Wraith(90)

Silence descended. My plea was falling on deaf ears; I could see it in the line of Prime Minister James’s spine. He was going to give the order and everyone in Stirling was going to die.

‘There’s Saiya.’ Gabriel spoke quietly but his words were clear. I stiffened and turned, staring at him. ‘She’s a wraith. Her kind are anathema to us.’

‘Not without good reason,’ Rymark muttered.

Gabriel’s voice rose. ‘Revealing her identity meant she was likely to die. She knew that but she still did it because Stirling needs her. She did everything she could to retrieve the Stone of Scone. She never faltered, she never gave up, no matter how she was treated, no matter what I said to her. She risked everything. Stirling deserves a chance – and so does she.’

I almost stopped breathing.

‘What would you have me do?’ James’ voice was barely audible. He turned and looked at Gabriel and me. ‘What would you have me do?’

I swallowed. ‘I am a wraith. I can get back into Stirling. I can get to the Stone.’ I glanced at Gabriel. ‘I was told once that wraiths had the ability to remove an object’s shadow. If I can do that to the Stone of Scone, I’ll render it useless. The goblins can do whatever they like with it, they can crown whoever they want but if the Stone has no shadow, it has no power.’

James shook his head. ‘It’s too risky. The Gneiss and the Filits have the clues to find the Stone and the chances are they’ll get to it before you do. I’ve heard enough over the last hour to realise just how much cruelty they’re capable of. If one of them is anointed the supposed true King of Scotland, all will be lost.’

Enough was enough. I stepped up to James and glared at him. I ignored the horrified gasp from the onlookers that a despicable wraith such as myself was getting so close and threw every last shred of desperation I had at him. ‘You used the law as an excuse not to get involved with the siege of Stirling. If it weren’t for the Stone of Scone, you wouldn’t be getting involved now. Three years. Three years of siege and starvation and living according to the whims of a bunch of goblins who’ll string you up on the gallows as soon as give you a few crumbs to eat.’

The gasps were more audible this time. Prime Minister James clenched his jaw and I wondered whether I was about to be flung into the nearest dungeon for daring to argue with such an august personage.

‘We couldn’t get involved,’ he said stiffly. ‘The law is very clear: unless the goblins seek to encroach on the rest of Scotland, Stirling belongs to them. That’s the way it’s always been. We’ve entered into negotiations on several occasions but until now our hands have been tied.’

‘While people were dying, you were playing politics.’

James’s face reddened. I stood my ground, ready for whatever he was about to throw at me. Gabriel moved up beside me and took my hand, squeezing it tightly. Pain wrenched deep within my heart; he didn’t hate me after all. I wondered if he realised what his simple action meant to me. I hesitated for only a moment before squeezing his hand back.

Prime Minister James clenched his fists and muttered something inaudible under his breath then, surprisingly, his features relaxed. ‘You are right. We could have handled it better. I could have handled it better. I didn’t realise how bad things were in Stirling. I was trying to avert war with the goblins, whether Gneiss or Filit, and as a result all I achieved was more suffering.’ He glanced at Gabriel before returning his attention to me. ‘How confident are you that you can get to the Stone to remove its shadow without being noticed?’

I tilted up my chin. ‘I have every confidence. I’m a wraith, I can slide in anywhere and not be spotted.’

‘With all the wraith activity, the goblins are bound to have alarms that will be triggered by your presence.’

‘No alarm is foolproof,’ I said calmly.

James looked at me for a long moment. ‘If you fail, you will be tortured. The goblins will see to that. Lord Ghrashbreg will see to that. You will die and you will die brutally.’

That was the understatement of the year. ‘I won’t fail,’ I told him.

He sucked in a breath and raised his eyes, staring at a spot somewhere beyond my shoulder. ‘Six hours,’ he said finally. ‘You’ve got six hours to get in and out. After that, I will have no choice but to give the order to level Stirling to the ground.’ He nodded at someone. They bowed then drew out a heavy-looking object and held it out to me. ‘It’s a satellite phone. If you manage to take away the Stone’s power, use it to call me and I’ll stop the attack.’

I took it before realising that James must have already arranged for the phone. He had wanted me to persuade him. I wasn’t sure whether to be pleased by that or terrified.

Six hours. I swallowed. It wasn’t much time but it was more than I’d hoped for. I nodded, pulling my hand away from Gabriel. ‘Well,’ I said, ‘I’d better get going.’ I turned away.

‘Saiya,’ James said softly, ‘I will give that order. There won’t be any further delay once the six hours is up.’

I paused then I walked away. There was no point saying anything more.

I’d only just left the room when Gabriel caught up with me. ‘I’m coming with you.’

‘You’ll just get in my way.’ As soon as the words were out of my mouth, I realised I probably wasn’t doing his ego much good. ‘I’m a wraith, Gabriel. I can use the shadows and move faster and stealthier than a Dark Elf. It’s best if I go alone.’