Resistance by C. J. Daugherty Read Free Book Online Page A

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    ‘I don’t know if I’m safe here or not,’ she continued. ‘I doubt it. I’m not safe anywhere. But neither are you. So maybe you should worry less about me and more about yourself. Seriously, Carter …’ Her glance slid across his sharp cheekbones, and the tired circles under his eyes. ‘What’s the matter with you? You look like crap.’
    Instantly, his expression hardened. He took a step back. ‘What’s the matter with me? Nothing. I’m just the only honest person you know. You’ve got grass in your hair.’
    And with that baffling combination of statements he turned and walked away at a rapid pace, kicking at the ground.
    As she watched him go, Allie reached up cautiously to touch her hair. Her fingers found the wilted daisy chain Nicole made for her earlier.
    ‘It’s not grass,’ she said, although he was too far away to hear. ‘It’s a crown.’

    B y dinnertime , Allie had given up putting a bright face on things and was in full-on mope mood. Maybe she’d been away too long to just … come back. It was as if, when she’d gone, life at Cimmeria had closed in behind her, filling whatever gap she might have left.
    She walked into the dining room with hesitant steps. At first glance, everything was as it had always been – the room glowed with candles. The tables were set in the traditional way, with crystal glasses, heavy silver cutlery and white linen. But it was mostly empty now. The students easily fit at five round tables. The teachers and guards occupied four more.
    In normal times, dinners at Cimmeria were lively affairs with a high, constant buzz of conversation and laughter. But the mood tonight was distinctly subdued. People did talk but it all lacked life and energy.
    Spotting Nicole and Zoe with Lucas and Katie, Allie made her way to them.
    ‘Hi, Allie.’ Katie smiled at her as if they were old friends. ‘Welcome back.’
    ‘Hi,’ Allie mumbled without enthusiasm. Katie’s smile faded.
    An uncomfortable silence fell. Zoe looked from Katie to Allie, frowning.
    ‘Katie’s been helping us,’ she announced, in a tone that said Allie was being unreasonable. ‘She’s our friend now.’
    Everyone was looking at Allie, waiting for her to say something diplomatic or friendly. She couldn’t do it. She knew she was being childish but she couldn’t seem to stop. It was as if Katie, of all people, had replaced her in the group.
    She fixed the redhead with a cold stare. ‘Awesome.’
    Colour rising in her cheeks, Katie turned to Lucas and asked a random question about course work in a clear attempt to change the subject.
    Lucas shot Allie a disapproving look before answering.
    Zoe looked like she wanted to say something else but Nicole rested a hand on her arm and shook her head.
    No one talked to Allie after that.
    At seven o’clock precisely, Carter and Sylvain walked into the dining room together with Zelazny, who closed the doors behind them.
    Sylvain slipped into the empty seat next to Allie, who studiously avoided Carter’s gaze.
    Seeing her expression, Sylvain leaned close to her. ‘Are you OK?’
    Allie’s lower lip trembled but she just shook her head. She didn’t trust herself to speak.
    Because Carter was right: she wanted to run away. Only there was nowhere to go.

    A s soon as dinner ended , Allie made a beeline for the door. She was half-running down the main hallway when Sylvain caught up with her.
    Taking her by the hand, he pulled her with him into the shadows under the swooping curve of the grand staircase near Isabelle’s office.
    ‘Allie …’ he said as soon as they were out of sight. ‘ Dîtes moi. What’s the matter? You hardly said a word at dinner. You hardly ate. You seem so sad. Did something happen?’
    He searched her face as if looking for clues.
    Allie dropped her gaze. She couldn’t really tell him about Carter because there had always been so much tension between the two of them, and if she explained about Katie it would sound petty. In