Last Wish (Highland Magic #4)

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.’

‘Oh, they are that,’ I said. ‘But they’ve also got some particular Clanlings who help them out from time to time.’

Taylor’s brow furrowed. ‘Eh?’

I smirked. ‘Watch.’ I pulled on the Gift I’d stolen and directed it at the mess on the ground. As everyone gaped, the tins, empty crisp packets and various bits of shite began to transform.

‘Is that…?’

I nodded smugly. ‘Gold. That Scrymgeour Sidhe’s Gift was Alchemy.’

Taylor swallowed. ‘No way.’ He knelt down and picked up a twig, holding it up to examine it more closely. Its golden edge gleamed in the sunlight. ‘Do you know what this means?’

‘I do. It means you have no need to gamble ever again because we have all the wealth we could ever need right here.’

His face immediately fell. ‘That’s not what I…’

‘I know.’ I pointed at pile of gold. ‘But there’s enough there to bribe anyone. And enough to at least make a decent effort to sort out this place. The trolls have done well but we’re lacking in raw materials. I’ll take a bit of gold with me for emergencies but you can keep the rest.’ My gaze turned hard. ‘So even if I don’t return, there’s enough to set you and everyone else up for life.’

Lexie tossed her head. ‘You’ll return.’ She jabbed Speck’s ribs.

He coughed. ‘Yeah. You’ll return because no one else can do anything about the Lowlands.’

‘You’re too damned stubborn,’ Brochan agreed.

Taylor scratched his chin. ‘And we’re going to need more gold so you’ll need to come back and make us even richer.’

I laughed. ‘That’s the last of it. I needed to make room for other more useful Gifts.’

He stared at me. ‘More useful Gifts than Alchemy?’

‘Au, is that all you want me for?’

Taylor frowned. ‘Pardon?’

‘Au? A U?’

Lexie shook her head in dismay. ‘Yeah, you’re right. We’ll stay here and Bob can go with you. I’ve heard enough, thank you very much.’

I jabbed a finger at her. ‘If I die, you’ll end up with a gilt complex.’

She put her hands over ears. ‘Just go.’ She paused. ‘No, wait.’ She ran up and gave me a tight hug. ‘Now, go. And if you see Byron Moncrieffe, turn invisible and give him a good kick in the balls for me.’

I ignored the lurch in my stomach. I was going to make sure I kept well away from him. It was doubtful he’d even be at the Cruaich ? he had a wedding to prepare for, after all. ‘I have no claim on Byron. I never did.’ I was speaking the truth. I couldn’t help feeling wounded by his sudden desire to marry Tipsania but I couldn’t keep moaning about it.

‘We all know that’s not true,’ Lexie scoffed.

‘I’m also a pacifist,’ I pointed out.

‘There are exceptions to every rule, Tegs. Stay safe. And,’ she added with a wink, ‘guard that heart of gold of yours.’

Speck nodded. ‘He only wants Tipsania because he’s a gold digger.’

‘Rescuing Candy could prove to be incredibly useful,’ Brochan said. ‘He’s probably a gold mine of information about the Moncrieffes.’

Taylor gave me a fatherly grin. ‘We’ll stay here and be as good as gold, Tegs.’

I straightened up. ‘Don’t try to beat me at my own game.’ I waved goodbye to them all. ‘Remember,’ I called out over my shoulder as I got into the car, ‘I’m going to be interrupting Aifric and Byron’s plans so when I get back, be sure to have my gold meddle ready for me.’

Bob just groaned.