Resistance (15 page)

T
he words swam
in front of Allie’s eyes.

How could Lucinda do that? Allie felt betrayed. She couldn’t be in this book. She wasn’t one of the dead old men trapped in its dusty pages. She was young.

She was alive.

Suddenly she didn’t want to read any more.

Closing it with an emphatic thud, she wrapped it back in the anonymous brown paper and slipped it into the bottom drawer in the desk, beneath a pile of old assignments.

When it was hidden away she wiped her hands on her skirt, as if to remove any traces it might have left behind.

She didn’t want that book. She didn’t want any of this. She’d figure out a way to give it back to Lucinda. To tell her she’d made a mistake.

Allie’s whole life was ahead of her. Nathaniel might have tried to kill her but he’d failed.

She didn’t belong in the family book of the dead.

A
ll the next
day Allie waited for word from Lucinda about the date of the parley but none came. The day after that was the same: nothing.

Each day when her lessons ended she ran to Isabelle’s office to ask for news but the headmistress just shook her head. ‘They’re still negotiating terms, Allie. This part takes time. It could be weeks. Spend that time focusing on your studies, and on getting yourself ready.’

But it was increasingly difficult to pay attention in her lessons. To care about homework. It all seemed absurd compared to what was happening outside the school grounds.

And what lay ahead.

The air between Allie and Sylvain was still clouded and heavy with unspoken recrimination. She never saw him alone, and she got the feeling he was avoiding her as much as she was avoiding him. In groups he was studiously polite to her. But their conversations were stilted.

It was hard to believe that just over a week ago he’d told her he loved her.

Allie had taken to studying in the library. Nobody else used it these days – most students preferred to study in the common room, or out on the lawn on sunny days – so she often had it to herself.

Eloise was slowly thawing towards her – Allie wondered if the librarian somehow knew that she was the one who’d accused her of being the spy. But she was afraid to ask. She was just glad she didn’t look so afraid every time she saw her now.

One afternoon she was alone at one of the tables, working with only desultory interest on a science project in the glow of the green-glass desk lamp, when someone dropped into the chair across from her. She looked up, into Carter’s dark gaze.

‘Hey.’ His tone was casual, as if they always chatted like this.

‘Hey back,’ Allie said, and she saw the flicker of surprise in his eyes.

That was how they’d always greeted each other back when they were friends, before everything happened. It was a weighted phrase. A Carter and Allie code. It meant, ‘Everything is OK. I care about you.’

Allie swallowed hard, her chest felt suddenly tight. She didn’t know why she’d said it. Their relationship was such a mess, especially now. She waited for him to shut down, to withdraw. To walk away.

Instead he leaned forward, one hand sliding halfway across the table top towards her.

‘I’ve been wanting to talk to you,’ he said, ‘about the other night.’

Allie steeled herself for more criticism. Carter had kept his distance ever since that night and she was certain he was angry at her.

But he wasn’t.

‘I want to tell you I’m sorry,’ he said. ‘I should have warned you what they were planning. I let Raj and the others talk me into it.’ He held her gaze with steady eyes. ‘I was wrong.’

Allie let out a breath she hadn’t realised she’d been holding. There was no way for him to know how much this meant to her. She’d felt so lonely ever since that night. So conflicted.

‘Thank you,’ she said with real feeling. ‘That means a lot.’

‘You have every right to make your own decisions,’ Carter held her gaze. ‘Don’t let anyone try and talk you out of what you think is right. Not even me.’

Heat rose to Allie’s face. Every word he said was like a balm to her soul. But she had things to apologise for, too.

‘I still think I was wrong,’ she said. ‘The way I just made the decision about the parley without asking you and the others what you thought. I felt like it was my decision to make but you guys are in this, too. It’s going to be dangerous. I should have talked to all of you first. It should have been a group decision.’

All the tables around them were empty, and the rest of the library was in shadow. Allie knew Eloise was somewhere in the back, shelving books. But here, in the dome of light cast by the desk lamp, it felt safe and private.

‘I think I owe everyone an apology. Including you.’

Carter’s eyes darkened. ‘No one should blame you for that. Isabelle should never have put you on the spot like that. It wasn’t fair to you.’

Their eyes met and held. Carter’s dark gaze was limitless, conflicted. He looked as if he wanted to say something else. Then he straightened, withdrawing his hands from the table in a movement too casual not to have been deliberate.

The spell was broken. Hurriedly, Allie picked up her pen and toyed with it as if it was the most interesting thing she’d ever seen.

‘I’ve got to go find a Gertrude Stein book for that English essay,’ he said, pushing back his chair. ‘Although I don’t really see the point. Her poems make about as much sense as a fish with a shotgun.’

She forced a smile. ‘That’s cool. Luckily, I have the wonderful world of physics to keep me company …’

Her tone was light but her voice was thin. As he walked away, she watched him from beneath lowered lashes. His long, loping stride was as familiar to her as her own breath.

She felt lonelier now than she had before he sat down.

A
llie was so confused
about what she wanted and why she wanted it, she didn’t know what to do. She longed to discuss all of this with Rachel but things between them were too fragile right now.

That was another thing she needed to fix. Somehow.

So she’d have talked about it with someone else but … who was there to talk to? Nicole was still angry at her.

And Zoe was … Zoe. She’d just look at her like she was mad.

There wasn’t anyone else to ask. In the
world
.

Not any more.

Oh God, Jo. I miss you so much.

G
athering
her books she made her way to the common room, hoping to find more focus. But she was just as miserable there as she’d been in the library.

She was so deep in self-pity she didn’t hear Katie walk up to her.

‘God. All my teachers are such bastards,’ she announced, dropping on to the other end of the sofa without waiting for an invitation. ‘I wish they’d get real jobs.’ Barely glancing at Allie, she pulled out a text book and began flipping through the pages. ‘They will work us to death.’

Tapping the end of her pen against her chin, Allie eyed her speculatively.

She’s probably still inherently evil.
But nobody in this school knows more about boys.

Glancing up, Katie caught her staring.

‘What?’ Her green eyes narrowed. ‘Do I have something on my face?’

Although tempted to say yes just to watch her squirm, Allie shook her head.

‘I just … I thought I could …’ She made herself say it. ‘Could I ask you a weird question?’

Katie brightened visibly. ‘Please tell me you want makeup tips. I’ve been dying for you to ask me.’

Allie paused. ‘What’s wrong with my makeup?’

‘Oh, Allie,’ Katie said, shaking her head mournfully. ‘Everything.’

On some level Allie wanted to discuss eyeliner for half an hour and forget all about Sylvain and Carter and
life
. But she couldn’t forget.

That was the problem.

‘It’s not about makeup,’ she said. ‘It’s a random thing just about, like … boys.’

Katie pursed her lips. Leaning forward in her chair, she lowered her voice. ‘I’ve noticed things are weird between you and Sylvain. What’s going on? Is it a sex thing?’

‘No, it’s not a sex thing,’ Allie glared. ‘It’s … well, it’s something else. And we’re not having problems.’ She added the last line hastily. ‘We’re fine.’

That wasn’t true but … whatever.

‘Well, what is it, then?’ Katie looked as if she couldn’t imagine a problem between couples that did not involve sex.

Allie was already regretting this conversation. But she had to talk to someone.

‘It’s not about me and Sylvain,’ she lied. ‘It’s for someone else. They asked me and I didn’t know what to say because … anyway. I didn’t know. And I thought you might.’

Katie studied her steadily.

‘What does your … friend’ – she emphasised the word – ‘want to know?’

‘OK, so …’ Allie couldn’t look at her. She kept her eyes on her hands, which were twisting the hem of her short skirt into a knot. ‘If a boy tells you he loves you and you can’t say it back, does that mean you don’t love him? Or are you just … I don’t know. Weird. Or something.’

Katie’s smile faded. ‘Oh. A real question. Right.’

As she paused to mull this over, Allie sat miserably, wishing she’d never brought it up.

When Katie finally spoke again, her tone was surprisingly thoughtful. ‘It could mean she doesn’t love him back. Sometimes it does. There’s nothing like someone telling you they love you for you to realise you don’t feel the same way.’

Allie’s heart sank.
How could I not love Sylvain? Is that even possible? He’s beautiful and he kisses like
fire
. And he loves me.
Katie was still talking, warming to the topic.

‘On the other hand, it could also mean you’re— Sorry. I mean,
she’s
not ready for that kind of commitment yet.’ She looked at Allie seriously. ‘It’s a really big deal. If you say you love someone then suddenly everything gets super intense. You could really like him but maybe he just said it too soon.’ She seemed pleased with her own assessment. ‘Tell your friend to take her time. Nobody should rush anyone into “I love you.” Frankly, I’m surprised Sylvain would put pressure on you like that.’

Allie, who was still processing all of this, replied automatically.

‘He’s not pressuring me—’ Realising what she’d said, she blanched. ‘I mean, she’s … I didn’t mean …’

Katie wore the serene countenance of the victor. ‘Of course he isn’t. He’s far too mature for that.’ Allie got the feeling she enjoyed her new role of romantic advisor. ‘Love is a big deal, Allie. You can’t say it if it’s not right. I don’t think I’ve ever said it. Not yet.’

Allie mumbled some sort of garbled thanks, and Katie beamed at her.

‘If you ever need more advice, come to me,’ she said brightly. ‘I’m like a sexpert.’

If Allie had thought talking about this would make her feel better, she’d been wrong.

She felt utterly confused.

How could she not love Sylvain? They were perfect together.

But then, if she did love him, why couldn’t she just say so?

And why did she feel so empty when Carter walked away?

After Night School that evening, the group stayed behind for more weapons training. Allie waited until it was just the six of them before standing up. She’d thought about this all afternoon. It was time to settle this. And get things back to normal.

‘Before we get started, there’s something I want to say. What happened in the chapel – the way I agreed to the parley without asking you first – that was wrong. And I’m sorry.’

She saw Rachel’s eyes widen. The cautious approval on Nicole’s face.

The puzzled boredom in Zoe’s expression.

‘I know it made you all angry and upset, and I don’t blame you. Please believe me.’ With her eyes she sought out Sylvain’s face. His expression was hard to read. ‘I won’t do anything like that again. I promise. We’re a team. We decide things together.’ Tugging at the hem of her black exercise top, she stepped back. ‘That’s all I wanted to say. I hope you can forgive me and I’d really like us to get back to normal. If we can.’

She saw Zoe roll her eyes as Rachel and Nicole both rushed over to give her a hug.

‘That was a lovely thing to say,’ Nicole said. ‘I’m sorry about what I said the other day. It wasn’t fair.’

‘And I’m sorry we listened to my dad,’ Rachel said. ‘I should have known better.’

‘It’s cool,’ Allie insisted. ‘I deserved it. And … to be fair, if your dad was trying scare me, it bloody worked. I’m terrified now.’

When the girls walked away chatting, Sylvain came over to her.

‘I know that must have been hard,’ he said when no one else could hear . ‘I’m really proud of you. And I’m sorry about everything. I handled it all badly. But I was afraid for you.’ He paused. ‘I wish there was a way to take it all back.’

His tone was fervent, but he kept his distance. As if he wasn’t sure she’d welcome his touch.

The caution in his eyes hurt her.

Allie wished she knew what to do. They’d been so close while they were in France. But, somehow, after they came back to Cimmeria that changed.

Everything was so confusing here, it was so easy to lose your way. Maybe that was what had happened.

Breaking the space between them, she rested her hand on his arm. ‘No,
I’m
sorry. I was selfish. I didn’t think. And I really just want us to go back to the way we were before everything happened. I miss us, the way we were.’

Some of the tension left Sylvain’s shoulders. Taking her hand in his, he lifted it to his lips.

‘I miss us, too,’ he said softly. ‘Let’s be us again.’

But even as Allie smiled up at him, some part of her knew that wanting something and having it are two very different things.

O
ver the days that followed
, Allie had little time to worry about Sylvain. Night School training became increasingly intense. Raj ratcheted up the pressure, assigning difficult martial arts. Extending training hours. Demanding more of them. All the students were training with weapons now, and tensions were high.

Each night he and the other trainers circled the room barking out criticism and demands. And always he wanted them to be faster. Hit harder.

Allie didn’t mind. She poured herself into the physical effort of training. Running until she was exhausted. Kick-boxing until her muscles felt like jelly. Practising the precise vicious movements of martial arts until every part of her ached.

It was the only time her mind was quiet. The only time she didn’t doubt herself. Didn’t worry about Sylvain and Carter.

And Rachel.

Rachel was falling further and further behind the Night School group. Everyone knew she wasn’t cut out for it but she stubbornly refused to give up.

Allie couldn’t bear to watch her have to fight so hard.

It was worse on the nights when Raj trained with them. As she and Carter had expected, he was tough on his daughter.

‘Your kick isn’t high enough, Rachel,’ he said one evening as she tried again to swing her leg up to Nicole’s neck. Rachel took the criticism with stoicism. But Nicole’s disapproving eyes were fixed on Raj as if she was willing him to stop.

‘You have to be fast or you’re just giving your enemy another weapon to use against you,’ Raj continued. ‘It’s all pointless if you’re just giving someone a part of you to twist or break, leaving you weaker than you were before.’

Rachel had been struggling with the move for some time by now. Most of the other students had completed the move and they stopped to watch the scene play out.

‘I’m trying …’ Somehow, Rachel’s tone remained reasonable. But her face was red from exertion and embarrassment, and perspiration rolled down her cheeks. Her long, curly hair was pulled back in a pony tail that bounced with ironic perkiness as she tried the move again.

To be fair, Allie thought with a sigh, it was a simple move. All she had to do was block the fake gun in Nicole’s hand with her forearm, then swing a kick under the French girl’s chin to knock her back.

The others had got it the first time.

‘Try again.’ Raj’s voice was icy. ‘Try harder.’

As Allie watched, wincing at Rachel’s awkward moves, Carter joined her. They exchanged worried glances.

‘She’s not getting any better …’ He whispered the words in Allie’s ear. The warmth of his breath sent shivers down her spine.

‘I know,’ she said as Rachel prepared to try again.

This time Rachel’s kick went too high. Nicole had to jump back and Rachel nearly toppled over from the effort.

‘Not good enough,’ Raj said through gritted teeth. ‘No one leaves until you get this right. We’ll stay here all night if necessary.’

Jerry said something to Raj too quietly for Allie to hear, but Raj waved him away. ‘No. She has to get this.’

Carter shot Allie a telling look.

‘What’s the problem?’ Zoe walked up to join them. ‘It’s an easy move. I don’t get it.’

They all studied Rachel’s stance critically, hoping for a way to help her as she tightened her jaw and tried the move again, still panting from the last failed attempt.

‘Is there anything she’s doing wrong?’ Allie murmured, half turning towards Carter so he could hear her. ‘Is she not planting that leg?’

He shook his head glumly. ‘It’s just conditioning. Strength.’

This time, when Rachel swung, her foot ended up in the correct place, and Nicole feinted to one side, swinging up with her fist, which Rachel blocked.

Allie sagged back with relief. They’d done it.

Looking pleased, Nicole patted Rachel on the shoulder.

‘That was adequate.’ Raj’s tone was dismissive. ‘You must do better.’

But every person in the room knew Rachel couldn’t do better. And Allie had no idea what to do. If she was allowed out in the field in this condition she’d get killed.

Something had to give.

A
fter practice that night
, Allie walked out of the dressing room at the same time as Carter and they fell into step together. She cast a sideways look at him. He was looking ahead, frowning to himself, as if thinking about something troubling.

‘What the hell are we going to do about Rachel?’ Allie asked quietly.

Carter shook his head. ‘We’ve tried everything. She needs to drop out, for her own sanity. But she just … won’t.’

‘I wish I knew how to convince her.’ Allie said. ‘But I yelled at her so much at the beginning, now she just dodges me whenever the subject comes up.’ She gave a regretful sigh. ‘And I don’t blame her.’

‘You had your reasons,’ Carter said.

Allie considered this. ‘Sometimes I think I’m not really a people person.’

This surprised a wry chuckle out of him.

‘I wouldn’t worry about that if I were you,’ he said. ‘I don’t like most people and I get along just fine.’

For a while after that, they walked down the narrow basement corridor in companionable silence. The fluorescent strip lights above them buzzed quietly and cast the scene in a greeny-yellow glow.

‘Can I ask you something?’ Allie said.

He shot her a sideways glance. ‘Sure.’

‘Are you scared?’

He arched an eyebrow.

‘About the parley, I mean,’ she said. ‘It’s going to be messed up, right? However much we train and prepare. It doesn’t matter. It’s going to be bad.’

Carter shook his head. ‘Not scared. More like … I’ll be glad when it’s done.’

Allie nodded to herself; that was exactly how she felt.

‘I just wish I knew for certain everyone would be OK,’ she said.

They’d reached the foot of the basement stairs. Carter leaned against the handrail, studying her thoughtfully.

‘You know this isn’t your fault, right?’ he said. ‘All this …’ He waved one hand. ‘It’s not because of you.’

Allie, who very much thought it was her fault, bit her lip.

‘I get what you’re saying but … still. Maybe I could stop it if I just … I don’t know.’ She could hardly bring herself to say the next words. ‘Did what Nathaniel wanted. Joined his side.’

Carter blew out his breath. ‘I knew you were thinking that. I could just sense it.’ He held her gaze. ‘Look, Nathaniel is just using you as a focus point because it drives Lucinda nuts. What he really wants is the school. The organisation. Orion. Everything. He’d be doing this whether you were here or not.’

His words made sense but Allie still couldn’t accept his logic.

‘I get it. But I … feel like I’ve dragged all of you into this.’ She glanced at him and then away. ‘And I hate that. It’s so dangerous—’

‘We’ve all made up our own minds about this, Allie. The same as you. And we can change our minds. Whether or not I go to the parley is my decision, not yours.’ His words were sharp but there was gentleness in his tone. ‘And if something were to happen to me, it would be on me. Not you.’

Allie’s eyes shot up to his. ‘Nothing’s going to happen to you.’

A long look passed between them. ‘OK,’ he said with quiet intensity. ‘Nothing’s going to happen.’

A shock of connection like an electrical current jolted her. Their eyes locked.

She thought she saw something in his gaze – desire. And it made her legs feel strangely weak.

Jump.

A sudden burst of harsh laughter from the corridor made her start and she spun around. But it came from the distance – a group of Night School students further down the hall.

When she glanced back at Carter, whatever she thought she’d seen in his eyes was gone. He just looked a little bored.

With a sigh, he lifted himself off the wall. ‘It’s getting late. I’ve got to go.’

As he loped up the stairs, she flushed, mortified by her own confused thoughts.

I am losing it
.