Wraith(86)

‘It’s from Stirling. Everything in this city belongs to us.’ He leered at me. ‘Even the people.’

A low growl emitted from Gabriel’s throat. ‘You go too far.’

Ghrashbreg painted on an innocent expression. ‘Do I? I think you’ll find the law is perfectly clear in this matter. It always has been. Stirling is a goblin protectorate. You have no rights here and neither does your Fior Ghal. In fact, as a citizen of Stirling, she belongs to me not you.’ He glanced at me. ‘Although given what a thorn in my side you appear to have become, Ms Buchanan, I should have done more than break your little fingers.’

Gabriel snarled and lunged forward. Ghrashbreg had obviously been hoping he would do that because he flicked his wrist and two more goblins peeled away and leapt towards me. While Gabriel wrapped one hand round Ghrashbreg’s throat, the two goblins grabbed my wrists and hauled me backwards.

Ghrashberg didn’t move a muscle. ‘I suggest you release me.’

The goblins tightened their grip on me and wrenched my wrists backwards with such violence that I cried out and tears of pain sprang to my eyes. They were hurting the wrong person if they thought this would make Gabriel hand over the box, however.

Blinking back the tears, I gazed at the little thing still clutched in Gabriel’s free hand. My vision was slightly blurred, making the bright lacquer surface swim. My unfocused vision allowed a totally different interpretation of the intricate designs on each side of it. I gasped and fell to my knees.

‘The love of your life is in agony,’ Ghrashbreg continued, arching an eyebrow towards Gabriel. ‘Don’t you want to help her?’

I moaned, briefly registering the smirk on the Filit goblin’s face. Most goblins were unlikeable but Ghrashbreg was psychotic. I could almost see his palms itching to reach over and snap my neck. I wondered what he was looking forward to more – my death or Gabriel’s reaction to it. He couldn’t know that I was less horrified by the pain and more by the continuing touch of the goblins’ skin on mine.

That answered one question at least: being with Gabriel and enjoying his touch was a one-off. I’d not been cured of my phobia because the sensation of being touched by others still gave me shudders. Gabriel was unique and special. But I already knew that.

Whatever Ghrashbreg’s true motivation was, I had to make a move before he did. It would be touch and go given all the witnesses surrounding us but I reckoned I was close enough to manage it. It helped that everyone here – Gabriel excluded – believed I was weak and inconsequential.

‘You can’t do this,’ Gabriel hissed.

‘Oh,’ Ghrashbreg replied, ‘I think you’ll find I can. Now kindly remove your hand from around my throat before…’

I snapped forward, releasing my shadow so it sprang towards Gabriel and slammed the trinket box out of his hands. I leapt back, returning my shadow to its natural place. Gabriel jumped, losing his grip on Ghrashbreg. That was probably for the best. As I moved, I kept my eyes on the spinning box, taking a mental snapshot of each lacquered side. A second later, it smashed to the ground, wood and glass splintering everywhere.

A tiny scroll rolled towards Ghrashbreg’s feet, coming to rest in front of his toes. Gabriel saw it too and went to snatch it up, a split second before the goblin Lord. He was too late; Ghrashbreg’s boot stomped down on the scroll.

‘Well, well, well,’ Ghrashbreg murmured with a nausea-inducing smile. ‘The box gives up its secrets.’ He raised his eyebrows at me. I was fairly certain that I’d moved quickly enough to avoid detection but there was no denying the sudden scepticism in his eyes. ‘You know, the wraith we captured earlier managed to escape without anyone noticing. The guard swears he didn’t fall asleep. In fact, even after having his left eyeball punctured, he promised he didn’t lose focus. It’s ironic that the only thing capable of slipping past him to rescue the wraith would be another wraith.’ He flicked his eyes from me to Gabriel and back again while I stopped breathing. ‘I don’t suppose it really matters now.’ He bent down and picked up the miniature scroll. ‘We have all we need.’ He gestured to the two goblins still holding me. ‘Take both them to the gallows. They can swing.’

I grimaced at Gabriel. This was not the time for elven heroics; I needed him to play prisoner. Unfortunately, he had other ideas. Straightening his posture, he beckoned to the goblins surrounding us. ‘Come on then,’ he taunted. ‘I’m looking forward to this.’

Ghrashbreg tsked. ‘You should take a leaf out of your Fior Ghal’s book. She understands that there are worse fates than death. You should be grateful that I’m granting you an easy way out, especially after you disdained my poison.’ His expression grew earnest. ‘I’m trying to be good to you. For a Dark Elf who works for the government, you’re a rather personable fellow. I don’t want to torture you.’

He raised his squat, hairy, index finger and another goblin moved. She didn’t advance on Gabriel but stepped towards me, removing a sharp, curved knife from the folds of her jacket. I made a show of struggling. I really didn’t want to end up with my intestines spilled across the cobbles.

‘Get away from her,’ Gabriel snarled.

The goblin raised the blade, brandishing it towards my left eye. I flinched without meaning to and her mouth split into an unpleasant smile.