Ascendant by Diana Peterfreund

Author:Diana Peterfreund [Peterfreund, Diana]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: (¯`'•.¸//(*_*)\\¸.•'´¯), Speculative Fiction
ISBN: 0061490024
Publisher: HarperTeen
Published: 2010-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

14

WHEREIN ASTRID CROSSES THE LINE

The pool room at the château was tiled and misty with chlorine-scented air. Brandt had left the overhead lights off, so the entire room was lit with a pale blue glow from the pool lights shining up from beneath the water. Some sort of dance music pulsed through the space, competing with the sound of water lapping against the steps. Brandt was swimming laps, his strong arms churning through the water with swift, powerful strokes. Back home, when we’d been dating, I’d actually attended a few of his swim meets. I’d sat in bleachers for hours to watch him swim for five minutes and fifty-four point ninety-one seconds, during which I’d see the occasional arm or leg and a whole lot of splashing. According to the newspapers and our high school’s sports program, Brandt was very good. Hadn’t made it any more fun to watch.

He surfaced near the edge and grinned at me. “Hey there!”

I dropped my towel on a bench and started to untie the belt of my wrap. He pulled himself out of the pool and went to turn down the volume on the stereo. Droplets of water ran in streams over his shoulders and down his bare back. I glanced at his leg, where his alicorn scar stood out against his skin.

He caught me staring. “Yeah. My claim to fame.” He pointed at my arm. “I see you’ve got a few as well.”

I put my hands behind my back and fanned out the base of my hair to make sure my largest scar remained covered. “Professional hazard.”

He smirked. “One of many?”

I blushed, then waited until he dove in the pool to follow him.

“So,” he said, settling into a lazy backstroke, “tell me for real. How are you enjoying working for Isabeau?”

I swam after him. “What do you mean? I love it.”

He looked skeptical.

“I do!” I swept up alongside him. “You have no idea what it was like for me before I came here. Not knowing if I was going to survive from day to day, not knowing if I’d ever even finish high school! I feel like I was in a war and I’ve been pulled out of the hot zone and given a cushy desk job. I love it.”

We’d reached the other side of the pool now, and Brandt grabbed hold of the ledge, then pushed his feet against it, ready to push off. “I guess I never thought of it like that,” he said, and shoved away.

I finished my lap and rushed after him.

“I suppose this is relaxing, comparatively.”

“And luxurious,” I added. “My own room, my own bathroom, my own tutors!”

Brandt laughed as he reached the far end many strokes ahead of me. “You’re the only girl I know, Astrid, who considers more attention from your teachers to be a luxury.” He tugged my hair softly as he went by. “Goody two-shoes.”

I didn’t finish the lap or chase after him, but set my feet down on the bottom of the pool and waved my hands through the water, watching him pull himself effortlessly through lap after lap.

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