Darke Academy 4: Lost Spirits (11 page)

‘So you really do believe it’s possible? And you won’t get hurt?’ Jake still looked concerned.

‘I do. It’ll be perfectly safe,’ Cassie said, hoping she sounded one hundred per cent certain even if she had a tiny seed of doubt.

Isabella reached out and clasped Cassie’s arm. ‘But that’s wonderful! Are you really sure?’

Cassie nodded. ‘I’m sure. I can’t do it till I have all the things I need, and that’s the next problem, but … yes, it can be done.’

‘Cassie – you know what this means to us.’ Jake hugged Isabella. ‘This is great news. Fantastic!’

‘And what are the “things you need”?’ asked Isabella eagerly. ‘Can we help?’

‘Not really, no. That’s where it gets tricky.’ Cassie made a rueful face, then stood up and paced the room in the flickering firelight. ‘Tricky, but not impossible. I’m going to do it.’

‘So … come on, spill,’ said Jake. ‘What is it?’

‘Well … you remember the Urn? The one that Ranjit got away with?’ Cassie smiled weakly and spread her hands. ‘That’s what I need. If I can lay my hands on that, Sir Alric has agreed to use the Knife and the Pendant to cut the connection between me and Estelle.’

‘And you won’t be Few any more?’ Isabella looked awed. ‘But, Cassie, the things you can do, your prospects … Don’t you mind about all that?’

She shrugged lightly. ‘Only a little. Honestly? I’ll have a couple of regrets, but not many. And I want myself back. Myself and my friends, like we used to be. That’s what matters most to me. And … and it’s the only way Ranjit and I can be together. I’m OK with it. I’ve made my decision and it’s final.’

Isabella abandoned her place by Jake to rush to Cassie’s side and hug her hard. ‘Cassie,’ she mumbled. ‘This is wonderful. But … do you know where Ranjit is? Have you heard anything?’

Cassie pushed Isabella’s hair out of her face and hugged her back. ‘Well, not yet. But I will find him,’ she said determinedly.

Isabella let go and allowed Jake to get in a hug as well. ‘Good luck, Cassie,’ he said, squeezing her hard. ‘We’re here for you, you know that, right?’

‘Yeah,’ Cassie replied. ‘Yeah, I do …’

I
n the wake of Cassie’s news, there was no stopping Isabella from raiding Sir Alric’s fridge and opening a bottle of champagne. More than ever, Cassie felt that this was the right thing to do – even if Jake had looked a little doubtful at the mention of Ranjit.

‘OK, so I get that you need to find Ranjit to get the Urn,’ he said after they’d made a toast. ‘But are you sure he’ll help you, now that he’s seen his attempt to separate you and Estelle backfire? I mean, he could have changed his mind. He is Few after all, and—’

‘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.’

Cassie stayed silent. She wouldn’t let the bitch provoke her.

Katerina prowled a circle around her, eyeing her up and down. ‘Let’s not indulge in any undignified scrapping, Scholarship Girl. That would be so counter-productive. After all, you are going to bring me something I want.’

Cassie turned, never taking her eyes off Katerina. ‘And what’s that?’

‘Two things, in fact. A Knife. And a Pendant.’

Cassie gave a bark of surprised laughter. ‘Even if I had them – which I don’t – what makes you think it’s Christmas in the Svensson household?’

‘It’s Christmas and my birthday rolled into one,’ Katerina snarled. ‘I’m going to do a deal with you, Bell.’

‘I don’t think so. You’ve got nothing I want.’

‘Oh, but I
do
! That’s what’s so marvellous!’ Katerina came to a halt, her lips peeled back in a manic smile. ‘It’s an offer you haven’t a chance of refusing!’

Cassie watched her, breathing hard.

‘Oh, Little Miss Bell! What
wouldn’t
you pay for Ranjit Singh?’

‘
W
hat?
’

‘You heard me. Unless those Few senses are malfunctioning.’ Katerina sniggered. ‘Just two measly old antiques, and you can have Ranjit Singh.’

Cassie thought furiously. What could the insane harpy be on about? And yet she couldn’t simply walk away, not now … could she?

‘This is your best stunt ever, Katerina.’ She grinned mirthlessly. ‘But it ain’t going to work. See you.’

She turned on her heel, hearing with some satisfaction Katerina’s indrawn breath of disbelief.

‘You’d be making a big mistake, Cassandra.’

Maybe it was the use of her full proper name instead of
Scholarship Girl
; maybe it was the note of malevolence in Katerina’s voice. Cassie halted.

‘Go on.’

‘I don’t need to.’

Something was flung at her feet, hitting her ankles so that she almost jumped. Slowly, filled with dread, Cassie turned and looked down. It was a lumpen thing, a shapeless tangle of canvas and straps in the dim starlight, but she knew what it was straight away.

Crouching, she picked it up by one of its straps. The backpack was empty, of course. Cassie stood straight and balanced it in her hands. It felt terrifyingly light without its last contents. Spattered across it were dark ugly stains that made her skin crawl with dread.

‘Recognise that?’ snapped Katerina.

‘Yes,’ said Cassie, trying to keep her voice flat. ‘It’s Ranjit’s. So what?’

‘Indeed it is Ranjit’s. We took it from him, my mother and I. Do you see the bloodstains?’

She was trying not to. Touching the dark patches, she felt her fingertips tingle.

Yes … oh yes, Cassandra … it’s his
…

I know, Estelle. I know.

Hatred and terrible fear washed through her in a swamping tide. Cassie snapped her head up to laser Katerina with her eyes. ‘
Where did you get it?
’

‘Ha! Mother said I’d need some other proof, but I know how your spirits are connected.’

‘I know it’s his blood, and you’ll pay for every drop of it,’ snarled Cassie. ‘But what makes you think I’ll give you anything? You haven’t even shown me he’s alive!’

‘Oh, come on, Cassie,’ sneered Katerina, folding her arms disdainfully. ‘If he was dead you’d know it. Deep down, that spirit of yours would feel it. You have been told the history of your spirits, haven’t you?’ Her eyes brightened with malice and delight. ‘Or perhaps not, you ignorant Scholarship! I daresay Sir Alric couldn’t be bothered, for all his sentimental attachment to you. You’re more of a pet to him than a student.’

Don’t rise to it, Cassie told herself. That’s what she wants.

‘I know how desperate you are to find him,’ continued Katerina. ‘Aren’t you,
darpak_mumbai
?’ She laughed cruelly.

Cassie’s legs were suddenly like rubber beneath her.
Don’t show weakness! Don’t!
But her voice was almost a croak when she managed to spit, ‘What did you say?’

‘And you can call me Tiger_eye.’ The girl’s lips stretched in a smirk. ‘How obvious you made yourself! How we laughed, Mother and I, when we realised it was you in those chatrooms! Oh, you sad little stalker. You were so easy to deceive! You really thought it was him! You really thought it was lover-boy!’

‘Why?’ rasped Cassie. ‘Why would you do that? If you wanted to contact me, there were much easier ways of doing it.’

‘Why do you think, Scholarship?’ hissed Katerina. ‘
For fun!
’

‘Bitch,’ Cassie snarled. She felt sick to her stomach.

‘And, of course, to be certain that you were indeed still desperately seeking our dark hero. I mean, who knows, you may have moved on with that pathetic
snake
Richard Halton-Jones for all we knew. Fickle, us girls, aren’t we—’

Katerina broke off as Cassie started towards her, her eyes glowing red.

‘Uh uh uh, Cassandra. If you touch one hair on my head, you can guarantee you’ll never see your precious Ranjit again. Well, certainly not with all his limbs attached …’

Cassie let out a growl of frustration, but backed off.

‘That’s better. Watch your phone, Scholarship,’ said Katerina silkily. ‘We’ll message you when we’re ready to meet, with a time and a place. Just get the artefacts we want, because we’ll expect you to come as soon as we call. You have twenty-four hours from when you return to the Academy to get your clammy little paws on those artefacts. You will break into Darke’s office that night and use your freaky little powers to get what we want. Do you understand?’

‘And if I can’t?’

‘No negotiation.
Twenty-four hours
, or you’ll never see him again.’

Despair swamped Cassie. She knew it was true. ‘How will you know where to call me?’

Katerina giggled. ‘We have your number.’

But of course they did. They had Ranjit’s phone. Cassie gritted her teeth and said nothing.