‘For the last few years, Nathaniel has travelled the world seeking support for his plan to overthrow Lucinda and take full control of Orion,’ Isabelle explained. ‘Some of the reason is personal, as you know, but some of it is pure hunger for power and wealth. To be richer than his father ever was. Better. On his own, he hasn’t got enough support within the organisation to do it so he’s looking for international backers. He visited Demeter in Zurich in January and I’m told they sent him packing.’ Her gaze hardened. ‘But I fear he received a warmer reception from Prometheus.’
‘America?’ Allie blinked. ‘Why would they listen to him? He’s crazy.’
‘They’re not really listening to him,’ Isabelle said. ‘They want to use him. You see, there are people in Prometheus who have been arguing for precisely what Nathaniel is offering for many years. They see in him a potential ally. With Britain on their side that would tip the balance. They could have what they’ve always wanted – more control, more power. Unimaginable wealth. The return of the oligarchs. An end, I fear, to the modern experiment with democracy.
‘If they can rid themselves of the shackles of laws designed to protect people… just think of the money they could make. They would be kings.’
Allie looked at her doubtfully. ‘But that’s bonkers. Surely there’s no way it would happen. People wouldn’t accept it.’
Isabelle’s expression held an odd mix of cynicism and melancholy. ‘People wouldn’t even notice,’ she said.
‘Of course they’d notice – everything would change.’
‘Yes, things would change. But not obviously,’ Isabelle said. ‘And most people aren’t paying attention. They’ve got jobs and children, mortgage payments and problems… they don’t have time to notice little changes in the law that don’t seem to affect them anyway. Look at what Orion’s accomplished already – it has infiltrated every major branch of British leadership from the government to the media to the courts. It has never overtly tampered with an election as far as I know, but it could if it wanted to. And if it did, no one would ever find out.’ She leaned back in her chair. ‘Because Orion controls the organisation that monitors elections.’
Allie stared at her open-mouthed.
‘Are you saying Nathaniel could actually do what he wants to do? He could –’ she didn’t even know the word for what he wanted to do – ‘take over?’
‘I’m afraid he could,’ Isabelle said. ‘That’s why this matters so much. That’s why people have died. Because what’s at stake is everything.’
With so little action, Allie had no choice but to catch up on her school work. Every afternoon she and Rachel could be found in the library studying at Rachel’s favourite tucked-away table, sitting in soft leather chairs in the glow of the green-shaded desk lamp. Just like the old days.
One Wednesday, nearly two weeks after the instructors first returned, Rachel was tutoring Allie in chemistry. It was late afternoon and Allie was thinking very strongly about going to the kitchen in search of a snack.
‘I think you missed part of that molecule.’ Rachel pointed at the diagram in Allie’s notebook. ‘There should be another bit. Like this.’ Sliding her textbook over, she showed Allie how the design should look. ‘Otherwise you’ll end up with, I don’t know, a badger molecule.’
Drawing the new section, Allie didn’t look up as she replied. ‘A badger molecule?’
‘You know how badgers kind of look like someone dropped some of their molecules and then accidentally added parts of something else’s molecules? That’s what I mean.’
As Allie’s molecule began to make more sense, though, a disturbed murmur swept the room. Glancing around, Allie could see no obvious problem, but some students had left their tables and now gathered in clusters, whispering. A few of them ran from the room.
‘What’s going on?’ she said, mostly to herself.
‘Someone probably broke up with someone.’ Rachel kept working. ‘I can’t believe I didn’t know before now.’
‘You still don’t actually know,’ Allie pointed out.
‘Good point,’ Rachel said, half standing. ‘So if I go and ask…’
Then she saw something that made her stop talking.
Her footsteps silent on the Persian rugs, Katie was running across the room towards them, her vivid ponytail streaming behind her. She must have run a long way – she was breathless; her milky skin even more pale than usual.
When Katie reached them, she gripped the table so hard her knuckles turned white.
‘It’s started.’
THIRTY-ONE
‘Go.’
When Katie didn’t move, Allie shoved her hard.
‘Now!’
She almost shouted the word and the girl turned and ran without looking back at her.
Adrenaline poured into Allie’s veins, setting her pulse racing as she turned to Rachel. ‘Are you ready?’
Looking scared, Rachel took off her glasses and tucked them into her skirt pocket.
‘What about our things…?’ She gestured at the table in front of them, piled with books and papers and pens, all the normal accoutrements of student life.
‘Leave them.’ Allie’s tone was gentle. She needed Rachel not to panic. ‘They’ll be here when we come back.’
If we come back, she thought.
Rachel nodded as if this all made perfect sense.
The library was almost empty now.
‘Come on, Rach.’ Allie took a step towards the door. ‘We’ve got to bail.’
Still not moving, Rachel looked around the room. ‘Lucas.’
Allie took her arm. ‘He knows where to go. You told him. He’ll be there now. You have to trust him. OK?’
Taking an unsteady breath, Rachel nodded and straightened her spine. ‘Let’s go.’
Then they ran out of the room into the suddenly empty grand hallway and up the grand staircase, to where groups of confused students had clustered.
Through the windows on the landing they got a glimpse of the row of gleaming limousines, Rolls Royces and Bentleys outside, stretching as far as they could see.
Rachel blanched. ‘There are so many.’
‘There should be ninety.’ Allie’s tone was tense as her gaze swept down the row of dark cars. ‘Come on.’
Quickening their pace they ran down the hallway. A winding stone staircase led them down to the ancient cellar. As they hurtled into the coolness of the dim, stone room they found most of the others had already arrived. Zoe, Nicole and Sylvain were clustered in a tight knot, talking in urgent whispers.
‘There you are.’ Nicole looked relieved.
‘Where’s Carter?’ Allie asked.
Silence fell. Allie had the sickening sense that something was wrong.
It was Sylvain who broke the news.
‘He’s searching for Jules.’ Sylvain held her gaze steadily. ‘Her parents were among the first to arrive.’
The floor seemed to sway under Allie’s feet; she stared at him in horrified disbelief. ‘Jules…? No, that can’t be right.’
But even as she said it she knew it was true – he’d never get that wrong.
Raking her fingers through her hair, she tried to think this through. Carter had never once mentioned which side Jules’ parents were on. He’d never said a word about it. Allie had just assumed they supported Isabelle – the alternative was unthinkable.
Poor Carter.
With that, the awful reality of it all set in. Anyone’s parents could be out there. Panic made it hard for her to think.
‘Did Jules get away?’ Allie asked, trying to steady herself. ‘Did everyone get away? Do we know?’
‘We came down here right away so we don’t know what’s happening upstairs,’ Zoe said.