Gabriella Poole: Divided Souls (Darke Academy)

couldn’t. It wasn’t like the maniacal attraction between her and Ranjit, that impossible magnetism, not like that. But still she couldn’t draw

away. It felt too good. Too tempting.

Richard leaned across and as she watched his eyes, he licked his lips slowly and took a breath.

And then his mouth, warm and soft, was pressed against hers.

A sense of longing constricted her heart, combined with an electric thrill of lust. Almost involuntarily, her arm slipped around behind his

neck, prolonging the kiss, his silky hair entwined into her fingers. She sought out his tongue, gave a small muffled gasp, and felt him pull

her yearningly closer. But after a moment – a long, delicious moment – she drew reluctantly away. Her lips still tingled, but as she looked

into Richard’s eyes, it hit her once and for all that this wasn’t really what she wanted. He wasn’t really who she wanted. Guilt prickled at

her conscience.

‘Still too soon for me, buster,’ she murmured. ‘Too soon.’

To her surprise, he nodded. ‘Yeah. I know.’ His fingers were still curled around hers, and she didn’t pull her hand away. A lock of his hair

had fallen down over his right eye, and he was wearing that old roguish grin. ‘Just registering my interest.’

Her breath caught at his directness. ‘Cheeky.’

‘And there was one other thing,’ he said, his grin fading.

‘Yeah?’

‘I thought I should let you know that I love you.’

She burned her throat on her coffee. ‘You what?’

‘You heard.’ He smiled at her expression before continuing. ‘If you need me, Cassie, I’ll be there. Right? But I promise you, no pressure. I

don’t expect anything other than friendship. And I’m sorry for everything I’ve done. But I’d spend a lifetime making it up to you.’ He stood to

go.

‘Uh. Richard …’

‘Yes?’

Well …? Richard what? Cassie shut her eyes and shook her head. That was two guys declaring their love in the space of a few days, and

neither of them was a real possibility. One was on the run for murder, the other was …

The other wasn’t Ranjit.

Cassie sighed deeply. She was on her own, whether she liked it or not. And she didn’t. But that was life.

‘Hey!’ Richard interrupted, seeing her distress. ‘Didn’t I quite literally just say no pressure? I meant it, Cassie. And I mean the rest of it,

too.’

Part of her wanted to throw herself into his arms, grab him and hang on to him, but Richard had already turned away and was walking

out of the door, tossing a few bills to the café owner with a smile.

Getting her breath back, Cassie leaned on the table and stared out determinedly at the sea and the Asian shore. She wouldn’t run after

him. Though it would be so much simpler if she could …

No, no, my dear! Your first instinct was correct. Good gods, how could you even dream of—?

Cassie jerked straighter. Despite herself she had to muffle a chuckle. It was the injured bearing, the distinct tone of mortified pride.

‘What’s the problem, Estelle?’ she murmured.

My dear! You know very well!

‘No. Tell me.’

She could almost feel the spirit bristling. We’re strong, Cassie! We need only each other!

Cassie didn’t reply.

If someone wants to divide us, Cassie, we must be united against them. Against HIM. There’s no room for yearning.

The morning sun on the water’s surface was so blinding, Cassie had to shut her eyes against it. She didn’t want to see anything, anyway.

Didn’t want to hear any more from Estelle, and certainly didn’t want to think.

Ranjit.

Where was he? she wondered. Was he in hiding, miserable and guilt-ridden and scared? Or perhaps he’d recovered from the guilt,

perhaps he was walking the streets, throwing caution to the wind, proud and disdainful, presenting a haughty face to the world and feeding

where he liked? She shook her head. That seemed unlikely.

Was he thinking about her at all? Or had pure survival taken over?

It was good, at least, to know one thing for sure: she’d see him again. Of that she was certain. Had to be. She didn’t know the

circumstances, she didn’t know if they’d be lovers, or killers, or both. Maybe they’d end up killing each other, once and for all …

Cassie opened her burning eyes, searching the bright morning Bosphorus for the hazy silhouette of the Academy.

For now Ranjit was lost, and so was their future. But she knew now, and there was no denying it to herself, that he was the one she

wanted. Someday – maybe soon – she was going to find him again.