Gifted Thief (Highland Magic #1)(78)

Aifric’s first few steps were slow and shaky. He gripped the ropes as he shuffled along. It wasn’t until he was about halfway along that the group’s breathing returned to normal. So much for the Foinse being the only difficult part of this journey.

Encouraged by Byron, I went next. I wasn’t a complete fool. I tested my weight first, gingerly taking the first section. When I was sure the rope was secure, however, it was very satisfying to skip across in a fraction of the time that it had taken Aifric.

When I reached the other side, he smiled. ‘You really do have a head for heights.’

I grinned back. False modesty wasn’t my thing. ‘Yeah,’ I agreed, ‘I do.’

The others followed one by one. Despite his muscle, Byron was pretty fast. From his quickened breathing when he came off, though, he’d found it harder than he was letting on.

‘Are you alright?’ I inquired solicitously.

‘Oh, I’m perfect,’ he replied, straightening up. His eyes glinted as if he dared me to disagree.

‘Of course you are,’ I said quietly.

The Darrochs were both slow but steady. Malcolm Kincaid crossed with so much sweat streaming off his forehead and into his eyes that I was amazed he could see anything; his father struggled even more. His skin turned white as he inched his way, the ropes swinging dramatically on several occasions as he struggled to keep his balance. When he finally arrived, he threw me a nasty look even though my expression was bland.

‘You want to say something, Adair?’

‘It’s Taylor,’ I reminded him. ‘My name is Integrity Taylor.’

He flexed his fingers. Considering how tightly he’d grabbed the rope, they had to be stiff and sore. ‘Yes,’ he sneered. ‘I’d be ashamed of my Clan if it were yours.’

I didn’t deign to reply and turned my back. ‘I guess I’m up next,’ I said lightly. ‘Let’s go.’

After the rope bridge, the ground was fairly even. There was enough space to walk comfortably and even the scree underfoot was less of an issue. All the same, my stomach was twisting in nerves. Whether it was because I was worried about the Foinse or because I was about to acknowledge the importance of my true name – and therefore my Sidhe heritage – by passing the final hurdle, I wasn’t entirely sure. At least the tunnel we were moving along was getting darker so the others couldn’t see my tension.

The first indication I had that we were getting close was when we rounded a corner and I felt a breeze on my face. My eyes might have fully adjusted to the gloom but I still couldn’t make out anything that might be Foinse-shaped. I imagined that the Foinse would be like a small fountain with streams of multi-coloured magic bubbling up instead of water. Unfortunately, everything ahead was a dark black well .

I sniffed the air. For a long time, in fact since we’d entered the cavern, it had been growing gradually staler but now there was something different about it. It was almost fresh. I picked up my pace. We were almost there; I could feel it.

When we turned another corner, the Foinse was there. It was a huge chest bathed in light, although goodness knows where the light was coming from.

Diana, who was close behind me, gasped. With the chest perched on a stone pedestal and the light cascading from above, it was like entering an ancient temple to pay homage to a god.

I felt the final barrier before I saw it. When I was less than ten feet away from the chest, I could no longer press forward; there was an invisible force field around it. It was clear, though, where the light was coming from. Hundreds of metres above us there was a round hole. If I squinted, I could make out a dash of blue.

‘We’re in the centre of the mountain,’ Malcolm said, awestruck.

Byron drew a breath. ‘It’s your turn, Integrity.’

I nodded, glancing at the others to make sure they were going to give me the same privacy that they’d been given. There was a calculating expression in William Kincaid’s eyes but Aifric gripped his elbow and pulled him back. Giving them a tight smile, I turned my attention to the last lock. I pressed my palms against the barrier and marvelled at the magical craftsmanship that must have gone into making it.

I squeezed my eyes shut and breathed my name. ‘Layoch.’

The sensation of the barrier shattering was extraordinary. I felt a wash of power surge through me. Basking in its glow, I smiled. For the first time, I felt what it was to be Adair. I revelled in the moment – until Malcolm pushed past me, making a beeline for the chest.

He grabbed the corners and lifted. Nothing happened. I watched his shoulders strain and heard him grunt but the chest didn’t budge. Byron joined him, as did Diana. The three of them heaved but it still refused to open. Aifric, Dorienne and William joined them, all six of them scrabbling and straining. I folded my arms and kept back. There was no visible lock on the front, other than a simple iron latch. Sheer muscle was going to be a waste of time. There was a lightly coloured panel of wood on the left-hand side that told me everything I needed to know.

‘Aren’t you going to help us?’ William Kincaid spat.

I arched an eyebrow. ‘If six of you can’t open it, one more person isn’t going to make any difference.’

Aifric stepped away, his shoulders sagging. ‘She’s right. There has to be another way. We must have missed something.’

Diana joined him and pursed her lips. One by one they moved back until only Malcolm remained there, huffing and puffing. ‘It has to open!’