Fractured 02 by Teri Terry

Author:Teri Terry [Teri Terry]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Juvenile Fiction, Mysteries & Detective Stories, Action & Adventure, General
ISBN: 9781408319499
Google: IRVqO_W08mIC
Publisher: Hachette Children's Books
Published: 2013-04-03T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE

* * *

‘Come.’

Just one word in a low voice, that is all. The Lorder isn’t one I recognise; he walks ahead and doesn’t look back. He has no doubt that I will follow. I consider running for it, but what would be the point? I drop behind, just keeping him in sight through the crowd of students changing classes. Easy to do as they give him a wide berth: just follow the blank spot in a crowded hall.

He opens an office door in the admin building, goes inside and leaves it ajar. I look quickly in all directions: even though Nico should be in science block, you never know. But there is no sign of him or anyone else I recognise.

When I reach the door, it is unlike the others I pass on the way. There is no nameplate or number.

I knock once and go in.

The Lorder I’d followed stands at attention to one side of a desk. At the desk sits Coulson.

‘Sit,’ he says. There is only one chair, on this side of the small desk facing him: too close for comfort, but I sit. ‘Speak.’

I swallow, throat suddenly dry. ‘Nice office,’ I say.

He says nothing, but the chill in the room increases by enough of a factor for me to know I’m in trouble. The silence is brittle.

The best guide to lying is to stick to the truth as much as possible. ‘There may be some plans, but I don’t know when, or the details.’

He inclines his head slightly, his face blank, as always. Considering.

‘Not good enough,’ he says, finally. ‘What sort of plans?’

My brain isn’t cooperating; it has gone cold with fear. What I should or shouldn’t say is an unprepared mystery, and the more his eyes rest on me, the more my brain stops working. Until I find Ben, until I warn him to hide where Coulson can’t find him, Coulson must think I’m sticking to our deal. He must. I have to tell him something.

‘There may be concerted attacks planned. But that is all I know. I don’t know where, or when.’ I say the words in a rush, then flinch inside. Nico is part of these plans. I can’t say anything to lead them to him or the others.

He stares back. The clock on the wall behind me ticks loud, and seems too slow, like seconds are stretching beyond their usual limits. His eyes bore in, see the holes in what I say, the things I leave out.

‘There have been rumours of this. A few…confessions, that suggest similar. What else?’

‘That is all I know,’ I say, the words almost sticking in my throat.

The bell for next class rings, and I jump.

There is something in his eyes. He knows I’m holding back, that I haven’t told him everything.

The blood drains from my face.

He smiles, but it doesn’t make me feel better. ‘Go now. You can’t be late for maths.’

I almost leap out of the chair and reach for the door. He even knows my next class?

‘Oh, Kyla?’

I pause.

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