Blood Ties (3 page)

‘Don’t say it,’ she blurted.

‘I must, Cassandra, I’m sorry. You must learn to feed on Isabella.’

CHAPTER THREE

T
he atrium was spectacular. It couldn’t be more different from the Academy in Paris, but this Upper East Side building had its own breathtaking architectural beauty, all sleek glass and marble. The building’s height was dizzying, seeming to turn and sway as Cassie stared up to the glass roof high above her. The sky beyond was still such a gleaming blue it made her feel faintly giddy. The clean, modern lines of the walls were softened only by the pool and foliage in the centre of the atrium.

Cassie grinned, pausing to dip her fingers into the cool water and stare up at the figure in the middle of the fountain. ‘Hello, old girl,’ she whispered to the bronze sculpture. ‘Haven’t got rid of that bloody swan yet, have we?’

Leda, of course, didn’t react, still reaching dreamily for the savage god-swan above her. At her bronze feet, water trickled out of the stone. Ferns and trailing plants grew in a wild profusion, twining round rocks and spilling on to the polished marble. And among them, of course, were the orchids. Cassie touched one black petal with a fingertip. Sir Alric’s little pets, Ranjit had called them. That figured. Sir Alric liked the beautiful, the rare, the dark …

Cassie was surprised how pleased she was to see all the other familiar statues. In the winter light that flooded in from Fifth Avenue, they gleamed alabaster white from their places around the edge of the vast central hall: Achilles and Hector; Narcissus; Diana and Actaeon. And the one that always chilled her spine: Cassandra and Clytaemnestra. Cassandra, the girl who nobody believed. Cassandra, who entered a house that smelled of blood … 

With a shudder, Cassie remembered huddling beneath that statue, waiting to feel the bite of Keiko’s knife. Yet here she was now: in many ways the same as the homicidal girl who had helped Katerina murder Jake’s sister. Now she too was a freak – maybe even a monster, like Keiko. She wasn’t feeble Cassandra any more, the helpless little victim. She was closer to the bloodthirsty Clytaemnestra. One of the Few.

And what did that mean, to be one of the Few? Cassie gazed at her reflection in the water. Back at the airport, Isabella had suggested that she had grown more beautiful. Cassie hadn’t noticed any change, but now she looked closely, perhaps her cheekbones were slightly more defined, her yellow-green eyes more striking.

But she knew that there was more to the Few than just pretty faces. She had seen their superhuman strength and fighting skills at first hand. And now that the constant hunger to feed wasn’t drowning out all other sensations, she could feel some of that strength in her own muscles, making her feel relaxed and confident in a way she hadn’t before.

Beauty, strength and confidence – a heady combination. But all dependent on the feeding. Draining the life-force from some innocent person.

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.

‘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?