‘What’s the rush?’
‘Well, let me see,’ he said sarcastically. ‘We’re breaking and entering into what is supposed to be one of the most secure vaults in the country to steal a gemstone that’s worth more than most people will make in their lifetime. If we get caught, we’ll end up in prison until we’re all grey and wrinkled. So, sure, take all the time you need.’
She jabbed a finger through the gap. ‘Pixies don’t go grey. And Integrity’s hair is already pure white. So it’s only you and Speck who have to worry about that side of things.’
‘Lexie…’
‘Okay, okay. Give me a moment. It’s pitch black in here, after all.’
Brochan started to mutter something under his breath.
‘Counting to ten?’ I asked, amused.
‘I could count to a thousand and she’d still annoy me.’
‘You love her really.’
There was a loud creak as the vault door began to open. Speck pushed forward, tripping over his own feet in his haste to get inside.
‘I can’t believe you’re leaving me on my own with these two,’ Brochan grumbled.
I smiled and gestured at the door. ‘Moany mermen before shady Sidhe.’
‘I’m not moany. Not any more than you’re shady, anyway.’
‘I’m a thief,’ I said simply. ‘I’m about as shady as you’re likely to get.’ I gave him a gentle nudge. ‘Come on. Weren’t you getting worried about the time?’
He blew air through his cheeks and followed the warlock in. I held back for a moment, savouring the last time I would ever do this. It had been a hell of a ride. Then I entered the dark vault too.
Speck had recovered enough from his stumble to click his fingers and create enough light for the four of us to see what we were doing. The vault was lined with box after narrow box. It reminded me of Doctor Who’s TARDIS. Even with its huge door, the size of the vault and the number of safety deposits boxes were surprising.
‘What number is it?’ Brochan asked.
‘A724,’ I answered. ‘Further down the back.’
‘Did I ever tell you that I’m slightly claustrophobic?’ Speck asked.
‘Only every time we do this,’ Lexie replied. ‘Is there anything you’re not scared of?’
He seemed to think about it for a moment. ‘Spiders,’ he said finally. ‘I quite like spiders.’
The pixie shuddered delicately. ‘Ugh.’
‘There it is,’ Brochan said, breaking into the conversation. He strode over, examining the box in question with a practised eye.
‘You know,’ Speck said, ‘there must be a lot of wealth hidden behind all of these. We don’t just have to take the jewel.’
‘Do you want to be the person who steals some poor grandmother’s family heirloom?’ I asked, watching Brochan carefully. ‘Or Joe Bloggs’ life savings?’
‘You have an interesting sense of morality. We are here to nick the Lia Saifir after all.’
‘The lordling who owns it is as rich as Croesus. He won’t miss it.’
Speck snorted but I ignored it. ‘Can you open it, Brochan?’
‘I reckon so.’
‘Do you need some tools?’
He drew back his fist and smashed it into the box. The door sprang open. He looked at me from over his shoulder. ‘Nah,’ he grinned. ‘I’m good.’
My eyes danced. There was nothing like sheer brute strength. I stood next to him and gazed down. This was always my favourite part, the heart-stopping moment before the big reveal when all our hard work and preparation would pay off. With a deep breath, I reached out and slid open the drawer.
I stared, my mouth dropping open. Crap-a-doodle-doo. Brochan cursed and spat.
‘What?’ Speck asked. ‘What is it?’
Lexie squeezed her way in and gazed down. ‘Shit. It’s gone?’ She shoved her hand into the box and felt around. ‘Maybe it’s rolled to the back?’
I shook my head. Frustration, disappointment and just the tiniest edge of relief mingled together in my stomach. ‘No. It’s empty.’ I sighed. ‘Taylor was so sure it would be here.’
‘A month!’ Speck shrieked. ‘It’s taken us a month of planning to get here and the stupid gem’s not there? Now what?’
There was only one answer to that. I slammed the box back into place. It clanged, the sound reverberating around the vault. ‘Now we go home. We’re done.’
Chapter Two
I stood at the back, leaning against the wall with my arms folded while the others yelled.
‘You know how long we took in planning that operation? Goddamnit, Taylor!’
‘How could you have gotten the intelligence so wrong?’
‘I could have died climbing up that building and all for nothing!’
Taylor glanced at me. ‘Wouldn’t you like to join in as well?’
I shrugged. ‘We went for the Lia Saifir and it wasn’t there. End of.’
His mouth twisted. ‘Everything I had led me to believe it was there. My contact said…’
‘Well, your contact was bloody wrong, wasn’t he?’ Speck exploded.