C. J. Daugherty: Night School Resistance

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

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ISBN:978-1-909490-33-8

Toknowyourenemy,youmustbecomeyourenemy.SunTzu

‘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.’

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.’

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.

‘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.

‘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.

‘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.

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.

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.’

‘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.

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.’

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.

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

‘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.’

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.’

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.’

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.

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.

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.’

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.’

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.

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.

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.

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.’

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.

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.’

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.

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.

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.’

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.

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.’

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.’

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.’

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.

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.’

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.

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…’

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.

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.

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.

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.’

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.’

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.

LETTERFROMC.J.

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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

C. J. Daugherty: Night School Resistance

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