Gabriella Poole - Blood Ties (Darke Academy)

‘As I said, a complete loss of control.’ Brigitte sighed, and turned to her fellow Elders. ‘Our fears regarding this member have very much

come to pass. You will all remember that the Bell girl was mooted as a potential host late last year. The proposal was vetoed with, as it

turns out, extremely good reason. She is not and never has been Few material. Had it not been for an appalling breach of Few law, she

would now be perfectly adequate feeding material. No more.’

The man beside Brigitte leaned forward into the light, and Cassie saw steel-blue eyes, cropped hair, a distinctive cleft in his chin. She took

a silent gasp of breath, as if she’d been punched in the gut. That face: she’d only seen it for a second, but she wouldn’t forget it. It was one

of the FBI men who had come to the Academy to arrest Jake.

‘The girl’s a danger to herself,’ he drawled. ‘And to the rest of us.’

‘She’s inexperienced, Vaughan, that’s all.’ Someone interrupted, and Cassie glanced gratefully at the black-haired woman. ‘Her initiation

was irregular and she hasn’t been properly trained. That’s all. Give her a chance.’

I will never, thought Cassie, never have a bad word to say about one of your movies again.

‘We could consider repeating the ceremony.’ That was the cabinet minister. ‘Has that ever been attempted?’

‘Of course not,’ snapped Vaughan. ‘It’s never been necessary. This is unprecedented.’

‘Then I suggest we set a precedent.’ The British man’s frigid tone suggested there was no love lost between him and the American man.

‘How?’ The senator shrugged. ‘Estelle Azzedine is dead and buried.’

But her spirit’s alive and kicking!

Cassie jumped at Estelle’s voice, but none of the Council seemed to notice. Brigitte narrowed her eyes, though.

The film actress spoke again. ‘Put it this way, something went wrong. We don’t know what. But really, her case is quite fascinating.

Shouldn’t we instead be looking to see how we can help? None of this is really Miss Bell’s fault, after all.’

‘That’s irrelevant,’ said another woman. ‘Fault isn’t at issue here. She’s clearly dangerous. We’re not here to give her group therapy so

she can adjust – we need to deal with this matter swiftly and decisively.’

‘Let’s not be rash. Studying her … ability may well be of great significance for all of us.’ Perhaps that cabinet minister felt some national

allegiance.

‘Whether that’s true or not, we can’t take the risk.’

‘But you’ll take the risk of punishing her? An innocent party?’

‘Hardly innocent.’

‘The Carnegie Hall incident was a disaster …’

‘No, the damage limitation worked. It’s been smoothed over. Donations in the right places.’

‘And next time? And the next?’

‘ENOUGH!’

Brigitte’s cry echoed, easily drowning the quarrelling voices, and hush fell on the whole room. Cassie swallowed reflexively. Brigitte drew

out the silence until the air crackled, and when she spoke again her voice was as soft and chilled as snow.

‘There can be no doubting the girl is dangerous. There can be no doubting she cannot control herself. We have responsibilities, ladies

and gentlemen, not only to our fellow Few, but to the public at large. Kindly imagine the repercussions when she kills someone.’ Again she

left a dramatic pause for her damning words to sink in. ‘She attacked a Few member, in full view of the public. She was also responsible,

may I remind the Council, for an assault last term that left my own daughter brutally scarred. I propose we expel Miss Bell from the

Academy …’

‘I second Brigitte.’

Brigitte looked over at the FBI man with a hint of annoyance. ‘Thank you, Vaughan, but I have a further proposal to lay before this

Council: that Miss Bell, for her own protection and ours, should be incarcerated indefinitely in the Confine.’

Cassie leaped to her feet, her intake of breath splitting the horrible silence. What the hell was the Confine?

‘What do you—’

‘Please sit down, Miss Bell. You will not improve your situation by further demonstration of your inability to control yourself.’

‘But …’ Cassie looked desperately at the row of Elders. None would meet her eye, not even her erstwhile supporters. ‘You can’t put me

in prison, it’s not—’

‘It is fair, just, and reasonable. The Confine is not a prison. Not in the way you understand the word.’ Brigitte gave a loud sigh. ‘Things

could have been very much worse for you. Be grateful for the Council’s mercy.’ She raised a silver gavel. ‘Now, if the Council is

unanimously agreed, I hereby—’

‘Wait.’

Brigitte hesitated, her gavel hovering, her face darkening with anger. Cassie felt her breath sigh out of her in a great rush, and her