Wraith(47)

‘…the information we received appears to be true.’

‘It’s not. You need better spies.’

My eyes widened. Those were the unmistakable accents of two goblins: one Filit and one Gneiss. De Florinville had gone one step further than Marrock; he’d used to magic to let us hear what the goblins at Mercat Cross were saying. If there were a record button, this would be the best CCTV system in the country.

I shuffled closer to get a better look. Even from this distance it was obvious that the tension between the two groups was at breaking point. Frankly, I was amazed that the Gneiss goblins were still alive. They had dared much by coming into the city like they had. And they were standing slap bang in the city centre.

‘If you have the Stone,’ the Gneiss general continued, ‘we deserve to know about it.’

Another familiar voice rang out and Ghrashbreg appeared, shoving his way through the ranks to appear in front of the other Filits. ‘If we had the Stone, you’d already know about it. Get out of our city.’

‘It’s not yours.’

Ghrashbreg looked amused. ‘According to the laws of Scotland it is. Even Prime Minister James hasn’t interfered with our ownership.’

The swarthy Gneiss goblin was unimpressed. ‘He is weak.’ I sneaked a look at de Florinville. His expression was stony and his arms were folded tightly against his broad chest. I guessed he wasn’t very impressed either. ‘Besides, he knows that the law states Stirling is goblin land. Not Filit. Not Gneiss. Merely goblin.’

Ghrashbreg shrugged. ‘We were here first. And you know what the humans say. Finders keepers…’

‘But if you’ve not found the Stone yet, perhaps it’s time you let someone else try. You are growing careless with your efforts. Gabriel de Florinville is here. If he discovers the truth…’

‘He is leaving this evening,’ Ghrashbreg growled. ‘And he knows nothing. The Dark Elf might be powerful but he has other things to distract him.’

‘Such as?’

‘His Fior Ghal is here in this very city.’

The Gneiss general started. ‘Really?’

‘Really.’ Ghrashbreg sniffed derisively. ‘Unless you managed to kill her when you destroyed the Tolbooth. We’ve not seen her or de Florinville since the walls collapsed. The Prime Minister won’t be happy if you’ve killed him. He might even take umbrage and send in a larger contingent. You thought you were killing our only lead to the Stone. Instead you might have ended all our efforts in one fell swoop.’

‘Our efforts?’

‘We’re all goblins here.’

The Gneiss smiled. ‘We are. Why don’t you let us take over the search so you can get a rest?’

‘Fuck off.’

‘There’s no need to be rude, Lord Ghrashbreg.’

Ghrashberg took a menacing step forward. ‘I mean it. Get out of our city. We will give you ten minutes to leave the city walls or your compatriots will find your heads in the next diplomatic bags.’

For a moment it seemed as if the Gneiss leader was going to hold his ground, whether he was outnumbered a thousand to one or not, but in the end he inclined his head and moved back. ‘So be it. But tell me, Lord Ghrashbreg, if you do find the Stone as a result of this woman, will you use it? Or is there another Filit with even grander delusions of power?’

Ghrashbreg laughed. ‘It’s not if we find the Stone, you imbecile. It’s when.’ His laughter stopped. ‘Now get out.’

The Gneiss goblin jerked his hand upwards and returned to the vehicle, which still had its engine running. As he clambered aboard and it reversed away, I glanced at de Florinville. He was looking pale under his tan and beads of sweat were breaking out across his forehead. Holding the eavesdropping spell was obviously taking more of a toll on him than he wanted us to know. This, I thought smugly, was why wraiths were far superior to Dark Elves. But for all the strain etched on his face and contained within the stiff lines of his taut body de Florinville clung on.

As soon as the Gneiss goblins had departed, Ghrashbreg turned to the other goblins. ‘He’s right about one thing – we are growing careless. Our proximity to success is causing us to lose focus. Make sure the Gneiss bastards leave and don’t return. Plug the gap they’ve created. We need to find where the damned Horrocks woman has gone. Does de Florinville have her? Because if he does and he knows about the Stone…’ He sucked in a breath and didn’t bother finishing his sentence. Judging by the expressions of the other goblins, he didn’t need to.

‘Find them both,’ Ghrashbreg ordered. ‘Especially Angela Horrocks. Go door to door until you’ve scoured every damn corner of this city. Kill whoever gets in your way but bring her to me and make sure she is still alive and capable of talking. If you can’t find her, then find her damned brat.’ He paused then, when no one immediately moved, he roared, ‘Move!’

Goblins scattered everywhere. De Florinville gasped and the spell was broken. Mercat Cross was still reflected in Marrock’s clever mirror but we could no longer hear what was going on. It didn’t really matter; I reckoned all of us had heard enough.





Chapter Twelve


Without waiting for the other two, I spun away and flew down the fire escape, pelting my way back through the dark bowling alley towards Ange. It was only a matter of time until the Filits found us here and it was imperative that I got her to safety. I’d have to get her to Sally’s, retrieve Becky and find a way to get both of them out of Stirling. There were plenty of gaps in the siege line – the Gneiss goblins had just proved that. What Ange and Becky needed, however, was a blind gap where they could slip through entirely unnoticed by either side. I’d find a way for them; I had to.