Page 21 of Last Wish
‘Uh Integrity?’
‘Yes?’
Bob shoved the Foinse out of the way and scooted up to my neck, settling himself above my collarbone with a happy sigh. ‘I really hate you sometimes.’
Chapter Five
It wasn’t easy to persuade the others to stay behind, even though I knew it was the sensible thing for them to do. The Cruaich wasn’t like the Bull’s castle and, even if the Moncrieffes worked out that Tipsania was no longer here, the trolls were in increasing danger and might need help. Unfortunately, my surrogate family was all packed and ready to go and gazing at me with expectant faces.
‘I need people here,’ I explained. ‘We don’t know for sure what the Clans are going to try next.’
Brochan glowered. ‘There are hundreds of trolls.’
‘Yep,’ I nodded, ‘there are. But they’re no match against Sidhe Gifts. You can control the weather ? you could call up a storm and delay anyone who tries to get in.’
Brochan’s gills flapped in irritation. ‘I can’t control the weather. And I can’t create storms.’
‘You can make it rain.’
‘It’s not the same thing.’
I shrugged. ‘It’s going to be easier for one person to slip in and out of the Cruaich. Especially a Sidhe. You’re better placed here.’
Speck stepped up as if he were tag-teaming the merman. ‘We’ve done it before. And now I’ve got magic,’ he said. ‘Real magic. You saw how strong I’m getting. I just proved it by helping you get away from the Bull.’
‘Which is why I need you here too. That magic might be needed.’ I crossed my arms. ‘Anyway, if you stay close to the Foinse your magic will get stronger.’
‘The Adair border is strong, Tegs. It’ll hold against anyone who tries to breach it.’
There was a stubborn set to my jaw. ‘We don’t know what else Aifric might have up his sleeve. The Adair Lands need to remain unbreached.’
‘Well, I don’t have magic,’ Lexie interrupted. ‘I can come.’
‘You need to stay and keep Speck grounded.’ I pushed back my hair. ‘This is the most sensible course of action.’
‘What about me?’ Taylor asked.
I glanced at my old mentor. As much as I’d like to have him along, even just for reassurance, I couldn’t live with myself if he got hurt. ‘No,’ I said flatly. ‘You have a good relationship with the trolls. They’ll listen to you if everything goes tits up.’
He sighed. ‘You’re supposed to be dead. If anyone who’s not as stupid as the Bull sees you then…’
‘Then, as I keep saying, we’ll deal with it. I’ve taken some threads of Tipsania’s Gift for emergencies and I’ll steal more Gifts when I’m at the Cruaich. I’ll need them for later when I venture across the Veil again.’
Bob beamed. ‘Excellent. Uh Integrity can go and save Sweetie and we’ll all stay here. I’d been hoping for a holiday. Some relaxation time will do me good.’
‘His name is Candy. And you’re coming with me.’
‘But…’
‘I might need that last wish from you, Bob.’
He opened his mouth to argue then thought better of it. I turned to look at the bits of rubbish near my feet just as he leaned in towards Taylor and whispered loudly, ‘Reverse psychology.’ He grinned. ‘Works every time. You’d know that if you were as powerful as I am.’
‘What’s with the rubbish?’ Taylor asked, ignoring the genie.
My eyes danced. ‘Has no one ever wondered why the Scrymgeours are so wealthy?’
‘They’re canny bastards.’
