Divided Souls by Gabriella Poole Page B

bitterly.
    Even some of the Few girls looked shocked at the way she spoke to Sir Alric, but he wasn’t baited.
    ‘Well, I’ll keep an eye out,’ he said lightly. ‘No doubt our elusive friend will turn up sooner or later.’ His intense gaze bored into Cassie. ‘But if you do happen to spot him, tell him I would like a brief word.’
    As soon as Sir Alric had gone, Cassie made her excuses, said goodbye to the other girls and headed for her room. He’d managed to rile her, and worse, he’d reawakened all her anxieties. On top of everything else, she was growing more and more alarmed about the state of her relationship with Isabella. If nothing else, she wished she had her friend around to vent to.
    To her relief though, it seemed Isabella had felt bad about lunchtime too. She greeted her roommate with a wide, apologetic smile as Cassie shut their door and slumped on to her bed.
    ‘So. That was a little awkward earlier. I’m sorry, Cassie. I guess we just need to adapt to each other’s new lifestyles now, move onwards and upwards, no?’
    Cassie sighed. ‘Definitely.’
    ‘Well, to seal the meal once and for all, how about our girls’ night in? Smuggle in a bottle of champagne … And I’ll get caviar, smoked salmon. Blinis! We can have a picnic. Listen to some music. I’ll give you all the gossip from the non-Few. How about it?’ Her eyes were bright with mischief, but underlain with anxiety.
    ‘You’re on.’ Cassie felt her mood lift. ‘Blinis are my favourite! You can get some here?’
    ‘I can always get anything.’ Isabella squeezed her arm. ‘This will be good fun! Just you and me and my make-up case.’
    Cassie’s heart sank, and not just at the thought of leaving her face to Isabella’s mercy. ‘Wait, but you don’t mean tonight though, right?’
    ‘Yes, tonight! No time like the present, Cassie Bell.’ Isabella grinned and began scrolling through her mobile phone contacts. ‘I’ll call my father’s favourite hotel here, see if they can spare some supplies for their favourite client’s daughter.’
    ‘Oh, Isabella, I’m sorry.’ Cassie could hardly bring herself to say it. ‘I said I’d go to a … a Few party tonight.’
    ‘ Again? ’ Isabella couldn’t disguise her disappointment. ‘Where …?’
    ‘Another island. It’s between here and the Asian side. I’m really sorry, Isabella. We’ll take a rain check, though. Is that OK?’
    ‘Of course.’ There was something frosty about Isabella’s tone.
    ‘I mean, I’d invite you too, but …’
    ‘It’s Few Only.’
    Cassie swallowed, feeling like dirt. ‘They made that pretty clear. Or I’d have asked you when I first heard, obviously.’
    ‘I understand. There are some times when the Few make the rest of us welcome, and others … well. I understand. I hope you have a lovely time.’
    Cassie couldn’t bear to hear that clipped tone in her friend’s voice. ‘Isabella, come on. I’m sure there’s other stuff you want to do with me out of your hair for an evening. Then we can take the time to plan our night properly, make it really cool—’
    ‘Uh, yes.’ Quite abruptly, and to Cassie’s astonishment, her friend’s face had brightened, as though something had just occurred to her. ‘What am I saying? You’re right. Look, don’t be sorry, Cassie. I’m sorry! That was so graceless of me. You are to go and have a good time.’
    ‘Really?’ Cassie blinked with shock.
    ‘Really! It’s OK, I could … I could use some time to myself. Honestly, I mean it! Go and have fun.’
    ‘If you’re sure …’
    ‘Of course I am. Besides, a party means I can still work on that make-up of yours, no?’ Isabella grinned devilishly. ‘Let’s get you looking your best!’
    Speaking of which … Cassie almost didn’t dare ask. ‘Isabella, I—’
    ‘What? Oh, I know what it is. I know that look.’ Isabella’s smile became ever so slightly more forced.
    ‘You know I wouldn’t ask. It’s just—’
    ‘No, Cassie,