Night School: Legacy

Straightening, Lucinda stepped out from the window as a team of five men – clearly her security team – appeared at the top.

‘Baroness.’ The men surrounded her in a protective phalanx. ‘We have to go.’

‘What’s happened?’ Lucinda’s voice was cool now, and fearless.

One of them turned away and spoke into a microphone attached to his sleeve. ‘Orion protocol two-three-seven. Clear.’

As they hustled Lucinda down the stairs, Allie stayed hard on their heels, so she heard the first one say, ‘There’s been a security breach.’


Downstairs, all was chaos. Guests poured through the door in furs and diamonds, their bodyguards and chauffeurs leading them through snow that was now five inches deep. Some students were leaving with their parents, others stood around looking bewildered.

Panic threatened to sweep over Allie and she took deep gulps of air to steady herself. She wanted to scream in frustration.

I knew this would happen. Why didn’t anyone listen?

Isabelle and Zelazny were nowhere to be seen, but Allie found Zoe with Jo and Rachel in one corner, watching the exodus. Jo’s lips were white with nervousness.

‘What’s happening?’ Allie asked, walking up.

‘Someone made an announcement,’ Rachel said. ‘About the snow, but he gave some code and everyone ran for the door.’

‘Where were you? I waited for you.’ Zoe fairly vibrated with impatience. ‘We have to go right now.’

Allie didn’t ask where. Turning to Rachel and Jo, she said, ‘We’re going to … uh …’ She tilted her head towards the door.

Rachel gave her a warning look. ‘Be careful.’

Hopping on one foot, Allie pulled off her heels before running after Zoe; as they rushed down the stairs their skirts billowed around them like sails.

The basement floor was like gritty ice under Allie’s bare feet as they skidded into Training Room One, which was already crowded with Night School students in formal attire – it was such a bizarre scene Allie would have laughed if things hadn’t been so serious.

Zelazny and Jerry Cole stood at one end. Zelazny was talking. ‘… the guards found an attempted intrusion near the main gate. Guards are now exploring the rest of the fence line. You will be looking out for anything unusual. Footprints in the snow that are not yours. Signs of damage to the fence. Signs that someone has jumped over the fence – all the things you normally look for.’

Zelazny stepped back and Jerry took over. ‘You will each be assigned a quadrant to search. You will travel in groups of four. You will stay together.’ His eyes surveyed them sternly to make sure that his words were understood. ‘If you see signs of intrusion you will send two members of your team back to report it – the others will continue to search. Your assigned teams are here.’ Turning, he taped a single sheet of paper to the wall. ‘Get ready. Do it quickly.’

As Allie and Zoe fought their way through the crowd thronging around the assignment sheet, Jules, in a long black dress slit up to the thigh, saved them the trouble of waiting.

‘You’re with us,’ she said, pointing behind her. Emerging from the scrum of students, Carter still had his tux on, although his tie dangled from his hand. His hair tumbled forward over his forehead as he met Allie’s gaze dispassionately.

Balls, Allie thought.

‘Awesome,’ Zoe said. Shoulders squared, she was already headed towards the door, shoving her way through the crowd ahead of Allie like a little tank. ‘Let’s go and change.’

‘See you outside in five, Carter.’ Jules tone was brisk as she followed Zoe.

There was no time to say anything; feeling sick, Allie ran after them.

The changing room was mayhem as girls struggled to remove their silk and velvet dresses quickly, replacing them with black thermal leggings. Allie tried not to look at Jules as she changed. Tried not to wonder if Carter thought Jules was prettier.

She had nothing to hold her hair back with so when Zoe ripped the ribbons from her hair Allie grabbed one and tried to use it as a ponytail holder, but her fingers were suddenly numb and she couldn’t get it to work.

Standing nearby in a lacy black bra and knickers, Nicole reached over and handed her an elastic hairband. Allie was starting to learn that the French girl missed nothing.

‘This is better, I think,’ Nicole said with a wink. When Allie just stared at her tensely, Nicole stepped closer and took the band from her hand. She studied Allie with understanding eyes as she pulled her hair back and tightened it into place with the band. ‘Don’t be nervous, Allie. It will be fine.’

‘I know,’ Allie whispered, although she didn’t.