‘It’s the sort of behaviour I’ve come to expect from the Sidhe.’
‘We’re not all bad.’
I shrugged. ‘Perhaps not. You’re not all honourable either, no matter how much you protest otherwise.’
‘I’ve spoken to my father. He’s going to do whatever he can to impress on the Carnegies that they need to deal with you fairly.’
‘Is he now?’ I murmured.
‘He’s the Steward, Integrity,’ Byron said. ‘The Carnegies will listen to him. So will the other Clans.’
‘That’s what I’m afraid of,’ I said under my breath.
‘Pardon?’
‘Nothing.’ I felt like a sullen teenager. This was stupid.
‘I should go,’ Byron said. His eyes travelled down my body for the first time. ‘You’re obviously … busy.’
‘I’m only wearing this because I promised Bob. I really was dropped in the wrong place at the start. I probably wouldn’t have made it to the start line without his help.’
He gave me a long, considering look. ‘I’ll speak to Carnegie again. He really shouldn’t have let that…’
I held up my hand. ‘Don’t bother.’ The supercilious MC would only snigger behind Byron’s back at his naivety.
Hurt flashed in his eyes. ‘Suit yourself.’
‘I didn’t mean it like that.’
‘It’s fine, Integrity. Good luck with the final challenge. I’m told that the points accrued mean that either I, you or Tipsania is going to win.’ He stuck out his hand for me to shake. I took it and a shiver ran down my spine. He leaned closer. ‘I should probably go. Seeing you in that get-up makes it difficult not to pounce. Princess Leia has always been a bit of a fantasy of mine.’
And then, before I could respond, he turned and left.
Light flashed and Bob reappeared with a whoop. ‘I told you that bikini was a great idea!’ he crowed.
I tutted. ‘Were you listening?’
‘I was. And I can tell you that he might be a handsome bastard but he’s gone down in my estimation. Get rid of me! Honestly!’
I tried to smile.
‘Uh Integrity,’ Bob said, suddenly serious, ‘you need to tell him the truth about his father.’
‘And that I stole part of his Gift,’ I sighed. ‘Yeah, I know.’ I slumped onto the edge of the nearest bed.
‘What are you doing?’ he screeched. ‘Hair, girl! Hair! Come on! You still owe me!’
Shite.
Chapter Eighteen
Byron wasn’t the only person to come knocking. After managing to persuade Bob to allow me to change back to my regular clothing, and Lexie, Speck, Brochan and Taylor had returned from scoping out potential future targets for thievery, someone else appeared on the doorstep.
It was Speck who answered. He didn’t say anything, he simply stepped back and gestured her in. The stone-faced MacBain Chieftain strolled in, her back ramrod straight as it always seemed to be. She swept her gaze around the cabin and sniffed. ‘So this is what you’re putting the genie to use for? Soft furnishings.’
I bit back a sarcastic response and pasted on my best smile. ‘Chieftain MacBain. We are honoured by your visit.’
She sniffed again. I wondered if she had caught a cold. ‘I won’t stay long,’ she said. ‘I received the ring.’
‘Good. And, for the record, I didn’t steal your necklace.’
‘If you say so. I’m prepared to overlook the entire incident if you tell me where the Foinse is. It’s vital that we recover it.’
‘I don’t know where the damn Foinse is. How many times do I need to bloody well repeat myself?’
She gave me a long, cold stare. ‘Very well,’ she said finally. ‘In the absence of the source of all magic, I will request that you pass the genie to me once your three wishes are completed.’
Of everything I’d expected her to say, that wasn’t even close to the top of the list. ‘Er … what?’
She threw me a long-suffering look. ‘Do you need me to say that again?’
‘What on earth do you need Bob for?’ Lexie broke in. ‘You can’t trust the wishes, you know.’
She didn’t take her eyes from me. ‘What I do with him is my business. Do we have a deal?’
I frowned. My skin was still itching from the heavy gold material of the bikini and I was certain I was breaking out in a rash. ‘He’s not a thing to be passed around from person to person. He’s a being in his own right.’
‘Got that right,’ Brochan rumbled.
Chieftain MacBain gazed at me as if I were moon-touched. ‘He’s a genie,’ she said flatly. ‘His purpose is to serve.’
‘No,’ I answered. ‘It’s not. If he wants to go with you, he’s welcome to do so. It’s his decision though. He’s not my slave.’
Her face didn’t so much as twitch but I could feel the coldness emanating from her. ‘Very well. Convey to him my … request.’
‘Okay.’ I pointed to the door. ‘You can go now.’
She didn’t move. ‘There is one other thing.’ Her fingers plucked at her long gloves. ‘I have a lot of power. There are things I can do for you. Your friends might be useful but they don’t understand the Sidhe. I’m not a mad MacQuarrie, you know. I can help you.’
She’d certainly changed her tune but I had no idea where she was going with this. ‘Go on.’
She looked away. ‘Bring me my uncle’s remains.’ I didn’t say anything. ‘Matthew MacBain,’ she snapped. ‘If he’s beyond the Veil then I’m asking you to fetch his bones and bring them to me. I’ll pay you in return.’
I sensed desperation. She might come across as cold-hearted but I’d bet that he meant quite a lot to her. ‘I don’t need money,’ I said. Taylor sucked in a breath but managed to stay quiet.
‘I don’t think that’s true,’ she said. ‘Name your price.’ I made a show of considering and she sighed in irritation. ‘Spit it out, girl!’
I tilted my chin. ‘My name is Integrity Adair. And I passed girlhood some time ago.’
Angry turmoil spread across Chieftain MacBain’s face. ‘I apologise,’ she said stiffly. I didn’t think those were words that she said often. She must want Matthew MacBain’s body very badly. ‘What would it take for you to bring him to me?’
‘A favour,’ I said. ‘Of the manner and time of my choosing.’
Her jaw tightened. ‘You ask a lot. I’ll give you a hundred thousand pounds instead.’
Behind me, Taylor bounced from foot to foot; it was a miracle that he’d not already taken over negotiations. ‘No deal. One favour. It’s my final offer.’
She stared at me for a long moment. ‘Very well. Bring me my uncle’s bones and I will grant you a single favour.’
She was telling the truth. For all her imperious nature, perhaps Chieftain MacBain was one of the more honourable nobles. That was good to know.
We exchanged a stiff handshake and she departed.
Lexie whistled. ‘Things are looking up, Tegs. Keep this up and you’ll be the most popular girl – sorry, woman – on the block.’
‘Maybe she’d prefer lady,’ Taylor interjected, obviously miffed that I’d turned down the money.
‘Nah,’ Speck grinned. ‘Dame.’
‘Harridan.’ Lexie suggested.
Speck’s grin grew. ‘Hag.’
‘Witch,’ said Taylor.
They all glanced at Brochan. He shrugged. ‘Damsel.’
Lexie winked. ‘Chick.’
‘Shut up!’ a tiny voice yelled. ‘Shut up, shut up, shut up! Don’t be mean to Uh Integrity!’
We all paused, taken aback. Bob flew towards me, grabbing hold of my index finger and wrapping his body round it in an odd version of a hug. ‘Thank you, Uh Integrity. For what you said to that Sidhe about me. No one’s ever been that nice to me before.’
I patted him awkwardly with my other hand. ‘No problem.’
He withdrew, hovered in the air and pulled out a massive handkerchief. He blew his nose loudly and looked at m
e. ‘Will you wear a Deanna Troy costume for me this time?’
*
Nervous about what the final challenge might involve, I went for a walk after dinner. I saw few other competitors; no doubt most of them were exhausted after the Adventure challenge. There were, however, numerous clusters of Sidhe in the Cruaich grounds and I spotted more than one wad of money changing hands. The bets were apparently on.
I hadn’t gone far past the village where the other competitors were staying when the familiar lumbering figure of the Bull came into view. He saw me coming from the bottom of the path and tried to head in the opposite direction. For such a large guy, he was very nimble but that didn’t help him. I had his true name and he had to do what I asked.
‘Wait!’
He froze where he was and I caught him up. ‘What do you want?’ he snarled.
‘Oh, there are so many things.’ I gave my prettiest smile. ‘I just don’t know where to begin.’
The hatred in his eyes deepened. ‘Why are you even here? The Steward told me that you wanted to join my Clan, that you’d ask for that as your prize if you won.’ He spoke with venom but there was no denying his fear. To be fair, I couldn’t blame him. If I joined the Scrymgeours, he’d be expecting me to use his true name to make him obey my every whim.
‘I wouldn’t worry about that,’ I dismissed. ‘Do you really think I’d want to go back to being near you and the Scrymgeours? I’m a glutton for punishment but that’s taking things too far.’ I stepped towards him and dropped my voice. ‘That’s between you and me though, Cul-Chain. No gossiping about my intentions to anyone else.’
Relief was etched into his face although all he did was grunt.
‘Do you know what Tipsania will ask for if she wins?’ I asked, more out of curiosity than anything else.
The Bull refused to meet my eyes. ‘No.’
Interesting. ‘Are you pushing her into a relationship with Byron Moncrieffe?’ I inquired.
‘None of your goddamned business.’
I tutted. ‘Answer the question.’ I pushed myself up onto my tiptoes and chucked him under his heavy chin. ‘Cul-Chain.’
He snarled but couldn’t avoid doing what I’d requested. ‘The Scrymgeours are doing well financially but we’re still regarded as a lesser Clan because we don’t have the history or the status of some of the others.’ His bitterness was apparent. ‘This will be a good match – for the Moncrieffes and for us.’
‘So you cooked it up with Aifric and you’re both pushing Byron and Tipsania into marriage.’
‘They understand their responsibilities. And you should address Aifric as the Steward.’
I waved a hand. ‘Yeah, yeah.’
He glared at me. ‘Is that what you wanted? Can I go now?’
‘Not just yet,’ I replied silkily. ‘Tell me what plans are in place to ensure I don’t win the third challenge.’
His face contorted. ‘I…’
‘Tell me.’
He let out another snarl of frustration. ‘The challenge will take place out on the main field. It’s been cordoned off all day while preparations are made. There won’t be an audience. People are being told they can’t watch so that the competitors aren’t distracted.’
‘No drones either?’
He shook his head. Veins were bulging alarmingly at the side of his neck. He needed to go for a medical check-up. ‘Then what will happen?’
‘I don’t know.’
He was telling the truth. No doubt the Carnegies were keeping the details of how they’d get rid of me to themselves. It made sense. So did banning everyone from watching the challenge; no witnesses, no come back. All I had to do was change that.
‘You’re going to demand that people are allowed to watch,’ I ordered the Bull.
‘I can demand all I like. Didn’t you hear me say that I’m not considered important enough to be taken seriously?’
‘All the same,’ I said. ‘That’s what you will do.’
His sausage-like fingers bunched into hard fists but he jerked out a nod. It didn’t change the overpowering hatred simmering within him. I’d have to be very careful how I treated him; I didn’t need the Bull manoeuvring behind my back and trying to kill me again.
‘Thanks!’ I spun off.
My next target would be considerably harder to manipulate. I ran through various possibilities in my head but unfortunately there was only one way I could see this going.
I found Aifric seated in the bar area. A large group of hangers-on were clustered around, fawning over him. Was that why he did all this? Because he enjoyed having his ego massaged? I could work with that.
I strolled up, wasting no time in playing games. I could have waited for him to call me over but I wasn’t feeling patient. Instead, I joined the group and smiled prettily. ‘Steward, you are looking wonderful this evening,’ I cooed. ‘That shirt fits you like a glove. I can see where Byron gets his good looks from.’
There were titters from around me but I ignored them. Aifric pinned his eyes on me. ‘Why, thank you, Integrity. It’s very kind of you to say that.’ He half-turned as if to ignore me.
I giggled. ‘I wonder if I might ask you for some help,’ I said girlishly. ‘I’m so new here and I understand how important it is to act with honour. I’ve been trying to emulate the other Sidhe but obviously I’m still getting it wrong. Otherwise I wouldn’t have had those points deducted in the last challenge.’ Aifric glanced at me. Excellent. I’d hooked him. Now it was time to reel him in. ‘I have some information which might put me at a slight advantage in the next challenge. I don’t want to lose more points so maybe I could ask for your advice. Then I’ll know whether I should share that information or not.’
A muscle jerked in his cheek. He scanned my face, clearly desperate to know what information I had gleaned. He didn’t want me to have any kind of advantage, whether there were plans in place to do away with me or not. ‘What is it?’ he asked. ‘I am more than happy to guide you in the right direction.’
I simpered and forced a blush. ‘Oh, you’re too kind – but it would be better if we could talk in private.’ I looked pointedly at the other Sidhe.
‘Of course, of course!’ he boomed. ‘Shall we step outside?’ He slid off his stool and offered me his arm. I stared at it; I really didn’t want to touch him. When his smile began to waver, however, I hastily placed my hand above his wrist. ‘You’re such a gentleman,’ I gushed. ‘I’m not used to this kind of treatment.’
He patted my hand. It took everything I had not to recoil in disgust. ‘You’re not amongst the Clan-less any more, my dear.’
We walked out and found a quiet spot not too far away from the tent’s entrance. ‘Now, he said benignly, ‘what have you learnt?’
I dropped my pretence. ‘The Bull is going to ask that the audience be allowed to watch every thrilling moment of the Acumen challenge.’ My eyes were hard and my tone was harder.
Aifric stepped back, clearly confused by my shift in tone and canny enough to be wary. ‘My dear, that’s simply not possible. The noise they make will be off-putting and you will require your full concentration to succeed.’
I faked a smile. ‘I can work under those conditions. When the Bull puts forward his case, you will agree.’
Aifric’s expression turned to stone. ‘I will not.’
‘I have his true name.’
He stared at me as if he couldn’t believe what I was saying. ‘You can’t have. Why would he give you that?’
I shrugged. ‘He was under duress. The means aren’t important. The point is that you will know I’m speaking the truth when he asks for the audience to be present, regardless of what else you might have ordered.’
‘The Carnegies are the organisers. I will not interfere with…’
‘Bullshit. You’ve already interfered, probably on numerous occasions.’ I swept a bow. ‘And yet I’m still here.’
Aifric inhaled. The mask which seemed to be permanently in place finally slip
ped and his features took on an ugly twist. ‘I knew you weren’t the innocent little maid you pretended to be.’
‘Oh, I think you’re the one doing all the pretending.’ I stepped forward and tilted up my head. Anyone watching us from a distance would think I was merely being coquettish. ‘When the Bull makes his request, you will back him up.’
‘No, I won’t. You might have him wrapped around your little finger but you can’t tell me what to do, little girl.’
‘You want Byron and Tipsania to be together. Am I right?’ He glowered at me. ‘Well,’ I said, inspecting my fingernails, ‘I can use the Bull’s true name to make him order his daughter to keep away from Byron. Where will your financial machinations be then?’
‘You want my son for yourself,’ he spat.
Well, yes, that was true but that wasn’t why I was doing this; I wasn’t in the business of manipulating romance or feelings. It wouldn’t hurt my cause if that’s where Aifric thought my motivation came from, though. ‘People in love do crazy things,’ I said. ‘Bring the audience back.’
‘What reassurance do I have that you won’t split up my son and Tipsania anyway?’
‘You have my word.’
‘You’re a dirty Clan-less bitch. I wouldn’t trust anything that came out of your mouth.’
‘And now we have it,’ I said softly. ‘The truth will out in the end.’ I dropped my voice to a whisper. ‘Always.’
He raised his hands as if he were about to hit me and I waggled my finger at him. ‘People are watching, Steward. Do what I say or suffer the consequences.’ I sounded like a comic book villain. Maybe I should get a cape.
His gaze shifted to something behind me. The Bull was lumbering towards the tent, his shoulders drooping. I smiled. ‘Time’s up.’ I patted Aifric on the shoulder, pivoted and followed the Bull in.
‘Do it now,’ I hissed to him. ‘In front of everyone.’
The Bull growled under his breath but he walked to the centre of the room and cleared his throat. I glanced behind me. Aifric, looking sour, had also entered.
‘I’ve been thinking,’ the Bull rumbled, as the crowd gradually fell silent. ‘It’s not right that we can’t watch the Acumen challenge. There’s always been an audience in the past. I move that we let the people in to see the action.’