Secret Lives

by Gabriella Poole

  Keiko tightened her fingers on Alice’s wrist and tugged her on. ‘That’s because you had too much to drink. Believe me, you had a great time.’

  ‘I did?’

  ‘Of course. Do come on, it’s a privilege. Late-night drinks in the Few’s common room? There are girls in this school who’d kill for the chance you’re getting.’

  ‘Yeah? So why me?’

  ‘You’re lucky to have me as a roommate, that’s all.’ Keiko gave her a smile that Cassie didn’t like one bit, even at a distance. But Alice seemed reassured.

  ‘Well, don’t let me drink too much this time, all right?’

  ‘OK, I’ll try not to, either.’ Keiko’s tone became more insistent. ‘What do you remember, anyway? From last time.’

  ‘Just being there. Lots of talking. Having a drink. Not much after that.’ Alice shrugged and almost giggled. ‘I didn’t realise I’d drunk so much.’

  ‘I’ll look after you.’ Squeezing her arm, Keiko smiled. ‘Don’t worry about that.’

  Letting her roommate go, Keiko turned to carry on as if she didn’t care whether Alice came with her or not. Alice hesitated only for a moment, then scuttled after her.

  Following them, Cassie stayed well back. There was no way she wanted Keiko to spot her, and she knew where they were going. Keiko padded purposefully to the west-wing staircase, then led Alice up to the third floor and into the corridor where the blank-eyed busts stood guard like watchful ghosts.

  Cassie edged towards the archway, risking a glance round the corner. At the end of the corridor, the shadows deepened, but a line of greenish light showed at the bottom of the door. Keiko didn’t knock. She turned the handle and drew Alice after her into the common room.

  Cassie exhaled with relief. What now? She couldn’t just stand there till they came back out. On the other hand, if she crept back to bed she wouldn’t sleep anyway. This was her only chance to investigate, and she was damned if she was passing it up. Go on, Cassie. Clenching her fists, she made herself put one foot in front of the other. And again. Come on. She could hear the muted clink of crystal now, and soft murmuring voices. It hardly sounded like a wild midnight party, but the door was thick, the sounds muffled. She had to get closer.

  A flash at the corner of her eye almost made her cry out. In the darkness of those deeper recesses by the door, something had moved.

  Cassie froze. As her eyes adjusted, she could make it out. A figure, a human figure.

  Jake Johnson. Of course.

  The light had glanced off his watch and, as she made herself creep towards him, she saw his fingers clasped over his wrist to hide it. He’d realised.

  Raising her eyes, she met his. He was expressionless, but the tiny jerk of his head was clear enough. Bugger off and go back to bed …

  Then something distracted him, and he retreated into the alcove.

  Footsteps. She heard them too. And there was no way out of here.

  The footfalls were on the landing now. She couldn’t slip out of the corridor without being seen. She could run to Jake, slip in and hide with him. But then Cassie thought about his eerily purposeful nocturnal prowling. Did she want to be with him in the silent dark, afraid of discovery, completely at his mercy?

  No, she decided. Digging her fingernails into the palms of her hands, taking a deep scared breath, Cassie spun on her heel.

  At the entrance to the corridor, a man came to an abrupt halt. She’d only ever seen his portrait – and that didn’t do him justice, she decided. His steel-grey eyes were fixed on her, the only light in a face of stone. He couldn’t really have been seven feet tall, but that was the impression he gave. Hairs prickled on her neck as if responding to an electric field of power.

  Sir Alric Darke smiled. ‘Cassie Bell.’

  She smiled back, the brightest and dumbest smile she could manage. ‘That’s right. Hi.’ She flapped the fingers of one hand in a feeble greeting.

  ‘You seem to be lost, and it’s very late. May I help you?’

  Nerve-janglingly aware of Jake behind her, Cassie stepped closer to Sir Alric. His eyes flickered past her.

  She stepped in front of him, determined to keep his attention. ‘Could you, please? No sense of direction, me.’

  He gave a gentle laugh. ‘It’s rather a big place, isn’t it? I’ll find someone to escort you back. I’m Alric Darke, by the way.’

  ‘I know. Yes. I mean,’ Cassie cleared her throat, keeping her smile in place, ‘I’ve seen your picture.’

  His hand clasped her elbow and he guided her to the door of the common room. He seemed kind, but there was that force field around him, of command and potential threat. As they passed the hidden Jake, Cassie kept her gaze fixed on the door, scared of giving him away.

  Sir Alric swung open the door, and drew Cassie into the room.

  The light was muted, but the common room seemed as elegant as the rest of the Academy. She had an impression of dark-red leather armchairs, baroque lamps, elaborate panelling and paintings rich with colour. She glimpsed people she knew, too: Katerina, Keiko, a Russian sixth former from her fencing class. Richard seemed surprised to see her. There were others, too, from the beautiful Few, but no Ranjit.

  And there was Alice on an upright gilded chair, a silver cup in her hands, rigid and stupefied.

  ‘Keiko.’ Sir Alric’s voice was calm, but icy with menace.

  The Japanese girl swung round, face paler than usual.

  ‘What is Alice doing here?’

  ‘She … that is, I—’

  ‘Roommates’, he hissed, ‘should be respected.’

  ‘I was only—’

  ‘And I should be informed of all late-night meetings. Should I not?’

  Meekly she said, ‘Of course, Sir Alric. I’m sorry.’

  Much as Cassie disliked Keiko, Sir Alric seemed to be overreacting big time to a midnight feast. His fingers on her arm were like steel.

  ‘Katerina.’ He spoke silkily. ‘Clear up in here. When I return in ten minutes, I want everyone gone. You, at least, should know better. Keiko: come with us, please. Cassie is lost. You will show her the way back.’

  Keiko stood up from her place beside Alice, giving Cassie a glance of the utmost loathing which melted into a sweet smile for Sir Alric. ‘Of course.’

  Cassie expected Sir Alric to leave her to Keiko’s tender mercies, but he followed them out, stopping to close the door. Cassie snatched a glance into Jake’s alcove. It was empty. He’d obviously made good his escape while they’d been inside the common room.

  ‘Cassie, please wait for us at the end of the corridor. Keiko, you can stay here for a moment.’

  With one vicious glance at Cassie, Keiko hung back. Embarrassed, and even a little sorry for her, Cassie walked away.

  Maybe Sir Alric didn’t realise how good her hearing was, honed sharp from spying on Jilly Beaton. Cassie was sure he didn’t mean her to overhear the bollocking he was giving Keiko, ten metres away. His voice was soft, but homicidal.

  ‘Sharing is forbidden!’

  ‘I know, Sir Alric, but—’

  ‘Consider this your last warning, Keiko. There are good reasons you are assigned a roommate. Understand?’

  ‘Yes, Sir Alric. I understand.’

  Without another word he turned on his heel and strode to Cassie’s side, Keiko trailing sulkily behind him.

  ‘I’m sorry I haven’t made a point of meeting you before now, Cassie.’ Sir Alric’s voice was no longer ferocious and chilly: it was lovely, she thought. Resonant like music. ‘I find myself constantly tied up in administrative matters.’

  ‘Oh yeah, don’t worry.You’re a big improvement on Jilly Beaton.’ She blushed. ‘In Cranlake Crescent, I mean. Where I was before.’

  Behind them, Keiko was silent, though Cassie could feel her contempt oozing over her like tar.

  ‘Of course,’ said Sir Alric after a heavy pause. ‘This must be quite a culture shock for you, but I believe you are fitting in very well. I hear good things from
your teachers, and from the Few. We are delighted to have you here at the Darke Academy, Cassie, delighted.’

  ‘Um,’ she muttered awkwardly, ‘great. Thanks.’

  ‘And are you happy here?’

  He had turned his head, and she felt obliged to look up at him. He really was an amazing man. Must be knocking sixty, but still good-looking, and his charisma could blast you into the middle of next week.

  She smiled. ‘Yes. Oh, it’s … amazing. Yes, of course I love it.’ Funnily enough, she realised, that was absolutely true.

  ‘Good. That’s good.’ He nodded. ‘Is there anything that concerns you? Any … worries?’

  Cassie shrugged, averting her eyes. ‘Um. No. Should there be?’ Stupid remark, she thought, giving herself a mental kick.

  But Sir Alric either didn’t hear it, or pretended that he hadn’t. ‘I’m glad. I do encourage students to come to me with any problems, no matter how trivial. You will remember that, Cassie, won’t you?’ He gave her another smile, so radiant and infectious she could only return it. ‘Some students find me a little … unapproachable. Somewhat remote. That’s my fault, of course, but I don’t want you to feel that way. Feel free to come to my office at any time, Cassie – if you have questions, if you need to ask for help or advice. That’s why I’m here.’

  They’d come to the bottom of the west-wing staircase now, and he steered her along the corridor. Keiko still hadn’t spoken, but her silence was a furious one. She was simmering, but it was impossible to tell if Sir Alric had noticed. Cassie was glad he was between them. She felt safer with him there, so her heart plummeted when they emerged into the grand entrance hall and Sir Alric halted.

  ‘Keiko will show you back to your room.’

  ‘Oh, I don’t need … I’m fine now, I can manage on my own.’

  He tutted and laughed. ‘I’d worry. That sense of direction of yours! Please, Cassie, let Keiko take you back.’

  ‘But … OK.’ Cassie glanced at Keiko, but the girl was glaring into space.

  ‘I’m glad to have met you at last. You’re going to be an asset to the Academy, I know that. You fit in here as if you were born to it.’ He took her hand. ‘Take care, Cassie.’ His voice chilled. ‘Keiko. My office. First thing tomorrow.’

  Keiko was silent till his footsteps had faded. Then Cassie heard her murmur, so soft she wasn’t even sure if Keiko was talking to her, ‘Do you know who all the statues are?’

  Was she actually trying to be chatty? Taken aback, Cassie shook her head. ‘Achilles?’ she said doubtfully. ‘And I recognised Leda and the Swan in the courtyard.’

  Keiko made a contemptuous face. ‘The Swan is Zeus in disguise, doing as he likes with a mere mortal.’

  ‘I know that,’ said Cassie, irritated at the patronising tone. ‘And that one’s Hermes, right?’

  ‘Yes.’ Keiko, uninterested in Hermes, turned to a stag that was rearing in motionless terror, marble hounds tearing at its haunches. A beautifully sculpted woman looked on, disdainful.

  There was a chill in the air, thought Cassie. ‘So who’s that?’

  ‘Artemis. The hunting goddess,’ said Keiko, sounding amused. ‘The stag is Actaeon, a hunter who dared to spy on her as she bathed. Artemis turned him into a stag as a punishment. And then his own hounds tore him to pieces.’

  The silence was thick with menace. No, Keiko definitely wasn’t trying to be friendly.

  The girl gave an unnerving chuckle. ‘Oh, it’s only a myth. A warning from the ancients. Gods should not be treated lightly, you see? Gods should not be mocked. I mean, take this little tragedy …’

  Almost against her will, Cassie found herself following Keiko across the hall, to where one marble woman cowered at the feet of another. The supplicant had lifted one pathetic hand, to shield herself or to plead for mercy. The woman above her, axe poised to strike, didn’t look like she knew the meaning of the word.

  ‘This is your namesake, did you know?’ Keiko touched the pleading marble hand. ‘Cassandra. Do you know about Cassandra’s curse?’

  Cassie shook her head, not trusting herself to speak.

  ‘She was a prophetess. Ever so fine and clever, because her prophecies always came true.’ Keiko sniffed. ‘Cassandra was never wrong. Oh, yes, she always knew when something terrible was going to happen. But no one would ever believe her.’ Her smile was very unpleasant. ‘No one.’

  Cassie cleared her throat. ‘That’s a bummer.’

  ‘Isn’t it just? This is Clytaemnestra, who murdered her when Agamemnon brought her back from Troy. Cassandra knew that would happen, too. She refused to enter the palace, screaming that she smelled blood.’

  ‘I see.’ Cassie’s heart beat furiously. ‘And nobody believed that either?’

  ‘Nobody believed that either.’ Keiko shook her head with mock sadness. ‘And so she entered the palace.’ She nodded at Clytaemnestra’s axe. ‘And got what was coming to her.’

  ‘Poor old Cassandra,’ said Cassie, keeping her voice level.

  ‘Indeed.’ Keiko sighed, but then something seemed to snap inside her. ‘Well, let’s not waste any more time.’

  ‘I don’t need your help,’ said Cassie stiffly. ‘Don’t bother coming with me. I won’t tell Sir Alric.’

  ‘You are too kind. As is he,’ hissed Keiko.

  ‘Oh, yeah?’

  ‘Yeah. You don’t fit in, Cassandra. You think you’re so clever, don’t you?’ All her mock courtesy had dissolved, and she snorted with contempt. ‘You’re an exercise in public relations, and don’t you ever forget it. You’re here for our benefit, not the other way round.’

  Cassie clenched her fists to stop herself slapping Keiko. Don’t lose it, Cassie. That’s what she wants. ‘What’s his problem, anyway? Why’s Alice not allowed in the common room?’ Sarcastically she added, ‘Few business, is it?’

  Keiko didn’t answer. Backing off a step, then two, she reached out a hand to stroke the flank of the terrified stag. Her fingers trailed across the cold marble to caress the snarling muzzle of one of the hunting dogs. Cassie shuddered. It was some carving. The fangs looked as if they were sunk in real flesh.

  ‘Keep out of it, Cassie Bell, if you know what’s good for you.’ Keiko turned on her heel, then tucked her glossy hair behind her ear and smiled back at Cassie.

  ‘And sleep well.’

  CHAPTER NINE

  ‘Never mind statues.’ Isabella stood with her arms folded and an expression of thrilled determination on her face. ‘That’s what I call a proper Hermès.’

  ‘You do my head in.’ Cassie raised her eyebrows. ‘You could buy a small country for that price.’

  Isabella stroked the soft, buttery leather of the bag. ‘And what would I want with a small country? Let me buy you one too, Cassie! It will never let you down. It is not an indulgence, it is an investment!’

  ‘A small country?’

  Isabella dug her in the ribs, so hard that Cassie’s giggle came out in a gasp. ‘A Hermès bag, you philistine.’

  ‘Uh-uh. No way.’ Rubbing her side, Cassie shook her head firmly. ‘I’m happy with the one I’ve got.’

  Not strictly true – six months on she still felt guilty about shoplifting it – but she liked her chainstore bag all the same. Anyway, she wasn’t going to start letting Isabella buy her stuff. She’d have a string of polo ponies before she knew it, and where would she put them? She grinned.

  ‘What’s so funny? Oui,’ Isabella told the assistant imperiously. ‘I’ll take it, please. Vous accept this card, yes? Merci so very beaucoup.’

  ‘Your French is diabolical,’ Cassie told her as Isabella flipped her credit card on to the desk. ‘Better than mine, though.’

  ‘Not true. And mine serves my purposes anyway! Come along, shopping makes me terribly hungry. I’m buying lunch and don’t you dare argue. What was it you wanted to ask me?’

  Reluctant to talk in front of the haughty high-priestesses of the boutique, Cassie waited till they were out of the door, and insi
de a restaurant on the avenue Montaigne. She slunk into the seat she was shown, awkward again. This place was even posher than the Academy’s dining room. Trendier, too.

  ‘Let’s have the poule au pot. It’s wonderful.’ Isabella gave the waiter a dazzling smile and returned the massive menu so enthusiastically it flew like a frisbee. ‘Come along, Cassie. Out with it. You have been a cat in a hot tin bath all morning.’

  ‘On a hot tin roof,’ said Cassie. ‘You nearly decapitated a waiter.’

  ‘Do not change the subject.’ Isabella wagged a finger.

  ‘Isabella.’ She hesitated. ‘Why would anyone go to the Few’s common room in the middle of the night?’

  Opening her elegant shopping bag, Isabella peered into it with a smile of satisfaction. ‘I don’t know. Forgot their books? Meeting a boyfriend?’

  ‘No.’ Cassie tapped her fingernails on the table. ‘It was some sort of gathering. At two o’clock in the morning.’

  ‘Really?’ Isabella fiddled with her new purchases, distracted. ‘They have Congresses at strange times sometimes. Don’t worry.’

  ‘It can’t have been a Congress. Sir Alric didn’t know about it. He turned up and he was furious. Oh, and anyway, Alice was there?’

  Isabella was suddenly all ears. ‘Alice?’

  ‘You know, Keiko’s—’

  ‘Yes, yes, of course. But Alice?’ Isabella sounded sulky. ‘Why her?’

  ‘Just what I’d like to know.’

  ‘It’s obvious, isn’t it? They want to enrol her. Make her a member,’ said Isabella in a voice tinged with bitterness. ‘Oh yes, Alice will suit the vacancy very nicely.’

  Cassie stopped drumming and clasped her fingers together. ‘I don’t think so. They weren’t interviewing her for the Few. I’d take a bet on it.’

  ‘It is all the same to me, you know. I am not concerned. There is no need to try to make me feel better.’

  ‘No. No, I swear I’m not. I’m just sure that wasn’t why she was there. It was the way they—’

  ‘Sh!’ Straightening in her chair, Isabella patted her hand urgently. ‘Stop. Don’t say any more.’

  Following the none-too-subtle jerk of Isabella’s head, Cassie found herself pinned by an icy blue gaze.