Last Wish (Highland Magic #4)(23)

Following Bob’s directions, I carefully wound my way towards the oblivious Sidhe. I doubted whether I could work out what Gifts each one had; it wasn’t something I’d been capable of before now. If I couldn’t achieve that kind of knowledge with Morna’s help, there was little chance I could do it with Bob’s. It would make life considerably easier, though. If I could pick and choose which magic to steal, I could end up with an array of Gifts as part of my arsenal. That thought spurred me on and I moved faster.

‘They’re in a clearing just up ahead,’ Bob whispered in my ear.

I cast around. Just in front of me there was a large oak tree with some lowlying branches and heavy foliage that might do the trick. Grinning, I began to climb. When I thought I was high enough, I shimmied out across one of the far-reaching branches and peered through the leaves. Bob was right: there were more than a dozen male Sidhe milling around for no apparent reason.

I looked from one to another. Their clothing signalled they were from different Clans – Moncrieffe, Kincaid, Darroch, MacGillivray and Riddell. I didn’t recognise any of them. Focusing my attention on the closest one – a youngish guy with red hair – I furrowed my brow. As before, I could see the magic inside him but I had no clue as to what it was. I emptied my mind of all my turbulent thoughts, blocked out the Sidhe’s chatter and my arboreal-induced discomfort, until the two of us might have been the only people in the entire world. His Gift called to me. Desire to take it ran through my veins as if I were being seduced into stealing. I held my breath, only aware of the thrumming of my heartbeat and the twisting magic within the Sidhe.

‘Huh, that’s interesting,’ Bob said.

I just managed to avoid yelping. ‘Goddamnit, Bob!’ I hissed, my fingers gripping the branch harder so I could remain in place. ‘I’m trying to concentrate!’

‘Well,’ he huffed, ‘I’d have thought you of all people would be interested in their conversation. D’you think Byron would invite me?’

‘What?’

He tsked and poked my cheek. ‘He thinks you’re dead. I have no reason not to be here. I could pretend to bump into him and then maybe he’d invite me along. I like parties.’

‘Bob, what on earth are you on about?’

He sighed as if I were incredibly dim-witted. ‘Listen.’

I widened my focus so that instead of being wholly absorbed in one man, I was paying attention to them all.

‘What about strippers?’ asked one swarthy Sidhe, who was Moncrieffe judging by the tartan he was wearing.

‘I know this girl,’ another answered, ‘who is able to shoot ping-pong balls…’

I gagged and made a face. Fortunately, I wasn’t the only one.

‘Mate, this is Byron we’re talking about. He’s classier than that.’

‘But this girl is classy! You need to meet her. She’s got legs that go on for miles.’

‘I’ve got a company lined up. They’re going to give us their most talented girl for the evening.’

‘Which company?’

The speaker consulted his phone. ‘Tartan Exotica. I know Mark, the owner, and he’s giving me a good deal.’

‘Grand.’

There was a rustle of leaves. All the Sidhe turned guiltily, relaxing only when they saw who had joined them. ‘So,’ Jamie Moncrieffe said. ‘How are the preparations going? Have you managed to book the Haven?’

‘Done and dusted, mate.’

He smiled. ‘Good. Byron has no clue about what’s going on. I’ll tell the band to show up around 7pm but it’s up to you guys to make sure everything’s a surprise.’

‘No problem.’

‘And the entertainment is sorted? No strippers, right?’

The others all nodded vigorously. ‘Right.’

‘Damn,’ Bob whispered. ‘If it’s a surprise, I’ll need to talk to Jamie about my invite. He doesn’t really know me, though.’

‘You’re not going to Byron’s bloody stag do, Bob.’

He pouted. ‘I might find out some serious intel. Maybe Aifric will be there.’

‘Yes, because I’m sure that the Steward wants to spend his evening with strippers and young Sidhe blokes getting off their faces.’ I snorted in disgust. ‘This is a waste of time.’ I started slithering back down the branch. I had zero interest in this.

‘Oi! Where are you going? What about their Gifts?’

‘I’ll find some others instead. Anyway, it’ll be safer to nick their magic when they’re alone.’ As to what that magic might be, I’d just have to hope I managed to get some worthwhile Gifts. A lucky dip rather than a selection box. No problem.

***

Obviously, wandering in through the Cruaich’s main doors was a big no-no. I took inspiration from our jaunt to the Bull’s lair and headed round the back of the massive castle. I shoved all my hair inside my trusty baseball cap and kept my head down. It was unlikely that any Sidhe would be hanging around the servants’ quarters so all I had to do was avoid looking anyone in the eye and I could skate by without suspicion. If the worst came to the worst, I had enough of Tipsania’s Gift to vanish.

I smiled humourlessly. If word got round that Integrity Adair’s ghost was haunting the Cruaich, at least I’d have something new to laugh about.