‘Not another word,’ Isabella said sternly, kissing him to shut him up. ‘My darling, if Cassie’s certain, we should be too.’
Jake respected that injunction, but Cassie knew it must worry him a bit. After all, though he knew now that Ranjit wasn’t to blame for the death of his sister Jessica, he must still mistrust him – and not without reason, after Ranjit’s mad rant at the Hagia Sophia. Still, Cassie couldn’t take that into account, not right now. First her Ranjit had to be found, and the Urn, then dealing with separating Estelle’s spirit; she’d take her problems as they came. There was no other way.
It was later than she’d planned by the time she kissed Isabella and Jake goodbye and set off down the veranda steps. For a moment, pausing at the edge of the scrub, she wondered if she should take the proper track this time, even if the way was a little longer.
But that was silly. She shook her head. For her remaining time as a member of the Few, she still didn’t have to be afraid. Why shouldn’t she make the most of it?
Besides, there was that leopard the driver had mentioned. He’d told them it haunted the area round the lodge, and it was pitch dark now, perfect for its hunting time. Cassie grinned to herself. Maybe if she was careful she might spot the big cat – and up close, while she still could.
Despite the constant background noise of insects and the rustle of small creatures in the undergrowth, she found her ears acutely attuned to the night. If she’d done her research, she thought regretfully, she could probably have distinguished some of the animals and birds individually, but she’d had too much on her mind lately. She was really going to have to relax if she could, enjoy this field trip for what it offered on the surface, and put all that was to come out of her mind for the time being.
Ranjit, of course, could never be out of her mind.
Something prickled her senses, and she came to a quiet halt. Straining her senses, she heard something move that was separate from the other night noises. Something quiet and deadly: a predator. It took one to know one, Cassie thought with a slight smile.
Crouching low, she waited. The soft padding paws drew closer through the undergrowth, then froze. She stared into the tangle of branches, waiting for the moonlight to outline the creature.
And there, miraculously, it was: sleek and beautiful, its muzzle wrinkling as it caught her scent, white fangs showing. It paused halfway out of the thicket, one spotted paw raised, and stared at her.
They held one another’s gazes for long seconds, neither of them blinking. Cassie’s heart was racing with joy, but outwardly she didn’t move a muscle. The leopard blinked slowly, and then paced on. It passed within two metres of her, then simply padded into the scrub, and disappeared.
Cassie caught the breath she hadn’t realised she was holding. As long as she lived she’d be grateful, just for that moment alone. Somehow, the leopard made it all a little more worthwhile – when she was normal once more she would be able to look back on that moment of communion with a wild thing, that moment of mutual respect, and know there had been one perfect Few instant. Cassie stood still for just a few more moments as she listened to the night – and realised, with a shock of adrenalin, that another predator was stalking her.
Tensing, baring her teeth, Cassie turned a slow circle, narrowing her eyes as she gazed into the starlit shadows.
There.
She took one step towards the malevolent presence that waited for her. It was no wild creature, that much she knew – she could feel it. Whatever – whoever – was out there, their aura was one of bright intent evil …
And she could sense a spirit pulsing in their chest.
‘Get out here,’ she snarled, ‘and face me.’
There was only a second of silence. Then the branches were pushed gently aside and a beautiful girl stepped forward, pale hair glittering, eyes glowing, mouth curved in a mirthless smile. Could it really be … ? All that marred the girl’s icy loveliness was a brutal scar along one cheekbone. Cassie well remembered putting it there. Every muscle in her body tensed for a fight to the death, and her own spirit crackled within her, aching to lash at her mortal enemy.
Katerina Svensson.
‘Ding-dong Bell. I’ve been waiting for you.’
Katerina’s voice was silkily cool and insulting. Had the girl learned nothing from their previous confrontations? wondered Cassie contemptuously.
But the Swedish girl seemed relaxed, a light of disdain in her eye. She certainly didn’t look as if she was about to launch an attack, thought Cassie, her skin prickling with alertness. On the contrary, Katerina looked vindictive, triumphant – almost as if she’d already fought Cassie, and won.
‘What the hell are you doing here?’ Cassie spat.
What was Katerina doing all the way out there in Kenya? Lord knows it was unlikely she was hoping to do some independent study after having been expelled from the Academy. Cassie’s eyes narrowed. Whatever the reason, wasn’t this the best opportunity she would ever get? She was still Few, for now. She was still ruthless, strong: stronger than Katerina. Perhaps she could just deal with the girl here, now, once and for all …
Katerina smirked as if reading her thoughts. ‘I suggest you hear me out before you try anything rash.’
‘You’ve been waiting for me?’ Cassie made her voice as cool and disdainful as Katerina’s. ‘And why would you do something so reckless?’
‘Aren’t we the cocky little Few girl these days!’ Katerina giggled viciously. ‘Getting to be quite the prima donna.’