Free Dark Heart Rising by Lee Monroe Page A

you know that?’ I looked defiantly at the side of his head. ‘Everything has gone wrong.’
    ‘I just have a feeling.’ With a swift movement his hand closed over mine. ‘And I am here to help you.’
    I pushed his hand away. ‘Not you too,’ I said, contemptuously. ‘All these boys tripping over themselves to help me.’
    Soren laughed then, tilting his head back. I saw the flash of his perfect teeth, his perfect cheekbones.
    ‘I can see what it looks like,’ he said, smiling. ‘But I really am here to help you.’ He tapped the steering wheel. ‘And you will help me.’
    This did make us more even, I had to admit. I sighed heavily.
    ‘It’s just up here,’ I said, as we came up to the bottom of the hill. Soren pulled up against the verge and stopped the engine.
    ‘We don’t have too much time,’ he said gently. ‘If you want a future with Luca, we have to go back …’
    ‘I know.’ I clasped my hands together. ‘When?’
    ‘It’s the weekend tomorrow …’ He studied my face. ‘You need to tell your parents something … anything.’
    ‘I can’t.’ I shook my head. ‘It’s impossible, Soren … What am I going to say?’
    Soren shrugged. ‘A college field trip … I don’t know.’
    I opened the car door, hesitating.
    ‘Jane …’ Soren’s voice was serious now. ‘This is our chance … It could be our last chance.’
    ‘I know.’ I hugged my bag to me, my hand hovering on the door-handle. ‘I’ll be here.’

CHAPTER TEN
     
    ‘L uca is riding with us tomorrow.’ Lowe eyed Raphael. ‘He is keen to make amends with you.’
    ‘Is he?’ Raphael’s expression was impassive.
    ‘You don’t seem enthusiastic.’ Lowe slumped against the stable door.
    Raphael plucked a blade of grass and ran his finger down the stem.
    ‘Clearly it is not ever going to be a straightforward relationship.’ He dropped the grass on to the ground. ‘But he’ll be a strong and reliable influence here one day.’
    ‘Hmm.’ Lowe narrowed his eyes. ‘Apparently he is.’
    ‘It makes my great-mother happy to see us at peace with one another. If I am to ascend to the throne I need people like Luca around me. Supporting me.’
    ‘That’s a nice speech.’
    ‘It is, isn’t it?’
    ‘But you don’t want strong and reliable people in your life …’ Lowe stared hard at him. ‘Isn’t that the truth?’
    ‘Not strictly.’ Raphael got to his feet. ‘I certainly need strength. And reliability, come to that.’
    ‘I don’t understand. What else would you require?’
    ‘I require some backbone. Bravery.’
    ‘Yes …’ Lowe said nervously. ‘Raphael … are you completely cured?’
    ‘Indeed I am.’ Raphael began pacing, lightly kicking the brick of the stable wall. ‘But not exactly as was before.’
    ‘Meaning … ?’
    Raphael seemed to be considering for a moment, pushing thoughts around his head. Eventually he turned to Lowe.
    ‘Do you … do you never resent being told what to do all the time?’ he asked. ‘Your destiny is boringly pre-determined by people who don’t really know you. And your innate power is tightly controlled. It’s not exactly natural, is it?’
    Lowe frowned. ‘It is the best way.’
    ‘For whom?’
    ‘Well … for us all. We just follow tradition and we will be safe.’
    Raphael laughed then. ‘Was I safe?’
    Lowe looked startled. ‘I … I don’t know—’
    ‘I mean. I wasn’t safe. I was dangerous. To my family … to myself.’ He gave a short laugh. ‘To mortals.’
    ‘Yes, but—’
    ‘So none of us is ever safe, Lowe. Nobody can prevent “madness”.’
    The way he pronounced the word ‘madness’ caused Lowe to step closer, intrigued.
    ‘But you are better now. The madness is gone.’
    ‘It wasn’t madness!’ Raphael almost spat the words out. ‘That is simply a convenient term for Celeste – and your parents – and every other automaton here to use. I simply had other ideas, that’s all.’
    He held the boy’s gaze.
    Lowe