by Helen Harper
Yeah, yeah. ‘Look, Candy,’ I said, trying again, ‘I understand this is all a surprise to you but we probably don’t have very long. We need to get out of here before the alarm is raised.’
He turned round and settled back on his narrow bed. I gaped at him. ‘I have to stay here,’ he rumbled. ‘I promised Byron.’
‘Byron is planning to marry the love of your life!’ I shrieked. ‘You can’t trust him!’
‘He is very honourable.’
Good grief! ‘Candy…’
‘I am staying here.’
‘Aifric is going to drag you down to the Adair border – my border – and use you to lure Tipsania out.’
He shrugged, rolling his massive shoulders. ‘I know.’
‘What do you mean you know? Don’t you care?’
‘Is Tip safe?’
‘Yes. For now. But—’
‘Then I am staying here. You should tell her to give herself up.’
I threw my hands up in the air. ‘What is going on?’ I turned and looked again at the bars which were ostensibly holding the Wild Man here. ‘You could have escaped at any time,’ I whispered. ‘But you’re choosing to stay. Why?’
He opened his mouth to answer. Before he could, there was a shout from Bob. ‘Someone’s coming!’
Shite. ‘Candy,’ I pleaded. ‘This is our last chance. We need to get out of here.’
He turned his head away. I balled up my fists, at a complete loss. I couldn’t force him to come. Bob zipped towards me, his arms akimbo and his expression panicked. ‘There are at least six of them. We need to get out of here! I don’t want to end up as the Steward’s slave.’
If there were so many, my Illusion ruse as Aifric had probably been discovered. Maybe the guard had bumped into him when she left or she’d realised how wrong our conversation had been. Either way, I couldn’t use that deception any more.
I reached into myself, grabbing Bob with one hand and slamming the cell door with the other. With one last baleful glance, I yanked on Tipsania’s Gift and turned both myself and Bob invisible. I heard Candy gasp but there was little I could do about him now. The posse of Moncrieffe guards was already here.
They ran down the corridor, their boots hammering on the hard floor. I pressed against the wall, hoping that Candy wasn’t about to give me up. The guards stared into his cell as I sidled past and jogged away, keeping my steps as light as I could.
‘What’s going on?’ I heard one of them demand. ‘Has anyone been here?’
‘I’ve been sleeping,’ Candy said, his voice coloured with confusion. I exhaled the air I’d been holding in my lungs. He hadn’t completely gone over to the dark side then and he was covering for me. I spun away, twisting back to the staircase, my thoughts racing and tripping over each other as I flew towards the main hall. I didn’t understand what was going on and, no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t make sense of it. The best I could do right now was to get out of this place.
I rounded the last corner, my heart dropping into my stomach when I spotted the large figure looming in the doorway ahead. His features were in shadow but there was no mistaking that silhouette. Aifric. And he was completely blocking my path. I might be invisible but I was still solid. I came to a halt, holding my breath and trying to decide what to do next.
His legs were spread; I could barrel forward and push myself through the gap ‒ he might never notice. Then he shifted his weight, pulling one leg closer to the other. I wasn’t so petite that I could slide through now. I clenched my teeth. All I had to do was wait. He wouldn’t stand there forever.
Barely any time passed before I heard the booted feet pounding back up the staircase towards me. Now I was caught between the bloody guards and Aifric. None of the Gifts I’d stolen would work here. I tiptoed another few steps until I was so close to the Steward that I could feel his hot breath on my skin. My heart was hammering so loudly that I was sure he could hear it.
‘Steward!’ gasped the first Sidhe guard. ‘There’s no one there. The Wild Man is still in his cell.’
‘Did you talk to him?’ Aifric demanded. ‘Touch him? Are you sure he’s not an illusion?’
Arse. Damn Aifric for being such a canny wanker.
‘It’s him alright.’
Aifric turned and, for the first time, I saw his expression; in fact, I could almost hear the cogs turning in his head. If he wasn’t sure that I was dead, he’d know immediately that all this commotion was down to me.
‘Someone is here. Someone is playing with us and I want to know who.’ His eyes narrowed. ‘Set guards around the perimeter. No one is to get in or out unless I know about it. And release the dogs. Maybe they’ll pick up this intruder’s scent. Whoever they are, they’re going to rue the day they picked a fight with me.’
I was tempted to open my mouth and tell him that there hadn’t been any fighting and he should look to his own actions before he pinned the blame on others but I was more concerned about the mention of dogs. Neither Invisibility nor Illusion would work against the nose of a hound. And if the Cruaich border was going to be teeming with guards on the lookout for the slightest thing, I couldn’t count on escape in that direction.
‘Do we have any Farsensers on the grounds?’ Aifric asked.
I squeezed my eyes shut. Just when I’d thought things couldn’t get any worse…
‘Most of them are off scouting for the Scrymgeour lass. But I think Stephen McGillivray is a Farsenser. He’s here for the stag party.’
Aifric nodded. ‘Find him. No one rests until every inch of this place has been checked.’ He pivoted and marched away.
Without waiting for the guards to pass me, I leapt up and darted left towards the main doors, away from Aifric.
‘This is bad, Uh Integrity,’ Bob hissed. ‘What are we going to do?’
I was rather touched that he said we. ‘I don’t know,’ I muttered tightly. I could already feel the invisibility draining away; I wouldn’t be able to use it for much longer before I started becoming less invisible and more opaque. I had to find somewhere to hide, somewhere out of reach of a Farsenser.
I ran outside and tried to think. I could always go to the old Games grounds. That cabin where we’d been made to stay would work as a hiding place if it weren’t for the Farsenser. I had to find a way of disguising my trail. Something that would fool the magic… ‘I’ve got it,’ I whispered. If this didn’t work, nothing would.
I ran as fast as my legs could carry me, glad that there was a cement path leading down to the grounds. ‘I used to have a hobby pouring cement,’ I told Bob. ‘But then it became too hard.’
‘You’re telling jokes?’ he howled in my ear. ‘We’re about to become dogfood and you’re telling jokes?’ As if on cue, I heard barking in the distance.
‘Chillax, Bob. I’ve got this.’ The wind whipped past, making my baseball cap fly off and my hair stream out behind me. Crapadoodle. I stopped, prepared to run back and get it, then I saw Byron’s stag mates appearing around the corner of the castle. I grimaced and left the cap where it was. I had to hustle.
The towering trees and dark shadows of the Cruaich grove soon came into sight. When Bob saw that was where I was heading I felt him relax against me. ‘Clever girl,’ he murmured.
‘I hope so.’ I crossed my fingers on both hands for luck. The grove was sacred – no way would a pack of hounds be allowed to tear through it after an intruder who hadn’t actually done any damage. If my plan worked the magic bound into the land would stop anyone, regardless of how skilled they were, from being able to farsense through it. As long as no one thought to come and comb through the grove, both Bob and I would be safe.
I ran through the first fringe of trees, keeping to the path until I was deep enough inside to slow down. The sunlight disappeared almost immediately above the canopy as I was swallowed into the grove’s interior. The sounds of the dogs and the shouting faded away but I didn’t slow down. Even when strands of my hair caught in outstretched twigs and
it felt as if my scalp were being pulled from my skull, I didn’t stop. I was not going to let Aifric win. I was never going to let Aifric win.
Gasping for breath, I pounded ahead. I only realised that I’d arrived at the central clearing – the place where I’d seen fleeting images of my ancestors and received my true name – when I felt a frisson of electricity shoot through me. I sloughed off the invisibility and came to a halt.
Bob was awestruck. ‘Uh Integrity,’ he breathed. ‘This is amazing.’ He stretched out his arms, spreading his fingers wide. ‘I can feel the power. I can even hear it.’
So could I. Already a chorus of indecipherable whispers was rising in my ears. I swallowed. It was probably alright for me to be here. Unlike the individual Clan groves, this one at the Cruaich was open to all Sidhe. In essence, it was the central point for all of us.
I put my hands on my hips, trying to slow down my breathing. Regardless of right or wrong, it would be wise to stay away from the clearing. I didn’t need to be haunted by angry Sidhe spirits of yore.
I turned round, planning to leave the path and plunge into the trees in case a search party did come through here. Before I could take a step, a word rang out and made me freeze. ‘Layoch.’
My true name. I thought I was nervous before, trapped on that staircase between Aifric and his guards, but it was nothing compared to this. I slowly turned around.
‘Layoch.’
My mouth was dry. I swung my head from left to right but, unlike the last time I was here, there was nothing to see. There was the only the voice, accented with a gentle Scottish lilt which I couldn’t distinguish as male or female.
‘Uh Integrity,’ Bob quavered. ‘This is scary.’
‘I know. Don’t worry. We’ll be fine.’ I wished I could be sure of that.
‘Join them,’ the voice whispered.
My spine went rigid. Join who?
‘Join them,’ the disembodied voice repeated.
I folded my arms. Now hang on a bloody minute. ‘If you’re telling me to join the damn Moncrieffes, you’ve got another thing coming,’ I said aloud. ‘I don’t care who you are. I’m not doing that.’
Something icy cold brushed against my cheek and I leapt about three feet in the air.
‘Join them, Layoch. Join them and Alba will be saved.’
The whispers rose in a tide, encircling me, getting louder and louder. I cupped my hands over my ears. ‘Stop it!’ I yelled. ‘Stop it!’ I twirled round and sprinted out of the clearing until I was surrounded again by nothing more than trees. Then my knees buckled underneath me and I collapsed.
Chapter Seven
Dusk was falling when I finally felt safe enough to pick myself up and leave the grove. Bob and I skulked towards the edge and peered out. The search for me had been abandoned for now; I could hear no dogs and see no people. Aifric had had a good four hours to search the Cruaich and its grounds and with Stephen McGillivray, or whoever the Farsenser was, it would have taken much less time than that. All the same I remained cautious in case we were walking into a trap down by the border.
I slipped across the main thoroughfare to the line of trees beside the long, snaking driveway. All the while Bob crowed in my ear, ‘Ha ha! We showed them, didn’t we, Uh Integrity! We are the masters. All those Sidhe against us and every single one of them was clueless while we are free and in the wind.’
Much as I appreciated that I wasn’t now facing an executioner’s axe, I felt that Bob was viewing our expedition as more of a success than it actually was. ‘We came to rescue Candy,’ I pointed out, ‘and he didn’t want to be rescued. I wouldn’t get over excited. In effect, we’ve accomplished nothing.’
‘But just look at what we’ve learned, Uh Integrity. Now you’re getting a glimpse of what it’s like to be as all-knowing as me.’
I wasn’t sure we’d learned anything useful. ‘Candy has made some mysterious promise to Byron which makes no sense.’ I sighed. ‘And the Sidhe ancestors think I should join up with my enemies.’
‘Technically that’s not what they said.’
I shrugged. ‘So what do you think they meant?’
Bob stroked his chin. ‘I could tell you,’ he said slowly, ‘because of course I know.’
‘Of course.’
‘But you need to come up with the answer yourself to achieve true enlightenment.’
‘Right. So what you’re actually saying is that you don’t have a scooby what they were on about.’
He sniffed. ‘I’m not even going to deign to answer that.’
I gave up on debating further as we approached the border. There were more guards in place than before but I reckoned I had just enough of Tipsania’s Gift left inside me to slip across without being noticed. I brought it up, vanished from sight and darted towards the car.
‘The good thing,’ Bob said, once the last of the danger had passed, ‘is that we get to go home and sleep in our own beds.’
I pointed at the letter opener, still hanging from the belt around my waist. ‘You can go to your own bed whenever you want.’
‘I don’t tend to sleep in there any more.’
I was surprised. ‘Really?’
‘Yeah. It’s much more comfortable snuggling up to Brochan. Do you know he talks in his sleep?’
I wondered if the merman was aware that he had a sleeping companion. Deciding it was probably better not to know, I kept my mouth shut and jogged to the car, got into the front seat and started the engine. The sense of failure still hung over me like a cloud.
I checked my watch; it had just gone half past six. The night was still very young. ‘You know, Bob,’ I said, as casually as I could, ‘it’s been quite a stressful day. And you really were fabulous ‒ you were a great lookout. We might not have rescued Candy but I did pick up lots of shiny new Gifts which I can use in all sorts of situations.’
‘I was magnificent, wasn’t I?’ Bob beamed, bouncing up and down on the dashboard.
‘We should have a drink to celebrate,’ I said. ‘You know, wind down and prepare for the journey home.’
Bob considered. ‘I’m not sure that drink-driving is a good idea, Uh Integrity.’
‘I’ll have a Coke but you don’t need to abstain.’
‘Hmm. There’s a great place in Dundee that does the most amazing mango daiquiris.’
‘Yum,’ I said unconvincingly. ‘I was thinking Perth would be a better idea. It’s closer to home.’
‘Last time we went to Perth you streaked naked down the high street. I’m not sure the good people of that fair city want to see you again.’
‘I didn’t streak. I just happened to be in my underwear when a Fomori demon showed up.’
‘One and the same. Byron Moncrieffe might find your jiggly bits attractive but you need a good personal trainer to…’ He paused. ‘Hang on a minute,’ he said suspiciously. ‘Where exactly in Perth were you thinking of going?’
I smiled innocently. ‘I’ve heard some nice things about the Haven.’
He put his hands on hips. ‘And I have it on good authority that the Haven is closed for a private party tonight. Byron Moncrieffe’s stag party.’
The corners of my mouth lifted. ‘Well, now that he’s taken, I need to find a new bachelor, don’t I?’
Bob shook his head dismally. ‘This is going to end in tears.’
***
I’d never been inside the Haven but the place was much as I expected. Loud music thumped and I swore I could taste the tinge of tequila in the air.
A burly Bauchan was on the door, no doubt to prevent anyone who wasn’t on the stag party list from getting in. I had more wiles than that, however. Rather than approach the front, I skirted round the side of the building, weaving in and out of empty beer barrels until I found the back entrance. There, inhaling deeply on a glowing cigarette was a young, pretty human woman wearing a large coat. Handy. I’d even put a bet on with Taylor at this point that she wasn’t wearing much underneath.
I loped
up to her, nodding in greeting. She nodded and took another drag. Despite my lack of disguise, there was no flicker of recognition in her greeting. It helped that it was now dark; in this light I could pass for a blonde.
‘Hey,’ I said cheerfully, ‘I was hoping you could help me. I’m looking for a friend of mine. Chandra. She’s…’
The woman blanched slightly. ‘I’ve heard of Chandra. If you know her, then you’ll know where to find her.’
My mention of my ex-assassin buddy did the trick, placing me at an advantage. I kept my tone casual and continued. ‘Yeah. She’s not at her shop though, so I thought she might have gone out for the night.’
‘She wouldn’t be here. The Haven is off limits tonight.’
I nodded. ‘So I hear. You’re working inside?’
‘Yeah. What of it?’ She eyed me, the unspoken challenge obvious, but I wasn’t about to comment on her job. As long as being a stripper was her choice, it wasn’t my place to say anything.
‘Nothing. It’s a stag party, I take it?’
She shrugged. ‘So I’m told. My boss wouldn’t say who it’s for.’ She stubbed out her cigarette and tossed it into a bucket. ‘Like I care. Just another bunch of spoilt Sidhe wankers.’
I coughed slightly. She tilted her head and looked at me more closely. ‘Oh. You’re Sidhe too. Sorry, I didn’t mean any offence.’ She gave me a pretty smile but there was no denying that she was suddenly scared. She clenched her fists and there was a faint wobble to her voice. Personally I was thrilled. She wouldn’t have any qualms about abandoning her job for the night if she didn’t care that the Steward’s son was the party boy.
‘Don’t worry about it,’ I said. ‘I might be Sidhe but I’m still a nobody. I have a useless Gift and I’m from a useless Clan. I think the lot of us are wankers.’ I smiled slightly. ‘I’m on your side, not mine.’ The woman relaxed a little but she was still very wary. I had to make sure she stayed here until I got what I wanted.
Before she could vanish inside the club, I forced my eyes to well up with unshed tears. Unless she had a heart of lead, she’d feel compelled to stick around for at least a bit longer. I sniffed and bit my bottom lip. ‘Maybe it’s just as well that Chandra’s not around. I was going to ask her to…’ I shot the woman a look and faltered, as if I’d just realised I was talking to a complete stranger and was about to reveal that I wanted someone killed. ‘Never mind.’
