‘Thanks, Sir Galahad.’ Her voice shook.
‘Jeez, that was close.’ Ranjit held her tighter. ‘Who was that idiot?’
‘Dunno. Bloody New Yorkers. Late for a meeting, I guess.’ Cassie managed to choke out a laugh.
The train the figure had caught was pulling away. Ranjit gave it a last glare, then hugged Cassie again. ‘Are you sure you’re OK?’
‘Yeah. Honestly.’ She shivered, and he pulled her coat tighter around her.
‘Know what? I think we’ve had enough sightseeing for today.’
‘I agree. Railway stations, eh? Entertaining, but dangerous too.’ She smiled shakily. ‘Let’s go back.’
CHAPTER NINE
Cassie didn’t sleep well that night. Every time she began to drop off, she’d feel the rush of the train, hear the shriek of its whistle. And in the uneasy half-dreams, there were no hands to seize her and pull her away – instead she reached out, pulling Ranjit down with her. In the dreams, she just kept on falling, falling, Estelle’s voice ringing in her ears …
Yet again, she started awake, breathing hard. It was still night outside, but she fumbled for her watch and peered at it in the faint city glow. She groaned. Feeling hopelessly sleep-deprived, she swung her legs out of bed for fear of falling back into a doze. That would be just typical.
‘Time to get up. Hey, partner. Wakey, wakey.’
Isabella snored on until Cassie pummelled her awake, and then she tried to burrow back under the covers. ‘Cassie, no …’
‘Cassie, yes. Get up, girl. We have to go and see Sir Alric, remember?’
‘Tomorrow. It can wait till tomorrow …’
‘It is tomorrow, Isabella!’
Finally, Cassie resorted to the tried and tested trick of pulling her roommate out of bed by the ankles. Isabella only woke properly when she thudded to the floor. Cross and bleary, she blinked up at Cassie through her tangled mane, then shoved it out of her eyes.
‘Oh, yes. Of course. Sorry. We have an appointment, don’t we?’
By the time they were both dressed and heading for Sir Alric’s office, Isabella irritatingly seemed almost as bright and breezy as always. If she was feeling tense, she covered it well. It was Cassie who felt heavy with tiredness and brimming with nerves.
As she raised a fist to knock on his door, it opened. Cassie recognised the smiling Few boy who was leaving the office.
‘Hi, Paco. Hi, Louis.’ Isabella smiled at his roommate behind him.
‘Morning!’ Paco seemed absurdly lively for the early hour. His eyes fairly sparkled and he glowed with energy. Louis, though, was yawning. He gave Cassie and Isabella a sleepy smile.
‘You too, huh?’ He rubbed his eyes and shook his head.
‘What?’ said Cassie.
‘Extra Latin tuition first thing. Pain in the derrière, non?’
Cassie could only laugh weakly and nod, but she didn’t miss Paco’s sly wink, aimed only at her. She ignored him as Sir Alric called them into the room and the door closed on the boys.
‘Cassandra. Isabella.’ He bestowed reassuring smiles on each of them. ‘Thank you for coming.’
‘Not really optional, is it?’ pointed out Cassie dryly.
Sir Alric gave a brief laugh. ‘Isabella, welcome. Cassandra tells me that she has spoken with you about her … special needs. And that you have agreed to become her life-source. I take it you’re still sure about your decision?’
Isabella smiled tightly. ‘Of course.’
‘Not many people have the luxury of choice in this matter,’ said Sir Alric gravely. ‘As you know, most roommates are unaware of the true nature of the Few.’
‘Yes, Louis for example?’ Isabella interjected, arching an eyebrow disapprovingly. ‘He does not know that Paco is feeding from him?’
‘No, he does not. But let me assure you that whether or not the life-source is aware of what is happening to them, if it is properly performed, the feeding process is entirely harmless.’ Sir Alric gestured towards two large, dark leather chairs. ‘Please take a seat, both of you, and I’ll do my best to answer any questions you have before we begin.’
He sat opposite them, folding one long leg over the other and regarding them expectantly. Cassie’s heart raced – she didn’t know where to begin. She glanced over at Isabella, but she seemed at a sudden and uncharacteristic loss for words as well. Sir Alric broke the silence.
‘Well, firstly, perhaps it might be useful for you both to think of these sessions in the same manner as any of your other lessons. What we are hoping to achieve here is part of the core aim of the Academy – to prepare our students for life outside these hallowed walls. Indeed, you may wish to think of the Academy itself as a training ground of sorts.’
‘Training ground?’ Cassie ventured.
‘Yes. As you know, here at the Darke Academy we select students that we believe have the potential to be suitable hosts for the Few. The academic setting provides the chosen Few with the opportunity to obtain the skills and personal connections necessary to become leading members of society.’
‘And the rest are just here as snacks?’ Cassie was becoming less sure about this idea by the second.
‘The other students,’ continued Sir Alric, unruffled, ‘serve a vital role in our world. And by extension, the world at large. In giving of themselves – their life-energy – they help to nurture our future leaders, artists and scientists – individuals vital to humanity. And in return, they are the beneficiaries of an unrivalled, world-class education that will stand them in good stead in their own lives.’