Gifted Thief (Highland Magic #1)(9)

Taylor gazed helplessly at me. I shook my head. Lexie did have a point. I sighed and raised my eyes heavenward. ‘Tell me who they are and I’ll talk to them.’ I’d done it before. I could do it again.

Taylor’s response was heavy. ‘I don’t know who they are. We only communicate through a courier.’

My eyebrows flew up. I’d not heard of that one before. ‘That’s rather old-fashioned, isn’t it?’

‘I figured they didn’t want to leave a digital footprint. You should see the delivery guy though. He’s a brute. At least seven foot tall and almost the same distance wide again. He has a massive scar from his eyebrow to his mouth. No visible Clan markings.’ Taylor shivered. ‘He’s dangerous. And he’s just the errand boy.’ He flicked me a look. ‘Wild Man, of course.’

Of course. I passed a hand over my eyes. I’d bailed out Taylor many times in the past so my own savings weren’t as substantial as they should have been, given my career. They’d be enough to tide him over, though. ‘I have about a hundred and twenty thousand. That’ll cover your loan and leave some left over to give to Speck, Brochan and Lexie.’ I glanced at them all. ‘If you can wait for the rest, I’d appreciate it.’

Brochan shook his head. ‘Nuhuh. No way are you paying for us. I’ve got money. I can wait.’

Speck’s hand shot up in the air as if he were still a pupil at school. ‘I can wait too. It’s not like I ever really spend much money anyway.’

They both looked at Lexie. She pouted, her expression stubborn, but it took her less than five seconds to crack. ‘Fine! I’ll wait. Jeez.’

The relief on Taylor’s face was palpable. ‘I’ll make it up to you, I promise.’

I nodded. ‘I know you will.’ I meant it too. He always put things right ? sooner or later.

He beamed at us. ‘I think I have a new lead on the Lia Saifire. What we need is…’

‘Whoa.’ I put up my palms. ‘This was my last job. I’m out, remember?’

Taylor winced. ‘But you didn’t get the gem.’

I was sympathetic but adamant. ‘Not my fault. I’ll help you out with the money but I’m done. I’m due in Oban in five days’ time. I can’t start planning a new heist.’

‘Tegs, I need you.’

I met his eyes. ‘I’m sorry but Lexie, Speck and Brochan are capable enough and you have others you can contact if you need a fourth. I made my decision and I’m not backing down.’

He gave a pleading look that stabbed at my heart but, when it was clear he could look at me like that all day long and I still wasn’t going to break, he nodded imperceptibly and sighed. ‘I understand.’

The others remained silent, unwilling to get involved in what was essentially a family matter. I pushed myself off the wall and walked over to them giving Taylor a hug first. ‘I’ll send the money over this evening,’ I told him. ‘But I need to get home, get some sleep and start packing.’

‘Okay.’ He hung his head but didn’t quite let go of me.

I forced a smile at the others. ‘We’re still on for drinks before I leave though, right? At the usual place? You might need to buy those drinks now, of course but…’

‘We’ll be there!’ Lexie cried. ‘Of course we will!’

The pixie rushed towards me, ignoring the fact that Taylor’s arm was still round my shoulders. Speck rushed in too and then Brochan. All of a sudden all five of us were embracing in a warm, tight, group hug.

‘Guys,’ I squeaked. ‘I can’t breathe.’

They broke apart. ‘I’m going to miss you kiddo,’ Brochan said gruffly.

I smiled tremulously. ‘Drinks first, remember? I’m not leaving just yet.’

‘It’s still the end of an era though,’ Lexie sighed, her chin wobbling.

I took a step backwards. Despite – or perhaps because of ? our failure at the bank and the drama of Taylor’s admission, this was all getting a bit too much. I had to leave before I collapsed in floods of tears. I wasn’t usually ashamed to cry but I was afraid that if I started I’d never stop. ‘Saturday night?’ I managed to get out.

They all nodded. Then, very quickly and before my first tear escaped, I made my escape.

*

Dawn was just breaking. I wound my way through the familiar Clan-less streets while the sky broke apart into streaks of pink and purple, promising a perfect day. It was a long walk along the banks of the River Don but it helped me to get my head together. It was also a chance to take in the familiar landmarks and make my own silent goodbyes.

Crossing the invisible boundary into Old Aberdeen, I passed the High Kirk of St. Machar, pausing for a moment in front of its grubby, sandstone fa?ade. In all the time I’d lived here, I’d never been inside. The place still gave me a shiver though. Along with numerous bones belonging to ancient bishops from the Clans, the left quarter of William Wallace’s body was buried deep inside. His brutal execution signalled the very last time that a person of Clan-less birth was ever allowed a position of leadership.

Things might have improved over time, if it hadn’t been for the Fissure. The Sidhe took full advantage of that terrible war with the Fomori demons ? and the ensuing Veil, which smothered the borders of Lowlands from the Firth of Clyde right down to England itself. Now they ruled without challenge. Either you played along and gave allegiance to one of the remaining twenty-four Sidhe Clans or you were out in the cold with the Clan-less and grubbing about to make a living. But then, Scotland was never known for its warmth.