Page 32 of Honour Bound
‘Well,’ I said, ‘that’s the comfort part taken care of. Now we just need to worry about security.’
Bob’s eyebrows snapped together. ‘Hold on a minute,’ he said. ‘Are you telling me that…?’
I interrupted him before he could get worked up. ‘We should take turns to stay on guard,’ I said. ‘We need to be prepared for anything.’
‘Do you expect Aifric to attack?’
‘I think that where he’s concerned, we need to expect anything,’ I said grimly.
‘I’ll take the first watch,’ Taylor said.
‘Great.’ I yawned and jumped on the nearest bed, stretched out and closed my eyes. Judging by the last few hours, I was going to need all the rest I could get.
‘Good idea,’ Lexie said approvingly. ‘I think I’ll bed down myself.’
There were murmurs of agreement from Brochan and Speck, followed by faint creaks as they also lay down. Taylor grunted and headed outside to take up position.
‘You’re all having me on, aren’t you?’ Bob said gleefully. ‘Very funny, guys. Pretending to sleep instead of partying? Hahahahaha!’
There was a loud snore which only Speck could make. I pressed my lips together and tried not to smile.
‘It’s barely evening!’ Bob yelled. ‘What about that party? The team-building? The jelly shots?’
Nobody answered.
‘Guys?’
Silence.
‘I hate you all.’
Chapter Eight
I slept for a good five hours before doing my stint outside, then returned to bed for a further snooze. When I woke up, Bob was obviously over his sulk because he was curled up next to me in a pair of silk pyjamas and snoring louder than Speck.
I yawned, stretched and got up. Then I frowned; it was already morning but the outside world was remarkably quiet. Something felt wrong.
There were five sudden taps in quick succession on the door, the code for danger. I woke the others, putting my finger to my lips to encourage silence. Bob refused to open his eyes but everyone else was alert within seconds.
I stepped to the door and pressed my ear against it. Lexie was outside on guard duty. ‘What’s going on?’ I said, hoping my voice would travel enough for her to hear.
The door creaked open and she rushed inside, her face pale. ‘Something’s out there in the woods. Something big.’
Brochan tensed. ‘Friend or foe?’
‘As far as the Cruaich is concerned,’ I grunted, ‘everyone is a foe.’
Taylor glanced at me. ‘You’re the expert here, Tegs. What do we do?’
Some expert. I felt the weight and pressure of their expectation. Drawing a deep breath, I kept my voice low. ‘We need to know what we’re facing. If it’s a Sidhe and they’re close by – and I see them using their Gift – then maybe we’ll get lucky and I can steal it from them. If that’s not the case, we need to know what we’re dealing with so we can defend ourselves properly. Lexie, wander back out. Don’t look around, just head out the back as if you’re … um…’
‘Going for a pee?’
I snapped my fingers. ‘Perfect. I’ll take the front. The rest of you wait for my signal.’
I propelled Lexie forward without waiting for their agreement. She swallowed, masking her fear with a blank expression as she strolled out. I counted to five in my head and followed.
When I realised Brochan was at my heels, I scowled. ‘You’re supposed to stay inside!’ I hissed.
