Veiled Threat

by Helen Harper

  I swallowed. ‘Integrity.’

  ‘Eg. Eh. Ee.’

  Close enough, I supposed. ‘You wanted to catch up for old times’ sake? Say thank you? It was nothing. De nada.’

  May’s eyes widened and she spun round. Alarmed, I followed her into the other room. She knelt down on the floor and started scrabbling around. Her fingers curled over something and she let out a crow of triumph. She hopped to her feet and presented it to me, flat on the palm of her hand.

  I peered at it. When I saw what she was holding, my veins ran ice cold. May bounced from toe to toe and thrust the thing out to me once more. Reluctantly, I took it. It was cold, a warped thing made of what appeared to be iron. It was also incredibly grimy – but there was no mistaking what it was. It was a facsimile of the old Adair coat of arms, virtually identical to the one which hung over the ruined fireplace back at the mansion.

  I stared at it for a long moment. How had she known? She hadn’t given me this by chance. Her smile started to falter and she looked upset, apparently worried that she’d offended me.

  ‘Where did this come from, May?’ I asked quietly.

  She shuffled her feet and looked down. And that was the exact moment that I heard the shouting.

  I spun round, a knee-jerk reaction that propelled me towards the door and the outside world. May also reacted immediately: she lunged towards me, grabbing a fistful of material from the back of my jacket. As she pulled backwards, I pushed forwards. She clacked her teeth and made a low, urgent, hissing sound.

  I wrenched to my right. May was still clinging to the invisible piece of material but the action allowed me to catch a glimpse of what was happening outside.

  There was a cluster of demons, jabbering to each other and hissing – and encircling someone. I twisted, desperate to see more. There was a loud crack and several of the demons fell backwards, scattering to the ground as if blown back by a massive gust of wind. As they fell, they revealed Byron. His expression was calm but his shirt was ripped and, while he concentrated on calling up a fireball which sparked at his fingertips, he couldn’t see what I could. I opened my mouth to yell a warning but May flung herself bodily at me, knocking me to the ground. I raised my head in time to watch one of the Fomori demons swing a chunk of wood at Byron’s head. He crumpled in an instant.

  I writhed against May, desperate to get out there and do something to help him. Anything. She clung on to me. ‘May, let me go!’

  ‘Ack!’

  One of the demons closest to us swung his head in our direction and his eyes glittered in suspicion. At that moment, however, Byron groaned and all attention turned back to him. Another demon clumped him on the head and he went limp.

  A demon strode forward, hands on hips and pelvis jutting out. I recognised him instantly: this was the leader of the gang that had approached the Adair Lands. He frowned at Byron’s prone figure then bent and grabbed a hank of his hair, lifting up his head to get a better look at his face. For what seemed like the longest moment, he examined Byron’s slack features before finally turning and barking an order to someone behind him.

  The remaining Fomori parted and, from behind them, came two thin and gangly humans. They weren’t as naked as the Fomori – loincloths covered their modesty and one had a scrappy length of scarf wrapped round his neck – but they definitely looked cowed to me.

  The leading demon jerked his head imperiously and the pair of them knelt down and hauled Byron up by his armpits, holding him between them. Byron’s head hung loosely, his brilliant golden hair dull in this gloomy light. The two human men shuffled round, displaying a criss-crossed network of scars on their backs. They’d been whipped – and more than once.

  I struggled against May’s hold. ‘I have to get out there,’ I tried again in an urgent whisper. ‘I have to get him before they drag him away.’

  She wasn’t having any of it and her response was to tighten her grip on me. I reached down inside myself. If I could find the last vestiges of the telekinesis Gift that I’d stolen from Byron, perhaps I could do something. But there was nothing there; I’d used it up when Chandra and her team set up their ambush.

  May’s bony arms pinned me down and she hacked out an incomprehensible whisper into my ear. Without understanding the words, I knew what she was saying. There were too many of them and, if I went out there, I’d be captured too. All I could do was watch helplessly while the leader kicked his fallen companions until they struggled to their feet and returned to formation. They wheeled round and marched off, with the two humans and Byron between them. He was lost.

  Chapter Twelve

  It was some time before May released me. I guessed she was worried I was going to hurl myself upwards and start pelting after Byron and his captors. That moment – if it had ever existed – had gone now. When she finally relaxed her hold and I slowly got to my feet, all I did was stumble to where the scuffle had taken place and stare down at the marks on the ground. There was a strange, heavy emptiness inside me.

  ‘This is my fault,’ I whispered. ‘The demons wouldn’t have come here if Angus and I hadn’t been spotted.’

  I passed my hand across my eyes and, with detachment, noted that I was becoming visible again. I wasn’t solid; I was more like an opaque, ghostly being. I knew it wouldn’t be long before the last of Tipsania’s Gift slipped away. A rescue mission at this point, and on my own, was futile.

  May came and rested her head on my shoulder. I gave her arm a quick squeeze and straightened up. I had to get a move on. There was no telling how much time Byron had left.

  I pulled away from May and started running back towards the Veil, calculating the time in my head. An hour to reach the Veil – less if I really pushed myself. Without mechanical transport, another hour or so back to the Adair Lands. I worked through different scenarios. There was a way out of this; I just had to find it.

  I was so focused on my thoughts and plans that I’d been running steadily for almost fifteen minutes before I realised that May was behind me, keeping pace. I looked at her curiously over my shoulder. Her eyes were fixed on me and there was a half-hopeful, half-pleading expression in their glowing depths. I nodded once and kept going.

  This time I barely even paused at the Veil. All I did was grasp May’s hand, shuddering again at her icy touch. The part of me that wasn’t consumed with thoughts of Byron wondered whether she was cold-blooded. Before I could think about it too deeply, however, we were inside the Veil and slamming our way through.

  I didn’t feel the relief I’d previously experienced at emerging in the sunny, colourful Highlands. I didn’t have time. Unfortunately, I’d forgotten about the effect of the sun’s rays on May’s skin and eyes. As I started running again, she screamed and let go of my hand. By the time, I turned round she was curled into herself, a shivering, screaming, foetal shape on the ground.

  I yanked off Byron’s jacket and covered her shaking body. Her screaming subsided to a loud whimper but my jacket alone wouldn’t be enough.

  A flash of bright light made May cower even more. Bob, dressed in what could only be described as a superhero costume, replete with billowing cape and underpants on top of his trousers, beamed at me.

  ‘So,’ he grinned, ‘what do you have this time to scare me with? Have you dressed bootilicious Byron Moncrieffe as a Fomori demon? Because, Uh Integrity, you can’t fool me. I’ll admit the skeleton had me going but you can’t catch me like that again.’

  ‘Byron has been captured by the Fomori,’ I said tersely, ignoring his shocked look. ‘This is May. I need to cover her properly or she’ll burn to a crisp.’

  ‘And May is...?’

  I gestured in irritation. ‘A Fomori demon, of course.’

  Bob folded his arms. ‘Yeah, yeah.’

  ‘I am not playing this game,’ I snapped. ‘Are you going to help or not?’

  There was the beep of a horn and I looked up to see Speck careening down towards us in the rusty car. I exhaled in relief as he jumped out. ‘I
need a blanket! Or your clothes!’

  He blinked at me. ‘Er...’

  ‘Now, Speck!’

  He knew me well enough not to ask questions. He ripped off his coat immediately and luckily it was a long, Matrix-esque affair. I grabbed it from him and hastily draped it over May, covering her as best I could and helping her up. I made soothing noises but she wouldn’t stop whimpering.

  ‘Open the car door!’

  Speck did as he was bade and, with one arm round May’s tragic figure, I helped her inside. She got into the back seat and hunkered down in the foot rest.

  Bob’s mouth was a perfect circle. ‘That’s a Fomori demon.’

  ‘As I told you. Come on. We need to get home straightaway.’

  ‘But Uh Integrity...’

  I wasn’t in the mood. I spun round, beckoned Speck to get in and hustled into the back with May. Bob merely gaped.

  ‘Angus came back via us before heading onto the MacBain lands,’ Speck threw over his shoulder. ‘He said you might need a lift back.’ He glanced at May. ‘Is that really a Fomori demon?’

  ‘Yes.’ I waited for him to do his usual and freak out. Instead, he simply bit his lip and nodded then started the engine. ‘Byron?’

  ‘Is not here. That’s why we have to hurry.’

  The car wheels spun in the dirt as he made a quick U-turn. Bob appeared on the dashboard, staying as far away from May as possible. ‘Speck,’ he said seriously, ‘I know we were joking about Uh Integrity being crazy before but now she really has flipped. She’s gone through the Veil one too many times and it’s addled her brains. I’m a magnificent being with superior power that you can only dream of and I’m telling you we need to perform an intervention.’

  Speck turned the steering wheel sharply and Bob fell off the dashboard. ‘Hey!’ he yelled. ‘Watch it!’

  I put a hand on May’s back. ‘Just get us home, Speck.’

  Thankfully, he drove like the demon May was.

  ***

  Sorley held up his hand to stop us in front of the border. ‘Chieftain,’ he intoned, looking relieved as I rolled down the window. ‘I am extraordinarily glad that you have returned. I just need to check the vehicle for any bugs or hidden intruders and then you can be on your way.’

  I reminded myself that I’d given the troll carte blanche over security. ‘Sorley,’ I said, ‘time is of the essence here. Just let us through.’

  ‘I cannot.’ He peered in, turning a shade of white that I would have thought was impossible for a troll. ‘Demon!’ He grabbed his spear and immediately thrust it into the car. My hand shot out, stopping its progress before it could impale May.

  There were several high-pitched squeaks. I frowned and looked around. At least seven or eight little haggis fur balls were jumping around Sorley’s feet. How odd.

  Bob gazed at me smugly. ‘See? You can’t bring a demon here.’

  I drew in a deep breath. ‘I can and I will.’ I looked away from the haggis and met Sorley’s eyes. ‘She’s one of us. She needs our help. But right now she’s not the only one in trouble. I need to get some things and get to a phone.’

  Sorley didn’t move a muscle. I thought he was going to refuse but then he stepped back and gestured us ahead.

  ‘You stupid troll!’ Bob shrieked. ‘That’s a Fomori demon! What do you think you’re doing? She’ll murder us all in our sleep! There’s already been one massacre here and now you’re going to be responsible for another one!’

  I stretched my hand through the gap in the front seats and pinched Bob’s foot, holding him upside down in the air. Then I pulled out the water bottle from my backpack, emptied the rest of the contents and rammed him inside it before screwing on the lid. He formed tiny fists with his hands and began to beat against the sides. I ignored him and tossed the bottle away. He’d be able to get out if he really wanted to.

  Speck accelerated up the driveway, bringing the car to a screeching halt in front of the main doors. Taylor, Brochan and Lexie were already waiting. I flung open the door. ‘Help me!’

  They raced over. ‘Is it Byron?’ Lexie asked. ‘Is he alright?’

  I tugged at May as gently as I could. Speck got out too. ‘It’s not him.’

  Taylor squeezed round to help me, his fingers brushing against May’s skin as he did so. He instantly pulled back. ‘What...?’

  ‘Just get her inside.’ I squinted at him. He swallowed once and agreed.

  It took some doing but between us we got May into the mansion, up the stairs and into one of the few rooms which still possessed functioning curtains. I made sure they were tightly shut. May scuttled into a corner and hid her face in her hands.

  Lexie, watching from the doorway, eyed me with trepidation. ‘Is that what I think it is?’

  ‘Probably,’ I answered.

  ‘Yes,’ Speck said.

  ‘Good idea,’ Taylor broke in. We all turned and stared at him. He shrugged. ‘Interrogation will help. We can find out all there is to know about the Lowlands from our visitor and then Tegs can rescue those forlorn souls trapped there.’

  ‘She’s not a prisoner.’

  He did a double take. ‘Er ... what?’

  ‘You remember I told you about the demon I helped? The one I used the whisky on? Well, that’s her.’

  Taylor scratched his neck. ‘Tegs...’

  ‘No. Absolutely not!’ Lexie looked at Speck and Brochan. ‘This can’t be happening.’

  ‘She’s not a bad person,’ I began.

  ‘She’s not a person! She’s a demon!’

  I took Lexie’s hands and squeezed them. ‘If ever you need to trust me, this is the time. May is good.’

  ‘May? As in sunshine and daffodils and dancing round poles?’ Lexie flicked her hair. ‘And you know I don’t mean stripper poles, Speck, before you say anything.’

  He muttered something under his breath. She glared. ‘Don’t worry about it,’ I said. ‘May’s under my protection. She all but saved my life.’

  ‘She’s a demon, Tegs.’

  I pointed to the shivering, huddled heap on the floor. ‘Look at her. I mean really look at her.’

  They did as I asked. ‘She doesn’t look dangerous,’ Brochan admitted. He shuffled his large, webbed feet and avoided looking at me. Apparently someone was feeling a tad guilty. I pushed away my desire to begin protracted recriminations. What was done was done.

  Lexie still wasn’t happy. ‘Yes, but...’

  ‘Enough.’ I didn’t shout but the tone in my voice was so strong that the four of them stared at me in astonishment. ‘If it makes you feel better, lock her in here. I don’t think she’s in any fit state to go wandering around anyway. I’ll sort her out later and then you’ll see what she’s really like. There are other matters I need to attend to. Byron’s been...’

  My voice faltered as Tipsania strolled into the room. Her normally intricately styled hair was tied up in a dirty scarf and she was carrying a mop and bucket. She seemed as surprised to see me as I was to see her.

  ‘Oh. You’re back. I didn’t realise this room was occupied. I’ll come back.’

  I shook my head in disbelief. ‘Tipsania, what are you doing?’

  She gave me a funny look. ‘I’m cleaning, of course.’

  I couldn’t help myself. ‘You?’

  She sniffed. ‘If you think I’m going to stay here while the place in this state, you are crazier than your friends think you are. You lot might be Clan-less idiots prepared to live in a hovel but I am not.’

  Even Lexie’s attention was diverted from May. ‘There’s no shame in being Clan-less,’ she hissed. ‘Although we are Adair.’

  Tipsania sighed. ‘Yes, I suppose you are. You should have stayed Clan-less. It would mean you’re free of Byron’s slimy prick of a father.’ I did a double take. She glanced at me. ‘You can’t trust him, you know.’

  ‘Tell me something I don’t know,’ I said, surprised at her words. ‘Have you mentioned your feelings to Byron?’

  ‘
He won’t believe anything bad about his father.’ She sniffed as if it was of no importance. ‘Most people don’t. Anyway, I was going to talk to you about the whole Adair Clan thing. I want to stay. If you’ll have me.’ She shrugged awkwardly and looked away. ‘I’ll swear fealty if it’s that important to you.’

  I almost fell over and we all gaped at Tipsania. Even May seemed to sense the change in atmosphere because she stopped whimpering. ‘What?’ I managed.

  Tipsania raised a hand dismissively. ‘I’ll become part of the Adair Clan and swear fealty to you.’ She paused then dropped both her hand and her voice. ‘Please.’

  ‘Why?’ I asked in a strangled voice.

  She inspected her fingernails. ‘My father wants to marry me off to Byron. If that doesn’t work, he’ll find some other noble sap. I don’t want that.’

  I noticed that her hands were shaking. She was also telling the truth. Wow. ‘What about your responsibility to the Scrymgeours?’

  ‘I have lots of cousins,’ she said simply. ‘They’ll be more than happy to step into any breach my departure might create.’

  Tipsania was obviously unaware that I had her father’s true name and could make him do whatever I wanted. One word from me and he’d let her marry whoever the hell she wanted. I couldn’t cope with this right now, though. I tucked my hair behind my ears and rubbed my face. ‘You can stay,’ I said. ‘We’ll talk about the fealty thing later.’

  Her expression tightened and I knew she was thinking that I didn’t want her in my Clan. Truthfully, I didn’t; I wasn’t even sure I wanted this damn Clan at all. Every time I turned around, there seemed to be more people clamouring to join.

  Tipsania inclined her head stiffly then looked at May. ‘Who’s that?’

  ‘She’s a Fomori demon.’

  For a moment Tipsania’s jaw worked in shock then she shrugged resignedly. ‘I suppose she’ll need cleaning too.’ She stalked over, knelt down beside May and started talking to her in soft tones. At that point, Elvis Presley and Lord Lucan could have strolled arm in arm into the room and I would no longer have been surprised.