Page 36 of Honour Bound
‘Did you find anything?’ he demanded. ‘Any necklace or stolen property?’
The guards wouldn’t meet his eyes. ‘Well, there’s a harp which looks pretty expensive.’
I balled up my fists. ‘If you’ve damaged it…’
Byron held up his index finger and I quietened. I’d made my point. ‘Anything else?’
‘No.’
I gave a silent sigh of relief. Was that because they’d not had time to find the necklace? It had to be planted somewhere.
‘Get out of here.’
I thought for a moment that Byron was referring to me but I relaxed when I realised he meant the Cruaich guards. ‘Yeah,’ I added. ‘And for your information it’s Integrity Taylor Adair. A. D. A. I. R. Adair. Got that?’
‘Integrity,’ Byron said.
‘Yep?’
‘You can shut up now.’
‘Everyone’s a hater,’ I mumbled. ‘Just because who Adairs wins.’
He didn’t smile. I rolled my eyes and stepped up beside him to peek inside. When I saw the harp uncovered but seemingly unharmed, I stood up straighter. Thank goodness for small mercies.
‘I apologise,’ Byron said stiffly, ‘that you were given accommodation like this. You should be in the village with everyone else. I’ll arrange for you to be moved there immediately.’
I looked quickly at the others, noting the glint in their eyes. ‘It’s not so bad here. The peace and quiet is nice and we like rustic living.’
Lexie nodded. ‘Communing with earth.’
‘At one with nature,’ Speck threw in.
Byron frowned but didn’t pursue it. ‘If you wish.’
I smiled. ‘We do. Although if you could install a permanent guard then we can avoid any future misunderstandings of this sort.’
His frown slowly evaporated and he scratched his chin; he knew where I was going with this. ‘You understand why you’d be a suspect, Integrity. Youarea thief.’
I met his eyes. ‘Iwasa thief. Maybe you’re right and I still am that person but I’m not going to jeopardise my chance to compete in the Games. This wasn’t us.’ Brochan groaned and sat up, rubbing his forehead. My voice hardened. ‘Any of us.’
‘I believe you,’ Byron said quietly.
I nodded. ‘Thank you.’ Then, because I could afford to, I widened my smile. ‘I don’t suppose you could help us clean up?’
He bowed. ‘It would be my pleasure. Stand back.’
I raised my eyebrows and did as he requested. He smirked slightly and the green in his eyes deepened. I jumped about an inch into the air as there was a clatter from the cabin.
‘Have you ever seenMary Poppins?’ Byron asked. ‘OrFantasia?’
‘It’s been a while.’
He leaned in towards me and lowered his voice. ‘Then watch this.’
More clatters sounded. As the rest of us gaped, all manner of objects rose up and righted themselves. A pair of off-white Y-fronts floated in the air. Taylor coughed. ‘They’re mine. Black suitcase.’ They danced away and folded themselves neatly inside it.
A teddy bear waved at us. Byron crooked an eyebrow towards me but Speck raised his hand. ‘Into the backpack, please.’
