Sucked dry … That was what Isabella had said when she’d told Cassie about Jessica’s death. Her body was damaged. Was there a chance Cassie could do that to Isabella in turn? No. She wouldn’t – couldn’t – let that happen. But Sir Alric had made it clear that Cassie had to learn to feed.
So she couldn’t go on being Isabella’s roommate.
But she couldn’t bear that. Isabella was her best friend.
So she’d have to learn to feed safely from Isabella.
But if something went wrong …
It was impossible: Cassie’s mind could only lead her in inescapable loops. Around her, other students were hurrying in for the new term, gossiping and bitching and laughing, trailing chauffeurs and expensive luggage in their wake. Could she share a room with one of those spoilt brats? No – it was unthinkable, and no doubt they’d say the same. Frustrated, Cassie turned to go. Colliding with a warm body, she was caught and held.
‘Oh! I’m sorry.’
‘Don’t apologise.’ The voice was warm, familiar, amused – and it sent her heart into orbit.
‘Ranjit!’
Before another word could pass her lips, Cassie found that they were suddenly pressed urgently to the handsome boy’s own. Her eyes closed, and she could feel Ranjit’s hands pressing into the small of her back, his mouth moving against hers. She felt herself rising on to the tips of her toes, her fingers tangled into his glossy black hair, pulling him towards her, and she could hear Ranjit draw breath sharply through his nostrils as he kissed her more and more deeply, wrapping his arms tightly around her.
It was only when they lost their balance and stumbled into a gawping first year that Cassie felt Ranjit’s arms loosen. Blushing fiercely, Cassie released her own grip and backed out of the embrace. For a moment she was unable to speak, let alone meet Ranjit’s eye – though she could feel the incredulous gaze of the students surrounding them. And she could certainly hear the barely stifled whispers that erupted around the atrium.
‘I’m not believing what I’m seeing …’
‘Oh. My. God.’
‘Him? Him and her?’
‘Ranjit Singh? I knew he had a thing for scholarship girls, but I mean …’
Ranjit cleared his throat, and Cassie finally looked up at his sheepishly grinning face.
‘I guess that cat’s well and truly out of the bag, then,’ he chuckled.
Tentatively, he reached out and put one hand on Cassie’s shoulder, steering her off to a corner out of the collective stare. Cassie hadn’t imagined her heart could beat any faster than it already was, but it leaped again at his gentle touch.
‘Yeah, looks like it,’ she replied. ‘Sorry … I’m not sure what happened there.’
‘Um, neither am I.’ His golden-brown skin flushed. ‘I missed you,’ he laughed. ‘If that wasn’t obvious.’
Cassie couldn’t repress a huge smile. ‘Me too. It was a long Christmas, eh?’
‘You’re telling me.’
She wondered if he was mocking her a little, but his face was as sternly beautiful as always. There was something else in his expression too, a yearning that matched her own. Damn, he was hot. A voice on a mobile phone was one thing, but she’d forgotten the sheer animal presence of him. She could practically sense his heart beating faster, and she knew instinctively that he wanted to touch her again – almost as much as she wanted him to …
Whoah, Cassie!
Without even thinking about it, she’d stepped towards Ranjit and caught herself just before she could fall into his arms again. This was going too fast. After what had happened, she was a little embarrassed. Maybe even a little scared.
Estelle’s promise came back to her. You’ll never have to be scared of anything again, Cassandra …
Not strictly true. She’d managed to scare herself, getting carried away like that in public. She felt herself flushing as she imagined the eyes of the whole school on her.
‘Cassandra?’ Ranjit looked a little wary himself. Like her, he’d taken half a step forward before he stopped himself.
‘Sorry,’ she mumbled. ‘Guess absence made my heart grow even fonder than I’d thought.’
Ranjit laughed. ‘I know what you mean!’
‘Look, maybe I should go and, um, freshen up. I haven’t found my room yet, and I should say hi to Isabella properly. But we could meet for a coffee later?’ she ventured.
‘Yeah. That’s probably a good idea. Five o’clock?’
‘That’d be great.’ She checked her watch. ‘Actually, how about four-thirty?’
He grinned. ‘Four-thirty it is!’
‘Great. See you then.’ As she smiled and turned to walk away, Ranjit reached out suddenly and took her hand gently in his. The warmth of his skin sent a fresh flutter through her body.
‘Wait. Before you go – you’re OK, right? At Christmas when we spoke on the phone you sounded …’
‘I know. I’m fine now. Honestly. I’ll fill you in this afternoon.’
He held her gaze for a moment, as if to make sure she was telling the truth. For a moment there was a suggestion of the roiling, fiery glow she’d seen in his eyes more than once, but Cassie couldn’t look away. His hand squeezed her fingers more tightly. The gurgling trickle of the fountain seemed amplified, and the sound of expensive heels on marble. Then the shrieking giggle of a Year Nine made both of them jump. Releasing her hand, Ranjit shook his head self-consciously and smiled.