I nod. ‘Not that it makes any difference,’ I mutter.
‘I think it does.’
I frown. ‘How? How does it change anything?’
‘Well, it won’t save The Twenty but?—’
‘The Twenty?’ He says it as though it has capital letters.
‘The Moon Harvest is big news. Those twenty people, well – you don’t know?—’
‘No, I don’t know. I don’t know anything, stuck in here. Other than there’s some website that puts targets on me and my family.’
‘A website?’
‘Yeah. I found it last night. “The North Wind will blow” and all that.’ I sigh. How could I have thought the rebels would want to meet me? I’m just a nobody. ‘Anyway, what do you mean about The Twenty being big news?’
Kyle folds his arms. ‘You have to understand, what they’re about to do… it’s going to make things worse. The Twenty will become martyrs, inflaming the rebels even more.’
‘That’s what I’ve been trying to tell them – I don’t know why they can’t see it!’ It’s infuriating that my parents, with all their centuries of experience, don’t get this.
‘Perhaps vampires have thought of humans as just food for too long.’ A corner of Kyle’s mouth curves in a half-smile. ‘I think that’s why you’ll be a great Raven, when the time comes.’
‘You do?’
‘Yeah.’ His grin widens. ‘Who better to bridge the gap between humans and vampires than someone who sees both sides, like you?’
We both fall silent. It feels as though all that’s important is here, in the space between us. Again I feel that urge, that flame of rebellion, the need to dosomething.To change… everything. Icando this. With him at my side.
‘I need your help,’ I say. Four words. But I hope they will change everything.
He takes my hands, pulling me to him. ‘Tell me what you need.’
‘Not here,’ I say, glancing at the closed door. I’m sure my mother has stationed guards outside, and I don’t want them hearing us.
‘Then where?’ There’s laughter in his tone, now, and a deeper throb that sounds like anticipation. ‘You did promise me a view of the stars.’
I put a finger to my lips. He stops talking, a smile in his silver eyes. I go to the bookcase and takeInterview with the Vampirefrom the shelf, handing it to Kyle. I reach between the books and pull the metal lever, the shelf sliding back, silent as a dream.
The air moves as Kyle zips past me. He turns on the second step, his face lit up.
‘This is so cool! What’s up here?’
‘The sky,’ I say, my anticipation rising. ‘The stars.’
‘Then let’s go and see.’ He reaches out and grabs me.
‘Wait.’ I flick the little lever that pushes the bookcase back into place and it closes, leaving us in the dark.
‘Hmmm, I like this.’ Then Kyle’s mouth is on mine and I cling to him, the stars behind my eyelids a match for any show the heavens might put on. He starts up the stairs, still carrying me.
‘There’s a trapdoor,’ I say. ‘Don’t run into it.’
‘I’m on it,’ he says. I hear a clatter, then there’s a rush of cool air and we’re on the roof.
The sky is an uninterrupted curve of dark blue blazing with stars, the Safe Zone a distant glimmer, the dark mass of forest wrapping the estate like a blanket. Kyle puts me down, then speeds to each corner of the flat space, looking out across the chimneys and towers. It’s chilly, and I wish I’d thought to bring up a blanket. Kyle turns back to me. His expression changes when he sees me hugging myself, rubbing my arms.
‘I’ll be right back.’ There’s the faint creak of the bookcase moving then, a few moments later, the same sound repeated. Kyle appears, his arms full of cushions and blankets.
