They were all sitting together in a tight circle on the gritty stone floor. It seemed like they were talking in circles, too.
They needed to do something but there was nothing to be done.
Allie’s head felt as if it had been stuffed with feathers that were occasionally kicking her in the face.
After she’d nearly passed out, they’d forced water on her and made her sit still, her head resting on her knees. Her breathing was steady now. In fact, her lungs were working so perfectly it was kind of enraging.
They told her what they knew – the students they’d seen going and those who’d made it to the safe places.
She still clutched Nathaniel’s blood-splattered letter in her hand like a weapon. Although the light in the cellar was dim she could make out the words he’d written. It was obvious he’d been rushed – his handwriting was usually so precise and neat; this was a hurried scrawl.
Dear Allie
I looked for you but could not find you. Unfortunately, no one was willing to tell me where you were. Your friend Rachel was singularly uncooperative. I was forced to punish her for her rudeness. I’m keeping her with me.
Allie, I’ve grown impatient with our little game. So here is what you will do. You will come to me tonight and offer yourself in exchange for Rachel. Come alone. Do not bring Raj Patel or Isabelle or any of the other instructors or guards.
When you have done this, Rachel will be released, alive and well. If you fail in any regard, if you break any of the rules I’ve set out here, she will die precisely as Jo died. And you will know, for all your life, you could have saved her.
I will be at the castle ruins at midnight. Do not be late.
Nathaniel
The thought of Rachel alone with that monster made Allie’s stomach twist; doubling over she dug her fists into her abdomen, pressing back against the pain.
We underestimated Nathaniel again, she thought, despairing. Oh, Rachel, I’m so sorry…
Reaching across her body to free one of her fists, Carter squeezed her hand. ‘She’s still alive, Allie,’ he said, his tone gentle.
She shook her head so fiercely her hair stung her cheeks as it swung. She couldn’t afford to hope now; hope was nothing but delayed heartbreak. He should know that anyway – Jules was gone. He hadn’t got to her in time.
‘You don’t know that, Carter. He lies. He killed Jo…’
‘I know.’ His tone was measured. ‘But we have no reason to believe he killed Rachel.’
‘The blood.’ Allie pointed at Emma who now sat with Nicole, who’d cleaned her face with bottled water and draped her own jumper around her. Staring at them all mutely, the girl appeared to be in shock. ‘Where did it come from?’
‘It’s Rachel’s,’ Nicole said. ‘But the wound Emma describes sounds superficial.’
‘That much blood was from a superficial wound?’ Allie’s voice was sceptical.
Sylvain crouched down in front of her; his blue eyes dark in the shadows. ‘He cut Rachel’s arm with a knife. And smeared the blood on Emma. He said it would –’ He stopped, his jaw tense, and Allie saw that he was fighting to control his temper. ‘He said it would get your attention.’
‘I hate him,’ Zoe muttered to herself, stabbing at the ground with a piece of wood she’d picked up somewhere.
Still holding on to Emma, Nicole leaned forward to catch Allie’s gaze. ‘Emma says he made a bandage for Rachel’s wounds and the cuts were not deep. Allie, he wouldn’t be so careful if he intended to kill her.’
‘The thing I can’t figure out is how Nathaniel got into the building in the first place,’ Carter said. ‘How did no one see him? Is our security that weak?’
Allie rubbed her face tiredly. ‘The drivers. Isabelle said the drivers were all Nathaniel’s guards. That’s how they got in. They walked in together, in a crowd. It caused such chaos they couldn’t keep track.’
‘And one of them was Nathaniel.’ Sylvain said bitterly. ‘It’s so brazen – it’s just his style.’
‘They didn’t get a chance to count them in and out, then.’ Carter’s jaw tightened. ‘Some of them could still be in the building.’
‘That’s why Isabelle said we had to stay down here,’ Allie said.
‘I don’t care. We have to get out of here.’ Jumping up, Zoe threw the stick across the cellar. It bounced off something in the shadows and hit the floor with a thud. ‘We have to tell Raj about Rachel. He’ll know what to do.’
Pressing her fingertips against her forehead, Allie tried to make herself think. ‘Should we tell him, though?’
The others stared.
‘Of course we have to tell him, Allie,’ Nicole said. ‘She’s his daughter.’
Do not bring Raj Patel or Isabelle or any of the instructors or guards…
Thinking of Nathaniel’s words, Allie felt cold inside, as if ice water ran through her veins instead of blood. But she had to stay focused. For Rachel.
‘He’ll want to run out there to fight Nathaniel,’ she said. ‘And if he does that, Rachel will die.’
Sylvain and Carter exchanged a look.
‘What do you think?’ Sylvain asked.
‘I don’t know…’ Carter sounded worried.
‘He’s tactical.’ Sylvain reminded him. ‘Always tactics.’
‘Yeah, but this is his daughter,’ Carter said.
Allie looked back and forth between them as they worked it out. They knew Raj better than she did. Better than any of the students. They’d been working with him nearly every day for months.
‘Even then’ – Sylvain’s voice was firm – ‘he believes in strategy. He’ll be able to handle it.’
After a second, Carter nodded and turned to Allie.
‘Sylvain’s right. We should trust Raj. He’s too smart to just rush out without thinking it through, even if it’s Rachel. He’ll help us plan.’
Allie held Sylvain’s gaze. ‘You’re certain?’
He didn’t hesitate. ‘I’m positive.’
She trusted him. ‘Then let’s get Raj.’
First, though, someone had to get out of the cellar.
‘Isabelle says the cellar is safe because Raj’s guards are all around it – they know we’re down here,’ Allie explained. ‘If they’re around us there must be some way to find them.’
Zoe looked around the circle. ‘Let me do it.’
Everyone objected at once, their voices making an echoed cacophony, but Zoe held up her hands. Her determination made her face look more grown up.
‘Look, I’m small and fast. I won’t go into the main buildings. I’ll search the stairwells and corridors – all the places they could be guarding. I’ll find them.’
‘No!’ They all said it together.
Her face reddening, Zoe glared at them. ‘I could do this better than you. Do not forbid me just because I’m young and a girl.’
A heavy silence followed.
Carter gave in first. ‘I think we should let her.’
Allie’s chest tightened. ‘Carter, no…’
‘She’s faster than any of us.’ Nicole took his side.
‘Sylvain…’ Allie appealed to him, but, although his expression was sympathetic, he shook his head.
‘I agree with the others.’
After a quick discussion about where she should go, Zoe leaped to her feet to head towards the stairs but, as she did so, Sylvain caught her arm. Pulling her closer, he whispered something to her.
Her small face serious, she nodded. Then as Allie watched, helpless to stop her, she ran into the shadows.
After she left, the atmosphere developed a kind of claustrophobic emptiness. Time seemed to stretch – the hands of Allie’s watch slowed.
To keep herself calm, Allie walked the borders of the ancient cellar. It was never used for any purpose any more, and held only a few old trunks and some long-forgotten stacks of bricks. Dim light came from a few old wall sconces, so yellowed and dirty the few bulbs that did work emitted only a wea
k, flickering glow.
She glanced around to see what the others were doing. Nicole was talking to Emma in a low voice. Carter stood at the foot of the stairs like a sentinel, his hands in his pockets, his expression unreadable. Sylvain stood with his back against the wall, lost in thought.
By now it must be getting dark outside. She thought of Rachel, alone with Nathaniel and Gabe. Helpless. Terrified.
A sob welled in her throat and she forced it back – she needed to stay focused.
She shoved her hands into the pockets of her skirt, and her fingers encountered the sheet of blood-spattered paper Nathaniel had left for her.
Pulling it out she unfolded it carefully and read it again, frowning at each word.
Suddenly she straightened. As if she’d made a sound, Sylvain turned and cast an enquiring look at her.
She held out the note. ‘I think I know what we have to do.’
THIRTY-THREE
T
hey were all sitting in a cluster, sketching out Allie’s idea in the dust on the floor when the sudden clatter of heavy boots on the stairs jarred them into instant action. Leaping to their feet they ran together to the foot of the stairs.
Carter looked pale but determined; his jaw set. Beside him, Nicole seemed less tense. She held a thick board in one hand like a police truncheon and Allie got the feeling she’d relish the chance to use it. Allie and Sylvain stood on opposite sides of the cellar entrance; Allie held a brick in her hand.
The men who burst out of the stairwell wore the black uniforms of Raj’s guards but nobody cared. They all knew clothes meant nothing any more.
‘Does anyone know them?’ Carter called out, his voice urgent.
The others’ response was immediate. ‘No.’
It was all the invitation Nicole needed. She swung the board with all her strength, hitting the first man in the gut. He grunted in surprise and pain. Allie lunged forward with a brick in her hand.
‘Stand easy!’ Raj’s disembodied voice caught her in mid-stride – the brick tumbled from her fingers. She spun round in confusion as he stepped out of the narrow corridor, Zoe bounding at his side. ‘They’re the good guys.’
His clothes were muddy and new lines had appeared on his face, but he did not look defeated.
As Nicole offered an apologetic hand to the wounded man, Allie walked slowly over to Rachel’s father. How could she tell him what happened? What words were there in the world to explain how she felt?
But he didn’t wait for her to speak. He pulled her into a hug. ‘I know what happened.’ His voice was rough. ‘We’ll get her back.’
‘I’m so sorry, Mr Patel.’ Tears burned the backs of Allie’s eyes as she stood stiffly in his arms. ‘It’s my fault.’
‘No, it isn’t.’ He held her at arm’s length so she could see the determination in his face. ‘This is Nathaniel’s fault. And when we find him I’m going to make sure he knows exactly how I feel about that.’ As he spoke, his eyes changed. Suddenly he looked predatory; dangerous.
As quickly as the look appeared, though, it faded, and he glanced around the room, in complete control. ‘Everyone OK?’
They all nodded.
‘Can I see the note, Allie?’ Raj held out his hand.
For a second she hesitated. A few weeks ago, she wouldn’t have let anyone see this note. She would have run out there to try and get Rachel all on her own. And Rachel probably would have died.
But she’d learned. She’d watched the others sacrifice themselves for her, for Jo. She’d seen them take chances that could have cost them everything they cared about.
She trusted them. She believed in them.
So she turned to where they stood watching her. Catching her eye, Sylvain nodded once.
Only then did she pull the crumpled, blood-stained page from her pocket and hold it out to Raj.
‘We need to talk to you,’ she said. The others gathered around her, supporting her. ‘We have an idea.’
‘Isabelle will never agree to it.’ Raj’s words were emphatic.
‘We know.’ Nicole shot him a significant look. ‘So we have to decide how to handle it.’
Raj had sent his guards back into the corridors and stairwells. Emma had been taken to the infirmary to be checked out. Only he and the group remained in the chilly cellar.
He rubbed his eyes. ‘Let’s go over this again.’
‘Nathaniel says I must come without you, Isabelle, or any of the guards or instructors,’ Allie explained patiently. ‘But he doesn’t mention students. I will go to the castle. The others will follow through the woods in case I get into trouble. You and your guards will already be there, hidden. Nathaniel will think I’ve followed his rules so Rachel will be –’ she almost couldn’t bring herself to say the word, she so wanted it to be true – ‘safe.’ She took a steadying breath. ‘I’ll go to him alone – the others will stay near me. You wait until Rachel is free then you come in – he won’t be expecting you.’
‘My guards are all over the grounds right now.’ Raj spoke thoughtfully as he studied the sketch they’d made on the dirty floor: a partial circle with space on one side left open, arrows swooping towards it. It was Napoleon’s plan from the Battle of Austerlitz but Allie had thought it best not to mention that part. ‘I could tell them to get into place one at a time. No group movement. They’d be virtually impossible to detect.’ He glanced around the group, and Allie could tell by his expression he’d already made up his mind. ‘It’s a good plan.’
She kept her face blank but her heart leapt with excitement. They could make this work.
‘What about Isabelle?’ Zoe sounded doubtful. ‘She won’t let us do it.’
Standing, Raj wiped the arrows from the floor with the sole of his boot. In an instant the evidence was gone. ‘She won’t know.’
They gaped at him surprise.
‘How —’ Allie started but Raj held up his hand. He looked tense, his jaw squared as if anticipating a blow.
‘I’m in charge of the operation. Isabelle and I have already decided to leave the Night School instructors out of any plan because we don’t know which of them to trust. I have nearly one hundred guards on their way now, and they all report directly to me.’
The others murmured.
‘A hundred?’ Carter looked stunned. ‘Where…?’
‘Lucinda.’ Raj held Allie’s gaze. ‘She sent her own personal security team. I’ve called my guards in. By midnight they’ll be here and ready.’
Allie sent a silent prayer of thanks to her grandmother.
A hundred guards. We can do this.
‘What will you tell Isabelle?’ Sylvain’s practical question brought her back to earth.
‘She asked me to keep you all under guard for your own protection in one of the classrooms.’ He shrugged. ‘I’ll tell her that’s where you are.’
‘But she’ll…’ Allie faltered. ‘She’ll never forgive you.’
Raj’s expression told her he knew that already.
‘Let me worry about that,’ he said. ‘You worry about staying safe.’ With a glance at his watch, he motioned for them all to stand. ‘I need you all in gear and ready to go. Stay in the training room until I come and get you. My men will take you there now.’ His gaze glanced off Allie’s. ‘I’ve got to go and meet Isabelle now.’
After Raj left, the guards led them silently through a series of dark underground corridors. Allie, who thought she knew the school well, had never seen some of them. The school’s cellars were a labyrinth – at times they climbed up one level only to descend again moments later.
She was thoroughly lost by the time a door opened on to the hallway outside the familiar Night School training rooms.
After changing quickly into their dark Night School gear, they gathered in Training Room One. The square chamber felt hollow and empty without the other Night School members.
Zoe was the only one who seemed unaffected by the situation. She limbered up on the thick elastic matting as
if this were any other training exercise.
The others exchanged anxious murmurs and tried to stay calm. Allie’s nervousness made her muscles stiff. It was hard to warm up.
She wasn’t alone. Across the room she saw Sylvain exhale through pursed lips as if trying to force himself to relax. But his shoulder muscles bulged from the tension.
After a while, there was nothing to do but wait. Allie leaned back against a wall, her arms wrapped tightly around her legs, and rested her chin on her knees. She tried not to think about how Rachel might be feeling right now. What she might be thinking.