Nicole made a small sound of grief. Allie covered her mouth with her hands. She knew Mr Cassel’s driver. He always had a smile for her when she passed him on the grounds. He was young. Normal.
Dead.
Sylvain looked suddenly older, his face sagging.
‘And my father?’
He tried so hard to look in control but Allie could see how he struggled to get the words out. How frightened he was.
Nicole put her arm around him; he didn’t seem to notice her touch.
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 she didn’t let go. She knew what it felt like to have fear and grief cut you off from the world.
‘All we know is he is alive. He’s in surgery.’ Isabelle’s golden brown eyes were full of sympathy. ‘His injuries are grave. I wish I could tell you more.’
Sylvain nodded, absorbing this information.
‘Allie, Nicole,’ he said, not at all unkindly, ‘let me go, please.’
Reluctantly, Allie let her hands drop to her sides. She wanted to help – she needed to do something. She thought of how kind he and his family had been to her and to Rachel after they’d washed up on their doorstep, pursued by monsters. She wanted to be like them – to always know the right thing to say or to do.
But there was nothing she could do that would make this moment any less frightening for him.
‘Thank you.’ His voice was steady and strangely formal. But she could see he was holding himself together by a thread. A slender strand of determination. For a long moment he seemed to think. Then he looked up at the headmistress. ‘Isabelle, organise a plane. You know who to call. I’ll pack a few things. Have a car meet me at the front door in ten minutes.’
Allie glanced at the headmistress, expecting her to object to being given orders. To try to calm him down. To offer alternatives.
But Isabelle did none of those things.
‘Of course,’ she said. Then she picked up her phone.
Without another word, Sylvain opened the door and disappeared into the hallway.
Allie couldn’t seem to understand anything that was happening. Sylvain was going away? By himself?
It wasn’t safe out there. Surely they wouldn’t let him just leave.
‘Isabelle …?’ she said. But the headmistress was scrolling through the numbers on her phone and didn’t look up.
Panic rising in her throat, Allie turned to Nicole helplessly. ‘What is happening?’
‘Come with me.’ Taking her arm, the French girl steered her from the office.
Behind them, Allie heard Isabelle speaking into her phone. ‘The Cassel jet, please. Number A135982. How quickly can it be fuelled and prepped?’ Then after a brief pause, ‘We need it quicker than that.’
This cannot be happening.
As soon as they were in the hallway, Allie wrenched her arm free of Nicole’s grip. ‘Stop. Just … tell me what’s going on. Sylvain can’t just go.’
‘He can.’ Nicole studied her with sympathy. ‘He has to. And you must let him go.’
Her French accent had thickened; it was always heavier when she was under stress.
‘But—’ Allie began to protest but Nicole cut her off.
‘Sylvain and his parents are very close, Allie. You know that. He must be there for his mother. And in case his father is alive.’ Her voice trembled when she said ‘in case’, reminding Allie that she and Sylvain grew up together; she loved his parents. ‘When his father wakes up he will need Sylvain’s help. His protection.’
‘Protection?’ Allie frowned.
‘Sylvain’s father is the head of the European organisation,’ Nicole explained patiently. ‘The one called Demeter. He is not just a friend of Lucinda’s. He is her equivalent in France. If Nathaniel did this, it was a declaration of war.’
Allie stared at her in astonishment. She’d known the Cassels were important in the organisation but this was the first time she’d been told just how important they were.
Nicole was still talking. ‘Whoever did this wants Mr Cassel dead. If he survives this attack they will try again. Someone needs to coordinate his protection and run the business. Sylvain’s mother will be …’ She paused, looking for the right words. ‘She might not be able to do it right now. She will be upset.’
‘But he can’t go alone,’ Allie insisted. ‘It’s too much.’
‘He has to,’ Nicole said firmly.
‘He’ll be in danger,’ Allie said.
‘We are all in danger.’ Nicole’s tone sharpened. She shook Allie’s arm with gentle firmness, as if trying to wake her. ‘He has to go, Allie. He has no choice.’
Allie stared at her wide-eyed. Sylvain was about to leave. To walk straight into the aftermath of a highly skilled assassination attempt. He could be killed.
‘I have to go to him,’ she said.
A tear tumbled down Nicole’s cheek as she stepped back. ‘Go. Help him.’
Feeling cold with fear, Allie ran down the wide hallway and pounded up the stairs to the boys’ dorm. Girls weren’t allowed there but no one tried to stop her. All The Rules had lost their power.
When she reached the plain white door with 306 lacquered on it in glossy black she stopped, panting heavily. Through the door, she could hear the sliding sound of wooden drawers opening and the thud as they were closed again.
She knocked hesitantly.
A second later, Sylvain yanked the door open with such force she jumped back.
He stood in the doorway, frowning at her, his arms full of folded shirts.
‘Allie. What are you doing here?’ Without waiting for an answer he walked back across the room and set the shirts in the open suitcase on the bed, then stalked to the wardrobe.
‘I … I came to see if I could … help.’ The suitcase was sleek and black, lined in monogrammed silk. Allie had to marvel at how neatly he was packing even in a crisis. Nothing looked disturbed in his room. Everything was in its correct place.
I’d be throwing things around, she thought.
As he pulled more clothing from his wardrobe and folded them into the case, her eyes were drawn to the old oil painting that dominated one wall. It showed an angel carrying a man up to the clouds. The angel’s wings were beautifully painted – they seemed to glow from inside, like pearls. He’d told her once that it had been a gift. It only occurred to her now to wonder who had given it to him and why. There was nothing in his parents’ house like it.
‘I’m almost finished,’ he said, jerking her attention back. Picking up a small bag for toiletries he walked to a shelf by the door and picked a few items off it with deliberate movements.
He closed the suitcase, taking care to latch it. Then he picked it up as if it weighed nothing and turned to the door, his face set. Allie found herself wondering if he was in shock. He wasn’t acting at all like himself. It was as if someone was operating him from far away.
‘I have to go now, Allie.’
Panic made her heart race. He was really leaving.
‘Sylvain …’ She stepped towards him, arms outstretched as if to … what? Stop him? Hold him?
Lips tight with determination, he sidestepped her. Embarrassed and confused, she dropped her hands.
Seeing the look on her face he stopped and closed his eyes. He looked torn. Tormented.
‘I can’t do this, Allie. I have to go.’
But then, still holding the suitcase in his left hand, he walked up to her. Cupping her cheek in his right hand, he looked at her with such longing it broke her heart.
‘I love you, Allie. I always will. Even though I know …’ He almost smiled then, a terrible, sad smile. ‘Well, I know.’ Leaning forward he brushed his lips against hers; his touch as light and ethereal as a kiss in a dream. ‘Goodbye, Allie.’
Lips parted in surprise, she didn’t move as he walked away. In the doorway, he stopped an
d looked back at her.
‘Take Carter to the parley,’ he said. ‘And, whatever happens … stay alive.’
Then he was gone.
‘Sylvain …’ Allie breathed the word, too quietly for him to hear.
The sound of his footsteps receded in the distance.
She couldn’t seem to move. It was if her world had spun off its axis as she clung to it, helpless.
Nerves made her stomach burn and she clutched her abdomen as she tried to think.
Whoever tried to kill his father would surely want Sylvain dead, too. And anyone who supported Lucinda. He was just as vulnerable as his father.
‘He has to go,’ Nicole had said.
But he was walking into a maelstrom.
Only then was she able to move, and she ran after him, nearly tumbling down the staircase in her haste.
Tears wet on her cheeks, she skidded into the grand hallway. In the distance she could hear the steady rumble of a car engine and her heart stuttered with the fear that she’d missed him. That he was already gone.
When she reached the front door, Isabelle and Nicole were on the steps watching sombrely as Sylvain opened the door of a gleaming black car.
Allie ran down to the lowest step and then stopped, unsure of what to do. She knew she couldn’t stop him. If she tried, she’d only make things harder for him.
When he turned for one last look at the school, Sylvain’s eyes found her.
Choking back a sob, she raised her hand in goodbye.
For a long moment he stood still, studying her as if he was trying to memorise her face. Then he climbed into the car and it drove away.
33
Thirty-three
‘Take a break, everyone.’ Raj looked around the training room. Sweating, exhausted Night School students collapsed on to the dark blue rubber matting on the floor. ‘We start again in ten.’
The students groaned.
Allie stayed on her feet, muscles tense. She didn’t want a break. She wanted to fight.
‘What’s wrong?’ Cocking her head to one side, Zoe studied her with a quizzical expression. ‘You look funny.’
Allie wasn’t in the mood to explain how she felt. ‘Nothing,’ she lied. ‘I’m just thirsty. I’ll get us some water.’
Without waiting for the younger girl to respond, she crossed the mat to the front of the steamy room where a cooler filled with water and ice stood open. Grabbing a bottle, she pressed the cold plastic against her forehead.
Sylvain had been gone six hours but it felt like days.
At least his father had come through surgery, although he hadn’t yet woken. She couldn’t imagine what Sylvain was going through. Everything there must be so chaotic and heartbreaking.
She couldn’t get the look he’d given her in his room out of her mind. He’d seemed … destroyed.
Against her will, her gaze was drawn across the room to where Carter stood talking to Raj. His cheeks were red from exertion and his dark hair had swung forward to his eyes, sticking to the damp skin of his forehead.
Allie kept hearing Sylvain’s words in her mind. ‘Even though I know…’
Guilt swirled inside her. What did he know? That she’d had doubts?
That she was tempted?
Her stomach twisted. If she’d made things worse for him right now with her indecision and stupidity she’d never forgive herself.
‘Can I have one of those?’ Nicole’s French-accented voice startled her.
Allie swung around to face her. ‘What?’
Her voice came out sharper than she’d intended and Nicole shot her a puzzled look.
‘The water,’ she said. ‘Could I have one, please?’
Looking down at her feet, Allie realised she was blocking access to the cooler.
‘Sorry,’ she said, handing a bottle to Nicole. ‘I was thinking.’
The French girl gave her a wan smile. ‘It’s fine – we’ve all got a lot on our minds.’
Hoping not to be asked what she’d been thinking about, Allie let her gaze skitter around the room, avoiding Carter. Only then did she notice someone was missing.
‘Where’s Rachel?’ she asked with a frown.
‘She’s with Dom. Raj has given her a pass on physical training.’
‘Oh thank God,’ Allie said, relieved. ‘At last.’
Nicole looked at her curiously. ‘Raj says Carter’s going with you to the parley now. Is that going to be OK? He doesn’t have much time to prepare.’
Against Allie’s will, her gaze darted back to where Carter stood not looking at her. ‘We start working together tonight. Carter learns fast.’
‘I just hope—’ Nicole started to speak but then Raj’s voice rang out in the humid air, cutting her off.
‘All right, everyone. On your feet.’
Giving Nicole an apologetic wave, Allie hurried back to Zoe, tossing her a bottle of water. Zoe snatched it out of the air with ease.
‘Allie, Zoe.’ Raj motioned for them to come over. Carter stood next to him.
When the girls reached them, Raj spoke quietly. ‘Allie, you and Carter are partnered from now on.’ Zoe’s brow lowered ominously but before she could speak, he added, ‘Zoe can train with Nicole.’
‘Awesome.’ Instantly placated, Zoe ran over to where the French girl waited.
Without discussion, Allie and Carter took their places next to each other. Allie didn’t know what to say. She was glad to be training with him. And she felt guilty for being glad.
She thought it best to say nothing at all.
As Raj called for order, the room hushed. All around them the students paired up, preparing to fight.
Carter squared off against her, taking the first position, arms loose at his sides, feet shoulder-width apart.
He held her gaze. ‘You ready for this?’
Half turning her body in anticipation of the first blow, she met his look with grim determination. ‘I have to be.’
After training that night, Allie hurried up the stairs to the top floor of the darkened classroom wing to meet with Raj and Carter. Her hair, still wet from the shower, dampened the back of her white shirt, which she wore loose over her short skirt.
It was nearly midnight. Her muscles ached a little from the workout and she walked stiffly, trying to loosen the kinks.
Her footsteps sounded hollow in the stillness. Ahead, the staircase was lost in shadows, illuminated only on the landing where the moon cast a pale blue glow through a tall window. When she reached the window she stopped to look out over the grounds – the moon was almost full and she could see all the way to the treeline. Nothing moved out there. The night was still.
The sudden sound of footsteps startled her and she spun round, fists raised.
‘Hey.’ Carter stepped into the moonlight two steps below her. ‘Don’t shoot. It’s only me.’
‘Oh.’ Allie looked at her fists as if she didn’t know how they’d ended up in front of her. ‘Sorry. Instinct.’
He climbed the last two steps.
‘Good instincts,’ he said. ‘Quick instincts. They’ll save your life.’
In the moonlight his dark eyes were impossible to read. Allie hated that she was glad to see him. But she was.
‘Look … we didn’t get a chance to talk earlier. I just …’ He faltered. ‘Are you really cool with this?’ He gestured at the two of them. ‘If you want someone else with you on Friday don’t be afraid to say so. I won’t be hurt. This is important.’
His words left her so aghast, she didn’t stop to think. She just told him the truth.
‘I don’t want anyone else, Carter,’ she said. ‘I want you. Please don’t back out.’ She paused, her lower lip trembling. ‘I need you.’
If her heartfelt plea surprised him, he didn’t show it. His serious eyes held hers for a long moment. Then, as if they were agreeing about the weather or some essay they needed to write for class, he nodded.
‘Good. That’s all I needed to know.’ His voice was s
teady and strong. ‘Let’s do this.’
34
Thirty-four
After the dark quiet of the stairwell, the little classroom at the top was a hive of activity and light. Dom stood at a bank of laptop computers, typing furiously. She wasn’t alone.
‘Rachel?’ Allie couldn’t keep the surprise out of her voice.
Glancing up from her computer screen, Rachel gave a wave that seemed almost jaunty. ‘Helping!’
She was purposeful and in her element, and Allie felt a rush of gratitude to Dom for choosing her, making her part of the team.
Across the room, Raj and Isabelle were deep in conversation in front of a table spread with maps and papers.
Noticing them, Isabelle straightened. ‘Let’s get started,’ she said. ‘Are you ready, Dom?’
From behind a laptop Dom gave a terse nod. ‘Ready when you are.’
‘Carter.’ Leaving Isabelle, Raj walked over to them. ‘We’re going to run through the plan from start to finish. It’s a lot to take in but I have no doubt you can do this.’ Including Allie in his gaze he said, ‘Seeing the way the two of you worked together tonight reassured me. But we only have twenty-four hours to prepare. We’re going to need everything you’ve got. Both of you.’ Without waiting for their response, he turned to Dom. ‘Map one.’
Behind Dom and Rachel a map of Hampstead Heath appeared, projected on to the wall in vivid green detail. As Raj explained the route Allie had already memorised with Sylvain, she stared at the cartographer’s drawing. It had been coloured emerald green to illustrate its vibrancy but that only made it seem cartoonish.
She tried to remember what she knew of Hampstead but all she could recall was steep hills, big, expensive houses and tourists.
Not for the first time, a litany of all the things that could go wrong went through her mind. The places Nathaniel and Gabe could hide. The weapons they might carry.
Apprehension tightened its noose around her throat.
Taking slow breaths, she made herself focus on what Raj was saying as he pointed to the road where they’d be dropped and traced out their path into the park with steady hands, talking in a low, calm voice that proclaimed his faith in them. His belief they could get through this.
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