‘If you say so.’
‘I do. I’ll see you later for that coffee. I’m buying!’
‘OK. Where are we going?’
‘Don’t sound so nervous, rich boy.’ She winked. ‘This is New York, isn’t it? I’m sure I’ll find a suitably seedy joint.’
Ranjit’s deep, honey-tinged laugh echoed around the atrium. God, she thought, you could bottle that sound and sell it to lonely girls the world over.
‘Find me a seedy joint then, Cassandra Bell. I’ll meet you back here.’
‘Don’t be late.’ She gave him a mock scowl.
He grinned. ‘I wouldn’t dare.’
Well, she’d done her best to introduce Ranjit to the sleazy and the downbeat, but they didn’t seem to be part of this New York. Sir Alric certainly had his standards, and he’d obviously brought the Academy to this neighbourhood for a reason.
Out on the streets, staring up at the gigantic buildings in wonder, with her breath pluming in the frosty air, Cassie happily let Ranjit take over the hunt. Coffee, after all, had only been an excuse to be alone with him; that, and to experience the city she’d missed on her arrival. She could forget for a while about monsters and demons. Walking north on Fifth Avenue, just one anonymous couple among the brisk and smartly dressed crowds, she could barely choose where to look next – so it was just as well Ranjit seemed to know his way around. He steered her down East 78th Street to Madison Avenue and a chic and glossy café that served a bewildering selection of coffees to chic and glossy customers.
‘Jeez. You’re paying after all, I’m afraid.’ Unwinding her scarf, Cassie raised her eyebrows at the price list as they ordered.
‘It’ll be worth it.’ He nudged a mug towards her. ‘Though why you’d want to put cinnamon syrup in fine coffee, I can’t imagine.’
‘Mm-mm. Good as the Tears of the Few,’ she murmured mischievously, relaxing a little for the first time. ‘Perks a girl up no end.’
Ranjit blinked in surprise. ‘Sir Alric gave you the Tears?’
‘Oh yeah.’ She winked. ‘I’m a special case, me.’
‘Wow.’ Ranjit shook his head anxiously. ‘Did he mention—’
‘That I can’t do it all the time? Yeah, he did. Thanks for the reminder.’ Cassie’s jaw clenched. So much for feeling relaxed.
‘So now you’ve got to learn to feed.’
‘So I’m told.’
‘Right … um …’ Ranjit seemed to read the displeasure on Cassie’s face, and played for time by swallowing hot coffee too quickly. Sucking in a breath, he winced. ‘Is it going to be Isabella?’
‘I don’t know. Look, do we have to talk about this now?’
Ranjit smiled apologetically. ‘No. Sorry.’
Cassie took a sip of coffee. She didn’t want to be angry. Not now, not with him. With a sigh, she set down her cup and ran her finger round the rim of it. ‘How much time do you reckon I’ve got before I have to decide?’
‘A few weeks. Maybe less.’ Ranjit lowered his voice to a murmur as a waiter passed by. ‘Your hunger has developed faster than anyone could have predicted. It’s incredible, Cassandra.’ With something like admiration, he added, ‘Unprecedented!’
‘You sound like Sir Alric,’ Cassie replied. ‘And not in a good way. He’s the only other person who calls me Cassandra. Well, apart from …’
‘Estelle,’ Ranjit finished. ‘Would you rather I called you Cassie?’
‘You know what? I think I would.’
‘Then I will. Cassie.’ With a smile, he put his hand over hers.
Damn, she thought. That did feel good. And strong. And supportive. Slowly she linked her fingers into his.
‘You never wanted me in the Few, did you?’
‘No, I didn’t. I didn’t want you involved in any of this.’ He smiled ruefully. ‘But it’s done now.’
‘And I would have been involved anyway,’ said Cassie, with sudden realisation. ‘One way or another. It was Isabella who was supposed to be initiated, wasn’t it? She was the obvious candidate. So I guess I would have been her life-source?’
Ranjit’s hand tensed. Then he nodded slowly, his eyes roaming her face. ‘Perhaps. But I would have done what I could to stop that too.’
Cassie frowned. She’d have preferred that scenario to the one in which she now found herself. Wouldn’t she? If Isabella had joined the Few – if she’d asked Cassie to be her life-source – what would Cassie have done?
She knew perfectly well what she’d have done. She’d have refused. Run a mile. Screamed the place down and called the cops.
As if reading her thoughts, Ranjit said, ‘You know, you can feed without her knowledge. Even though she knows what happened to you, there are ways round—’
‘No,’ she said firmly. ‘I’m not going to lie to my best friend. Sir Alric says he’ll teach us both.’ In a mutter she added, ‘If she agrees, I mean …’
‘It’s for the best, Cassie. You have to know how to feed safely. And if it’s done right, it really doesn’t do any harm.’
Shutting her eyes, Cassie gave a frustrated moan; then she felt Ranjit’s hand squeeze hers once again. He sighed deeply and turned to Cassie with an attempt at a smile.
‘Look, I’m just glad you’re here, and you’re OK. We’ll get through it … together.’ He leaned over and kissed her gently on the lips, lingering for a moment before pulling away. ‘And about this …’ he murmured, pressing his forehead to Cassie’s.