Page 72 of Honour Bound
Byron looked puzzled. ‘What was the second reason?’
‘To attack me for killing William Kincaid,’ I muttered.
‘But you didn’t kill him. His death was an accident,’ he said
I threw up my arms. ‘I know!’ Kirsty’s shape disappeared among the trees. ‘I should go after her. She’s just spent half the day in a coma. She has no idea where she is or where she’s going.’
‘She’ll be fine,’ Tipsania said dismissively. ‘There’s a clue point about a half a mile away. All she has to do is wait there and someone will pick her up.’
I gave a sidelong glance. ‘Really? Or will the Carnegies just leave her to freeze to death?’
‘They wouldn’t do that.’
I wouldn’t bet on it. I reckoned that they were bloodthirsty enough to do just that – and not only to me. Kirsty wasn’t important enough in Sidhe hierarchy to merit a rescue. Judging by the expression on Byron’s face, he thought the same. I shook my head. ‘I suppose you guys are out in front?’
‘Of course.’
That was something; by taking a risk, I’d found the leaders. In fact, because I was in the last group to depart I was in now in first place. I could take time out to make sure Kirsty was alright.
‘Great. Good to see you both. It’s, um, nice that you’re working together.’
Tipsania’s eyes narrowed. ‘What does that mean?’
‘Exactly what I said.’ I grinned. ‘Toodle pip.’
I started to jog after Kirsty, following her tracks. There was the crunch of footsteps behind me, then Byron was by my shoulder. ‘What are you doing?’
He shrugged. ‘Coming with you. Kirsty’s more likely to listen to me than to you.’
That was true. ‘But I’m in the lead,’ I pointed out, while striding forward once more. ‘Sort of anyway. You need the extra time to get ahead of me. Don’t you want to win?’
‘There’ll be time enough to beat you.’
No chance. Rather than rise to the bait, I reminded him we weren’t alone. ‘Can you beat Tipsania?’
‘I can catch up to Tipsy later. I am working with her, after all.’ He sent me a sly glance.
‘Why?’ I asked.
‘Why am I working with her? Let’s just say our desires currently converge.’
What did that mean? I decided I wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of asking.
‘You know,’ he commented, ‘your cheeks are almost as pink as the colour of your tartan. It’s rather adorable.’ Adorable? What was I? A puppy? He continued in the same tone of voice. ‘Did you have anything to do with Kirsty losing her Gift?’
The easiest way to reply to a question you don’t want to answer is to ask another question. ‘How could I have done that?’ I asked flatly. ‘I don’t even have a Gift of my own.’
He scanned my face. ‘I’m starting to think that’s not true. The Bull seems to think you have one.’
My mouth pursed. The Bull was meant to be keeping quiet about that. He’d probably found some irritating way to work around the command I’d placed on him. He and I would have words later. ‘I wouldn’t tell the Bull what toothpaste I use,’ I replied, ‘let alone my supposedly secret Gift.’
‘You can trust me, Integrity.’
There was another buzz in my veins and instinctively I knew he was telling the truth. Thank you, Kirsty. ‘Okay then. You’re right, I do have a Gift.’
Byron smirked. ‘I knew it.’
I leaned in towards him and licked my lips. ‘I’m very, very gifted,’ I breathed.
