Endgame

  37

  ‘Come on,’ Allie said. ‘We have to go.’

  She tried to rise, but Carter pulled her back down. She landed on his chest. He smiled at her lazily.

  ‘There you are.’ His lips teased her mouth, softly nibbling at her bottom lip until she turned her mouth back to his, parting her lips so his tongue could brush lightly against her teeth.

  His arms tightened around her. In a single smooth move, he flipped her over until he was above her, and she lay on her back, looking up at the high, ornate ceiling of the great hall.

  The vast ballroom was empty – no one ever came in except the staff, who dusted and swept it once a week. Tucked away behind stacks of chairs and tables, they were perfectly hidden.

  ‘Now I have you right where I want you.’ He whispered the words against her cheek, his warm breath feather-light against her skin. ‘But I’ll stop if you want.’ His lips traced a line along her jaw.

  Each syllable sent heat rushing into her veins.

  ‘All you have to say…’ He reached her ear, tugging the soft skin of her lobe between his teeth. His tickling breath was maddening. ‘… is stop.’

  His lips moved to her neck now, and Allie whimpered, arching her back as he made his way in a line of fire down to her shoulder.

  ‘Do you still want to leave?’ He raised his mouth from her skin to look at her enquiringly. The desire in his eyes made her shiver.

  She reached for his neck and pulled his mouth roughly back to hers, parting his lips with her tongue as her answer.

  He groaned deep in his throat and pressed his body against her. The muscles of his chest were rock solid and she ran her hand across his shirt, threading her fingers between the buttons to feel the warm skin beneath.

  ‘We can be late,’ she breathed.

  He raised himself on to his hands, lifting his weight off her. One hand rested on the warm skin of her thigh and she was very conscious of that hand. Its every movement made her twitch. Right now his fingers traced slow circles on her skin there, raising a Braille pattern of goosebumps.

  Even after two weeks, it was still a wonder to her to have Carter back. To see him at her table at breakfast in the morning. To have him appear at her bedroom window after curfew, standing on the ledge smiling at her with eyes like the night.

  She never wanted to be apart from him again.

  When they strolled into the library a few minutes later, Rachel shot Allie a knowing look.

  ‘You’re late,’ she complained.

  But her indulgent smile belied her words.

  ‘We lost track of the time.’ Carter’s arm hung loosely across Allie’s shoulders.

  ‘Again,’ Allie added apologetically.

  Rachel was not alone. Katie and Lucas sat across from her, their faces illuminated by the low glow of the table lamp in front of them. Zoe was at the end of the table ignoring them all as her pencil flew across the page, creating long, complex equations.

  Christopher sat in a far corner, engrossed in a book. Allie was getting used to seeing him there. He kept to himself, most of the time. Although occasionally he let himself be included in their conversation.

  The one person significant in his absence, in fact, was Sylvain.

  As he’d warned them, he went home to France a few days after the meeting with Nathaniel. He’d left without saying goodbye. One morning the students got up, and he was already gone.

  It wasn’t clear if he was coming back this term at all. His father’s recovery was slow, and Isabelle told Allie he was considering trying a Paris school for a while.

  Like Orion in Britain, Demeter ran several boarding schools in France and Switzerland. He’d only ever stayed at Cimmeria because he wanted to be there.

  After the fight with Six, Sylvain had avoided Allie. When she did manage to catch him alone, he wouldn’t let her thank him.

  ‘I would have done it for anyone,’ he said, then he’d made his excuses and slipped away. A few days later he left the school.

  Although she said nothing to the others, Allie felt responsible for his decision to go. Whatever his public reasoning for the move – and his father’s injuries were real – she knew in her heart he’d left at least in part because he didn’t want to stay and watch her and Carter together.

  When she’d first heard he’d gone, though, she couldn’t believe it. She ran up to see for herself, finding his room neat and empty. The bed perfectly made. Still, she told herself, he’d surely come back. But then she spotted the bare space on the wall where once there’d hung an ornate, romantic painting of an angel. As soon as she saw that, she knew. He was gone for good.

  That had happened ten days ago. She hadn’t yet got used to the idea that she might never see him again.

  She kept thinking she saw him in the hallway. Or heard his smooth stride behind her.

  But it was never him.

  In the time he’d been away, the school had begun returning to a new kind of normal. Classes were small but they were classes – run fiercely by demanding teachers, and resulting in mountains of homework.

  Night School training still happened, but not for everyone. It was small and select, and only for senior students. They no longer trained with weapons.

  Rachel had been allowed to drop out of it. She devoted her time to studying and working with Dom, who was tutoring her in coding. Shak had also left Raj’s company and now worked fulltime as Dom’s assistant.

  The biggest surprise was Nine. He’d joined Raj’s company, and was now working as one of his guards. Raj said he had real potential. Allie sometimes saw him on the grounds.

  ‘Hello, Trouble,’ he’d always say when they passed.

  It was late afternoon and the library was busier than it had been in a long time. A few of the study tables were occupied. Students strolled across the thick, Persian rugs through the forest of tall bookcases and rolling ladders.

  ‘How am I supposed to help Allie become a science genius if she doesn’t show up for our tutoring sessions?’ Rachel chided them.

  ‘Allie,’ Zoe said without looking up, ‘will never be a science genius.’

  ‘Pessimist.’ Allie pulled a notebook out of her bag and dropped it on the table. ‘I could learn.’

  The new science teacher was already infamous. His lessons were intense. She was struggling with his homework.

  ‘Sometimes I miss Jerry,’ she sighed, leaning on her elbow.

  Zoe’s pen stopped moving. She shot Allie a furious look.

  ‘I mean nice Jerry,’ Allie added hastily. ‘Not crazy, Nathaniel-spy Jerry. The Jerry we thought he was. Jolly, here-have-a-good-grade Jerry.’

  ‘Pretend Jerry was much better than real Jerry,’ Katie agreed, leaning against Lucas’ shoulder.

  Rachel flipped through the pages of her biology text until they reached a section on cell development and spun the book around so Allie could see.

  Looking at the incomprehensible drawings, Allie wrinkled her nose.

  ‘Why do I have to learn science if I hate science?’

  ‘Schools aren’t here for learning,’ Lucas explained patiently. ‘They’re here to torture you until you’re eighteen and then send you out into the world to suffer in a suit for the rest of your life.’

  Allie picked up a pencil. ‘When you put it like that it all makes sense.’

  Rachel waited until everyone was focused on their own work and then spoke to Allie quietly. ‘Still no word from Nathaniel?’

  Allie shook her head. ‘Nothing. Julian says he’s sticking to the deal. I can’t wait until the first Aurora meeting next week. You’re coming, right?’

  Rachel nodded, her cheeks reddening. ‘I’m so excited about it.’

  They were still putting together the rules for the new organisation, and creating a framework for it. But one of Julian’s first acts was to allow Night School members to attend annual board meetings and be part of the decision-making process.

  ‘Me, too,’ Allie admitted.

  Acros
s the room, the library door opened and Nicole burst in. She ran towards them, her long hair a dark cloud around her face.

  ‘You guys, you have to see this.’

  She was breathless.

  Allie’s stomach tightened; Zoe started to stand.

  A worried frown creased Rachel’s brow as she hurried towards her girlfriend. ‘What’s the matter? Did something happen?’

  Realising she’d scared them, Nicole’s gave them a reassuring smile. She reached for Rachel’s hand.

  ‘It’s good news. But you have to see for yourselves.’ She beckoned for them to follow. ‘Come with me.’

  Exchanging puzzled glances, the group rose slowly and followed her out into the corridor in an uneven queue.

  ‘This better be good,’ Katie murmured. ‘I was very into that article I was reading about couture dresses at the Oscars.’

  Just ahead, Nicole reached the end of the wide corridor, outside the entrance hall and stopped. They crowded around her.

  The entrance hall was packed. Young people – some in Cimmeria uniforms, some in street clothes – milled with their parents, teachers and guards. Suitcases were piled in chaotic stacks.

  Their excited voices echoed off the stone floors and the old walls.

  ‘What the hell?’ Lucas said.

  ‘Who are these people?’ Zoe muttered, frowning.

  The front door stood open and, through it, Allie could see a long line of cars, stretching down the drive.

  Isabelle stood near the front door with Zelazny. Sunlight poured through the stained glass window above their heads, flooding the room with swirls of gold and blue. A crowd fluttered excitedly around them, gesticulating and explaining. Isabelle was beaming at them.

  When Izabelle noticed Allie and the others standing in the doorway, she ran over to them.

  ‘Can you believe it?’ she asked. Her eyes were bright.

  ‘It’s wonderful,’ Nicole said, her smile widening.

  ‘What’s going on?’ Rachel asked.

  ‘They’re coming back.’ Isabelle gestured at the crowded room. ‘The students who left when Nathaniel split Orion – they’re coming back. And more besides.’ She pointed to a group who stood somewhat shyly to one side, beneath a tapestry of knights in armour.

  ‘They’re Polish students,’ Isabelle explained. ‘Their parents called this week to ask if they could attend Cimmeria on exchange. They’ve heard about Aurora and they want to be a part of it. Apparently a new group is starting up there.’ She took a breath. ‘And there will be more. I just got off the phone with some American students who want to enrol in the autumn term. I’m getting emails and calls from Canada, Australia, Germany, Belgium…’ She gave a giddy laugh. ‘We’ll have to expand the school if this keeps up.’

  Her cheeks were flushed with excitement – Allie couldn’t remember ever seeing her look so happy.

  It was contagious. For the first time in months, the school felt alive. The returning students began streaming down the wide hallway with their parents in tow, lugging suitcases and chattering. Ahead, Allie could see staff rushing around – they’d be hurrying to prepare rooms and meals for the unexpected influx.

  It was like fresh blood pouring into the school’s veins.

  With this many students, she could imagine full classrooms again. A packed dining hall – Cimmeria Academy, as it always should be.

  Allie thought her heart might explode. She wanted to hug everyone.

  As if he knew how she felt, Carter wrapped his arms around her waist, and rested his chin lightly on her shoulder.

  ‘Unbelievable,’ he murmured.

  When they trooped back to the library a few minutes later, Allie looked up at him and asked the question she’d been afraid to verbalise since this all began.

  ‘Tell me the truth: do you think we’re going to do it? Do you think it’s really possible to change things? To make things better?’

  He didn’t hesitate for a second. ‘I think we’re going to change the world.’

  The way he said it, with absolute conviction, made her heart leap. The thrill of it was overwhelming. He had to be right.

  They could do this. It wasn’t impossible. After all, people had changed the world before.

  Why shouldn’t we?

  Still, the simple truth was, she wouldn’t get the chance to change the world without first passing chemistry.

  ‘I’ve got to get back to science torture,’ she said glumly. ‘Rachel has a cattle prod waiting for me.’

  Carter’s lips twitched. ‘Good luck,’ he said. ‘I’ve got to talk to Raj about what all this means for Night School. I’ll come find you after. I’m guessing you’ll be in the library?’

  ‘For the rest of my life,’ Allie said.

  He brushed his lips against hers, and headed off. ‘See you in a while.’

  For a moment, Allie just stood where he’d left her at the foot of the curving grand staircase, watching his distinctive, loping stride.

  No one else moved like that. Like he was going somewhere important, but he’d get there in his own time. In his own way.

  ‘Stay cool, Carter West,’ she called after him softly.

  She could hear his smile in the reply that floated back to her down the long, sunlit corridor, past the oak-panelled walls, under the crystal chandelier, for her ears alone.

  ‘Always.’

  Acknowledgments

  The most thanks for this, the last book in the Night School series, go to you, the person holding this book right now. If you’ve been there from the start, falling in love with Allie, Carter, Sylvain, Jo, Rachel, Nicole and Zoe – thank you. I’ve met thousands of you over the last few years. I feel like I’ve hugged most of Warsaw, a good part of Berlin and, I’m pretty sure, everyone under thirty in Paris along the way. I have never had more fun, nor met nicer people than you. You are all beautiful and fabulous and I love you.

  I truly believe the Night School series would not exist were it not for my brilliant agent and friend, Madeleine Milburn. She continually inspires me with her savvy, her skill and her boundless energy. Because of her, Night School is now all over the world. I don’t know what I would do without you.

  Night School wouldn’t be Night School without its wonderful editors. Thanks to the amazing Samantha Smith, who first plucked the series from the pile in front of her and said ‘THIS ONE’. Thanks also to Karen Ball, who loved the series as much as I did, and to Sarah Castleton and Caroline Knight, who stepped in to edit Endgame. The books were made better by all of you, and I will be eternally grateful.

  Many thanks go to Night School’s international publishers as well, especially Glenn Tavennec and everyone at Robert Laffont in France, the wonderful team at Oetinger in Germany, including the fantastic Doris, Maia and Christina, also to the fabulous Monika at Otwarte in Poland, and all the publishers around the world who have embraced Night School and brought it to so many readers. I’m honoured to be working with you all.

  Hugs and thanks go also to Jess, Campbell, Louis, Jodie, Danny and Grace for bringing the Night School characters to life in the Night School Web Series, which you can watch on YouTube at www.Youtube.com/NightSchoolBook. I love you guys!

  I have a few extra thanks to share this time. I’ve been hanging on to some of these for a while. Thanks to my friend Kim for wearing a pair of red, knee-high Dr Marten boots to my house five years ago and looking amazing in them. Thanks to my real-life friends Mark and Harry for being called Mark and Harry and for not minding when I borrowed their names. Thanks to Frensham Heights School, for looking gorgeous when I drove by one night, and inspiring me to write about a school a lot like that. Thanks to Ally Sheedy for having a great first name for a main character. Thanks to the Bullingdon Club, Skull and Bones, the Bilderberg Group, and all the other real-life secret societies that first made me think up Night School and the Orion Group. Whatever you guys are up to, it can’t be as much fun as we’re having imagining it.

  Finally, to Jack, who basically
lost me for four years to Cimmeria Academy. Thank you so much for going on this journey with me. Everything is much more fun when you’re here. In omnia paratus.

  Coming Soon: The Secret Fire

  A battle against fate. A race against time.

  * * *

  Taylor Montclair is a regular girl from the quiet backwater of Woodbury, England.

  * * *

  Sacha Winters is a darkly mysterious boy from the City of Lights - Paris, France.

  * * *

  While Taylor's focussed on her dream of attending Oxford University, school couldn't be further from Sacha's mind . . .

  * * *

  Sacha knows exactly when he's going to die. Because he's done it before.

  * * *

  On the appointed day, Sacha's time will run out. And his death will fulfil an ancient destiny that could unleash chaos and catastrophe.

  Taylor is the only person who can save him.

  Neither of them knows that yet.

  Because they haven't even met.

  Hundreds of miles and a body of water separate them.

  Deadly forces will stop at nothing to keep them apart.

  They have eight weeks to find each other and unravel an ancient web of mystery and danger.

  * * *

  The clock starts NOW.

  The Secret Fire - 1

  ‘Jump!’

  The voice was as cool as the night.

  Sacha turned around – he looked more amused than afraid.

  ‘You really want me to do it?’ Clutching his chest, he pretended to quiver. ‘But… but… I might get hurt.’

  ‘Shut up.’ Antoine took a warning step towards him; the gun in his hand glinted in the moonlight. ‘Stop wasting my time, kid. You lost the bet. You chose this option. Now…’ He shrugged. ‘You have to jump. Just do it, Sacha. Let’s get this over with.’