Gabriella Poole: Blood Ties (Darke Academy)

She rolled over in bed and peered over at Isabella’s shape in the darkness. It had taken hours for her to finally fall asleep. Cassie wasn’t

so lucky. Whenever she closed her eyes she saw what would have happened if she hadn’t stopped Katerina and Brigitte in time. If she

hadn’t taken the knife. If she hadn’t listened to Estelle …

Estelle had been there when she needed her. When it came to the crunch, it was Estelle that she turned to. So what did that mean for

Cassie? Was she a monster, just like the people from whom she had been trying to protect her friends? She wasn’t even sure she could

call Jake her friend now – it seemed clear he wouldn’t welcome it, at least. Since he’d left them in the alleyway, there had been no sign of

him. He’d vanished just as surely as the Few knife. Cassie had searched all over the grounds of the Swedish Cottage when she’d returned

there with Sir Alric, but the blade had vanished. Of course, any passerby could have picked it up, but somehow Cassie knew that Jake had

it.

Why had he gone back for it, that reminder of everything he hated? To try to kill Katerina? Or was he thinking he might need to use it

against Cassie herself, some time in the future?

The future … Cassie sighed. Who knew what that held?

I do. I know …

Ever since Cassie had allowed her fully into her mind and body, there had been a new calmness to Estelle’s voice. As though she was

certain that Cassie would eventually let her in again, permanently.

‘It’s never going to happen, Estelle.’

Cassie was adamant. But what did it mean, to give that up? What was she losing? The incredible feeling of power that the joining had

given her still resonated in Cassie’s mind, like the memory of a drug. It felt like a struggle every moment just to keep the desire at bay. But

struggle she would. She couldn’t risk hurting Isabella, losing control, doing any more damage. She didn’t like what she’d become – what

she had the potential to become …

Sooner or later, you’ll have to embrace it, my dear!

Cassie jumped as she heard a soft knock at the door. Jake? She almost leaped for the door, glancing at her blotched face in the wardrobe

mirror. At least her eyes were back to a respectable yellow-green.

Opening the door, she had to steady herself as she saw who stood there.

‘Ranjit.’

She had to keep her breathing even, however hard it was. Something twisted in her chest, but she beat back the longing, and kept her

distance.

‘Cassie. Hi.’ The handsome Indian boy clenched and unclenched his fists. She’d never seen him look so nervous and unhappy. It didn’t

mean she was letting him off the hook, though. Mindful of Isabella, she slipped out into the corridor and pulled the door to behind her.

‘I’m surprised to see you here.’

He took a wounded breath. ‘Cassie – I’m sorry. About everything.’

‘You heard the story, then?’

‘I’ve spoken to Sir Alric.’ He looked at his hands. ‘And he’s spoken to me.’

‘Back to normal, then. I’m getting talked about behind my back. My ears’ll be as red as my eyes.’

‘You don’t think I wanted – needed – to know what happened?’ His eyes flashed, and just for an instant their amber became tinged with

scarlet. Scrutinising him, Cassie nodded thoughtfully to herself. Swallowing, Ranjit took a step back.

‘I’m sure you wanted to know, Ranjit. Course, you’d have seen it all first-hand if you’d been around to help us.’ She swallowed. Even

now, despite everything, the last thing she wanted to do was hurt him. But he needed hurting – she’d had her share from him. It was his

turn.

‘I’m sorry.’ His face was very solemn. ‘But that doesn’t mean I could have done things any other way.’

‘Everybody gets a choice, Ranjit. Everybody’s got free will. We are human, after all.’

He gave her a sad smile. ‘That’s a matter of opinion.’

Cassie folded her arms, stared over his shoulder. ‘Why are you here?’

‘To ask you … to be careful. Please, Cassie. I don’t want anything to happen to you.’

‘Bit late for that.’ She shook her head bitterly.

‘I’m talking about the Council. The Elders. You don’t know what they’re capable of, Cassie.’

‘Now, where have I heard that before?’ She put a finger to her chin. ‘Oh, yes. That’s what they said about me.’

‘I’m serious. They’ve had to accept your demands this time – they couldn’t deny that what Brigitte and Vaughan were doing was wrong –

but the Elders don’t like to be crossed, Cassie. Please be careful. For your own sake.’ He took a breath. ‘And mine.’

‘I see. It’s a self-preservation thing.’