He glared at me. ‘No. It’s not. I can still see auras but they’re weaker than before.’
Interesting. I wished he’d thought to mention that to me before. I could only conclude that I’d unconsciously stolen part of his Gift and, while whatever magical pizzazz it imbued me with had gone from my system, it had not returned to him. The idea that I could strip all those proud Sidhe of their Gifts was exciting. I tried – and failed – not to appear too happy.
He put down his drink. ‘What do you want? Are you just here to gloat?’
‘No,’ I said cheerily. ‘I got hold of some anti-gloating cream to stop me doing that.’ I paused. ‘Although it is very tempting to rub it in.’ The Bull stared at me. ‘Oh, come on, you have to admit that was at least a little bit funny.’
The barman placed a long glass with a thick purple liquid inside it. I gazed at the glass then pushed it towards the Bull. ‘Drink,’ I ordered.
‘Don’t you trust it?’ he sneered.
‘No, funnily enough I don’t.’
He rolled his eyes and took the glass, took one large gulp and licked his lips. Then he placed it back down and slid it towards me. Without thinking I picked it up and took a sip, then choked and spluttered as it hit my tongue. I pulled away from the bar and doubled over. I was pretty sure my liver screamed.
The Bull smiled for the first time. ‘But that’s funny.’
I wiped my mouth. ‘What is in that thing? It’s strong enough to fell a damn troll.’
‘The Wild Men like it.’
‘That’s hardly a ringing endorsement,’ I grunted, eyeing the glass as if it were about to leap out and attack me.
‘It’s Buckfast, tequila and beer. You have to use the right beer though or it just tastes rotten.’
‘Really.’ I wiped my mouth once more. Buckfast was a fortified wine brewed in England which had gained a loyal following up here. It tasted like cough syrup and packed a punch powerful enough to make even Brochan dance on tables. Lexie would probably love it.
‘So,’ the Bull said, ‘what do you really want? I don’t imagine you’re really concerned about my health.’
‘You’re right. I need you to sponsor me as a competitor for the Games. I need three Clan Chieftains to okay my entry.’
He threw back his head and laughed, a ringing guffaw that made even the bustling servants stop and stare. ‘You? You’re entering the Games?’
I put my hands on my hips. ‘What of it?’
He laughed again. ‘You’ll be eaten alive. There’s a reason only Sidhe are allowed to compete. It’s too difficult for anyone else.’
‘Hello? In case you’ve forgotten, I’m as Sidhe as you are.’
His lip curled. ‘In name only. You’ve not been brought up like everyone else. You don’t really know what it means to be like us.’
I narrowed my eyes. ‘You were my guardian,’ I pointed out. ‘Any gaps in my knowledge are your fault.’
‘I didn’t bring you up. I gave you a roof and nothing more.’
I drew myself up. ‘You gave me a shitty childhood, a servant’s apron and regular beatings.’
‘I didn’t lay a hand on you.’
‘No,’ I shot back, my anger growing. ‘You couldn’t even take that responsibility, could you? You got others to do that part.’
‘Your father was a homicidal maniac. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.’
‘My father won the last Games,’ I spat. ‘And you’d better watch yourself, Cul-Chain,’ I added, using his true name.
The Bull froze before darting a nervous look around him in case anyone had heard. He was fortunate that the barman was engaged in conversation at the other end of the bar and no one else was nearby. With slightly less vigour than before, he spoke again. ‘Even with your Gift, you’ll be no match for the others.’
He still thought all I could do was teleportation. Fool. ‘All the same.’ My voice hardened. ‘You will openly support me in this.’
‘You might have my vote,’ he sneered, ‘but you won’t get anyone else’s.’
‘Aifric has already given me his support.’ At least the Steward had done it publicly so he couldn’t withdraw it, no matter how much he might want to.
‘That’s still not enough.’
I leaned in towards him, enjoying his flinch. ‘Watch this space.’
*
By the time I got back to the main hall, my smile had returned. I wasn’t going to let the Bull keep me on edge and in a foul mood. Unfortunately, the expression on Brochan’s face suggested something far, far different.
‘What’s wrong?’ I asked.
His brow had settled into deep, lined furrows, the creases displaying an even darker shade of green than I was used to. ‘The Steward,’ he said, refusing to use Aifric’s actual name, ‘has finally deigned to show us where we’ll be staying.’
‘Ah. I guess it’s not up to your standards.’
He glowered further. ‘It’s not up to the standards of a bedevilled newt. You are a Chieftain in all but name. To expect you to stay somewhere like that is an affront.’
I was touched that he was so angry on my behalf. Truth be told, as long as there was a bed and a lack of rats – which was pretty much a given at this time of year as it was far too cold for even their furry hides – I didn’t much care. ‘We’ll manage,’ I told him. ‘It’s not going to be for long.’
His irritation didn’t subside. ‘Wait until you see it,’ he said.
He led me through a side door and down a winding path. The competitors’ village looked rather pleasant with twinkly lights which were just coming on as dusk settled. The path was lined with trees and free from frost. Someone had been using pyrokinesis to make sure no one slipped and broke their ankle before the Games began. I wondered idly if it was Byron and then pushed the thought away.
There was a hubbub of noise from the largest of the buildings. The different Clans might be in competition with each other but there was obviously a sense of camaraderie. It would probably disappear once the competition began – and I doubted that this fellowship would be extended to me. Nonetheless, the laughter was pleasant to hear; usually the Clans were at each other’s throats, vying for a foothold in their invisible hierarchy and forming and breaking alliances here, there and everywhere. The Games happened so infrequently that maybe this was an opportunity to put aside petty expressions of one-upmanship, even if only for a night or two.
Brochan marched ahead, his clunky shoes that were designed to hide his huge webbed feet slapping against the ground. We passed building after building until most of the lights were behind us and I felt my first trickle of foreboding. Aifric was certainly making sure we were well out of the way – and that could only be for a reason.
It was another five minutes before we reached the small cabin. There was a glimmer of light from inside and I could see that the exterior was flimsy. The last time I was at the Cruaich, when I’d agreed to help save the Foinse, I’d been granted luxurious rooms. Part of me preferred this set-up – it was more honest.
Brochan rapped four times on the door, a staccato beat which we’d used for years as a code to indicate safety, and then entered with me on his heels. That was when I realised just how bad things were.
The light was cast by candles dotted around on the floor at strategic points although they still only gave off a weak glow. There were four scabby-looking sleeping bags – annoying considering there were five of us – and I could swear it was colder inside than it was out. My gaze swept round, taking in the glum faces. Speck’s teeth were chattering.
‘Wow. Where’s the en suite?’ I asked.
‘For our ablutions,’ Speck said, his words vibrating, ‘we are expected to walk for another ten minutes down that way to an ancient stone house with an outside loo.’
Charming. ‘Well,’ I said, trying to make light of the situation, ‘I’m sure things could be worse.’
Taylor’s shoulders slumped. ‘You had to say it, didn’t you?
’
Lexie shook her head and shivered. ‘Now you’ve done it, Tegs.’
I pointed at Speck. ‘He’s meant to be the superstitious one. Don’t be silly.’
Just then, a loud patter came from the corrugated iron roof. Rain: and it took Mother Nature all of five seconds to find a suitable gap. One drop landed directly on the bridge of my nose and rolled down, hanging off the end until I shook it away.
‘That’s your fault,’ Lexie said, barely audible above the racket.
‘What they’re failing to say,’ Brochan rumbled, ‘is how dangerous this is.’ He gestured at the door. ‘No lock. Even if there was one, the walls are so flimsy that anyone could break them down. We can’t afford to take chances like this. It’s not safe.’
The merman had a point. Between us, we could probably make the place more comfortable but making it secure from potential assassins was another matter entirely.
‘A Sidhe, a pixie, a warlock, a human and a merman all walked into a hut,’ I began.
Speck groaned.
‘Don’t forget a genie,’ Taylor said, with raised eyebrows.
I grinned at him and snapped my fingers. ‘You’re right.’ I took out Bob’s letter opener as Brochan hurriedly sought a handkerchief in preparation. ‘Oh, Bob?’ I sang out, in my best casual tone. ‘Are you there?’
There was a pause. That was good, it meant he’d not been paying attention to the outside world. I called again and the blade shimmered. We covered our eyes just in time to avoid being blinded by the flash of light as he appeared. ‘What is it, Uh Integrity?’ he asked eagerly. ‘Do you want to use up that wish? Make it a good one, darling!’
Brochan sneezed violently as I shook my head. ‘The Games haven’t started yet. I promised I’d do it afterwards, remember?’
Bob’s shoulders slumped. ‘Oh yeah. What is it then?’
‘I don’t want to drag you away from whatever TV box set you’re currently enjoying but we thought this would be a great time to have a pre-Games party. Just us as a team.’ I gave him my best smile. ‘And you’re part of that team, Bobster!’
A slow smile spread across his tiny face. ‘Am I? Am I really?’ He bit his bottom lip and held his hands up to his chest. ‘That means so much. Usually I’m left out of things like that. People forget that I’m a person and that I have needs too. I’m a social animal really. But it’s soooo hard to socialise when you’re stuck inside a scimitar all day long. And when you’re the size of a sparrow.’ He bobbed his head from side to side. ‘You lot are considerably below my normal standard and it’s difficult for my superior intellect to maintain polite conversation when your brain capacities are so small but I can cope for now. Where are the jelly shots? Do we have strawberry?’
I smiled as he looked around. The further his head swivelled, the more his jaw dropped. ‘Uh Integrity,’ he whispered. ‘Where are we? Is this hell?’
I laughed. ‘Don’t be so silly! We’re at the Cruaich. We decided we’d bond together before the opening ceremony tomorrow and stay here instead of somewhere nicer. You know,’ I told him with a conspiratorial wink, ‘sleeping on the floor is very good for your back.’
Another drop of rain slid from the roof and splattered down next to him. He leapt out of the way with a shriek. ‘No! I will not do it! You cannot make me stay here!’
I shook my head in dismay. ‘Bob, what on earth is wrong? This place is great. Rustic living is so fashionable these days.’
Brochan sneezed again. Bob drew himself up and pointed in his direction. ‘Even the merman is feeling the cold.’
‘His sneezing has nothing to do with that and you know it.’
Lexie got in on the action. ‘Yeah,’ she agreed, although her lips were twitching. ‘Brochan loves this place. Being close to nature like this makes you feel as if you’re at one with the planet. I thought we might do some yoga later on and then some early morning mediation before the sun rises.’
Bob’s face screwed up like a squashed tomato. ‘No!’
‘Does it matter, Bob?’ Speck asked, shrugging. ‘You’ve got your letter op– I mean, scimitar to hang out in. If you don’t like communing with the earth, you can stay there.’
The genie jabbed his thumb at Speck. ‘But I’ll still know what is out here. I’m almost two thousand years old!’ he howled. ‘I deserve better than this!’
‘Well,’ I said, ‘we’re staying. If you want to leave, that’s fine. We can catch up with you after the Games.’
‘Oh no.’ He shook his head. ‘I know what you’re doing and I’m not going to let you fool me like that. You can’t rid of me that easily, sister!’ He glared. ‘Don’t go anywhere,’ he hissed. ‘I’ll be right back.’ And with that, he snapped his fingers and disappeared.
We looked at each other. I felt a little guilty for pulling the wool over Bob’s eyes yet again but it wouldn’t do any harm to see what solution he came up with. What was the point in having an all-powerful genie if you couldn’t manipulate him into giving you what wanted from time to time?
Brochan wiped his nose. ‘Should have brought antihistamines,’ he grumbled. ‘Damn genie.’
‘Where do you think he’s gone?’ Taylor asked.
‘Hopefully to magic us up a five-star hotel,’ Lexie replied. ‘In the Caribbean.’
I gestured around the room. ‘And miss out on all this?’ She stuck out her tongue. ‘We’re in Sidhe lands, Lex. If the wind changes…’
Her features quickly smoothed. ‘Bloody magical bastards ruining everything.’
There was a crackle and Bob reappeared. He gave a smug smile and waved his arms. ‘Mamamamamama,’ he chanted.
Brochan frowned. ‘What…?’
‘Shh.’
The air shimmered as molecules snapped and re-formed. I blinked in astonishment and looked around: everything glinted and gleamed with a rich opulence. Whatever I’d been expecting, it wasn’t this.
‘I have re-modelled based on what the Sultan of Brunei is currently enjoying in his palace,’ Bob announced with considerable flourish.
No wonder there was so much gold. The cabin was the same size but now there were shiny walls and large mirrors, creating the illusion of something far larger. Plush cushions and five red brocade-covered beds took the place of the sleeping bags.
I whistled. ‘Pretty impressive, Bob.’
His smile widened. ‘I know.’
Brochan was still frowning. He opened the door, stepped outside, look around and then came in again. ‘It looks exactly the same as it did on the outside but in here … good work, genie,’ he said grudgingly. Then he sneezed again.
‘Well,’ I said, ‘that’s the comfort part taken care of. Now we just need to worry about security.’
Bob’s eyebrows snapped together. ‘Hold on a minute,’ he said. ‘Are you telling me that…?’
I interrupted him before he could get worked up. ‘We should take turns to stay on guard,’ I said. ‘We need to be prepared for anything.’
‘Do you expect Aifric to attack?’
‘I think that where he’s concerned, we need to expect anything,’ I said grimly.
‘I’ll take the first watch,’ Taylor said.
‘Great.’ I yawned and jumped on the nearest bed, stretched out and closed my eyes. Judging by the last few hours, I was going to need all the rest I could get.
‘Good idea,’ Lexie said approvingly. ‘I think I’ll bed down myself.’
There were murmurs of agreement from Brochan and Speck, followed by faint creaks as they also lay down. Taylor grunted and headed outside to take up position.
‘You’re all having me on, aren’t you?’ Bob said gleefully. ‘Very funny, guys. Pretending to sleep instead of partying? Hahahahaha!’
There was a loud snore which only Speck could make. I pressed my lips together and tried not to smile.
‘It’s barely evening!’ Bob yelled. ‘What about that party? The team-building? The jelly shots?’
Nobody answered.
‘Guys?’
Silence.
‘I hate you all.’
Chapter Eight
I slept for a good five hours before doing my stint outside, then returned to bed for a further snooze. When I woke up, Bob was obviously over his sulk because he was curled up next to me in a pair of silk pyjamas and snoring louder than Speck.
I yawned, stretched and got up. Then I frowned; it was already morning but the outside world was remarkably quiet. Something felt wrong.
There were five sudden taps in quick succession on the door, the code for danger. I woke the others, putting my finger to my lips to encourage silence. Bob refused to open his eyes but everyone else was alert within seconds.
I stepped to the door and pressed my ear against it. Lexie was outside on guard duty. ‘What’s going on?’ I said, hoping my voice would travel enough for her to hear.
The door creaked open and she rushed inside, her face pale. ‘Something’s out there in the woods. Something big.’
Brochan tensed. ‘Friend or foe?’
‘As far as the Cruaich is concerned,’ I grunted, ‘everyone is a foe.’
Taylor glanced at me. ‘You’re the expert here, Tegs. What do we do?’
Some expert. I felt the weight and pressure of their expectation. Drawing a deep breath, I kept my voice low. ‘We need to know what we’re facing. If it’s a Sidhe and they’re close by – and I see them using their Gift – then maybe we’ll get lucky and I can steal it from them. If that’s not the case, we need to know what we’re dealing with so we can defend ourselves properly. Lexie, wander back out. Don’t look around, just head out the back as if you’re … um…’
‘Going for a pee?’
I snapped my fingers. ‘Perfect. I’ll take the front. The rest of you wait for my signal.’
I propelled Lexie forward without waiting for their agreement. She swallowed, masking her fear with a blank expression as she strolled out. I counted to five in my head and followed.
When I realised Brochan was at my heels, I scowled. ‘You’re supposed to stay inside!’ I hissed.