Gabriella Poole - Divided Souls (Darke Academy)

‘Cassie.’ Ranjit’s voice sounded breathless on the voicemail, desperate. ‘ Cassie, I know why you won’t answer, but hear me out. Please .’

A shaky breath. But there was more than nerves in his voice, she thought, frowning. There was high, repressed excitement.

‘Meet me at seven, OK? My room. No pressure, I promise. I know—Listen, I know you don’t trust me any more. Fair enough. I let you

down, but I want to make up for that, I really do.’ A bark of awkward laughter. ‘ God, it’s just so lucky we’re in Istanbul this year! Believe me,

Cassie, I can fix this. I WILL fix this. I’m nearly there. Soon I’ll be able to … to heal old wounds, if you like .’ A pause, then another high

ironic laugh. ‘Or maybe I should say “break old ties”! ’

He hesitated again, as if he wanted to say more, and she pressed the phone closer to her ear, so close that it hurt. But there was nothing

else. After a few seconds, the line went dead.

Heal old wounds? What was that supposed to mean? Apart from being melodramatic guff to get her to his room, she thought angrily.

Break old ties? Arsehole!

Then she thought about Estelle, about the broken state of her spirit, the part of it that remained outside Cassie, and shuddered …

She didn’t know which was more powerful, the rage at his cheek, or the unbearable curiosity. Well, no, that wasn’t true. Of course the

curiosity was going to win out. He knew that, didn’t he? Which, she thought as she stormed to his room in the upper corridor, made her

even more furious.

I’m not sure this is such a good idea, Cassandra …

Cassie ignored Estelle’s cautious interjection. As she hesitated in front of his door, she checked her watch. Two minutes past seven. Not

nearly long enough to keep him waiting, but it would have to do. She had things to do, places to be. She wasn’t hanging about for Ranjit.

Her knock must have sounded as if she was trying to break down the door.

It flew open. Not Ranjit, she realised, taking a surprised step back. Torvald, his roommate. She wasn’t expecting that.

Clearly, neither was Torvald. He looked a little bemused.

‘Cassie? Hey. What’s up?’

‘Hey. Is Ranjit in there? I got a message from him.’

‘No …’ said Torvald. ‘Actually, I don’t know where he is. But, you know, it’s not like I’ve got him electronically tagged,’ he added smiling

dryly. ‘Maybe you were mistaken?’

Cassie was confused. ‘But he asked me to meet him here.’

Torvald’s brow furrowed. ‘Listen, Cassie. It’s not really any of my business, but you’re not still leading him on, are you?’

Cassie blinked hard, shocked and angered by the irony of the statement. She took a breath. ‘What?’

‘Well, it’s just that he hasn’t been the same since you guys broke up. He’s even more serious.’ Rolling his eyes, he added, ‘If that’s

possible …’

She bristled. ‘He asked me to meet him.’

‘Yeah? Well, he’s not here. Honestly, I’ve no idea where he’s gone.’ He shrugged.

Cassie hesitated, then shook her head. ‘I just don’t get him,’ she muttered.

‘If it’s any help, he’s been really screwed up since you dumped him. I don’t really get him either, lately.’

He dumped me! she wanted to yell, but there wasn’t any point. It wasn’t Torvald’s fault. ‘Well, just tell him I didn’t wait about, right?’

‘OK, sure.’

Walking away, she turned on her heel and swallowed her anger for a second. ‘Tell him … I’ll be in the common room if he wants to talk.’

CHAPTER NINE

Livid as Cassie was at Ranjit’s stupid mind games, at least the irritation distracted from her nerves as she approached the common room.

Outside it, lights glowed in wrought-iron sconces, and the solid door looked very forbidding. Cassie lifted her fist and hammered on the

dark, carved wood.

Might have been a little violent, she thought, swallowing hard as the door swung open to reveal the faces of the Few, turned towards her

with expressions that ranged from curiosity to mild surprise to outright hostility. Avoiding their stares, she noticed the room was opulent,

rich with coloured glass, gilded archways and expensive kilims, and the light was soft and glowing. Windows stood open to the gardens

beyond; she could smell the salty breeze mixed with the dusky scent of geraniums.

‘Cassie!’

Thank God for a friendly face. Ayeesha hurried up and embraced her warmly.

‘I’m so glad you came. We’re so glad!’ Ayeesha’s glance at several of her comrades held a touch of defiance. ‘Come in, have a drink. You

know everyone by now, I think. Or, no – come and meet Saski. She’s a third year, I don’t know if you met her yet …’

Cassie gave Saski a sympathetic smile, but the girl didn’t seem anything but triumphantly excited about her new status. Cassie diffused