Darke Academy by Gabriella Poole

Author:Gabriella Poole [Poole, Gabriella]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Juvenile Fiction, Love & Romance
ISBN: 9781444902594
Publisher: Hodder Children's Books
Published: 2009-01-02T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

‘Richard, darling. Thank you for bringing the candidate.’

Katerina sat in a gilt chair, ankles elegantly crossed. She didn’t so much as glance at Cassie, but every other person in the room did. Cassie could feel the impact of their collective stare like a physical force. If it hadn’t been for Richard’s firm hand in the small of her back, she might have turned on her heel and left.

‘You’ll be fine, he murmured; then, out loud, ‘I think most of us know Cassie, don’t we? Except perhaps you guys.’ Richard gestured towards three tall, beautiful sixth formers, who Cassie had seen from a distance. ‘Vassily, India, Sara, this is Cassie Bell. She joined the Academy this term.’

‘Oh, everyone knows Cassie.’ Katerina poured herself a glass of red wine, exchanging a sly smirk with Keiko. ‘It feels as if she has always been with us.’

‘Come along and sit down, now, Cassie.’ Cormac Doyle gestured to a chair in the centre of their group, giving her a wink and an enchanting grin. ‘Katerina can be intimidating, but nobody else bites.’

Richard jiggled the chair encouragingly.

‘Yes,’ added Ayeesha. ‘Tell us about yourself, Cassie. That’s why you’re here.’ Her smile was radiant.

Uncertainly Cassie sat down, half-expecting a whoopee cushion. No such childish tricks, though. They sat in a semicircle around her, some lounging, some sitting elegantly upright, but everyone intent and watchful. No Ranjit, she couldn’t help noticing. Again.

‘Will Ranjit be joining us?’ asked Cormac, as if reading her mind.

‘No,’ said Katerina quickly. She sounded tense, but almost relieved. ‘Mikhail, if you feel quite up to it, perhaps we might begin.’

‘I’m fine,’ said a hoarse voice from the edge of the semicircle. ‘Go ahead.’

Cassie turned to look. The Year Ten boy with the shaggy blond hair had bone structure almost as beautiful as Katerina’s, but it was way too prominent. His face was gaunt and drawn, his skin pale and dry like paper. A water bottle sat on the floor beside his chair, but when he lifted it to his mouth, it was empty. Katerina gave an exasperated sigh whilst Ayeesha got up and brought him another. Gratefully he seized it and swigged thirstily.

‘Still got that nasty bug?’ asked Richard smoothly. ‘Bad luck, Mikhail. Now, I’ve been asked to propose Cassie. What can I say? She’s clever, she’s tough, she’s been brought up the hard way – unlike most of us – and she’s quite strikingly pretty.’

‘Hmph,’ muttered Keiko. Katerina only raised her fingers to her mouth, not quite hiding a superior smile.

‘And,’ continued Richard, unperturbed, ‘let me emphasise it again: she has caught the eye of a highly respected member of the Few. We all know how much weight this particular opinion carries, so I believe that’s all I need to say. Any questions?’

‘Well, Richard,’ said Mikhail after a brief silence. ‘Nobody could ever accuse you of ranting on at length.’ Clearing his throat harshly, he took another long pull at his water.

‘Cassie.’ Ayeesha leaned forward a little, and Cassie smiled in relief. She at least was friendly.

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