlightlyaroundherwaistandshewassnuginthewarmthofhisbody.
‘I’msorryIforgottobringforks.Wehavetoeatlikesavages.’Hiscuriousphrasingmadehergiggle.‘I’mtotallycoolwithbeingasavage.’Shebrokeoffanotherchunkofcake.‘Tellmeagainhowyou
gotthecakeontheplane?’Hebenthisheadtodropalightkissonhershoulder.‘Eventhoughwehadtoleave,Lourdeswas
determinedyoushouldhaveyourbirthdaycake.Soshepackeditinabox,whichwehidinasuitcase.Ihadtheguardsputitintheluggageholdinaplacewherenothingcoulddamageit.’
LourdeswastheCasselfamilycook.Thefirsttimeshe’dmetAllieshe’dtutted:‘Tuestropmince.’(Youaretoothin.)FromthenonshewasalwaysslippingAlliefood–freshbaguettesspreadwithsoftcheese; flaky croissants slathered in jam; vividly coloured macaroons and langue de chat biscuitsdippedindarkchocolate,whichwereherfavourites.
‘Oh,Imissher.’Alliesighed,wistfully.‘ImissFrance.’Sylvain’ssmilefaded;hiseyesgrewmoreserious.‘Wewillgoback.’‘Ihopeso.’Themoodhadgrownsombreand,noticing this,Sylvainclearedhis throatandgaveamysterious
smile.‘There’sonemoresurprise…’Reachingintotheshadowsbehindthestatue,hepulledoutasmallboxtiedwithsilverribbon.‘Apresent?’Alliebeamedathim.Shewipedthestickyicingoffherfingersbeforeholdingouther
hands.‘Ican’tbelieveyougotmeapresent.’Heseemedtofindherquestionabsurd.‘Biensûr.It’syourbirthday.’AllieloveditwhenhespokeFrench.Theribbonwasmadeofheavysilk.Shepulledattheendanditunfurled,revealingabluejewellery
box.Herheartfluttered.Shewassuddenlynervous.Noboyhadevergivenherjewellerybefore.Theboxopenedwithanexpensivecreak.‘Oh,Sylvain…’shebreathed.Inside,adelicatechainofwhitegoldglittered.Thechainheldtwopendants–oneakey,ornately
designed with swirls and flourishes, the other, an old-fashioned lock, each no bigger than herthumbprint.
Alliecouldn’tseemtomoveasSylvainliftedthenecklacefromthelittlepinsthathelditinplaceon
asatincushion.‘Ihadthismadeforyou.’Gently,hemovedherhairoutofthewaysohecouldplacethenecklace
aroundherthroat.Themetalwascoolagainstherskin.‘ItishowIfeelaboutyou.Thesecretsinyourlife…Iwanttogiveyouakeytoallofthem.Unlockthemforyou.Soyoucanbefree.’
Leaningover,hekissedthebarenapeofherneckabovethecollarofherblouse.Shequiveredatthetouch.
Thensheturnedrounduntilshesatonhislap,legsoneithersideofhiswaist.Hishandswerefirmagainstthesmallofherback,holdinghersteady.
Shereacheduptocuphisfaceinherhands.Inthefairylight,hiseyessparkledlikesapphires.Shefeltateartraceasoftpathdownhercheek.‘It’sthemostbeautifulthinganyonehasevergiven
tome.Iwillloveitforever.Thankyou.’‘Youdeservetohaveallthejewellery,’hewhispered.‘Allie,Iwantyoutohaveeverything.’Thenshepulledhislipsdowntohers.
8
EIGHT
Walkingdowntobreakfast thenextmorning,Alliecouldn’tstopsmiling.The lockandkeynecklacenestledagainstthebaseofherthroat,aconstantreminderoflastnight.Thememoryofthewayshe’dkissedSylvainmadehercheeksburn.
Inthedininghall,thenewairofgloomthatshe’dbeguntoassociatewithCimmeriahungovertheroomso tangiblyshecouldalmostsee it.Alliecouldn’t faceanotherday likeyesterday.Besides,herheartwas buoyant. Shewas filledwith joy.Overflowingwith love for the universe. So Isabelle hadneveraskedtoseeher.Soshehadnoideawhatwasgoingon,schoolwasdepressingandtheworldwasgoingtohellinahandcart.
Rightnowshewashappy.Thesmelloffoodmadeherravenous,andshepiledherplateandmadeacupofmilkyteabefore
goingtowhereNicoleandZoeweretalkingquietlywithLucasandKatie.‘Ijustwanttoeatallthefood,’shesaid,sittingdown.‘Don’tjudgeme.’Zoeeyedherwithmildinterest.‘Youcaneatallyouwant.You’reectomorphic.’Her fork already in the air, Allie stopped. ‘Wait, doesn’t that mean I wear my skeleton on the
outside?’Zoerolledhereyes.‘That’sexoskeletal.Ectomorphicmeansyouhaveametabolismthattendsnot
togainweight.’‘Watchme,’Alliesaid,divingintohereggs.‘Iwillproveyouwrong.’Onceshe’ddevouredherbreakfastshelookedaroundthegroup.‘Sowhat’sontheagendatoday?
Anythingfun?’Theothersexchangedblanklooks.‘There’snothingtodoanymore,’Zoeexplainedslowly,asifAlliewasverystupid.‘Itoldyouthat.’Alliemadeaface.‘Thatdoesn’tmeanwecan’thavefun,Zoe.’ZoeopenedhermouthtoarguebutatthatmomentIsabellewalkedup,neatlycladinablueskirtand
whiteblouse,apaleyellowcardigandrapedlooselyacrosshershoulders.‘Hello,Allie.Couldyoucomewithme?’She’dwaitedso longfor thismoment;Allie jumped toher feetandrushedafter theheadmistress
withoutevensayinggoodbyetotheothers.Atlast,shethought.‘I’msosorryIdidn’thaveachancetomeetwithyouyesterday,’Isabellesaidasshewalkedwith
briskstepsoutof thebrightdininghall into thedimcoolnessof thehallway. ‘Itwas themosthectic
day.’AlliecouldnotimaginewhatwouldkeepIsabellesobusyshecouldn’tdebriefheraboutanattack
thathadmadeLucindachangeherentiresecurityplan.Butshekeptherexpressionsteady.Sheneededtofindinformation.Notgetinanargument.
‘Iwantedtofindouthowyou’resettlingin,’Isabellecontinued.‘MergingbackintoCimmeriaaftertimeawaycanbedifficult,Iknow.’
ThistimeAlliecouldn’tcontrolhersarcasm.‘Especiallyduringanapocalypse?’The comment didn’t seem to bother the headmistress, who pulled a key from her pocket and
unlockedadoorbeautifullyhiddeninthenineteenth-centurycarvedoakpanelling.‘Well,’shesaid.‘Quite.’Sheswitchedonalight,illuminatingthesmall,windowlessoffice.Allie lookedaroundhungrily.A large,mahoganydeskdominatedonesideof the room.Thewall
acrossfromitheldafancifulantiquetapestryofamaidenandaknight.Everythingseemedtoberightwhereithadbeenbeforesheleft.Atleastthisroomhadstayedthe
same–afamiliaroasisamidCimmeria’schaos..‘Yeah,well.’Alliedroppedwithoutceremonyintooneoftheleatherchairsfacingthedesk.‘Sucks
tryingtomakefriendsattheendoftheworld.’‘Youalreadyhavefriends,’Isabelleobservedmildly.‘Tea?’‘No,thankyou,’Alliesaid.Isabelleswitchedonthekettleanyway.SoonthebrewingEarlGreyteafilledtheroomwithaflowerybergamotsteam.‘IsRachelcomingbacktomorrow?’Allieasked.‘Ofcourse.Youbothhaveclassesinthemorning.’Relieved,Alliesaggedbackinherchair.ShemissedRachellikealostappendage.Isabellesatatherdesk,settingamugdowninfrontofher.‘Sylvainandtheguardshavebriefedme
oneverything thathappened inFrance.Theattackerswork forNathaniel,ofcourse,althoughwearestillworkingoutsomeofthedetails.’
‘Whoelse?’Alliesaid.‘Thequestionis,howdidhefindme?’‘I’llgettothatinaminute.’IsabellesippedherteaandstudiedAllieasiflookingforclues.‘They
shotatyou.’‘Yeah,’Allieheldhergaze.‘Itwasnotgood.Sylvainsavedourarses.’‘Andsincethen?’Isabelleasked.Allielookedatherdoubtfully.‘Sincethen…what?’‘Areyousleeping?Havingnightmares?Panicattacks?’Allie,whohadsufferedfromallofthoseproblemsinthepast,flushed.Thiswasn’twhatshewanted
totalkabout.Theyhad,inthepast,hadveryfrankconversationsaboutAllie’slife.Butitwashardtojustplungebackintothatkindofthing.
‘I’mfine.’Allie’stonewascool.‘I’vebeenthroughworse.Ijustwanttoknowwhat’sgoingonwith
Nathaniel.Howhefoundme.Whothespyis.Whatwedonow.’‘Yes,I’mgoingtogettothat.’Theheadmistresssippedhertea,aworrylinedeepeningbetweenher
eyes.‘ButI’malsoconcernedaboutwhatallthisisdoingtoyou.You’vebeenthroughagreatdeal.’Alliethoughtaboutlastnight.KissingSylvain.Theconfusingbutgoodswirlofemotionsthathad
summoned.Andhow,forjustalittlewhile,she’dforgottenallofthis.‘I’mreallyOK,’shesaidhonestly.‘Idon’tknowwhyI’mOK.ButI’mOK.’Isabellestudiedherfaceasiflookingforclues,thentookasipofhertea.‘Good.That’sthemost
importantthing.Ifyou’refine…’‘Iam,’Allieinsisted.Theheadmistressinclinedherhead.‘Thenwecantalkaboutwhereweare.Whatwouldyouliketo
know?’Alliedidn’thesitate.‘Iwant toknowhowNathaniel foundus inFrance.And I reallywant toknowhowsafe Iamat
Cimmeria.BecausewhenthoseguyswereshootingatmeIdecidedIdon’twanttodie.’Anormalheadmistressmighthavefoundthisimpertinent.ButIsabellewasn’tnormal.‘Wethinkitwasacoincidence.NathanielmusthavebeenwatchingSylvain’shouseforsometime,’
shesaid.‘Thereisnootherway.Certainlyitdidn’tcomefrominsidethisschool.Itcouldn’thave.Notonepersonasidefrommyself,LucindaandRajhasknownwhereyouwereatanypointsinceyoulefttheschoolinMarch.’
‘Not even the teachers?’Allie asked, surprised. Usually Isabelle’s close cadre of senior teachersweretoldeverything.
Isabelleshookherhead.‘Notoneperson,’sherepeated.Alliesatbackinherchair.The idea of Nathaniel just hanging around the Cassels’ house, watching Sylvain’s family, was
ominous.‘Whywouldhewatchthemifhedidn’tknowIwasthere?’sheasked.‘Whatwashelookingfor?’‘TheCasselssupportLucinda.Andtheyare thesinglemostpowerful familywithin theEuropean
organisation.’Isabelle’sfacedarkened.‘ItappearsNathanielisbroadeninghisrange.’ThiswasstartingtomakeAllienervous.‘But ifhe’swatchingthemhemusthaveapurpose.Are
theysafe?’‘You’veseentheCassels’securityteam,’Isabellesaid.‘They’reextremelywellprotected.’Allie remembered the guards standing on ladders to see over the tall walls that surrounded the
Cassels’ compound, binoculars fixedon the surrounding countryside.The cameras atop the tall solidgates.TherazorwireandarmouredSUVs.
‘Yeah,but…’Allieleftthesentenceunfinished.…Nathanielstillfoundus.ShemaynothavesaiditaloudbutIsabelleseemedtoknowwhatshewasthinking.‘Theyareassafeasitispossibletoberightnow,’shesaidgently.‘ThatmuchIcanpromiseyou.’
‘Andus?’Allieheldhergaze.‘Arewesafe?’Isabelle didn’t respond immediately. She drummed her fingers very quietly on her desktop as if
decidingwhattosay.‘IwishIcouldsayyes,’shesaidfinally.‘ButI’mafraidtheanswerisno.You’renot.Noonehereis
safe.’This,Alliehadn’texpected.‘IfI’mnotsafe,whyamIhere?Whybringmeback?’Alliecouldn’tkeepthebewildermentoutof
hervoice.Isabellegaveherasteadylook.‘You’reherebecauseLucindawantsyouhere.’‘Why,though?’Allieasked,hervoicerising.‘Whydoesshewantmehere?’Again the headmistress hesitated. ‘You’ll have noticed we are more… security-conscious now.
Thingsarevery tensebetweenLucindaandNathaniel.Allie…’She leaned forward,her tawnyeyesurgent.‘We’renearingendgameonthis.Sheneedsyouclose.’
AlliethoughtofNicole’ssombrewords.‘Ithinksheisnotwinning.’Herstomachtightened.‘Isabelle,’sheaskedquietly,‘isshelosingthisthing?’Therewasalongpausebeforetheheadmistressreplied.‘Perhaps.’Silence fell.Allie could hear footsteps passing in the hallway outside the door. Someone talking
loudlyinthedistance.Adoorclosingwithahollowthud.‘What happens if we lose?’ She could hardly bring herself to say the words. Losing was an
eventualityshe’donlyrarelyallowedherselftocontemplate,muchlessdiscuss.‘Whatbecomesofmeandyouand’–sheswungoutherarminagesturethattookinthegrandgothicbuildingaroundthem–‘everyone?’
‘That is still to be decided,’ the headmistress said briskly. ‘We have options. There are ways tofinessethissituationandwearelookingatallofthembut,fornow,thefightisstillunderwayandwehavetokeepourfocusonthat.Itisstillpossibletowin.’Sheshiftedinherseat,leaningforwardintotheglowofthedesklamp.Ithighlightedthedarksmudgesunderhereyes.‘Isaidyouweren’tsafeherebecausethat’sthetruth,andIneverintendtolietoyou.You’vebeenliedtoenough.Butitisalsotruethatyouwouldbemuchlesssafeoutthere.Here,atleast,wecandomoretoprotectyou.Andyoucanhelpus.’
‘Helpwithwhat?’Allieasked,ahintofsuspicioninhertone.Isabelleheldhergaze.‘Wehaven’tfoundthepersonworkingforNathaniel.Butwe’reclose.’She
paused.‘Veryclose.Wethinkyourpresenceherecouldhelpus…escalatethings.’Hertonewascold.‘Becausewehavetofindthisperson.Andwehavetostopthem.’
Finally,Allieunderstoodwhyshewasback.For months they’d struggled to figure out who was betraying them. Someone among them was
feedingNathanielaconstantstreamofdamaginginformation.Thispersonhadhelpedhimtrytoburnthe school down.Let in his henchman,Gabe,who’d killedRuth and Jo.Theywould all have given
anything to identify thespyanddestroyhim.But formonths they’d triedandfailed.And ithadcostthemdearly.
Shestraightenedherspine.‘Whatdoyouneedmetodo?’‘First,’Isabelleheldupacautioninghand,‘youshouldknowwherethingsstand.Whileyouwere
awayweeliminatedalltheguardsfromthelistofpossibles.’Stunned,Alliestaredather.‘How?Areyoucertain?’The list of suspects had long included a core group of senior guards and the top Night School
instructors.Everytimethey’dtriedtonarrowdownthatlist,they’dbeenstymied.Thestudentshadallhopedthespywasaguard–someonetheydidn’treallyknow.Becauseotherwiseitmeantthatoneoftheirmentorshadbetrayedthem.Andthatthoughtwasunbearable.
‘ItwasRaj’splan,’Isabellesaid.‘Heremovedalltheguardsundersuspicionfromtheschoolwhilerunningathoroughbackgroundcheck.Atthesametime,heplantedfalseinformationwiththeseniorteachersaboutyourwhereabouts.ThatinformationmadeittoNathaniel,whoactedonit,sendingaraidpartytoanemptyhouseinSpain.’
‘So…oneoftheteachers…’Alliecouldn’tseemtocompletethesentence.‘OneofourthreemosttrustedteacherspassedthefalseinformationtoNathaniel.’Isabelle’svoice
was taut. ‘Yes.Thinking youwould be there.Yes.KnowingNathanielmight kill you.’ She held hergaze.‘Yes.’
Allieclearedherthroat,whichhadsuddenlyclosed.‘So…it’sEloise,JerryorZelazny,then.’‘Yes.’Alliefeltloss.There’dbeenatimewhenshewouldhavetrustedanyofthoseteacherswithherlife.‘Whatdowedonow?’Hervoicewaslow.‘Now,’Isabellesaid,‘wemustbeverycareful.Webelievethat,withtensionsbeingwhattheyare,
yourreturnwillmean thespywillneed tocommunicateconstantlywithNathaniel.Thiswillmake itmorelikelytheymakemistakes.’Sheleanedbackintheshadows;Alliecouldn’tseehereyesanymore.‘Whentheydo,we’llbeready.’
9
NINE
‘I’mback.’RachelshovedAllie’sdooropenwithoutknocking.‘Didyoumissme?’‘Rach!’ Leaping off the bed, Allie ran to her, nearly knocking her down. It was late Sunday
afternoon.All the things that had happened bubbled inside her until she thought shemight explode.‘Neverleavemealoneagain.Swearit.’
‘CanIhaveloobreaks?’Rachellaughed.‘No.’Allie’sreplywasemphatic.‘Well,that’sgoingtogetawkward.’DroppingdownonAllie’sbed,Rachellookedaroundtheroom.
‘Canyoubelievewe’rehere?Howwasitthisweekend?’Allie’sreplywasprompt.‘Horrible.Andawesome.’Rachelgrinned.‘It’sallandnothingwithyou,Allie.Right.Tellmeeverything.I’vebeenhomeall
weekendeatingMum’sfood.I’veneverbeenfatterorhappiersoIthinkI’mstrongenoughtoknowitall.’
Sitting in thedeskchair,Allieproppedherbare feetupon thebednext toRacheland ticked theweekend’seventsoffonherfingers.‘Everyoneistotallydepressed.Theguardsareweird.Sylvaingavemecakeandwemadeout.Carterisangry.’
Rachelfocusedonthebignewsfirst.‘YoufinallymadeoutwithSylvain?Atbloodylast.’Shesaggedbackinmock-relief.‘Iwassotired
ofyoutwocirclingeachotherlikeacoupleofhungrylionswhenwewereinFrance.Ithoughtyou’dnevergetonwithit.’
Alliethrewapillowather.‘Youmakeussoundsoobvious.’‘Youwere soobvious.’Rachelgrinned, tucking thepillowbehindher. ‘Look, I’m reallyglad for
you.IcamearoundtoSylvain,youknow,afterhesavedyourlife,like,fourtimes.Ithinkhe’sagoodguy.Ialsothinkhe’stotally,head-over-heels,crazyinlovewithyou.’
Allieblushed.‘Formybirthday…hegavemethis.’Sheliftedthependantuptoshowher.Itcaughtthelightandflashed.
Leaningforwardtolookatit,Rachelmadealltherightadmiringnoises.‘Thatissobeautiful.Andsoyou.’
‘Iloveit.’Allieranherthumbgentlyacrossthewarmmetalbeforelettingitdropbackagainstherskin.
‘Ican’tbelieveIwasn’thereforyourbirthday,’Rachelsaidwithsuddencontrition.‘Daddraggedmeoutofbedatstupido’clock.Hewouldn’tletmewakeyou.Youknowwhathe’slike.’
Allie,whodidknowwhatRajPatelwaslike,thoughtabouttellingherhowbadthedayhadbeen.Butsheknewitwouldonlymakeherfeelworse.
‘It’scool.’Sheshrugged.‘Igotthroughitsomehow.’‘WiththehelpofacertainhotFrenchguy.’Rachelshotheraknowinglook.‘Now,Imightnothave
blueeyesandasexyaccentbutIdidgetyouapresent.Belated-style.’Shepulledaboxwrappedinpinkpaperfrominsideherschoolblazerandhelditout.
Alliegrinnedather.‘Iloveitalready,’shesaid.‘AsIloveallpresents.’Itsloshedasshetoreopenthepapertorevealasilverybox.Itheldaheavycrystalperfumebottle
thatglitteredinthelightwhenAlliehelditup.‘OhmyGod.IsthisthatperfumeIkeptnickingatyourhousethattimeIcametovisit?’Rachelnodded.‘MymumandIwentouttogetityesterday.’Alliewastouched.‘Ican’tbelieveyourememberedIlikedit.’Shepulledherfriendintoaroughhug.‘Youoldsoftie.
Thankyou.’‘Yeah,well.IwasgoingtogiveyouabookbutIknewbetter,’Rachelexplained.Alliespritzedperfumeonherwristandinhaleddeeply.Itsmelledlikehoneysuckle.‘Yay.I’msafe
fromwords.’Stretchingoutherlegs,RachelarrangedherselfcomfortablyonAllie’sbed.‘Tellmeeverythingthat
happened.Uptoandincludingkissing.Don’tskimponthedirtydetails.’Alliefilledherinonherbirthday,makingitallsoundasfunnyandromanticaspossible.Whenshefinished,Rachelsighedhappily.‘That’ssowonderful.Thecake,thecandles…Sylvain
reallyknowshowtodothingsright.’Shecockedherhead.‘Nottoclashboytopicsinanawkwardwaybut…whataboutCarter?Yousaidsomethingabouthimbeingsad?’
AlliethoughtofCarter’sbroodingface.Alittlelightseemedtoleavetheroom.‘He’samess,’shesaid.‘Heshoutedatmeforcomingback.LikeIhadanalternative.Likethiswas
allmyidea.Andhe’sjustthinand…Idon’tknow.Sad.Notgood.’Rachel’sfrownwasthoughtful.‘DadmentionedsomethingaboutCarterhavingahardtimebecause
ofwhathappenedwithJules…andyou.’‘Me?’Allielookedupatherinsurprise.‘Whataboutme?’The night before she and Rachel left the school they’d all fought Nathaniel’s guards together.
NothingthathappenedhadbeenCarter’sfault.Noonecouldhavestoppedit.NooneexceptNathaniel.Rachelhesitated. ‘Somethingabouthowhedidn’tprotectyou that lastnightwithNathaniel.And
Julesgottaken.Dadsaidheblameshimselfforeverything.Noonecangetthroughtohim.’Allie was speechless. Suddenly it all made an awful kind of sense; she could see it all through
Carter’seyes.Carter’sgirlfriend,Jules,wastakenfromtheschoolbyNathanielbecauseCartergottheretoolate.
He couldn’t protectAllie during the fightwithGabe andNathaniel because hewas injured. So sheendedupcutandbleeding.Thenshedisappeared.
SheandCarterweresomuchalike.Likeher,hehadsuchasenseofresponsibilityabouteverything–andkeepingeveryonesafe.Healwaysseemedtothinkhehadtosaveeveryone.Ofcourseheblamedhimselfrightnow.SuperCarterletJulesdown.LetAlliedown.Leteveryonedown.
AndIdidn’thelp,didI?shethought.Iwasn’thereforhimaftereverythinghappened.InsteadIjustjettedoffwithRachel,leavinghimalonewiththefallout.
Guiltunfurledinsideherchest.‘Carterwouldn’ttellyourdadeverything,’shesaid.‘Weshouldfindoutifthere’smoretoit.Maybe
youcouldaskLucas?’Assoonas she said thename, though, themood in the roomchanged.Rachel tensedand looked
away,drummingherfingersanxiously.‘Look, there’s something I need to tell you about Lucas. I should have said it before but …’
Stopping,Rachelclearedherthroat.Alliefrownedather,puzzled.‘Whatisit?’‘Ididalotofthinkingwhilewewereaway,’Rachelsaid.‘AndIdecidedweweren’trighttogether,
Lucasandme.We’rebreakingup.’Alliewasblindsided.She’dknownLucasandRachelwerehavingproblemsbutshehadn’trealiseditwassoserious.‘IsitKatie?’sheasked,hervoicelowandominous.‘IfshecheatedwithhimI’ll…’‘No,Allie.’Rachelcutheroff.‘Seriously.It’sme.Well,it’sus.’Shewas still avoiding her eyes;AlliewishedRachelwould just look at her. Itwas like shewas
hidingsomething.‘Whathappened?’Allie’svoicewassolowshewasalmostwhispering.Theatmosphereintheroom
hadgrownheavy.‘Don’tyoulikehimanymore?’Rachelfidgetedwiththeblueblanketfoldedattheendofthebed.‘Idolikehim.He’sagreatguy,
andhewasmyfirstrealboyfriendbut…’Shetwistedtheblanketharder.‘Iguess,’shecontinued,‘withhim,Ididn’tfeelthewayIthoughtIshould.Ididn’tmisshimvery
much while we were gone. And I don’t think he missed me either.’ At last she met Allie’s gaze.‘Sometimesyouhavetobeawayfromsomeonetoknowyoudon’twanttobewiththem.’
Allie thought about how happy she’d been to see Sylvain that day in France. Howmuch she’dmissedCarter.ForthefirsttimeitmadesensethatRachelhadn’tstuckaroundtoseeLucasafterthey’dreturnedtotheschool.
Still,therehadtobemoretoit–Rachel’snervousnesswasoutofcharacter.‘Areyou…supersad?’Shephrasedherwordscautiously.Theothergirlshookherhead.‘No.NotlikeyouwerewhenyouandCarterbrokeup.Mostlyitfeels
weird.LikeI’dgotusedtohavinghimthereandnowhe’snot.’Shewavedahandintheairnexttoher.‘LikethereshouldbeaLucas-shapedfigurehereandthereisn’t.ButI’mnotcrying.’
Notcrying?Howcanshenotbecrying?
When Allie and Carter broke up she’d wondered sometimes if she would get through it. Shecouldn’teat.Couldn’tsleep…Thememoryofhowthathadfeltneverlefther.
SowhywasRachel’sbreak-uppainfree?Itmadenosense.Unless…‘Rachel, is there… you know, someone else…?Allie’s tonewas cautious but Rachel’s cheeks
flamedasifshe’dshoutedthewords.Shelookedmortified.‘Godno.Imean…whocouldtherebe?’shestammered.‘That’sjust…no.’Alliekeptherfaceblankbuthermindwaswhirling.Rachel’sreactionwassoweird.Somethingwas
definitelyup.Itmustbeanotherguy.Butwhywouldn’tshe tellher?Itwasn’t likeRachel tokeepsecretsaboutdating.Theytoldeach
othereverything.They’dspentallthosemonthstogetherbutnowthattheywerebackatCimmeriashecouldalready
feelanewdistancebetweenthem.Andshedidn’tlikeit.
Thatevening,AllieandRachelwalkedintothedininghalltogether.Astheypassedthroughthedoor,Rachelblewherbreathoutbetweenherteethinahiss.
‘Blimey.Thisplaceisreally…notveryfull.’‘See?’Alliewassorelievedtohavesomeonetosharethisallwithshecouldhavehuggedher.‘Isn’t
itweird?Andit’snotjustempty,it’slike…’‘Depressing.’Rachelfinishedthethoughtforher.‘Totally.’Theymade theirway across the subdued room to their usual table.Carter,Nicole andZoewere
alreadythere.‘Hey—’AlliestartedbutNicoleinterruptedher.‘Rachel!’Jumpingupfromherseat,Nicoleranovertohugher.‘It’sabouttimeyoucameback.’‘Hey,Rachel.’Zoewavedfromherseatthenreturnedtoeatingabreadroll.‘Youhavetositnexttome,’Nicoleinsisted.‘Alliehashadenoughofyourtime.’‘Youcanhaveher,’Alliesaidmildly.‘I’mboredofher.’‘Gosh,thanks,Allie,’Rachelsaid,butshesmiled.Throughoutallofthis,Cartersaidnothing.Hestudiedthemallfrombeneathaloweredbrow.‘Hey,Carter.’Racheltouchedhisshoulderasshewalkedbyhim.‘Rachel.’HesaiditpolitelybutAlliecouldseehowisolatedhefelt.Evensurroundedbyhisclosest
friendsheseemedsomehowapart.
Shewassodeepinthoughtshedidn’tnoticeatfirstthatSylvainhadslippedintothechairnexttoher.‘Youlooklikeyouareplanningsomething.’Startled,shespunroundinherchairtofacehim.‘Hi!’She’dspokentooloudly;theothersturnedtolookatthemcuriously.Seeingthis,Alliefeignedcool.
‘Imean…howareyou?’Sheshouldhavepreparedforthismomentbutshehadn’t.NowhereshewaswithSylvainandCarterinthesameplaceatthesametimeandshedidn’tknow
what to do.Last night she’dbeenkissingSylvainpretty passionately.Carter couldn’t possiblyknowaboutthatandforsomereasonshewasgladhedidn’t.
Howdoyouhandlethis?Whyaretherenorules?Sylvainarchedonebemusedeyebrow.‘Fine,’hesaid.‘Thankyou.Andyou?’‘I’mgood,’shesaid,knowingherawkwardtonebeliedherwords.Sylvainmadenomovetokissherandshewasgratefulforthat.Buthisvividbluegazesweptthe
tableandAllieknewhewaslookingforthereasonforheroddbehaviour.Shealsoknewhe’dfindit.WhenhiseyesreachedCarter,hewentstill.Alliecouldalmosthearhismindworkashefiguredit
allout.Nervousnessshotthroughherveinslikecaffeine.HeandCarterhadhatedeachotherforsolong,
onlyputtingtheirenmityasideafewmonthsagotofightNathaniel.Iftheystartedfightingagain…Shecouldn’tfacethat.Hermouthhadgonedry.Shereachedforherglass.Findingitempty,shelookedaroundforthejug
ofwater.ItwasnearCarter’selbow.Defeated,shesettheglassdownagain.Shewouldn’taskhim.ButCarterhadseenwhatshewanted.
Withdeliberatemovements,hepickedthejugupandhandedacrossthetabletoher,holdinghergaze.Hiseyeswereasdarkandlimitlessasanightsky.
‘Thanks,’shesaid.Hedidn’treply.Hejustlookedather.Andinthatmomentsherealisedhealreadykneweverything.
HeknewshewaswithSylvain.He’dmissednothing.Shenevercouldfoolhim.
10
TEN
OnMondaymorningschool,orwhatwasleftofit,began.Justbeforeeight,Alliewalkedintoherhistoryclasstofindtheroom,whichnormallyheldtwenty
students, eerily quiet. She chose her usual seat, conscious of the empty chairs in front of her butsomehowunabletomakeherselfsitanyclosertotheteacher’spodium.
Afewminutes later,Sylvain’shandbrushedhershoulderashepassedandshesmiledupathim,gratefulnottobealone.
As he took the seat next to her, stretching his long legs out into the aisle, his posture appearednormal, relaxed.But she could sense hiswatchfulness just behind the easy expression. The teachersweretheirenemiesnow.Classroomsweren’tsafehavensanymore.
FourmorestudentsarrivedbeforeCarter,whoenteredtheroomatthelastminute.Sheonlycaughtaglimpseofhisdarkhairbeforeheslidintoaseatontherowbehindher.
He’dbeensilent throughtherestofdinnerafter thatbriefmomentofconnection.Sincethenhe’davoidedher.Whenever shewalked intoa room,he left shortly thereafter. Ingroups,he stayedas farawayfromherashecould.
Hedidn’tseemangry.Justdistant.Zelaznywalkedin,followedbyaguardwhotookapositionjustoutsidethedoor.Forthefirsttime
sinceshe’dreturnedtoCimmeria,Alliewasgladtoseeaguard.ShecastasidewaysglanceatSylvain.Ifhewasreassuredbythepresenceoftheguardshecouldn’t
tell.Hisexpressionwasinscrutableastheteachersteppedtothefrontoftheroom.Zelazny’ssmall,paleblueeyessweptthesparselypopulatedroom,lingeringonAllieandSylvain.‘Welcome back,’ he barkedwith his usual gruffness. ‘I hope you’ve been keeping upwith your
studies.Everyone,openyourbookstopagetwohundredandtwenty-seven…’He acted just as she remembered. Blustery. Authoritarian. Writing words and dates on the
whiteboardinthesamespikyhandwriting.Alliescrutinisedhiseverymove.Couldhehavedoneit?CouldhehavehelpedkillJo?Itdidn’tseempossible.Butoneofthemhaddoneit.Sheknewsheshouldn’tbutsheletthememoryofthatnightbackintoherthoughts:Jolyingonthe
ground,bloodallaroundher.Armsatanoddangle.Sostrangelystill.Allhermusclestensedandherbreathsbegantocomequickerinshortgasps.Howcouldshejustsit
inthisroom?OneoftheteachershadopenedthegatetoletJo’skillerreachher.WasitZelazny?Couldhehavedonethat?WassheinaroomwithJo’skillerrightnow?
ShetriedtoimaginehimslippingintoIsabelle’soffice,findingtheremotethatcontrolledthegate.Checkinghiswatch.Thenpushingthebutton.
Asher thoughtswhirled faster,herpulse sped too.Soonherheartwasgallopingunevenly inherchest.
Shehadn’thadapanicattackinsolongshe’dforgottenhowhorribleitfelt.Itfeltlikeshewasdying.Zelaznywasstillwritingontheboardsasherchestclosedinaroundherlungs.Alltheairlefttheroom.Shecouldn’tbreathe.Allie tried to stay calm. Shehad to learn to dealwith this. Because she had to come back here
tomorrow.Andthedayafterthat.Closinghereyestoshutouteverything,shetriedtotakeabreathbutnothinghappened.Herlungs
wouldnotaccepttheair.Herheartthuddedsoloudlynowsheimaginedeveryoneintheroommusthearit.Orseeitthrough
hershirt.Terrified,shereachedoutahandtowardsSylvain.Assoonashesawthelookonherfaceheleaptfromhisseatandcrouchedbesideher.‘Allie?Whatisit?’Butshecouldn’tspeak.Shewasdying.‘What’shappening?’Zelaznybarked,anditseemedtocomefromfaraway.Throughadarkeninghaze,sheheardCarter’svoice.‘Move.’ShovingSylvainaside,CartertookAlliebytheshoulders,liftingherbodilyfromherchair.Ignoringeveryoneelse,helockedhiseyesonhers.‘Justbreathe,Allie,’hesaidquietly.‘Remember
how?’Butshedidn’tremember.Itwasasifbreathinghadbecomethemostcomplicatedthingintheworld.
Shetriedtoshakeherhead.Failed.HeturnedtoSylvain.‘Wehavetogetheroutofhere.’Latershecouldn’trememberleavingtheroom.Justthatsuddenlyshewasinthehallway.Shecould
hearvoices–Zelaznycallingafterthem,studentsmurmuringdisquietedly–butitallseemedfaraway.Themovementhelped.Alliewheezedinathreadofoxygen.Butnotenough.Notnearlyenough.Someonewasholdingherup.Alliecouldhearothersoundsinthedistancebuttheydidn’tmatter.‘Helpher.’Sylvain’svoice.Desperate.‘Idon’tknowwhattodo.’ThenallshecouldseewasCarter.Hisdark,troubledeyeslikepoolsofdeepwater.Hishandswarm
andfamiliaronhershoulders.Supportingherweight.‘Youcandothis,Allie.’Theangerfromthedaybeforehadgonefromhisvoice.Hesoundedlike
oldCarteragain.Gentleandcaring.‘Thinkofsomethinggood.Somethingyoulike.’Hesmoothedherhairawayfromherclammyface.‘Justbreathe.’
Seeinghimlikethis–thewayheusedtobe–madehercatchherbreath.Withthattinygaspherlungsreleasedalittleandshetookashortbreath.
‘That’sgood,’hesaidapprovingly.‘Tryitagain.’Holdinghisgazeasifonlyhecouldmakeherbreathe,shediditagain.‘That’s twobreaths,’ he said, and she felt him relax a little. ‘You’re fine,Allie.You’re just fine.
Keepbreathing.’Herheartstillpoundedsofranticallyshewonderedhowshecouldstillbealive.Butshewas.Graduallyherlungsreleasedandairreturnedtoherbody.Thecorridorswambackintoview.Now
shecouldseeZelaznyinthedoorwayoftheclassroomwatchingherwithaconcernedfrown,studentscrowdedbehindhim.Jerryhadcomeoutof thescienceroomandstoodbehindCarterandSylvain,aguardathisshoulder.
‘IssheOK?’thescienceteacherasked.‘Takeherpulse.’Carterdidn’tlifthisgazefromhers.‘She’sgoingtobefine.’ForthefirsttimeAlliewasreallyconsciousofhowclosehewasstanding.Shewasgladnoonewas
takingherpulsejustthen.Asifhe’dseenthisinhereyes,heloosenedhisholdandsteppedback,motioningforSylvaintofill
thespacehe’dleft.‘Allright,youlot,’Zelaznybarkedatthecrowdofstudents.‘Backinyourseats.’Reluctantlytheyreturnedtotheirlessons.Downthehallway,Alliecouldhearthebangsofclassroomdoorsclosing.Theshowwasover.Lookingpale,Sylvainslippedanarmaroundher.Hisworriedblueeyessearchedherface.‘Doyoufeelbetter?’Shenodded,nottrustingherselftospeakyet.Hepulledherintoawarmhug.Throughhisshirt,she
couldfeelhisownracingheart–sheknewshe’dscaredhim.She’dscaredherself.OverhisshouldershesawCarterlookingdownatthefloor.SteppinguptoAllie,Jerrypressedthebackofhishandagainstherclammyforehead.Heliftedher
wristandfeltherpulsewithhisfingertips.After amoment, he let go. ‘Would you staywith her, Sylvain?’ he said. ‘Get her to drink some
water.Ifshestillfeelsill,takeheruptotheinfirmary.’‘Ofcourse,’Sylvainsaid.Aftertheteacherswalkedtotheirclassrooms,SylvainturnedtoCarter.‘Thankyou,Carter.’HistonewasferventbutAlliewishedshecouldstophim.Don’tthankhimforhelpinghisex-girlfriend,shethought.Don’tdothat.‘Itwasnothing,’Cartersaid.HeheadedbacktotheclassroomwithoutmeetingAllie’seyes,andshewatchedhimgo.Itwasn’tnothing,shethought.
Sylvainkepthisarmaroundherastheywalkeddownthequiethallwaytothekitchenwherehepouredatallglassofwater.
Assheleanedagainstthecountersippingit,hestoodacrossfromher,watchingherwithcaution,as
if,shethought,shemightcatchfire.‘ItwasseeingZelazny,’shesaid,althoughhehadn’tasked.‘ThinkingaboutJo…’‘Ithoughtso.’Histonewasgentle.‘Youdon’thavetoexplain.’Butshecouldn’tseemtostopexplaining.‘Carterusedtohavepanicattacks,’shesaid.‘Heknowshowtohandlethem.’Itwasimportantthatheshouldn’tmisunderstandwhathadjusthappened–howCarterhadpushed
himoutoftheway.Andleapttohelpherwhensheneededhim.Butevenasshetriedtoexplainhowitdidn’tmatter,hermindkeptreplayingthesceneasifitdid.
ThewayCarterhadn’thesitated.Howshe’dthoughtshewoulddieuntilhewasthere.‘Ineedtolearnhowtohelpyou,too,’Sylvainsaid,interruptingherconfusedthoughts.‘Hemight
notalwaysbesoclosewhenyou…whenthishappens.’She’d had the anxiety attacks ever since Christopher ran away. She hadn’t had one in months,
though.Becauseofthat,she’dallowedherselftobelieveshewasdonewiththem.God,howshehatedthem.Hatedthewayherbodybetrayedher.Thewayitleteveryoneknowshe
wasafraid.Ithadtostop.Allie set her jaw. ‘I’mnever doing it again.Thatwas the last panic attack I’m ever having. I’m
done.’Sylvainknewbetterthantoargue.‘That’sgood,’hesaid.‘Besides,you’vealreadyprotectedmefrombulletsandkidnapping,’Alliesaid.‘Youdon’thaveto
protectmefromeverything,youknow.’Hisexpressiondarkened.‘Yes,Ido.’Hecrossedthespacebetweenthemintwostepsandthenshewasinhisarms.‘Don’tyousee,Allie?Idon’twantanythingbadtohappentoyou,’hesaid.Restingherheadagainsthisshoulder,shebreathedinhisfamiliarscent.‘Badthingsalwayshappen
tome.’She said itwith a complete lack of self-pity. Shewasn’t looking for sympathy. Itwas the truth.
Carterknewitalready,becausehewasjustlikeher.Badthingshappenedtohim,too.Itwasliketheywerebornunderthesamedarkstar.ButsheworriedSylvaindidn’tunderstandityetandhehadto.Iftheyweregoingtobetogether,heneededtoknowwhathewasgettinginto.
Hedidn’tlookconvinced.‘Iwillnevergetusedtoit,’hesaidfirmly.‘Iwillstopit.’Hisdeterminationwarmedherheart.Standingonhertoes,shekissedhim.Hislipswerewarmand
gentleagainsthers,asifhewascautious–afraidofhurtingher.But she wanted more. She’d felt like she was going to die and now she wanted to feel alive.
Wrappingherarmsaroundhisneckshepulledhimcloser,deepeningthekiss.Herespondedinstantly,pullinghercloser,openinghislipstohers.
Herhandsclenchedhisshirtandshepushedhimbackagainstthecounter,pressingherselfagainsthim.Demandingmore…
Atthatmomentanoiseinthehallway–teachersorguardspassingmid-conversation–startledthemandtheyleaptapartguiltily.Theybothstruckcasualposes,breathingheavily.
When thepeople in thehallwaypassedbywithout coming into thekitchen,Sylvain leanedbackagainstthecounteracrossfromher,studyingher.Helookedfeverishandeager.
Allieknewjusthowhefelt.Kissinghimmadeallthedoubtsgoaway.Allthebadthoughts.Allthefear.Whenshekissedhim,allshethoughtaboutwasherbody.Andhisbody.
‘I have to be alone with you,’ he whispered, and the desire in his voice made her shiver.‘Somewherewewon’tbedisturbed.’
Rightatthismoment,Alliewantedthat,too.Butsheknewitwasn’tpossible.Notnow.‘Where,though?’sheasked.‘Theguardswatcheverything.They’reeveninthegirls’dorm.’Sylvain’ssmilewasconfident;sexy.‘I’llfindaplace.’
ZelaznymusthavetoldIsabelleaboutthepanicattackbecauseassoonasAllie’slastclassended,theheadmistressorderedhertotheinfirmarytobecheckedout.
Allie,whohadspentweeksintheinfirmaryrecoveringfromtheattackthatresultedinJo’sdeath,climbedthestairswithheavyfeet.
Whenshearrived,thenurseseemedunsurprisedtoseeher.‘Iguess it’s about timewehadyouback in,’ she saidwithdryhumour. ‘Whathaveyoudone to
yourselfnow?’WhenAllietoldheraboutthepanicattack,shetuttedsympatheticallybeforelisteningtoherheart,
takingherpulseandgenerallypokingheraround.‘Well, you’re in better shape than the last time I saw you,’ she said finally. ‘Your heart sounds
strong.ButifithappensagainIwantyoutocomerightbackhere.Agreed?Therearethingsyoucantake–medicationsthatcanhelp.’
Alliegrimaced.HerparentshadputheronmedicationafterChristopherleft.Sheknewhowbrainpills,asshecalledthem,worked.Shewasconvincedtheyslowedherdown.Makeherfeelweird.Likeshewasn’t…her.
Everyonehadtoldheritwasn’ttruebutsheknewherownbody.Besides,shetoldherself,shedidn’tneedthem.She’dhadherlastpanicattack.Andthat’sallthere
wastoit.Mumbling a non-committal reply, she fled down the stairswith the panicked zeal of an escaped
prisoner.Shewashalfrunningalongtheground-floorcorridorwhenshesawRachelheadingtowardsheratanequallyfastpace.
‘Hey.’Rachelstoppedher,aworriedfrownlinedividinghereyes.‘Iheardyouhadathing.AreyouOK?’
‘Totallyfine,’Alliesaidbreezily.‘NursesaysI’mnotsick.I’mjustafreak.’
‘Well,sheisamedicalprofessional,’Racheljoked,butAlliecouldseetheconcerninhercinnamon-colouredeyes.‘Youhaven’thadoneofthoseinwhile,haveyou?Whatsetitoff?’
Alliemadeavaguegesture.‘ItwasjustseeingZelaznyagain.Knowinghemightbe…’‘Yeah.Igetit.’Rachelpattedhershoulder.‘I’mgladyou’reOK.’Glancingdown,AllienoticedRachelwasn’twearingherrequiredschoolshoes.Insteadsheworea
pairofblue-and-whitesandalsshe’dfavouredwhentheywereinFrance.‘What’swith thenaked toes?’AtCimmeria,onlyprefectsgot towear theirownshoes. Juleshad
beenprefectuntilherparentssidedwithNathanielandpulledheroutoftheschool.Hereyeswidened.‘OhmyGod.Julesisgone.Therehastobeanewprefect.It’syou,isn’tit?’‘Therecanbeonlyone,’Rachel intoned, tryingandfailingtosuppressapleasedsmile.‘Anyway,
yes.Meetthenewboss.Isabellejusttoldme.’‘Congratulations!That’smassive!’Alliehuggedher.‘Areyougoingtogivememarks?’‘Effectiveimmediately.Detentionsallround.’Rachel’stonemighthavebeenmildbutAlliecould
seeshewasflushedwithhappiness.‘Oh,andthere’ssomethingelseIneedtotellyouaboutbutI’lltellyoutonight.I’msavingitup.Asurprise.’
‘This is so great,’ Allie said, feeling cheerier. ‘Yes, our teachers might be trying to kill us. Butyou’reprefectnowandyouhaveother fun secrets. It’s like thingsare finallygettingback tonormalaroundhere.’
Rachellaughedastheyheadedbackoutintothecorridor,arminarm.‘Yournormalterrifiesme.’Allieshotherawrysmile.‘Mynormalterrifieseveryone.’
11
ELEVEN
After dinner that night,Alliewent straight from themostly empty dining hall to the strangely quietcommonroomwithZoe,herbookbagheavyonhershoulder.
‘Ihavesomuchwork,’shegroaned,droppingthebagwithathud.‘Don’tteachersknowwehavelives?’
‘Schoolismylife,’Zoesaid,openinghernotebook.‘Howawesomeforyou,’Alliesaiddarkly.Shesettledontothedeepleathersofaandpulledoutherbooks, lookingthroughherassignments
with increasingalarm.All the teachershadgivenoutworkbut theworstwashistory.When sheandSylvainfinallyreturnedtoZelazny’sclass,they’dfoundhimgivingeveryoneahugeessaytowrite.
‘We are looking,’ he’d said, his voice jumping a little as he wrote on the board, ‘at the age ofEmpire.Particularly,thestructureofgovernmentandtheramificationsforallcitizens…’
He’ddronedonforages.Nowshehadaweektowritethreethousandwordsonsomethingsheknewnothingabout.Mutteringtoherself,sheflippedthroughhertextbook,butitwassoonobviousitcontainedfartoo
littleinformation.‘Buggerit.’Shesighed,standingup.‘I’vegottogotothelibrary.’‘Ilovethelibrary,’Zoesaidwithoutlookingup.Alliecouldn’ttakemuchmoreofherearnestness.Sheheadedforthedoor,leavingherbagbehind.
‘I’moff.IfI’mnotbackinanhour,sendasearchparty.’‘Howcouldyougetlostinthelibrary?’Zoelookedbaffled.Allieheldupherhandsinsurrender.Zoedidn’tgetironyinthebestofcircumstances–sheshould
haveknownbetter.‘It’sjustastupidthingpeoplesay.’‘Peopleshouldn’tsaystupidthings,’Zoegrumbled.Relieved to leave the conversation behind, Allie stepped out into the hushedmain hallway. Her
footstepsechoedaroundhersoloudlyitsoundedasifshewasbeingfollowed.Bythetimeshereachedthelibraryshewasgettingjumpy.
Thelibrarydooropenedwithashushingsound,asifquietjustsortofstartedinthedoorway.Allthetableswereunoccupied–thegreenglassdesklampsglowedfornoone.Aseriesofthumpssplit thesilenceandsheturnedtoseeEloisepilingbooksonacart.Shehada
notepadinherhandasshearrangedthebooksintostacks.Itwasthefirsttimeshe’dseenthelibrarianlookinganythingotherthannervoussinceshe’dreturnedtotheschool.
AllieclearedherthroatandEloisejumped.Nowshelookednervous.‘Sorry.’Alliegaveanapologeticwave.‘Didn’tmeantoscareyou.’‘Nottoworry,’Eloisesaid,straighteningherglasses.‘Ijustdidn’thearyoucomein.’‘Thedoor…’Alliesaid,apologetically.‘Youshouldaddsqueaktoit.’Eloiseacceptedthiswithaquicknod.‘Yes,’shesaid.‘Ofcourse.’Asifaddingsqueaktoadoorwasacompletelyreasonablesuggestion.
Thenshewentbacktoherwork.Eloise had once been a confident,warm, friendly teacher. Shewasmuch younger than the other
teachersandhadalwaysbeentheonethestudentscouldrelateto.Now,shelookedolder.Sheseemedmorefragile,too–hernailswerebittentothequick.Somepart
ofAlliedidfeelforher.But,fragileornot,EloisewasstilloneofthethreeteacherssuspectedofworkingforNathaniel.In
fact,Alliewasn’tmeanttobealonewithheratall.Turningaway,shetrudgedthroughtheforestofshelves.Thelong,shadowyroomwaslinedonboth
sidesbyrowsoftall,darkbookshelves.Eachsoaredupat least tenfeet.Thetopshelveswerehigherthantheheavy,metallightfixturesthathungfromtheceilingbychains.
Thick,Persianrugsabsorbedherfootstepsbuttherewasnoonetodisturb.Sheturnedintothestacksatthehistorysection.Large,leatherbookslinedtheshelves–someasold
as the time period they covered. She traced her fingers across the gold-embossed titles looking forsomethinguseful,butsoonrealisedthebooksweremostlyabouttheeighteenthcentury.Acenturytooearlyforthepurposesofherresearch.
Herheaddown,stilllostinthought,sheturnedthecornertothenextaisle.AndranheadlongintoCarter,nearlytrippingintheprocess.Hegrabbedhershoulderstokeepherfromfalling.‘Steady.’Holdinghisarmsforbalancesheglancedupathiminsurprise.Hewas lookingdownatherwith theoddestexpression,as ifhe’ddreamedherup.As ifhewas
contemplatingkissingher.And,forsomecrazyreason,shefoundherselfwishinghewould.Shewashyper-awareoftheway
hislegpressedagainsthers.Shecouldfeeleachofhisfingersonhershoulders.Feelhisbreathwarmagainsthercheek.
Whatiswrongwithme?shewondered.HehadJulesandshehadSylvainandthiswasoverbetweenthetwoofthemforever.They’dagreed
thatlastterm.Theywerefriendsforlife.Andyet,forafrozensecondneitherofthemmoved.Then theshutterswentdownoverCarter’sgazeandhesteppedback,disentanglinghimself from
her.‘Historyessay?’Hespokecasually, as if themomenthadnot justhappened.The strange longing
lookwascompletelygonefromhisexpression.‘Naturally.’Copyinghim,sheaffectednonchalance,buthervoicesounded toohighand thin.She
clearedherthroatandtriedtoforceherselftosoundcool.‘Youtoo?’‘Three thousandwords.’ Turning to the shelves, he frowned at the books as if they held all the
answerstolife’sproblems.‘Ludicrousdeadline.’Frombeneathherlashes,Alliewatchedthesideofhisface,lookingforanysignthatwhathadjust
happenedmeantanythingrealbutheseemedutterlyabsorbedinthebooktitles.Droppinghergaze,sheexhaledthroughpursedlips.Shemusthaveimaginedthewholething.That
wistfullook…itwasallinherhead.God.Whycouldn’tshejustletthembefriends?‘Asusual,’shesaid,turningtolookattheshelves,too,althoughthetitleswereablurandshedidn’t
reallyknowwhatshewaslookingfor.Pullingdownaheavybook,Carterwhistledunderhisbreathasheopenedit,flippingthroughthe
pages.‘Theassignment’sabitvague,right?’hesaid.‘Imean,threethousandwordsonempireislike…
“Givemefivethousandwordsonthehistoryoftheworld.”’Alliesnortedheragreementandchoseabookatrandom.Whensheopenedit,atinycloudofdust
arose.Shesneezed.‘Blessyou,’hesaidsolemnly.Asifthatweresomesortofaninsult,sheslammedthebookshutandturnedtohim.‘Listen,Carter,Ijustthinkweneedtotalk.’Clearlystartled,heleanedback.‘Aboutempire?BecauseIhadnothingtodowiththat.’‘No.’Sheshovedthedustybookbackontheshelfwhereshe’dfoundit.‘About…things.’‘Things?’Carterpulleddownanotherbookandlookedatitwithtoomuchinterest.NowthatAlliewasinthisshewasn’tsurewhatshewantedtosay.Butshehadtokeepgoing.‘WhenIcameback,thatfirstday,youweresopissedoffatmeandIdidn’tknowwhy…’‘Ihaveanger issues,’hesaid. ‘I thoughtyouknewthat.’His tonewasmildbutshecouldsee the
cornersofhismouthtwitch.‘Don’tmakejokesaboutthis,’sheprotested.‘Ijustthoughtweshould…talkaboutwhyyouwere
soangry.Orjust,youknow…talk.BecauseImissedyou.’Shehadn’tmeanttobequitesohonestbutthereitwas.She’ddoneitnow.Carter’ssmiledisappeared.Hedidn’tseemtoknowwhattosay.Forasecondhekeptturningpages.
Thenhesetthebookdownandmethergazewithguardedeyes.‘Imissedyou,too,’hesaidatlast.‘AndI’msorryIseemedangry.I’manarse.IguessIwasjust
surprised.And…well.Worriedforyou.’Allie’sbrowlowered.‘Haveyoueverconsideredtalking?That’satraditionalmethodforhandling
concerninourculture.’‘I know… I’m sorry about that. Communication hasn’t been my thing lately.’ He leaned back
againsttheshelves,watchingher.Helookedlikehewasafraidofwhatshemightsaynext.Sheknewjusthowhefelt.‘Whywereyouso…worried?’sheasked.Hemadeavaguegesturewithonehand.‘BecauseI thoughtyouweresafeout there.Asyoucan
tell,thingsarelessthansafehere.AndIdidn’tknowwhathadhappenedtoyououtthere.’‘Noonetoldyouabouttheshooting?’Alliesaid.His lips tightening, he shook his head. ‘I know now. Isabelle toldme.And Sylvain filled in the
details. I can’t …’ His voice trailed off but she saw how his muscles tensed. ‘Once I knew… Iunderstoodwhyyouhadtocomeback.’
‘Still,’Alliesaidgently,‘it’snotlikeyoutoactlikethat.Notlately,anyway.’A long silence followed. He didn’t meet her gaze. She got the feeling he was trying to decide
whetherornottoreply.‘Whileyouweregone…’hebeganat last.Hepausedbeforestartingupagain. ‘Lately, Iguess I
haven’tbeeninagreatplacementally.’HisfranknesstookAlliebysurprise.‘BecauseofJules?’Hiseyesmethersandglancedaway.‘BecauseofJulesandalotofstuff.’‘Youknowit’snotyourfault…right?’Alliesaid.Hisfacedarkened.‘YouknowJo’sdeathwasn’tyourfault.Right?’Hiswordswereasquickandpainfulasasnakebite.Alliedrewinherbreath.Instantly contrite, he raked his fingers through his dark hair. ‘God, Allie, I’m sorry. That was
uncalledfor.’‘Itwasn’tfair.’Hervoicequiveredandsheknottedherhandsathersides.‘Wasit?’Hereachedouthishandasiftocomfortherbutstoppedatthelastminuteandresteditonashelf
instead,likehe’dalwaysmeanttoputitthere.‘No,’hesaid. ‘Itwasn’t. I seemtobe…’Bitinghis lip,he tappedhisknucklesagainst theshelf.
Alliegotthefeelinghe’dliketoputhisfistthroughitbutwasrestraininghimself.‘Iseemtobeunfairalotlately.’
‘Iknowwhatthat’slike,’Alliesaid.‘YouknowIdo.’Shetookasteptowardshim–invadingthewide circle of personal space he’d created. ‘You can talk tome about this stuff, Carter. I really dounderstand.Probablymorethanmostpeople.Likeyougetmypanicattacks.Igetthis…stuff.’
Her sudden proximity seemed to make him nervous. He backed away, pretending he was justshiftinghisweightfromonelegtoanother.
Butwhenhereplied,hisvoicewassoftandfilledwithpain.‘Iknow,Allie.ButIjust…can’t.’Itwasthewayhesaidhernamethatdidit.Afterthey’dbrokenuphealwayssaiditquickly,likehecouldn’twaittogetitoverwith.Likehe
didn’tlikethetasteofit.Butthistimehelingeredoverit.Stretcheditout.Allie’sthroattightened.Shewasn’timaginingthis–somethingwashappeninghere.Butitcouldn’tbe.Theyweredonewiththat.I’mlosingit,shethought.HelovesJules.I’mwithSylvain.AndIambeingincrediblystupidright
now.Carterwasstilltalking.‘It’shardtobringthingsupsometimes.Whenthere’sno…solution.’It occurred to her that she wasn’t entirely certain what he was talking about. But they were on
dangerousgroundnow,andsheneededtopull thembacktosafetybeforetheywent toofar.Anddidsomethingthey’dregret.
Becauseavoiceinherheadkepttellinghertokisshim.‘ButIthinkthereisasolution.’Shetalkedfast,beforeshecouldchangehermind.‘Wejusthaveto
figureitout.IthinkweneedtogetJulesbackhere,somehow.Thatwouldmakeeverythingbetter.’Carter lookedatherasif thatwasn’t theresponsehe’dexpected.Butassoonasshesaidit,Allie
realisedshewas right.Thatwas theanswer toeverything. If Juleswasback,Carterwouldbehappy.AndthenshecouldbehappywithSylvain.AndsheandCartercouldbefriendsagain.Theywouldn’tbeconfusedintothinkingtherewassomethingromanticbetweenthemwhenthey’dbeensocarefultomakesuretherewasn’t.
Juleswouldfixeverything.‘I’llfiguresomethingout,’shesaid,noddingtoherself.Hiseyesdistant,Carter turnedback to thebooks. ‘I shouldhaveknownAlliewouldcome to the
rescue.’Hisvoicewascool;enigmatic.Hepulledoutathickbookandhandedittoher,signallingtheendofthediscussion.‘Thislookslikeagoodone.’
Sheflippeditoverinherhands.ThetitlewasConqueringtheWorld.
FortherestoftheeveningAlliecouldn’tgetthatmomentwithCarteroutofhermind.ItwasimpossibletothinkabouttheBritishEmpirewhenshekepthearinghimsayhernameinthatway.
‘Allie.’Likeacaress.Shehadtohaveimaginedit.Shejusthadto.Buthadsheimaginedhowshefelt?Thewayherheartleaptwhenshesawhim?Thiscouldn’tbehappening.WhenitwasfinallytimeforNightSchooltrainingshewasglad.Allhernerveswerestretchedtight.
Shewantedtokickthings.Andhitthemhard.Shewaseagertogetbacktowork.AfterwhathappenedinFrance–andthethingsshe’dlearned
from Isabelle – she wanted to knowmore ways to defend herself.More ways to elude Nathaniel’sguards.
Thenexttimetheycameforhershewantedtosurprisethemwithhersheerarse-kickingskills.
She’dtrainedwhileshewasawaybuttrainingonyourownwasn’taseffectiveasthewholeNightSchoolgroupdynamic,whichmadeherpushherselfharder.Shejusthopedshehadn’tfallenbehindtheothers.Thatshewasreadyforwhatevertheywereworkingonnow.
Just before nine, she headed down the basement corridor towardsTrainingRoomOnewithZoe,who was in a much better mood now. After learning what had happened that morning, she’d beenresearchingpanicattacksandwastellingAllieeverythingshe’dlearnedinanimateddetail.
‘Andwhenyourheartdoesthatthingit’snotdangerous,’sheexplained.‘Itjustfeelslikeitis.’‘Yeah, it’s a totally un-dangerous heart attack,’ Allie agreed. ‘Like a giant coronary joke.’ Still
talking,sheopenedthedoortothegirls’dressingroom.‘Ilovegiant…’Asshesteppedintotheroomhervoicetrailedoff.ShestoppedwalkingsosuddenlyZoeraninto
her.‘Giantwhat?’Zoeasked,lookingoverhershoulder.Thenshestopped,too.‘Oh.’Acrosstheroom,RachelstoodnexttoNicole.Bothwereinblackleggingsandtops,blackrunning
shoes.FullNightSchoolgear.Allie’seyestravelledfromRacheltotheemptyhookonthewallbehindher.Aboveit,onewordhadbeenfreshlypainted:Patel.
Nicole and Rachel were both watching her with hopeful smiles. But as Rachel clocked Allie’sexpression,hersmileturneduncertainandthenfadedawayentirely.
‘Surprise?’Rachelsaid.
12
TWELVE
‘Whatthehellisgoingon?’Alliehadgonecoldinside,asifsomeonehadshovedashardoficeintoherheart.‘Rachel,whathaveyoudone?’
Rachelheldupherhands.‘Iwantedtosurpriseyou.Italkedaboutitwithmydadthisweekend.HeworkedeverythingoutwithIsabelle.’HervoicewascalmbutAlliecouldhearthenervoustremorjustbeneaththesurfaceofherwords.
‘Thenun-workit.Becausethisisn’thappening.’Allie’stonewasominous.Inside,shewasreeling.HowcouldRacheldothis?Shewasn’tathletic.
Shewasabrain.She’dbeputtingherselfindanger,andforwhat?TofightNathaniel?TofightGabe?Shedidn’tstandachance.They’dkillher.‘Allie.’Nicole’svoicewasquietbutherexpressiveeyesheldawarning. ‘Rachelhas the right to
makeherowndecisions.’‘No, she doesn’t,’Allie snapped. ‘Notwhen it comes to this. Iwon’t haveher here,Nicole.She
couldgethurt.’‘I’vealreadybeenhurt,Allie.’Forthefirsttime,Rachelsoundedangry.‘AndIcouldn’tfightback
becauseIdidn’tknowwhattodo.IwasjustNathaniel’svictim.Histoy.Waitingforsomeonetocomeandsaveme.Waitingforyoutosaveme.Waitingtowatchhimcutyou.AndtoseeGabenearlybreakNicole’sleg…’
Sheshudderedatthememoryandanangrytearstreakeddownhercheek.Dashingitawaywiththebackofherhand,shetookashakybreath.
Alliewas stunned.She’d spent threemonthswithRachel and sheneveroncementioned shewasconsideringjoiningNightSchool.Hadshejustbeensittingtherethewholetimekeepingsecrets?AboutLucas?AboutNightSchool?
Hadshetoldherthetruthaboutanything?‘If I’m staying at Cimmeria, I have to learn how to defend myself. And I’m going to,’ Rachel
continueddefiantly.‘Youcan’tstopme.’Therushofangerandfearmade ithard to thinkclearlyandAlliepressedher fingersagainsther
eyelids.Therewasnowaythiscouldbehappening.‘Maybenot,’shesaid,droppingherhands.‘ButI’mbloodywellgoingtotry.’Whirling, she ran from the room, hurtling down the dim corridor almost unaware of the tears
pouringdownhercheeks.Herstepsweresurebutinsideshewasreeling.HowcouldRacheldothis?Howcouldshebetrayherlikethis?Nathanielwould…hewould…
Sheroundedthecorner,soblindedbyangerandfearshecouldn’tseewhereshewasgoing.She’dmadeittothefootofthestairswhensomeonegrabbedherarms,pullingherback.Shestruggledwildlytofreeherselfbutthehandsheldontoher.
‘Allie,stop.’ItwasCarter.Stillshefoughtback,hittinghisshoulderswithherfists.‘Letmego,Carter.Letmego.Letmego.’Buthedidn’t.Instead,hepulledherintohisarmsandshe
collapsedagainsthischest,sobbing,repeatingoverandoveragain,‘Letmego.’Heheldheruntilhertearsfinallyquietened.Thenheguidedherupthestairstoadarkenedalcove
wheretheycouldtalkinprivate.‘Now,’hesaidwhentheyweresettled,‘whatthehellisgoingon?’Theysat sidebysideona stonebench.Allie felt sore fromweeping–as if she’dcriedwithher
wholebody.Inonehandsheclutchedatissuehe’dhandedher.Hervoiceshaking,shetoldhimeverything.Thehookonthewall.ThelookonRachel’sface.Whenshefinished,hesworeunderhisbreath.‘Ican’tbelieveshe’ddosomethingsobloodystupid.
AndwhatthehellisIsabellethinking?’Somehow, the fact thatheagreedwithhermade thingsworse. Itmeant shewas right abouthow
dangerousthiswasforRachel.‘Wecan’tletherdothis,Carter,’shesaid,fightingbackafreshfloodoftears.‘Gabewillkillher.I
knowhewill.I’vegottogoandtalktoIsabelle.Andtellher…tellher…’He took her hand, folding it in his.Allie couldn’t remember the last time they’d been this close
withouttensionbetweenthem.Itfeltnaturaltobehere.Buthisnextwordstookherbysurprise.‘Ornot,’hesaid.Droppinghishand,sheblinkedupathim.‘Whatdoyoumean?’‘Look,IloveRachelasmuchasyoudo,’hesaid.‘Butthinkaboutit.She’snotthemostphysically
fitstudentatCimmeria,right?’Stillpuzzled,Allienodded.‘Shehatesexercise.’‘So…’Helookeddownather,hisdarkeyesfathomlessintheshadows.‘How’sthatgoingtowork
outforherinNightSchool?’Allieconsideredthis.‘It’llbehard,’shesaid,stillnotgettingit.‘It’shardforeveryone.’‘Rajisourleadtrainer.Youknowhe’snotgoingtogoeasyonherjustbecauseshe’shisdaughter,
right?’Finallyrealisingwhathewasgettingat,Alliesatupstraighter,hergazefixedonhis.‘No.He’llbe
harderonher.Muchharder.’‘Precisely.AndRachelwillnothandlethatwell.’‘She’llhateit.’Allie’sheartliftedatthethought.‘She’llquit.’
Forthefirsttimeshefelthopeful.‘OK,’ she saidmostly to herself. ‘That couldwork. But in themeantime… she’s in danger the
wholetime.’‘We’llallkeepaneyeonher,’Cartersaid.‘Seriously,thesedayswealmostneverleavethebuilding
totrain,anyway.’Hehadapoint.Andeventhoughshedidn’twanttoseeit–shedidn’twantRachelinNightSchool
forfiveminutes–Allieknewhewasright.Theycouldgetthroughthis.Wipingawaythelastofhertears,shelookedupathim.‘Whendidyougetsosmart?’Hislipsquirkedup.‘I’vealwaysbeensmart.Youjustweren’tpayingattention.’Shehadtosmileatthat.Despiteeverything.It struck her that this was the third time in one day she’d ended up in Carter’s arms. Fate kept
throwingthemtogether.Sheclearedherthroat.‘Thanks,Carter.Iwastotallylosingit.Idon’tknowwhatIwouldhavedone
…’‘Noworries,’hesaid,asifitmeantnothingatallthattwicetodayhe’dpickedupthepiecesandput
herbacktogether.‘Iwasjustthere.That’sall.’Heglancedathiswatchthenstood,andturnedbacktofaceher.‘Now.Let’sgetdownthere.And
startmakingRachelhateNightSchool.’
AfterthrowingonherNightSchoolgear,AllierushedintoTrainingRoomOne.Shewaslateandthedimlylitroomwasalreadyabuzzofactivity.
Working in pairs, black-cladNight School students practised complexmeans of attack and self-defence.Assheenteredthedim,cube-shapedroom,theywereinthemiddleofamanoeuvreshehadn’tseenbefore.Thetrainingpairswerepunching,kickingandtwistinginandoutofeachother’sgrip.
Themovewasmoreintricatethananythingshe’devertried.Thewindowlessroomwasalreadytoowarmandsmelledofsweat.Shescannedthefightersforfamiliarfaces.
CarterandSylvainwerebothtalkingtoZelaznyatthebackoftheroom.Asifhe’dfelthergaze,Sylvainlookedup.Shesawhimobserveherpuffyeyes,thetracksofhertears.Hisbrowknitted.
Allieshookherheadandmouthed,‘I’mfine’athim.ThenturnedtofindRachel.ShewasacrosstheroomwithNicole.ShelookedsooddinNightSchoolgear.Sowrong.Itwaslikeshewasinaplay,pretendingtobean
athlete. She stood, red-faced and awkward, as Nicole showed her the basics of the move. Alreadysweating,Rachelappearedperplexedbytheinstructions.
Good,Alliethought.Butherheartfelthollow.ShehatedseeingRachelsuffer.Nothingaboutthiswasgood.Whenshecouldn’tstandtowatchanymore,sheturnedtolookbehindher.JerryColeandZoewere
practising nearby, andAllie headed towards them. The instructorwasn’t tall but hewas strong.Hismoveswerepurepower,butZoewasmoreagile.Herbirdlikequicknessmeantsheeasilyeludedhis
kicks,butshecouldn’tknockhimdowneither.‘OK,’Jerrysaid,holdinguphishandsandlaughing.‘I’mdefeated.Youhavedestroyedme,Zoe.’‘Awesome.’Sheair-punchedhappily.‘Uh…hi,’Alliesaid,walkinguptothem.‘You’relate.’Zoe’stonewasaccusing.‘Yeah…sorry.’AlliecastanapologeticlookatJerry.‘Igotheldup.Itwon’thappenagain.’Shesawhimtakeinherrednoseandpuffyeyes.‘EverythingOK?’heasked.Feelingstupid,Allienodded.‘Yeah.It’sjusta…thing.’Forasecondshethoughthemightchallengethat,makeherexplainmore.Thenheseemedtodecide
againstit.‘Aslongasyou’reOK.’Hesteppedback.‘You’llbetrainingwithZoe.’Hegavethesmallergirla
jovial shoulder pat and she grinned up at him. ‘So you’ll need to be one hundred per cent. She’sruthless.’
His laidback attitudewas not at allwhat she’d expected. In the past, being late toNight Schoolwouldearnyouaweek’sdetentionandapublicchiding.Atleast.
Thingsreallyhadchangedaroundhere.Theotherstudentswerestillpractisingaroundthem.Raisinghisvoicetobeheardovertherumble
ofconversationandthethuddingofbodiesagainstthefloor,Jerrysaid,‘Iunderstandyourstrengthisbacktonormalnow.’
‘Yeah.’Sheheldupafisthalf-heartedly.‘I’mreadytorumble.’HeshotZoeawarninglook.‘Andyouarenotallowedtohurt,killormaim,remember?’Zoenoddedsohardherponytailbounced.‘Noactualdamage.’Jerry walked Allie through the technique the other students were practising. It wasn’t quite as
complicatedasit looked,butitwasn’teasyeither.Handtowrist.Foottoshoulder.Bendback.Twist.Handtowrist.Repeat.Trynottofalldown.
After they’d tried it a coupleof times at half speed, he seemed satisfied. ‘Zoe can showyou theotherthingswe’vebeenworkingonlately.Wavemeoverifyouneedhelp.’Hegaveherasmile.‘We’reallgladtohaveyoubackintraining,Allie.’
‘Thanks,’shesaidshyly.Whenhe’dgone,Zoeturnedtoher,cockingherheadtooneside.‘Wanttofight?’Alliegrinnedather.‘Absolutely.’They were working through the third manoeuvre when Sylvain and Carter walked up to them.
Sylvainlookedsolemn.‘CartertoldmeaboutRachel,’hesaid.‘Ican’tbelieveit.’Alliemadeahelplessgesture.‘Sheshouldn’tbehere.’Zoe’s tonewascondemning.As ifRachelhadbrokensomefundamental
rule.
‘She seems tobe struggling,’Carter said, and they all turned to look just asRachel tried tokickNicolebutendedupinaheaponthefloor.
‘She’sterrible,’Zoesaid.SheglancedatAllie.‘She’sevenworsethanyouwerewhenyoustarted.’Alliedidn’treply.ShekepthereyesonthepairasNicolehelpedRachelup.‘Wethoughtwe’dpractisewithyou.’Sylvainsaid,drawingherattentionback.‘IsthatOK?’‘Sure,’ Allie replied without thinking. Then she realised what he was saying and looked up in
stunnedsurprise.‘Wait.Youtwoaretrainingpartners?’‘Itoldyouwe’vebeentrainingtogether,’Sylvainsaidmildly.‘Yeah,’Allielookedbackandforthbetweenthem,‘butyoudidn’ttellmeyou’dmadeitofficial.’‘WhatcanIsay?’Cartersaidwithacynicalsmile.‘Oppositesattract.’Alliedidn’tknowhowshefeltaboutthisnewdevelopment.Therewassomethingunseemlyabout
herformerandcurrentboyfriendsbecomingpartners.Astheyresumedtraining,shefoundithardtofocuswiththemsoclose.Whenevertheytalked,or
oneofthemlaughed,shelookeduptoseewhatwashappeningandZoewouldkickherintheface.‘You’redead,’theyounggirlexplainedhelpfullyeachtimethishappened.Afterawhile,though,shegotintotherhythmoftraining–distractionsfellbythewayside.She’d
alwayslikedthesheerphysicaleffortofit,theknowledgethatshecouldfightback.Orgetawayifsheneededto.
Whileshe’dbeenawayfromCimmeriashe’dfollowedastricttrainingregimeprovidedbyRaj.Shewasverystrong.
Still,workingwithZoewasn’teasy.Theyoungergirl’smoveswereaccurateandlightningquick.WhensheswungherfoottowardsAllie’sthroat,herlegwasablur.
Periodically,sheandZoetookabreaktowatchCarterandSylvainpractise.Theirmethodswerethesame but their sheer physical strengthmade it lookmore brutal. Carter swung his foot upwith thestrength of a tank. Had he wanted it to, thatmove could have thrown Sylvain across the room. Orbrokenhisneck.
WhenitwasSylvain’s turnhewasasgracefulandlethalasanarmeddancer. Insteadofasimpleswingmove,heleaptfromthegroundinaspinningcircle,hisfootendingupperfectlypositionedinthemiddleofCarter’sthroat.
‘Greatmoves.’RajPatelwalkeduptothemwithasmileandheldouthishandstoAllie.‘Welcomeback.We’veallmissedyou.’
Hepulledher into awarmhug,pattingheron the shoulder. ‘Looks likeyou’vebeenkeepingupwithyourtrainingwhileyouweregone.’
Allieflushedwithpride.‘Everyday.’‘It shows,’ Raj said approvingly. He gestured at the room, where the other students were still
working through the move. ‘You’ll see we’re trying new things now. These are moves designed todisable a fighting opponent long enough to give you time to get away.’ He added ominously, ‘Orlonger.’
‘Longer?’Allieasked.‘Youcouldkillsomeonewiththesemoves,Allie,’Rajexplainedsimply.‘Weteachyouboththekill
movesandthedisablealternatives.’Allie tried to hide her dismay. They’d always focused on self-defence and evasion techniques –
waystoavoidbeingkidnappedorhurt.Thatsortoftrainingwaspricelessforthechildrenofbillionaireswho,asAlliehadlearned,werealwayssofttargetscomparedtotheirwell-protectedparents.
Butthey’dneverlearnedmethodsofkillingtheirassailants.‘Wow,’shewhispered.‘That’sintense.’It was Sylvain who answered. ‘We haven’t got any choice,’ he said. ‘It’s kill or be killed with
Nathaniel,youknowthat.’‘AndI’mheretomakesurenoneofyougetskilled,’Rajsaid.‘Now,’helookedaroundthesmall
circleofstudents,‘Ithinkyoushouldswitch.’Theystaredbackathimblankly.‘Zoe’s a great training partner butAllie needs to knowhow to kick someone taller than her,’ he
explained.‘Sheneedstoknowhowtofightaman.So–’hemadeaswirlingmotionwithhishandashewalkedaway–‘switchitup.’
AllieavoidedCarter’sgaze.Therewasnoquestionwhosheshouldtrainwith.It was clear he knew this, too, because he waved Zoe over. ‘Come on, Shortie. Showmewhat
you’vegot.’‘Don’tcallmeShortie,’shecomplained.Astheysetupontheadjacentmat,Alliewonderediftheslighttwingeshefeltwasdisappointment.Smoothingalldoubtfromherface,sheturnedtofaceSylvain.‘Ready?’Unawareofherinnerturmoil,hesmiled.‘Ofcourse.’Rajwasright–themovewasdifferentwithsomeonephysicallylarger.Shehadtoworkharderto
tiltherbodytotheangleneededtokick.Hadtoadjustherresponses.Ittookseveraltriestogetitright.By theend, though,heraimwasunerring.Herbare footendedup justbeneathSylvain’schin.Rightwhereitwassupposedtobe.
‘Nice.’Hepretended tobite thearchofher foot, and she laughedandstumbledbackwardsawayfromhim.
OutofthecornerofhereyeshesawCartercastaquickglanceatthem.Therewassomethingrawandconflictedinhisexpressionandshelookedawayquickly.
Thiswholetraining-togetherthingwasn’tgoingtobeeasy.Unabletostopherself,shelookedoveratRachelandNicole,justintimetoseeRacheltrythesame
kick she’d justdoneand loseherbalanceagain.Nicolemoved tohelpherupbutRachel’s facewasflushedwithembarrassmentandfrustration.Jerrywalkedovertospeaktothetwoofthemquietly.
Hedidn’tseemtobecriticisingthem.Instead,heappearedtobeofferinggentleguidance.ButevenfromacrosstheroomAlliecouldseeRachel’smisery.
When training ended,Allie took a quick shower and threwher school uniformback on in her usualhaphazardstyle.Withherblousehalfbuttonedandhertiedanglingfromherhand,shehurriedtowardsthedoor.Butasshepassedthroughthemaindressingarea,shestoppedinhertracks.RachelandNicolesat in a corner, talkingquietly.Both stillworeblack training clothes.Rachel’s headhungdown in apostureofdefeat,Nicole’shandrestedonhershoulder.
SympathyunfurledinsideAllie’sheart.SheknewsheshouldmakethisallharderforRachel.Afterall,thatwastheplan,wasn’tit?Rightnowsheshouldgiveherthecoldshoulder.Makeherfeellonelyandisolated.Dowhateverit
tooktoconvincehershecouldn’tdothis.Butseeingherlikethistoreatherheart.Whenshewalkedovertothem,Nicoleshotherawarninglook.WhendidNicolebecomeRachel’sprotector?Alliewondered.Isn’tthatmyjob?‘Look,’shesaid,‘Ijustwantedtosay’–I’msorry.Don’tdothis.Bewhoyouare,notwhoIam–
‘I’msorryabouthowI reactedearlier. Itwasn’t…fair.’Asshespoke,herhands twistedher tie intorope.‘Iknowit’shard.IhatedmyfirstNightSchoolsession,too.Itgetsbetter.Ipromise.’
Rachel’sfacewasredwithexhaustionandfailurebutatAllie’swordsalightseemedtofireinhereyes.Herbottomliptrembled.
‘Thanks,Allie.AndI’msorry—’Allieheldupahand. ‘Don’t. I’m sorry. Iwaspissedoff atyoubecause I’mscared foryou.You
knowwhy.Youknoweverything.Idon’thavetotellyou.Just…’Shehesitated.Therewassomuchshewantedtosay.ButRachel lookedexhausted.Nowwasn’t the time.‘Let’s talkabout it tomorrow.OK?’
Rachelbitherlipandnodded.‘OK.’Alliewalkedoutoftheroomfeelingbetterandworse.BetterbecauseRacheldidn’tthinkshehated
heranymore.Worse,becauseshe’djustmadeiteasierforhertotoughouttheworstweekNightSchoolhadtooffer.
I’msuchanidiot.
When she stepped into the corridor, Sylvainwas leaning against thewall across from her, one footproppedupbehindhim.OneoftheyoungerNightSchoolstudentswastalkingtohim,hisfaceaglowwithakindofheroworship.Hisgazelowered,Sylvainwaslisteningpatiently.
Asifhe’dsensedherpresence,heglancedup,andhiseyesmethers.Hesaidsomethingtothestudent.Withadisappointedlook,theboyturnedaway.Pushinghimselffromthewall,Sylvainwalkedtoher.‘How’sRachel?’Hisvoicewaslow.AlliethoughtofthewayRachelhadlookedatherjustbeforeshewalkedoutthedoor.‘She’shanginginthere.’Talking softly, they walked down the long, basement corridor then climbed the stairs up to the
groundfloor.Theirshoessqueakedonthepolishedwoodfloor.Whentheyreachedthefootofthemainstaircase,theystopped.Sylvainpulledherclose.Shutting
hereyes,sheleanedagainsthim,waitingforhimtosaygoodnight.Tokissherandtellherhe’dseeherinthemorning.
Butthatwasn’twhathesaidatall.‘Meetmeon the roof,’hewhisperedagainsthercheek,hisbreathmakingallofhernervescome
alive.‘Atmidnight.’
13
THIRTEEN
Halfanhourlater,Alliepacedherbedroomwithquickimpatientsteps.Everyfewminutesshestaredattheclock.Timeadvancedwithachingslowness.
Elevenforty-five…Elevenforty-six…Sheknewwhatwasahead.KnewwhatSylvainwantedupontheroof.Herheartflutteredwithnerves.Ithadbeenthemostconfusingday.Shethoughtofthelookshe’dseeninCarter’seyes.Thewistfulnessshe’dthoughtwasthereforjust
amoment.Thensheforcedherselftostopthinkingaboutit.Shelookedattheclockagain.Elevenforty-seven.Shecouldn’twaitanylonger.Itwaslateenough.Sheswitchedoffthelights.Inthedarkness,shemadeherwaytothedeskandclimbedontopofit.Thewindowwasalready
open.Witheasyassurance,shesteppedoutontotheledge.Itwasaclear summernight–coolbutnotcold.Theair smelled faintlyofpineandAllie tooka
deep,steadyingbreathasshebalancedthreestoreysabovetheground.She’dperformedthisfeatmanytimessincecomingtoCimmeria.Thedangerofit,thethrillofbeing
onestepfromoblivion,waslikeanoldfriendandshesmiledtoherselfasshefeltherwayacrossthefaceofthebuilding.
Youcanforgethowdangerousanythingisifyoudoitoftenenough.Slidingher feet along the ledge, she tracedher fingertips across the roughbrickwork, feeling for
indentationsthatcouldprovideagrip.Shewasheadingforaspotwheretheroofdippedlowenoughtomakeaccessfairlysimple.Butto
getthereshehadtopasstwowindows.ThefirstwasRachel’s.Whenshereachedit,thewindowwasopenbutthelightswereoff.Feelingabitguiltyfornottelling
Rachelwhatshewasupto,sheslidpastitwithsilentsteps.Shewasjustabouttomoveonwhensheheardsoftvoicesfloatingthroughthewindow.Allie’sbrowfurrowed.WhowasRacheltalkingtointhedark?Shestoppedon the farsideof thewindowto listen.Thevoiceswereboth female.But theywere
speakingsoquietlyitwasimpossibletomakeoutwords.Thensheheardasoftpealofmusicallaughter,likebellsringing.Sheknewthatlaugh.RachelwastalkingtoNicole.
Aquickpinprickofjealousypiercedher.She knew she was being unreasonable. Nicole and Rachel were both science geeks and they’d
alwayshadakindofsteadyrespectforeachother’sintellect.NowthatRachelwasinNightSchool,theymustbegettingcloser,thatwasall.As she hurried away from thewindow,Allie told herself that thiswas a good thing.Nicolewas
brilliantinNightSchool.ShewasreallylookingoutforRachel.Butthevoiceinherheadwouldn’tbequiet.I’mrightnextdoor.Whydidn’tRachelcometome?Thenextwindowshepassedwasclosed.Throughtheglassallshecouldseewasthewoodenshutter
inside.Cimmeriahadlotsofemptybedroomsnow.Justbeyondthatwasthelowdipintheroof.Makingherwaytoit,shereacheduptogetagripon
thetiles.Atthatprecisemoment,someonereacheddownandgrabbedherwrist.Alliestifledascream.Instinctively shepulledback, losingherbalance.Herheart pounding, she teeteredon thenarrow
ledge,scramblingforafoothold.Butthehandonherwristwassolidasstone.‘Allie,it’sme.’Inthedarknessaboveher,Sylvainpeereddownather.‘Jump.I’llpullyouup.’Allie didn’tmove.His gripwas strong but deathwaited below her if his hand slipped.Her life
wouldbeinhishands.Herheartpoundedastaccatorhythm.‘Don’tletgo.’Shewarnedhim.Hiseyeswerelockedonhers.‘Never.’Jump.Still,shehesitated.Shedidn’tknowwhyshewasafraid.IfSylvainwasbasicallyherboyfriendnow,
shouldn’tshetrusthimmorethananyone?Takingadeepbreath,shejumped.Usingherupwardvelocityasanaid,hepulledherontotheroofwithsucheaseitfeltlikeflying.Shelandedhardontheslatetilesbesidehim.Hesteadiedher,onearmaroundherwaist.Herbodypressedagainsthisasshesoughtherbalance.
Thejumphadsentadrenalineracingthroughherbloodstream,heighteningherawarenessofeverypointofcontactbetweenthem.Shefeltasifshewaspressedagainstaflame.
Swallowinghard,shetriedtoactnormal.‘Bloodyhell,Sylvain,’shecomplained.‘Youscaredthelifeoutofme.’‘Ithoughtyou’dseenme,’hesaid.Looseninghisholdonher,hemotionedforhertofollow.‘Come
overhere.Thenightissoclear.Thestarsareincredible.’
Abreezeblewherhairasshefollowedhimuponeoftheroof’ssteeppeaks.‘Areyoucertainwe’reOKuphere?’Alliewhisperedastheywalked.‘It’ssafe,’hesaid.‘Noguards.’‘Ihaven’tbeenuphereinages.’Shesteppedcautiouslyoveralooseceilingtile.‘It’snoteasy tobealonenow,’Sylvainsaid. ‘We’reconstantlywatched.But Inoticed theguards
don’tpatroltheroof.Thismaybetheonlyplace.’They stood at the base of a gigantic, Victorian chimney that soared ten feet above their heads.
Sylvainleanedbackagainstitwithinsouciantstyle.Hemighthavebeenstandingbesideaswimmingpoolinsteadofontheroofofaschoolinthemiddleofthenight.
Hisconfidencewasundeniablysexy.ButterfliesswirledinAllie’sstomach.‘Thesecurityisweirdingmeoutbigtime,’shesaid,keepinghervoicecool.‘There’saguardinmy
corridor.Creepfactorhigh.’‘It’smuchworsethanitwaswhenIlefttogohome,’Sylvainconceded.‘Ithadbegunthen–there
weremoreguards.Moreobsessionwithsecurity.Butitwasn’tasintense.Now,everyoneissoparanoid.TheyseeNathanielaroundeverycorner.’
‘Totally.’Allieagreed. ‘Andyet Isabelle says therehasn’tbeenanattacksince I left.Sowhyaretheybeingsointense?Imean,yeah,heisevilandheisouttogetus.Butthere’snoneedtofreakoutaboutit.’Shemadeaflippantgesture.‘We’veallbeenhere.Donethis.’
Sylvain considered this. ‘It’s because of what they are hearing from Lucinda in London. Iunderstandwhytheyareafraid.Buttheyaregivinguptoomuchfreedominexchangeforsafety.’
Hegavearesignedsigh.‘Besides,ifoneofourteachersisworkingforNathaniel,whatgoodwouldathousandguardsdo?’
AcoolbreezeliftedAllie’shairandsheshivered,stretchingtheendsofhersleevesdownoverherhands.
‘It’s sohard tobelieve.’She lookedupathim; the shadowshidhis expression. ‘Iwishweknewwhichone.Ihatebeingsuspiciousofallofthem.’
‘Raj’steamisworkingonit,’Sylvainsaid.‘Theywillfindhim.Andsoon,Ithink.Rajsaysthey’reclose.’
‘Isabellesaidthesamething.’Allie’svoicewasimpatient.‘Buthowdowekeepjustgoingintotheirclasseswhenoneofthemwantsusdead?’
‘We look out for each other,’ he said.He reached for her hand, pulling her closer. ‘You know, Iwatchedyoutraintonight.Youwerevicious.Focused.Youcantakecareofyourself.Youknowthat,right?’
Hiswordsmadeherfacewarm.‘Yeah,’shesaid.‘IguessI’mdoingOK.’‘Morethanthat,’hesaid. ‘You’reoneof thebestwe’vegot.Theyshouldsendyouafter thisspy.
Whoeveritis.’Allie tried to imagine fighting – really fighting – Zelazny or Jerry. Or worse, Eloise. But she
couldn’t.They’dalwaysbeenherauthorityfigures.Essentiallyonestepawayfromfamily.
Suddenlyshedidn’twanttotalkaboutthisanymore.Itwastoodepressing.Thebetrayalandthelies.Theawfulcostofitall.
She leaned against Sylvain’s body and he wrapped his arm around her, enveloping her in hiswarmth.
‘We’llfindhim,Allie,’hesaid.‘Whoeveritis.Wewillfindhim.’His lipswere very close to hers now. She held her breath in anticipation of the kiss. Instead, he
turnedherarounduntilherbackrestedagainsthistorso.‘Fornow,though,’hewhisperedthewordsinherearandhisbreathtickledherdeliciously,‘wehave
this.’Hepointedup.Alliefollowedthelineofhishand.Theuniversegleamedabovethem.‘Oh…’shebreathed.‘It’ssobeautiful.’Withnomoontooutshinethem,thestarsfilledtheskywithanunbelievablebrightness.Itwasn’tdarkatall.
Sheleanedbacktoseebetter;hetightenedhisarmsaroundherwaist,securingher.Hewassocloseshecouldfeelhismusclesmove.Whenhebreathed,hisbreathstirredherhair.
‘Theysayittakessolongforlighttotravelthattheglowweseewhenwelookatthestarshappenedmillionsofyearsago,’hewhispered.‘Lookingat theskyis likelookingbackintime.Manyofthesestarsaredeadnow.Burnedout.’
Thethoughtsentamelancholyshiverthroughher.‘That’ssad,’shesaid.‘Itmakesmefeelso…temporary.’‘Everythingistemporary,’hesaidintoherhair.‘Eventhestarsdon’tlast.’Hisfingerstracedlightpatternsonherforearm.Thedelicate,swishingmovementsweremaddening.
Hewastouchingonlyherarmbutshecouldfeelthattouchinherstomach.‘Idon’twanttobetemporary…’shewhispered.Thenhisarmswerearoundherpullinghercloseandtheywerekissingwithall thestarsspinning
abovethem.Hislipswerefirmagainsthersatfirst,demanding.Butwhenshetangledherarmsaroundhisneck
hegrewgentler.Teasingherlipswithhisuntilshepartedherlipstohimwithagaspingbreath.Hishandsrandownherspine,flatteningagainstthesmallofherback,pressingherharderagainst
him.Asshepulledhisheaddowntoherstodeepenthekiss,hisfingersfoundthehemofhertopandslidunderneathit.
Nowhishandswerewarmagainstherskin.Curious.Strokingupherspineanddownagainuntilshefoundithardtobreathe.
Hislipstracedalineofheatacrosshercheekanddownalongherjawline.Allieleanedbackinhis
arms,lettinghimsupportherweightentirelyasheplanteddelicate,butterflykissesonherthroat.Thenecklacehe’dgivenher–thelockandkey–hungaroundherneck.Hepickeditupwithalight
touch.‘I’mgladyou’rewearingit,’hesaid.‘Iloveit,’shewhispered,breathless.Hepulledherbacktohim,wrappingherinhisarms.Heheldhertight–sotightshecouldfeelthe
hammeringofhisheart.Withhersecuredlikethat,heloweredhisbodydowntotherooftiles,bringingherwithhim,untilhelayflatonhisbackwithAllieontopofhim.
Shelookeddownathisface.Inthestarlighthisskinappearedincandescent–likeitwasilluminatedfromtheinside.Hisblueeyessparkledlikesapphires.
Theywerebothshortofbreathbynow.They’dkissedbeforebutthiswasdifferentandtheybothknew it.Everythingwasmore intense.Theywerecompletelyaloneuphere.Theycoulddoanythingtheywanted.
Therewasnoonearoundtostopthem.Allie’sheartraced.Reachingdownshetracedthelinesofhischeekboneswithherfingertips.The
straightcutofhisjaw.Hisfulllipspartedathertouchandshetracedthem,too.‘Allie,Iloveyou.’AllofAllie’sbreathseemedtoleaveher.Shelookedathiminshock.‘Sylvain…’shewhispered.Sheknewwhatshewasmeanttosaynow.Iloveyou,too.Onlyshecouldn’tsayit.Shewantedto.Butherlipswouldn’tformthewords.Themomenthungthere,halffinished.‘FromthemomentImetyou,’hewhispered,breakingthesilence.‘Fromthemomentyousatdown
atthetablethatnightandlookedatmewiththoseeyes…Youweresofulloffire.Sofullofhonesty.Ididn’twantanyoneinmylife.ButIneededyou.’
Allie’shearthurt.Sheknewthis–she’dalwaysknown.Andshecaredabouthim,too.Verymuch.They’dfoughtbackfromadarkplacetogether.Forgedsomethingquitewonderfuloutofit.
Sowhycouldn’tshesayitback?Whatwasthematterwithher?Hewasbeautiful.Hewasperfect.Confusionroiledwithinherbuttherewasnotimetothinkaboutitbeforetheywerekissingagain.Hewasmorepassionatenow.Hishandsstrokedherbody,touchinghereverywhere.Herhips.Her
stomach.Nobodyhadevertouchedherlikethisbutshewantedhimto.Shewantedtobewanted.Thenhereachedfortheedgeofhertopandstartedtoliftit.Herbodytightened.Instantly,hestopped;searchingherfacewithhiseyes.‘Tellme.’Flushing,Alliedroppedhergaze.‘It’sjust.I’venever…’‘Iknow,’hesaidgently.Somehowthismadeherfeelworse.Shescrambledupuntilshewassitting,facinghim.
Howdidheknow?Wasitwrittenonherface?Shewasmortified.Sheknewhewasmoreexperiencedthanher.Shecouldjusttell.Sylvainwasthefirstboyshe’dever
properlykissed.ThentherehadbeenCarter.Thingshadgonealittlefurtherwithhimbutnotmuch.Likeeveryone,Alliewantedtoknowwhatthefusswasallabout.Whatitwasliketoreallybewith
someone.Atthesametime,though,shewasafraid.Oncethey’ddoneit…whathappenednext?Wheredidyougofromthere?
Seeingthelookonherface,hetookbothherhandsinhisandheldhergazewithsteadyeyes.‘Ithinkit’sobviousIwanttodoeverythingwithyou,’hesaid,andsheblushedagain.‘Butthere’s
norush.’Heranhisthumbslightlyacrossthebacksofherhands.‘Wewilltakeallthetimeyouwant.’Allie lookedathimnarrowly.Wasn’t that somethingboys just saidbefore theystartedpressuring
youtohavesexwiththem?‘WhatifItakeforever?’Heheldhergazewithearnesteyes.‘Iwouldwaitforeverforyou.’
14
FOURTEEN
Thenextmorning,AlliewentdowntobreakfastearlyhopingtotalktoRachel,butshewasn’t inherusualplaceinthedininghall.Betweenclassesshescouredthehallwaysforherwavy,darkhair,butitwasn’t until lunchtime that she sawher,walking down the corridorwith a heavy bag of books. Shemovedwithoddstiffness.Allieguessedhermusclesmustbesorefromtraining.
WhenshesawAllie,hercheekscolouredandshedroppedhereyes.Allie’sheartsankbutshewasdetermined.‘Doyouhaveaminuteto…talk?’‘Sure,’Rachelsaid,buthertonewasflatandshedidn’tmakeoneofherusualjokes.They found a quietwindow seat on the landing. Itwas a sunnydaybut grey clouds hung at the
edgesoftheskylikeathreat.Allielookedoutatthemasshetriedtodecidewhattosay.TheairsmelledofcookedfoodbutAlliehadn’tbeenhungryallday.Itwasfunnyhowhardthiswas.She’ddiscusseditwithSylvainlastnightafterallthekissing,and
thoughtaboutitmorewhenshecouldn’tsleeplaterthatnight.She’dthoughtsheknewjustwhatshehadtosay.ButnowthatRachelwashere,shewasn’tsureat
all.‘IwanttoapologiseagainforthewayIactedyesterday,’shesaidfinally.Rachelshookherheadas
if tostopherbutshekeptgoing.‘ItmusthavebeenscaryforyouandI justmadethingsworse. I’msorry.But–’shestaredatthecloudsagain–‘Ijust…don’tunderstandwhat’shappening.’
Rachellookedpuzzled.‘Idon’tknowwhatyoumean.’‘Imean…’Allietookashakybreath.‘YouhateNightSchool.ForaslongasI’veknownyou…
you’vehatedit.Youtriedtotalkmeoutofjoining.YougotmadatmewhenIdidjoin.Andyouandyourdadarguedaboutitallthetime.And…IguessIjustdon’tunderstandwhathappenedtochangeeverything.’
‘Itoldyou,’Rachelsaid.‘AfterwhathappenedwithNathanielIdecidedIneededtolearnhowtolookoutformyself.He’llcomeback.NightSchoolcanteachmetohowtodothat.’
‘Youcouldtakeaself-defenceclass,Rachel.’Alliecouldn’tkeeptheexasperationfromhervoice.‘Theyofferkick-boxing in thegym.There areotheroptions.Youdon’t have to join agroupyou’vealwayshated.You’vealwaysbelievedeverythingNightSchoolstoodforwaswrong.’
‘Iknow.ButIguess…’Racheldroppedhergaze.‘I’vechangedmymindaboutwhatIbelieve.I’veseenwhatNathanielcando.Whathewantstodotothewholecountry.AndI’vedecidedthatthethingIusedtohateisbetterthanthethingthatcouldreplaceit.’Shecockedherheadtooneside.‘Doesthatmakesense?’
Itdid,butAlliewasn’treadytoacceptit.‘Idon’tgethowyoucanchangewhatyoubelieve.Youeitherbelieveoryoudon’t.That’showitworks.Youcan’tjustswitchlikethat.’
AredflushcreptupRachel’snecktoherface.‘Ofcourseyoucanchangeyourbeliefs.’Shelookedat Allie accusingly. ‘You’ve changed your beliefs while you’ve been here. You used to thinkNightSchoolwascreepythenyoufoundoutmoreaboutitandbeforeIknewwhatwashappeningyoujoinedit.’Shefoldedherarms.‘Ifyoucanchange,Icanchange.’
‘Yeah,butIdiscusseditallwithyou.’Alliewasfinallygettingtothecruxoftheissue.‘Ididn’tjustspring itonyou.“Look,Rachel! I’vechangedeverythingIeverbelievedbutdecidednot to tellyou.Surprise!”’Shewavedherarms.‘Wewereawayfornearlythreemonths.Wetalkedallthetime–like,forhours.Andyounevertoldmeyou’ddecidedtojoinNightSchool.OrtobreakupwithLucas.Twoofthebiggestdecisionsinyourlifeandyouneverevenmentionedthem…Why,Rach?’Shecouldn’tdisguisethehurtinhervoice.‘Don’tyoutrustme?’
‘Of course I trust you.’Rachel looked as if the suggestionhorrifiedher. ‘More thanprettymuchanyoneexceptmyparents.AndI’msorryIdidn’ttellyou.Ithoughtaboutitbut…Iguessit’shard…’Bitingherbottomlip,shelookedacrossthelanding.‘Ijustdidn’twanttomakeafussaboutit.’
Allie’sexpressionmusthavebetrayedherdisbeliefbecauseRachelsighedandtriedagain.‘LucasandIwerehavingproblemsbeforeweleft.Thewholethingwithhimnotbeingincludedin
thegroupwashard forhimandhe felt like Ididn’tbackhimup.But…itwasn’thard forme.Andthat’swhenIstartedthinkingabout it. I’veneverhadaboyfriendbeforesoIdidn’tknowhowIwassupposedtofeel.IjustknewIwassupposedtofeelmorethanthat.’
HerwordssummonedanimageinAllie’smindoflastnight.Sylvainwhispering,‘Iloveyou.’Howshecouldn’treply.
Shetriedtopushthememoryaway,focusingonRachel,whowasstilltalking.‘WehardlywroteeachotherletterswhileIwasaway.Inhislastnotehesuggestedthatmaybethings
weren’tworkingoutandI–’sheglancedatAllie–‘Iwasrelieved.Thenwerushedbackandeverythinghappened quickly. Now I guess he and Katie are having a thing and…’ She wrinkled her nose indistaste.‘Imean,seriously.Whatever.’
‘Andyoudidn’twanttotalkaboutthisbeforebecause…?’Allienudgedher.‘Oh,Allie,’Rachelsighed.‘Ilovetotalkaboutotherpeople’sprivatelivesbutIhatetotalkabout
myown.Youknowthat.Ididn’tmeantooffendyou.’ButAllieknewRacheltoowell.Sheknewthatwasthesortofanswershe’dgiveagrown-up.The
kindofanswershe’dgivewhenshedidn’twanttoofferarealanswer.She remembered that giggle she’d heard through Rachel’s window last night. She had a feeling
RachelwastalkingaboutallofthiswithNicole.Suddenlyshefeltlonely.‘I wasn’t offended.’ She said stiffly. ‘I was confused. And I guess…’ She looked down at her
scuffedschoolshoes,toosadtopretenditdidn’thurt.‘IguessI’mafraidoflosingmybestfriend.’Rachelreachedforherarm.‘Ohno,Allie,’shesaid.‘You’renotlosingme,Ipromise.Pleasedon’t
thinkthat.’Allieswallowedhard.‘Areyousure?Ijustfeellikeyou’remakingthesebigdecisionsandI’mjust
…notpartofit,allofasudden.’Rachel tookherhand. ‘Here’s the truth,Allie. I’mgoing througha thing rightnow.And I’mnot
surewhat it is.But I think I justneeda little time togetmyheadaround it.And Imaynot tellyoueverythingbutIamstillyourbestfriend,Iswearit.’Hervoicethickened.‘Ihopeyoubelieveme.’
ThissoundedmoreliketherealRachel,andthetightnessinAllie’schestloosenedjustalittle.‘Ido,’Alliepromised,althoughshewasn’tsureshedid.‘Butwhatareyougoingthrough?Iwish
you’dletmehelp.’Rachelhesitated.Hercheekswerebrightrednow.‘Ican’t…talkaboutit.’Andthereitwasagain–thisnewbarrierbetweenthem.Frustrated,AlliepulledawaybutRachelreachedforherarmagain.‘Iwilltellyou.Ipromise.Ijust
havetogetmybrainarounditfirst.I’mnotsurehowIreallyfeel.Doyouknowwhatthat’slike?’‘Yes,’Allieadmittedreluctantly.‘YouknowIdo.But,Rachel…’Shesearchedherfriend’sface.‘I
wanttohelpyouifyou’regoingthroughsomething.Iwishyou’dtrustme.’Rachel’s eyeswere brightwith unshed tears. ‘I do trust you,Allie. Please believe that. It’sme I
don’ttrust.Just…don’tgiveuponme.OK?Icouldn’tbearitifyougaveuponme.’
Allie’s conversation with Rachel bothered her all day.What had shemeant when she said she was‘goingthroughathing’?Andifitwasasbigathingasitseemedtobe,whywouldn’tshetellherwhatitwas?
This,combinedwithherconfusedfeelingsaboutwhathadhappenedwithSylvainlastnightandadistinctlackofsleep,meantshestruggledthroughherlessons.
AttheendofEnglishclass,AlliewasgatheringherbookswhenIsabellewalkeduptoher.‘CouldIhaveaword?’
Shesoundedserious.Allie’sheartskippedabeat.Didsomeoneseeuslastnight?Theywouldbeinsomuchtrouble.Maybetheguardshadsomesortofmonitoringsystemupthere.
CCTV.Catchinghereye,Sylvaingaveheraconcernedlook.Alliemadeahelplessgestureinreply.Ashebrushedbyher,hemurmured.‘I’llwaitoutside.’When the roomwas empty, Isabelle leaned back against a desk and crossed her arms. ‘Are you
well?Youseemunfocusedtoday.’Allie’stensionevaporated.Thiswasjustaboutthenot-paying-attentionthing.Shecouldhandlethat.‘Ihadtroublesleepinglastnight,Iguess,’shesaid.‘I’mjustalittletired.’Thatwassortoftrueanyway.Isabelleappearedtoacceptthis.‘Good,’shesaidbriskly.‘I’mgladit’snothingserious.ButIdon’t
want toseeyoufallbehindsoearlybed tonight.’Shegatheredherbooks intoapile. ‘Also, there’sa
seniorNightSchoolmeetinginthechapelinanhour.It’soneoftherealonessoit’sveryimportantyoushouldbethere.’
Alliefrowned.‘Oneoftherealones?’Swiping a stray strand of hair out of her face, Isabelle looked at herwith surprise. ‘Oh, didn’t I
mentionthis?WetalkedaboutsomuchinmyofficebutImusthaveforgottentoexplain.Yousee,wehave severalmeetings aweek towhichwe invite the teachers.And othermeetingswhenwe do notinvitethem.Themeetingswithoutanyteachersaretheonlytruemeetings.’
Allie’sjawdropped.‘SothatmeetingIwasattheotherdaywas…’‘Adecoy.’ Isabelle said as she loadedher books andpapers in a glossyblackbriefcase. ‘Weuse
thosemeetingstosharelessvaluableinformationandtoplantdisinformationforNathaniel.Noneoftheteachersknowthis,ofcourse.It’scrucialthattheycontinuetobelievethosemeetingsare,infact,seniorNightSchoolgatherings.ThemeetingthisafternoonwillhaveonlythepeopleIamtrulycertainaboutandwilladdresswhat’sreallyhappening.’
Alliewastakenaback.Shecouldseetheintelligenceof itbut italsoshowedhowbadthingshadbecome.HowafraidIsabellereallywas.
Somethingelsetheheadmistresssaidnaggedather.‘Ithoughtstudentsweren’tallowedtogotothechapelanymore.’Snapping thecase shut, Isabelleheaded for thedoor. ‘Youhave specialpermission.Rajwill take
care of that.’ She paused, looking back atAllie sternly. ‘Don’t explain yourself to anyone, even theguards.Ifanyoneaskswhatyou’redoing,referthemtoRaj.AndforGod’ssakedon’tgetintoafightwiththem.Wemustn’tattractattention.’Asshewalkedoutoftheroom,herlastwordsfloatedoverhershoulder.‘Andbeontime,please.’
15
FIFTEEN
AssoonassheleftIsabelle’sclassroom,Allieranuptothegirls’dormanddumpedherbooksinherroom.Thenshewentlookingfortheothers.
Secretmeetings?Shethoughtasshegallopeddownthestairs.Andnoonethoughttomentionthisbefore?
Everythingfinallymadesense.Allthistimeshe’dbeenwonderingwhyeverythingatCimmeriawassoweird.Nowshefeltlikeshe
understoodwhatwas goingon.Everyonewasputtingon a show for the spy.Thewhole schoolwasbasicallyindisguise,whileasmallgroupofselectpeopleknewthetruthabouteverything.
Andshewasabouttojointhem.Shesearchedthecommonroomandlibrarybefore thinkingto tryoutside.ShefoundZoe,Nicole
andCarterloungingtogetheronthefrontlawn.WhenshesawCarter,Allie’sheartgaveatraitorousjump.Shecouldhavekickedit.‘Hey,’shesaid,walkingup.‘Youguyscouldn’tmentionthesecretmeetingthingatsomepoint?’Hervoicewaslouderthanshe’dintendedandtheyalllookedupatherinalarm.‘Shhh!’Zoeraisedherfingertoherlipsandshotherawitheringlook.Wincing,Allieheldupherhands.‘Sorry.’She sat downnext to themand loweredher voice to awhisper. ‘Whyare you all sitting
here?Whydon’twejustgo?’Shegesturedinthedirectionofthepaththatledthroughthetreestothechapel.‘Wehavetogoinsmallgroups,’Nicoleexplainedsottovoce.‘Oneortwoatatimesotheteachers
don’tnotice.Theguardsprovidecoverbutwehavetobecautious.’Shegaveashrug.‘We’reverygoodatitnow.It’seasy.Just…dowhatwedo.’
NotforthefirsttimeAlliefeltlikeanoutsideratherownschool.They’dallworkedoutthissystemwhileshewasgone.TheyallknewthenewRules.Andshedidn’t.
Zoe and Nicole began to chat about something that had happened in one of their classes. AllielookedovertofindCarterwatchingher.Hisdarkeyeswereenigmaticaseverbutsomethingabouthisexpressiontoldherheunderstoodhowshefelt.
‘Youreadyforthis?’heasked.‘UntiltwentyminutesagoIdidn’tknowthisexisted.So…no,’shesaid.‘ButI’mnotgoingtolet
thatstopme.’Hislipstwitchedupwardsandhenodded,lookingoffintothetrees.‘That’smygirl.’
Hiswordsmadeherbreathcatchinherthroat.Shedroppedhergazeandorderedherselfnottobestupid.
That’smygirl…Itwasjustathrowawaycomment–hehadn’tmeantanythingbyit.Sowhydiditmakeherfeelsowistful?ThestormcloudsAlliehadnoticedwhenshewastalkingto
Rachelearlierthatdayhadnowbeguntogatherinearnest,blockingthesun.ThewindbegantopickupjustasSylvainarrivedtojointhem.
Ashewalkedup,heglancedatZoe.‘Isn’tittime?’Shenoddedandclimbedtoherfeet.Thenshedartedintothewoodslikeaswallow.Puzzled,Alliewatchedhersmallformdisappearintothetrees.‘Whatjusthappened?’sheasked,lookingaroundthegroup.‘Shealwaysgoesfirst.’Sylvainsatonthegrassnexttoherandleanedbackasiftheywerenormal
studentsenjoyingthelastofthegoodweatherbeforetherainscame.‘She’sthefastestsoifthere’sanyproblemshecancirclebackandletusknow.She’slikeascout.’
Nicolesmiledindulgently.‘Shelovesit.’After a few minutes, Carter glanced at his watch and shot Sylvain an enquiring look. Sylvain
nodded.‘Ourturn,’hesaid.HeclimbedtohisfeetinonegracefulmovebeforereachingdowntoofferAllie
hishand.Therisingwindruffledhistawnyhairandhesmiledatherwithhiseyes.Allielethimpullherup.Tohersurprise,though,whenshewasonherfeethedidn’tletgoofher
hand. She couldn’t remember ever holding hands with him before when theyweren’t running fromsomething.
Hisgripwasstrongandwarm–herhandfeltgoodinhis.They’dtakenacoupleofstepstogetherbeforesherememberedtosaygoodbyetotheothers.Sheturnedtocalloverhershoulder,‘Seeyouthere,Iguess.’Nicolegaveajauntywave.‘Bonvoyage…’AllielethergazestraytoCarterandherstomachflipped–thestormseemedtobecapturedinhis
eyes–helookedtormented.
Inthewoods,everythingwascalmer.Thelightfilteredsoftlythroughthebranches.Soundwasmuffled–eventheirfootstepswerequieteronthesoftdirtofthefootpath.Theairsmelledofcooljuniperandrich,dampearth.
Alliewalkedwithherheaddown.Shecouldn’tgetthelookshe’dseenonCarter’sfaceoutofhermind.He’dseemedsolonely.Solost.
Wasitbecauseofher?SeeingSylvainholdherhand?Sheshookherheadtochasethethoughtaway.Itcouldn’tbe.CarterlovedJules.Still,sheneededto
focusonherboyfriend,whowasrightherewithher.Luckily,Sylvainwaswillingtohelpwiththat.Assoonastheyweredeepinthewoods,hestopped
andpulledherclose.
‘Ican’tbelieveIhaven’tkissedyousincelastnight,’hemurmured,loweringhislipstohers.Thekisswassoftandgentle,filledwithpromise.Thiswasreal.Thiswaswhatmattered.Thewindlashedthebranchesabovetheirheads,sendingpineconestumblingaroundthemlikehard
rain.Theybothducked.‘Theskyisattackingus,’Alliesaid.‘Webettergo.’LightningcrackledinthedistanceandSylvainglancedupatthesky.‘Alors.Weshouldhurry.’They set off at a steady jog down the curving woodland path. Ferns grew tall on either side,
brushingsoftlyagainstAllie’slegsassheran.She’dbeendownthispathmanytimes.ItwasasfamiliartoherasanyhallwayinsideCimmeria.
Thebrancheswhippedbackandforthinthewind,theirmotiondizzying.Inthedistance,somethingcaughtAllie’s attention. Itwas nomore than a shadowbut something about it didn’tmake sense. Itseemedtomoveinoppositiontothewind.
Assheslowedherpaceandsquintedintothedimness,asuddenstrongbreezepartedthebranches.Herheartbegantopound.Thatwasnoshadow.Shewatchedthefigureofaman,cladindarkclothes,disappearbehindathickclumpoftrees.AlliepulledSylvain’shand.Whenhemethergazeshepressedherfingertoherlipsandpointedto
whereshe’dseenthemovement.Instantlyalert,heturnedtolookinthedirectionsheindicated.Heletgoofherhandanddropped
downintoacrouchpeeringintentlyintothewoods.Butshecouldtellhesawnothing.‘Idon’t…’hewhispered,glancingupather.Thenthemanmovedagain.Itwaslittlemorethanaflickerofdarknessamidthegreen.‘There,’shewhispered,crouchingdownnexttohim.Close together, they peered into the forest. The trees, shaken by the rising storm, danced around
them.ShefeltSylvain’sbodytenseashesawthefigure.Butthenherelaxedagainjustassuddenly.‘Aguard,’hesaid.Hesoundedabsolutelycertain.‘Really?’Alliepeeredintothewoods.Butthemanhaddisappeared.‘You’resure?’Sylvainstoodupstraight;shefollowedsuit.‘Igotagood lookathim. I’veseenhimwithRajbefore,’hesaid. ‘I’mnot really surprised.The
guardsknowthere’sameetingthisafternoon.Rajprobablyaskedhimtokeepaneyeonus.Well,onyou,anyway.’Hisfacegrewmoreserious.‘Doyourealiseyou’refollowedallthetimenow?’
Allie’sstomachdropped.Sheshookherhead.Theguardswereeverywhere,yes,butithadneveroccurredtohertheymightbethereforher.But
nowthingsclickedintoplace.Guardsinthecorridors,onthelawn,onthestairs,intheclassroomsandthe dorms… she couldn’t remember the last time she’d turned around and not seen a black uniformsomewherewithinview.
Theybeganwalkingdownthepathagain,moreslowlynow.‘Iknowyoudon’tlikeitbutaslongasyou’resafe,’Sylvainsaid,‘that’swhatmatters.’Allieknew
hewasright,buttheincidentstillleftherfeelinginvaded.Shewaswatchedallthetime?Whataboutlastnightontheroof?Sylvainwascertaintheyweren’twatchedbut…Whatiftheyhadbeen?
Theideamadeherqueasy.
Ahead,thechapelwallloomedintoview.Itsancientstonecoveredingreylichenbutjustassturdyaswhen itwas first constructed centuries ago.Here the path curved left to follow the line of thewall.NearbyAllieknewtherewasastream,crossedbyastepping-stonebridge.But theydidn’tgoin thatdirection. Instead, theycarriedon toanarchedwoodengate.Sylvainheld itopen forher, latching itbehindthemwithametallicclatter.
Beyondthegateasmall,stonechapelstood,surroundedbythedead.Thechurchwasoverlookedbyanancientyewtree,hugeandeternal,itsgnarledrootssooldthey’d
climbedoutofthegroundlikeatangleofprehistoricvines.This was Allie’s favourite place at Cimmeria. Some part of her longed to climb the tree’s long
branchesassheandCarterhaddoneintheolddays,andhidefromtheworld.Butthosedayswereover.Thegrassstoodhighinthechurchyard;someoftheshortergravestoneswereovergrown.Eventhe
tallestwerehalfhidden.Allielookedaroundindismay.Itwasn’tlikeMrEllisontoletthingsgo.‘Whyisitlikethis?’sheasked,gesturingatthegraveyard.Sylvain followed the direction she indicated with muted interest. ‘There aren’t enough people
around to help the groundskeeper. He let the churchyard go to seed so he could focus on his otherwork.’
HisexplanationmadeAllie’sheartheavy.SheknewMrEllisonwouldhatelettingitgolikethis.Hecaredabouteverybitofhisjob.Itwasonlyalittlething,butitbotheredher.ItbotheredhermorethatSylvaindidn’tseemtoknowhisname.ShewantedtotellhimMrEllisonwasmorethanjustagroundskeeper–hewasawiseandcaring
man.He’dhelpedherdealwithhergriefafterJodied.He’draisedCarterafterhisparentswerekilled.ButSylvainwasstandinginthechapeldoor,lookingatherexpectantly.Nowwasn’tthetime.Hidingherdoubts,shefollowedhiminside.
16
SIXTEEN
Itwasdimandcoolinsidethechurch.Alliesquintedintotheshadows.Dustmotesdanced in the faint light trickling through the stained-glasswindows.A singlebreath
couldsendthemspinning.She couldmake out themedieval paintings on the walls but it was too dark to see the damage
Nathaniel’sknifehaddonethepreviouswinter.Asmallgrouphadgatheredonthefrontpewsnearthealtar.Ashereyesadjusted,shesawZoeand
Isabelle.RajPatelstoodnearbywithawomanshecouldn’trememberseeingbefore.Allie’s brow creased. She turned a slow circle as if expecting to see more people in the dusty
corners,butthesmallchapelwasotherwiseempty.CoulditbethatIsabelletrustedsofewpeople?Behindher,thechurchdoorcrashedopen.Everyone
fellsilentasCarterandNicolestumbledin.Nicole’shairblewaroundherfaceinadarkcloudasCarterpulledthedoorshutwitheffort.
‘Thewind’s really picking up,’Carter said over his shoulder as he forced the door into place. ‘Ithinkit’sabouttostorm.’
Allie’seyesweredrawntothewordspaintedabovethedoorbehindhimingothiclettering.Itwastheschool’smotto.
Exitusactaprobat.Theresultjustifiestheact.‘Everyoneishere.’Isabelle’svoiceechoedoffthestonewalls,forcingAllie’sattentiontothefront
ofthechapel.‘Weshouldbegin.’They filed into the pews like churchgoers; the headmistress stood by the altar, a huge iron
candelabra towering over her left shoulder, unlit. Through the windows, Allie could see the treesswayingbeneathswirlingclouds.Theairfeltpressured.Heavywithanticipation.
Isabelle began without preamble. ‘Lucinda has been in touch to say Nathaniel is increasing hisefforts to force theboard into a no-confidencevote.Our supporters have received threateningphonecalls,theirchildrenhavebeenharassed.OneMPwhosupportsherwasdeniedaseatinCabinet.’Herseriousgazesweptthesmallgathering.‘TheChancellorhasopenlyjoinedwithhimnowand,althoughthe PrimeMinister is hedging his bets, he’s stopped taking Lucinda’s calls.’ She sighed. ‘Imust behonestwithyou.Itlooksbad.’
Nobodyseemedsurprisedbythis.Hernextwords,though,causedastir.‘ItwouldappearNathaniel isaware thatAlliehasreturnedtous.He’scontactedLucindadirectly
askingforaparley.’Shehesitated,asifdecidinghowmuchtoreveal.‘Foravarietyofreasonsshehasdeclined.Thismaybewhysomeoneattemptedtobreakintotheschoolgroundslastnight.’
Allie’sheartstuttered.Nexttoher,shefeltSylvain’sbodystiffen.‘Areyouserious?’Carter’stonewassharp.Isabellenodded.‘Very.’Concernedvoices swirled aroundAllie, but she tuned themout. She thought of the person she’d
glimpsed in the woods. How some part of her had been disappointed it wasn’t Nathaniel. Wasn’tsomeoneshecouldfight.
Evennowsheknewsheshouldbeafraid,andshewas.Butshewasalsoeager.Readytofightback.‘What exactly happened?’ Nicole’s French-accented voice pulledAllie back to the conversation.
‘Howclosedidtheyget?’‘Raj,’Isabellesaid.‘Pleaseexplain.’Thesecuritychiefsteppedforward.HisfamiliarfacemadeAlliefeelbetterinstantly.Rachel’sfather
wasthekindofmanwhoexudedcalmnessinallsituations.Themoreseverethecrisis,thecalmerheseemed.
‘Therewasanattempted intrusion lastnight, justafter two in themorning.’TheYorkshireaccenthe’dneverloststretchedeveryword.‘Someonetriedtoopenthegateusingaremoteelectronicdevice.Luckily,beforeanydamagecouldbedone, thehackwasblockedbyDom,here.’Hegesturedat thewomanAlliehadnoticedearlier.Shesatonthefrontrowwithherbacktotherestofthegroup.
Sheleanedforwardtogetabetterlookather.Thewomanwas younger than she’d first thought, probably nomore than twenty, and slim,with
short-croppedblackhair,smoothskinthecolourofcoffeeandstylishnarrowglasses.AsRajtalked,shesat,legscrossed,inarelaxedposture,butAllienoticedshetappedherfingersin
asubconsciouslynervousgesture.Atthefrontoftheroom,Rajwasstilltalking.‘Whenwereinstitutedtechafewmonthsago,Dom
thought to put a block on every electronic device on the grounds, including the front gate. They allrespondonly tosignalsdirected to themfrominside theschoolbuilding,’heexplained. ‘At thesametimesheprogrammedatrackerintothem,soanyattemptfromoutsidetheschoolisloggedandtraced.Thankstoher,weknowwhichdevicewasused,andwherethesignalcamefrom.’
‘Awesome,’Zoewhisperedapprovingly.‘Wheredidthesignalcomefrom?’Carterasked.RajmotionedforDomtoanswer.Thunderrumbledinthedistance.Domstoodandturnedtofacethem.Herclotheswereandrogynous–skinnytrousers,aloose,white
shirtandwhatlookedlikeaman’sblazer,wornunbuttonedwiththesleevesrolledup.Sheseemedoutofplaceinthissetting.
‘Itwas a short-range device, so itwould have originated from just outside the gates – either thewoods or the road.’ She had an American accent. ‘The individual could have been on foot or in a
vehiclebuttheydidn’tstickaroundlongenoughforustofindout.Wesenttheguardsoutimmediatelyandtheywerealreadygonewhentheyarrived.’
AlliestudiedDomwithcuriouseyes.Thiswasthenewtecheveryonewastalkingabout.Forsomereason,she’dexpectedhertobeaguy.She’dalsoexpectedhertobeolder.Andmuchlesscool.
Sheseemedtoknowwhatshewastalkingabout,butAlliewasnonethelesssurprisedIsabellehadallowedherintotheinnercirclesoquickly.
She glanced around the group – everyone sat still, watching Dom with respectful expressions.Whoevershewas,andwherevershe’dcomefrom,she’dwonthemallover.
‘Areyoucertaintheyweretryingtogetintothegrounds?’Sylvainasked.Domturnedtohim.‘Notnecessarily,’sheconceded.‘Wecan’tbesureoftheirplan.Theycouldhavebeentestingour
defences.Ormerelytryingtounnerveus.Eitherway,theyleftfrustrated.Oursecuritysystemheld.’‘Thisisthefirstattemptedincursioninthreemonths.’RajnoddedtoDom,whosatdownquicklyas
if relieved to be finished talking. ‘Given what you’ve heard from Lucinda, we believe this is nocoincidence.It’smorelikelythisisthebeginningofthenextphase.’
‘Youmentionedaparley,’Alliesaid. ‘Whyisn’tLucindameetinghim?Isn’t that theonlyway toresolvethis?’
IsabelleandRajexchangedalookshecouldn’tread.‘Shecannotaccepthis conditions,’ theheadmistress saidafter abriefhesitation. ‘Itwouldbe too
dangerous.They’restillnegotiating.’BeforeIsabellecouldelaborate,Carterspoke.‘You’reincreasingpatrols?’Rajinclinedhishead.‘We’vecancelledallnon-emergencyleave.’Alliethoughtofwhatithadbeenlikehereafewmonthsago.Nathaniel’sguardsdraggingstudents
outoftheschool.Hidinginthecellarforhours.Emergingtofindtheschoolempty;Rachelkidnapped,Julesgone.
‘It’sstartingagain,’shesaid.‘Isn’tit?’Theothersturnedtolookather.When Isabelle responded she chose herwords carefully. ‘Nathaniel indicated to Lucinda that he
intendstotaketheschool.Hewillnotgiveup.’It had growndarker inside the church.Outside heavy clouds blackened the sky.AsAllie looked
throughthewindow,thefirstraindropshittherooflikefistsknocking.Thestormhadarrived.
When themeetingended,Allie gatheredwith the others by the door.They needed to leave in smallgroupsagainand theywerewaiting forRaj’s signal.The rain still fell and theair smelleddampandmusty.
‘WhoisthisDompersonanyway?’Shekepthervoicelow.DomwaswithIsabelleandRajbythealtar.
Zoeblinkedatherowlishly.‘She’sagenius.’Alliemadean impatientgesture. ‘Yeah,butwheredid sheevencome from?Whydoeseveryone
trusthersomuch?Whatkindofnameis“Dom”?’‘She’sfromtheAmericanorganisation,’Nicoleexplainedquietly.‘Oh,’Alliesaid.‘She’sfromPegasus?’Zoerolledhereyes.‘Prometheus.’‘Allie.’Across the chapel, Isabellewaswaving her over towhere she stoodwithRaj andDom.
‘Couldwespeakwithyou?’Leavingtheothersatthedoor,Alliewalkeddowntheaisle.Herfootstepsseemedloudinthehushed
room.‘What’sup?’RajwaitedforIsabelletospeak.NooneintroducedhertoDom,whostudiedAlliewitheyesthat
seemed tomiss nothing. Up close she looked even hipper. SuddenlyAllie’s school uniform seemedjuvenile.
‘We’vejustbeendiscussinghowmuchtotellyou,’Isabellesaidquietly.‘I’mgenerallyopposedtoalarmingyouundulybutRajandDomdisagree,so…’
Wheneverpeopledon’twanttotellyousomething,thethingtheydon’twanttotellyouisalwaysbad.
Allie’sstomachtightened.Seeingtheconcernonherface,theheadmistressheldupacautioninghand.‘Pleasedon’tworry.It’s
allundercontrol.Wejust…needtotalktoyou.’Isabelle’seyessweptthechurchasifensuringnoonecouldoverhearher.‘Wethinkyoushouldknowwhat’sbeenhappeningbehindthescenes.ThereasonLucinda refused to accept Nathaniel’s invitation to meet. It was because of the conditions hedemanded.’
Even though she’d said not to worry, Allie knew her well enough to recognise the anxiety inIsabelle’seyes,andthewayherhandsmovedrestlesslyathersides.
‘Whatconditions?’sheasked.‘You.’Thewordseemedtohangintheair.‘Heinsistsyou’reattheparley,’Isabellecontinued.‘Obviously,Lucindaseesthisforthetrapitmost
likely is and has refused. But he’s not backing down. They’re at an impasse. Because of this, weexpectedNathanieltoretaliate.Lastnight’sattemptwasjustthestart.’
AnawfulsenseoftrepidationsettledoverAllie.Parleysweremeetingsbetweenenemies,intendedpurelyfornegotiation.TherewasnologicalreasonforNathanieltowantherthere.Unlessthiswasn’treallyaparley.
Itwastypicalofhimtousetrickeryandlies.Toplaygameswithpeople’slives.Heneverseemedtotireofit.WhenitcametoCimmeria–toher–hewasamachine.Hecamebackandbackandback.Relentlessly.Hedidn’tcarewhogothurt.Whodied.Hewouldnevergiveup.Neverstop.
Ithadtostop.Feelingsuddenlytired,sherakedherfingers throughherhair,pressingherfingertipshardagainst
herskull.‘Sonowmorepeoplewillgethurtbecauseofme,’shesaidtonelessly.Allthey’dbeenthroughoverthelastyear,alltherunningandhiding,thefightinganddying.And
forwhat?NathanielwasinchesawayfromtakingovertheOrionSociety.Hewassoclosetovictoryhemustbeable to taste it.Andoncehewon,everythingwas lost.Hewould reshape thecountry inhisimage.Behindtheprotectivecurtainofthepowerfulorganisationhecoulddowhateverhewanted.Usehispowertohurtpeoplewhocouldn’tfightback.Changethegovernment.Changepeople’slives.Theywouldneverknowhisname.Neverrecognisehisface.Hewouldliveintheshadows,apuppetmasterpullingthestrings.
‘That’swherewecomein.’Rajleanedforwardtocatchhergaze.‘We’reworkingveryhardtokeephimout,andwe’llcontinuetodoso.We’vebeensuccessfulforthreemonths…’
‘I’vebeenawayforthreemonths.’Allie’sangerboiledoverandhervoicerose.‘He’sbeentoobusychasingmearoundtheworldtomesswithyou.’
‘Allie,there’snoreasontooverreact…’IsabellebeganbutRajkepttalkingasifshehadn’tspoken.‘We’vebrought inextraguards,’hesaid,as if thischangedeverything.‘Andwe’reincreasingthe
numberofpatrols.’Indespair,Allieloweredherheadtoherhands.Washedelusional?Moreguards?Morepatrols?The
groundswerevast andwooded,withhills, lakesand forests.Youcouldhideanarmyout there.AndsometimesitseemedNathanielhad.Lasttimehe’dbroughtahelicopter.Whatweretheygoingtodoifitcameback?
Throwstonesatit?‘Ithasworkedbefore,Allie,’Isabellesaid.Alliewhirledonher.‘Ithasfailedbefore,Isabelle.Anditwillfailagainthistime.’Shelookedback
andforthbetweenthem,coldwithanger.‘Youkeepdoingthesamethingsoverandoveragainhopingpeopledon’tdiethistime.Ijustdon’t…’
Herraisedvoiceechoedofftheoldstonewalls.Acrossthechapeltheothersturnedtostareatthem.Shecastthemadesperatelook.Thatwasenough.SylvainandCartercrossedtheroomtojoinher
andtheothersfollowedrightontheirheels.‘What’shappeninghere?’Sylvainlookedaroundthegroupforanexplanation.‘Tellthem.’AllieturnedtoRajandIsabelle,herhandsonherhips.‘Tellthemhowyou’regoingto
stopNathanielwithmoreguysinblack.Tellthemyouramazingcommssystemwillkeepusalivewhenhecomesforhisrevenge.Theydeservetoknowwhat’sabouttohappen.’
‘Whatexactlyisgoingon,Isabelle?’CartersteppedforwarduntilhewasstandingbesideAllie.‘It’sinsane,’Alliesaid.‘You’rebeingchildish,’Rajretorted,histonesharpening.‘Thisisthesystem.’‘Cansomeonepleaseexplain—’Sylvainbegan.
‘Stop this.’ Isabelle’s voice echoed off the stonewalls. They all fell silent. ‘This conversation ispointless.Thisisthewayithastobe.Wedon’thaveanyalternative.’
‘Yes,youdo.’ItwasDom’svoice.Theyallturnedtoher.HergazewasonAllie.‘Thealternativeisstandingrightinfrontofyou.’
Disbelief spread across Isabelle’s face – clearly she hadn’t expected this rebellion. ‘Lucinda hasmadeitclearshewon’tallowAllietoattendtheparleyandIagreewithherdecision—’
‘What?Nathanielwantstohaveaparleywithyou?’CartersaidtoAllie.‘Whywouldhedothat?’‘Hedoesn’twanttomeetme.HewantstomeetLucinda.Buthesayshe’llonlydoitifIcome,too,’
Allieexplainedpatiently.‘Becausehe’samentalist.’Theothersexchangedalook.‘Atrap,’Sylvainsaid.‘Itwouldbeaperfecttimetosnatchher.Noarms.Noguards.’‘Exactly.’Isabelleappearedrelieved,asifshe’djustwontheargument.‘Noteverytrapcatchesitsprey,’Domsaid.‘Manydo.’Rajshotheranarrowlook.‘ToomanytojusttakeachancewithAllie’slife.’‘It’smylife,’Allieprotested.‘Itshouldbemydecisionwhattodowithit.’
DomkeptherfocusonRaj.‘Whatareyougoingtodo?’sheaskedhimquietly.‘Wecanfendoffmoreattacks,keephimoutforawhile–days.Weeksmaybe.Notmonths.Nosystemisunhackable–youtaughtmethat.Ifhekeepstrying,eventuallyhe’llgetin.Thenit’sgameover.Welose.’
Allie looked at Dom in surprise. She worked for Raj but seemed to feel perfectly comfortableopenlydisagreeingwithhim.Mostofhisguardswereof the ‘Yes, sir!’variety.Thisonewasclearlydifferent.
Raj’sjawwasset.‘Ifwebringinextraguards,covereveryinch—’‘You would need a thousand men.’ There was no rancour in Dom’s voice, only calm rationale.
‘Haveyougotathousandmen?’‘Enough.’ Raj, who never raised his voice, nearly shouted the word. His face was red with
frustration.‘Shecan’tgo.It’stoodangerous.’TurningtoAllie,Domscrutinisedher,asifshewasacarshewasconsideringpurchasing.‘Well,I’d
say that’s up to her. She’s not a child. And fromwhat you’ve all toldme she’s extremely capable.There’snoreasontoassumeshe’dfail.’
Uncertain,Alliestaredbackather.NobodystooduptoRajlikethis.Ever.ButDomseemedtoseeherselfashisequal.
HowdoessheknowwhetherI’mcapableornot?Dom’svoicecutthroughthehazeofherthoughts.‘Whatdoyousay,AllieSheridan?’Thedaylight
wasfadinganditwashardtoreadtheAmericangirl’seyesbehindherglassesbutAlliecouldhearthechallengeinhervoice.‘Everyonetellsmeyouneverbackdownfromafight.Wanttotryandsavetheworld?’
Allie’s gaze skated fromRaj to Isabelle,waiting for them to argue, but they’d both fallen silent.
Isabellelookedunhappy.SomehowDomhaddoneit–theywerelettingherchoose.Nowthatshehadthechoice,though…whatdidshewant?Itwasatrap,shewascertainofit.Althoughitwasn’tlikeNathanieltobequitesoobvious.Still,
therewasnoreasonforhertobepresentunlesshehadsomethingplanned.Somethingawful.Butifshedidn’tgotohim,he’dcometoher,andsheknewfrombrutalpersonalexperiencethatwas
worse.Trepidationmadeherpulserace.ShethoughtaboutJoandRuth,aboutNathanielwithaknifetoRachel’sthroat.Abouthowtheknife
hadfeltwhenitpartedtheskinofherarm,andhervisceralfearwhenGaberaisedabrickoverCarter’sheadtofinishhimoff.
Intheend,though,they’dstooduptoNathaniel–thestudentsandguardstogether.Theymadehimbackdown.Therehad tobeaway theycoulddo itagain–only this time,permanently.Hewasn’tagod,afterall.Hewasjustaman.Adelusional,obsessedman.
Ifshecouldtalktohim–findoutsomethingshecouldgivehimthathewanted–maybeshecouldstopthis.Orevenifshecouldn’t,maybeshecouldmakeitbetterinsomewayjustbybeingthere.
Ifshekepthidinganddidnothing,howwouldthatdoanygood?Nathanielwouldattack,Rajwouldparry,morepeoplewouldgethurt.Maybeevendie.And itwouldhappenoverandoveruntil finallytheyweredefeated.ThenNathanielwouldhavewhathewantedanyway,andwhatwouldhavebeenthepointofanything?
Yes,shewasjustakidandhewasarichandpowerfulman.Butatinytwigcanstopaclockticking.Aspeckofdustcandoalotofdamagetoadelicatemachine.ShethoughtofSylvain’svoicetheothernightontheroof.
Jump.SheheldDom’sgaze.‘I’min,’shesaid.
17
SEVENTEEN
Nexttoher,Sylvainletouthisbreath.Carterturnedtolookather,concernwrittenonhisface.‘Awesome,’Zoemuttered.Instantly, IsabelleandRajbegan toargue.Domappearedcomposedas thevoicesswelledaround
her.‘Weshouldgo,Ithink,’Sylvainsaidquietly.Hewasright–therewasnothingtobedone.Theleaderswouldfightitoutnow.ButAllie’smind
wasmadeup.Onewayoranother,shewasgoingtothatparley.Theadultsdidn’tseemtonoticethestudentsleavingthechapel–noonetriedtostopthem.Outside,
theairwascoolandsmelledclean.Allietookadeepbreath.Nowthatthedecisionwasmade,shefeltlighter;abitdizzyfromherownbravery.Tiltingherheadbacksheletthesoftsummerrainfallonherface.
Theotherswerestilloddlysilent;shecouldsensetheirdisapproval.TheywerewellintothewoodsbeforeNicolebrokethesilence.‘We’llhavetoprepare.’She seemed to be avoiding Allie’s gaze. ‘We know how Nathaniel and Gabe fight. How they
operate.WewillneedtobereadytodefendLucinda.’‘AndAllie.’Sylvain’sfacewascreasedwithworry.‘Andourselves,’Cartersaid.‘Willweallgettogowithher,Iwonder?’Zoeasked,lookingaroundthegroup.‘We’llgo.’Nicole’svoicesoundedtightandAllieturnedtolookathermoreclosely.Rainclungtoherdarkhairandrandownherfaceliketears.Thesetofhershoulders,thetightline
ofherjaw,toldhershewasupset.‘Wedon’thaveanychoice.’Sheemphasisedthelastword.Noonearguedwithher.OnlyZoedidn’tseemtoknowwhatshemeant.‘What?’Alliescannedtheclosedfacesaroundher.‘Areyouallmadatmeforagreeingtogotothe
parley?WhatelsewasIsupposedtodo?’‘I’mnotmad,’Zoesaid.‘I’mexcited.’Allie ignoredher. ‘Nicole?’The raingrewheavier.Water randownher face in rivulets, trickling
downthecollarofhersoakedblouse.‘Istheresomethingyouwanttosay?’TheFrench girl kept her eyes on the ground. ‘I think youmake these decisions that affect other
people’slivesandyoudon’tthinkaboutwhatitmeans.It’sdangerous.You’redangerous.’
Stung,Allielookedaroundthegroupforsupport.Sylvainstaredintothedistance,hisjawtight.Shecouldseehisdisapprovalinthetenselineofhisshoulders.
When shemet Carter’s gaze, he held out his empty hands in a gesture that said ‘What did youexpect?’
Angerflaredinherchest.Nicolehadbasicallystolenherbestfriendandnowshewasgoingtotakeeveryoneelse,too?
Noway.‘Well,maybeyou’d just ratherhandmeover toNathaniel soyoucanallbea little safer.’Allie’s
tonewascutting.‘Ormaybeyou’dliketojustsidewithhimnowandgetitoverwith.Cimmeriacouldalwaysuseanotherspy.Ihearthepayisgreat.’
Sheheardsomeone’sbreathcatch.Nicolelookedshocked.‘Allie,’Sylvainsaid.‘Don’t—’Alliewhirledonhim.‘Don’ttellmewhattodo.Ihatethat.’Heflinchedawayfromher.Without aword,Carterwalked away, leaving them to fight it out. Somehow, this botheredAllie
mostofall.‘Idon’tgetit,’Zoesaid,clearlypuzzled.‘Whyiseveryonepissedoff?’‘Forgetit,Zoe,’Alliesnapped.‘Itdoesn’tmatter.’
Therain finally stopped thateveningbut the skies stayedgrey.The tensionsdidn’teaseas thehourspassed.
Atdinnerthatnightthemoodatthetablewasdecidedlyicy,andAlliecouldn’twaittogetaway.Assoonasthemealended,shepushedbackherchair,butbeforeshecouldstandup,Sylvainleanedovertowhisperinherear,‘Weshouldtalk.’
Histonewascurt,andherheartsank.Shedidn’twanttofightaboutthiswithhim.Shewantedhimtobackherup.Tounderstandthatshehadnochoice.
Totrusther.Butitwascleartherewasnogettingaroundit.Withreluctantsteps,shefollowedhimoutintothe
hallwayandupthestaircasetotherelativeprivacyofthelanding.Atthetop,thetallwindowshadbeenleftopentoletinthedampair,coolandfreshfromtherain.
Hisexpressionunreadable,Sylvainledthewayintoanook,hiddenawaybehindatallmarblestatue.‘What is it?’Allie said, eager toget thisoverwith. ‘Is it aboutwhathappened today?Because I
don’treallywanttotalkaboutit.’Helookedathersteadily,blueeyesblankandcool.‘Don’tyou?’Hischallengingtonethrewheroffbalance.Nomatterwhatshedid,Sylvainnevergotangrywith
her.Shedidn’tthinksheknewhowtoarguewithhim.‘No…?’shesaid,herhesitanttonebetrayinghersuddenuncertainty.Hisgazedidn’tfalter.‘Iwouldthinkyouwouldwanttodefendyourposition.Tellmewhyeveryone
elseiswrong,’hesaid.‘Andyouareright.’HeatrosetoAllie’scheeks.Thiswasworsethanshe’dexpected.Heseemedgenuinelyupset.Sheneededtochangetactics.‘Ok, I’ve obviously upset you.And, like, everyone. So, that can’t be good.’ She tried to look as
conciliatoryaspossible.Noble,even.‘I’msorryifyouthinkImadethewrongdecision.’Hedidn’twaittohearanymore.‘Allie,youcoulddie.’His words cut across her faltering logic and she stared, at him, wide-eyed. All her excuses
evaporated.‘Ifyougototheparley,Nathanielcouldkillyou.Thatmaybehisplan.Andifwegowithyou,to
protectyou,wecoulddie,too.Nicolecoulddie.Icoulddie.Cartercoulddie.Doyouunderstandthat?’His tone was measured but his words stung. ‘I need to know that you understand what you arecommittingusalltodo,withoutaskinguswhatwethink.Whatwewant.Whetherwearereadytodie.’
AsuddenimageofJo,bloodencirclingherbody,flashedintoAllie’smind.Shebreathedinanaudiblegasp,andjumpedtoherfeet.‘Ihavetogo.’Butbeforeshecouldturnaway,hishandflashedoutandgrabbedherwrist.‘Youshouldstayandlistentome,Allie.Ifyouwon’tlistentoanyoneelse.Atleastlistentome.’
Shestruggledinhisgrip,notwantingtohearanymore.‘Please,Allie.Thisisimportant.’‘I know that.’ Tearing her arm free from his grasp, she stared at him reproachfully, her chest
heaving.Howdareheimplythatshedidn’tknowthiswasdangerous?Howdarehetalktoherlikeshedidn’t
knowwhatdyingmeant?Didanyoneknowbetterthanher?Sheknewifshesaidhalfthethingsinhermindrightnowhe’dneverforgiveherandshe’dnever
forgivehim.Shehadtogetaway,beforemoredamagewasdone.Handsclenchedintofists,sheraisedherchinandforcedherselftokeephervoicelow.‘I’msorryyou’reangryatme,Sylvain,butIcan’tdothis.’Thenshespunonherheelandfled.
Afterthat,Sylvainkepthisdistance.Hewasn’talone.NicoleavoidedAllieinthehallways,whichmeantRachelavoidedher, too,astheyweresooften
together. Isabelle and Raj were similarly cool and distant, and the issue of the parley had not beenbroughtupagain.Itwasasifthey’ddecidednottodiscussitwithher.
Carterseemedtodisapproveoftheentiresituation,andAllierarelysawhim.Shegotthefeelinghewasavoidingeveryone.
Asthedayspassed,shewentthroughthepacesofclassesandtraining,butshediditmostlyonherown. She felt cut off and isolated, but shewouldn’t back down. Themeeting between Lucinda and
Nathanielhadtohappen.Itwastheironlychance.Andshehadtobethere,whethertheotherslikeditornot.
OnlyZoeseemedimmunetothedisharmonyinthegroup,andshestuckresolutelybyAllie’sside.OnenightduringNightSchooltraining,AlliefoundanexcusetoaskherwhatsheknewaboutDom.‘She’s cool,’ Zoe enthused, aiming a kick at the side of Allie’s head. ‘She invented some new
softwareforcomputermonitoring–RajsaystheSecretServiceuseit.’Ducking theblow,Allie feinted inazigzagpattern, comingup, arm raised,poised toattack.Zoe
blockedtheblowwithviciousquickness.Jerry,who’dbeenwatching themsparfromadistance,walkedup to them.‘Beautifullyexecuted,
bothofyou.I’veneverseenitdonebetter.’Relievedthatatleastoneadultwasn’tangryather,Alliesmiledathimgratefully.‘Thanks.’‘Keepitup.’PattingZoeontheshoulder,hewalkedontothenextpairofstudents.Zoeacceptedthepraisewithouthesitation.‘He’sright.We’refreakingawesome.’Wipingthesweatfromherforehead,shepickedupabottleofwaterfromthemat.AllielookedacrosstheroomtowhereRachelandNicolewerepractisingthesamemove.Nicole’s
moveswerefluidandeasy.Bycontrast,Rachellookedawkwardandjerky,recoilingasifafraidwhenNicole practised her kick. Raj was watching them, too, and Allie saw him shake his head inexasperation.ButNicolejustrestedahandlightlyonRachel’sarmandsaidsomethingthatmadeherlaugh,thendemonstratedthemoveagain.
ItwastherightwaytoworkwithRachel–thewayAlliewouldhavedoneitherself.Again,shefeltaknifestabofjealousy.
‘Shedropped out ofHarvard after one year.’Zoewas still talking aboutDomas she took a swig ofwater.‘Shewasalreadymintedfromthesoftwaresoshedidn’tseethepointinstayingthere.’
Around them, Night School students kicked and punched each other in complex, violentmanoeuvres.
‘IsabellesaidRajbroughtherin.Howdotheyknoweachother?’Allieasked.‘Domwenttoschoolhere.Shewasanexchangestudent.’‘Seriously?’Alliecouldn’thidehersurprise.NobodyhadevermentionedDomwaslegacy.‘Raj was her Night School instructor and mentor,’ Zoe explained. ‘But when they took all the
computersawayshewentbacktoAmerica.Oratleast,that’swhateveryonesays.’Allieknewthatwouldhavetakenguts.NobodyjustwalkedawayfromCimmeria.IfDomwasthekindofpersonwhotrustedherinstinctslikethat,itmadesensethatshewouldwant
Allietodothesame.Jump.Asshethoughtitthrough,hergazefelltowhereCarterandSylvainwerepractisingtogether–they
made the complex series ofmoves lookmore violent and potentially deadly than anyone else in theroom.Theyswungateachothersohardshewinced,buteachpulledbackatthelastsecond,justbefore
afootcouldhitaneck,oranelbowcutdeepintoaneyesocket.Theforcetheywereusingmadeithardtobelievetheyweren’tgenuinelyangry,butbetweenrounds
shesawCartermakeajokeandSylvaincreaseupwithlaughter.Itstruckhertheywereateasewitheachotherinawaytheywereneverateasewithher.Therewasalwayssomethingbetweenherandeachofthem–akindofforcefieldofsexandlove.Theydidn’thavethatwitheachother.Sotheycouldjustbefriends.Andthere’sthatjealousyagain.Withasigh,sheturnedherfocusbacktoZoe.‘SowhydidDomcomebacktoCimmerianow?’‘BecauseIaskedherto.’Raj’svoicemadethembothjumpandtheyspunroundtoseehimstanding
behind them; his expression was dark. ‘We needed her help. But right now I’m not convinced thatwasn’tamistake.Zoe,yourkickiscomingfromyourlowerback,notyourabdominals.Workonthat.’
As he strode off with silent steps, Zoe said in tones of reverence, ‘He walks like a ghost. It isamazing.’
Whentrainingendedthatnight,AlliebegantofollowtheothersouttothedressingroombutSylvainwalkeduptoher.
‘Couldyouwaitasecond,please?’Shelookedupathiminsurprise.They’dbarelyspokensincetheirargument.‘Sure,’shesaidcautiously.‘What’sup?’Helookedaroundtheroom.Theotherstudentswerestreamingoutintothechangingrooms.‘It’s…
Well.Iwillexplaininaminute.’She searched his face for clues but his blue eyeswere unreadable.As the room emptied,Carter
cameoverbutstayedsomedistanceaway,handsshovedinhispockets.Allietriedtocatchhiseyebutheseemedtopurposefullyavoidhergaze.
ThenZoe,NicoleandRachelcametostandwiththem,too.‘What’sgoingon?’Allieaskedsuspiciously.‘Isthisaninterventionorsomething?’Noonesmiled.Onlywhen theywere completely alone in the training roomdidSylvain answerherquestion. ‘If
you’regoingtotheparley,wehavetoprepare.’Alliewasconfounded.‘Ithoughtthatwaswhatwejustdid.Isn’ttwoandahalfhoursofkickingthe
crapoutofeachotherpreparation?’‘Ithelps,’Cartersaid.‘Butyou’vedealtwithNathanielbefore.Youknowwhathe’slike.Hedoesn’t
playbytherules.’Walkingtotheedgeoftheroom,hecroucheddownandfeltforsomethingunderneaththerubber
matting.Afteramoment,hepulledouttwoobjectsAlliecouldn’tquitesee.Thenheturnedround.Inonehandheheldalethal-lookingdagger.Inhisotherheheldagun.TheblooddrainedfromAllie’sface.Unnerved,shestaredattheknife.Thescaronherarmthrobbed.
‘Carter,’shewhispered,‘wheredidyougetthose?’‘Don’tworry.They’refake.’Sylvainseemedpleasedbyherreaction.‘Rajgotthemforustowork
with.’‘But,’Cartersaid,‘they’reverygoodfakes.’Withacasualflickofhiswrist,hetossedSylvainthegun;Sylvaincaughtitwithonehand.Allie lookedaround the room–RachelandNicolebothavoidedhergaze.Zoewaswatching the
weaponswithexcitedanticipation.Nobodyseemedsurprisedbywhatwashappening.‘What’shappeninghere?’Stillholdingthegun,SylvainturnedtoAllie,hisbluegazesteady.‘We’regoingtopractisewiththe
weaponsNathanielwillmostlylikelyuse.Weneedtoknowhowtoprotectourselvesfromthem.’Carterpulledthedaggerfromitssheathwithasoftsnick.Theweaponglimmeredsilverinthedimlight.Alliecouldn’ttakehereyesoffit.Itmightbeafakebutitlookedlethalenough.‘It’sunsharpened.’Carterdraggedthebladeacrosshisforearm,holdinguphisarmtoshowoffthe
unblemishedskin.Takingtheknifefromhim,Zoeturneditoverinherhand.Shetouchedtheendexperimentallywith
thetipofherfinger.‘Youcoulddosomedamagewiththepointybit,’sheannounced.‘Nostabbing,then,’Rachelsaidfaintly.‘Weshouldprobablymakethatarule.’Rachel lookedabit greenbutnotdisapprovingorupset andAllie couldn’tunderstandwhy.This
wasexactlythesortofthingshehated.Whywasn’tsheprotesting?The cool clarity of realisation hit her like coldwater. Theywere trying to convince her shewas
wrong about the parley the sameway she’dwanted to convinceRachel shewaswrong aboutNightSchool–bylettinghergoaheadwithit.Hopingshe’ddropout.
Droppingherhandstohersidesshecurledthemintofists.‘OKthen.’Hervoicewastight.‘Let’sdothis.’
18
EIGHTEEN
‘Goforthewrist.’Carter’svoicewassharperthantheknifeinhishand.Alliegrippedhiswristhardbuthetwistedhisarmuntil,somehow,theknifeendeduppointedatherthroat.
‘You’redead,’hesaid.‘Tryagain.’SweatrandownAllie’sface,stinginghereyes.They’dbeenpractisingwiththeweaponsfornearly
anhour.She’dalreadybeentiredattheendofnormalNightSchooltraining.Nowhermusclesfeltlikerubber.
Across the room,RachelpointedagunatZoe,whopromptlykicked it fromherhand,sending itflyingthroughtheair.
Clutchingthehandshe’dkicked,Rachelgrimacedattheyoungergirl.‘Uh…that’sgreat,Zoe.Youlive.I,ontheotherhand,needextensivereconstructivesurgery.’
‘Yes.’Zoegaveavictoriousairpunch.‘Again,Allie.’Carterdrewhergazebacktotheblade.‘Youhavetogetbetteratthis.’Tighteningherjaw,shesquaredoffagainsthimagain.‘Fine,’shesaidthroughgrittedteeth.‘Let’sgoagain.’Heslashedtheknifetowardsherabdomenandshejumpedbackfast–toofast.Shetrippedoverher
feet,fallinghardontothemat.Rage,whitehotandblinding,rushedthroughherveinslikefire.Boundingbackupsheadvancedonhim,sofuriousshecouldhardlyseehim.Sheswungavicious
kickathisneck.Sylvainsteppedbetweenthem,blockingtheblowwithhisarm.‘That’senough.’HeturnedtoAllie.
‘Watchyourtemper.’Shootinghimaresentfullook,sheranatiredhandthroughhersweatyhair.‘Look.Iknowwhyyou’realldoingthis,’shesaid.‘Youcanjust…stopit.Itwon’twork.’‘We’redoingthisbecausewewanttohelpyou,’Nicolesaid.Tootiredtoplaygames,Allieshotherawitheringlook.‘That’sbollocksandyouknowit.Let’sjust
behonestnow, at least.Rajputyouup to this, didn’the?Becausehewantsme to changemymindabouttheparley.’
Forasecond,noonespoke.‘WedidtalktoRajaboutthis,yes,’Sylvainsaidcarefully.‘Hethoughtitwouldbeagoodideaifwe
didthefirsttrainingwithoutwarning.Soyoucouldlearntoreactinstinctively.’Asshelookedintohiscoolblueeyes,Allie’sheartseemedtocontractinherchest.
‘Sylvain…’Alliedidn’tknowwhattosay.Hewasalmostherboyfriend.Shehadthenecklacehe’dgivenhersafely tuckedawayinher roomsonothingcouldhappen to it inpractice.He’d toldherhelovedher.Andyetheletherwalkintoanambush?
Thesenseofbetrayalmadeherache.‘Ican’tbelieveyou…’Shecouldn’tseemtofindthewords.‘Whydidn’tyoujustcometome?’‘Wouldyouhavelistened?’heasked.Hershoulderssagged.‘Youcouldhavetriedtofindout.’‘Hangon,Allie.’Ever thepeacemaker,Rachel steppedbetween them. ‘Sylvaindid suggestother
optionsbutmydadthoughtitwasbestthisway.Hethoughtitwouldn’tbeaseffectiveifwewenttoyouseparately.Hesaid thiswouldremindyouwhat it’s like,dealingwithNathaniel.Howhealwaysdoeswhatyoudon’texpect.Wedidn’tlikeitbut…’
‘Youdiditanyway.’Thewordscameoutasawhisper.Hopelessnesssweptoverher.DoIhavetofighteveryoneallthetime?Shewondered.Evenmyfriends?Her gaze darted to where Carter stood apart from the group. He’d said very little, and looked
unhappybuthewasn’texactlytakingherside,either.Rachelwasstilltalking.‘Youagreedtotheparleywithoutreallytakingtimetothinkaboutit.We
wantedtokindof…shockyou.Tomakeyourealisehowseriousthisis.’‘You think I don’t know this is serious?’Allie’s voice rose sharply on the lastword andRachel
flinched.Alliewantedtosaymorebutshestoppedherself.Sheneededtolookatthisrationally.Thesewere
her closest friends. She’d obviously made a terrible mistake or they wouldn’t have gone to suchextremestoshowherhowtheyfelt.She’dscaredthem.Madethemfeelhelpless.
Wrappingherarmsacrosshertorso,shelookedaroundtheclusteroffamiliarfaces.EveryoneinthisroomhadbeenhurtbyGabeorNathaniel.Somemorethanothers.Nicolehadbeenbeatenupandherlegbadlyinjured;Carterhadbeenknockedunconsciousandcouldhavebeenkilled;Rachelbeatenandcut,Zoebeaten,Sylvainbeaten.
Nowondertheywereunhappythatshe’djustagreedtodragthembackintothiswithoutconsultingthem. Itmusthave looked like shedidn’t careabouthow they felt.Like shewasputting themall indangeragainonawhim.
Allherangerseepedaway.‘I’msorry,’shesaidsoftly.Acrosstheroom,Carter’sheadshotupandhiseyesmethers.‘Igetit…
OK? You can tell Raj I get the message. Let’s just … talk this through tomorrow. We’ll prepareproperly.We’llbeready.AndIwon’t–’Tearsburnedthebackofherthroat.Shehadtoforceherselftocompletethethought.‘Iwon’tdoanythingyoudon’tallagreeto.’
Sheneededtogetoutofhere.Theroomseemedtoosmallallofasudden.Shestumbledtowardsthedoor,blindedbyahazeoftears.
‘Allie…’Sylvainreachedouttowardsherbutshebrushedhishandaway.
‘Ihavetogo.’
Thenextdaywasgreyandsteamy.Theairfeltoppressive;sowarmandheavyyougotthefeelingyoucouldsliceit.
Afterherlastclass,Allieheadeddownthemainstaircase.Hermovementswerestiff,andeachtimeherbookbagthumpedagainstherhip,hermusclesobjected.
Allday,noonehadsaidawordaboutwhathadhappened.Theywereallstayingclearofher.
While she understood theirmotives, shewished they’d given hermore credit.And shewished theyunderstoodwhyshe’dsaidyestotheparley.Thattherewasnootherway.
Afterall,itwasn’tlikeshewascompletelyself-destructive.Sheknewperfectlywelltheparleywasatrap.Andshehadnointentionofgettingcaughtinit.
Domwasright.Noteverytrapcatchesitsprey.Besides,shethoughtasshepassedateamofsecurityguards,rightnowtheschoolisasmuchatrap
astheparley.Hell,life’satrap,whenyoustopandthinkaboutit.Nooneheregetsoutalive.She’dnearlyreachedthebottomofthestaircasewhenZoeraceduptoher,grabbingherhand.‘Quick,’shesaid,pullingather.‘Isabellewantsyou.’‘OhGod.’Alliesighed.Shereallywasn’tinthemoodforoneofIsabelle’slecturesrightnow.‘DoI
haveto?’Zoelookedatherlikeshewascrazy.‘Yes.’Reluctantly,AllieturnedtowardsIsabelle’sofficebutshedidn’thurryhersteps.Everytimethey’d
spokensincethemeetingin thechapel,Isabellehadtriedtochangehermindabout theparley.Therewasnodoubtshewasinonlastnight’splan.
Onthegroundfloor,shemadeherwaydownthehallwaytotheofficeunderthestairsandraisedherhandtoknock.
Thesoundofraisedvoicesinsidetheroomstilledherhand.Frowning,sheleanedforwardtohearwhatwashappeninginside.
‘It’saterribleidea,Lucinda.’Isabelle’svoicewassharp.Allie’sheartjumped.Hergrandmotherwashere?Now?Evenwithher earpressed to thedoor, she couldn’t hearwhathergrandmother said in reply, her
voicewastoolow.ButwhateveritwasshesaidmadeIsabelleangry.‘She’sachild,’AllieheardIsabellesay.‘SheshouldbeworryingaboutherA-levels,notherlife.I
won’tletyouputherthroughthis.’Afterthat,sheloweredhervoice,andherwordswerelostinthethickoakpanelling.WonderingwhatLucindahadsaid,Allieknocked.Theconversationinsideceased.‘Comein,’Isabellesaidafteramoment.Hervoicehadregaineditsnormalairofcalmauthority.ThedoorsprangopenatAllie’stouchandshehurriedin.EverythinginIsabelle’sofficewasinits
usualplace–thelargedeskdominatingoneside,thelowfilecasesandcabinets.Butotherthantheheadmistress,itwasempty.Foroneperplexedmoment,Alliepeeredintocornersasifhergrandmothermightbehidingbehind
something.Sheclearedherthroat.‘Zoesaidyouwantedto…seeme?’‘She’shere,’Isabellesaidtoherdesk.‘Ohgood.Allie,thankyouforjoiningus.’Lucinda’svoiceemerged,thinandtinny,fromamobile
phonerestingonthegreenleatherblotterinfrontofIsabelle.‘Ithoughtitwastimewehadachat.’
19
NINETEEN
‘Haveaseatplease,’Isabellesaid.Feelingoddlynervous,Allieperchedon theedgeofoneof the leatherchairs facing thedeskand
shot her an enquiring look.The headmistress looked as if shewanted to speak but then she stoppedherselfandinsteadgesturedatthephone.
Evenwhenshewasn’tphysicallypresent,Lucindawasincharge.‘Allie, I hear you’re doing verywell, readjusting toCimmeria life.’Her grandmother’s powerful
voicesoundedalmostcomicallysmallthroughthephone’sminutespeakers.‘I’mnotatallsurprised.’AgainAllie’seyesflitteduptoIsabelle’sface,searchingforcluesastowhatwashappeninghere.
Theheadmistresskepthergazelowered,givingnothingaway.ButLucinda’snextstatementansweredAllie’sunaskedquestion.
‘I’veaskedyouheretodiscussourplansfortheparleywithNathaniel.Iunderstandyouhavebeeninformedofhisrequests?’
Allienodded,thenrememberedhergrandmothercouldn’tseeher.‘Yes.’‘Andyouthinkyoushouldcomewithme?’Alliehesitated–itsoundedlikeatrickquestion.‘Ye-es…’shesaidwithmorecaution.‘Youare fully awareofhowdangerousNathaniel is.Whathe’s capableof.Andwhathewants,’
Lucindasaid.‘Yetyoustillwanttotakethisrisk?Why?’Acrossthedesk,Isabelleliftedhergoldenbrowneyestomeethergaze.Lastnight’stensetraining
session flashed intoAllie’smindagain.She rememberedhowsickened she’d felt seeing theknife inCarter’shand.
Whatever she’d said at the time, andhowever angry that hadmadeher feel, in someway it hadworked.Shewasmuchmoreafraidnowthanshe’dbeenwhensheagreedtogototheparley.
Andyetshestillknewinherheartitwastherightdecision.Jump.‘You’regoingtotheparley.You’llbetakingarisk,’Alliereasoned.‘Whyshouldn’tI?’‘Wearenotthesame,’hergrandmother’svoicesaid.‘IamtryingtofixaproblemIhadsomehand
increating.You,ontheotherhand,arepurelyinnocentinthis.Eachsidewantstouseyoutotheirownends.’
AlliesawIsabelle’seyeswideninsurprise.Eachsidewantstouseyou…
ItwasoddlycomfortingtohearanadultverifywhatAlliehadlongbelieved.Butitstillstung.‘Iknowthat.’Allietriedtosoundcool.‘I’mnotacompleteidiot.ButmaybeI’mnotthepawnyou
all think I am. If I don’t go, I can’t change anything. If I’m there, I have some control over whathappenstous.’
‘Will you?’ Lucinda sounded unconvinced. ‘Even if you come, I’ll still be in control of whathappens. You’ll just be there to provemywillingness to cooperate. To convinceNathaniel that I’mreallylisteningtohim.Thatdoesn’tseemworthriskingyourlife.’
‘Oh,please.’Alliecouldn’tkeepthebitternessfromhertone.‘IfIdon’tcomewithyou,hewon’ttalktoyou.Ifyoutwodon’ttalk,he’llattacktheschool,hurtingpeopleIcareabout.’Shetightenedherlips.‘He’llnevergiveup.Whenyoulookatitthatway,Idon’tthinkIactuallyhaveachoice.Butnooneelseisdyingbecauseofme.I’mgoingwithyou.’
WhenshespokeagainLucinda’svoicewasquiet.‘Isabellethinksyou’renotreadyforthis.Ithinksheunderestimatesyou.’
Theheadmistresskepthergazelowered.Alliefeltsuddenlyprotectiveofher.‘Shedoesn’tunderestimateme,’shesaid.‘Shewantstoprotectme.’‘Andyoudon’twanttobeprotected?’Alliedidn’thesitate.‘Iwanttofightback.’Alongsilencefell.Alliestaredatthesmall,plasticphone.‘Parleysare,by tradition,non-violent.Youleaveyourweaponsbehind.Asyoucan imagine, Ido
notexpectNathaniel tohonour thisnoble tradition.Therefore,wearedecidingnowhowbest tostaysafe.Guardsmustbewithuseverystepoftheway.’
Lucinda’stonewasbriskandbusiness-like.Thedecisionhadbeenmade.ExcitementandfearranthroughAllie’sveins,heatingherblood.Shewasactuallygoingtodothis.
Shewasgoingtotheparley.‘Wewillnotgoinaloneandwewillhaveaplan,’Lucindacontinued.‘Whateverthatplanis,I’ll
expectyoutofollowit.Regardlessofwhathappenstoanyoneelse.RegardlessofwhatNathanieldoes.Youwillbeallowed toaccompanymeonly ifyougivemeyourword.Nomatterwhathappens thatnight,youfollowtheplan.’
Allie’sthroattightened.Howquicklyitallbecamereal.‘I’llfollowtheplan,’shesaid.‘Ipromise.’‘Good,’Lucindasaid.‘Nathanielwillhaveendlessannoyingdemandsandwillnodoubtchoosean
utterly inappropriate location.He always does.As soon as a date is set, youwill be informed, but Iimaginehe’llgiveuslittlenotice–helikestocatchusoff-guard.Sobeready.Areyoupractising?’
Allieblinked.‘Practising…?What?’‘Self-defence,ofcourse,’Lucindasaid.‘Isabellesaidyou’vebeguntrainingwithweapons.’Allie’sgazeshotuptoIsabelle;herreturningglancewasunapologetic.‘Yes,’Alliesaidwithdryunderstatement,‘we’reusingtheweapons.’ThisseemedtosatisfyLucinda.‘Good,’shesaid.Thenhertonechanged.‘Isabelle,doyouhavethe
itemwediscussed?’The headmistress bent down and retrieved a packagewrapped in brown paper from beneath her
desk.‘Ihaveithere.’‘WouldyoubesokindastohandittoAllie?’Expressionless,Isabelleheldthepackageoutacrossthedesk.Allierosetoreceiveit.Itwasheavy,andperfectlyrectangular.Shehelditgingerly.‘ShouldI…openit?’‘Ofcourse,’Lucindasaid.‘Howelsewillyoufindoutwhat’sinside?’Carefully,Alliesplittheseamofthepaperwithherfingernail.Theheavypaperfellopentoreveala
batteredbook,itspageswornfromuse.Thecoverborenolettering.Ithadthemustysmellofage.Intrigued, she opened it. Insidewas a hand-written family tree,which seemed to go back to the
twelfthcentury.Exploringfurthershediscoveredeachpagewastoppedwithaname,fadedwithage,andadescriptionofwhenthatpersonlived,whotheymarried,whentheydied.
‘Ifyouaregoingtofightwithyourfamily,Ithoughtitwastimeyoulearnedwhoyouarefightingfor,’Lucindasaid.‘Thisisthebookofourfamily.Mygreat-great-grandfatherhaditwritten,andeachgenerationhasfilledinpagessince.Myfathergaveittome.NowI’mgivingittoyou.’
Allie,whohadonlylearnedLucindawashergrandmotherafewmonthsago,knewverylittleaboutherownfamily.HermotherhadkeptherheritagefromheruntilNathanielmadethatimpossible.Sincethenshe’dtoldheronlythebareminimumaboutherself.
Fewthingsmeantmoretoherthanfindingwhoshereallywasandwhereshecamefrom.ButhowcouldLucindahaveknownthat?
This bookwas one of a kind. Hand-made. A priceless family heirloom. It might answer all herquestionsbutitwasalsoahugeresponsibility.Hergrandmotherwassendingheramessage.Tellinghershetrustedher.
Sheswallowedhard.‘Thisisimportant,’shesaid,lookingatthephone.‘Valuable.Areyousureyouwantmetohaveit?’Lucindadidn’tanswerrightaway.Butwhenshedid,allshesaidwas,‘Ithinkit’stimeforyouto
haveit.’Allieclosedthebookcarefullyandwrappeditbackintheprotectivepaper.‘Thankyoufortrusting
me.I’lltakeverygoodcareofit.’Hervoicewasfervent.Shemeanteveryword.‘Iknowyouwill,’Lucindasaid.
Backinherbedroomlater,Allieturnedthepagesofthebookwithcarefulfingers.Thepaperwasthickbutsofttothetouchandthepageendswereuneven,asiftheyhadn’tbeencutbyamachine.
Shecouldseenowhowthehandwritingchangedperiodically.Thefirsthalfofthebookwaswritteninaspidery,swoopinghand,andincludednameslikeLordCharlesAltonFinley-Gaston.Hisbirthdatewas1681.Underneath,thebooknotedtheyearshe’dservedinParliament.Andthedateofhisdeath:1738.
HiswifewasMaryand they’dhad threechildren, twoof themalreadydeadby the timeCharlespassedaway.One,ThomasJohnFinley-Gaston,survived.Whensheturnedthepage,hisnameheadedthenextentry.
OnlynowhewasLordThomasJohnFinley-Gaston.Born1705.Died1769.Hischildrenandgrandchildrenfilledthepagesafterthat.Thisismyfamily,Allie toldherself.Shewas trying tofeel the thingsotherpeoplefeltwhenthey
talkedabouttheirancestors–akindofpossessiveness;aclearconnection.Butthenamesmeantnothingtoher.Shemightaswellhavebeenreadingthebooksinthelibrary
downstairs.Shefeltnothingatallfortheselong-deadmen.Flipping forward in time, she passed increasingly familiar names. Names she’d read in history
books.Aprimeministerhere,achancellorthere.Thensuddenlyalongnamestaredoutather,writtenina confident, no-nonsense handwriting that slanted sharply to the right: Baroness Lucinda ElisabethEugenieGastonStCroixMeldrum.
Eachwordwasclearandclean–noembellishments.Thepageheldadescriptionofherlife,herroleasfirstwomanchancellor,headoftheWorldBank,
UNadvisor.Beneath that,herhusbandswere listed,alongwithAllie’smother.Like thebook’sotherpages, the informationwasall straightforward.But therewas somethingabout it thatbotheredAllie.Shewasatthebottomofthepagebeforesherealisedwhatitwas.
Thepagewaswritteninthepasttense.Dreadtwistedinsideherlikeablade.Slowly,sheturnedtothenextpage.Whenshesawwhather
grandmotherhadwrittenatthetopofthenextpage,theblooddrainedfromherface.
20
TWENTY
ThewordsswaminfrontofAllie’seyes.HowcouldLucindadothat?Alliefeltbetrayed.Shecouldn’tbeinthisbook.Shewasn’toneofthe
deadoldmentrappedinitsdustypages.Shewasyoung.Shewasalive.Suddenlyshedidn’twanttoreadanymore.Closingitwithanemphaticthud,shewrappeditbackintheanonymousbrownpaperandslippedit
intothebottomdrawerinthedesk,beneathapileofoldassignments.Whenitwashiddenawayshewipedherhandsonherskirt,asiftoremoveanytracesitmighthave
leftbehind.Shedidn’twant thatbook.Shedidn’twantanyof this.She’d figureoutaway togive itback to
Lucinda.Totellhershe’dmadeamistake.Allie’swholelifewasaheadofher.Nathanielmighthavetriedtokillherbuthe’dfailed.Shedidn’tbelonginthefamilybookofthedead.
AllthenextdayAlliewaitedforwordfromLucindaaboutthedateoftheparleybutnonecame.Thedayafterthatwasthesame:nothing.
EachdaywhenherlessonsendedsherantoIsabelle’sofficetoaskfornewsbuttheheadmistressjust shook her head. ‘They’re still negotiating terms,Allie. This part takes time. It could beweeks.Spendthattimefocusingonyourstudies,andongettingyourselfready.’
But it was increasingly difficult to pay attention in her lessons. To care about homework. It allseemedabsurdcomparedtowhatwashappeningoutsidetheschoolgrounds.
Andwhatlayahead.TheairbetweenAllieandSylvainwas still cloudedandheavywithunspoken recrimination.She
neversawhimalone,andshegotthefeelinghewasavoidingherasmuchasshewasavoidinghim.Ingroupshewasstudiouslypolitetoher.Buttheirconversationswerestilted.
Itwashardtobelievethatjustoveraweekagohe’dtoldherhelovedher.Alliehadtakentostudyinginthelibrary.Nobodyelseuseditthesedays–moststudentspreferred
tostudyinthecommonroom,oroutonthelawnonsunnydays–sosheoftenhadittoherself.Eloisewas slowly thawing towardsher–Alliewondered if the librariansomehowknew that she
wastheonewho’daccusedherofbeingthespy.Butshewasafraidtoask.Shewasjustgladshedidn’tlooksoafraideverytimeshesawhernow.
Oneafternoonshewasaloneatoneofthetables,workingwithonlydesultoryinterestonascienceprojectintheglowofthegreen-glassdesklamp,whensomeonedroppedintothechairacrossfromher.Shelookedup,intoCarter’sdarkgaze.
‘Hey.’Histonewascasual,asiftheyalwayschattedlikethis.‘Heyback,’Alliesaid,andshesawtheflickerofsurpriseinhiseyes.Thatwas how they’d always greeted each other backwhen theywere friends, before everything
happened.Itwasaweightedphrase.ACarterandAlliecode.Itmeant,‘EverythingisOK.Icareaboutyou.’
Allie swallowed hard, her chest felt suddenly tight. She didn’t know why she’d said it. Theirrelationshipwassuchamess,especiallynow.Shewaitedforhimtoshutdown,towithdraw.Towalkaway.
Insteadheleanedforward,onehandslidinghalfwayacrossthetabletoptowardsher.‘I’vebeenwantingtotalktoyou,’hesaid,‘abouttheothernight.’Alliesteeledherself formorecriticism.Carterhadkepthisdistanceeversince thatnightandshe
wascertainhewasangryather.Buthewasn’t.‘IwanttotellyouI’msorry,’hesaid.‘Ishouldhavewarnedyouwhattheywereplanning.IletRaj
andtheotherstalkmeintoit.’Heheldhergazewithsteadyeyes.‘Iwaswrong.’Allieletoutabreathshehadn’trealisedshe’dbeenholding.Therewasnowayforhimtoknowhow
muchthismeanttoher.She’dfeltsolonelyeversincethatnight.Soconflicted.‘Thankyou,’shesaidwithrealfeeling.‘Thatmeansalot.’‘Youhaveeveryrighttomakeyourowndecisions,’Carterheldhergaze.‘Don’tletanyonetryand
talkyououtofwhatyouthinkisright.Notevenme.’Heat rose toAllie’s face.Everywordhe saidwas like abalm toher soul.But shehad things to
apologisefor,too.‘I still think Iwaswrong,’ she said. ‘Theway I justmade the decision about the parleywithout
askingyouandtheotherswhatyouthought.Ifeltlikeitwasmydecisiontomakebutyouguysareinthis,too.It’sgoingtobedangerous.Ishouldhavetalkedtoallofyoufirst.Itshouldhavebeenagroupdecision.’
Allthetablesaroundthemwereempty,andtherestofthelibrarywasinshadow.AllieknewEloisewassomewhereintheback,shelvingbooks.Buthere,inthedomeoflightcastbythedesklamp,itfeltsafeandprivate.
‘IthinkIoweeveryoneanapology.Includingyou.’Carter’seyesdarkened.‘Nooneshouldblameyouforthat.Isabelleshouldneverhaveputyouon
thespotlikethat.Itwasn’tfairtoyou.’Theireyesmetandheld.Carter’sdarkgazewaslimitless,conflicted.Helookedasifhewantedto
say something else. Then he straightened,withdrawing his hands from the table in amovement toocasualnottohavebeendeliberate.
The spellwasbroken.Hurriedly,Allie pickedupher pen and toyedwith it as if itwas themostinterestingthingshe’deverseen.
‘I’vegottogofindaGertrudeSteinbookforthatEnglishessay,’hesaid,pushingbackhischair.‘AlthoughIdon’treallyseethepoint.Herpoemsmakeaboutasmuchsenseasafishwithashotgun.’
She forced a smile. ‘That’s cool. Luckily, I have the wonderful world of physics to keep mecompany…’
Her tone was light but her voice was thin. As he walked away, she watched him from beneathloweredlashes.Hislong,lopingstridewasasfamiliartoherasherownbreath.
Shefeltloneliernowthanshehadbeforehesatdown.
Alliewassoconfusedaboutwhatshewantedandwhyshewantedit,shedidn’tknowwhattodo.ShelongedtodiscussallofthiswithRachelbutthingsbetweenthemweretoofragilerightnow.
Thatwasanotherthingsheneededtofix.Somehow.Soshe’dhavetalkedaboutitwithsomeoneelsebut…whowastheretotalkto?Nicolewasstill
angryather.AndZoewas…Zoe.She’djustlookatherlikeshewasmad.Therewasn’tanyoneelsetoask.Intheworld.Notanymore.OhGod,Jo.Imissyousomuch.
Gatheringherbooksshemadeherwaytothecommonroom,hopingtofindmorefocus.Butshewasjustasmiserablethereasshe’dbeeninthelibrary.
Shewassodeepinself-pityshedidn’thearKatiewalkuptoher.‘God.Allmyteachersaresuchbastards,’sheannounced,droppingontotheotherendofthesofa
withoutwaitingforaninvitation.‘Iwishthey’dgetrealjobs.’BarelyglancingatAllie,shepulledoutatextbookandbeganflippingthroughthepages.‘Theywillworkustodeath.’
Tappingtheendofherpenagainstherchin,Allieeyedherspeculatively.She’sprobablystillinherentlyevil.Butnobodyinthisschoolknowsmoreaboutboys.Glancingup,Katiecaughtherstaring.‘What?’Hergreeneyesnarrowed.‘DoIhavesomethingonmyface?’Althoughtemptedtosayyesjusttowatchhersquirm,Allieshookherhead.‘Ijust…IthoughtIcould…’Shemadeherselfsayit.‘CouldIaskyouaweirdquestion?’Katiebrightenedvisibly.‘Pleasetellmeyouwantmakeuptips.I’vebeendyingforyoutoaskme.’Alliepaused.‘What’swrongwithmymakeup?’‘Oh,Allie,’Katiesaid,shakingherheadmournfully.‘Everything.’Onsome levelAlliewanted todiscusseyeliner forhalf anhourand forget all aboutSylvainand
Carterandlife.Butshecouldn’tforget.Thatwastheproblem.
‘It’snotaboutmakeup,’shesaid.‘It’sarandomthingjustabout,like…boys.’Katiepursedherlips.Leaningforwardinherchair,sheloweredhervoice.‘I’venoticedthingsare
weirdbetweenyouandSylvain.What’sgoingon?Isitasexthing?’‘No, it’s not a sex thing,’ Allie glared. ‘It’s…well, it’s something else. And we’re not having
problems.’Sheaddedthelastlinehastily.‘We’refine.’Thatwasn’ttruebut…whatever.‘Well,whatisit,then?’Katielookedasifshecouldn’timagineaproblembetweencouplesthatdid
notinvolvesex.Alliewasalreadyregrettingthisconversation.Butshehadtotalktosomeone.‘It’snotaboutmeandSylvain,’shelied.‘It’sforsomeoneelse.TheyaskedmeandIdidn’tknow
whattosaybecause…anyway.Ididn’tknow.AndIthoughtyoumight.’Katiestudiedhersteadily.‘Whatdoesyour…friend’–sheemphasisedtheword–‘wanttoknow?’‘OK,so…’Alliecouldn’tlookather.Shekepthereyesonherhands,whichweretwistingthehem
ofhershortskirtintoaknot.‘Ifaboytellsyouhelovesyouandyoucan’tsayitback,doesthatmeanyoudon’tlovehim?Orareyoujust…Idon’tknow.Weird.Orsomething.’
Katie’ssmilefaded.‘Oh.Arealquestion.Right.’Asshepausedtomullthisover,Alliesatmiserably,wishingshe’dneverbroughtitup.WhenKatie finally spokeagain,her tonewas surprisingly thoughtful. ‘It couldmeanshedoesn’t
lovehimback.Sometimesitdoes.There’snothinglikesomeonetellingyoutheyloveyouforyoutorealiseyoudon’tfeelthesameway.’
Allie’sheartsank.HowcouldInotloveSylvain?Isthatevenpossible?He’sbeautifulandhekisseslikefire.Andhelovesme.Katiewasstilltalking,warmingtothetopic.
‘On the other hand, it could alsomean you’re—Sorry. Imean, she’s not ready for that kind ofcommitmentyet.’ShelookedatAllieseriously.‘It’sareallybigdeal.Ifyousayyoulovesomeonethensuddenlyeverythinggetssuperintense.Youcouldreallylikehimbutmaybehejustsaidittoosoon.’Sheseemedpleasedwithherownassessment.‘Tellyourfriendtotakehertime.Nobodyshouldrushanyoneinto“Iloveyou.”Frankly,I’msurprisedSylvainwouldputpressureonyoulikethat.’
Allie,whowasstillprocessingallofthis,repliedautomatically.‘He’snotpressuringme—’Realisingwhatshe’dsaid,sheblanched.‘Imean,she’s…Ididn’tmean
…’Katieworetheserenecountenanceofthevictor.‘Ofcourseheisn’t.He’sfartoomatureforthat.’
Alliegotthefeelingsheenjoyedhernewroleofromanticadvisor.‘Loveisabigdeal,Allie.Youcan’tsayitifit’snotright.Idon’tthinkI’veeversaidit.Notyet.’
Alliemumbledsomesortofgarbledthanks,andKatiebeamedather.‘Ifyoueverneedmoreadvice,cometome,’shesaidbrightly.‘I’mlikeasexpert.’IfAlliehadthoughttalkingaboutthiswouldmakeherfeelbetter,she’dbeenwrong.Shefeltutterlyconfused.
HowcouldshenotloveSylvain?Theywereperfecttogether.Butthen,ifshedidlovehim,whycouldn’tshejustsayso?AndwhydidshefeelsoemptywhenCarterwalkedaway?AfterNightSchoolthatevening,thegroupstayedbehindformoreweaponstraining.Alliewaited
untilitwasjustthesixofthembeforestandingup.She’dthoughtaboutthisallafternoon.Itwastimetosettlethis.Andgetthingsbacktonormal.
‘Beforewegetstarted, there’ssomethingIwant tosay.Whathappenedin thechapel– thewayIagreedtotheparleywithoutaskingyoufirst–thatwaswrong.AndI’msorry.’
ShesawRachel’seyeswiden.ThecautiousapprovalonNicole’sface.ThepuzzledboredominZoe’sexpression.‘Iknowitmadeyouallangryandupset,andIdon’tblameyou.Pleasebelieveme.’Withhereyes
shesoughtoutSylvain’sface.Hisexpressionwashardtoread.‘Iwon’tdoanythinglikethatagain.Ipromise.We’reateam.Wedecidethingstogether.’Tuggingat thehemofherblackexercisetop,shesteppedback.‘That’sallIwantedtosay.IhopeyoucanforgivemeandI’dreallylikeustogetbacktonormal.Ifwecan.’
ShesawZoerollhereyesasRachelandNicolebothrushedovertogiveherahug.‘Thatwasalovelythingtosay,’Nicolesaid.‘I’msorryaboutwhatIsaidtheotherday.Itwasn’t
fair.’‘AndI’msorrywelistenedtomydad,’Rachelsaid.‘Ishouldhaveknownbetter.’‘It’scool,’Allieinsisted.‘Ideservedit.And…tobefair,ifyourdadwastryingscareme,itbloody
worked.I’mterrifiednow.’Whenthegirlswalkedawaychatting,Sylvaincameovertoher.‘Iknowthatmusthavebeenhard,’hesaidwhennooneelsecouldhear.‘I’mreallyproudofyou.
AndI’msorryabouteverything. Ihandled itallbadly.But Iwasafraid foryou.’Hepaused. ‘Iwishtherewasawaytotakeitallback.’
Histonewasfervent,buthekepthisdistance.Asifhewasn’tsureshe’dwelcomehistouch.Thecautioninhiseyeshurther.Alliewishedsheknewwhattodo.They’dbeensoclosewhiletheywereinFrance.But,somehow,
aftertheycamebacktoCimmeriathatchanged.Everything was so confusing here, it was so easy to lose your way. Maybe that was what had
happened.Breakingthespacebetweenthem,sherestedherhandonhisarm.‘No,I’msorry.Iwasselfish.I
didn’tthink.AndIreallyjustwantustogobacktothewaywewerebeforeeverythinghappened.Imissus,thewaywewere.’
SomeofthetensionleftSylvain’sshoulders.Takingherhandinhis,heliftedittohislips.‘Imissus,too,’hesaidsoftly.‘Let’sbeusagain.’ButevenasAlliesmiledupathim,somepartofherknewthatwantingsomethingandhavingitare
twoverydifferentthings.
21
TWENTY-ONE
Overthedaysthatfollowed,AlliehadlittletimetoworryaboutSylvain.NightSchooltrainingbecameincreasingly intense.Raj ratchetedup thepressure,assigningdifficultmartialarts.Extending traininghours.Demandingmoreofthem.Allthestudentsweretrainingwithweaponsnow,andtensionswerehigh.
Each night he and the other trainers circled the room barking out criticism and demands. Andalwayshewantedthemtobefaster.Hitharder.
Allie didn’tmind. She poured herself into the physical effort of training. Running until shewasexhausted.Kick-boxing until hermuscles felt like jelly. Practising the precise viciousmovements ofmartialartsuntileverypartofherached.
Itwastheonlytimehermindwasquiet.Theonlytimeshedidn’tdoubtherself.Didn’tworryaboutSylvainandCarter.
AndRachel.Rachelwasfallingfurtherandfurtherbehind theNightSchoolgroup.Everyoneknewshewasn’t
cutoutforitbutshestubbornlyrefusedtogiveup.Alliecouldn’tbeartowatchherhavetofightsohard.Itwasworseon thenightswhenRaj trainedwith them.As sheandCarterhadexpected,hewas
toughonhisdaughter.‘Yourkickisn’thighenough,Rachel,’hesaidoneeveningasshetriedagaintoswingherlegupto
Nicole’sneck.Rachel took thecriticismwithstoicism.ButNicole’sdisapprovingeyeswerefixedonRajasifshewaswillinghimtostop.
‘You have to be fast or you’re just giving your enemy another weapon to use against you,’ Rajcontinued.‘It’sallpointlessifyou’rejustgivingsomeoneapartofyoutotwistorbreak,leavingyouweakerthanyouwerebefore.’
Rachelhadbeenstrugglingwith themove for some timebynow.Mostof theother studentshadcompletedthemoveandtheystoppedtowatchthesceneplayout.
‘I’mtrying…’Somehow,Rachel’s toneremainedreasonable.Butherfacewasredfromexertionandembarrassment,andperspirationrolleddownhercheeks.Herlong,curlyhairwaspulledbackinaponytailthatbouncedwithironicperkinessasshetriedthemoveagain.
Tobefair,Alliethoughtwithasigh,itwasasimplemove.AllshehadtodowasblockthefakeguninNicole’shandwithherforearm,thenswingakickundertheFrenchgirl’schintoknockherback.
Theothershadgotitthefirsttime.
‘Tryagain.’Raj’svoicewasicy.‘Tryharder.’AsAlliewatched,wincingatRachel’sawkwardmoves,Carterjoinedher.Theyexchangedworried
glances.‘She’snotgettinganybetter…’Hewhisperedthewords inAllie’sear.Thewarmthofhisbreath
sentshiversdownherspine.‘Iknow,’shesaidasRachelpreparedtotryagain.This timeRachel’s kickwent toohigh.Nicole had to jumpback andRachel nearly toppledover
fromtheeffort.‘Notgoodenough,’Rajsaidthroughgrittedteeth.‘Nooneleavesuntilyougetthisright.We’llstay
hereallnightifnecessary.’JerrysaidsomethingtoRajtooquietlyforAllietohear,butRajwavedhimaway.‘No.Shehasto
getthis.’CartershotAllieatellinglook.‘What’stheproblem?’Zoewalkeduptojointhem.‘It’saneasymove.Idon’tgetit.’TheyallstudiedRachel’sstancecritically,hopingforawaytohelpherasshetightenedherjawand
triedthemoveagain,stillpantingfromthelastfailedattempt.‘Isthereanythingshe’sdoingwrong?’Alliemurmured,halfturningtowardsCartersohecouldhear
her.‘Isshenotplantingthatleg?’Heshookhisheadglumly.‘It’sjustconditioning.Strength.’This time,whenRachel swung,her footendedup in thecorrectplace, andNicole feinted toone
side,swingingupwithherfist,whichRachelblocked.Alliesaggedbackwithrelief.They’ddoneit.Lookingpleased,NicolepattedRachelontheshoulder.‘Thatwasadequate.’Raj’stonewasdismissive.‘Youmustdobetter.’ButeverypersonintheroomknewRachelcouldn’tdobetter.AndAlliehadnoideawhattodo.If
shewasallowedoutinthefieldinthisconditionshe’dgetkilled.Somethinghadtogive.
Afterpracticethatnight,AlliewalkedoutofthedressingroomatthesametimeasCarterandtheyfellintostep together.Shecastasideways lookathim.Hewas lookingahead,frowningtohimself,as ifthinkingaboutsomethingtroubling.
‘WhatthehellarewegoingtodoaboutRachel?’Allieaskedquietly.Cartershookhishead.‘We’vetriedeverything.Sheneedstodropout,forherownsanity.Butshe
just…won’t.’‘IwishIknewhowtoconvinceher.’Alliesaid.‘ButIyelledathersomuchatthebeginning,now
shejustdodgesmewheneverthesubjectcomesup.’Shegavearegretfulsigh.‘AndIdon’tblameher.’‘Youhadyourreasons,’Cartersaid.Allieconsideredthis.‘SometimesIthinkI’mnotreallyapeopleperson.’
Thissurprisedawrychuckleoutofhim.‘Iwouldn’tworryaboutthatifIwereyou,’hesaid.‘Idon’tlikemostpeopleandIgetalongjust
fine.’Forawhileafter that, theywalkeddownthenarrowbasementcorridor incompanionablesilence.
Thefluorescentstriplightsabovethembuzzedquietlyandcastthesceneinagreeny-yellowglow.‘CanIaskyousomething?’Alliesaid.Heshotherasidewaysglance.‘Sure.’‘Areyouscared?’Hearchedaneyebrow.‘Abouttheparley,Imean,’shesaid.‘It’sgoingtobemessedup,right?Howevermuchwetrainand
prepare.Itdoesn’tmatter.It’sgoingtobebad.’Cartershookhishead.‘Notscared.Morelike…I’llbegladwhenit’sdone.’Allienoddedtoherself;thatwasexactlyhowshefelt.‘IjustwishIknewforcertaineveryonewouldbeOK,’shesaid.They’d reached the foot of the basement stairs. Carter leaned against the handrail, studying her
thoughtfully.‘Youknowthisisn’tyourfault,right?’hesaid.‘Allthis…’Hewavedonehand.‘It’snotbecauseof
you.’Allie,whoverymuchthoughtitwasherfault,bitherlip.‘Igetwhatyou’resayingbut…still.Maybe Icouldstop it if I just…Idon’tknow.’Shecould
hardlybringherselftosaythenextwords.‘DidwhatNathanielwanted.Joinedhisside.’Carterblewouthisbreath.‘Iknewyouwerethinkingthat.Icouldjustsenseit.’Heheldhergaze.
‘Look,NathanielisjustusingyouasafocuspointbecauseitdrivesLucindanuts.Whathereallywantsistheschool.Theorganisation.Orion.Everything.He’dbedoingthiswhetheryouwerehereornot.’
HiswordsmadesensebutAlliestillcouldn’taccepthislogic.‘Igetit.ButI…feellikeI’vedraggedallofyouintothis.’Sheglancedathimandthenaway.‘And
Ihatethat.It’ssodangerous—’‘We’ve allmade up our ownminds about this,Allie.The same as you.Andwe can change our
minds.WhetherornotIgototheparleyismydecision,notyours.’Hiswordsweresharpbuttherewasgentlenessinhistone.‘Andifsomethingweretohappentome,itwouldbeonme.Notyou.’
Allie’seyesshotuptohis.‘Nothing’sgoingtohappentoyou.’Alonglookpassedbetweenthem.‘OK,’hesaidwithquietintensity.‘Nothing’sgoingtohappen.’Ashockofconnectionlikeanelectricalcurrentjoltedher.Theireyeslocked.Shethoughtshesawsomethinginhisgaze–desire.Anditmadeherlegsfeelstrangelyweak.Jump.Asuddenburstofharshlaughterfromthecorridormadeherstartandshespunaround.Butitcame
fromthedistance–agroupofNightSchoolstudentsfurtherdownthehall.WhensheglancedbackatCarter,whatevershe thoughtshe’dseen inhiseyeswasgone.He just
lookedalittlebored.Withasigh,heliftedhimselfoffthewall.‘It’sgettinglate.I’vegottogo.’Ashelopedupthestairs,sheflushed,mortifiedbyherownconfusedthoughts.Iamlosingit.
22
TWENTY-TWO
AftergivingCarteragoodheadstart soshewascertainnot to run intohimagain,Allieclimbed thestairs to the girls’ dormdeep in thought. In hermind, she replayed their conversation over and overagain.
Themoreshethoughtaboutit,themoreidioticshefelt.Allhe’ddonewassaysomethingnice.Likefriendsdo.Whatifhe’dnoticedhowshe’dmisconstruedit?Theveryideamadehercheeksflame.Shehatedherself.SheandSylvainhadsomething–somethingreal.Whenhekissedher,shemelted.Andnowthey
werebackontrack.Whycouldn’tshejustletithappen?Whycouldn’tshejustletherselfbehappywithhim?SheandCarterhadoncehadathingbutitwasoverlongago.Nowhewastryingveryhardtobeher
friendandshewasbeingunbelievablystupidandmessingeverythingupforeveryone.What really scared her was the thought that, if she wasn’t careful, she’d lose both Sylvain and
Carter.Shehadtogetittogether.Hermindwassooccupiedshehardlynoticedwhereshewasgoing,butitdidn’tmatter.Shecould
walkthroughCimmeriawithhereyesclosedandneverhitawall.Shereachedtheelegantfirst-floorlandingwithitstallwindowsandgracefulstatueswithoutlooking
up.Assheturnedlefttowardsthestairsleadinguptothetopfloorhertrainersbeatasoftdirgeagainsttheoakfloors.
Atthetopofthestairsshewavedabsentlyattheguard,whosatinherusualchairshovedbackagainstthewall,andheadeddownthelong,narrowcorridorlinedwithwhitedoors,eachwithablacknumberpaintedonit.
Bynowshe’dconvincedherselfCarterhadn’tnoticedherstrangereaction.Maybeeverythingwouldbefine.
Herthoughtswereinsuchahecticwhirlbythetimeshereachedherroomshewasonauto-pilot.Shebarelynoticedshe’dopenedherdoor–forceofhabitdictatedhowfarsheturnedthehandle,howhardshepushed.
Inside,sheflickedthelightsonwithcarelessfamiliarity.Droppedherbagtothefloorintheusualplace.
Onlythendidsherealisedsomeonewasstandinginfrontofher.Shestoppedbreathing.‘Hello,Allie,’herbrothersaid.‘Ithoughtyou’dnevergethere.’
23
TWENTY-THREE
‘Christopher…?’Allie’slipswouldn’tmove.Thewordcameoutinaterrifiedwhisper.Hestoodinfrontofherdesk,hisbacktotheopenwindow.‘It’sme,’hesaid,turninghishandsoverasifthatprovedit.‘AndI’mnotsettinganythingonfireso
…pleasedon’tcallforhelpuntilyouhearmeout.’Allie’s heart was racing but it seemed hard to move. It was like she’d walked into a dream. A
nightmare.Christopherwasreallyhere?There’dbeenatimewhentalkingtohimwastheonlythingshewanted.Nowshewasafraidofhim.
Andangry.Whenshe’dfirstfoundouthe’djoinedNathanielshewouldn’tacceptthathewaslosttoherforever.
Eventually,though,she’dhadtolethimgo.She’dhadtoacceptthathe’dchosentheothersideinthisbattle.
Nowherehewasagain,rightinfrontofher,smilingthatfamiliarguiltysmile.Likehe’djustbrokensomethingandwantedhertopromisenottotellMum.
Resentmentandhurtmadeherstomachchurn.‘What thehell areyoudoinghere?’Hervoicewas lowandominous. ‘Howdidyouget past the
guards?’Hegaveashortlaugh.‘Itwasn’teasy.Look,I’msorrytoshowuplikethisbutIhadtotalktoyou.’HesoundedcalmbutAlliesawhisAdam’sapplebobwithnervousness.Infact,nowthatshewas
awareofit,shecouldseethetensioninhisshoulders,hisarms,thewayhishandskeptmoving.HisfeargaveAlliestrength.Remindedherwhereshewasandallshe’dlearned.Heshouldbeafraid.Shestudiedhimsteadily,lettinghimseehersuspicion.Makingitobvious.‘DidNathanielsendyou?
Whatdoeshewant?’Hisfingerstwitched.‘Nathanieldoesn’tknowI’mhere.Ifhefindsout…’Hisvoicetrailedoffasifwhatwouldhappen
wasunsayable.Unthinkable.Acoolbreezeblewinthroughtheopenwindowbehindhim.OutsideAlliecouldseenomoonor
stars–nothingbutdarkness.Her eyes narrowed. ‘Now,whywould you take a chance like that? I thought youwere his loyal
subject.’
‘Iwas.’He leanedbackagainstherdesk. ‘Imean…Ibelievedhim. Ido, still,believehim.’Herubbedhishandsacrosshisface.‘It’sjustgotconfused,Al.It’sallconfused.’
Alliecouldn’thideherincredulity.ThisnewChristopher…wherehadhecomefrom?‘What’sconfused?’sheasked,hervoicesharpening.‘Me.’Christopher looked down. ‘He toldme the truth about us…our family.And I thought he
couldmakeitallbetter.Giveuswhatwedeserve.Butthenhedidthings–reallybadthings.AndnowIdon’tknowwhatIbelieve.’
Allie,whoknewallaboutthebadthingsNathanielhaddone,didn’tknowwhattomakeofanyofthis.Herbrother seemedgenuine.But for all sheknew, thiswasanelaborate act.Partof some trickNathanielhaddevised.
Iftherewasonethingshe’dlearnedinthelastyearitwasthis:everyonelies.Evenpeopleyoulove.‘Don’tsay“us”.’Hertonewasclipped.‘Youdidn’tdoanythingforme.Thiswasallaboutyou.’Hedidn’targue.‘Fine.Iknowyou’reangry.AndIdon’tblameyou.Butyouhavetounderstand.Thatguy…Gabe?’
Christophersearchedherfaceforsignsofrecognition.Alliegaveatersenod.Ohyes.SheknewGabe.‘He’s crazy.AndNathaniel knows it.He’s dangerous as hell, but he keeps him around like he’s
somesortof…Idon’tknow.Humanhandgun.’Heshookhishead.‘Hewasn’tsupposedtohurtyourfriendRuthatall.Orthatothergirl…whatwashername?’
ForasecondAlliecouldn’tspeak.Shecurledherhandsintofistsuntilhernailsdugdeepcrescentsintoherpalms.
‘Jo,’shesaid.‘Yeah.’ItwasclearthenamemeantnothingtoChristopher.Hedidn’tknowanyofthepeopleAllie
loved.‘Nathanielwasfuriousaboutthat.Buthekepthimon.’Hearingthis,Alliewantedtocry.Toscream.Butshestilledthaturge.Becausesheneededtoknow
more.Shekepthervoiceeven.‘Why?’Heheldhergaze.‘Becausehescaresyou.’Allieheardherselfgiveabitterlaughandshetriedtostifleit.‘That’sabloodybadreasontohangoutwithapsychopath.’‘Iknow.That’sthewholepoint.’Herakedhisfingersthroughhishair.Helookedagonised,andshe
studiedhimwithnewinterest.Couldhefakethis?‘There’smore.Otherthings.Ithinkwhathewantsisrightbut…’‘What?’Shecouldn’tstopherself.‘Toruntheworld?Tobesomesortofmentalemperor?Youthink
that’sokey-dokeybutkillingafewpeople…now,that’swrong?Bloodyhell,Christopher.’Hervoicedrippedsarcasmandhelookedathernarrowly.In thatmoment he looked somuch like their dad,Allie caught her breath. Same pale blue eyes.
Samedisapprovingexpression.
‘Comeon.Youthinkit’sOKforLucindatorunthecountrynowbutifNathanieldiditthatwouldbewrong?’Hestraightenedandtookastepforward.‘Whyshouldn’therunthings?Whyshouldn’twe?Anyonewiththeenergyandtheideasandthefamilyhistory…’
Shebristled.‘Whatdoesfamilyhavetodowithit?’Hervoicerose.‘Areyousayingyouhavetoberelated to us to have power because –’ shemade a rolling gesturewith her hand – ‘Sheridansmakeawesomeprimeministers?Orsomething?’
Whiletheyarguedthey’dmovedclosertogetherwithoutAllienoticing.Nowshewastooangrytocare.Shehadtostandonhertoestobeeyelevelwithhim–shedidn’trememberhimbeingsotall.
‘Meldrums,’hecorrectedher,usingtheirgrandmother’slastname.Alliethoughtaboutthebookinthedrawer,filledwiththenamesoftheirforefathers,allofwhomhadlivedlivesofwealthandpowerbecauseofwhotheywere,ratherthanwhatthey’ddone.Orhowhardthey’dworked.
‘You know what? That’s not even her real name,’ she snapped. ‘That’s her favourite husband’sname.Soifyou’relookingforanametohangthiswholeworld-dominationthingonyoumightneedtodigalittledeeper.Findoutwhowereallyare.’
‘All right.All right.’Hehelduphishands in surrender. ‘Let’snot fight. Justwait until youhearwhatIhavetosay.ThenI’llgo,Ipromise.Icantellyoudon’twantmehere.’
‘Makeitfast.’Therewasiceinhervoice.Hetookanothersteptowardsher.Hewastooclosenow.ButAlliedidn’twanttoshowherfearand
backaway.Sheforcedherselftoholdhisgaze.‘You’replanningtogowithLucindatotheparleywithNathaniel,.’Hespokelowandfast.‘Don’t
go.It’satrap.’Alliesighed.Hadheseriouslycomeallthewayherejusttotellherthemostobviousthinginthe
world?‘OhforGod’ssake.Ofcourseit’sasoddingtrap.YouthinkIdon’tknowthat?’Heshookhishead.‘It’sagoodtrap,Allie.Andit’snotforyou.’Thatstoppedher.Shestaredathim.‘Whoisitfor?’Heansweredherquestionwithaquestion.‘WhoisNathaniel’sbiggestproblemrightnow?’‘Lucinda.’Thewordcameoutasabreath.Hisexpressiontoldhershewasright.‘So,ifit’sLucindahe’safter,whydon’tyouwantmetogo?’Hervoicestayedneutralbutinternally
shewascalculatinghowlongitwouldtakehertogettoIsabelle’sroomandgethertophoneLucinda.‘Becauseonceshe’sgone,’hesaidinthesamevoicehe’donceusedtohelpherwithherhomework,
‘who’slefttoprotectyou?’Hiswordsseemedtohangintheairbetweenthem.Whatwashesaying?ThatNathanielwouldcomeafterherassoonasLucindawasgone?Andsince
whendidChristopherevencareaboutthat?Itwasn’tlikeshehadn’tbeenhurtalready.Thescaronherarmgaveawarningthrob.
‘Idon’tgetit,’shesaid.‘You’rewarningmeaboutNathaniel.TellingmeyouwantLucindatowin.Whosesideareyouon?’
Thequestionseemedtothrowhim.Hehesitatedbeforereplying.‘IguessI’monmyownsidenow.BecauseIcan’tbeapartofwhatNathaniel’sdoinganymore.But
Ican’tbewithyoueither,canI?Becauseyoudon’ttrustme.’Hisgazechallengedher.‘HowcouldItrustyou?’Herthroatwassuddenlytight.Hervoicewavered,justalittle.‘How?You
chosehisside.HekilledpeopleIlove.Andyouwererighttherewithhim.’‘Sohereweare.’Heseemedtosaythismostlytohimself.Asifsomesuspicionhadbeenverified.Thenhestraightened.‘WhatifItoldyouwhothespywas?Wouldyoutrustmethen?’Alliefroze.Heknows?Shefoughttokeepherexpressionneutral.‘Iwouldn’tevenbelieveyou,’shesaid.‘Butsurelyyouwanttoknowwhoitis…’Christophertookasteptowardsher,butnowhewasfar
toocloseandAlliescrambledback,runningintothewall.Sheraisedherfists.‘Don’tcomeanycloser,’shewarnedhim.Hestoppedinstantly.Painflaredinhiseyes.‘God,’hesaid.‘Youreallyhateme,don’tyou?’Alliewasn’tabouttoapologiseforthat.‘Whatdidyouexpect?’‘Butdon’tyousee?’Heheldhergaze.‘We’reallwehavenow,youandme.Ourparentsdon’tcare.
Nooneelsecares…’Hiswordshitherwiththeforceofafist,throwingheroff-balance.Washeright?Washeallshehad?For a split second she remembered the wounded girl who first came to Cimmeria Academy.
Abandonedbyherfamily.Nofriends.Aloneintheworld.Butshewasn’tthatgirlanymore.She’dworkedhardnottobethatgirl.ShethoughtofRacheland
Zoe,CarterandSylvain.Whenshespoke,shewassurprisedbyhowstronghervoicesounded.‘MaybeI’mallyouhave.But
you’renotallIhave.Iamsurroundedbypeoplewhocareaboutme.’‘Are you?’ His eyes were cynical. ‘Or are you just surrounded by people who love your
grandmother’spower?Tellmethis.IfLucindaMeldrumweren’tyourgrandmother,wouldyoubehere?WouldonepersonatCimmeriaAcademybeyourfriend?Wouldtheyevenknowyourname?’
Alliehatedthattherewasakerneloftruthinthoseawfulwords.Hatedthatitmadeherdoubtherfriends.
‘Getout.’Shehissedthewords.Whenherbrotherdidn’tmove,sheadvancedonhim,hermovementsslowanddeliberate.Witheach
stepshewasjudgingtheangle.Thetrajectory.Wheretograbhimtothrowhimoffbalance.‘GetthehelloutofmyroomorI’llthrowyouout.’
‘Allie…’Hetookquickstepsawayfromher.‘Comeon.Atleastletmetellyouwho—’Butshedidn’twanttolistenanymore.‘IsweartoGod,Christopher,Iwillthrowyououtthatwindow.Andifyoudon’tbelieveIcan…
justtryme.’Decidingshewasserious,heturnedandrantoherdesk,leapingonitinaneasy,athleticmove.Now
shehadtocranehernecktolookupathim.Shetookacarefulstepback.Theybothknewhehadtheadvantage.Butallhedidwas talk. ‘YouknowI’mright. Inyourheart,youknow. Iwouldn’teverhurtyou.
Don’tgototheparley,Allie.Don’ttrustanyone.Becareful.’Withthat,hejumpedontotheledgeoutsideherwindow,anddisappeared.
‘Thatwasallhesaid?’Isabelleleanedbackinherchair.Herlong,darkblondehairhunglooseovertheshouldersofherwhitedressinggown.
When she crossed her legs, the ankles of her pyjamas peeked out beneath the hem of her robe.Somethingaboutthatmadeherseemvulnerable.
Allienodded.‘TheparleyisatrapforLucinda.’‘I’mmostinterestedinwhyhefeltinclinedtotellyouthis.’Lucinda’stinnyvoiceemergedfromthe
telephoneproppeduponIsabelle’sdesk.‘IfwhathesaidwastrueaboutNathaniel,heriskedhislifetotellyouthis.Whythesuddenchangeofheart?’
‘Idon’ttrusthim,Grandmother,’Alliesaid,lookingatthephoneasifitcouldseeher.
‘Itrustyourinstincts,’Lucindasaid.‘ButIwanttoknowmore.Andalso,he’smygrandson.IfhehasleftNathanielthenhe’saloneoutthere.Hecouldneedmyhelp.Isabelle,askRajtohavesomeonefindandfollowChristopherforawhile.Seewherehegoes,whathedoes.’
Isabellemadeanoteonthepadinherlap.‘I’lldoitfirstthing,Lucinda.’‘Whataboutthespy?’Allielookedattheheadmistress.‘Doyouthinkhewastellingthetruth?Does
heknow?’‘Perhaps.OrNathanielcouldhaveintentionallyplantedinformationwithhim.It’sashamehedidn’t
tellyouaname,atanyrate.,’Lucindasaid.Rememberinghowangry she’d been, how shewouldn’t even allowChristopher to tell her,Allie
winced.‘Still, there’s been some progress on that front from elsewhere,’ Lucinda continued. ‘One ofmy
contacts atMI5 frommy old government days has been in touch. She’s no fan of Nathaniel. She’slookingintothesituationforusnow.I’llgetbacktoyouassoonasIknowmore.’
‘Thankyou,Lucinda.’Isabelleclosedhernotebook.‘I presume the guards have checked the grounds thoroughly?’ Lucinda asked. ‘I don’t think
Christopherwouldbefoolishenoughtocomeback,butstill.I’mnotsureIwantAlliealoneinherroom
tonight.’‘We’vestationedaguardontheroofaboveherwindow.Anotherwillbeoutsideherdoor,’Isabelle
said.‘Excellent.ThenI’llleavethisinyourcapablehands.Let’sspeakagaintomorrow.’Lucindaended
thecallwithoutanotherword.Alliestaredatthesilentphone.Aguardontheroofandoneatthedoor.I’maprisonernow.
24
TWENTY-FOUR
Thenextmorningseemedtocrawlby.Whenshewasmeanttobestudying,AllieinsteadmadenotesaboutthethingsChristopherhadsaidtoher.Shekeptgoingoveritinhermind.
She’dtoldtheothersaboutitatbreakfast.Thewholetimeshespoke,Sylvainkepthisgazefixedinthedistance.Theonlysignthathewasanythingotherthancalmwasamuscleflickeringinhisjaw.
Whenshefinished,Carterlookedfurious.‘Soalltheirsecurityandhejustwaltzesintoyourroom?Whatthehellisgoingonaroundhere?’
‘Theycan’tsecurethisplace,’Nicolesaid.‘Weallknowit.It’stoobig.Toorambling.Ifsomeonetrieshardenough…’
‘They’llgetin.’Rachelfinishedthesentence.Shelookedpale.‘Iwasinthenextroom;Ididn’thearathing.Oh,Allie,I’msosorry.’
Allieshookherhead.‘It’snotyourfault,Rach.Ididn’tscreamforhelp.Anyway,therewasaguardinthehallwaythewholetime.’
Theyallstartedspeakingatoncethen.‘Theyshould…’‘Isabelle…’‘Weshouldtry…’Sylvain’s voice cut through the chaos. ‘This is too dangerous.’ He turned to Allie. In the light
streamingthroughthehugewindows,hiseyeswerelavender.‘Isabellemustdosomething.’‘There’saguardontheroofabovemyroomnow,’shesaid.‘Andoutsidemydoor.Noone’sgetting
in.Orout.’Shegaveaharshlaugh.‘I’mbeingheldprisonerformyownsafety.’‘Whatamess,’Rachelmurmured.
Afterbreakfast,SylvaincaughtupwithAllieasshewalkedupthestairstochemistry.Hiseyessearchedherface.‘AreyoureallyOK?’‘I’mreallyfine,’shesaid.‘Hedidn’thurtme.’Sylvaintookherhand,andlacedhisfingersthroughhers.‘Hecouldhave.Youwerealonewithhim.’Hishandwaswarmagainsthers.Solid.Shesqueezedhisfingers.‘Iknow.Buthe’smybrotherandIguess…’Shesighed.‘Ijustdon’tthinkhe’dhurtme.’They’dreachedtheclassroomnowandtheystoodoutsidethedoorastheotherstudentshurriedto
their lessons.Aguard stoodnearby,hisdarkuniformcrispandclean.Hekepthis attention focussed
elsewhere,pretendinghecouldn’thearwhattheyweresaying.Guardshadfollowedherdowntobreakfastthismorning,too.Glancingathim,Sylvainpulledhercloserandwhispered,‘Ifanythinghappenedtoyou...Idon’t
knowwhatIwoulddo.’Helookedbeautifulinthesoftmorninglight,alltawnyskinandaquamarineeyes.‘Nothingwill happen tome,’ she said. ‘I promise.’Around them, classroom doors had begun to
close.Theguardmovedcloser.Feelinghiseyesonher,Alliepulledback.‘Weshouldgoin.’Sylvaindidn’targue.Aftertakingtheirusualseats,theytalkedinwhispersabouttheguardsuntilJerryColewalkedin,
callingforsilenceinhisusualmildfashion.Thescienceteacherseemedevenmoredisorganisedthanusual.Hispaperswerecrumpledandout
oforder,hiswiryhairneededcombingandhisglasseswerecrooked,asifhe’drushedtotheroom.‘Todaywe’retalkingabout…’Herifledthroughhispapersasifhehadnoideawhathewantedto
talkabouttoday.Eventuallyhefoundtheonehewantedandheldituptriumphantly.‘Gauss’sLawofGravityand…’Stoppingagainhesearchedforanotherpage.‘Ohdear,wherehaseverythinggone?’
Thestudentstitteredathisconfusion.Hesmiledatthemoverthetopsofhisglasses.‘Ididn’tsleeplastnight,gang,’hesaid.‘SothismaybeoneofthoseclasseswhereyouexplainstringtheorytomeandIgradetheinventivenessofyourdescriptions.’
Allie cast a surreptitiousglance atSylvain frombeneathher lashes.His lipswere curved into anunselfconscioussmileashewatchedJerrytryandgetittogether.
Helookedevenbetterwhenhesmiled.Shehadtolovehimback.
Thatevening,thegroupgatheredonthelawntocomparenotes.ItwasJulynow,anditstayedlightuntillateintheevening.
Twoguardsstoodabouttenfeetaway,keepingwatch.Bynow,Alliehardlynoticedthem.They’dfollowedherallday.Afterkickingofftheirshoesandlooseningtheirtiesthestudentssatinacircleonthesoftgrass.ThethrillofChristopher’ssuddenreappearancehadfadedbynow,andforachange,theyweren’t
talkingaboutNathanielorChristopheratall.Theywerecomplainingabouttheirhomework.‘…thenshesaid,“Youcanreadfiftypagesbytomorrow,can’tyou?”’Nicolesoundedvexed.‘And
Isaid,“Ofcourse.Becausethisismyonlyclass…”’Theothersmadesoothingnoisesofsympathy.‘Isitjustme?’Alliesaid.‘OrisZelaznygoingalittlecrazy?Lookatthis.’Withanaccusinglook,
sheheldupherassignmentpagesotheycouldseethelengthofit.‘Ifhe’sthespy,he’stryingtokilluswithcoursework.’
‘Alltheteachersarealittleintense,’Cartersaid.‘Liketheysensesomethingis…going…on…’Hisvoicetrailedoffashelookedpasthershoulder.Everyonetwistedaroundtoseewhathaddrawn
hisattention.The guardswho had been standing behind themhad taken off running to the school. Theywere
talkingintomicrophonesAlliecouldn’tsee.From everywhere, guards poured onto the lawn,where they conferred before taking off into the
building.Inthedistance,Allieheardcarsroaringupthedriveattopspeed.‘Whattheactualhell…’Alliesaid,asnervesbegantotightenhermuscles.‘Uh-oh,’Rachelwhispered.Sylvain,ZoeandCarterleapttotheirfeet.Theothersscrambledtodothesame.AguardAllierememberedfromNightSchool trainingranacross the lawntowards them.Hewas
shoutingbuttheycouldn’tunderstandwhathewassayinguntilhenearedthem.‘Everyoneinside.Now.’Withoutpausingtograbtheirbooksorshoestheytookoffacrossthelawn.Aroundthem,Alliesaw
otherstudentsdoing thesame.Everyonepoured towards theschool.Guardsstoodat thedoorurgingthem tomove faster.Nobody screamed. Therewas no panicking. ThiswasCimmeria, after all. Buteveryonemovedfast.
Thegrasswassoftandcoolbeneaththesolesoftheirfeet.Theskywasblueandinnocentoverhead.Theymighthavebeenplayingagameinothercircumstances.
Butthiswasnogame.Alliedidn’tknowwhatshewasrunningtoorfrom,butshewasalertandfocused.Sheglancedback
forRachel,andfoundNicolewasalreadyatherside.CarterandSylvain flankedAllie,matchingherstep forstep.Ahead,Zoehadalreadyreached the
frontstepsandzippedintothebuilding.‘Go,go,go!’theguardsbythedoorkeptshouting.By the time she reached theentrancehall,Alliewasmoving so fastherbare feet skiddedon the
stonefloor.Shesteadiedherselfwithoutbreakingstride.Downthehallway,shesawguardsandteachersherdingstudentsintothecommonroom.
She started to follow but someone called her name. Turning, she saw Raj in the doorway toIsabelle’soffice,gesturingtothemurgently.
WithCarterandSylvainbesideher,sheranovertohim.Rajworethecool,tenseexpressionsherememberedfromotherdisastrousevenings.‘Inhere.’Wheneveryonewasin,heshutthedoorandcrossedtheroomtowhereIsabellestoodatherdesk.
Theheadmistressheldhermobilephonelooselyinonehand.Allienoticedherhairwasdishevelledasifshe’dbeenrunning.AndshethoughtherhandtrembledslightlyasshepresseditagainstherforeheadandnoddedatsomethingRajhadsaid.
The small room was crowded with Night School students and guards but the atmosphere washushed.Nobodysaidaword.
Withsomanypeopleinsuchasmallspaceitwasalmostinstantlyhotandstuffy.Alliewassqueezedin
betweenthetwoboys.ShecouldjustseeZoe,buttherewasn’troomenoughforhertoturntolookforRachelandNicole.Sheassumedtheywerebehindher.
‘Whatever’shappening,’Carterwhispered,‘it’sbad.’SheheardZoemutter,‘Ican’tseeanything.’Thenwatchedherelbowherwaytothefrontwithwhat
lookedlikeunnecessaryviolence.‘Ineedyoutostaycalm,’Isabellesaid.Theroomwentdeathlysilent.‘Thesituationisthis,’theheadmistresscontinued.‘Thepersonamonguswhohasbeenworkingfor
Nathanielhasbeenidentified.’Allie’sbreathcaught.AmurmurswepttheroomandIsabellewaitedforittofade.‘Ican’t tellyouhowrightnowbutIcanassureyouourevidenceiscorrect.Heisontherun.He
knowswearelookingforhim.Webelieveheishidinginthebuildingorveryclosetoit.Raj?’He,him,Alliethought,feelingslightlydazed.It’snotEloise.Raj leaned forward, pressing his hands on the top of his desk. ‘We need you to help the guards
sweep thebuilding to findhim.Time isof theessence.Youwillbedivided into teamsof three.’Hissteelygazemovedfromfacetoface,asifhespoketoeachofthemindividually.‘Youaretofollowtheusualprotocolsbutthepersonwearelookingforisverydangerous.Highlytrained.Ifyoufindhimyouarenottotrytocapturehimyourselfbutwaitfortheguards.AmIclear?’
Thestudentsnoddedtheiragreement.‘Thepersonyou’relookingforisJerryCole.’
25
TWENTY-FIVE
Everyoneshoutedatonce.‘Jerry?’‘What?’‘No.’‘Itcan’tbe.’Astheuproarrose,Alliestoodinabsolutesilence.Thenewswaslikeawavecurlingoverherhead.
Poisedtodrawherunder.ItwasJerry?Kindly,jovial,science-lovingJerry?Herbrainwouldn’tacceptit.Butthen,acrossthecrowdedoffice,Isabellecaughthereye.Thepainonherfacewassorawthe
fainthopeprovidedbydisbeliefevaporatedinstantly.Isabellewascareful.Andshewouldn’tlooksohauntedifshewasn’tcertain.Allie’sstomachachedasifsomeonehadpunchedher.ShethoughtofJo,blondeandbrightandsoalive,pointingatJerry.‘Isn’thejustyummyforanold
man?’ItwasJerrywhoopenedthegatethatnight.JerrywholuredJotoherkiller.Wetrustedhim,shethought.Andhehelpedtokillher.Sheneededtositdown.Theroomwasairless.Hot.Shefeltdizzy.Herheartwasthuddinginherearsanditwastooloudtobehealthy.‘Itwon’tkillyou…’Zoehadsaidofpanic,butatthatmomentshealmostwisheditwould.Howcouldsheliveinthekindofworldwherethiscouldhappen?Wheresomeonecouldpretendto
besokindandthendosuchawfulthings?Howdoesanyonelivehere?Theworldisuninhabitable.Itisfullofmonsters.Atearrandownhercheekandshebrusheditaway.Itwasbecominghardtobreatheandsheknewif
shedidn’tfocus–ifsheletpanictakeover–she’dbeaburdentotheothers.Sheneededtocontrolherpain.Directitwhereitwoulddosomegood.
At thefrontof theroom,Rajwasstill talkingandsheforcedherself to listen.Hewascallingoutnames and assigning locations. It felt distant, as if itwas all happening to someone else.Thewordsblurredtogetherlikesomeunknownlanguage.
Thenhe’dfinishedandeveryonewasmoving,andAlliewasn’tsurewhereshewassupposedtogo.
SomeonetouchedherarmandshelookeduptoseeSylvain’sblueeyeswatchingherwithconcern.‘I’msorry,’shesaid,pullingherselftogether.‘Whoseteam…?’‘You’rewithmeandZoe.’HisFrench-accentedvoicewaslowandpreternaturallycalm.‘Areyou
OK?’Straightening,shegaveatersenodtoshowshewasfine,althoughshewasn’tfineatall.‘Wearecertainheisinorverynearthemainbuilding,’Rajsaid.‘Butwecan’tbecertainwhere.So
weneedtosearchfloorbyfloor,roombyroom.Theguardsarealreadydoingthis,yourjobistoassistthem.Actasadditionaleyesandears.’
Someoneopened thedoor, letting in fresh air.Allie tried to take adeepbreathbuther lungs felttight.
‘Takeacommsdeviceonyourwayout.’Raj raisedhisvoice tobeheardover the lowrumbleofconversation.‘Ifyouseeanythingatall,reportbackimmediately.Donotengage.’
As the students began to file out, accepting small, hand-held radios from guards at the door, hecalledafterthem.‘Andremember:Undernocircumstancesareyoutotryandtakehimalone.’
Later,Alliewouldn’tbeable to remember leaving the room.All sheknewwas thatsuddenlyshewaswalkingdownthewidemainhallwayalongsideSylvainandZoe,asfuryslowlygrewinsideher.
Jerryhastopay.Theschoolfeltoddlyempty,inhabitedonlybythedarkshapesthatslippedoutofIsabelle’soffice
andfannedoutacrossalllevelsoftheramblingbuilding,silentaswraiths.MovementhadcalmedAllie’snerves.Themethodicalprocessaheadofthem–theultimategoal–
gaveherpurpose.Shebreathednormally.Speedwasessential;therewasnotimetochangeintoNightSchoolgear.Thepolishedwoodfloor
wascoolandunevenbeneathAllie’stoes.LikeZoe,shewasstillbarefoot.Theirgroupwastosearchthegroundfloorofthemainbuilding.Astheywalked,SylvainexplainedinawhisperwhatAlliehadmissed–theguardshadalreadybeenthroughthisquadrantsotheyweresimplymoppingup.Healmostcertainlywasn’tdownhere.Thenon-NightSchoolstudentswerebeingkept inthecommonroom,sotheyheadedpastittothenearestroom–thedininghall.
Bycommonconsent,Sylvaintookthelead.AllieandZoestoodbackoneithersideofthedoorwayasheturnedthehandle.
Allie’sheartrateaccelerated.Allhermusclestensed.Shewasready.Thedoorswungopenonsilenthinges.Inside,thevastroomwasdim,illuminatedonlybytheeveninglightthatfilteredthroughthehuge
windowsonthefarwall.Theroundtableswerebare,heavychairsneatlypushedin.Theybranchedout,Sylvainheadingleft,Zoeright.Cautiously,Alliewalkeddownthemiddleofthehugeroom.Buttherewasnoplacetohidehere.No
closetsorhangingfabric.Itwasclearlyempty.Crouching,shepeeredunderthetables.Nothingbutwoodenlegs.Shestraightenedagain.Thethreeexchangedglances.Zoepointedtothedoubledoorsattheendof
theroomleadingintothekitchen.Nodding,SylvainhurriedtowardsherandAlliefollowedsuit.Shetriedtoimaginewhatshe’ddoifshefoundJerry–hewasthebestofalltheteachers.Highly
trained.Lethal.Muscular.Herteacher.Howwouldshefighthim?I’djustdoit,shedecidedwithcolddetermination.Buttheideascaredthehelloutofher.Thistime,Zoewentfirst–springingthroughthedoorsinaclean,athleticleap.Industrial-sized dishwashers burbled in a corner. Giant refrigerators hummed. But the roomwas
empty.Theysearchedthelowcupboardsandlookedunderthegiganticbutcherblock.Nothing.Sylvaincockedaneyebrowandshenodded.Thenextroomalongthecorridorwasthegreathall.ItwasAllie’sturntogofirst.Shewaiteduntiltheotherswereinplacebeforereachingforthedoor
knob.Themetalfeltcoldbeneathherfingersbutitturnedeasily.Thedoorswungopenwithoutasound.Thelong,elegantballroomcouldholdseveralhundredrevellers.Itwaseasytoimaginethemnow,
swirlingacrossthepolishedoakfloor,drinkingchampagne,laughing.Empty,ithadahollow,ghostlyfeel.Therewerenowindowshere–thefarendoftheroomwaslostinshadows.
Allie’schestfelttight.Againtheyspreadoutunderheavy,metallightfixtures.Theyglowedlikeathousandcandleswhen
lit.Now,theyweredarkandcool.Theroomwasvirtuallydevoidoffurniture,whichmadesearchingeasier.Theykeptpacewitheach
otherastheywalkeddownthelengthoftheballroom.ThefloorfeltcleanandsmoothbeneathAllie’sbarefeet,asifitwasswepteveryday,evenwhenitwasn’tused.
Atthebackoftheroom,stacksofchairsandafewtableshadbeenpushedtotheside,waitingforthenextgalaevent.Movinginnearperfectsynctheyallcrouchedlowtolookbeneaththem.
Nothing.Notevendust.Therewerenoclosetshereorcupboards.Noplaces tohide.Sowhen theyreached thebackwall
theyturnedinunisonandheadedbackoutagainwithoutaword.Thehallwaywasstillandsilent.ThenextdooralongwasautilityclosetAlliecouldneverremembernoticingbefore.Itheldmops,
buckets and other cleaning supplies, and reminded her uneasily of the place where she’d hidden inBrixtonHillSchoolthenightsheandMarkwerearrested.Aneventthatledherhere,tothisday.Thismoment.
Asplitsecondintimethatchangedeverything.Whatifthatneverhappened?shewonderedastheyclosedthedooragain.WhatifI’dnevergone
outthatnighttotagtheschool?WherewouldIbenow?Buttherewasn’ttimetodwell.Theywerenearingthelastdoorinthehallway–thelibrary.
Bynowtheirroutinewasset.AllieandZoeflankedtheentrance.Whentheywereinplace,Sylvainsteppedforwardandreachedforthehandle.
Theyallheardthenoiseatthesametime.Afaintcrash.Thesoundofexertionorstrugglemuffledbythethickwoodofthedoor.
The moment seemed to freeze. Allie felt Sylvain’s body tense. Next to him, Zoe frowned andcockedherhead,alertbuttiny,likeabirdpoisedforflight.
ThenSylvainthrewhisshoulderagainstthedoor,andtheyallspilledintotheroom.Atfirsttheycouldseenothingbuttheforestofbookshelvesthattoweredabovethemandsprawled
outinalldirectionsbeneaththedim,antiquelighting.Instinctively,Alliestartedtomove,butSylvainflungouthisarm,stoppingherandZoe.Forasplitsecondtheystoodstill.Thentheyhearditagain.Thesoundoffleshagainstflesh,ofbreathforcedout,astifledcry.Thethudofsomethingfalling.
‘Thatway.’Zoepointedwitheagerassuranceacrosstheroom.Theytookoffatarun,stickingclosetogetherthis time.Theywerenearlytothemid-pointof the
librarywhen theysawEloiseandJerry.Theywere justoutside thestudycarrels– in fact,oneof thecarrelsstillstoodopen,lightandcolourpouringthroughitssmall,carefullydisguiseddoor.
That’swherehehid,Allierealisednumbly.Thetwowerefightingviciously.Eloise’slong,darkhairhadcomefreeofitsclipandfloweddown
herslenderbackassheswungakickatJerry’sneck.HeraimwasunerringbutJerrywasfastandhedodgedherfootwithfrighteningease,bobbingupwithhisfistraised.
HesaidsomethingthenthatAlliedidn’thearandEloisewhirled,elbowsoutlikepikes.Thistimesheconnected,strikinghimhardinthechest.Hewincedbutstillrolledoutofreachwhensheslicedapunchtohisface.
Thatwaswhenhesawthem.Alliesawhisgazeskitteracrosstheirfacesandshethought,forasecond,ahintofregretshadowed
hiseyes.‘Gethim,’Sylvainsaid.Thethreehurledthemselvesacrosstheroom.Zoe,alwaysthefastest,reachedhimfirst,shootingin
toaimasharp,well-placedkickathislowerback,buthedodgedherwithease,swattingheraway.Assherealisedwhatwashappening,Eloise’seyeswidened.‘Getback!’sheshouted.Theirpresencehaddistractedher,andthatgaveJerryabreak.Movingfast,heliftedanearbystudy
tableas if itweighednothingatall then threwitat themwithsuchforce itsplinteredwhenithit theground.
Theyscattered.AsmallpieceofflyingwoodhitAllielikeshrapnel,slicingtheskinonherthigh,butsheignoredthestingandspunround,lookingforthescienceteacher.Hewasnowheretobeseen.
‘Thisway!’Eloisecalled,runningtowardsthebackoftheroom.Behindher,AllieheardSylvainspeakingurgently.‘Inthelibrary.Now!Now!’Tensionmadehisaccentthickerandittookherasecondtorealisehe
wastalkingintohisradio.She’dforgottenshehadone.Herheart hammered against her ribs as she ran through the stacks towards the soundofEloise’s
voice.She’dlostZoeafterthetablewasthrown,buttherewasnotimetodoanythingexceptrun.AsshespunoutofthestackstotheopenspaceatthebackofthelibrarysheheardEloisetalking,
hervoicelowandtaut.‘YoustoleeverythingIcaredabout,’shesaid.‘Everythingthatmattered.IfittakesallmylifeIwill
makeyoupayforthat.’Theywerebythebackdoor.EloisewasblockingJerry’sescapewithherbody.Zoebuzzedaround
themlikeafly,lookingforamomentofweaknesstogetablowin.Theybothignoredher.SylvainstoodintheshadowsacrossfromAllie,watchingintently.Eloisewastheirteacher.ANightSchoolinstructor.Thiswasherplay.Jerry’sattentionwasfocusedonEloise.Hedidn’tlookangryorbitter.Helookedregretful.‘I’msosorry,Ellie,’hesaid.‘Inevermeantforthistohappen.’‘Bollocks.’Eloisespatthewordathim.‘YouchoseNathanieloverme.Youneverlovedme.Every
wordyoueversaidwasalie.’Thescienceteachershookhisheadhard,nolongertryingtogettothedoor.‘No,no,no.Ididlove
you.Ido.Imeanteverything—’Atthatmoment,seeinghimdistracted,Zoelaunchedintoawhirlingkick,aimedatthebackofhis
head.ButJerrywastheonewhotaughtthemthatmove.Andhewasalsotheonewhotaughtthemhowto
defendthemselvesagainstit.Spinning,heknockedherbackwithastrongcounter-kickand,beforeshecouldregainherbalance,
swungapunchatherjaw.Theblowmadeanawfulcrackingsound.Zoe’sbodyflewthroughtheair,crashingintoatable,beforecrumplingtothefloor,whereshelay
horriblystill.
26
TWENTY-SIX
As shewatchedZoe fall, Allie couldn’t seem tomove.Her legs felt heavy. Theworld turned hazy.Aroundher,everythingblurred together.Eloise turning toZoe.Jerryfumblingwith thedoor.Sylvainshootingpastinpursuitofhim.
Then shewas running toZoe’s side, her steps heavy and slow.Eloisewas already there, fingerspressedagainstZoe’sneck,whisperingtoherselfasshesearchedforapulse.
‘Comeon,Eloise.Findit.Findit…’Behind them, footsteps pounded the floor. Guards stormed into the room shouting orders and
commands.‘Whereishe?’oneofthemshouted.Acooleveningbreezeblewthroughtheopendoorleadingoutontothegrounds.JerrywasgoneandAlliecouldn’tseemtocare.‘Zoe,’shewhispered,strokingherfacewithtentativefingers.Herskinwascoolandpaleasmarble.
Hereyelasheslayonhercheekslikedarkfeathers.Unconscious,shelookedlikealittlegirl.‘Zoe,’shewhisperedagain,hervoicebreaking.‘Youhavetowakeup.’Butshedidn’tmove.AllAlliecouldthinkwas:Dead likeJo.Shekepthearing thesoundJerry’s fisthadmadeagainst
Zoe’s chin. Seeing theway the blowhad twisted her head to one side.And she felt herself draggedagaintowardsthepitofdespair,whichithadtakenhersolongtoescapelastwinter.ItwassometimebeforesheunderstoodwhatEloisewassayingtoher.
‘She’salive,Allie.’ThelibrariangrippedherbytheshouldersandAlliewonderedhowlongshe’dbeensayingit.‘She’salive.’
ButZoewassostill,sopale,Alliecouldn’tbelieveit.JerkingfreeofEloise’shands,sheshookherheadstubbornly,bitingbackasob.
‘Herneck,’shesaid.‘Itcouldbebroken.’Eloise’slipsweretight.‘Staywithher.I’llbeback.’Afterthelibrarianleft,Alliebecamemoreawareoftheactivityaroundher.Guardsraninandoutof
thedoor,theirbootedfeetlikemuffledthunderonthethick,Persianrugs.Sheclungtotheyoungergirl’shand,shieldingherbodywithherown.Numb,shewatchedasthe
nursereturnedwithEloisetoplaceaprotectorcarefullyaroundZoe’sneck.Thenshewalkedalongsideastheguardsliftedherontoastretcherandwheeledheruptotheinfirmary.
After that, she waited for her to wake up. The other students came andwent. First Nicole, andRachel, later Sylvain andCarter. EvenKatie came for awhile and fussed about, pouring glasses ofwaterZoewasn’tawaketodrinkandthatAllierefusedtotouch.
By teno’clock, theywere all gathered in the infirmary, ignoring thenurse’smuttered complaints(‘Givethechildsomespace…’)andtalkingquietlyastheywaited.
Theroomcontainedfourold-fashionedwhiteironbeds.Zoelayintheoneclosesttothewindow,whichhadbeencrackedopenjustenoughtoletinalightbreeze.Alliesatnexttoher,stillholdingherhand.
Shewasonlythirteen.Shelookedsosmallbeneaththewhitecovers.ThefaintsmellofantisepticintheairremindedAlliesickeninglyofthetwoweeksshe’dspentup
herelastChristmasafterNathanieltriedtohaveherkidnapped.Shewouldn’tleaveZoealoneuphere.Sheknewwhatthatwaslike.As time tickedawayandZoe remainedunconscious, theothersarrayed themselveson theempty
bedsandtalkedabouttheevening’sevents.ItwasthenthatAllielearnedwhathappenedintheminutesafterZoewashurt.
SylvainhadrunoutafterJerrybutlosthimalmostimmediately.‘Itwasasifhedisappeared,’hesaidbitterly.‘Iwasrightbehindhim.Idon’tknowhowhedidit.’
‘Hehadaplan.’Nicolegaveadiscouragedshrug.‘Maybeheplannedthislongago.’Theguardslaunchedasearchofthegroundsbeforeabruptlycallingitoff.Ashortwhileafterthat,
thestudentsheardcarsroaringdowntheschool’slongdrive.NoonehadseenIsabelle,RajortheotherseniorNightSchoolinstructorssincethen,andrumours
wereswirlingaboutwheretheywereandwhathadhappened.Thestudentshadbeenreleasedfromthecommonroom–asignthatthethreatwasbelievedtohave
passed.Buteveryonewasstillbaffledastowhat,exactly,wasgoingon.AllieabsorbedallofthisinformationwithoutreleasingherholdonZoe’ssmallhand.ThedoctorhadtoldherZoewasfine.Toldheritwasaconcussionandtraumabutthatherneckand
skullwerefine.Herreflexesgood.Pupilsnormal.Breathingregular.Thatshewouldwakeupwhenshewasready.ButAlliedidn’tbelieveit.
Shedidn’tdarehope.Allhopedoesismakeeverythinghurtthatmuchmorewhenitallgoeswrong.Still,shewasgladtheotherswerewithher.Theirfamiliarvoiceswrappedaroundherlikeawarm
blanket.‘Ican’tbelieveit’sJerry,’Rachelsaid,repeatingthesentimentthey’dallfoundthemselvessaying.‘IalwayshopeditwasZelazny.’Nicolesighed.‘Well,I’mgladitwasn’t.’Sylvain’svoicewasgruff.ZelaznyhadbeenhisNightSchoolmentor,and
theywereclose.AlliethoughtofEloise,nolongernervous,fightingJerrylikeatiger.‘How’sEloise?’sheasked.Theotherslookedatherinsurprise.Shehadbarelyspokenthiswhole
time.‘ShefoughtJerryhard.’
‘Nooneknows,’Rachelsaid.‘She’sdisappearedalongwithIsabelleandRaj.Butsheseemedfinerightaftereverythinghappened.Just…reallypissedoff.’
Thiswasn’thugelysurprising.EloiseandJerryhadbeentogetherforawhile,onlybreakingupafterthelibrarianwasaccusedofbeingthespy,andhedidn’tdefendher.Shehadalottobeangryabout.
‘Doyouthinksheknewbefore?’Nicolemused.‘YoumeanthathewasworkingforNathaniel?’Carterseemedsurprisedbythequestion.ButNicole
nodded.‘Especiallyafterwhathappenedwhenshewasaccused,’shesaid.‘Heleteveryonethinkitwasher.
Shemusthavehadsomeideathathewasn’twhathesaidhewas.’‘Maybeshejustthoughthewasabastard,’Sylvainsuggested.Theyallconsideredthis.Itseemedfeasible, ifunlikely.Whenyoureallycareaboutsomeone, it’s
hardtobelievethey’recapableofsomethingtrulybad.ZoegaveasoftgroanandAlliespunbackround.Shehadmorecolour inhercheeksand,aftera
second,stirredbeneaththewhiteblanket.‘Isshewakingup?’Rachelasked.Theothersdrewclosertosee.‘Whathitme?’Zoemurmured,onehandflyinguptotouchherjaw.‘Jerry.’Alliepulledthecoversuptohershouldersbeforeglancingattheothers.‘Someonegotell
thenurseshe’swakingup.’Sylvainrantothedoor.Zoe’seyesflutteredopen,takingintheroomandthefacesaroundher.‘Ohbollocks.Itwasn’tadream.’Hervoicewasthick.SomeonehandedheraglassofwaterandAllieputanarmaroundhernarrow
backsoshecouldsituptotakeasip.Hershouldersfeltasfragileasbirdwingsbeneathherarm.Zoeblinkedupather.‘Didhegetaway?’AsuddenurgetocrymadeitimpossibleforAllietospeak.Allshecoulddowasnod.‘’Fraidso,Shortie.’Carterreachedouttopatherwrist.AtouchofcolourcamebacktoZoe’scheeks.‘Bugger.Ican’tbelieveIforgottoguardmyleftflank.That’sbasic.’Layingbackdownonthebed
sheletgoofAllie’shand.‘Bloodyhell,myheadhurts.Whatdidhedotome?’Rachelgrinnedather.‘You’vegotaprettybadconcussion.Itmakesyousweary.Who’stheprime
minister?’‘Thatstupidguy.’Zoegroaned.‘Withtheface.’‘That’stheone.’Rachelnodded,satisfied.‘Idon’tthinkyoudamagedyourbrainmorethanitwas
damagedalready.’‘Itfeelslikemyheadisexploding,’Zoesaid,clutchingherhair.Thenursebustled in. ‘I canhelpwith that.’After takingherpulseand listening toherheart, she
handedher twowhite tablets.‘Takethese.’AsZoeobedientlytookthepainkillersfromherhand, the
womangloweredattheothers.‘Now,I’dthankyoualltogivehersomespacenow,please.Sheneedsquiet.’
Butastheyfiledoutoftheroom,obedientatlast,Allielingered,drinkinginonelastviewofZoe,aliveandcomplaining.
Zoecockedherheadtooneside,astuteeyesassessingherexpression.‘DidIscareyou?’Allieexhaledaudibly,andsmiled.‘Youscaredthecrapoutofme.’Zoelookedwanlypleased.‘Awesome.’
Whenthestudentsreachedthefootofthestairs,atrioofguardsstoodwaiting.Amuscularwomaninblackgearwithlongblondehairpulledbackinabraidscannedthegroupas
iflookingforsomeone.‘AllieSheridan?’Allie,whowaslasttocomedown,pushedherwaythrough.‘Here.’‘Isabellewouldliketoseeyou.’Thewomanlookedfamiliar–Alliehadvaguememoriesofseeingheraroundthegrounds.Butshe
stillstudiedheruncertainly.Isabellehadneversentguardsforherbefore.‘What’s going on?’Sylvain joinedAllie.His tonewas even but hismistrustful eyeswatched the
guardsclosely.Theguardsturnedtheirattentiontohim.‘Icouldn’tsay.’Thefemaleguard’stonewascool.‘Butitisimportant.’‘Where’s Isabellenow?’Rachel appearedatAllie’sother elbow.Her tonewasconversationalbut
hergazesuspicious.‘Wehaven’tseenherallnight.’Thewomanlookednonplussed.Clearlyshehadn’texpectedthis.‘Inheroffice.Butshe’sbusy.’‘Well,that’stoobad,’Cartersaid,asheandNicolejoinedtheotherstoencircleAllie.‘Becausewe
needtotalktoher.’‘Wedon’thavetimeforthis,’oneofthemaleguardssaid,impatiently.Butthewomanheldupher
hand.‘Giveusasecond.’Thethreeguardsretreatedtoconfer.Afterashortwhile,thefemaleguardreturned.Herexpressionwashardtoread.‘Oneofyoucancomewithher,’shesaid,‘Butthat’sall.Thereststayhere.’Hertonebrookednoopposition.‘Yougowithher,’CartersaidtoSylvain.‘I’llstaywithRachelandNicole.’Sylvainnoddedhisassent.Allieranatiredhandthroughherhair.‘Doyoureallythinkit’satrap?Thisisallsoweird.’‘Yes,itis.’Carter’stonewasdark.
HeandSylvainexchangedaworriedglance.RachelandNicolewerehuddledclosetogether.‘Staynearby,’SylvainwhisperedtoCarter.‘Idon’ttrustanyonerightnow.’‘Ihearyou,’Cartersaid.TheothersdroppedbackasSylvainandAllie followed theguardsdownthedarkhallway. Itwas
latenow–Alliehadnoideahowlate,she’dstoppedcaringhoursago.Butthebuildinghadahushed,late-nightfeel,thickwithdanger.
Shewasstillshoelessandherfeetwerecold.Shewonderedifhershoesstill layoutonthegrasswhereshe’dleft them.Shewastiredbutwideawakeatthesametime,adrenalincoursedthroughherveinslikeadrug.
WhentheyreachedIsabelle’soffice,oneoftheguardsrappedtwiceontheheavilycarveddoor.Itswungopenimmediately.RajPatelstoodintheopendoorway,backlitbyawarmglowof lightfromwithin.
HiseyestookinAlliefirst,thenhercompanion.‘Sylvain–whatareyoudoinghere?’heaskedbrusquely.Alliesteppedforward.‘Iwanthimhere.’Rajlookedoverhershoulderattheblondeguard.Sheheldupherhands.‘Shewouldn’tcomealone.
Iknewyouneededherherefast.Ididn’thavemuchchoice.’Raj rubbed his hand across his cheeks, fingers rasping against stubble. For the first time Allie
noticedhowwornouthelooked.Hiseyeswerebloodshot.‘Fine.Inside.Quickly.’Domwasalreadyinside,sittinginoneof thechairs infrontofIsabelle’sdesk,her laptopopenin
frontofher.Hergazewasfixedonthescreen,intent.Whatisshedoinghere?Alliethought.Herstomachhadbeguntochurn.Isabellewasatherdesktalkingquietlyintohermobile.Shegavethemaharriedglance.‘Sitdown
everyone.Quickly.’Stiffly,AllieloweredherselfintothechairnexttoDom,whodidn’tlookupfromthescreen.Sylvainperchedona lowcabinetat thebackof theroom.Rajstayedbythedoor.Otherwise, the
roomwasempty.Isabellepushedabuttononherphoneandsetitonherdesk.‘Everyoneispresent,Lucinda.Allieis
herewithSylvainCassel.’‘Good.’Allie’sgrandmother’svoicerosefromthedevice,resonantandauthoritativeeventhrough
themediumofthesmallspeaker.‘Thankyouallforcoming.Allie?’‘Uh…yes?’Alliesatupstraighterinherchair.‘Iunderstandyouandanother studentwereverybrave thisevening inyourattempt to stop Jerry
Cole,andyourfriendwasinjured.’In her head, Allie heard again the cracking sound Jerry’s fist made against Zoe’s face.
Unconsciously,sheflinched.‘I thought,’ Lucinda continued, ‘under the circumstances, you’d like to be herewhenwe caught
him.’Allieblinked.‘Caughtwho?’‘JerryCole,’hergrandmothersaid.
27
TWENTY-SEVEN
Confused, Allie looked around the room, waiting for someone to explain what was happening. Shecouldn’t understand what her grandmother was talking about. Nobody here seemed to be catchinganyone.
‘Idon’tunderstand…’Domlookedupather.‘I’mwatchinghim,’shesaid.‘Rightnow.’Hernarrowspectaclesglitteredinthelight.Everyoneelseintheroomhadgoneveryquiet.‘How?’Allieasked.‘Tracking device. In the ankle of his trousers.’ Dom turned back to her computer. ‘Very tiny.
Impossibletodetect.’Shespokewiththecarefulprecisionofawell-educatedAmerican–likethescientistsAlliehadseen
onthenews.Shefoundthiscomforting,somehow.Thetechsoundedcapable.Knowledgeable.Likeshecouldputanastronautinspace.Fixbrokenthings.
‘Whereishe?’Allie’svoicewascoldasice.‘Here.’Dompointedat a reddotonher screen,moving slowlyand steadily. ‘He isona train to
London.’Sheturnedherwrist;aheavysilverwatchgleamed.‘HearrivesatWaterlooStationinsevenminutes.’
‘My guys are there, Allie. Waiting for him.’ Raj spoke with the curious calmness he alwaysdisplayedwhenanoperationwasunderway.
Allieturnedinherchairsoshecouldseehisface.‘JolikedJerry,Raj.She trustedhim.Don’t lethimgetaway.’
Holdinghergaze, the securitychief inclinedhisheadonce.Sheknewheunderstood.He’dcaredaboutJo,too.Theyallhad.
‘Jerry,’Domsaid,typing,‘isnotgoinganywhere.Look.’Shepointedtothescreen.Fivegreendotshadappearedaroundthereddot.‘Seethegreendots?Thoseareourguys.’
IttookAllieasecondtorealisewhatshewassaying.‘They’reonthetrainwithhim?’Domnodded.Asshestaredatthescreen,Allie’sheartbeatoutarhythmsofastandunevenithurt.Pressingafistagainstherchest,shepushedbackatherheart’spainfulpoundingasshewatchedthe
screen.’Isabelle,’Sylvain’svoicewaspreternaturallycalm.‘Whatthehellhappened?Howdidyouknowit
washim?’Theheadmistressclearedherthroat.‘Lucinda’sMI5connectionwasveryhelpful,’shesaid.‘Withaccesstoextensiveinformation,she
checkedallofthesuspectedteachers’backgroundsmorethoroughlythananyofusevercould.ZelaznyandEloisebothcheckedout–everythingwas justas it shouldbe.WithJerry, though, therewere…issues.’
‘Whatkindofissues?’Sylvainasked.‘Hisbankingandfinancialrecordsareperfect,uptoapoint,’theheadmistressexplained.‘Infact,
everything’sfineupuntilsevenyearsago.’Sylvainfrowned.‘Whathappenedsevenyearsago?’‘Before that point there are no records,’ Isabelle said. ‘No birth certificates. No taxes. No bank
accounts.Sevenyearsago,asfaraswehavebeenabletodetermine,therewasnoJerryCole.’Astunnedsilencefollowedherwords.Alliefeltachill,asifabreezehadblownthroughthewindowlessoffice.‘Howisthatpossible?’Sylvain’stonewassharp.‘Howdidthisgounnoticeduntilnow?Whatabout
oursecuritychecks?’ItwasLucindawhoreplied.‘ItwouldappearourJerryColeisaninvention.Hisworkhistory,his
references, everything he brought when he applied at Cimmeria Academy – cleverly falsified. Abrilliantjob,really.Nathanielusedthebestforthis.And,toansweryourquestion,Sylvain,wedoverygoodbackgroundchecksbutnothingasthoroughasMI5.Wedidnot,forexample,checkhisDNA.’
Astheytalked,AlliekepthereyesonDom’slaptop.Moregreendotshadappearedonthescreen.Catchinghereye,Domtappedthem.Allienoddedtoshowsheunderstood.ThosewereRaj’smeninthestation.Waiting.
‘And so…all this time….?’Sylvaincouldn’t seem togethisheadaround it andAllie couldn’tblamehim.Betrayalwasawful.Sheknewthatbetterthananyone.
‘Allthistimehewaited,’Isabellesaid,‘pretendinghewasoneofus.ReportingbacktoNathaniel.Watchingus.Usingus.’
Alliekepthereyesonthedots.Allthatmatterednowwascatchinghim.‘Howdidheknowtorun?’Sylvainasked.‘Didyouconfronthim?’‘No,’Lucindaanswered. ‘By the timewewent to look forhim,hewas trying to findawayout.
Somehowhemusthaverealisedweknew.’Thereddotwasveryclosetotheothergreendotsnow.Alliefounditsprogresshypnotic.Shecould
imagine the train with its passengers, mostly normal people going about their everyday lives. Jerrywouldbepretendingtobeoneofthem,maybeholdingabookopenonhislap.
ButknowingLucinda’sguardswereafterhim.Knowingshe’dsendeverythingshehad.Shehopedhewasafraid.She knewWaterloo Station as a grey, teeming place. Noisy and cavernous. Patrolled, as all big
Londontrainstationsare,byarmedpolice.MostofthepolicewerenowonNathaniel’sside.
Raj’sguardswouldhavetograbJerryquicklyandhustlehimawaybeforetheycouldnotice.Lucindawasstilltalking.‘Theguardsweresentto—’‘He’sarrivingatthestation.’Dom’svoicecutheroff.‘Now.’Lucindafellsilent.Rajspokeintohisphone.Avoicecrackledontheotherend.Helookedupatthem.‘Everyone’sin
place.’Allie stared at the dots. The red dot was still moving slowly, inexorably. The green dots had
gatheredbehindhim.Shethoughtofthewaytrainspulledslowlyintostations.Thelongpausebeforethedoorsopened.
Thentherushtoexit.Suddenlythereddotmovedinadifferentdirection,quickerthanbefore.‘He’srunning,’Domsaid.Butitwasfutile.Alliewatchedthereddotstop.Thegreendotssurroundedhim.Domturnedtoher,herexpressionunreadable.‘They’vegothim.’Raj’sphonecrackledagain.‘Copy.’Histonewascoollyvindictive.‘Welldone,allofyou.Bringhimin.’AlliestillstaredatDom’sscreen.Thegreendotswereallaroundthereddot,andtheyweremoving
briskly.Escortinghimfromthestation.Shefeltnumb.They’dfinallyfoundthepersonwhobetrayedthem.Butitallfelttoolate.
Latethatnight,thestudentsgatheredwithIsabelleandRajonthefrontsteps.EloiseandZelaznyjoinedthem.
Theskywasclear;acrescentmoonshoneabovethemamidacircusofstars.Ithadalreadybeena longnight.After leaving Isabelle’soffice, they’dgathered theothers to tell
themwhathadhappened.AllieletSylvaindothetalking.Nowtheystoodtogether,waiting.CarterandSylvainstoodattheedgeofthegroupwithRaj,who
seemed to be explaining something to them.Rachel andNicole held hands, as if to give each otherstrength.
Alliestoodalone,shouldershigh,handsclenchedathersides.ThensheheardZoe’spipingvoice.‘Ishehereyet?DidImissit?’Shewhirledinsurprise.Theyoungergirldashedoutofthedoors,skiddingtoastopwhenshesawthecrowd.‘Ohgood.I’mnottoolate.’Shelookedpaleandapurplingbruisehadspreadacrossonecheek.Herhairstoodupatthebackas
ifshe’djustjumpedoutofbed.‘Zoe?’Alliesaid.‘Howdidyougetoutoftheinfirmary?’
Zoemadeaface.‘Thatstupidnursewouldnotletmego.SoIwaiteduntilsheleftthenIescaped.I’msogladIdidn’tmissit.’
‘AreyouOK, though?’Rachel saiddoubtfully. ‘Sheprobablywantedyou to stay inbedbecauseyou,like,needtobeinbed.’
ButZoebrushedthatoff.‘I’mfine.Thepillsshegavemewereamazing.’Therumbleofenginescutthroughthenightandtheyallfellsilent.Afewminuteslater,headlights
appearedandwerefracturedbytreesintochaoticraysthatseemedtospinandsoar.Sixdarkvehiclesrolledupthecurvingdrive,theirtyrescrunchingonthegravel.Theenginesfell
silent.AstheguardsclimbedoutoftheLandRovers,Rajwalkedamongthem,shakingeveryhand.‘Goodjob,’hekeptsaying.‘Welldone.’Inthecrowdofblack-cladmenandwomenitwashardtofindJerry–hewasn’tverytallandthere
weresomanyofthem.OnlywhentheymarchedhimtothebuildingdidAllieseehim.Helookedexactlythesame.Glassescrooked.Wiry,uncontrollablehair.Hestilllookedliketheirfriend.Theirmentor.Buthewasneitherofthosethings.ThegrouppartedsilentlysoJerrycouldpass.Ashewentby,hiseyesscannedthecrowdasifhe
wassearchingforsomeone.AllieassumedhewaslookingforEloise.Butthenhisgazelockedonhersandshefroze.Shecouldn’treadhisexpressioninthedark,butshefeltlikehiseyeswerejudgingher,condemning
her.Shewanted togetawaybutcouldn’t seem tomove; to freeherself from thatawfulglare–untilCartersteppedinfrontofher,armscrossed,blockinghisview.
Allie’s lungs felt compressed. She shivered as Jerry was hustled into the school building,disappearingintheshadows.
Carterspunround,searchingherface.‘YouOK?’heasked.‘Whatthehellwasthatabout?’Sheshookherhead.Sylvainjoinedthem,hisfacetight.HemetCarter’sgaze.‘Ididn’tlikethatlook.’‘Meneither,’Cartersaid.‘WasthattherealJerry?’Zoeasked.‘Andtheoneweknewbeforewasthepretend?’Butnooneknewtheanswertothatquestion.
Aftertheguardsandteachersdisappeared,thestudentsstoodinatightclusteronthefrontsteps,unsureofwhattodo.Thenightseemeddarkernow,moreoppressive.
‘I’mnottired,’Zoeannounced.‘No,’Nicolesaid,lookingaroundthegroup.‘Noneofusare.’‘Commonroom,’Cartersaid.‘It’saftercurfewbutnoone’sgoingtocare.’
Theytroopeddowntheemptyhallwayto thebigstudent livingroom,with itsdeepleatherchairsand sofas, and bookcases piled high with board games. The baby grand piano stood quietly in onecornerlikeareminderthatthiswassupposedtobeaplacewherepeoplehadfun.
Theysettlednearthebackandtalkedinquiettones.‘Hedidn’tlookroughedup,’Cartersaid,glancingatSylvain.‘Iwassurprisedbythat.’Sylvain gave a shrug that said he didn’t carewhether Jerrywas roughed up or not. ‘Raj said he
didn’tfight.’‘Whydidn’thefight?’Zoeasked.Everyonelookedather.‘Imean,hedidn’twanttogetcaught,did
he?Sowhynotatleasttrytogetaway?Therewouldhavebeenotherpeoplethere.Hecouldhave…donethings.’
Therewassometruthtothisandthestudentslookedateachotherwithgrowingunease.‘Youdon’tthink…didhewanttobecaught?’Rachellookedqueasy.‘Andbebroughtbackhere.’Nicolefinishedthethought,hereyesdarkwithworry.‘Butwhy?’Allie asked. ‘They’ll have searchedhim, sohe can’t havebrought anything.He’ll be
keptunderguard,sohecan’tescape.So…whycomeback?’Noonehadananswertothat.‘Eitherway,’Nicolesaid,‘poorEloise.’‘Iknow…’Allie thoughtof the teacher’sgrimdeterminationasshe fought themanshe’d loved.
‘Hebrokeherheart.’‘Hebrokeeveryone’sheart,’Rachelsaidsoftly.Isabellehadtoldthemwhatwouldhappennext–Jerrywouldbequestioned,thensheandLucinda
wouldtrytotradehimbacktoNathaniel.‘Inexchangeforwhat?’Alliehadasked,wonderingwhatonearththeywouldwantfromhim.Isabelle’sreplyhadbeensimple.‘Peace.’SheandLucindaweregoingtotrytouseJerrytobuyanendtothisbattle.Oratleasttobuytimeto
negotiate.Theybelievedtheremustbeaconnectionbetweenthetwomen.SomethingpowerfulenoughthatJerrywouldbewillingtogiveuphisveryidentityformorethanhalfadecadetohideatCimmeriaunderanassumedname.
The students talked for hours in the near dark.Their conversationwas largely circular, returningrepeatedlytoJerryandbetrayal.ZoefinallyfellasleepwithherheadonAllie’skneesandherfeetonRachel’slap.
As shewatchedher sleep,her chest risingand fallingwith each slow, regularbreath,Allie felt awaveofprotectivenessforhersoprofounditshookher.Shehadtofindawaytokeephersafe.Tokeepthemallsafe.
Dawnhadjustbeguntobreakwhentheyheardfootstepsinthehallway.Isabellerushedin,lookingarounduntilhereyeslightedonthem.Inthedarknessitwasdifficulttomakeoutherfeatures.
‘There you are.’Her tonewas curt, as if she’d found themplaying truant. ‘Allie, comewithmeplease.Ineedyou.’
Alliedidn’taskanyquestions.Withslow,carefulmovements,sheextricatedherselffrombeneathZoe,whodidn’twake,butturned
overontohersideandcurledupintoaball.AsshebrushedpastCarterhecaughtherhandinhis.Hisgripwaswarmandreassuring.‘Becareful,’hesaid.Histouchmadeherfeelbraver.Sheraisedherchin.‘Always.’
28
TWENTY-EIGHT
Isabelle led theway down the darkened hallway to a narrower corridor, then through an innocuous-lookingdoor intooneof theschool’soldservants’ staircases.Thewindingstonestairwell smelledofdampanddust.Thedeepertheydescendedthecooleritbecame.
Funny,Alliethought.It’smeanttobehotinhell.Theheadmistressdidn’tspeakastheyenteredthetangledspiderwebofcellarcorridorsbeneaththe
schoolbuilding.Flickeringwallsconcesweretheonlylight.Thingsmovedintheairaroundthem.Alliehopeditwasjustparticlesofdust.Inthegloom,itwasimpossibletokeeptrackofwheretheywerebut,finally,theyturnedacorner
andaclusterofguardsappearedaheadofthem,infrontofanancient,archeddoor.RajandDombrokefreeofthegroupandwalkedovertojointhem.‘We’re keeping him in the oldwine cellar.’ Isabelle’s voice sounded odd, as if theywere in the
middleofaconversationonlyshecouldhear.UpcloseAllie could see theheadmistresswas exhausted.Her facedroopedanddark circles like
bruisesunderscoredhereyes.Strandsofhairhadcreptfreeoftheclipandhungloosearoundherface.Raj,too,lookedtired.Noneofthemhadsleptinmorethantwenty-fourhours.‘Therewasnootherplacesecureenough,’Isabelleconcluded.OnlyDomseemeduntouchedby everything thatwashappening.Hermasculine, pin-striped shirt
wascrisp.Peekingoutfrombeneaththeturned-uphemofdarkbrowntrousers,herbroguesgleamed.CatchingAllie’slook,sheansweredthequestionshehadn’tasked.‘He’saskingforyou.’Eventhoughshe’dexpectedsomethinglikethis,theverificationmadeAllie’spulsequicken.Butshekeptherexpressioncalm,respondingwithanod.‘Ithoughtso.’‘Sofarhe’srefusedtotalktous.’Rajrubbedhisbloodshoteyes.‘Hesayshe’lltelluswhatweneed
toknow…butonlyifhespeakstoyoufirst.’Allie’smouthwentdry.She’dknownJerrysinceshefirstarrivedatCimmeria.Onceshe’dhavetrustedhimwithherlife.
Nowshewasafraidofhim.Afraidofwhathe’dcomebacktotellher.Butsheknewtherewasnowaythey’daskhertodothisiftherewasanyalternative.Straighteningherspine,shemetRaj’sgaze.‘What’stheplan?’Hegaveheranapprovinglook.‘Gointhere.Listentowhathehastosay.Promisehimwhatever
youhaveto–youwon’tbeheldtoanyofit.Weneedyoutotryandgetthroughtohim.Findoutwhathe’stoldNathaniel.WhatNathanielhasplannedfortheparley.’
‘He’s…secured,’Rajadded.‘Hecan’ttouchyou.’‘Nonetheless,staynearthedoor,’Dominterjected.‘Keepyourdistancefromhim.Wedon’tknow
whathe’scapableof.’‘Yeswedo,’Alliesaidflatly.‘He’scapableofmurder.’SheturnedbacktoRaj.‘AnythingIshould
lookoutfor?QuestionsIshouldask?’‘Justtrytogethimtotalk.Anythinghesayscouldproveuseful.’Raj’salmond-shapedeyes,solike
Rachel’s,heldherswithasteadyconfidencethatwarmedher.‘Thengetthehelloutofthereasquicklyasyoucan.’
Allie could sense his faith in her. His belief that shewas capable of dealingwith a situation asdifficultasthisonemadeherfeelstronger.Braver.
Sixmonthsagotheywouldn’thaveletheranywherenearthisroom.Dompointedtoalaptopsetupnearthedoor.OnthescreenAlliesawafigure,huddledinachair.
Jerry’shandshungathissidesandhisheadwasdown,hidinghisface.‘We’llbewatching,’shesaid.
Whenshewalkedtowardsthem,theguardsdrewbacktoletAlliepass.Shecouldseethecuriosityintheireyes.Therecognition.
HerecomesAllieSheridan.TheoneNathaniel’sobsessedwith,sheimaginedthemthinking.Whatisitaboutherthat’ssoimportant?
Sheimaginedshemustlookdisappointinglyordinarytotheminhershortschoolskirtandrumpledwhiteblouse.Certainlyshedidn’tlooklikeshecouldtakeonamanwho’dfooledeveryoneforyears.
Andmaybeshecouldn’t.Therewasonlyonewaytofindout.Theguardnearestthedooropeneditforherthenstoodback.Dressedallinblackliketheothers,he
wastall,withshort-croppedbrownhair.Hergazeflickereduptohis.Hegavearespectfulnod.Asifshewasoneofthem.
Returning the nod, she turned back to the open doorway. Then,with cautious steps, shewalkedinside.The roomwaswindowless andcool,walled in stone. Itwasbigger than she’d expected fromlookingatDom’sscreen–longandnarrow–andcompletelydevoidoffurnituresaveforonewoodenchairatthefarendoftheroomonwhichJerrysat.
Hisheadwasstilldown,obscuringhisface,butshecouldseenowthathiswristswerehandcuffed.Thecuffsweresecuredwithlongchainstoahookfixedtothewall.
Theyweretakingnochances.Aguardstoodjustinsidethedoor,hishandsbehindhisback,watchinghim.Allietookanotherstepandanother.Theteacherdidn’tlookup.Hewassostillshewonderedifhe
wasunconscious.Shewasjustbeginningtowonderifsheshouldsaysomethingwhenhespoke.‘Guardsout.’Hisvoicewasalowgrowl.GoosebumpspimpledAllie’sskin.Thatdidn’tsoundlikeJerryatall.
‘Notalking,’hesaid,stillnotlookingup,‘withthemhere.’Allieturnedtotheguard.Hemethergazeandaskedaquestionwithhiseyes.Herthroatfeltsuddenlytight.Iftheguardleft,she’dbealonewiththemanwho’dhelpedtokillJo.Who’dputherownlifeatrisk
manytimes.Butiftheguarddidn’tleave,shewouldn’tlearnanything.Couldn’thelpanyone.Afterabriefhesitation,shemadeuphermind.Shenoddedheranswer.Theguardrappedonceonthedooranditopened.Hesteppedout.Itclosedbehindhim.Nowshewasalonewiththemanwho’dbetrayedthemall.Atthethought,Alliestartedtofeelpanicked.Abitdizzy.Herlungsthreatenedtostopworking.Ican’tdothis.Ican’tdothis.Then,inherhead,sheheardCarter’svoice.‘Justbreathe.’Shebreathed.Whenshespokehervoicerangout,clearandstrong.‘Youaskedtoseeme.I’mhere.Let’stalk.’‘AllieSheridan.’Slowlyheraisedhishead.Hiswire-framedglassesweregone–theymusthavetakenthemaway.Maybetheywerejustaprop
anyway.Hehadabruiseononecheekbutlookedotherwiseunscathed.Hisnormallyclean-shavenfacehadaday’sgrowthofwhiskers,whichgavehimavaguelydisreputablelook.
‘Whydidyouwanttoseeme?’sheasked,tryingtosoundtough.Helaughedthenandthesoundmadeherskincrawl.Itwasabitter,angrylaugh.‘Youhavecausedalotofproblems,younglady.’AngerunfurledinAllie’schest.Shefoughttokeephervoiceeven.‘HowhaveIcausedproblems?’‘Everythingcouldhavebeensodifferent,’hesaid,shakinghishead,‘ifyou’djustdonewhatyou
weresupposedtodo.’‘Andwhatwasthat?’Shewassurprisedbyhowunafraidshesounded.‘Walkawayfromhere,’hesaid.‘Joinyourbrother.JoinNathaniel.’‘You’reright.Ididn’tdothat,’shesaid.‘Soyoukilledpeople.YoukilledRuthandJo…’Hervoice
hitchedandshesteadiedherselfbeforecontinuing.‘AndattackedRachelandme.’Hemadeadismissivegestureandthechainsrattled.‘Gabedidthosethings,notme.’Allieshothimacontemptuouslook.‘Youhelped.’‘It’sawar,Allie.’Histonesaidhethoughtshewasbeingobtuse.‘Peopledieinwars.’‘It’s not a war.’ Her voice rose. ‘It’s a family disagreement. Nobody should have died. Nobody
shouldeverdieformoney.’Helaughedagain.‘You’re so naïve. Money is all anybody dies for these days.’ He settled back in the chair and
scrutinisedher.‘Butyou’reyoung.You’lllearn.’‘Thanksforthelesson.’Shespatthewordout,asifittastedbad.‘Isthatall,Jerry?BecauseIthink
thisisawasteoftime.’Whenshetookasteptowardsthedoor,though,hejerkedinthechairasifstartled.‘No,wait.’Hisvoicewasurgent.Sheturnedback.‘ThereasonIhadtoseeyou…Ihavetowarn
you.’Thetemperatureintheroomseemedtodrop.‘Warnmeaboutwhat?’‘Theparley,’hesaid.‘Nathanielhasaplan.’Now,Alliethought,we’regettingsomewhere.‘Whatistheplan?’Hegrimaced.‘Ican’ttellyouthat.’‘Youhaveto,’shesaid.‘Oryou’llnevergetoutofhere.’‘Ican’t,’hesaiddeliberately,‘helpyou.’Furious,Allietooktwostepstowardshim.‘ThenwhyamIhere?Isthissomesortofagame,Jerry?
Youwanttowarnme?Thenwarnme.Becausewe’rebusy…’‘Ohyes,’hegrowled. ‘Iknowhowbusyyouallare. Iknoweverythingaboutyou,Allie.Andso
doesNathaniel.Weknowyourweaknesses andyour strengths.Whatyou’rewilling topartwithandwhatwoulddestroyyou.’Hesmiled,hislipsstretchedtightacrosshisteeth.‘Weknowitall.’
Allie felt sick. Thisman looked and sounded nothing like the science teacher she’d known andtrusted.Thatmanwaskindandthoughtful.Thismanwasfilledwithviolenceandhate.
Itwasimpossibletoreconcilethetwo.Sheknewsheshouldwalkoutoftheroomnow.Therewasnothingtolearnhere.Butshedidn’t.
‘WhyJerry?’sheasked,unabletostopherself.‘Whydidyoudoit?’Foralongsecondhestudiedher.Whenhespoke,histonewasbitter.‘Yourgrandmotherwill tell
youwhy,whenshefiguresoutwhoIam.ShemademeeverythingIamtoday.’Allie’sheartstuttered.WhatdidLucindahavetodowithhim?Shetriedtokeepherconfusionoutofherexpression.‘Youmustreallyhateher,’shesaid,‘tobewillingtokillchildrenassomesortoftwistedrevenge.’‘I didn’t killanyone.’He shouted thewords, leaning towards her, stretching the chains as far as
they’dgo.Shecouldseethroughhisshirtthewayhisshouldermusclesbulged.Sheforcedherselfnottoflinch.Hecouldn’treachher.Buthereyesstrayedtothehookinthewall.
Itwasholdingfirm.‘Don’tworry,’hesaid,followinghergaze.‘I’mwellsecured.’Calmernow,hesettledbackinhis
chair.‘Iamnotakiller,Allie.Mypartinallofthiswaspurelyinformation.IwasheretohelpNathanielunderstandhisenemy.’
‘MaybeifJohadn’tdiedthatwouldhaveworkedasanexcuse,’Alliesaidwithcolddeliberation.‘Butshediddie.Andyouknewexactlywhatyouweredoing.Therisksyouweretaking.’
Abriefsilencefell.‘Maybeyou’reright.’Heranhishandacrosshisjaw;thechainsclanged.‘Thatwasabadnight.’
‘But you stayed loyal to Nathaniel even after that.’ Allie couldn’t let this go. She needed tounderstand.‘Why,Jerry?Jolikedyou.YouknewwhatGabemightdo.Knewhowvulnerableshewas.Andyetyoustilldeliveredhisnotestoher.Youopenedthatgate.’
Hiseyeslookedyellowintheharshfluorescentlight.Buthedidn’tshoutthistime.‘Shewas a good girl,’ he said. ‘I’m sorry it happened like that. Nathaniel thoughtGabewas in
control.Hewaswrong.’‘Youwerebothwrong.’Allie had heard enough. Jerry obviously had nothing to tell her but excuses and vindictive self-
justification.Shetookastepback.‘Wait,’hesaidagain.‘Youhavetoknowabouttheparley.’‘Thentellme.’Allieseethedwithfrustration.Heleanedforwardandspokeurgently.‘Don’tgototheparleyalone.Nathanielwillmakeyouagree
togoalone–don’tdoit.Takesomeonewithyou.Someoneyoureallytrust.Youwon’tgetoutofthereotherwise.’
Allie’smouthwentdry.Whatdidhemeanshewouldn’tgetout?‘Whatisheplanning?’sheasked.‘Tellme.’Jerry shook his head. ‘I can’t tell you anymore than that. I’m sorry.But please believeme. It’s
important.’Alliestudiedhimdoubtfully.‘Idon’tgetit.IfyouhateLucindasomuch,whywouldyouhelpher
granddaughter?’Heheldhergazeand,forjustasplitsecond,hewasJerryColeagain,scienceteacher,NightSchool
trainerandall-roundniceguy.Hiseyeswerewarmanddistracted.‘Ihavemyreasons forhatingyourgrandmother.But Ihavenoreason towishyouharm.Just…
takemywordforthis,Allie.Takesomeoneyoureallybelieveinwithyou.You’llneedthem.’Seeingthatflashof theoldJerry,Allie’sheartached.Whycouldn’thehavebeenwhohesaidhe
was?It’ssohardtobelieveinanyonewheneveryoneletsyoudown.Behindherthedooropened,creakingonitsoldironhinge.ApparentlyRajthoughtthisdiscussion
wasover.Allie took a last long look at the science teacher.He peered at the door behind herwith hungry
eagerness.Asifhehopeditwasopeningforhim.Forhisescape.She thoughtofJoandRuth– livesoversoyoung.OfSylvainbeatenandbleeding.Carternearly
dead.Thescarsherownbodynowbore.Andshedidn’twalktothedoor.Instead, with purposeful steps, she crossed the room until she stood within reach of the man
complicitinallofit.Thenshedrewbackherhandandslappedhimwithsuchforceherhandburned.Hischainsrattledashetooktheblow.Whenheliftedhisfaceshecouldseetheshapeofherpalm
risingredonhisface.Andthecoolcalculationinhisgaze.‘That’sforJo,’shesaid.
Shewasalmostatthedoorwhenhespokeagain.‘Remember,Allie.Someoneyoubelievein.’‘Screwyou,Jerry.’Thistimeshedidn’tlookback.
29
TWENTY-NINE
‘IREALLYTRUSTEDHIM.Howcouldhebesuchabastard?’JolookedoveratAllie,cornflowerblueeyeswide.Thesunturnedhershortblondehairintoagoldenhalo.‘Who?Gabe?’Alliewasconfused.Forsomereasonshecouldn’trememberhowthisconversation
hadstarted.Jogaveherawitheringlook.‘Jerry,ofcourse.God.AndIhadsuchacrushonhim.’Shegavearuefulsigh.‘Honestly.Ihadthe
mostappallingtasteinmen.’Theywerewalking throughameadow.The sunwas sobright it seemed towashout the sky.The
ground was soft beneath their feet. Yellow and orange wildflowers grew tall enough to brush theirknees.Itwaswildandbeautifulallatonce.LikeJo.
Allielookedaround,suddenlyawareshewaslost.‘Idon’tknowthisplace.Wherearewe?’‘Iloveithere.’Jo’sdimplesdeepened.‘Icomehereallthetime.It’speaceful.’Awarmbreezeruffledherhair.Aroundhertheflowersyieldedtothewind,bendinggracefully,like
dancers.‘ButJerry…’Alliesaid.‘Isheasbadasheseems?’‘Ohyes,Allie.’Jo’sexpressiongrewserious.‘He’sverydangerous.Pleasebecareful.’‘Iwill,’Allieassuredher.A sudden senseof fearpiercedherheart. Somethingbadwasgoing to
happen.ShereachedforJo’shandbutshewasjustoutofreach.‘Youmust,’Josaid.‘Please,Allie.Don’tenduplikeme.’Shelookeddown.Allietriednottofollowhergazebutshecouldn’tstopherself.Shehadtolook.OnthefrontofJo’swhitedressaredstainblossomedandgrew.Soonshewassoakedinblood.It
ranfromherfingersinstreams.Puddledontheground…
Withastrangledgasp,Alliesatstraightupinbed.Shelookedaroundwildly,tearswetonhercheeks.Morning lightpoured throughherwindow.Theskyoutsidewasblue. Itwasgoing tobea lovely
day.AndJowasstilldead.
ThenextdaywasSaturdaybutthiswasnoordinaryweekend.AswordspreadofJerry’sbetrayal,the
atmosphere at the school grew increasingly anarchic. Teachers avoided students. Students simmeredwithrage,asifalltheirinstructorswereguiltybyassociation.Theyfeltbetrayed.
Allieknewjusthowtheyfelt.TheseniorNightSchoolinstructorsremainedabsent–busy,Alliesuspected,withJerry.Shepassed
Dominthecorridoratonepointbutthetechdidn’tnoticeherasshehurriedby,alaptopbagoverhershoulder,ovalfaceintense.
NightSchool traininghadnotbeen resumed. In fact, allnormal schoolactivitieshadground toahalt.Noonestudied.Studentsgatheredinwhisperingclusters,sharingrumours,whichgrewwilderasthehourspassed.
‘IheardNathaniel’scominghere,’Allieheardatall,blondboysay.Theywereinthecommonroomandhewasat thenext table,playingchesswithagroupof friends.Ashe spoke,hemovedapawn.‘AndLucinda’sgivinghimtheschool.’
‘That’snotwhatIheard,’adark-hairedgirlreplied.Theywereall,Alliethought,aboutyearten.She’dseenthemaroundbuttheyweren’tinanyofher
classes.‘Whatdidyouhear?’SheloweredhervoicesofarAlliehadtostraintomakeoutherwords.‘IheardNathaniel’sgoingto
raid theplace toget the science teacherback.Thathe saidnoonewould stophim.’She studied theshockedfacesaroundherwithgrimsatisfaction.‘Heusesguns.’
Allieknewshecouldhavesteppedinandtoldthemtheywerewrongbut…werethey?Whatdidsheknow,really?Jerryhadn’ttoldhermuchofanything.
Besides,theotherrumourswereevenworse.JerryandZelaznywereinittogether.Sixteachershadfled overnight, taking student records with them. Nathaniel had placed cameras in the school andwatchedtheireverymove.
Givenallofthat,Alliewasn’tatallsurprisedwhenKatiedroppeddownonthesofanexttoherandfixedherwithadeterminedlook.
‘I’vebeenpickingmywaythroughthegossip,’shesaidbywayofhello.‘IsittrueyouspokewithJerryCole?’
Allie tensed. She’d had this conversationmany times today and shewasn’twild about having itagain.
Sheglancedaroundtomakesurenoonewaslistening,butthechessplayerswerefartooinvolvedintheirownconversationtonotice,andtheotherstudentsweretoofarawaytohear.
‘Yeah,’shesaidcautiously.‘Italkedtohim.’‘AndhereallyconfessedtobeingNathaniel’sguy?’Allienodded.Katieexhaledaudibly.‘Jesus.Ican’tgetoverit.Hejust…’Shewavedherhandandherpearland
diamond ring glimmered. ‘He never seemed like anything other than a typical trustworthy boringsciencegeek.It’ssupercreepytothinkthewholetimehewas…’
‘Watchingus,’Alliefinishedthethought.‘Iknow.’Ifshe’dexpectedKatie topickafightorsomehowdiminishtheimpactofwhatJerryhaddone–
whatAlliehadbeenthroughinthelastfewdays–shewaswrong.Katieseemedjustasshockedastheotherstudentswere.Justasdemoralisedandangry.
‘Therestofthegossipsoundslikebollockstome,’Katiesaid.‘Nootherteachersareinvolved,arethey?’
Allieshookherhead.‘JustJerry.’‘They’requitesure?’Katiepressedher.‘LucindaandRaj…’Allie tried todecidehow toput itwithoutmentioning theMI5connection.
‘Theywereverythorough.’Theredheadseemedsatisfiedbythis.‘IfLucinda’sinvolvedtheywouldhavegonestraighttothe
top,’shesaid.‘Whathappensnow?’‘They’resettingupameetingwithNathaniel.’Katiearchedoneperfectrusseteyebrow.‘Letmeguess.Youhavetobethere.BecauseNathaniel’s
obsessedwithyouandyourbrother.’Alliegaveatiredshrug.‘Welcometomyworld.’Across the room, someone laughed.Allie glancedover,wishing she thought anythingwas funny
rightnow.Tappingoneperfectlymanicurednailagainstthesmoothskinofherknee,Katieconsideredthis.‘Itisn’tthough.Yourworld,Imean,’shesaid.‘It’smine.’Alliegaveherapuzzledlook.‘Idon’tgetit.’‘You don’t really know these people,’ Katie explained. ‘But I do. I’ve known them all my life.
Nathaniel’sbeenafriendofmyparentssinceIwaslittle.Hewasatmyeleventhbirthdayparty.’Theveryideawassostunning,Alliecouldn’tdisguisehershock.Katiemadeawryface.‘Imaginehowmuchfunthatwasforme–Iaskedforabouncycastleand
cake.InsteadIgotcaviarandtheOrionboardofdirectors.’Allie was speechless. It had never occurred to her that Katie would know him personally. She
alwaystalkedaboutherparentsliketheywereseparateentities,rarelyencountered.But,asachild,shewould have been homemore. So of course shewould have knownNathaniel andLucinda – all thepeopleAlliehadneverheardofuntilayearagohadbeenpartofKatie’slifeallalong.
‘WhatI’msayingis–’Katieleanedforward,hergreeneyesclearasseawater–‘ifIcanhelpyouprepforthis–getyoureadysoyouknowwhattoexpect–I’dliketodoit.’
Gettingoverhersurprise,Alliefoundhervoiceagain.‘Thankyou,’shesaidwithgenuinefeeling.‘I’dlikethat.Itwouldhelp.Heweirdsmeout.Ialways
thinkI’mreadyforhimandthenwhenIactuallyseehim–’sherememberedfacinghiminthecastleyard;thewayherhandshadtrembled–‘Ijustloseit.’
‘Askmeanything,’Katiesaid.‘I’lltellyouallIknow.’Acrosstheroom,someonewasstrikingakeyonthebabygrandpiano.Justthesamemournfullow
keyoverandoveragain.‘Willyoustopthat?’Allieheardsomeonesay.Thesoundceased.All sheknewofNathanielwaswhat she’dseen.He lookedordinary–mediumheight,darkhair,
neitherveryhandsomenorugly.Ifyoupassedhimonthestreetyouwouldn’tlookathimtwice.Hedidn’tlookevil.Helookedlikesomeone’sdad.‘IguessI’dwanttoknowwhatmakeshimtick,’shesaid.‘IfIknew,like,howhismindworks,then
I’dknowhowtogetunderhisskin.Howtothrowhimoffbalance.’Katienoddedbriskly.‘He’sveryintoorganisation.Everythingalwayshastobeperfect.Thecrease
in his trousers is very straight, if you seewhat I’m saying.’ Shewarmed to the topic, looking overAllie’sshoulderas if shecouldseeNathaniel in thedistance. ‘Andeverything isalways thesame. Ifhe’swritingsomethingdownhehasthiswayoftappinghispentwiceonhisnotepadbeforewriting–alwaystwice.Nevermoreorless.Infact,hedoeseverythingthesamewayeachtime.Brushingdustoffhisshoeswiththesameweirdwristflick,whenthere’s,like,nodusttheretostartwith.’SeeingthelookonAllie’s face, she gave a self-deprecating shrug. ‘When Iwas a child I often had very little to dobesides studymy parents’ friends. I used tomake a game out of it.Observing them like a SherlockHolmes.PretendingI’dbequestionedaboutitlater.’
Allieblinkedather.ThiswasasideofKatieshe’dneverseen.Asurprisinglylikableside.‘So,he’sgotOCDorsomething.’‘Quite,’Katiesaid.‘Like,hedoesthisthingwhenhe’sreallycross.’Sheheldupamilk-palearm.
‘Hetwistshiscufflinksthreetimes,likethis.’Demonstrating,shetwistedherfingerswithquick,precisemoves.
‘Good.Icanlookoutforthat,’Alliesaid.‘Didheevertalktoyoumuch?Imean,directly?’Katie paused to think about it. ‘There was one moment I’d mostly forgotten until recently.My
parentsusedtohavemeetingsattheLondonhouse.There’dbealltheseboringbusinesspeoplearoundand, usually, I’d just play upstairs.But sometimes I’d sit on the stairs towatch themand sort of…eavesdrop.’Shemadea face. ‘Iwasanoddchild, Iknow.Butseriously,growup inmy family?Youlearntomakeyourownfun.
‘Anyway,onetimeIwassittingonthestairs.Imusthavebeen…twelve,Ithink.ItwasrightbeforeI came to Cimmeria. And Nathaniel saw me. I remember he walked up to me and he called meKatherine–nobodycallsmethat.It’smymother’sname.Hesaid,“Andhowareyou,littleKatherine?”AndIcorrectedhim,youknow,likelittlegirlsdo.Isaid,“MynameisKatie.”Heseemedtofindthatfunny.Thenhesaid,“WhenyougettoCimmeria,I’llteachyousomemanners.”Anditscaredme.’Shepaused.‘IthinkbecauseofthatIkindofexpectedhimtobeherewhenIarrived,buthewasn’t.’
‘Onlyhekindofwas,’Alliesaid.Katieheldhergaze.‘Andnowhe’steachingussomemanners.’‘Doyouknowwhyyourparentsareonhisside?’Allieasked.Katie’sexpressiondarkened,andshe
hurriedtofinishthequestion.‘Imean,didLucindadosomethingtothemtopissthemoffsomuchthatthey’d—’
‘Sidewiththedevil?’Katiecutheroff.Shesoundedsardonicandangrynow.Allieworriedshe’dgone too far. But thenKatie gave a resigned shrug. ‘Withmy parents it’s always aboutmoney andpower.Myfather lostafortune inbad investmentswhenIwas littleandhe’sbeentryingtoclawhiswaybackeversince.Mymotherwouldkillahumanbeingforatitle.’SheappraisedAllie,herapricot-pinklipscurvingup.‘You’vealreadygotoneofthose,Ihear.LadyLanarkshire,isn’tit?’
Flushing,Alliedroppedhergaze.‘BloodyRachel.Iknewshewouldn’tbeabletokeepitasecret.’‘Mymotherwouldbesojealous.’Katiesoundedalmostwistful.‘Idowishwewerestillspeakingso
Icouldtellher.She’djustlovetohaveyoutodinnerthen.Orfordinner.Whichever.Envyishermaincharacterflaw.Andmine,tobefair.’Sheturnedstern,loweringaglareatAllie.‘WhyshouldyouhaveatitleifIdon’t?’
Forasplitsecond,Alliewonderedifshewasserious,butthentheredheadgrinnedagain.‘Oh,Iforgot.Becausemymumusedtobeareceptionistatoneofmydad’scompanies.That’swhy.
She’snewmoneyalltheway.God,she’dhatethatI’vetoldyouthat.’Shesettledmorecomfortablyonthesofa.‘Ireallymusttryandthinkofmorescandalousthingsabouthertotellyou.’
Alliehadtolaughatthat.Shewasstartingtolikethisnew,mischievousKatie.‘Ican’tbelieveyou’rebeingsonicetome.’Katiedidn’tblink.‘Ican’tbelieveyou’relettingme.Whyaren’tyousnappingmyheadoff?’‘Idon’tknow,’Allieadmitted.‘Iguessit’slikeyousaid–thereareotherpeopletofightwithright
now.’Theystudiedeachotherforamoment,consideringthisnewalliance.ThenKatiegrewmoreserious.
She leaned forward, lowering her voice.Allie noticed the chess players had departed at some pointwithoutherrealisingit.
‘Look,Allie.Thismeeting.IfLucindawantsNathanieltobackoff…itwon’twork.Youneedtobereadyforthat.’
ThewarmthinAllie’schestfaded,replacedbythefamiliarchillofapprehension.‘Whynot?’‘Becausethewheelsareinmotion,’Katiesaid.‘TheboardissobehindNathanielnow,Idon’tthink
hecouldstopthisthingifhetried.Theywantwhathewants.Andthesepeople–myparentsandtheirfriends–they’llstopatnothing.’
On some level,Allie had already suspected this.But hearing it said aloudwas still shattering. IfKatiewasright,therewasnohope.
‘Areyoutellingmeyouthinkthisisallover?’Hervoicewasbarelyaboveawhisper.‘There’snowayLucindacanwin?’
Katie’snodwas reluctantbutAlliesawnodoubt inherexpression. ‘I thinkLucindaandIsabelleknowit,too.They’rejusttryingtoslowtheprocess.’
‘Sowe’velostalready.’Alliefeltbleak.Losing had always been unthinkable. They didn’t have a plan for failure. Suddenly she had to
imagineasituationinwhichtheywereallhomeless.Withnofamilytoturnto.Nofuture.Anditwas
awful.‘Idon’tunderstand.WhywouldLucindagothroughwiththisifit’shopeless?’Katie’s green eyes studied her with curious kindness. ‘There are different ways to lose, Allie.
Sometimesyouloseandit’sasortofvictory.Ithinkthat’swhatshewants.’‘How?’Alliewasbaffled.Howcouldlosingbeanythingotherthanfailure?‘Wearefightingforalotofthingshere.Fortheschool,Orion,theboard,power,money…’Katie
tickedtheitemsoffonherfingerslikeashoppinglist.‘Lucindacaresaboutsomeofthemmorethanothers.Ifshelosescontrolofone,canshegaincontrolsomewhereelse?Ifshelosestheschool,canshefindanotherplace?IfshelosesOrion,canshegainpowerinanotherorganisation?SheneedstoholdoutlongenoughtostopNathanielfromgettingwhathereallywants.Thisisstrategy.’
For some reasonAllie found herself thinking about her old life. BeforeCimmeria. Theway herparents always took theirwork so seriously.Leaving everymorning at seven andnot returninguntildinnertime.Howeverylittlethingthathappenedintheirofficeshadtobediscussed,analysed.
Theyweren’tpoor.Theyactuallyhadthingsprettygoodcomparedtosomepeople.Buteverythingmattered.
Bycomparison,this,treatingpowerandwealthlikeitwasoneofthosegiantchessgamesyouseeonholiday–moveapawnhere,akingthere–seemedgarish.Irrational.
Insane.Sheforcedherselftoaskonelastquestion.‘Ifshecan’twin,whatisLucindatradingJerryfor?’Katie didn’t hesitate. ‘Time. She needs to buy some time to decide how to lose without losing
everything.’
30
THIRTY
‘Ijustdon’tseethepoint.’Rachelslammedherbookshutwithabang.NicoleandAlliestaredatherinsurprise.‘AndIhatethatIcan’tseethepointinstudying.BecauseIlovestudying.’
ItwasSundayafternoonandtheywereinthelibrary.Theyhadtheroomtothemselves.EvenEloisewasn’ttheretoday.Sotheyweren’tbotheringtobequiet.
‘Comeon,Rachel.Youcan’tgiveuponnormallife.’Nicole’sdelicateFrenchaccentmadenormallifesounddazzling.‘Nomatterwhathappens.’
‘She’sright,’Alliesaid,eventhoughshe,herself,hadbeendoodlingpicturesofarmedrabbitsforhalfanhour.‘TheremightbeanapocalypsebutwestillhavetotakeA-levels.Andthat’swhatreallymatters.’
Rachelgreetedthisironicstatementwithaneyeroll.‘I’mstartingtounderstandwhyyouguyslikefighting.Itwouldbesogoodtokicksomethingrightnow.’
Nicolebrightened.‘Thatwouldbeeasytoarrange…’Withperfecttiming,thelibrarydooropened,hittingthewallwithathud.Zoeswoopedinandstood
infrontofthem,disbeliefinhereyes.Thebruiseonherfacewasgoinggreenaroundtheedges.Everymorningshegavethemadetailedupdateonthecolourchangesandwhatitmeantaboutthemovementofbloodbeneathherskin.Thishadruinedeveryone’sappetiteattwobreakfastssofar.
‘Whyareyou studying?’Her tone said studyingwas themost idiotic activity she could imagine.‘There’sameeting.’Whentheyjuststaredather,shegesturedimpatientlyforthemtofollow.‘Comenow.’
Sheledthewaydownthegrand,emptyhallwaytothebasementstairs,andthenalongthenarrow,dusty subterranean corridor.As theynearedTrainingRoomOne,Allie’s stomachbegan to twist.AnunannouncedNightSchoolmeetingwasnevergood.
Whentheyarrived,thefeaturelessroomwasasfullasitgotthesedays.AllthemembersofNightSchool were there, along with Zelazny, Eloise and a handful of guards. Someone had taken up theexercise padding that usually covered the floor and leaned it against the walls, revealing the coldconcretebelow.
ThegirlsfoundCarterandSylvainstandingononesideofthedimlylitroomwithLucasandtheyhurriedacrosstothem.
‘What’sgoingon?’Allieasked,searchingtheirfacesforclues.Buttheybothshooktheirheads.‘Noidea,’Cartermuttered.Hishandswereshoveddeepintohispocketsandhescannedtheroom
withsuspiciouseyes.
‘Looksserious,’Lucassaid.Tensionthickenedastheywaitedwithnoword.BythetimeIsabelleandRajwalkedinwithDom
tenminuteslater,nervescrawledunderAllie’sskinlikeinsects.Her eyeswere drawn to theAmerican.As always, shewore trousers and amasculine shirt.Her
glassessparkledintheharshfluorescentlight.Shelookedsoenigmatic.Soconfident.Withtheteachersandguardsarrayedaroundher,theheadmistresssurveyedtheroom,herheadheld
high.‘Youallknowwhat’sbeenhappeninginthelastfewdays.’Herrichvoicefilledthespacewitheasy
authority. ‘JerryCole has admitted he’s beenworking forNathaniel, pretending to be one of us butreportingtothemanwhowouldliketodestroythisschoolandyourfuture.Hehasbeenremovedfromtheschoolandisbeingheldinasafeplaceuntilwecanreturnhimtohisowner.’
Quietmurmursswepttheroomasthestudentsprocessedthis.AlliehopedIsabellewastellingthetruth–shedidn’twantJerryanywhereinthebuilding.
‘NowtherewillbeaparleywithNathaniel,’Isabellecontinued.‘Adateandlocationhavebeensetandthefinalconditionsarebeingnegotiatedaswespeak.’
ApricklerandownAllie’sspine.It’sreallyhappening.We’rereallygoingtodothis.Isabellewaitedfortheroomtosettlebeforecontinuing.‘Youwillallhaveimportantrolestoplay.
Thesituationisverydangerous.Asalways,there’snowaytoknowwhathe’sreallyplanning.Sowhileweareaway,theschoolwillneedtobeprotected.Raj?’
Shesteppedback,andRajtookover.His face was hard as his gaze swept the room. ‘The meeting with Nathaniel will take place in
London.Halfmyguardswillaccompanymetotheparley.Halfwillstayherewithyou.Betweennowandthedayofthemeetingyouwillbeinvolvedinintensivepreparation.IthinkweallknownowthatNathanieliscapableofanything.’
Hesteppedamongthem,eyesmovingfromonefacetoanother.‘WhetheryoucometoLondonorstay here, I need you to give me everything you’ve got. Your role will be critical in saving lives.Keepingeachothersafe.’
As he passed them, the students stood straighter, shoulders pulled back, heads high. Even aftereverythingthathadhappenedinthelastyear,Raj’sapprovalstillmattered.
IsabellehandedRajapieceofpaperandhehelditupsotheycouldseeit.‘IfIcallyourname,’hesaid,‘youwillbeworkingwithMrZelaznyandmyguardstoprotectthe
school.’Hecalledoffalistofnames.Onebyone,thestudentswalkedovertostandwithZelazny.WhenhecalledLucas’snametheboylookedupinsurprise.Clearlyhe’dthoughthewasgoingto
theparleywiththecoregroup.Buthedidn’targue.Shovingalockofsandybrownhairbackoutofhiseyes,hewalkedovertoZelazny.Carterpattedhimontheshoulderashepassed.
ThelastnameRajcalledwasRachel’s.Noticinghowshehesitatedbeforecrossingtheroomtojoin
the group,Allie hid her relief. She knew howmuchRachelwould hate not stayingwith the parleygroup.Butshecouldn’tbewiththem.ShewasinnowayreadytotakeonNathanielandGabeagain.
BeforeRachelcouldlineupwithZelazny’sgroup,though,Rajstoppedher.‘You’re notworkingwithZelazny.’His daughter looked up at him in surprise; he pointed to the
othersideoftheroom.‘WeneedyoutohelpDom.’TheAmericanheldupherhand,as ifRachelmightnotknowwhohewas talkingabout.Aftera
briefpausewhenAlliefearedshemightargue,Rachelwalkedtothetech’sside.Already,Alliewasbeginningtofeelbetteraboutthings.IfRachelwaswithDomshehadtostayat
theschool.Nathanielwouldn’tgethishandsonheragain.WhenRajstoppedreading,theroomfellsilent.Allie,Sylvain,Carter,NicoleandZoestoodalone.Alltheotherstudentswereontheothersideof
theroomwithZelazny.‘Therestofyou,’RajlookedacrossatAllie’sgroup.‘Withme.’Hewalkedtowardsthedoor.Alliecouldfeeltheotherstudentswatchingthemastheycrossedthe
roomafterhim.Liketheywerecelebrities.‘This is weird,’ Carter whispered under his breath as they walked out the door and she almost
smiled.‘Weirdiswhatwedobest.’
TheygatheredwithIsabelleandRajinoneofthesmall,top-floorclassroomswherethechairshadbeenarrangedinahalf-circle.AlliesatbetweenSylvainandZoe.NicoleandCarterfilledoutthegroup.RajstoodnearIsabelle,lettingherlead.
Arowofwindowslinedonewall.Outside,greycloudshadbuiltupand,asIsabellestoodtospeak,aclipboardheldinfrontofherchestlikeashield,rainspatteredagainstthewindowslikenailstapping.
‘TheparleywillhappenFridaynightonHampsteadHeath.’SheglancedatAllie.‘Iassumeyou’refamiliarwithit.’
Allie,who’dgrownupontheothersideofthecity,hadonlyvaguememoriesofvastgreenfields,alavishwhitemansionwithcolumns,andanorchestraplayinginthesun.
‘Iwentthereoncealongtimeago,’shesaid.Theheadmistressacknowledgedthiswithanod.‘Thenlet’sstartwiththebasics.HampsteadHeath
isaparkinthenorthofLondon.We’veagreedtothatlocationbecausepartsofitarequiteremoteandlikelytobeemptyatnight.Sothere’slesschanceofaninnocentpersonbeinghurt.’
Theideathatshesoopenlyanticipatedviolencewasunnerving.‘HewantstomeetonParliamentHill.’Isabelledidn’thideherirritationatthisfact.‘Nathanieland
his symbolism.However, thiscouldwork toouradvantage.Therearemanyplaceson thatparticularridgewherewecanstationguards.Theterrainisnotunlikethegroundshere–hilly,forested–andweknowhowtooperateinthoseconditions.’
Asthestudentsdigestedthis,sheturned.‘Allie.Wewillgoovertheconditionswe’veagreedtoin
detail later.But fornow,you shouldknowNathaniel insistedyoucomealone.’Allie shookherheadfiercely at this news but, before she could voice her protest, Isabelle held up her hand. ‘We haverefused,ofcourse.Aftersomeresistance,he’sagreedyoucanbringonepersonwithyoubutitmustbeastudent–hewon’tallowRajoranyofhisguards.Obviously,wewillallbethere,onewayoranother.Butonlyonepersoncantravelwithyouandbeatyoursideduringthemeeting.’
Allieshivered.ItwasallhappeningexactlyasJerryhadtoldheritwould.Outside,therainwasfallinghardernow.Runninginrivuletsdowntheglass.Theheadmistress stepped towardsher. ‘Raj and Ibothbelieve that,under thecircumstances, this
decisionshouldbeyoursalone.Whowouldyouliketobewithyou?’Wordlessly,Alliestaredbackather.ShekepthearingJerry’swordsinherhead.‘Takesomeoneyou
believein.’Whatdid thatevenmean?Shebelieved ineveryperson in this room.Shewould throwherself in
frontofabulletforeachofthem.Howcouldshechooseoneofthemabovetheothers?She forced herself to look around the circle. Zoe gazed at her with hopeful eyes. But that was
impossible–shewasfartooyoung.Theincidentinthelibraryhadprovenshewasn’treadyyet.Her gazemoved toNicole. Shewas both quick and skilled, andAllie knew she could stand her
ground.ButGabewouldfindawaytouseherlackofsheerphysicalstrengthagainsther.ThatleftSylvainandCarter.Sylvainwatchedherwithalookofsteadyconfidencebutsheknewhimwellenoughtoseeworry
darkenhisblueeyeswhenshedidn’timmediatelysayhisname.Hereyesmovedtothelastdeskinthecircle.Carterwastheonlyoneinthegroupwhodidn’tmeethergaze.Shecouldseehistensionintheset
ofhisshoulders;thewayamuscleworkedinhisjaw.Takesomeoneyoubelievein…
Indecisionpinionedher.Themomentstretchedontoolong.ShesawIsabellefrownatRajwhenshedidn’tspeak.Shehadto
choose.Shehadtodoitnow.Shetookadeepbreath.‘I’lltakeSylvain.’Carter’sshouldersstiffenedasifshe’dstruckhim.The others reacted as she’d expected. Zoemutteredmutinously to herself, while Nicole seemed
unsurprised.Sylvainnoddedasifthiswaspreciselywhathe’dexpected.ButCarterkepthiseyesontheground;hisfaceexpressionless.
‘Fine.’Isabelle’sclippedtonegavenocluestoherfeelingsaboutAllie’sdecision.‘ThetwoofyouwillworkwithRaj andDomon the details of the journey and themeeting.Otherwise,wewill allworktogetheronoverallpreparednessandplanning.’
Shesettheclipboarddown.Asshelookedaroundthecircle,hergoldenbrowneyeswereshadowed.‘Imust be honest with you. Aswe said downstairs, this is going to be dangerous. But Lucinda
believesifwedon’tgotoNathanielnowhewillcometouslater,andthatcouldbeworse.Youmustbeready for anything. My one goal is to get every single one of you back here safely. Nothing elsematters.’
31
THIRTY-ONE
Whenthemeetingended,thegroupwalkedoutinahushedcluster,stunnedbythespeedwithwhichitwasallhappening.Onlyafewdaystoprepare.
Frombeneathherlashes,AlliekepthereyesonCarter.He’dbeensubduedthroughoutthemeeting,avoidinghergaze.
As soon as they reached the first-floor landing, she saw him drop back and peel away from theothers.Shehurriedtofollowbuthewasmovingfast.Whenhereachedthefootofanarrowstaircasethatledtotheboys’dorm,shecalledouttohim.
‘Hey!’.Hefroze..‘Canwetalk?’sheasked.‘Sure.’Hisvoicewaseven.Butstillhedidn’tturnaround.Shereachedforhisarm.Hiswhiteshirtwascoolbeneathherfingersbutshecouldfeelthewarmth
ofhisskinthroughthefabric.Slowly,heturnedtolookather.Hisfacewascarefullyblank.
‘Look…’Shehesitated.Nowthatshewashereshedidn’tknowwhattosay.‘I…IwantedtotalktoyouaboutwhyIchose—’
‘It’s fine.’He cut her off before she could finish. ‘I knowwhy you pickedSylvain.And I don’tblameyou.Iwouldhavemadethesamedecision.’
Allieblinked.‘Youwould?’‘Ofcourse.He’sgoneupagainstGabemorethanonce.AndNathaniel.Andwon.’Hedroppedhis
gaze.‘I’veneverdonethat.Probablycouldn’t.SoSylvain’s therightchoice.Youneedsomeonewhocankeepyousafe.’
Despitehisobviousattempttosoundneutral,hisvoicedrippedwithself-loathing.Alliewashorrifiedbyhowhewasinterpretingherchoice.‘Carter,Ididn’tchooseSylvainbecausehe’sbetterthanyou,’shesaid,willinghimtobelieveher.
‘That’snotthereason.’‘Itshouldhavebeen,’hesaidroughly,colourrisinginhischeeks.‘Allthatmattersnowischoosing
thebestpersontofightwithyou.Nothingelse.Andthat’sSylvain.’‘That’snot true,’ shesaid, tighteninghergriponhisarm.Carter’sgaze lockedonherswithsuch
intensityitwashardforhertobreathe.
‘Ifthat’snotthereasonthen…why,Allie?Whydidyouchoosehim?’She stared at him, seeing the hurt in his eyes.But she didn’t knowhow to answer his question.
Becausehe’smyboyfriend?Becausehelovesme?Thosewerebothstupidreasonstochooseafighter.Shehadthehorriblefeelingshe’dmadeamistake.Droppingherhandshelookedupathimhopelessly.‘Don’tyousee?Ihadto.WhatIwantdoesn’t
matter.’Surpriseflaredinhiseyes.Butbeforehecouldaskanyquestions,shestumbledaway,runninghardintoamarblestatueshe’dforgottenwasbehindher.Flustered,shegrabbedontotheplinthtorightherself.‘Sorry…Ishould…I’vegottogo.’
Thensherandownthestairsasifsomeonewaschasingher.
Thenext fewdayswere a blur of preparation. Isabelle insisted they continuewith their coursework,evenastheirphysicaltrainingextendedlaterandlaterintothenight.ByWednesday,theywerealreadyexhausted,andtherewerestilltwodaystogo.
ButAlliewasgladofthehardworkandthepressure–itkeptherfromworryingallday.Madehertiredenoughtosleepatnight.Kepthermindfromspinningthroughallthewaysitcouldgowrong.
SheandSylvainmeteverydayafterclasswithIsabelle,RajandDomforupdatesontheirplansfortheparley.
Theworkwas relentless. Every element of the route theywould take to the park, and how theywouldmaketheirwaytoParliamentHill,wasscrutinisedandanalysedoverandoveragainuntilAllieknewHampsteadaswellassheknewCimmeria.
OnWednesdayafternoontheygatheredinasmallbasementofficeacrossfromTrainingRoomOneandcrowdedaroundDom’slaptop,lookingatamapofHampsteadHeathandthesurroundingtangleofcitystreets.Theparkwasamassofdarkgreen,thestreetsarounditwhitelinesthatcurvedandangled.
Thiswashighsummer,sotheyknewtheparkwouldbepackedwithpicnickers,bikersandtouristsduringtheday.Butatnightitwasvirtuallyempty.
‘Theareaaroundtheparkisveryexclusive–someofthemostexpensivepropertyinLondon.Butit’salsodenselypopulated,’Rajexplained,pointingatwhitelinesjustbeyondthesouthernquadrantofthepark.‘Weshouldbeabletodropyouoffwithoutbeingnoticed.Theproblemisgettingyouacrosstheparkandtothetopofthehillsafely.’
HegesturedforDomtotakeover.Withhercursor, she tracedadark,curving line. ‘Ifwe letyouoffhere,youcouldwalkupquite
easily,butwebelievethispathistooexposed.It’sthemostpopularroutefortouristsbecauseit’salongagentlecurvingslope.’Thecursormovedtoalongerfootpath,whichcameintotheparkfromanotherdirection. ‘This one is steeper and travels through wooded terrain. It providesmore cover and thussafety.However, itmeans you’re on foot longer in the park,which increases the risk, ifNathaniel’sguardsarewhereweexpectthemtobe.’Throughtheclearlensesofhernarrowglassessheglancedupatthem.‘Despitethat,webelievethebenefitsoutweighthedangers,andthisisthebetterpath.’
Sylvainfrowned.‘YouthinkwecanavoidNathaniel’sguards?’‘You’llhaveto,’Domsaid.Rajtookover,pointingatawhitelineattheedgeofthegreen.‘We’lldropyouoffhere,onTanza
Road.Fromthereyou’llneedtohikefivehundredyardsdueeasttomeetupwiththisfootpathhere.’Hetapped a slim black line on the screen. ‘After that, your journey to the top of the hill should bestraightforward.Iwillstationguardsinthewoodsalongthewaytoprovideprotectionbutit’snearlyamiletothemeetingpoint.Youwillneedtobeextremelycautious.’
‘Whataboutpolice?Civilians?’Sylvainasked.‘Ifyouseethepoliceyou’rejustacoupleofkidslookingforaplacetobealone.’Rajspokewithout
apparentembarrassment,buthiswordsmadeAlliegored.‘Civilians?’Sylvainproddedhim.‘Ifyouseepeople,avoidthem.That’sthebasicrule,’Rajsaid.‘WillLucindabewithusthewholetime?’Allieasked.Raj shookhishead. ‘She’ll takeadifferent route.Keepingyou togetherwouldbe toodangerous.
You’llmeetheratthetopoftheridge.’Hetappedhisfingeronthescreen.‘Now,ourguardswillbealloverthathillbutthatwon’tbeenough.Nathaniel’sguardswillbethere,too.You’llneedtorelyonyourtrainingandyourwitstogetthroughthis.BecausewhateverNathanielhasplanned,itisn’taparley.’
‘We’llbeready,’Sylvainvowed.Alliecouldn’t tearhereyes from themap,glowinggreenandwhiteon thecomputer screen.She
wishedshefeltasconfidentashesounded.
Whentheycameoutofthemeeting,Rachelwaswaitinginthecorridor,ahugestackofpapersinherarms.
Seeing her,Allie felt a sudden burst of unexpected happiness.A friendly facewas justwhat sheneededaboutnow.
Sheranuptoher.‘Hi!Lookingforme?’Sheglancedatthepapers.‘HowdidyouknowI’drunoutofallthepaperintheworld?’
Rachelpeeredoverhershoulder.‘Notexactly,’shesaid.‘Imean,I’malwayshappytoseeyoubutduringthisparticularCimmeriaapocalypseI’mhereforsomeoneelse.’
‘Rachel.Thereyouare.’Dom’svoicecamefrombehindthem.Eagerly, Rachel stepped past Allie, holding up the pages so Dom could see them. ‘I got your
message.Here’stheinformationyouaskedfor.’Shefairlyvibratedwithexcitement.Allie watched her with interest; it had been a while since she’d seen Rachel so enthused and
animated.‘Great.’Takingthepapersfromher,Domhandedherthelaptopcase.Withoutasecond’shesitation,
Racheldrapeditacrosshershoulderandfollowedthetechdownthenarrowcorridor,skippingalittletokeepup.
‘Weneedtoplotsomewalkingroutes,’AllieheardDomexplaininabrisktone.‘We’llneedtotaketheOrdnanceSurveymapsandthenrecalculatetimeandpace…’
Hervoicefadedastheywalkeddownthehallway,absorbedintheirplans.‘RachelfitswellwithDom,’SylvainhadwalkedupnexttoAlliewithouthernoticing.‘Yeah,’shesaid,watchingthemdisappeardownthestairs.‘They’retwocleverpeasinasupersmart
pod.’Assheheadeddowntheshadowytop-floorcorridor,Sylvainfell intostepbesideher. Itwasvery
quiet.
Astheywalked,Allieglancedathim.‘Howdoyoufeelaboutallthis?Doyouthinkwe’reready?’Helookedather,hiseyesaflashofturquoiseinthedimness.‘It’sOK,Iguess.Butwe’llneedmuch
morepreciseknowledgeofwheretogoonceweenterthepark,howwe’llcommunicate…everything.’Ashadowcrossedhisface.Inalltheirtraininghe’dneverbetrayedanythingbutsteadyconfidence.
Now,asAllierealisedhowworriedhewas,nervestightenedtheirgriponher.Because he was right. This meeting was taking them out of their comfort zone. Away from
Cimmeria,wheretheyknewtheyhadhomefieldadvantage,andintoLondon:enemyterritory.‘It’sallhappeningsofast,’shesaid.SometimesIfeellikewe’rekindofrunningintosomethingwe
don’ttotallyunderstand.’Hemethergaze. ‘I supposewe’llhavemore information tonight. I think that’swhatRachel and
Domareworkingon.’‘Yes,but…there’snotime.’Hearingtheworryinhervoice,Sylvainreachedforherhand.Shelethimpullhercloser,untilshe
couldfeelthewarmthofhisskinthroughtheirclothes.‘We’llbefine,’hesaid.‘Ipromise.’Thisclosetohimshecouldbreatheinhisfamiliarscent–hesmelledofcoffee,spicysandalwood
soap.Seehowhiseyesfracturedthelightlikesapphires.Hewasbeautifulandkindandbrave.Anyidiotcouldseethat.
Atthatmoment,footstepsstormedupthestairstowardsthem.Theyweremovingfast.Urgently.Asifsomeonewaspanicking.
Insync,theybothturned.Nicolehurtleduptowardsthem,herbluepleatedskirtswirlingaroundherlegs,darkhairflying.‘Sylvain,’shesaidandhervoicesoundedstrange.Shewaswhiteaspaper.‘Something’shappened.’AlliefeltSylvain’sbodytighten.‘Whatisit?’Hisvoicehadgonecold.AtearrandownNicole’spalecheekandAlliesawthatshewastrembling.‘It’syourfather.’
32
THIRTY-TWO
Isabellemetthematthefootofthestairs.‘Ishealive?’Sylvainkeptasking.Thecolourhaddrainedfromhisfacebuthisvoicewassteady.
Insistent.All the headmistress could saywas, ‘I hope so.We’rewaiting.’ She reached for his arm as if to
steadyhim.‘But,Sylvain.It’sbad.’Fromthen,everything tookonanightmarishhaze.Alliecouldn’t seem to feelanything.Shewas
numb.ThethreestudentsfollowedIsabelletoheroffice.NicoleandAllietriedtomakeSylvainsitbuthe
refused.Insteadhestoodstifflybythedoor,hisfacedrawn.‘Mymother…?’heasked.‘She’sfine.She’sonherwaytothehospitalnowtobewithyourfather,’Isabellesaid.‘Pleasesit
andI’lltellyoueverythingIknow.’Hesethisshoulders.‘Iwillstand.But…tellme.’Nobodycouldbeartositifhedidn’t,sotheyallstoodasIsabelleexplainedwhathadhappened.HisfatherhadbeenathisofficesinParis.Hehadameetingthatafternoonelsewhereinthecitywith
abusinessassociate.‘Itwasperfectlyroutine,’Isabellesaid.‘Someonehemetallthetime.’Hischauffeurdrovethecartothefrontdooroftheofficetopickhimup.‘Everythingwasnormal,’Isabellesaid.‘Heandhisdriverhadgonelessthanamilewhenthebomb
wentoff.Theybelieveitwashiddenintheengineofthecar.Averysophisticateddevice.’Abomb.TheworldswungbeneathAllie’sfeet.Shegrippedthebackofthechairinfrontofhersohardher
nailsdugdeeppitsintotheleather.Unflinching, Sylvain fixed the headmistress with a piercing look. ‘How bad is it?’ When the
headmistresshesitated,histonesharpened.‘Tellme.’‘Thecarflippedoverontoitstop.’Isabelle’svoicewaslow.‘Itflewfiftyfeet.Thedriverwaskilled
instantly.’Nicolemadeasmallsoundofgrief.Alliecoveredhermouthwithherhands.SheknewMrCassel’s
driver.Healwayshadasmileforherwhenshepassedhimonthegrounds.Hewasyoung.Normal.Dead.Sylvainlookedsuddenlyolder,hisfacesagging.
‘Andmyfather?’HetriedsohardtolookincontrolbutAlliecouldseehowhestruggledtogetthewordsout.How
frightenedhewas.Nicoleputherarmaroundhim;hedidn’tseemtonoticehertouch.Her actions seemed to release Allie from the shock that had held her in place, and she ran to
Sylvain’s other side, putting her arm across his shoulders. .He stood stiffly in her embrace but shedidn’tletgo.Sheknewwhatitfeltliketohavefearandgriefcutyouofffromtheworld.
‘Allweknowisheisalive.He’sinsurgery.’Isabelle’sgoldenbrowneyeswerefullofsympathy.‘Hisinjuriesaregrave.IwishIcouldtellyoumore.’
Sylvainnodded,absorbingthisinformation.‘Allie,Nicole,’hesaid,notatallunkindly,‘letmego,please.’Reluctantly,Allieletherhandsdroptohersides.Shewantedtohelp–sheneededtodosomething.
She thoughtofhowkindheandhis familyhadbeen toherand toRachelafter they’dwashedupontheirdoorstep,pursuedbymonsters.Shewantedtobelikethem–toalwaysknowtherightthingtosayortodo.
Buttherewasnothingshecoulddothatwouldmakethismomentanylessfrighteningforhim.‘Thankyou.’Hisvoicewassteadyandstrangelyformal.Butshecouldseehewasholdinghimself
togetherbyathread.Aslenderstrandofdetermination.Foralongmomentheseemedtothink.Thenhelookedupattheheadmistress.‘Isabelle,organiseaplane.Youknowwhotocall.I’llpackafewthings.Haveacarmeetmeatthefrontdoorintenminutes.’
Allieglancedattheheadmistress,expectinghertoobjecttobeinggivenorders.Totrytocalmhimdown.Toofferalternatives.
ButIsabelledidnoneofthosethings.‘Ofcourse,’shesaid.Thenshepickedupherphone.Withoutanotherword,Sylvainopenedthedooranddisappearedintothehallway.Allie couldn’t seem to understand anything that was happening. Sylvain was going away? By
himself?Itwasn’tsafeoutthere.Surelytheywouldn’tlethimjustleave.‘Isabelle…?’shesaid.But theheadmistresswasscrollingthroughthenumbersonherphoneand
didn’tlookup.Panicrisinginherthroat,AllieturnedtoNicolehelplessly.‘Whatishappening?’‘Comewithme.’Takingherarm,theFrenchgirlsteeredherfromtheoffice.Behind them, Allie heard Isabelle speaking into her phone. ‘The Cassel jet, please. Number
A135982.Howquicklycan itbe fuelledandprepped?’Thenafterabriefpause, ‘Weneed itquickerthanthat.’
Thiscannotbehappening.Assoonastheywereinthehallway,AlliewrenchedherarmfreeofNicole’sgrip.‘Stop.Just…tell
mewhat’sgoingon.Sylvaincan’tjustgo.’
‘Hecan.’Nicolestudiedherwithsympathy.‘Hehasto.Andyoumustlethimgo.’HerFrenchaccenthadthickened;itwasalwaysheavierwhenshewasunderstress.‘But—’AlliebegantoprotestbutNicolecutheroff.‘Sylvainandhisparentsareveryclose,Allie.Youknowthat.Hemustbethereforhismother.And
incasehis father is alive.’Hervoice trembledwhen she said ‘incase’, remindingAllie that sheandSylvaingrewuptogether;shelovedhisparents.‘WhenhisfatherwakesuphewillneedSylvain’shelp.Hisprotection.’
‘Protection?’Alliefrowned.‘Sylvain’s father is the head of the European organisation,’ Nicole explained patiently. ‘The one
calledDemeter.HeisnotjustafriendofLucinda’s.HeisherequivalentinFrance.IfNathanieldidthis,itwasadeclarationofwar.’
Alliestaredatherinastonishment.She’dknowntheCasselswereimportantintheorganisationbutthiswasthefirsttimeshe’dbeentoldjusthowimportanttheywere.
Nicolewasstilltalking.‘WhoeverdidthiswantsMrCasseldead.Ifhesurvivesthisattacktheywilltryagain.Someoneneedstocoordinatehisprotectionandrunthebusiness.Sylvain’smotherwillbe…’Shepaused,lookingfortherightwords.‘Shemightnotbeabletodoitrightnow.Shewillbeupset.’
‘Buthecan’tgoalone,’Allieinsisted.‘It’stoomuch.’‘Hehasto,’Nicolesaidfirmly.‘He’llbeindanger,’Alliesaid.‘Weareall indanger.’Nicole’s tonesharpened.SheshookAllie’sarmwithgentle firmness,as if
tryingtowakeher.‘Hehastogo,Allie.Hehasnochoice.’Alliestaredatherwide-eyed.Sylvainwasabouttoleave.Towalkstraightintotheaftermathofa
highlyskilledassassinationattempt.Hecouldbekilled.‘Ihavetogotohim,’shesaid.AteartumbleddownNicole’scheekasshesteppedback.‘Go.Helphim.’Feeling coldwith fear,Allie ran down thewide hallway and pounded up the stairs to the boys’
dorm.Girlsweren’tallowedtherebutnoonetriedtostopher.AllTheRuleshadlosttheirpower.Whenshereachedtheplainwhitedoorwith306lacqueredonitinglossyblackshestopped,panting
heavily.Throughthedoor,shecouldheartheslidingsoundofwoodendrawersopeningandthethudastheywereclosedagain.
Sheknockedhesitantly.Asecondlater,Sylvainyankedthedooropenwithsuchforceshejumpedback.Hestoodinthedoorway,frowningather,hisarmsfulloffoldedshirts.‘Allie.Whatareyoudoinghere?’Withoutwaitingforananswerhewalkedbackacrosstheroom
andsettheshirtsintheopensuitcaseonthebed,thenstalkedtothewardrobe.‘I…IcametoseeifIcould…help.’Thesuitcasewassleekandblack,linedinmonogrammedsilk.
Alliehadtomarvelathowneatlyhewaspackingeveninacrisis.Nothinglookeddisturbedinhisroom.Everythingwasinitscorrectplace.
I’dbethrowingthingsaround,shethought.Ashepulledmoreclothingfromhiswardrobeandfoldedthemintothecase,hereyesweredrawnto
theoldoilpaintingthatdominatedonewall.Itshowedanangelcarryingamanuptotheclouds.Theangel’swingswerebeautifullypainted– they seemed toglow from inside, likepearls.He’d toldheroncethatithadbeenagift.Itonlyoccurredtohernowtowonderwhohadgivenit tohimandwhy.Therewasnothinginhisparents’houselikeit.
‘I’malmost finished,’he said, jerkingher attentionback.Pickingupa smallbag for toiletrieshewalkedtoashelfbythedoorandpickedafewitemsoffitwithdeliberatemovements.
He closed the suitcase, taking care to latch it.Thenhepicked it up as if itweighednothing andturnedtothedoor,hisfaceset.Alliefoundherselfwonderingifhewasinshock.Hewasn’tactingatalllikehimself.Itwasasifsomeonewasoperatinghimfromfaraway.
‘Ihavetogonow,Allie.’Panicmadeherheartrace.Hewasreallyleaving.‘Sylvain…’Shesteppedtowardshim,armsoutstretchedasifto…what?Stophim?Holdhim?Lips tight with determination, he sidestepped her. Embarrassed and confused, she dropped her
hands.Seeingthelookonherfacehestoppedandclosedhiseyes.Helookedtorn.Tormented.‘Ican’tdothis,Allie.Ihavetogo.’Butthen,stillholdingthesuitcaseinhislefthand,hewalkeduptoher.Cuppinghercheekinhis
righthand,helookedatherwithsuchlongingitbrokeherheart.‘I love you,Allie. I alwayswill. Even though I know…’He almost smiled then, a terrible, sad
smile.‘Well,Iknow.’Leaningforwardhebrushedhislipsagainsthers;histouchaslightandetherealasakissinadream.‘Goodbye,Allie.’
Lipspartedinsurprise,shedidn’tmoveashewalkedaway.Inthedoorway,hestoppedandlookedbackather.
‘TakeCartertotheparley,’hesaid.‘And,whateverhappens…stayalive.’Thenhewasgone.‘Sylvain…’Alliebreathedtheword,tooquietlyforhimtohear.Thesoundofhisfootstepsrecededinthedistance.Shecouldn’tseemtomove.Itwasifherworldhadspunoffitsaxisassheclungtoit,helpless.Nervesmadeherstomachburnandsheclutchedherabdomenasshetriedtothink.Whoever tried tokillhis fatherwouldsurelywantSylvaindead, too.Andanyonewhosupported
Lucinda.Hewasjustasvulnerableashisfather.‘Hehastogo,’Nicolehadsaid.Buthewaswalkingintoamaelstrom.Onlythenwassheabletomove,andsheranafterhim,nearlytumblingdownthestaircaseinher
haste.Tearswet on her cheeks, she skidded into the grand hallway. In the distance she could hear the
steadyrumbleofacarengineandherheartstutteredwiththefearthatshe’dmissedhim.Thathewasalreadygone.
When she reached the front door, Isabelle and Nicole were on the steps watching sombrely asSylvainopenedthedoorofagleamingblackcar.
Allierandownto the loweststepand thenstopped,unsureofwhat todo.Sheknewshecouldn’tstophim.Ifshetried,she’donlymakethingsharderforhim.
Whenheturnedforonelastlookattheschool,Sylvain’seyesfoundher.Chokingbackasob,sheraisedherhandingoodbye.Fora longmomenthestoodstill, studyingheras ifhewas trying tomemoriseherface.Thenhe
climbedintothecaranditdroveaway.
33
THIRTY-THREE
‘Take a break, everyone.’ Raj looked around the training room. Sweating, exhausted Night Schoolstudentscollapsedontothedarkbluerubbermattingonthefloor.‘Westartagaininten.’
Thestudentsgroaned.Alliestayedonherfeet,musclestense.Shedidn’twantabreak.Shewantedtofight.‘What’swrong?’Cockingherhead tooneside,Zoestudiedherwithaquizzicalexpression. ‘You
lookfunny.’Alliewasn’t in themood toexplainhowshe felt. ‘Nothing,’ she lied. ‘I’m just thirsty. I’llgetus
somewater.’Withoutwaitingfortheyoungergirltorespond,shecrossedthemattothefrontofthesteamyroom
where a cooler filledwithwater and ice stood open.Grabbing a bottle, she pressed the cold plasticagainstherforehead.
Sylvainhadbeengonesixhoursbutitfeltlikedays.Atleasthisfatherhadcomethroughsurgery,althoughhehadn’tyetwoken.Shecouldn’timagine
whatSylvainwasgoingthrough.Everythingtheremustbesochaoticandheartbreaking.Shecouldn’tgetthelookhe’dgivenherinhisroomoutofhermind.He’dseemed…destroyed.Against herwill, her gazewas drawn across the room towhereCarter stood talking toRaj.His
cheekswereredfromexertionandhisdarkhairhadswungforwardtohiseyes,stickingtothedampskinofhisforehead.
AlliekepthearingSylvain’swordsinhermind.‘EventhoughIknow…’Guiltswirledinsideher.Whatdidheknow?Thatshe’dhaddoubts?Thatshewastempted?Herstomachtwisted.Ifshe’dmadethingsworseforhimrightnowwithherindecisionandstupidity
she’dneverforgiveherself.‘CanIhaveoneofthose?’Nicole’sFrench-accentedvoicestartledher.Allieswungaroundtofaceher.‘What?’Hervoicecameoutsharperthanshe’dintendedandNicoleshotherapuzzledlook.‘Thewater,’shesaid.‘CouldIhaveone,please?’Lookingdownatherfeet,Allierealisedshewasblockingaccesstothecooler.‘Sorry,’shesaid,handingabottletoNicole.‘Iwasthinking.’TheFrenchgirlgaveherawansmile.‘It’sfine–we’veallgotalotonourminds.’Hopingnottobeaskedwhatshe’dbeenthinkingabout,Allielethergazeskitteraroundtheroom,
avoidingCarter.Onlythendidshenoticesomeonewasmissing.‘Where’sRachel?’sheaskedwithafrown.‘She’swithDom.Rajhasgivenherapassonphysicaltraining.’‘OhthankGod,’Alliesaid,relieved.‘Atlast.’Nicolelookedathercuriously.‘RajsaysCarter’sgoingwithyoutotheparleynow.Isthatgoingto
beOK?Hedoesn’thavemuchtimetoprepare.’Against Allie’s will, her gaze darted back to where Carter stood not looking at her. ‘We start
workingtogethertonight.Carterlearnsfast.’‘Ijusthope—’NicolestartedtospeakbutthenRaj’svoicerangoutinthehumidair,cuttingheroff.‘Allright,everyone.Onyourfeet.’GivingNicole an apologeticwave,Allie hurried back to Zoe, tossing her a bottle ofwater. Zoe
snatcheditoutoftheairwithease.‘Allie,Zoe.’Rajmotionedforthemtocomeover.Carterstoodnexttohim.Whenthegirlsreachedthem,Rajspokequietly.‘Allie,youandCarterarepartneredfromnowon.’
Zoe’sbrowloweredominouslybutbeforeshecouldspeak,headded,‘ZoecantrainwithNicole.’‘Awesome.’Instantlyplacated,ZoeranovertowheretheFrenchgirlwaited.Withoutdiscussion,AllieandCartertooktheirplacesnexttoeachother.Alliedidn’tknowwhatto
say.Shewasgladtobetrainingwithhim.Andshefeltguiltyforbeingglad.Shethoughtitbesttosaynothingatall.AsRajcalledfororder,theroomhushed.Allaroundthemthestudentspairedup,preparingtofight.Cartersquaredoffagainsther,takingthefirstposition,armslooseathissides,feetshoulder-width
apart.Heheldhergaze.‘Youreadyforthis?’Halfturningherbodyinanticipationofthefirstblow,shemethislookwithgrimdetermination.‘I
havetobe.’
Aftertrainingthatnight,AlliehurriedupthestairstothetopfloorofthedarkenedclassroomwingtomeetwithRajandCarter.Herhair, stillwet from the shower,dampened thebackofherwhite shirt,whichsheworelooseoverhershortskirt.
Itwasnearlymidnight.Hermusclesachedalittlefromtheworkoutandshewalkedstiffly,tryingtoloosenthekinks.
Herfootstepssoundedhollowinthestillness.Ahead,thestaircasewaslostinshadows,illuminatedonlyonthelandingwherethemooncastapaleblueglowthroughatallwindow.Whenshereachedthewindowshestoppedtolookoutoverthegrounds–themoonwasalmostfullandshecouldseeallthewaytothetreeline.Nothingmovedoutthere.Thenightwasstill.
Thesuddensoundoffootstepsstartledherandshespunround,fistsraised.‘Hey.’Cartersteppedintothemoonlighttwostepsbelowher.‘Don’tshoot.It’sonlyme.’‘Oh.’Allie lookedat her fists as if shedidn’t knowhow they’d endedup in frontofher. ‘Sorry.
Instinct.’Heclimbedthelasttwosteps.‘Goodinstincts,’hesaid.‘Quickinstincts.They’llsaveyourlife.’Inthemoonlighthisdarkeyeswereimpossibletoread.Alliehatedthatshewasgladtoseehim.But
shewas.‘Look…wedidn’tgetachancetotalkearlier.Ijust…’Hefaltered.‘Areyoureallycoolwiththis?’
Hegesturedatthetwoofthem.‘IfyouwantsomeoneelsewithyouonFridaydon’tbeafraidtosayso.Iwon’tbehurt.Thisisimportant.’
Hiswordslefthersoaghast,shedidn’tstoptothink.Shejusttoldhimthetruth.‘Idon’twant anyoneelse,Carter,’ she said. ‘Iwantyou.Pleasedon’tbackout.’Shepaused,her
lowerliptrembling.‘Ineedyou.’Ifherheartfeltpleasurprisedhim,hedidn’tshowit.Hisseriouseyesheldhersforalongmoment.
Then, as if they were agreeing about the weather or some essay they needed to write for class, henodded.
‘Good.That’sallIneededtoknow.’Hisvoicewassteadyandstrong.‘Let’sdothis.’
34
THIRTY-FOUR
Afterthedarkquietofthestairwell,thelittleclassroomatthetopwasahiveofactivityandlight.Domstoodatabankoflaptopcomputers,typingfuriously.Shewasn’talone.
‘Rachel?’Alliecouldn’tkeepthesurpriseoutofhervoice.Glancingupfromhercomputerscreen,Rachelgaveawavethatseemedalmostjaunty.‘Helping!’Shewaspurposefulandinherelement,andAlliefeltarushofgratitudetoDomforchoosingher,
makingherpartoftheteam.Across theroom,RajandIsabelleweredeepinconversationinfrontofa tablespreadwithmaps
andpapers.Noticingthem,Isabellestraightened.‘Let’sgetstarted,’shesaid.‘Areyouready,Dom?’FrombehindalaptopDomgaveatersenod.‘Readywhenyouare.’‘Carter.’LeavingIsabelle,Rajwalkedovertothem.‘We’regoingtorunthroughtheplanfromstart
tofinish.It’salottotakeinbutIhavenodoubtyoucandothis.’IncludingAllieinhisgazehesaid,‘Seeingthewaythetwoofyouworkedtogether tonightreassuredme.Butweonlyhavetwenty-fourhours toprepare.We’regoing toneedeverythingyou’vegot.Bothofyou.’Withoutwaitingfor theirresponse,heturnedtoDom.‘Mapone.’
BehindDom andRachel amap ofHampsteadHeath appeared, projected on to thewall in vividgreendetail.AsRaj explained the routeAlliehadalreadymemorisedwithSylvain, she staredat thecartographer’sdrawing.Ithadbeencolouredemeraldgreentoillustrateitsvibrancybutthatonlymadeitseemcartoonish.
She tried to rememberwhat sheknewofHampsteadbut all shecould recallwas steephills,big,expensivehousesandtourists.
Not for the first time, a litanyof all the things that couldgowrongwent throughhermind.TheplacesNathanielandGabecouldhide.Theweaponstheymightcarry.
Apprehensiontighteneditsnoosearoundherthroat.Takingslowbreaths,shemadeherselffocusonwhatRajwassayingashepointedtotheroadwhere
they’dbedroppedandtracedouttheirpathintotheparkwithsteadyhands,talkinginalow,calmvoicethatproclaimedhisfaithinthem.Hisbelieftheycouldgetthroughthis.
Andtheywouldgetthroughthis,shetoldherself.Theyhadto.
35
THIRTY-FIVE
Thenextmorning,Alliefoughttostayawakeinclass.They’dworkedonplansfortheparleyuntilthreeinthemorning.CarterabsorbedinformationquicklybutRajinsistedhehaveitalldownperfectly,sothey’dgonethroughitalloverandoveragain.
Shecouldn’tevenrememberclimbingintobed.BythetimeZelaznywalkedintothehistoryclassroom,hisarmsfilledwithstacksofbooks,shewas
having trouble keeping her eyes open. Even through a haze of exhaustion, though, his demeanourcaughtherattention.Hedidn’tshoutatthemtobequietinhisusualwayorfixthemwithaglare.He’dbeensubduedeversinceJerry’sexposureasNathaniel’sman.Asifhe’dbelievedthey’dallfailed.
Alliehadneverexpectedtomisshisbluster,butshedid.‘All this term,’ the history teacher said, as the students fell silent, ‘we’ve been talking about the
years of the British Empire. But today is an unusual day.’ Setting the books down on his desk, hestudied the students sombrely. ‘There’s no point in pretending. You all know about the parley withNathaniel.’
Allie’sbreathcaught.OutsideofNightSchool,noneoftheinstructorsweretalkingopenlyaboutit.SheglancedovertowhereCartersatnexttoher,buthisgazewasfixedonZelazny;asmallfrownlinecreasedhisforehead.
The other students seemed similarly surprised. Two Night School students murmureddisapprovingly in the back. The non-Night School students looked fascinated. Hopeful they’d learnmore.
Atthefrontoftheroom,thehistoryteacherwasstilltalking.‘Mostofyourteacherswillactasifnothingishappening.Theywanttodistractyou.Keepyoucalm.Iintendtodosomethingdifferent.’Hebeganwalking around the room, placing a bookwith a black cover on each desk.Whenhe reachedAlliehepaused,holdinghergaze.‘Iwanttotalktoyouaboutsurviving.’
The room filledwith thewhisper of pages against desks as the students hurriedly picked up thebookstoseewhattheywere.
Thevolumewasslimandlight inAllie’shand,almost insubstantial.Theelaborategold lettersonthefront,almostgaudyagainsttheblack,read:SunTzu:TheArtofWar.
Zelaznyhadreturnedtothefrontoftheclassnow,wherehehelduphisowncopy.‘SunTzuwasageneralinChinainthesixthcentury,’theteacherexplained.‘Histheoriesarestill
taughtinmilitaryschools,studiedbygenerals,usedincombat.Ithinktheycouldbeusefultous,too.’Heleanedbackagainsthisdesk.‘Carter,readfrompageten,please.’
TheothertwoNightSchoolstudentsatthebackoftheroomexchangedaglanceas,stillfrowning,Carterflippedthepagesinhisbook.Forasecondhescannedthewordssilently.
Thenhebegantoreadaloud.
‘Whichofthetwosovereignsisimbuedwithmorallaw?Whichofthetwogeneralshasthemostability?WithwhomlietheadvantagesderivedfromHeavenandEarth?Onwhichsideisdisciplinemostrigorouslyenforced?Whicharmyisstronger?On which side are officers and men more highly trained? In which army is there greater consistence in reward andpunishment?
‘BymeansofthesesevenconsiderationsIcanforecastvictoryordefeat.’
ToAlliethewordsfelthorriblyportentous.WhatwasZelaznytryingtotellthem?Thathethoughttheywouldlose?
WhenCarterfinishedreading,Zelaznystraightenedslowlyandlookedoutattheclass.‘Thetwosideswhowillmeetattheparleytomorroware,Ibelieve,equalinstrengthandintraining.
Because we are the same people.We attended the same schools. Followed the same course in life.Therefore,weareequallymatchedwithourenemy.’
Arustleofdisapprovingmurmursswepttheroom.NooneinthatroomwantedtobelievetheywereanythinglikeNathaniel.
But,despiteherself,Alliecouldseethetruthinhiswords.Thiswasacivilwar.Zelazny ignored the discomfort his words were causing. ‘I think Sun Tzu could not say from
lookingatus,whichwouldwin.’His honesty in these circumstances was breathtaking. None of the other adults were even
countenancing the possibility that they wouldn’t succeed. But Allie had always known failure waspossible.ShecouldseetheeffortittookforIsabelletolookpositive.ThedoubtsRajfailedtohide.
Butforhimtosaythissoopenlywaschilling.Asifheknewwhatshewasthinking,Zelaznylookedrightather.‘Thatiswherestrategycomesin.
Allie,readfrompagetwenty-one.’Flippingthroughthepages,Alliefoundtheonehe’daskedfor.Itheldonlyafewlines.
‘Allwarfareisbasedondeception.‘Offerbaittoenticetheenemy.Thenfeigndisorderandcrushhim.‘Ifheissecureatallpoints,bepreparedforhim.Ifhisstrengthissuperior,evadehim.‘Attackwhereheisunprepared.Appearwhereyouarenotexpected.’
TheroomhadgonequietagainbutthewordsranginAllie’shead.Allwarfareisbasedondeception.ShethoughtofChristopherstandinginherroom.NathanielholdingaknifetoRachel’sthroat.Lucinda’spromisesandNathaniel’sthreats.Herchestfelttight.Who’stheliar?
‘This is thebestadviceanyonecangiveyou.’Zelazny’ssharpvoicebrokethroughthefogofherthoughts.Bynowhehadeveryone’sfullattention.Everystudentintheroomwashangingonhiseveryword.‘Whenyouarefacedwithacleverenemy,onewellmatchedtoyourstrengthsandweaknesses,youmustbesmarterthanhim.Youmustadaptandinnovateifyouwanttostayalive.Because,howevertechnicallyperfectyourplanmightbe,there’sonethingIcanpromiseyou.’Hethumpedhisdeskhardwithhisfinger.‘Itwillgowrong.Nothingwillbeasyouexpect.Nightisalwaysdarkerwhenyoustepintoitthanitseemswhenyou’reinalightedroom.’
Ashelookedoutattheclass,hisstarewasintense.‘FortherestofthelessonIwantyoutoreadthisbook.Commitittomemory.Asif,tomorrow,Iwas
goingtomakeyoureciteittome.’HeloweredhisgazetoAllie’s.‘Itcouldsaveyourlife.’
TherestofAllie’sclasses thatdaypassedinahaze.Zelaznywasright– theother teacherswere justtryingtodistractthem.Keepthemcalm.
Hermindwouldn’tletgoofhislesson.Whenevernoonewaslooking,sheflippedthroughthebookhe’dgiventhem.Wordsandphrasesfloatedupather.Chillingher.
Ifhisstrengthissuperior,evadehim.Runaway.Hide.Zelaznywasalwaysconfident.Ifhewasworried…weretheydoingtherightthing?Buttheyhadnochoice.Always,itcamebacktothat.Theyhadtogototheparley,theyhadnochoice.Theyweretrapped.Shewastrapped.TherewasnobreakbetweenclassesandNightSchooltraining.Assoonasherlastlessonended,she
wasbackdowninthetrainingroom,practisingevasiontechniqueswithCarter,NicoleandZoe.RachelwasoffworkingwithDom.
Just before dinnertime, Raj walked over to where Carter and Allie were trying a complexmanoeuvreofwhirlingkicksandelbowpunches.
Hespokesoquietlyonlytheycouldhear.‘Isabellewouldliketoseeyoubothinheroffice.’‘Should we change first?’ Allie asked, running a hand across her forehead. They were both
sweating,anddressedintheirblackNightSchoolexercisegear.Rajshookhishead.‘She’dlikeyoutohurry.’Allie’sheartstuttered.Itsoundedbad.When they reached Isabelle’s office minutes later, her door was closed but they could hear her
talkingtosomeoneinside.CarterandAllieexchangedalookbeforeheknockedlightlyonthecarvedwood.Isabelle’sresponsewasimmediate.‘Comein.’Carterturnedthehandle–thedoorswungopensilently.Inside the familiaroffice, Isabellesatatherdesk– the roomwasotherwiseempty.Herdeskwas
toppedwithneatstacksofpapersandanopenlaptop.
‘Youwantedtoseeus?’Alliesaid.Isabelle motioned for them to sit in the leather chairs arranged so they faced her imposing
mahoganydesk.AsAllietookaseat,shestudiedIsabelle’sfaceforclues.Shedidn’tappearpanickedordistraught,
buttherewasanewsadnessinhereyes,andthesetofhermouth.Onlywhentheyweresettleddidtheheadmistressspeakagain.‘Lucinda,areyoustillthere?’‘Iam.’Hergrandmother’svoiceemergedfromthecomputerontheheadmistress’sdesk,clearand
strong.Relentless.Allie’sheartjumped.Soitwasthatkindofmeeting.Carter swung round to look at her in surprise.Allie held up her hands in a ‘sometimes this just
happens’gesture.‘We’reallhere,asyouasked.’Isabelleleanedbackinherchair.‘AllieandCarterarebothpresent.’‘Nooneelse?’Lucindasaid.Isabellegaveherheadaslightshake.‘Noone.’‘Good,’Lucindasaid.Fleetingly,Alliewonderedwhatitmustbelikeforher.Shestoodtolosethemost.Herpositionin
theOrionGroupandallthepowerthatcamewiththatwereontheline.Alreadyshe’dlostherplaceatgovernmentmeetings;herrespectedpositionasasenioradvisor.
Whatwouldshedoifshelostalltherest?‘IaskedIsabelletobringyoubothheresowecouldgooverTheRulesfortomorrownight,’Lucinda
said.TheRules?Alliethought,instantlysuspicious.Whatthehellisshetalkingabout?‘Allie,whenIofferedtoletyougototheparley,itwasontheconditionthatyoufollowtheplanI
setforyou.Ipresumeyourecallthatconversation?’Putonthespot,Alliehesitated.ShehadonlyvaguememoriesofLucinda’svoiceprojectedthrough
Isabelle’stinnyphone,herownangeraboutChristopher.Shewasn’treallycertainwhatshe’dagreedtothatnight,butshewouldhavesaidyestoalmostanythingifitmeantshegottogototheparleyandtakeonNathanielherself.
‘Yes…Ithinkso,’shesaidafteramoment.‘Excellent.’Lucinda’stonewascrisp.‘ThenI’llexpectyoutoholdtoyouragreement.CarterWest.’Carter straightened. ‘Yes…ma’am…?’His gaze shifted uncertainly from Isabelle to the blank,
darkplasticofthecomputer.‘ImusthavethesamecommitmentfromyouthatI’vereceivedfrommygranddaughter. I require
youtoswearthatyouwilldopreciselyasyouaretoldtoday.ThatyouwillfollowTheRulesIsabelleandIsetoutforyou,aboveandbeyondanythingyouaretoldbyanyoneelse.Upto,andincluding,RajPatelandhisguards.’
Alliestaredatthecomputerinshock.IsthatwhatIagreedtothatnight?ShecouldseeherowndoubtsreflectedonCarter’sface.WhatLucindawasaskingforwasn’tsmall.
Itwaslikeagigantic‘justtrustme’tobothofthem.Butthiswasherparty.Afterashort, tell-talepause,Cartergaveahelplessshrug. ‘Fine…Imean–yes. Iagree toyour
Rules.’Theyboth looked at Isabelle as if she couldgive them someexplanationbut her expressionwas
inscrutable.Clearly,Lucindawasinchargehere.‘Then we are ready to proceed,’ Lucinda said. ‘The Rules are as follows. I will meet you on
ParliamentHillintheparkatmidnight.IwillhaveJerryColewithme.Youarenottointeractwithhimevenifheprovokesyou.‘
Allietensed.LucindawasgoingtobeinchargeofJerry?She thought of theway themuscles in his arms bulged that night in the basement cellwhen he
yankedat thechainsholdinghim.She’dbelievedforamomenthemightrip themfromthewall.Hewasstrong.FartoostrongforawomanofLucinda’sagetocontrolhim.Whatwasshethinking?
Hergrandmothercontinued: ‘Onceweareall there, Iwilldo the talking.Nathanielwill speak toyou,Ihavenodoubt.Ifheaddressesyoudirectly,Iwillindicatewhetherornotyoushouldreply.Theindicationwillbeanod.Onenodmeansyes.Anythingotherthanthatmeansyoumustletmehandleit.Thisisnotupfordiscussion.’
Sheaddedthelastlinesternly,asifsheexpectedthemtoargue,butneitherofthemreallywantedtobeNathaniel’sgo-toguy,sotheybothsatinsilence.
Takingtheirlackofresponseforcompliance,Lucindakepttalking.‘Youwillbegiventhenameandaddress of a safe house in London. You are both to memorise it. If anything happens and we areseparated,youareforbiddentosearchforme,orforRajorhisguards.Donottrustanyonewhoclaimstorepresentus.DonotattempttofindanyonefromCimmeria.Godirectlytothesafehouseandwait.Assoonaspossible,someonewillcomeforyou.Isthatunderstood?’
Allie’schestfelthollow.Thiswasaplanforfailure.SheandCarterexchangedalonglook.Shecouldseeinhiseyesthatheknewit,too.‘Yes,’Alliesaidafteramoment,hervoicebarelyaboveawhisper.‘Iagree.’‘AndIagree,’Cartersaid.Lucinda accepted this without comment. ‘The last Rule is this. I expect something to happen. I
expectviolence.Anyoneofuscouldbehurt.Wehavedoneallwecantopreventsuchanoutcomebutpurepracticalityandbitter experience indicatenoamountofpreparationwillpreventNathaniel fromviolatingalltheparleyrulesandattemptingsomething…unnecessary.IfanythinghappenstomeortoCarter,Allie,youmustpromisetorun.Youmustleavethatperson,whicheveroneofusitis,andyoumustgetoutofthatparkandtothesafehouse.Youmustnothesitate.Iwillneedyouragreement.’
Coldwithhorror,Alliestaredatthelaptop.Asuddenbrutalmemoryjabbedintoherthoughtslikeanice-pick.Jolyinginapoolofbloodonanicyroad.Allalone.
Pressingher lips together tightly she shookher head inmute disagreement but, before she could
speak,Carterreachedacrossthespacedividingthem.Prisingherfingersloosefromthechairarmshe’dbeenunconsciouslygripping,hetookherhandinhis.
Stillshakingherheadshelookedupathim,alreadyknowingwhathewouldsay.‘Sayyes,’hesaid.‘No,Carter.’Hereyespleadedwithhimtounderstand.‘Ican’t.’‘Allie,Lucinda’s right.Whateverhappens, youhave to run. I’ll be fine. I promise.Sayyes.’His
gazewassteadyandhishandwaswarmonhers.Buthowcouldshedoit?Shecouldn’tjustleavehimorLucindahurt.Iftheyneededher…‘Allie.’Hergrandmother’shaughtyvoiceshatteredher thoughts. ‘Ineedyourcommitmentor the
deal isoff.Youstayat theschoolandImeetNathanielalone.Youknowwhat thatwillmeanfor theschoolandyourfriends.YouknowwhatNathanieliscapableof.’
Ontheothersideofthedesk,IsabellemadeasmallsoundofdisapprovalbutAlliedidn’t lookather.HereyeswereonCarter.
Hisgazeneverwavered.‘Sayyes.’Herthoughtsinturmoil,Allietorehergazeawayandletherheadfallbackagainstthecoolleather
ofthechair.Shecouldn’tlookathimanddothis.‘Yes,’shewhispered.Atearescapedfrombeneathherlashes.‘Fine.Yes.I’lldoit.’‘Good.’Lucinda’svoiceheldnoemotion.Atthatmoment,AllieloathedhergrandmotheralmostasmuchasNathaniel.Thatshecouldmake
heragreetoleaveCarteralonetobleedtodeathlikeJo.Andforwhat?Forpowershedidn’tbelievein?Formoneyshedidn’twant?
No.TostopNathanielfromhurtingotherpeople.Eventhen.Evenforthat.Sheknewshe’dneverdoit.Notreally.Lucindawasn’tfinishedyet.Hervoiceemergedfromthecomputer,coolanddistant.‘Carter?’StillholdingAllie’shand,helookedatthecomputerasifhe’dexpectedthis.‘Yes.I’mhere.’‘Iwillalsoneedanagreementfromyou.YourRuleisslightlydifferentfromAllie’s.Iamtoldyou
are strong, reliable and determined, and that you care for her very much. So your Rule is this. IfanythinghappenstomeortoAllie,youaretogetheroutofthepark.GetherawayfromNathanielatallcostsandtothesafehouse.Donotleaveheratanypointforanyreason.IfIaminjured,donotlethertrytohelpme.DoIhaveyouragreement?’
Allie’sfingerstightenedaroundCarter’s.Heturnedtomeethergaze.Hiseyesweredarkandendless,warmandtrustworthy.Asfamiliarand
lovingasfamily.Asnecessaryasoxygen.Jump.‘Yes,’hesaid.‘Good.’Lucinda’sbrisk,authoritativetonebetrayednoemotion.‘Thenweareagreed.Now,let’sgo
overtheplansagain…’
36
THIRTY-SIX
ThegleamingblackLandRoversarrivedjustbeforeseventhenextevening.Theysatoutsidethefrontdoorlikeaglamorousfuneralprocession.
Allienoticedthemassoonasshewalkeddownfromherroom.Rajhadtoldthestudentstodresslike‘normal’kidstheiragewouldonaFridaynight,soforthefirst
time inweekssheworestreetclothes– they felt strangeonherbody.The jeanswerestiffand itchy.Over them shewore a long, blackT-shirt.Her redDocMarten bootswere laced up to the knee.Tocompletethepictureofyouthfulnormality,she’dencircledhereyesinheavyeyelinerandmascara.Herhairhunglooseoverhershoulders.
Shewasthefirsttoarrive–theentrancehallwasempty.Thefrontdoorstoodopen,lettinginthemuggy,summereveningair.Bouncingonherheels,shewaitedimpatiently.Nervousnessgnawedatherinsidesasifitwastryingtogetoutofher.Shehopedthemakeuphidherfear.
WhenNicole andZoe arrived a fewminutes later she stared at them in amazement.She’dneverseen either of them in street clothes.Nicole looked elegantwith her long hair pulled back in glossybraids. Shewore a snug-fitting, strappy topwith black trousers and tough-looking ankle boots. Shecouldhavebeenanycoolteenagegirlonanightoutwithfriends.
Zoeworejeansandastripedtopwithtrainers.Thesimpleoutfitmadeherlookevenyoungerthanshereallywas.
‘Youlookweird,’sheannounced,studyingAlliewithadisapprovingwrinkleofhernose.‘Sodoyou,’Alliefiredback.‘It’sadisguise,’Zoeexplained.‘Are thecarshere?’Carter’svoicecame from thecorridor secondsbeforeheandLucasemerged
intotheentrancehalltogether,lookingslightlypanicked.‘Yeahbut…They’rejustsittingthere,’Alliesaid.Lucas,whowasstayingbehind,wastheonlyoneofthemstillinaschooluniform.‘Icametoseeyouoff,’hesaid,answeringthequestionnoonehadasked.ZoerolledhereyesbutAlliewasgenuinelytouched.‘Thanks,’shesaid.‘Iwishyouwerecomingwithus.’Hegaveanamiableshrug.‘Someone’sgottostayanddefendthehomeland.’Allieglancedover towhereCarterstood in thedoorway, lookingoutat thesilent rowofcars. In
darkjeansandablackpullover,helookedsomuchlikeanormalpersonitwasdisturbing.‘Nicedisguise,’Zoecommented.Cartergaveherapuzzledlook.
LucaspunchedZoelightlyinthearm.‘Whatever,Shortie.’ZoekickedhisfistawaywithaneffortlessswingofherfootandLucaspromptlyadoptedamock-
fightingposture.Beforeitcouldgoanyfurther,though,Carterhelduphishands.‘Let’snot.’Hesaiditwithsuchunconsciousauthoritythattheybothobeyed.‘Sorry.’Lucassaidsheepishly.‘Nerves.’‘I hear you.’Therewasno rancour inCarter’s voice.He looked at hiswatch. ‘Where thehell is
everyone?It’stime.’‘Here.’Raj’svoiceechoedoffthestonewallsandtheyallspunround.Hewalked towards themfromthegrandhallway,backlitbyacrystalchandelierandfollowedby
phalanxofguards.Isabelle,ZelaznyandEloisewereamongthem.DomandRachelappearedattheback,weigheddownwithequipment.Allie’sheartsank.SherantoRachel’sside.‘Whatareyoudoinghere?You’renotcoming…Imean…’Realisinghow
thatsoundedshestumbledoverherwords.‘Areyou?’But it was Dom who replied. ‘Don’t worry. We won’t be in the park. We’ll be blocks away
monitoring you in the best-protected car you’ve ever seen.Rachelwill be safe.Now.’Dropping herbagsonamarble-toppedtableshemotionedforAllietocometoher.‘Let’sgetyouallwiredup.’
As Dom and Rachel began opening bags and arranging supplies, Allie’s heart beat out a rapidcadenceandshetookgulpsofair.Sheneededtocalmdown.
Rachelwillbefine,shetoldherself.Domknowswhatshe’sdoing.Sheforcedherselftoletitgo.TotrustDom.Seeminglyunawareofher inner turmoil, the techpulleda long, slimblackboxoutofoneof the
bagsandopeneditcarefully.Inside,Alliesawneatrowsofwhatlookedlikedarkpins.‘Whatarethose?’‘This’–Domheldoneupbetweenherthumbandforefinger;itwasnobiggerthanafreckle–‘isa
tracker.Putyourfoothere.’Shepattedherbentknee.Afterabriefhesitation,Alliedidasshewastold.‘NiceDocs.’DomtappedAllie’sheavyredboot.Carefully,sheinsertedtheendofthedeviceinto
oneofthelaceholesinAllie’srightboot.Amidthetangleofblacklacesitwasinvisible.‘Done.’Domreleasedherfoot.‘Now,ifyoutakeawrongturnorfallintoapond,we’llbeableto
findyou.But…youknow.Don’tdothat.’SheturnedtoCarter,whostoodjustbehindAllie’sshoulder,watching.‘Yourturn.’
‘Nocommssystemthistime?’AlliesaidasDomplacedthetrackerinCarter’sboot.Domdidn’tlookup.‘Toohackable.I’mnotgivingNathanielatoytoplaywith.’Whentheywereallkittedout,theguardsbeganclimbingintotheLandRovers.Theairfilledwith
thelowgrowlofpowerfulengines.Thestudentshuddledtogetherbythedoor.Theywouldn’tseeeachotheragainuntilthisthingwas
over,onewayoranother.Alliewassonervousshecouldn’tstandstill;sheshiftedfromonefoottoanother.Whatifthiswent
badly?Whatiftheynevercameback?Whatifthiswasthelastday?Shelookedaround,atthegrandstonebuilding,withitsgloriousstained-glasswindow,thegrounds
sprawling green as far as she could see into the darkness of thewoods. This was her home. Thesepeoplewereherfamily.
Therehadtobeanotherday.Theyhadtocomeback.‘Well,goodluck,youlot.’Lucas’earlierjovialmoodhadevaporated.Helookedaroundthegroup
sombrely.‘KicksomeNathanielarse.Watchyourbacks.’Theboysshookhandsandpoundedeachother’sshoulders.Lucaspausedtowhispersomethingto
Rachel.When hewalked back into the school building,Allie sawher eyeswere brightwith unshedtears.
Rachelclearedherthroat.‘Look…youallhavetostaysafe,OK?’Shelookedaroundthegroup,hereyespleading.‘Justsayyes.’
‘Yes.’Nicolepulledherintoaquick,fiercehug.Alliefollowedsuit.‘Becareful,’Rachelwhisperedbeforelettinghergo.AndAlliefoughtasuddenurgetocry.‘You,too,’shesaid.‘Rachel.’Domstrodepast.‘Let’sgo.’Hertonewasbusiness-likebut,asshepassed,theAmericancaughtAllie’seyeandgaveheranod
thatseemedtosaywithoutanywords,‘Youcandothis.’ComingfromDom–socoolandcapable–itmeantagreatdeal.Icandothis.Afterafinalwave,Rachelfollowedher,andthetwodisappearedintooneoftheRovers.Nowonly
Allie,Carter,ZoeandNicolestoodonthesteps.Foralongmoment,noonespoke.Then,loweringhishead,CartercaughtAllie’sgaze.‘Weshouldgo.’‘Iknow…’Butshewasreluctanttoleave.SheturnedtoZoeandNicole.‘Look.Becareful,OK?Don’tdoanythingcrazy.I’msogladyou’regoingtobethere….’Nicole’sansweringsmilewasfilledwithunderstandingandaffection,butZoe,whohadenduredthe
earliergoodbyeswithbarelycontainedirritation,staredatherasifshe’dgonemad.‘Ofcoursewe’llbethere.Whereelsewouldwebe?’Allie’slipstwitched.ShetuggedatZoe’sponytail.‘Just…go,OK?I’llseeyouwhenthisisover.’Atthat,Zoezippedawaytowardstheirassignedcar,nothidingherreliefatescapingtheemotional
scene.NicolehuggedAlliequickly.‘I’llkeepaneyeonher,’shepromised.‘She’sonlyscouting.She’llbe
safe.’‘Iknow.’Allieforcedasmile.‘Takecareofyourself,too.’‘Andyou.’AftergivingCarterahug,NicoleranafterZoe.ThenAllieandCarterwerealoneonthewidefront
steps.
Itwastime.Withashudderingsigh,Allieraisedhergazetohis.‘Ready?’‘Iguessso,’Cartersaid,butstillthey
didn’tmove.Hisgaze sweptacrossher face. ‘Lookatus,’he said, awry smilemakinghisdarkeyes twinkle.
‘Thedynamicduo.Togetheragain.’Herrespondingsmilewastremulousbuthervoicewassteady.‘AllieandCartersavetheworld.’Therewassomuchshewantedtotellhim.Somuchtodecide.Buttheweightofthemomentwas
tooheavy.Therewastoomuchatstakerightnow.Thiswasn’tthetimeforanythingexceptfighting.Sheraisedhereyestohis.‘Let’sgo.’
ThedrivetoLondonpassedintensesilence.AllieandCartersatinthebackseat,lookingoutoftheirrespectivewindows.Twoguardssatinthe
front.Raj’svoicecrackledoccasionallyfromaradio.Hewasintheleadcar,aboutamileahead.Thecarsweretotakedifferentroutes.DomandRachelwerefollowingtheirprogressthroughthe
trackers, making sure none of the vehicles got clustered together and that everyone followed theirassignedcourse.
As the evening light faded, they passedmostly farmland. Pastures were dotted with pale sheep,recently sheared and relishing their new nudity. In the distance, church steeples thrust up at thedarkening sky like stone daggers. Sometimes, for fleeting moments, grand, Victorian mansions, notunlikeCimmeria,couldbeseenpeekingoutthroughfarawaytrees.
The lastof the lighthaddisappearedfromtheskyby the time theyentered thebustling fringeofLondon,where torturously twistedstreetsmade themetropolisagiganticvehicular labyrinth.But thedriverseemedconfidentashetookfirstoneslowroadthenanother.
Allie, who had grown up in the city, traced their route through the tube and train stations theypassed. Richmond, Chiswick, Acton, Shepherd’s Bush… Seeing the names again was like runningunexpectedlyintooldfriends.
Nexttoher,Carterstaredoutofthewindowinakindoffascinatedwonder.Alliewasremindedthathe’dgrownupinthecountry.
‘HaveyoueverbeentoLondonbefore?’sheasked,andheglancedoverather.‘Alongtimeago,togotomuseums,’hesaid.‘I’dforgottenhowcrowdeditis.’Thecarstoppedata red lightandastreamofpeoplehurriedacross the road,women inbusiness
suitsandsensiblelowheels,orintinyskirtsandteeteringonstilettos.Menwithheadphoneson,neverlookingup.
Whenshe’dlivedinLondon,Alliehadneverreallynoticedhowmanyofthemtherewere.Thiswasjust…home.Herlife.
Nowshesawitdifferently.Thepeoplepackedonpavements,incarsandinthedouble-deckerbusesthatswayedpast.Thetallbuildingsfilledwithofficeworkersevenatthislatehour.Theteemingpubs
beginningtoempty.Thethrongsoutsidekebabstandsandfast-foodjoints,andlingeringintheshadowsaroundbusstopsandtubestations.Thecomplaintofhornsandblindingbrightlights.
TheywerealongwayfromCimmeriaAcademy’sgreenfieldsandquietforestsnow.A siren shrieked very close by and they both jumped. Twisting around in her seat, Allie looked
throughtherearwindow.Sheinhaledsharply.Carterturnedtosee.A police car pulled up behind them, its warning lights flashing in an angry swirl. The driver
motionedsternlyforthemtopullover.AdrenalinefloodedintoAllie’ssystem.Herheartthuddedinherears.Comeon,Allie.Think.Whatshouldtheydo?Theydidn’thaveaplanforif theygotstoppedonthewayintotown.That
wasstupidofthem.Nathanielhadafirmgriponthepolicerightnow.Couldhehavethismuchcontrol?Itdidn’tseempossible.Anythingwaspossible.Inthefrontseat,thedriverandtheguardinthepassengerseatwerearguingbutthescreechofthe
sirenwastooloudandcloseforAllietomakeoutwhattheyweresaying.Glancingtoherright,shesawCarterstudyingtheguardswithcalmalertness,asiflookingforclues
abouthowbadthesituationmightbe.Oneofhishandshadcometorestcasuallyonthedoorhandle.Alliefollowedhisexample.Sheplacedherfingersonthecoolmetalofthedoorhandle.Herother
handlayonthecatchofherseatbelt.But as the moments went by it was clear the guards were more irritated than nervous. After a
moment,theroadaheadclearedandthedriverpulledtheLandRoverupontothekerb.AsthepolicecarspedbyitwassocloseAlliecouldseetheofficersinsideclearly.Theywereboth
lookingstraightahead,utterlyuninterestedintheLandRovertheywerepassing.Thewailofthesirenbentandtwistedbeforefadingawayinthedistance.GraduallyAllie’sheartratereturnedtonormal.Carterexhaledaudibly.‘Bloodyhell.’After a second, traffic began tomove again. They bumped down off the kerb and turned to the
north.
‘Thisisit,’thedriversaidashepulledtheLandRovertothesideoftheroadandcuttheengine.Turningherhead,Alliecouldseethestreetsignattachedtothedecorativewrought-ironfencingthat
edgedthepavement.TanzaRoadwasashortstreetonahillthattiltedgentlyup,asifsomethingheavysatononeendof
it.ElegantterracedhousesmadeofbeautifullycarvedVictorianstoneandbricklinedthelaneonbothsides.
Nowthattheywerehere,shefeltstrangelycalm.Focused.Astheywaited,shewasacutelyawareofeverythingaroundher.Theengine tickingas itcooled.Theguards talking into theirphones.Carter’sobservantstillnessnexttoher.
Herheartbeatwassteadyandeven.Asuddenthunkechoedinthequietasthedoorsallunlockedthroughsomecentralsystem.Theguardinthepassengerseatturnedtofacethem.‘Now.’Allie turned toCarter.Shecould see the readiness inhis face.Thedetermination. It reflected the
wayshefelt.Wecandothis.Shetookasteadyingbreath.Thenshepoppedopentheseatbeltwithadecisiveclickandmetallic
rattle.Carterdidthesame.Holdinghergaze,hereachedforthedoorhandle.Shegrabbedhers.Hiseyesaskedifshewasready
andshenoddedherreply.Theirdoorsopenedatthesametime.AlliejumpeddownoutofthetallSUVontothedarkstreet.Sheclosedthedoorwithoutlooking
back.Itwastimetobebrave.
37
THIRTY-SEVEN
On the street, the night was alive with sounds. The noise of television programmes floated softlythroughwindowsleftopentothewarmsummerbreeze.Voicescouldbeheardinthedistance–talking,laughing.Fromfartherawaycamethefaintsongofsirens,thegrowlofaplane.
AnormalbigcityonanormalFridaynight.Nothingtoseehere.Some of Allie’s tension evaporated as soon as they started walking. Despite everything, it felt
strangelygood tobeback in a city. In the countryside shewas always theoutsider.Londonwasherterritory.
The elegant buildings around them spoke ofmoney andpower.Light poured from tallwindows,goldenandsilky,asifeverythinginsidewasgilded.
Walkingsidebyside,liketwoHampsteadkidsoutforastroll,CarterandAlliemadetheirwaytothetopofthestreet.Theireyesconstantlyscannedtherightsideofthelane,peeringbetweenhouses.
Alliesawitfirst.‘There.’ShenudgedCarter,tiltingherheadattheshort,pavedpathrunningbetweentwohouses.It
wasunmarked,almosthidden.Theyturnedintoit.Instantly, theywereplunged intodarkness.Thepavementbeneath their feet soon ranoutand the
pathturnedtodirt.TheywereintheHeath.Awarethat theywerestillvisiblethroughthewindowsofthehousesbehindthem,theykepttheir
pacelanguid.Buttheywerebothassessingtheterrainaroundthem.Totheleft,Alliecouldseeascatteringoftreesandthenthickerforestsbeyond.Thatwaswherethey
wereheaded.Oncethelightofthehousesfaded,theybrokeintoajog.Thegroundwasuneven,thegrasshigh,
buttheywerebothusedtothat.Theroutethey’dchosenrequiredthemtocirclethebaseofParliamentHill–itswidestpoint–and
thenclimbtothetop.AsRajhadwarnedthem,whatseemedsimpleonamapwasmorecomplicatedatnight.Oncethey
wereinthetrees,itwashardtokeepasenseofdirection.Atleastinthecitytherewasmoreambientlight.Oncetheireyesadjustedtheycouldseewheretheyweregoingwithouttheuseofflashlights.
‘I’msureI’veseenthistreebefore,’Alliewhispered,glaringatamemorabletiltingpine.‘Treesalllookliketrees,’Carterpointedout,pullingaGPSreaderfromhispocket.‘Weshouldbe
goingnorth-west.’Heturnedhisbodyandthedeviceslowlyuntilhehadareadingthatsatisfiedhim.HeglancedbackatAllie.‘Thatway.’
Once they’d turned, though, the brush grew thicker. Soon they were fighting their way throughthornybramblesandstingingnettlesthatleftAlliewithbleedingcutsonbotharms.
‘Bloodyevilpissing things.’Alliesworeasa thornybramblebranchslashed theskinofher righthand.
‘Ithinkitthinsoutahead.’Carterpointedtoaclearingtheycouldjustmakeoutthroughthetrees.Clutchingherwoundedhand,shehurriedafterhim.Theyjumpedoverafallenlogthatblockedthe
path, landing on the edge of a slow-moving stream.They forded thewater as quietly as they could,scramblingupthebankonthefarsidewiththeirbootssquelchingunpleasantlyinthemud.
Theywere just entering the clearingwhenAllie saw it.A flicker ofmovement that shouldn’t bethere.
At first she thought itwas just a shadow.Then itmoved again.And it did sowith far toomuchintentandpurpose.
Someonewasthere.Silently,shegrabbedCarter’sarm,pullinghimbackintotheprotectionof thetrees.Hiseyesmet
hers,questioningly.Raisingherhand,shepointedintotheglade.Atfirsthiseyessearchedtheareaaimlessly,seeingnothing.Thenhisgazesharpened.Theshadowseemedtoglideacrosstheglade–itsmovementssoundless.Lethal.Oneofours?Alliewondered.Ortheirs?Therewasnowaytoknow.Inthedark,bothsideslookedthesame.Theycroucheddownlow,watchingtheshadow.Ifhisstrengthissuperior,evadehim.Uphere, thenoisesof the city fadedaway.Allie couldhearonlyherownheartbeat andCarter’s
evenbreathing.Therewasalmostnobreezeandthetreesstoodstill,asiftheywerewaiting,too.When the shadow finally disappeared, theywaited for several longminutes to be certain it was
gone.ThenCartercaughtherarmandgesturedahead.Shenodded.Risinginunisontheyslippedthroughtheglade,assilentlyastheshadowbeforethem.Byunspokenagreementtheycutacrossthepathithadtakenandheadedtothebaseofthehillona
diagonaltrajectory.Theirtrainingtoldthemthiswasthebestdirectiontoavoidrunningintotheshadowagain.
Onethingwasclear:thiswasreal.Thesewoodswerefullofpeople.After tenminutesof cautiousprogress the trees thinned and they found themselvesheadingup a
steepslopetowardsopenground.Rajhadwarnedthemaboutthissection–therewasnowaytohidehere.
Hissolutiontothisproblemhadbeensimple:movefast.Crouchinglow,theyburstfromthewoods,acceleratingtheirpaceuntiltheywerepoundingupthe
hill.Althoughtheykepttherequisitedistanceapart,AlliewasalwaysconsciousofwhereCarterwas,
howquicklyhewasmoving.Infact,shewassofocusedonhimthatittookheramomenttorealisethey’dcrestedthehill.She
skidded to a stop as theview tookherbreath away: all ofLondon sprawledoutbelow them.Like agalaxyoflowstars,stretchingtoinfinity.
Overlookingit,allalone,wasonewoman.Herhandswere lacedbehindherbackas shegazedoutover the city.Aneat shockofplatinum-
whitehaircaughttheglimmerofthecitylightsandshimmered.Shestoodveryupright.ItstruckAlliethatshewouldhaverecognisedhergrandmotheranywherebyherposturealone.Sheworeexpensivetrousersandanexpensivetrenchcoat.Anypasser-bywouldhavetakenherfor
aHampsteaddoyenneoutforalate-nightstroll.Allierantoherside.Carterdroppedback,stayingarespectfuldistanceaway.‘Lucinda…Grandmother…’Atthesoundofhervoice,Lucindaturnedserenely.‘Ohgood.You’re here. Imust say I verymuch admire your promptness,Allie. I’m afraid Iwas
ratherearly.Carter.’Includinghiminherenigmaticgaze,sheheldoutoneself-assuredhand.Afterabriefhesitationhewalkedup,shakingherhandwithcarefuldeference.‘I’ve heard a lot about you,’Lucinda said. ‘Inmanyways, you’re one of the reasonswe’re here
today.Youarewhatwe’re fighting for.’Hereyes sweptacrosshimwitha sceptical look. ‘Idohopeyou’reworthallofthis.’
Before Carter could ask what she was talking about, Allie stepped forward. ‘Where’s Jerry? Ithoughthewaswithyou.’
‘He’shere.’Lucinda’stonewasdry.‘Icanassureyouofthat.’Itwasclearshewasn’tgoingtorevealmore.Allieletitgobutworrytwistedinsideher.Turning a wrist, her grandmother glanced at her watch. ‘Your timekeeping may be good, but I
wouldn’tsaymuchforNathaniel’s…’‘Oh,Lucinda.’Nathaniel’s familiarvoicecamefrombehind them.AllieandCarterspunroundto
seehimwalkingalongthehilltoppathintheirdirection.‘Mustyoubesocritical?’His tonewassardonic.Familiar.He lookedutterlycomfortable, strollingalong the lipof thehill,
handscasuallyinhispockets.Notforthefirsttime,Alliemarvelledathownormalhelooked.Howunthreatening.Hewasalittle
shorterthanCarterwithamediumbuild.Histhickdarkhairwasneatlycombed.Hisdarkgreysuitandcrispwhiteshirt lookedexpensivebutnot flashy.Heworeno tieand thatmadehim lookevenmoreordinary.Buteverythingabouthisappearancewasfartooprecisetobenormal.
Herheartbegan to racebut she forcedherself tostaystill.Lookcalm.Next toher,Carterhadn’tmovedamuscle.
ShescannedthesurroundingwoodsforanysignofRajorhisteambutfoundnothing.Theywerealonewithhim.‘Nathaniel,’Lucindaadmonished,‘youshouldannounceyourself.DidIteachyounothing?’
Shespokeintonesofmildirritation,asifhe’dturneduplatefordinneratherclub.Alliecouldseenosignofdiscomfortinherexpressionorstance.Instead,sheactuallylookedpleased–hercheekswereflushedandhereyesbright.Asifhe’ddonesomethingamusing.
Shelikesthis,Allierealised.Thegame.Thehighstakes.Thisisherworld.‘Alwaystheprofessor.’Nathaniellaughed,anditwasnotanunpleasantsound.Hebrushedhisleft
sleevetwice.Andthenhisrightsleeve.Hismovementswereidenticalinbothcases.ShewasremindedofKatie’sbeliefthathehadOCD.Hestrolleduptothem,asiftheywerefriendsabouttohaveapicnicinthepark.SuddenlyheturnedtolookatAllie,hiseyesclearandinterested.‘Allie.Youlookwell.’She’dbeenthisclosetohimonlyoncebefore,andthattimehe’dheldaknifetoherthroat.Hermouthwentdryandshecouldn’tseemtospeak.Cartertookadeliberatesteptohisright,placinghisbodybetweenthem.Clearlyintrigued,Nathanielcockedhisheadtooneside.‘Andwhomightyoube?’‘Idon’tthinkI’mrequiredtotellyouanything.’Carterdidn’tattempttohidethedislikeinhistone.‘Oh,Ithinkyouare,actually.’Nathaniel’sgazesharpened.Hedidn’tlooksoniceanymore.‘Thisis
myparty.Isettherules.Yourname.’Hesnappedhisfingers.‘Whatisit?’‘Nathaniel,’Lucindainterceded.‘MayIintroduceCarterWest?Carter?Nathaniel.Nowcanweget
onwithwhatwecameherefor?’ButNathanielwasn’treadytomoveon.HestudiedCarterwithnewinterest.‘Soyou’rethefamous
CarterWest.Howintriguing.I’veheardsomuchaboutyou.SomehowI’dexpectedyoutobe…Idon’tknow.Bigger.’Hepaused,strokinghisthumbacrosshischeekthoughtfully.‘Actually,haven’twemetbefore?’
Carterdidn’t reply.He just staredathimwith icycontempt.Hebetrayedno fearbutAllie sawamuscletwitchinhisjaw.
ThelasttimeNathanielhadseenCarterwasthenightGabenearlykilledhim.‘NowIremember.’Nathanielstraightenedasifthememoryhadjustoccurredtohim.‘Itwasatthe
castle.Iamsorryaboutthat.Gabewenttoofar…again.Heissodifficult.’Still,Cartersaidnothing.Allieadmiredhisself-control,butshedidn’tshareit.‘The last time I sawyou, you stabbedme in the arm,’ she said, taking a step towardsNathaniel.
‘Rememberthat?’‘Allie,’Lucindasaidreprovingly.‘Rememberyourpromise.’Unexpectedly,though,Nathaniellookedapologetic.Andwhenhespoke,someofthecockinessleft
hisvoice.‘Thatwastrulyaccidental,Allie,’hesaid.‘Youmovedtooquicklyformetopulltheknifebackin
time.Ihadnointentionofhurtingyou.I’mverysorryithappened.’Alliestaredathiminmutesurprise.Iftherewasonethingshehadn’texpectedfromhimtonightit
washumility.‘Iwasgladtohearyouwerenotbadlyinjured,’hecontinued.‘Thatnightdidnotgoasexpected.’
ItlookedlikeheintendedtosaymorebutLucindamadeanimpatientgesture.‘Enough,Nathaniel.Surelyyouhaven’tarrangedthiselaborateparleysolelysoyoucouldapologise
tomygranddaughterfortheunforgivableactofgravelyinjuringher?’Heturnedbacktoher,hissmilealmostnostalgic.‘Oh,Lucinda.Ihavemissedsparringwithyou.
Despiteeverything.’Beforeshecouldreply,hecontinuedquickly.‘So,weareheretodobusiness.Suchunfortunatecircumstances.Suchbadbusinessindeed.’
Suddenly Allie’s nervousness heightened. This didn’t feel right. His demeanour was out ofcharacter;thelocationfeltoddandvulnerable.
Thehairsonthebackofherneckstoodonend.Somethingwaswrong.Sheglanced around at thedarkheathland.They shouldbekeeping an eyeout.Anyone couldbe
hidinginthedark.ShenudgedCarter.Whenhelookedather,verysubtlyshetiltedherheadattheheaththatsprawled
outbehindthemintheprotectiveshieldofdarkness.Gettingthemessage,hetookacarefulstepbacktogetabetterviewofthelandbehindthem.And
whoevermightbehidingthere.AlliewascomfortedbythethoughtthatsomewherenearbyNicoleandZoewerehiding.Theymight
bewatchingthemnow.‘Haveyoubroughtmyprize?’Nathanielsaid.Heseemedtohaveforgottenaboutherfornow–allofhisattentionwasfocusedonLucinda.‘Ifby“prize”youmean“JerryCole”,thenyes,’Lucindasaid.‘He’snearby.Andyoucanhavehim
assoonasyouagreetoourconditions.’Nathanielrockedbackonhisheels,warmbrowneyesbetrayingnothingbutcuriosity.Histonewas
challenging.Evenplayful.‘Andwhatmightthosebe?Comeon,Lucinda.Surpriseme.’Her grandmother’s hesitation was only fractional but Allie recognised it. She was finding
Nathaniel’sbehaviourconfusingaswell.Hewasalmost…jovial.‘Nathaniel,’Lucindasteppedcloser tohim, ‘let’send this.Let’s findacompromise.Away togo
forwardwithoutdestroyingtheorganisation.IfyouwantmetostepdownfromtheOrionleadership,Iwill.WebothknowI’mfinishedthereanyway.IfyouwantsomeoneelsetotakeoverCimmeria,fine.IsabelleandIwillcompromiseonthat,too.’
AllieheardCarter’sbreathcatch,andshestaredatLucindaindisbelief.Noneofthishadbeenmentionedbefore.Thiswaswhatwecameherefor?ForLucindatogiveNathanieleverything?Shewantedtoargue,butshe’dpromisednottointerfere.She’dpromisedtotrusther.Soshebithertongueandwaited.Nathaniel widened his eyes in apparent surprise. ‘Why, Lucinda, howmagnanimous! I’m swept
awaybyyourgenerosity.Areyou sayingyouwouldbehappy forme to takeover the leadershipofOrion and to pick the new leader of Night School? Because if you are, then at last we are getting
somewhere.’Lucinda’s smile was lupine. ‘Now, Nathaniel, you know you can’t take over Orion. Whatever
you’vebeenpromisedbyyourfriendsontheboard,ifIstepdown,youknowtheywon’treallygiveittoyou.Apromiseisn’tworththepaperit’sprintedon.TheRulesareinviolableand,technically,you’renotevenamemberatthistime.Buttherearemanyexisting,long-termmemberswhomI’dbehappytosupport.’
Nathaniel’sgazenarrowed.‘Oh,Ihavenodoubttherearepeopleyouwouldsupport.Iknowaboutyourpatheticpuppets.Thehandfulwhostillclingtothehopethatyou’llcomebackfromyourdefeatsandgivethemallpoweronceagain.’
Hetookastepback,asifhecouldn’tbeartobesonearher.‘Howdisappointing.Imustsay,Isohopedyouwereseriousthistime.Thatfurtherunpleasantness
couldbeavoided.InsteadIseewe’rerightwherewestarted.Playinggamesasyoutrydesperatelynottolosecontroloftheorganisation.’Heshookhisheadsadly.‘Thisisbeneathyou,Lucinda.You,morethananyone,shouldknowhowtoletgo.’
Lucinda didn’t react to this. Instead she stood tall, unflinching. She looked, Allie thought, quitemagnificent,withLondonatherfeet.Herthinraincoatflutteredlikeacapeassheshrugged.
‘You cannot have Jerry Cole, Nathaniel, if you do not compromise. And I know howmuch hemeanstoyou.’
Nathanielbarkedadelightedlaugh.‘Youfiguredoutwhoheis,then?Orwhohewas,atanyrate.’Lucindainclinedherhead.Lookingbackand forthbetween them,Allie frowned.Neither shenor Isabellehad said anything
aboutdeterminingJerry’strueidentity.Whendidthathappen?‘GeraldBarlow-Smith.’Lucindapronouncedthenamewithprecision.‘Yourmanagerwhenyoufirst
cametomyoffices.Hewasyourmentor.Hewasfiredforstealing.’‘Hewaswronglyterminated,’Nathanielsaid.‘Byyou.Becauseofapersonaldisagreementhehad
withoneofyourassistants.’Lucinda lookedexasperated. ‘Ohplease,Nathaniel, hedivertedhundredsof thousandsofpounds
fromthecorporateaccount.Theevidencewasclear.’‘Themoneywas his,’Nathaniel began angrily, but then he seemed to change hismind. ‘I don’t
intendtoquibbleoverthis.Atanyrate,it’sbesidethepoint.Idon’tneedyoutogiveJerrytome.I’vegothimalready.’
Lucindafroze.ItwasthefirsttimeAlliehadseenhercaughtoffguardtonight.Nathanielwavedahandtowardsthetreesbehindthem.Withaslowsenseofdread,Allielookedwherehepointed.ShewasconsciousofCartersteppingin
frontofher,hisbodyangledasiftoblockablow.ThatwaswhenshesawJerrystepoutofthewoods.Gabestoodathisside.Eachheldagunpointedrightatthem.
38
THIRTY-EIGHT
Jerrylookedrumpled,asifhe’dbeeninafight.Hishairstoodonendandonesleevehadbeenrippedoffhisshirt,baringamusculararm.Alliecouldseeabruiseandabloodyscrapeonhischeek.
Howeverhe’dgotloose,ithadinvolvedafight.Gabe,ontheotherhand,lookedfreshasadaisy.Histawnyhairwaslongernow,hidingthescaron
hisscalp,andartfullytousled.HelookedlikeAllierememberedhimfromthedaysbeforeNathaniel–ahandsomeyoungpsychokiller.
Shecouldn’tbreathe.Everypersoncomplicit inJo’sdeathwasrightinfrontofher.Nathanielarrangedit.Jerryopened
thegate.AndGabe.Whothrusttheknifeintoher.Forsolongshe’dwantedherrevenge.Now,atlast,heretheyallwere.Andshewasterrified.ShewantedtotellCartertostepback.Tostandbesideher,notinfrontofher,butherlipshadgone
numb.Sheforcedherselftotakeabreath.Andthenanother.Somehowherlungskeptworking.Itwasn’t
easybut,luckily,noonewaspayinganyattentiontoher.EvenCarter’sgazewasfixedonthegunmen.‘Gerald,IcouldaskhowyouunshackledyourselfbutIsupposeit’squiteevident,’hergrandmother
saiddryly.Then,toAllie’shorrifiedastonishment,sheturnedherbackonhim,asifhedidn’tmatterabit.As
if,evenholdingagun–withlifeanddeathinhishands–hewasinsignificanttoher.Jerry stiffened.Hisgripon thegun tightenedandhe tooka step towards them.Gabepulledhim
back.‘Notyet,’hesaid.ThesoundofGabe’svoicemadeAllie’sskincrawl.ShesteppedclosertoCarter.Ifthiswasabouttogetuglytheyneededtobeready.‘This is your plan?’Lucinda said reproachfully. ‘I’m so disappointed in you,Nathaniel.Youhad
suchpromise.MorepromisethananyoneI’veeverknown.’‘More than Isabelle?’Nathaniel asked, andAllie couldhear hurt beneath the acid in his tone. ‘It
wouldhavebeenniceifyousaiditonceinawhile.’Itwasclear thiswasfamiliarground.Apath they’dtroddenmanytimes,nevergettinganywhere.
AllthewhileJerryandGabestoodstill,theirgunspointedatthem,unwavering.But neither Lucinda norNathaniel seemed to care about theweaponry. Theywere too intent on
destroyingeachother.Nathanielwas twisting one cufflink,Allie noticed,with quick, irritatedmovements.Once, twice,
threetimes.In her head she heard Katie’s voice. ‘He does this thing when he’s really cross. He twists his
cufflinksthreetimes…’Shewanted towarnLucindabut shehada feelingsheknewalready.That shewasdoing thison
purpose.‘Pettinessissounattractive.’Lucindashookherhead.‘Yourjealousyhasalwaysbeenyourundoing.
Ifonlyyoucouldhavefaithinyourself.’‘Enough,’Nathanielroaredintonesofcoldfury.‘I’mdonewiththis.Itisn’tfunanymore.Lucinda,
I’vebeenverypatientbutmypatiencehasrunout.Todayisthelastday.Yourallieswillnothelpyoubecause, even as we speak, each of them is receiving a visitor. A very convincing visitor, who isexplaining why they cannot support you any longer.’ He glanced from her to Allie, feverish withexcitement.‘BythetimethisnightisoveryourleadershipofOrionwillbethrough.It’stimeforanewgeneration,Lucinda.We’vetriedityourway.Nowwe’regoingtotrymine.’
Alliewasn’tsurewhathewassaying–washetalkingaboutblackmail?ButLucindadidseemtoknow.Andshewentpale.
‘Nathaniel,’shesaidwithquietsadness,‘whathaveyoudone?’Triumphblazedinhiseyes.‘I’vefinishedthis.It’sover.Youhavenoonetoturntonow.Nowhere
togo.There’snobodyleft torunyour littlepoliticalgames, to tryandstopthe inevitableprogressofchange.You’redone,Lucinda.’Hesteppedback.‘Takeabow.’
Lucindaseemedtosagundertheweightofthisand,foramoment,Alliethoughtshemightfall.Shetookasteptowardsher,buthergrandmotherinstantlyheldupahand.
‘Notonemorestep,Allie.’Hertonewascommanding.‘Youstaywhereyouare.’‘Yes,’Nathanielsaid,turningtoher.‘Listentoyourgrandmother.Youarehereasawitness,nota
participant.Iwantyoutoseewhathappensifyoucrossme.Tounderstandwhyithastobemyturntoruntheorganisation.Notyours.’
‘Leaveheralone,Nathaniel,’Lucindasnapped.‘She’snothreattoyou.’‘Oh,butsheis.’NathanielstudiedAllieshrewdly.‘Herverynamemakesherathreat.She’sLady
Lanarkshire,afterall.Yourchosenheir.AndwhoamI? I’mnobody.Thebastardsonofoneofyourcast-offhusbands.Someoneyouweregenerousenoughtoinvolveinyourlifeatonetimebutnobodycouldexpectmoreofyou.’
‘Nathaniel,stop,’Lucindainsisted.‘Thisisabsurd.’Heroundedonher,steppingcloseuntilhisfacewasinchesfromhers.‘Don’tevertellmewhatto
doagain.’Lucindadidn’tbackdownbutsheloweredhervoice.‘Iwouldappreciateitifyouwouldnotblame
Allieforwhat’shappening.Sheisjustachild.’‘Yes,’hesaid,steppingback.‘Butaveryunusualone.’
Herubbedhishands together,as ifhewas thinking things through.Thenhe turned towardsAllieagain,onlythistimehekepthistonecalmer.
‘Iwillneedyoutopromise,Allie,thatyouwillneverseektotakecontroloftheOrionGroupwhileIamstillalive.IwillultimatelyinsistthatyouputthisinwritingbutfortonightI’mwillingtoacceptaverbalagreement.’
HetookanotherstepandCartermovedbetweenthem,onehandoutinwarning.Nathanielshothimacoldlook,buthestopped.
‘Peoplewillcometoyou,soon,Ithink,andaskyoutojointheorganisation.Totakeapostontheboard.Tojointheirfactionagainstme.Iwillneedyoutosaynotothem.Nomatterhowmanytimestheycomeback,youmustalwaysrefuse.Isthatclear?’NathanielkepthisgazefixedonAllie.‘Agreetothatandweallgohometonight.Andlifegoeson.’
ThealternativetogoinghomethatnightwasnotmentionedbutAlliethoughtitwasquiteclearwhathemeant.Ifsherefused,someonewoulddie.
Shecouldn’tbelievethiswashappening.She’dneverwantedtobeapartoftheorganisation.Whatdiditevenmean?Goingtomeetings?Tellingtheprimeministerwhattodo?
Shedidn’tunderstandwhathewasafraidof.Whowouldwanthertorunanything,anyway?Shewantedtoscreamathim:Iamseventeenyearsold.Butshehadafeelingthatwouldn’tmatter.Hewasobsessed–likehergrandmotherandeveryone
elsesheknew–withtheOrionGroup.Andwithpower.‘Don’tsayanything,Allie,’hergrandmotherwarnedher.‘Nathaniel,that’squiteenough.’‘It’sOK,’Allieheardherselfsay,andcouldn’tquitebelieveshewassayingit.Everyoneturnedtolookather.‘Allie…’LucindacautionedbutAllieshookherhead.‘It’sfine.’ShelookedatNathaniel.‘Idon’twanttobeapartofanygroupyou’rein.Iwillsayno.I
won’tbeinOrionorontheboard.IfanyoneasksmeI’llsayno.OK?’Hergrandmotherlookedpained.Asifshe’ddonesomethingveryhurtful.Nathanielstudiedherwithcuriousintensity.‘Ihaveyoursolemnvow?’‘Sure.Yes.’Sheheldupherhands. ‘Ivowit. I’llsignwhateveryouwant.Justdon’thurtanyone
else.’Aftershespoketherewasalongpause,whileeveryoneseemedtoabsorbwhathadjusthappened.
Alliegotthefeelingshewasaloneinnotfullyunderstandingwhatshe’dagreedto.‘Atlast.’Nathanielgaveatriumphantlaughandraisedafisttothesky.ThenheturnedtoLucinda,
hisexpressiongleeful.‘Howastonishingthatyouendedupwithsuchadocilegranddaughter.Sowillingtodowhatyouwillnot.’
‘She doesn’t understand what she’s doing,’ Lucinda said quietly. ‘She doesn’t know she’s beentricked.Deceivingachildishardlyanythingtobeproudof,Nathaniel.’
Hegaveanirritatedflickofhishand.‘Youshouldhavetaughtherbetter,then.’This conversationwas unnerving. Theywere talking about her like shewasn’t there. Like she’d
madeahugemistake.AllieriskedaquickglanceatCarteronlytofindhewasn’twatchingthediscussionatall.Instead,he
wasstaringacrossthedarkhilltop.Whensherealisedwhathewaslookingat,herheartbegantopound.BehindGabe and Jerry, two shadowshadbroken free of the trees andbegunmovingwith lethal
steadinesstowardsthem.AbsorbedinNathanielandLucinda’sdispute,thetwomenhadnoticednothingastheshadowscrept
upbehindthemuntiltheywereperfectlypositioned.Allieheldherbreath.Theshadowspounced.Jerrygavearoughcryofsurpriseasthegunflewfromhisfingers.Hescrambledafterit,butwas
pulledback.Gabestruggledtokeepcontrolofhisowngun.Allieheardtheslapoffistagainstface.Thebone-crunchingsoundofmetalstrikingaskull.Someonegruntingfromthepain.
Behindher,Nathaniel’svoicerose.‘Isthisyourdoing,Lucinda?Youweretocomealone.’‘AndyouweretotradefairlyforJerryCole,’hergrandmotherrepliedwithicyindignation.‘Iam
notaloneinbreakingtherulesofparley.’Thatwaswhenthegunwentoff.Itwastoodarkandtoochaotictoseewhofired.Later,Alliewouldthinkthroughthatmomentover
andoveragain,tryingtoseemore.HadJerryrecoveredhisgun?WasitGabe?Wasitaccidental?Butatthatmoment,astheretortcrackedthroughtheair,shejustflinchedandreachedinstinctively
forCarter,whocaughtherhandandpulledhertothegroundwithsuchforceitknockedthewindoutofher.
Thentheechoofthegunshotfadedawayandthenightwentsilentagain.Alliefoughttogetherbreathback.Coolstrandsofgrass,softasfeathers,tickledhercheek.Carter
hadflunghisarmacrossher,holdingherdown.Buthewasn’tmoving.‘Carter?Areyouhit?’Hervoicesoundedbreathlessandthin.‘No.Areyou?’Ashespoke,hishandpressedagainstherbackasifseekingverificationthatshewas
OK.‘Idon’t…thinkso,’Alliesaid,unsure.‘Idon’tfeelshot.Ithink—’‘Lucinda?’ThevoicethatinterruptedherwasNathaniel’s.Hesoundedstrange.Frightened.Somehow,Allieknewthen.Shejustknew.ShesatupjustintimetoseehergrandmothersagintoNathaniel’sarmsandthenslowly,soslowly,
slipdowntotheground.
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THIRTY-NINE
Foraninstant,Alliedidn’tmove.Shefeltdizzy.Thelightsofthecityatthefootofthehillseemedtospinupandaroundher.
Grandmother.Stumblingtoherfeet,shebegantoruntowardsher.ShewasvaguelyawareofCarter’svoicecalling
herbackbutshekeptgoing.Shewasn’tfarfromLucindabutthosefewstepsseemedtotakeforever.Asiftheworlditselfhadsloweddown.
ShecouldhearNathanieltalkingtoLucindabuthiswordsmadenosense.Sawhimreachingforherhand.
Thenshe fell toherkneesbesidehim.The lightsofLondon illuminated thebloomof redon thewhitesilkofLucinda’sneatblouse.Justaboveherheart.
‘Grandmother?’Alliewasshakingnow,herteethchattering,asshereachedouttothewomanshe’donlyknownafewmonths.Onlyseenafewtimes.
Nathaniellookedpaleanddrawn.HepressedbothhishandsagainstthewoundonLucinda’schest.Bloodbubbledbetweenhisfingers.Hisbreathhissedbetweenhisteeth.
‘OhGod,Lucinda,’hewhispered.Thisisbad,Alliethought.Bad,bad,bad…‘Allie.’Lucinda’s voice was unexpectedly strong. At the sound of it, relief flooded through Allie. She
soundedfine.Yes,she’dlostalotofbloodbutshe’dbeOK.They’dgetheranambulance.‘I’mhere,’Alliesaid,fightingbackasob.‘We’llgetyoutoadoctor…’Hergrandmotherreachedoutwithablood-slickhandandgrabbedherwrist.‘Yourpromise.’Lucindaheldhergazewithfiercegreyeyes.‘Keepyourpromise.’Allie’sbrainwouldn’tfunction.Toomuchhadhappened.‘Mypromise?’Atthatmoment,someone
grabbed her from behind, dragging her roughly to her feet. Lucinda’s hand slipped from her wrist,lettinghergo.
‘No!’Alliescreamed,strugglingintheunknownarms,swingingherelbowbacktoconnectwithamusculartorso.Butthehandsonlytightened.
‘Allie.’Carter’stonewasgrave.‘Wehavetogo.’Shestoppedfighting.Ather feet,NathanielwasstillpressinghishandsagainstLucinda’swound
andtalkingtoherinalowvoice.‘Staywithme,Lucinda.Please.Youcan’tdothis.’‘Go?’ShestaredatCarter.‘Wecan’tgo.Lucinda…’
‘Yourpromise,’hesaid,holdinghergazeasiftoforcehertoremember,‘wastorun.’SuddenlysherememberedtheconversationinIsabelle’soffice.Lucinda’sinsistencethatsheswear
she’dleaveifshewashurt.Forthefirsttimeshepaidattentiontothelandscapearoundthem.Dark-cladbodieshadfloodedthe
hilltop.Guardsfrombothsideswereallaroundthem.Everywherewasfightingandshouting.She thought she sawNicole, her long braid flying as she kicked aman in the face, sending him
crashingintoatree.ThenthetwomovedintoshadowandAlliecouldn’tseeheranymore.Thewholenightmarishscene,sherealised,waslikethepaintingsintheCimmerialibrary–crowds
ofpeople,theirfacescontortedwithhate,tryingtokilleachother.Carter didn’twait for her agreement.Holding her hand in a tight grip, he ran down the hillside
throughthefighttowardsthetrees,halfdraggingherwithhim.AstheyranAllielookedbackatLucinda,stillonthegroundwithNathanielhunchedoverher.Then
fightersstormedinbetweenthem.ShesawaflashofdarkblondehairandrealiseditwasIsabelle,fightingamanmuchbiggerthan
her.Theheadmistresswhirledandkicked,blockinghisblows,thenleapedintotheairtoaimaflyingkickathisjawthatstruckcleanandtrue.Themancrumpledlikeatoy.
Isabelle can really fight, Allie thought, dazed. But then another man came up behind theheadmistress,aimingablowatherhead.Theheadmistressdodgedatthelastminuteandturnedtotakehimon.
AllieandCarterwerenearingthetreesnow,andsheduginherheels.‘Weshouldstayandfight,’sheprotested.‘Theyneedourhelp.’‘Wecan’tstay,’hesaid,pullingherhand.‘Wepromised.’BeforeAlliecouldreply,athick,musculararmwrappedaroundherthroatfrombehind,yankingher
offherfeet.HerhandslippedfreeofCarter’s.‘Allie!’Carter spun towardsherbut then someone elsegrabbedhimandpulledhimdown to the
groundwithaheavythud.Helpless,Alliewasdraggedupthehill,towardsthemelee.Sheyankedatthearm,clawedatit.Butitwaslikeiron.Nothingshedidmattered.Shecouldfeel
thehardmusclesoftheman’schestagainstherbackanditmadeherskincrawl.Suddenlyherbloodrancold.GabehadgrabbedherlikethisthatnightinthewoodswithSylvain.
WasthisGabe?Shesquirmedinhisgrip,tryingtoseewhoheldher.Thisturnedouttobeabadidea.Hetightened
hisgripacrossherthroat.‘Ilikeitwhenyoufight,’avoicehissedinherear.‘Fightsomemore.’Now she couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t move. Her heart hammered against her ribs as she gasped
futilelyforair.Brightflashesoflightbegantodanceinhervisionlikefireflies.
It’sover,shethoughtinacoldhazeofsurprise.He’skillingme.Then,with nowarning, theman shook.His arm released and she fell to the ground, gasping for
breath.When she looked up, Gabe lay on the ground next to her, blood streaming from his head.
Christopherstoodoverhim,holdingatruncheon.Alliestaredathimindisbelief.Hereachedouthishandtopullherup.‘YouOK?’Toostunnedtoargue,shenodded.‘Lucinda.Grandmother.Someoneshother.’Hislipstightened.‘Isaw.’‘You get the hell away from her.’ Out of the darkness, Carter hurtled at Christopher. He was
drenchedinsweat,fistsclenched.Christopheradoptedadefensivestancewiththetruncheonreadyinonehand.‘No!’Alliesteppedbetweenthem.‘Carter.Thisismybrother.ThisisChristopher.’‘Oh?’ Carter, who knew everything Christopher had done, kept coming until only Allie’s body
separatedthem.‘Thenyoureallyneedtogetthehellawayfromher.’‘Hejustsavedmylife,Carter.’Allieraisedhervoice.‘Stopthis.’With clear reluctance,Carter backed off.He turned his attention toAllie. ‘Wehave to go, now.’
Allie’s gaze darted to her brother. Shedidn’twant to leave himwithGabewho lay groaningon theground.
‘He’sright,’Christophersaid.‘Getoutofhere.I’llcoveryourback.’‘WillyoubeOK?’Allieasked,hesitantly.‘I’llbefine,’hepromised.‘Goasfastasyoucan.’Carterstartedtopullherwithhimbutsheturnedback.‘Iwant…’Alliehesitated.Shedidn’tknowwhatshewanted.‘Thanks,Chris.’Hisrespondingsmilewasbittersweet.‘You’rewelcome,AllieCat.Nowgo.’Turning,sheandCarterransidebyside,weavingtheirwaythroughclustersoffighters.Astheyran,
shescannedtheheathforfamiliarfaces.ShesawZelaznyshovehiselbowintosomeone’sbackandthenbringhisfistdownonthearchofa
neckwithbrutalforce.Athisside,Eloisewasawhirlingdervish,kickingandpunching.In thedistance, she thoughtshesawZoeswoopacross thegrass likeabirdofprey.At least, she
hopeditwasher.Thenthey’dreachedtheedgeofthewoodsandtheyweresafe.Theyrushedintothedarknesswith
relief.Butthey’donlygoneafewstepswhenavoicecalledouttothem:‘Stoprightthere.’Ablack-cladmansteppedoutfromaclusteroftrees.‘Wheredoyouthinkyou’regoing?’Alliesquintedathiminthedimness.Shedidn’tthinkshe’deverseenhimbefore.Oneoftheirs.‘Look–’Carterraisedhishands–‘wedon’twanttrouble.We’rejustleaving.’
Themanwalked towards them,hisgazesteadyonAllie’s face.She’dcometoknowthat lookofrecognitionwell.Heknewexactlywhoshewas.
‘Youcango,’themansaid.‘Thegirlstayswithme.’Carterwalkedrightuptohim.‘Thehellshedoes.’Hepunchedthemaninthestomachinamovesoquick,toAllieitwasablur.Justoneminutethe
manwasstandingtherestaringather,andthenexthewasdoubledover,vomiting.Carterwalkedbacktoherside.‘Let’sgo,’hesaid.Thistimeshedidn’targue.
Whentheyemergedfromtheparksometimelater,thestreetlightsblindedthematfirst.AnightbusroaredbyandAllielookedaroundinconfusion.Shehadnoideawheretheywere.They
hadn’tcomeoutongenteelTanzaRoadbutsomewhereelsecompletely–thiswasawide,steepavenue,busywithcarsandbusesevenaftermidnight.
InhermindshekeptseeingtheredbloodpouringontoLucinda’scleanwhiteblouse.Sheforcedtheimageawaywithironwill.
Shewouldhaveyearstocryaboutthisnight.Notnow.ShecouldseetheconfusiononCarter’sface,tooandithelpedtocalmher.Shewastheonewho’d
grownupinthiscity.Sheneededtobetheonetogetthemtothesafehouse.Therewereotherpeopleonthispavement.Normalpeople.Shewonderedhowtheymustlooktothem–acoupleofbatteredandbloodiedkidswanderingaroundHampsteadinthemiddleofthenight.Someonemightcallthecops.
Smoothing loose strands of hair away from her sweaty face, she schooled her features into thebland,disinterestedlookeveryLondonereventuallyacquires.
Aheadof them,agroupofkids theirage inhoodiesswungaround thecornerandbeganwalkingtowardsthem.AlliesawCarterstiffenastheyneared,readyforafight.
‘Actcool,’shesaid,asmuchtoherselfastohim.Shewassurprisedbyhowcalmshesounded.Howcontrolled.
Thekidsdidn’tevenglanceatthemwhentheypassed.Alliewaiteduntil theywere justoutofearshot. ‘Look. Idon’tknowwhereweare,’shesaid ina
conversationaltone.Slappingathispockets,Cartershotherahelplesslook.‘MyGPS–it’sgone.Imusthavedroppedit
inthefight.’Alliebitherlipandlookedaroundthem,butnothingseemedfamiliar.‘I’mgoingtostopforasecond,’shesaid.‘Just…followmylead.’Whentheyreachedanancient-lookingpubsetbackofftheroad,Alliewalkedontoitsfrontpath
andcroucheddown,pretendingtotightenhershoelaces.Asshedidsoshecheckedoutthesignsaroundthem.
Spaniard’sInn…Spaniard’sRoad…
Inherheadshevisualisedthemapsthey’dmemorised.Thiswasn’tanyofthestreetstheyweretoldtolookfor,andittookherasecondtoplaceit.Whenshedid,herheartsank.
‘Ohbollocks,Carter.’Shestoodup.‘We’reonthewrongsideofthebloodypark.’Hehelduphishands.‘Whichwaytothesafehouse?’Shepointeddownthelong,curvingroadrunningalongsidethedarkheath.‘Thatway,’shesaidgrimly.‘Alongway.’Hedidn’targue.‘Let’sgetwalking.’HampsteadHeathsprawlsforhundredsofacres.Nathaniel’sguardswerealloveritrightnow.They
neededtogetawayfromit,fast.Alliepressedherfingertipsagainstherforeheadasshemappedoutamentalroute.‘OK,’shesaidafterasecond.‘Stickwithme.IthinkIknowwheretogo.’Carterdidn’tquestionherasshesetoffatarapidpace.Hestuckclosetoherside,lettingherlead.The need to plan and think of practical logistics cleared the fog from Allie’s mind. She felt in
control.Theyneededtogetoutofhere.Shecouldfocusonthat.Onefoot,shetoldherself.Thentheotherfoot.Onefoot…Aftertenminutesfastwalkingtheyturnedoffthebusyroadontoaleafyresidentiallanelinedwith
well-maintainedhouses.Nolightcamethroughthewidewindowsatthishour.Nocarspassedthem.Itwaspeacefulhere.Theirfootstepsmadesoftrubberysoundsagainstthepristinepavement.Their
breathingseemedunnecessarilyloud.Images from the park kept intruding into the controlled space of Allie’s mind. Lucinda’s fierce
expression.Thesuppressedglimmerofherblood-covereddiamondring.SomepartofAlliesimplycouldn’taccept that it reallyhappened.LucindaMeldrumcouldnotbe
shot.Peoplelikeherdidnotgetshot.Theywereprotected.Theyweresafe.Shekept seeing thehaunted lookonNathaniel’s face.Hearinghispleadingvoice. ‘Staywithme,
Lucinda.Please.’‘Didheshoother?’Thewordscameoutunexpectedly.Shehadn’tmeanttosayitaloud.Inthedark,Carterlookedpale.Hisdarkhairclungtothedampskinofhisforehead.‘Who?’heasked.‘Nathaniel?’‘Yes,’Alliesaid.‘Washetheonewhoshother?’‘I saw two guns,’ Carter said. ‘Gabe’s and Jerry’s. But therewere a lot of people. I don’t think
Nathanieldiditthough.’‘No,’Allieagreed.‘Heactuallyseemedupset.’Sheshookherhead.‘Idon’tgetit…Ithoughthe
hatedher.’‘Hateandlove,’Cartersaid.‘They’realotalike.’They turnedon to another road, just as quiet as the first.Theywere halfwaydown it before she
summonedthecouragetoasktheonequestionshewasmostafraidof.‘Doyouthinkshe’sdead?’Carterglancedather;hispaceslowed.
Withclearreluctance,henodded.‘Ithinkso.’Afrondofgriefuncurledinsideher,takingupitsfamiliarterritorynearherheart.She’dhardlyknownhergrandmother.Butshewasfamily.Andshehad,fromtheveryfirstmeeting,
seemedtobelieveinAllie.Tohavefaithinher.Nowtherewasnooneleftinherfamilywhofeltthatway.IttookthemnearlyanhourofwalkingtoreachtheaddressRajhadmadethemmemorise.Number38CarltonLanewasanondescriptthree-storeyterracebuildingwithadingysignhanging
outfrontthatsaid‘TheDropInnB&B’.‘Bitdodgy,’Cartersaid,astheylookedupatthefrontdoor.‘Iwonderwhytheychosethisplace?’‘Noidea.’Allielookedaroundasiftheanswercouldbefoundelsewhereonthisinsalubriousstreet.
Evenatthishour,thebaronthecornerhadcustomers.Andtheyseemedtobegettinginafight.‘ThisisKilburn.It’salldodgy.’
‘What’sKilburn?’Carterasked.‘Whereweare,’shesaid.Then,notwantingtoexplainnorthLondonneighbourhoodsrightnow,she
changedthesubject.‘Wanttogofirst?I’llkeepthedooropenincasewehavetolegit.’She was certain this was the right address but Raj had said nothing about a B&B. He hadn’t
mentioned that the street was scary nor told them who would be inside. Maybe he’d never reallythoughtthey’dneedtouseit.
AsCarterwalkedupthestairsandpressedthebuzzer,shestayedastepbehindhim,keepinganeyeonthestreet.
Nothinghappened.Cartershotheralookoverhisshoulderandsheshrugged.Hepresseditagain.Thistimetheybothheardtheheavyfootstepsonthestairsinside.Thenthemetallicclunkofthree
locksbeingopened.Thedoorwasyankedopentotheextentaprotectivechainwouldallow.Adarkfaceglaredoutatthem.‘It’soneo’clockinthebleedingmorning.’TheaccentwasclassicnorthLondon.Themanlookedcross.Hesoundedcross.Andhewasbig.WhenCarterhesitated,Alliesteppedupbesidehim.‘We’reguestsofRajPatel.’ThiswaswhatRajhadtoldthemtosay.Butsheaddedapologetically,
‘We’resorrytobotheryousolate.’Themanslammedthedoorintheirface.AllieandCarterexchangedpuzzledlooks.Maybethiswasthewrongplaceafterall.Thenthechainslidlooseinsideandthedooropenedwideenoughtorevealthetallmaninablue
dressinggown.‘Youbettercomein.’
40
FORTY
CarterandAlliesteppedinsidecautiously.Themanletthempass,thenclosedthedoor,flippedthethreelocksshutagainandbracedthedoorwithametalbar.
Alliewatchedthiselaborateprocedurewithinterest.Onethingwascertain,thisplacewassecure.Theentrancehallhadoncebeengrand.Ithadabeautifuloldtiledfloor,stained-glasswindowsand
carvedwood.Butitwasrundown.Thepaintneededtouchingupandtwolightshadburnedoutonthestairsbehindthem.
Themanturnedandlookedthembothupanddown.‘I’mSharif,’hesaidafterathoroughinspection.‘Whothehellareyou?’‘Uh…I’mCarter,’Cartersaid.Allie kept her hands in her pockets. Her eyes darted to the door now so very comprehensively
locked.TrustRaj,shetoldherself.Butitwasn’teasy.‘Allie,’shesaidtersely.‘That’sallyouneedtotellme.’Themanheadeddownthehallway,motioningforthemtofollow.
Hisslippersmadeascuffingsoundonthetilefloor.‘Ifyou’rehere,somethingwentwrong.I’msorrytohearit.’
Therewaskindnessinhisvoice.Allierelaxedalittle.Hesteppedintoawindowlesskitchen,andturnedontheswitch.Harshfluorescentlightscameon
with an industrial buzz. It remindedAllie of a hospital: white walls, white cupboards, white floors.Everythingwasspotless.
Opening a drawer, he located a black key on a silver ring and held it out to them.After a briefhesitation,Carteracceptedit.
‘Gotoroomeleven,’Sharifinstructed.‘It’satthetopofthestairs.Lockthedoorbehindyou.Don’tcomeoutforanyoneyoudon’tknow.AndImeananyone.Includingme.Gonow.’
They hurried to the long steep staircase that ascended into darkness. Behind them, Sharif wasturningoutthelights.
Halfwayupthestairs,Allieturnedback.‘Thankyou,Sharif.’Hishandonthelightswitch,themanlookedupather.‘Noneedforthat,’hesaid.‘IoweRajPatelmylife.Iimagineyoudo,too.’
Roomelevenwas inaconvertedattic, three flightsup. Itwaspitchdarkat the topof the stairs, and
Carterfumbledwiththekeyforsometime,tryingtogetitintoalockhecouldn’tsee.Whenhedidgetitunlocked,thedoorwassoheavyhehadtoputhisshoulderagainstittoopenit.Itwas just as dark inside the room as out, and they both felt along thewall untilAllie’s fingers
foundthecoolplasticswitchatlastandflippedonthelights.Theroomwassmallandstuffywithaceilingthatslantedsteeply.Adoublebedtookupmostofthe
space,toppedwithtwoflatpillowsandacleanbutfadedbluebedspread.Asmallwindowononewallwashiddenbehinddarkcurtains.ThroughanarrowdoorAlliecouldseeaminusculebathroom.
Itseemedunnaturallyquiet.‘Iwonderwhathemeant,’Alliesaidtobreakthesilence.‘ThatheowedRajhislife.’‘I don’t know.’Careful not tobumphisheadon the lowceiling,Carterwent to thewindowand
movedthecurtainfarenoughtolookout.‘Rajwasinthemilitaryforawhile.’Alliehadn’tknownthat.Theblanketofsilencecamedownagain.Nowthattheywerehereandsafe,wearinesshitherlikeafist.Carterstillstoodbythewindow.She
wonderedwhathewaslookingat.Orifhejustdidn’tknowwhattodo.Thebedwastheonlypieceoffurnitureintheroomasidefromasmall,batteredbedsidetablewithalamp.
Afterabriefhesitation,shesatdownontheedgeofthemattress.Itwasoneofthosehardmattressesthatseemedtobecarvedoutofsolidwood.
‘Thatmustbeit,’shesaid,runningherhandtiredlyacrossherface.Inthelight,shenoticedsomethingonherwrist,andsheturnedherhandovertoseeitbetter.Itlookedalmostlikeabracelet,butshewasn’twearingjewellery.AsuddenimageofLucindagrabbingherwristflashedinhermind.Thebraceletwashergrandmother’sblood.Stiflingasob,Allierubbedhardattherust-colouredstain.‘Whatisit?’Whenshedidn’treply,Cartercrossedtohersideinthreelongsteps.Hetookherhandtolookather
wrist.Shedidn’tfighthim.‘It’s…’Butshecouldn’tbringherselftosaywhatitwas.Thatwouldmakeitallreal.Besides,he
mustknowanyway.Sheswallowedhard.‘Ineedtocleanup.’Toherrelief,hedidn’ttrytomakeherfeelbetter.‘Inhere.’Hereachedintothebathroomtoturnonthelightthenmovedbacktothewindow,giving
herspace.Likeeverythingelsehere, thebathroomwasantiquatedbutclean.Allie turnedon the tap.Asshe
waitedforthewatertowarmup,shestaredatherselfintheoldmirror.Shewasshinyfromsweatandherskinlookedgreeny-yellowinthefluorescentlight.
Tearsrandownhercheekandshestaredatthemcuriously.Shehadn’trealisedshewascrying.Thewaterwaswarm now.Grabbing a cracked bar of soap, she rubbed it against herwrist. The
waterranpinkatfirst.Thenrustyred.Thenclear.
Shescrubbedherhandsandarmsuntiltheyburned.Thenshesplashedwateronherfaceandneck.Bythetimeshefinished,sheactuallyfeltbetter.Hereyeswereredbutshewasn’tcryinganymore.
Shetookadeepbreathandwalkedbackintothebedroom.Carterwasbythewindowagain.Hiseyessearchedherface.‘I’mOK,’shelied.‘Iknowyouare,’hesaid.Hewalked towardsher, andshe stiffened. Ifhehuggedher she’d start cryingagainand thenshe
mightneverstop.Insteadhewentintothebathroomandclosedthedoorbehindhim.Relieved,Alliesankdownonthebed.Shecouldhearwaterrunningbehindthedoor.Shewanted
Carterclosebutshewasgladtherewassomespacebetweenthemrightnow.Sheneededasecondtothink.
Itstruckherthathemightfeelthesameway.Shewassotired.Theadrenalinethatkepthergoingallnight–maybeallweek–hadabandoned
her.Shewenttopullherfeetupontothebedbutthencastaguiltyglanceatthecleancoverlet.Carefully sheunzippedhermuddyboots and slipped themoff, leaving themon the floor. If they
wereattackedshemighthavetorunawayinhersocksbut…sobeit.Shewasn’tsmudgingSharif’sneatbedspread.
Pullingherfeetupontothebedsheleanedbackagainsttheflatpillow.Lyingdownfeltgood.Eventhehard-as-a-rockmattressfeltgood.Theoverheadlightwasbrutalbutshewastooexhaustedtocare.I’llclosemyeyes…Justforasecond.
‘ALLIE…’SomeonewascallingbutAlliedidn’tknowwho.Itwastoodarktosee.‘Hello?’shecalledback.Noonereplied.Shelookeddown–shewasbarefootbutforsomereasonshecouldn’tfeelthegrassagainstthesoles
ofherfeet.Whenshelookedupagain,shewasbackinHampsteadHeath,at thetopofParliamentHill.The
lightsofthecitytwinkledbelowher.‘Ohno…’shewhispered.Lucindalaygracefullyatthecrestofthehill.Nathanielkneltbesideher.Neitherofthemmovedor
spoke.Theywerelikestatues.Slowly,Allieapproachedthem.Herheartpounded.Itwashardtobreathe.Somewhereupherewas
themanwhograbbedher.SomewhereGabewaited.Somanyenemiesinoneplace.Whatwasshedoinghere?ButshehadtoseeLucindaagain.Totellhergoodbye.Totellhershewassorry.ButnowsheandNathanielweren’talone.Jowasthere,too.Asorrowfulangelinwhite,herblonde
hairhighlightedbythecitylightsbehindher.‘It’snotyourfault,Allie,’shesaid,reachingoutapalehand.Slowly, fearfully,Allie lookeddownat her grandmother.Nathanielwasweeping.Lucinda’swhite
blouse was soaked red with blood. Blood pooled beneath her and ran down the hillside in waves.Pouringandrushing.Engulfingthecity.
‘Allie,I’mserious.Youdidallyoucould.It’snotyourfault,’Josaidagain.ThenLucinda’seyesflewup.‘Yesitis,’shesaid.Alliescreamed.
‘Wakeup,Allie!’Cartershookherbytheshoulders.Shestaredupathim.‘What?’Hergazeskitteredaroundtheunfamiliarroom.NoLucinda.NoJo.NoNathaniel.Bluecoverlet.Dingywalls.Thesafehouse.‘Youhadanightmare.’Carter still heldher tightly.His fingerswerewarmagainsther shoulders.
‘Youscreamed.’Lettinggowithonehand,hebrushedthehairbackfromherface,smoothingitgentlybehindherear.Hisfingerswerelikefeathersagainstherskin.‘Youtalkedinyoursleep.’
Allie’sgazeshotuptomeethis.Herbrowcreased.‘WhatdidIsay?’Carter’sfingerspaused,thenresumedstrokingherhair.‘Yousaid…“Jo”.’Bitingherlip,Allienodded.Sheresistedtheurgetoleanagainsthim.LethimholdherandtellhereverythingwasOK.Likethe
olddays.BecauseeverythingwasnotOK.Andthiswasn’ttheolddays.Hereyessearchedtheroom.Atsomepoint,he’dturnedofftheoverheadlightandswitchedonthe
bedsidelamp.Shewonderedhowlongshe’dbeenasleep.Sheglancedathimagain.Itcouldn’thavebeentoolong–hishairwasstilldampandcurlingalittle
fromthewater.Hesmelledofthesamebarofsoapshe’dused.Unconsciously,hergazedarteddowntohercleanhandsandwrists.Noblood.Hewasstrokingthestrandsofhairagainsthershouldersnow.Itfeltsoothingandelectrifyingatthe
sametime.Shefelteachtouchlikeheatagainstherskin.Shedidn’twanthimtostop.Buthehadto.Hewasn’thers.Andshewasn’this.Withunnecessaryabruptness,shesatup.Hedroppedhishandasifshe’dstunghim.Pretendingnottonoticethis,sheclearedherthroatandscootedbackagainstthepillows.She glanced at the pillow next to hers. It wasn’t dented – he hadn’t been sleeping. He’d been
standingguard.Hewasstaringdownathishands.Evenatthatangle,shecouldseethesadnessinhisface.
‘I…dreamabouther,’sheadmitted,finally.‘AboutJo,Imean.Allthetime.’Shepaused,andheraisedhisgazetomeethers.Hisdarkeyesseemedasdeepastheocean.Youcouldsinkintothem.Loseyourself.‘Ilikeseeingher.It’slikeshe’snotreallygone.’Shesearchedhisfaceforjudgement.‘Thatsoundscrazy,right?LockAllieupintheLunaticHotel.Sheseesdeadpeople.’
‘Idreamaboutmyparentsallthetime,’hesaidsimply.Allieblinked.‘Really?’Henodded,forcingafaintsmile.‘So…ifthere’saLunaticHotel,maybewecanshareacell.Save
ontherent.’Alliefeltstrangelyrelieved.Shewasnewtothiswholegriefthing.Carter,ontheotherhand,wasa
professional–hisparentshaddiedwhenhewasfive.Thathe’d lived tobeseventeen,andrelativelysane,wasoneofthethingsshe’dheldontoafterJo’sdeath.
Afterall,she’donlylostherbestfriend.Carterhadlosthismumanddadandsurvived.Knowingthathe’dkeptittogetherafterallofthatmadetheideaofgoingcrazyseemalmostselfish.
‘It’sweird,’ Carter saidwhen she didn’t speak.His handswere crossed loosely in front of him.‘SometimesinmydreamstheylookliketheydointhepicturesIhaveofthem.Othertimestheydon’tlooklikethemselvesatall.’Hegaveasheepishsmile.‘WhenthathappensIwakeupfeelingguiltyfornotrecognisingthem.’
He lookedsoshyat thatmoment,andsovulnerable.Alliehadneverwanted toholdhishandsomuchasshedidrightthen.Shehadtocurlherfingersintofiststostopherself.
‘So,’heconcluded,‘ifanyone’sbonkersit’sdefinitelyme.’‘You’renotcrazy,’Alliesaidsoftly.Whenhelookedatherthenhiseyesnearlybrokeherheart.‘You’rethesanestpersonIknow,’shesaid.Hesmiled.‘Yeahbut…youknowalotofcrazypeople.’‘True,’Allieconceded.‘Birdsofafeather.’‘ButI’mtheclosestbirdatthemoment.’Allie’ssmilefadedassheheldhisgaze.‘Youalwaysare.’Thelightmomentdissipatedinstantly.Theelectricityreturned,cracklingunseenaroundthem.‘Carter…’shestartedtosaybuthespokeatthesametime.‘Allie…’‘Sorry,’hesaid,holdinguphishands.‘Youfirst.’Her lungsfeltstrangely tight. ‘I justwanted to…Imean…thankyouforwhatyoudid tonight.
Youweresocalm.’Carterexhaledandshookhishead.‘Someoneshotyourgrandmothertonightandyou’retellingmeI
wascalm?I’mnot thecool-headedone,Allie. I’veneverseenanyonesosteadyunderpressure.Youwereamazing.Areamazing.’
Hereachedforherhandsthenandshelethimpullthemintohis,althoughsheknewitwaswrong.Knewitcouldn’tbeanything.
Butshewantedittobesomething.Shecouldfeelthestrengthinhisfingers.Andyethisthumbsbrushedherknuckleswiththesoftness
ofbutterflywings.‘YouarethemostamazingpersonIknow.’Sheneededtostopthisbeforeitwenttoofar.‘Carter…’Whatshouldshesay?Don’t?Stop?Wecan’t?Thatwouldbetherightthingtosay.Whatshewantedtosaywasentirelydifferent.Butshecouldn’tsaythat.Couldshe?Jump.Hestudiedherfaceintently,asifhecouldhearherinternalstruggle.Asifheknewshewasdeciding
something.‘What?’Hisfingersranupherbarearmtohershoulder.Hiseyeswereurgent.Asifthiswastheir
lastchance.‘Sayit,Allie.Sayanything.’Withherwholeheartshewishedthatwastrue.Wishedshecouldsayanything.Because,ifshetold
himthetruth,whatwouldshesay?‘Carter…Iloveyou.’
41
FORTY-ONE
Allie’sheartseemedtostop.Thewordshungintheairlikesmoke;incriminatingher.Ididnotjustsaythat,shethought,panicking.WhydidIdothat?Butitwastoolatetoturnback.Youcan’trecantadeclarationoflove.Itcannotbewithdrawnor
strickenfromtherecord.It’sthereforever.ShestaredatCarterinshock,asifhewastheonewho’dsaidit,andwaitedforhimtorecoil.To
lookembarrassed.Totellhershewaswrong.Ahorribleperson.Acheater.He’dgonedangerouslystill–sostillhedidn’tseemtobreathe.Thenhesaggedbackasifsomeunseenforcethathadbeenholdinghimuphadsuddenlyletgo.His
breathcameoutinaraggedsigh.‘OhGod,Allie,Iloveyou,too.’Somethingcoldinsideofherbegantothaw.Allofherconfusionlefther.Becausetheanswerwas
rightinfrontofher.Shecouldn’tloveSylvainbecauseshewasinlovewithCarter.Shealwayshadbeen.Theyreachedforeachotheratthesametime,andthen,atlast,hislipswereagainsthersandthey
werekissingwiththepent-updesireofmonthsoftryingnottowanteachother.Exhilaration made Allie’s head swim. She’d wanted this for so long. Dreamed of it. But she’d
thought it could never be.Nowhis lipswere against hers –warm and familiar.His breathwas softinsidehermouth,fillingherlungs.
Aftereverythingthathadhappened,sheneededthis.Neededhim.NeededittobeOK.Shekneltclosertohimontheunfamiliarbed,twiningherwristsaroundhisneck.Hewhisperedwordsagainstherlipsthatshecouldn’tmakeoutbutsheknewwhathewassaying.
Thathelovedher.Thattheyshouldalwaysbetogether.Hishandssliddownherspine,flatteningagainstthesmallofherback,tryingtopullhercloser,but
itwasn’tnecessary,she’dwrappedherarmsaroundhisneckandwaspullinghisbodydownontopofhers.
Whenshelayflatonthebed,heproppedhimselfuponhisarmssoasnottocrushheragainsttheunforgivingmattress,andcoveredherfacewithkisses.Kissingherforehead,hereyelids,thetipofhernose,herchin.
Thenhismouthreturnedtohers.
ButterfliesswarmedinAllie’sstomach.Wonderingly,sheexploredhisbody,runningherhandsoverhisshoulders,downthebareskinofhisarms,uptheflatplaneofhisstomach,theshallowcurvesofhischest.
Hewassowarm.Soalive.‘Isthisreallyhappening?’shewhispered.‘I’mnotdreaming…amI?’Hesatup,pullingherwithhimwitheasystrengthuntilshesatfacinghim,herlegstangledupwith
his.Cupping her face between the palms of his hands, he held her as if sheweremade of themostfragileglass.Hiseyeswereasseriousasshe’deverseenthem.
‘Thisisnotadream.’‘Buthow?’shesaid,stillstrokinghisshoulders,feelingthemusclesmovebeneathherfingers.Solid
andreal.‘Whatwillwedo?’Hishandssliddowntoherwaistandhepulledherforwarduntilshecouldfeelhisbreathonher
cheeks.‘Wewillfindaway,’hepromisedher.‘Wehaveto.Iwon’tbeapartfromyouanymore.Iwon’t
pretendanymore.’Itwaslikehewasreadinghermind.Sayingherthoughtsaloud.‘IfeellikeI’vebeenlyingtomyselfforsolong…’Shetouchedthesoftsilkofhiseyebrows,the
hard,smoothanglesofhischeekbones.‘ButIhadto.Ididn’twanttohurtanyone.Ididn’twanttobehurt.’
Heclosedhiseyes,lettinghertouchhimeverywhere.‘Iwillneverhurtyou,Allie.Neveragain.’Shebelievedhim.Placingherhandsflatonhischestshepushedhimbackontothebed.Hefellbackwillinglyandshe
layontopofhim,thesoundofhissoftlaughtermuffledbythepressureofherlipsagainsthis.
‘Itried,’Cartersaidquietly,‘tomakemyselffallinlovewithJules.’Ashespoke,hisfingerstracedcirclesonthesensitiveskinontheinsideofAllie’sforearm.Shefelt
thattouchinherstomach.Herownfingerswererunningthroughthesoft,darkstrandsofhishair.Theylaysidebysideonthebed,facingeachother.Nowthattheywereallowedtotoucheachother,
theycouldn’tseemtostop.‘ItwasthesamewithSylvain,’Allieconfessed.ThethoughtofhowmuchthiswouldhurtSylvain
extracted someof the joy from themomentwith theprecise sharpnessofa scalpel.Shedroppedherhands to her sides. ‘I care about him– I can’t seemnot to.Butwhen he toldme he lovedme… Icouldn’tsayitback.IthinkIknewthen.ButIcouldn’tadmitittomyself.’
Carterpulledherfingersuptohislipsandkissedthem.Hiseyesweresombre.‘Thepoorsod.’Allie thoughtof the lost lookonSylvain’s facewhenhesaidgoodbye.Thewayhe’dsaid, ‘Even
thoughIknow…’Hadhemeantthis?Allalong,hadheknownwhoshereallyloved?
Shecouldn’tbeartothinkofthat.TakingCarter’s hand in hers she pressed his palm against the skin of her cheek. Thiswaswhat
matteredrightnow.Thiscontact.Thislove.With his other hand, Carter traced soft, invisible lines along her jaw, down her neck, along her
clavicle.Histouchmadehershiver.‘AndJules?’shesaid.‘Issheinlovewithyou?’Hisfacedarkened.Droppinghishandontothecurveofherhip,henodded.‘Beforesheleft…thingsweregettingserious.IknewIhadtogetoutofitbeforeitwenttoofarbut
Ididn’tknowhow.IwasafraidI’d…I’dhurther.’Herolledoveronhisback,restinghisheadonhishand,staringupattheceilingasifhewouldfind
theanswersheneededthere.Alliesatupsoshecouldseehisface.‘Whenherparentstookheraway,theworstpartwas…Iwaskindofrelieved.’Hewouldn’tmeet
hereyes.‘AndIhatedmyselfforthat.ButIcouldn’thelpit.Ikepthopingshe’dfindsomeoneatthenewschoolwhodeservedher.Thenshe’dbreakupwithmeandeverythingwouldbefine.’
‘Butshedidn’t,’Alliesaid.Heshookhishead,hislipsinatightline.‘Shewrotemeletters,tellingmeshe’dwaituntilwewere
bothout.Wecouldgotouniversitytogether…’Allieletoutherbreath.‘Whatamesswebothare.’Hervoicewas thick. ‘Wetrysohardnot tohurtanyone thatwehurt
everyone.’Sherakedherfingersthroughhertangledhair.‘Weoughttobearrestedforthegoodofthecommunity.’
Awrysmilequirkedupthecornersofhislips.‘We’renotcriminals,Allie.Wejust…can’tnotloveeachother.’
Eachtimehesaidtheworditmadeherheartflip.Love.Sothisiswhatitfeelslike.‘Whathappensnow?’sheasked,leaningclosertohim.‘Imeanseriously?Ifneitherofuscanbear
tohurtJulesorSylvain…’‘We have to.’ A strand of Allie’s hair tumbled on to Carter’s chest and he caught it, twisting it
aroundhis finger likea ring. ‘You justsaidwe tried toprotect themandallwedidwasmake thingsworse.Iactuallythinkwe’llprotectthemmorebybeinghonest.’
Suddenlymiserable,Allieloweredherheadontohischest,pressingherbodyagainsthis.Hepulledherintohisarms,holdingherclose.Asshelistenedtohisheartbeatasteadyrhythmshecouldn’teverrememberfeelingsowarmandsafe.
‘Idon’twanttohurtanyone,’shemurmuredasexhaustiontookoverandhereyesdriftedshut.
Hepressedhislipsagainsthertemple.‘Meneither.ButIamneverlosingyouagain,AllieSheridan.Andthatisapromise.’
BANG,bang,bang!Alliewentfromsoundasleeptowideawakeinaninstant,sittingstraightupinbedandstaringatthe
heavybedroomdoor,hopingshe’ddreamedit.ButCarterwasalreadystandingontheothersideofthebed,hisbodytense.
Theknockingcameagain,sohardandinsistentthedoorshookinitsframe.Theyranacrosstheroomuntiltheystoodoneithersideofthedoorway.‘Who…?’Alliewhispered,lookingatCarter.Hekepthiseyesonthedoor.‘Raj,Ihope.Onlyonewaytofindout.’Hesteppedclosertothedoor.
‘Who’sthere?’Therewasapause.‘Dom.Andfriends.’HearingthefamiliarAmericanaccent,Allierelaxed.Theyweresaved.Cartermovedquicklytoopenthesturdylocksandthedoorswungopen.Onthedarklanding,lookingasunruffledasifshealwaysrousedstudentsfromguesthousesatfour
inthemorning,Domstoodattheheadofaphalanxofguards.Herglassesglitteredinthelightfromthebedroomasshescannedthemforwounds.Findingnone,
shetiltedherhead.‘Let’sgetyououtofhere.’Beforetheycouldmove,though,NicoleandZoepushedthroughtheotherstogettothem.‘Allie!’Nicolepulledherintoahug.Allieclungtoher,relievedtoseethembothinonepiece.‘Where’sRachel?’Allieasked,lookingdownthedarkstairwell.‘She’ssafe,’Nicolepromisedher.‘Outsideinthecar.Everyone’sOK.’‘ThankGod.’Alliefeltweakwithrelief.TheywereallOK.Everyonewasfine.Allbutone.‘Lucinda?’AllielookedfromNicoletoDom,afraidshealreadyknewtheanswer.Nicolejustsqueezedherhandandshookherhead.‘Shedidn’tmakeit,’Domsaid.‘I’mverysorry.’Allieshuddered.ThosewerepreciselythesamewordsIsabellehadusedaboutJo.Shedidn’tmakeit….Itwasanawfulwaytosaysomeonehaddied.Asifthey’dsomehowfailedtolive.Failedtosurvive
abullet.Orablade.ShewasstillprocessinghowshefeltwhenZoelookedpastherandfrownedattherumpledbed.She
wrinkledherpertnose.‘Wait.Didyoutwosleeptogether?’Alliefroze.Thestairwellwentsickeninglysilent.Everyoneseemedtobelookingather.Ortrying
nottolookather.Carterhandled it. ‘There’sonlyonebed,’heexplained. ‘Butwedidn’tdomuchsleeping.’Allie’s
gaze shot to his; he didn’t meet her eyes. ‘We were waiting for you guys.What took you so longanyway?’
‘Therewere lotsofpeople to fight,’Zoesaidchirpily. ‘ThenRajmadeuswaitbecauseyouwerefollowed.’
AlliesawCarter’sbodytense.‘Whydidhethinkthat?’heasked,hisvoiceunnaturallyeven.‘Whenyouleftthepark,someonewasbehindyou,’Nicolesaidsoftly.‘ButRaj’sfriend–Sharif,I
think?–he’sbeenwatchingthestreetallnightandhesawnoonesowedecideditwasOKtocomegetyounow.’
AlliethoughtofSharif,alreadytiredwhentheyarrived,stayingupallnighttokeepthemsafe.Shecouldhavehuggedhim.
‘Wethinkit’ssafebutwe’renotcertain,’Domsaid,clarifyingNicole’sassessment.‘Weshouldgo.Thecarsareoutfront.’
‘Onesecond.’Allieranbacktotheroomtograbherboots,hoppingononefootasshepulledthemup.Carterwasontheoppositesideofthebed,puttingonhisshoes.
Shecouldfeeleveryonewatchingthem;speculatingaboutwhathadhappenedinthisroomwithjustonebed.
Bootson,shestraightenedandwalkedtothedoorwithherheadheldhigh.Carterwasrightbehindher.
As they closed the door, Allie stole a quick last glance at the roomwhere everything changed.Whereshe’dfinallylistenedtoherheart.
Carter’sfingersbrushedagainsthersassheturnedawayandshedidn’tbelieveitwasanaccident.Herheartachedwithloveforhim.She’dlostthegrandmothershebarelyknewbutshestillwasn’talone.NowshehadCarter.
They descended the stairs in a precise order. Two guards in front. Then Nicole and Zoe, Allie andCarter,followedbyDomandtwomoreguards.
Alliewassure they’dalreadywokeneveryone in thehousebut theymovedquietlynow,hustlingdownthesteepstaircasetothegroundfloor.
The entrance hall was dark and there was no sign of Sharif. She said a silent thanks to him,whereverhewas,forlookingoutforthem.
Theguardsopenedthefrontdoor.Alliestoodonhertoestosee,butallshecouldmakeoutwasdarkness.Theyleftthebuildinginpairs.AllieandCarterweresidebyside,surroundedbytheothers.Thestreetwasutterlysilent.Thedrinkersinthepubonthecornermusthavefinallygonehometo
sleepitoff.It was not yet dawn. The sky was velvety black above the harsh glare of the streetlights. Allie
lookedupatthedarkemptinessabovethem.Somethingwasmissing.Ittookheraminutetofigureout
whatitwas.Therewerenostars.YoucanneverseethestarsinLondon.Thecityisitsownsolarsystem,sobrightitblindsyou.Whenshe’dlivedhere,she’djustacceptedthatfact.Butnowtheskyseemedemptywithoutthem.Thewarmnightairsmelledheavilyofexhaust.AlineoffourblackLandRoversstoodwaitingforthem,doubleparked,enginesidling.Alliesaw
Rachelinsideoneofthem,wavingatherwildly.Shewavedback.Movingasone,carefulbutfast,theymadetheirwaydowntheconcretefrontstepstothepavement,
thenoutintothestreet.Ahead,thecardoorsopenedforthem.Something moved at the edge of Allie’s vision. She snapped around to see a skinny black cat
slinkingacross theroad inapoolof lamplight. Itstopped infrontof thefirstLandRover, licked itsshoulderthenstaredatheraccusinglywithwide,goldeneyes.
Blackcatcrossedourpath.A sudden sense of dreadmade her shiver. But thenDom, talking quietly into hermobile phone
(‘Loadingthevehiclesnow.Allpartiesaccountedfor’),grabbedherelbow,andsteeredhertowardsthethirdvehicle.
Hernervesalightwithapprehension,Alliewentwhereshewas told,butshekepthereyesonthecat.
Suddenly,itcrouchedandhissed,asifstartled.Asshewatched,itscuttledoutoftheroad,leapingoveralowwallwithimpossiblegrace,anddisappearinginthedarkness.
WithDomstillpropellingheralongbrisklyandCarterahalf-stepahead,Allie turnedbacktoseewhathadfrightenedit.
Herbreathcaughtinherthroat.They came from everywhere. Black-clad bodies emerged from cars, from dark alleyways, from
stairwells.Therewereeverywhereandtheywereheadingrightforher.Words from the bookZelaznyhadgivenher appeared in hermindwith cold clarity. ‘Attack him
whereheisunprepared.Appearwhereyouarenotexpected.’‘Carter…’shebreathed.Andhervoicemusthavescaredhimbecausehespuntowardsherjustas
Nathaniel’sguardsattacked.Thenightexplodedintosoundandfury.‘Go!’Domshouted,shovingAllieandCarterhardtowardstheLandRover.Whirling,shecalledto
theothers,hervoicestraining:‘Positions.Now.’Sheturnedback,shovingthephoneintoherpocketandraisingherfists.
Thenthesilencewassplitwithcriesofpainandgruntsofexertion.Andtherawmeatsoundoffistagainstskinandbone.
CartergrabbedAllie’shand,pullingherclose,shieldingherwithhisbodyastheystruggledtopushtheirwaytothecarthroughflyingfistsandspinningkicks.
Fightingherwaytotheopendoor,Alliereachedforthehandletopullherselfup.Shehadonefoot
inwhensomeonegrabbedherbythehairandshoulder,tearingatherskinwiththeirhands,yankingherbackintothestreet.
Shescreamedandstruggledtoextricateherselffromtheunseengrip,andCarterleaptintoaction,kicking high and sure. His foot connected perfectly with the man’s jaw and he went down, nearlypullingAllietothegroundwithhim.
Painburnedlikefireashechunksofhairrippedfromherscalp.Morehandswerereachingforhernowbut,spinningbacktowardsher,Cartergrabbedherbythe
waistandthrewherroughlyintothevehicle.Shelandedinanungainlyheaponthefloor.Nathaniel’sguardswereswarmingthemnow.ToomanyforAllietocount.Oneofthemreachedfor
thedoor,anothergrabbedatCarter’sshirt,yankinghimhardawayfromthecar.‘Carter!’Alliescreamed,reachingouttotryandpullhiminafterher.Buthedidn’tfollowher.Insteadhekickedtheguard’shandsawayfromthedoorandslammedit
shut.‘Go!’heshoutedtothedriver,slappinghishandhardagainstthemetalofthedoor.‘Getheroutof
here.’Hisjawwassetanddetermined.Hedidn’tlookatAllie.Ittookherasecondtorealisewhathewas
doing.Whenshedid,allthebreathseemedtogooutofher.She stared at him through thewindow, aghast.Her heart hammered against her ribs so hard she
thoughtitmightexplode.‘No-no-no…’Hervoicesoundedodd.Terrified.‘Carter,no!Don’tdothis.’Shescrabbledforthedoorhandle,nailsscratchingagainsttheplasticonthedoor.Beforeshecould
getitopen,though,sheheardathunk,asthedoorslockedthroughthecentralsystem.TheLandRovershotforwardwithsuchsuddennessAllielosthergriponthedoorandwasthrown
hardintothefootwell.Dazed,shethoughtsheheardherselfgroan.Everypartofherbodyhurt.Bloodtrickleddownher
faceandshedidn’tknowwhereitwascomingfrom.Grittingher teeth, shepulledherselfbackup. ‘Stop thecar!’ she said,withasmuch forceas she
couldmuster.‘Youhavetogobackandgethim.’Butthecardidn’tstop.Itwentfaster.Sobbingnow, shegrabbed the door handle, tearing at itwith all her strength, but the lockswere
solid.Shewastrapped.‘Wehavetogoback.’Sheappealedtoguardsinthefrontseatshoarsely,strikingthetearsfromher
cheekswiththebackofherhand.‘Wecan’tjustleavehimthere.They’llkillhim.’In the rear-viewmirror, thedriver’seyes flickered tohers. ‘Myordersare togetyouback to the
school.’OnlythendidsherealisetheyreallymeanttoabandonCarter.Theyweren’tgoingsomewheretoget
ittogethersotheycouldreturnandrescuehim.Theywereleavinghim.‘No!’ She lunged for the driver, but the guard in the passenger seatwas ready for her. Spinning
aroundhecaughtherwrists,holdingtheminanirongrip.Shestruggledinhisgraspbuthewasunbelievablystrong.‘Miss,’hesaidevenly,‘Iunderstandhowyoufeel,butwehavenochoice.Ourordersaretogetyou
backbyanymeansnecessary.Pleasesitbackinyourseatandletusdoourjobs.’Mutely,Allieshookherhead.Shecouldn’tdothat.Shecouldn’tletthemleaveCarter.The guard held her gaze with cool blue eyes. ‘Miss Sheridan, don’t makeme restrain you.’ He
wasn’tangryorcruelandsomehowthatmadeitallworse.Hejustdidn’tcare.Alliewastremblingsoviolentlynowitwasdifficulttospeak.Still,shepleadedwithhim.‘Butdon’tyousee?’shesaid,hervoiceshaking.‘He’lldie.Andifhedies…’…mylifeisover.‘I’msorry,’hesaid.Butshedidn’tbelievehim.Twistinginhisgrip,shestrainedtoseewhatwashappeningbehindthem.Alreadytheyweretoofar
awayforhertomakeoutthefacesofthosethey’dleftbehind.ForasecondshethoughtshesawCarteramidablackcloudoffighters;standinghisground.
‘OhGod,’shewhispered,herheartbreaking.‘Carter…’Thenthecarturnedacornerandhedisappearedinthedarkofthecitynight.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Hugethanks,firstofall, tomylovelyneweditoratLittleBrown,KarenBall.Karensteppedintothemiddleof theNightSchool serieswith fabulous ideasandcalm rationale, savingme frompanicandhelpingtobringitalltogether.Thankyou,Karen,foreverything.
ItrulybelievetheNightSchoolserieswouldnotexistwereitnotformybrilliantagentandfriend,MadeleineMilburn. She continually inspiresmewith her savvy, her skill and her boundless energy.Becauseofher,NightSchool isnowallover theworld.Wordsarenotenoughtoexpressmythanks,Maddy.SoIwillspeakinthelanguageofchocolate.
Many thanks go to Night School’s international publishers, especially the super cool GlennTavennec and everyone at Robert Laffont in France, the wonderful team at Oetinger in Germany,everyone at Otwarte in Poland, and all the publishers around the world who have embraced NightSchoolandbroughtittosomanyreaders.I’mhonouredtobeworkingwithyouall.
Ialsooffergratitude,hugsandwinetomyamazingfriendsKateBell,LauraBarbey,HélèneRudyk,andCatrionaVerner-Jeffreys,whoreadeveryNightSchoolbookbeforeit’sedited;theirthoughtsandideasmakethestorysomuchbetter.Ihonestlydon’tknowwhatI’ddowithoutyouguys.
To my friend, former editor, and spirit animal, Samantha Smith – You are as much a part ofCimmeriaAcademyasAllieSheridan.Noneofthiswouldhavehappenedwithoutyou.YouknowhowIfeel.Myheart’sonmysleeve.
ToToryLyne-PirkisatMidasPR,whobasicallystoodontherooftopsshoutingaboutNightSchooluntil people listened, you are awesome. Also fun. And great at festivals. Thank you so much foreverything.
A big shout-out goes to the Night School fan groups spreading the Cimmeria love in multiplelanguages.EspeciallyMyriamSeth atNightSchoolFrance,Tanya,Flor andAngela atNightSchoolSpain, Daniel and Angelica at Night School Bogota, Jimena, Alexis, Cynthia and Sergio at NightSchoolMexico–Youaresimplythebest!Iamsogratefulforallyoudo.
Overtheyears,afewbloggershavechampionedtheseries,andIdon’tknowwhereNightSchoolwouldbewithouttheirhardwork.AndrewatPewterWolf,JustineatFairyNeverland,LucyatProjectUK,andCaitatArtisticNonsense–thankyouallsomuchforbeingthere.
Finally,tomybrillianthusband,Jack,whoenduresmydeadlines,mypanicattacks,andmyfreak-outs;whomakesthebestbooktrailersinallofbookdom,brainstormsplotlines,comesupwithcrazyideasthatjustmightwork,and,mostimportantly,neverdoubts.Trueloveforever.
ABOUTTHEAUTHOR
Aformercrimereporter,politicalwriterandinvestigativejournalist,C.J.DaughertyhasalsowrittenseveralbooksabouttravelinIrelandandFrance.Althoughshelefttheworldofcrimereportingyearsago,sheneverlostherfascinationwithwhatit isthatdrivessomepeopletodoawfulthings,andthekindsofpeoplewhotrytostopthem.TheNightSchoolseriesistheproductofthatfascination.
C.J.livesinthesouthofEnglandwithherhusbandandasmallmenagerieofpets.
@CJ_Daugherty
CJAuthor
www.cjdaugherty.com