Eloise scanned her face. ‘When was the last time you took a break?’
When Allie, who had actually not stopped since eight o’clock that morning, hesitated, Eloise pulled her from her chair.
‘Nothing’s happening for hours,’ she said. ‘There’s plenty of help here. And you look hungry to me.’
Soon the headphones had been handed to one of Raj’s guards and the librarian was shooing her out the door.
‘Don’t come back for at least an hour,’ she said. ‘There are child labour laws, you know.’
Allie, who had no idea what she was talking about, made her way downstairs, grumbling to herself.
She knew in her heart she was unlikely to miss anything – there’d been nothing new for hours. Nine had disappeared, along with Six and several other guards. Raj believed they were preparing for whatever they had planned for later tonight.
But she still wanted to keep listening. Just in case.
When she reached the ground floor, the rumble of conversation from the dining hall let her know most people had already gathered for dinner.
Rich cooking smells floated from the kitchen. Candles glittered on the tables, which were set, as always, with heavy silver cutlery and crystal glasses. Allie couldn’t decide whether she was glad that the staff so determinedly ignored the school’s crises, or found it absurd.
The others had already gathered at their usual table. There was an empty seat next to Sylvain. Allie knew she had to take it. Anything else would be impossible to explain.
Taking a deep breath, she slid into the seat. ‘Hey everyone.’
Sylvain turned to her. His expression was neutral, but Allie thought she sensed a new distance. He didn’t smile.
‘Hey.’ Rachel waved from across the round table where she sat between Zoe and Nicole. ‘Any news?’
Allie shook her head, then glanced at Sylvain again, conscious that he hadn’t spoken.
‘Hey,’ she said. ‘You OK?’
His response was immediate. ‘I’m fine.’
But his tone was cool.
Before Allie could think of what to say, Zoe distracted her with a question. It was a while before she looked back at him. By then, Sylvain was eating silently, stony faced.
Allie felt terrible. She’d effectively ignored him since the moment he arrived. He had no idea what was going on in her head. In her life.
‘I’m sorry I haven’t had a chance to talk to you,’ Allie said.
Sylvain stopped eating. When he turned to look at her, she thought she saw a flicker of hurt in his eyes.
‘Things have been crazy,’ she explained, not very convincingly. ‘Maybe we can talk later.’
‘Maybe.’ He studied her for a moment without speaking. ‘Or maybe it’s something else.’
Then he turned away and resumed eating, as if she wasn’t there.
Allie froze. Had he guessed? Had Katie told him?
She didn’t dare ask what he meant – she wasn’t sure she wanted to know.
From across the table, Rachel watched their exchange, puzzlement knitting her brow.
Allie turned back to her plate. She had to tell everyone the truth.
Soon.
‘Anything happen while I was gone?’ Allie asked, slipping into the chair next to Shak. She was so glad the stressful dinner was over, she could have hugged her headphones.
‘Radio silence.’ Shak leaned back in the chair and stretched. ‘Nathaniel’s boys suddenly got discipline.’
Allie slid the headphones on anyway. ‘Maybe they’ll start talking.’
But he was right about the silence – not one of Nathaniel’s guards spoke on the comms system for nearly two hours.
During that time the room filled steadily, until it seemed all the senior students and instructors were there. Everyone wanted to know what Nathaniel was up to – whatever it was, it couldn’t be good.
Dom was in constant motion – on the phone, on the comms, coordinating Raj. Rachel sat in a chair at her desk, acting as an assistant. Nicole sat next to Rachel while Zoe and Lucas worked with Shak.
Sylvain stayed away from the other students, with Raj and Isabelle in one corner, talking quietly. He never looked at Allie.
After the long silence, at eleven o’clock precisely, Nine’s voice rumbled from the speakers at last.
‘Roll out, boys.’
‘Copy that,’ someone said.
Allie stared at her laptop, willing them to say more. But the wall of silence descended again.
A sense of unease crept up her spine. This didn’t feel right.
Nathaniel’s guards had been talking non-stop for days. All of a sudden they were far too quiet. It was as if Nathaniel knew they were listening. As if he was taunting them.
Everyone fell silent as they waited for any sound from Nathaniel’s guards. Any clue as to what they were planning.
In the quiet, they all heard the footsteps pounding down the hall, growing steadily closer. The door flew open with such violence, Sylvain had to jump out of the way.
It was Eloise. She looked winded and pale.
‘It’s Nathaniel.’ She looked at Isabelle. ‘He’s here.’
14
The room erupted.
Voices tumbled over voices in a chorus of panic.