by Helen Harper
Morna looked at me questioningly. ‘Are you strong enough to manage on your own?’
‘I’ll have to be.’ I looked away. ‘It’s too dangerous for you to stay any longer. Aifric is virtually at the gates.’
‘Does he know you’re alive?’
‘Not yet but it’s just a matter of time. There are … other matters to deal with.’
‘The boy? Byron?’
‘No.’ I scratched my neck. ‘Yes. Sort of.’
She tutted. ‘You should just find him, tell him you’re alive and that you’re in love with him.’
I swallowed. ‘He doesn’t want me.’
‘I doubt that very much.’
‘It’s true. It doesn’t matter anyway,’ I said dismissively. ‘It was never going to happen. I’m going to help Tipsania then go across the Veil and try to help the people there.’
Morna’s gaze was sharp. ‘How?’
‘I don’t know yet,’ I answered honestly. ‘I’m still making all this up as I go along.’ Every avenue I thought of ended up in abject failure and my own tortured death but where there was a will…
‘It pays to be prepared.’
I nodded. ‘I know. And I will be. I’ll steal everything I could possibly need until I’m the most powerful damn Sidhe this country has ever seen.’
Morna smiled faintly. ‘You’re already that, dear.’ She put her hand on my arm. ‘Have you been practising while you were away?’
‘A little bit. I stole part of the Gift from a Scrymgeour Sidhe. I didn’t even know what it was and yet I managed to take it. Not all of it ‒ he’s still okay. He still has some magic but…’ I shrugged again.
‘Good. You’re learning self-control. I’m proud of you. Your parents would be proud of you.’
I was both taken aback and embarrassed. Unsure of how to respond, I murmured, ‘Thank you.’
‘When would you like me to leave?’
It was starting to sound like I was kicking her out. I suppose I was. ‘Er … as soon as possible. And I have a favour to ask.’ I winced; I’d already asked so much of her. ‘Can you take Tipsania with you? Drop her off at the MacQuarries’ Land? They’ll keep her hidden for a little while, at least until her wedding date has been and gone.’ I explained briefly about Candy and what I thought was going on.
For a moment I thought Morna would refuse. Eventually, however, she sighed. ‘Yes, I suppose I can do that. You’re not going to tell her the truth?’
‘She’ll do something stupid like fly off to try and rescue Candy and mess everything up. She’s a lot stronger than she looks but I’ll feel better if she’s out of the way. If she goes after Candy she’ll walk into a trap.’
‘She’s not going to like it when she finds out the truth,’ Morna warned.
I sighed. ‘The truth makes fools of us all.’
Morna watched me closely but chose not to pursue the line of conversation. ‘Well,’ she said, ‘if that girl is coming with me, I’d better stay at the MacQuarries for a few days until she settles down. If she’s on her own she’s liable to open her mouth and cause offence. Even with their sworn oath to you, that won’t go down well. She really has to learn some manners. I’ve had enough spoilt Sidhe brats in my time. I’m getting too old to deal with many more of them.’
I breathed out. ‘You’d do that?’
She nodded. ‘But only until I convince her to think before she speaks and the MacQuarries to grant her some leeway.’
‘Thank you,’ I said wholeheartedly. ‘You’re the perfect person to teach her the error of her ways.’
‘If you say so.’ Morna raised her eyebrows. ‘And speak of the devil.’
I glanced over my shoulder to see Tipsania flouncing up the hill towards us. ‘Integrity!’ she yelled.
How did she manage to make her voice so piercing? I pasted on a grin. ‘Hi, Tipsy!’
She marched up, hands on her hips. ‘What’s going on? Nobody is telling me a thing. I’d like to remind you that this is my wedding we’re talking about. Is it just a farce or is it really going ahead?’ I opened my mouth to answer but she didn’t give me the chance. ‘Well?’ she demanded. ‘Come on! Tell me. I insist that you do.’
‘There’s nothing to worry about.’
‘Pah! That’s easy for you to say!’
‘Everything’s under control. I want you to go away with Morna for a few days. Just until things have died down.’
Tipsania’s mouth fell open. ‘Why?’
‘You’ll be safer with her.’
A fleeting expression of hurt crossed her face. ‘Sure. I understand. You don’t want me around.’ She turned away.
I reached out and grabbed her arm. ‘It’s not like that. It really is for your own safety. You’re welcome back here after the wedding.’
‘The wedding that’s not going to happen.’
‘Yeah.’ Hopefully.
‘I want to see Candy. I think a Wild Man will be able to protect me better than a geriatric.’ She glanced at Morna. ‘No offence.’
Morna gave a tight smile.
‘Candy wants you to go with her,’ I lied.
Tipsania frowned, her delicate brows snapping together. ‘Why? He’s never met her.’
‘I spoke to him and he agreed it was for the best,’ I said, crossing my fingers behind my back.
Her expression immediately brightened. ‘You saw him? Is he alright?’
‘Great,’ I lied again. ‘Now go grab your stuff. You’re leaving in an hour.’
‘What?’ she shrieked. ‘It’ll take me longer than that to pack. And what about May? I can’t just leave her here with that … that … Bauchan.’ Her voice dripped with disdain.
I tilted my head, confused. ‘Fergus?’
‘Never mind, dear,’ Morna interjected. ‘You go get your bags.’
Tipsania sniffed haughtily. ‘Someone will need to carry them for me.’ She didn’t wait for a response but twirled round and stomped back towards the mansion.
‘I think half the time she just wants to get a reaction out of people,’ I said hastily to Morna.
‘Mmm.’
‘And what did she mean about Fergus and May?’
Her face wreathed in sudden smiles. ‘You should go and see for yourself.’
***
I found Fergus and May in a newly sprouted meadow near the back of the mansion. They were sitting together, surrounded by long-stemmed flowers; a few bees buzzed close to them and the Foinse was lazily making figures-of-eight in the air. A gigantic umbrella which appeared to have been fashioned out of an old bedsheet and some branches was shielding May’s delicate skin from the sun. Even with their backs to me, I could see how relaxed they were. Standing watching them made me feel like a voyeur and I almost turned away to leave them to it but then May’s head turned, as if she sensed my presence. She grinned at me and waved. Caught out, I felt I had no choice but to join them.
‘Hey,’ I said. Feeling awkward was starting to become my natural state.
Fergus leaned back on his hands and grinned. ‘Hey yourself. You’re back.’
‘And you’re awake.’
He gestured nonchalantly. ‘You can’t keep a good Bauchan down.’
‘Mm,’ I said. ‘Anyway, I’m not here for long. I’m just heading back out again.’
He frowned. ‘Is that a good idea? You’re safe here.’
‘Fergus,’ I said, not unkindly, ‘unless you want to swear fealty, right now you’re effectively an asylum seeker. What I do and where I go is my business.’
He held up his palms. ‘I wouldn’t dream of telling Chieftain Adair what she should do,’ he said easily. Then his expression sobered. ‘Thank you for taking me in. You didn’t have to do that. I’ll swear in if you want me to.’
‘God, no. I don’t need more warm bodies on my conscience. But you’re welcome to be here. I’m glad to see you’re on the mend.’
‘The blue-haired pixie told me something about what happened up north. You should have wai
ted until I woke up. I could have told you that it was Byron who wanted the wedding to go ahead.’
Damn it. I’d managed to stop thinking about Byron for at least a minute. ‘You were out for the count. And there’s more going on than just Byron Moncrieffe.’
The Foinse stopped its swirling and spun round, zipping towards me with such velocity that I thought for a moment it was going to smack me in the forehead. It stopped inches away from my face, however, and nuzzled in towards me. The warmth exuding from it was rather comforting.
‘Did you ever consider why the Clans were so keen to keep the Foinse locked away?’ Fergus asked.
I reached up and stroked it tentatively. It buzzed happily in response. ‘They wanted control of the magic.’
He nodded. ‘I hear your warlock friend is suddenly growing remarkably adept.’
I raised my eyebrows. ‘Lexie has been telling a lot of tales.’
‘Oh,’ he grinned, ‘that part wasn’t the pixie. May told me that.’
I blinked. ‘May doesn’t have a tongue.’
I smiled at her and she gave an uncertain smile in return. Fergus turned to her, his hands fluttering. May watched them carefully and responded. My jaw fell open. ‘Sign language?’
‘Yep.’
‘But she doesn’t speak English.’
‘Gaelic.’
‘Wow.’
Fergus’s eyes softened. ‘Yeah. She’s pretty amazing.’
I stared at him. There was an odd flush rising up in his cheeks. I looked at May; she was peeking up at him from beneath her eyelashes. I took a step back. No wonder I’d felt like I was intruding.
‘Er, Fergus?’
He didn’t take his attention away from May. ‘Mmm?’
‘What about the Innes girl?’
‘Pardon?’
‘You’re here because you shagged some Sidhe girl and her dad was pissed off.’
‘Oh yeah.’ He registered what I was saying and turned to meet my gaze. ‘You want to know what my intentions are.’
‘Don’t lead May on.’
His expression was serious. ‘That’s not what this is about.’
I bloody well hoped not.
‘Uh. Eh. Ee.’ May got to her feet and grinned. She braved the weak Scottish sunlight for a few moments and wrapped her arms around me. Not long ago, those arms had been little more than twigs but now I could feel flesh beneath her skin. She was definitely looking healthier. It was amazing how quickly things could change. She leaned her head on my shoulder while the Foinse buried itself between the pair of us. I hugged her back.
There was no mistaking the warning in the look I gave Fergus. He bowed. Oddly enough, I didn’t think he was being facetious or flippant this time. Eventually I drew away and led May gently back to the safety of the shade. Hugs were all well and good but I had business to attend to. ‘Where would Aifric Moncrieffe keep a prisoner?’
Fergus gave me a confused look. ‘In prison.’
I shook my head. ‘No, I don’t mean a murderer or…’
‘A thief?’
‘Funny. Where would he keep someone he wants to hide?’
A spark gleamed in his eyes. ‘Now who would the Steward want to hide?’ he mused. ‘You’re here. Your friends are here. The trolls are here. Your assassin buddy is busy opening up a dress shop. Byron Moncrieffe is getting measured for his new wedding kilt.’ I tried not to flinch. ‘So who are you asking about?’
‘That’s on a need-to-know basis.’
‘You can trust me.’
I snorted. ‘You know it’s been bugging me for a while about who you remind me of. I’ve finally got it. You think you’re like Q. From Star Trek.’
For possibly the first time since I’d met him, Fergus didn’t know what I was talking about. ‘Is that a television programme?’
I smirked. ‘Yeah. Sci-fi. Q is an omnipotent being who knows everything.’
From out of nowhere, Bob zapped into existence. ‘Hey!’ he complained. ‘I’m the only all-knowing being around here, Uh Integrity!’ He glared at Fergus as if the Bauchan were stealing his very soul.
I laughed. ‘In the end, Q has to keep going to the Enterprise crew for help. He’s not as all-knowing as he thinks he is.’
Bob frowned suspiciously. ‘Are you alluding to me or to him’ – he nodded at Fergus – ‘with this pathetic comparison?’
I shrugged. ‘You’re the clever ones. You tell me.’
There was a shout from behind us. Taylor and Brochan were near the mansion and waving at me. I checked my watch; yeah, it was time to go.
‘Look after May,’ I said to Fergus.
He put his arm round her. I couldn’t be sure but it looked as if she blushed. ‘I will,’ he said quietly.
I nibbled on a hangnail. ‘Could you ask her about what things are like beyond the Veil? The more information we have about life there…’ I shrugged.
Fergus’s eyes were sharp. ‘You’re planning an expedition?’
‘Not exactly but we can’t just pretend it’s not there. People are suffering. Sooner or later, I’m going to have to do something.’
May’s shoulders shrank as if she knew what we were talking about. Fergus edged even closer to her. ‘I can do that,’ he said finally. ‘If she’s willing to tell me. But,’ he added in a rush, ‘if you go, then I’m coming with you.’
‘Why?’ I asked suspiciously.
‘I deal in knowledge, Chieftain. Just think what I could do if that knowledge extended to the Lowlands.’
‘I couldn’t guarantee your safety,’ I said honestly.
He gave me a lopsided grin. ‘No one ever can.’ I nodded in agreement and turned to leave. ‘Integrity?’ he called out after me.
‘Yeah?’
‘The Cruaich has a series of dungeons underground. They can be reached from a closed-off staircase next to the library. That’s where I’d keep someone if I were the Steward.’
I grinned my gratitude. Excellent; I’d been aiming for the Cruaich all along.
‘I could have told you that, Uh Integrity,’ Bob complained. He folded his arms and pouted. ‘In fact, if you make a wish to free Candy, I can show you just how impotent I really am.’
‘I think you mean omnipotent,’ I said drily as I started walking away.
‘Candy?’ Fergus asked from behind. ‘The Wild Man who works for Byron Moncrieffe?’
‘Nice going,’ I muttered to Bob.
‘It’s not my fault Bauchans have big ears.’
‘A right ear, a left ear and a final front ear?’
‘Uh Integrity?’
‘Yes?’
Bob shoved the Foinse out of the way and scooted up to my neck, settling himself above my collarbone with a happy sigh. ‘I really hate you sometimes.’
Chapter Five
It wasn’t easy to persuade the others to stay behind, even though I knew it was the sensible thing for them to do. The Cruaich wasn’t like the Bull’s castle and, even if the Moncrieffes worked out that Tipsania was no longer here, the trolls were in increasing danger and might need help. Unfortunately, my surrogate family was all packed and ready to go and gazing at me with expectant faces.
‘I need people here,’ I explained. ‘We don’t know for sure what the Clans are going to try next.’
Brochan glowered. ‘There are hundreds of trolls.’
‘Yep,’ I nodded, ‘there are. But they’re no match against Sidhe Gifts. You can control the weather ‒ you could call up a storm and delay anyone who tries to get in.’
Brochan’s gills flapped in irritation. ‘I can’t control the weather. And I can’t create storms.’
‘You can make it rain.’
‘It’s not the same thing.’
I shrugged. ‘It’s going to be easier for one person to slip in and out of the Cruaich. Especially a Sidhe. You’re better placed here.’
Speck stepped up as if he were tag-teaming the merman. ‘We’ve done it before. And now I’ve got magic,’ he said. ‘Real magic.
You saw how strong I’m getting. I just proved it by helping you get away from the Bull.’
‘Which is why I need you here too. That magic might be needed.’ I crossed my arms. ‘Anyway, if you stay close to the Foinse your magic will get stronger.’
‘The Adair border is strong, Tegs. It’ll hold against anyone who tries to breach it.’
There was a stubborn set to my jaw. ‘We don’t know what else Aifric might have up his sleeve. The Adair Lands need to remain unbreached.’
‘Well, I don’t have magic,’ Lexie interrupted. ‘I can come.’
‘You need to stay and keep Speck grounded.’ I pushed back my hair. ‘This is the most sensible course of action.’
‘What about me?’ Taylor asked.
I glanced at my old mentor. As much as I’d like to have him along, even just for reassurance, I couldn’t live with myself if he got hurt. ‘No,’ I said flatly. ‘You have a good relationship with the trolls. They’ll listen to you if everything goes tits up.’
He sighed. ‘You’re supposed to be dead. If anyone who’s not as stupid as the Bull sees you then…’
‘Then, as I keep saying, we’ll deal with it. I’ve taken some threads of Tipsania’s Gift for emergencies and I’ll steal more Gifts when I’m at the Cruaich. I’ll need them for later when I venture across the Veil again.’
Bob beamed. ‘Excellent. Uh Integrity can go and save Sweetie and we’ll all stay here. I’d been hoping for a holiday. Some relaxation time will do me good.’
‘His name is Candy. And you’re coming with me.’
‘But…’
‘I might need that last wish from you, Bob.’
He opened his mouth to argue then thought better of it. I turned to look at the bits of rubbish near my feet just as he leaned in towards Taylor and whispered loudly, ‘Reverse psychology.’ He grinned. ‘Works every time. You’d know that if you were as powerful as I am.’
‘What’s with the rubbish?’ Taylor asked, ignoring the genie.
My eyes danced. ‘Has no one ever wondered why the Scrymgeours are so wealthy?’
‘They’re canny bastards.’
‘Oh, they are that,’ I said. ‘But they’ve also got some particular Clanlings who help them out from time to time.’