Last Wish (Highland Magic #4)

It wasn’t difficult to drag Fergus and May into a corner during the post-ceremony celebrations. Fergus told me what he’d already gleaned about the Lowlands then we huddled together while May patiently answered the rest of my questions, with Fergus standing in as interpreter. A couple of times she seemed to falter and a shadow crossed her red eyes. On each occasion she stared hard at me and nodded to herself before telling me what I needed to know. When I had all the information, I asked her to open her mouth. I congratulated myself on not recoiling at the sight of the stub of her tongue that remained. Then, as Fergus gripped her hands tightly, I used Aifric’s Gift.

It was the oddest sensation for both of us. May had obviously become accustomed to her condition because she looked as if she’d been given a humungous gobstopper. To suddenly have this thick fleshy thing shoved back into her mouth couldn’t have been pleasant. She kept sticking it out and waggling it around. As for me, the act of growing new flesh was very different to healing Taylor’s wounds. There had always been a strange connection between May and me, but now it felt more physical as if, somehow, we were tied together in ways I didn’t understand. It went some way to explaining why the Gift of Healing wasn’t used more often. Although I was filled with spreading warmth at the obvious success, I instinctively knew that using this Gift too regularly would invite insanity. The new connections that were formed each time between healer and healed would spread the magic user too thinly, both physically and emotionally. It was a sobering revelation.

May couldn’t yet talk properly. The sensation of using an organ which she’d become so used to doing without meant that it was easier for her to continue communicating with Fergus through sign language. It didn’t mean that she wasn’t going to practise the ‘new’ sounds she could make, however. When I got up to leave, murmuring to Fergus about what I needed from him next, she clutched at his arm and beamed, her brow furrowed in deep concentration. ‘Fer … gus.’

I pressed my lips together hard. It was difficult to say who was more jubilant, Fergus or May.

I turned to go, leaving them to enjoy her newfound skills. Fergus grabbed my arm. ‘You should know,’ he said, his eyes focusing on mine with an intensity I’d not seen from him before, ‘her tongue wasn’t removed as a punishment. It wasn’t done to hurt her.’

‘Then why?’ I asked, my voice barely audible above the raucous cheering of the trolls around us.

He shrugged awkwardly. ‘From what she’s told me, it was some kind of parasite. It burrowed its way in and cutting out her tongue was the only way to get rid of it. Even then, she didn’t think she was going to make it. Most demons affected in this way don’t.’

‘I assumed it was torture,’ I said.

‘So did I. But she keeps saying that the Fomori aren’t as bad as we all think.’

We exchanged glances. I bit my lip, nodded and walked away. There was still a lot to do before the night was over.

***

We reconvened at the prow of the ferry. I checked my watch and gave a satisfied nod. Three in the morning. Many of the trolls were still on patrol but I reckoned we had a good five minutes before they’d swing round this way again.

Fergus had already worked out what was going to happen. He leaned nonchalantly against the side of the ship, a smile playing around his lips, while I outlined the plan. Byron remained impassive and I appreciated his silence until I’d finished talking. ‘That’s an even worse idea than planning a fake wedding,’ he told me.

I was expecting this reaction. ‘Right now, there’s no alternative. Not unless letting an all-out war start is your idea of fun.’ He looked irritated. I shrugged. ‘I’m telling you all this because I’m not keeping any more secrets.’

Byron raised his eyebrows. ‘Is that why Lexie, Speck, Brochan and Taylor are currently tucked in bed and not here?’

I met his eyes. ‘Taylor almost died. And you’re right, this is a really bad idea. It’s risky and stupid and if he knew, Taylor would give me astronomical odds against the chance of success. If any of them was aware of what I’m about to do, they’d demand to come along but I’m not putting them in that kind of danger. I’d prefer not to put you in that kind of danger either. But for you,’ I gestured helplessly, ‘full disclosure.’

His response was quiet. ‘Thank you. I appreciate that more than you know.’

‘It would be good if you stayed behind—’

He growled. ‘I’m coming.’ As if that were the end of the matter, he looked at Fergus. ‘Why him?’

‘Because I promised he could come.’

‘I’ll volunteer to stay behind!’ Bob piped up. ‘I have no desire to sneak beyond the Veil. I don’t want to die yet, I still have the new season of Doctor Who to watch.’

‘Sorry. You don’t get a choice.’

He gazed at me dolefully. It was a long time since he’d pretended that asking for wishes wouldn’t have disastrous side-effects. I wasn’t sure there would be much choice, however. I sighed heavily. Risk versus reward.

Heavy footsteps sounded along the deck, heading in our direction. I checked inside my bag one last time then closed it and swung it over my shoulder. I glanced at the three of them and they all nodded.

Byron turned his gaze towards the lifeboat hanging in readiness on the side of the ferry. Using Telekinesis, he lowered it silently down to the sea. Fergus let out a low whistle of approval. I scowled at him for making a noise then vaulted over the side and down into the boat. I didn’t want to hide from the trolls but if they knew what I was up to, I’d end up with an army at my back. Reassuring as that might sound, it would only cause more problems than it would solve.

Byron released the lifeboat from the last of its moorings. The ferry chugged past us, its vast hull like some steel monster gliding through the night. That was it; we were on our own. I started the tiny starboard engine. We were fairly close to the coastline so it wouldn’t take too long to reach land.

Fergus held up his hand. ‘Wait.’

I glanced at him, askance, then I heard a soft splash. What the hell? May’s unmistakable clawed hand curved round the lifeboat’s edge and she hauled herself in. ‘What?’ I hissed. ‘No! May, get back!’

‘I think it’s too late,’ Fergus said drily. The ferry was already some distance away from us.

I glared at him. ‘It’s too dangerous.’

‘She’s the one person who can really help us. You know that.’

‘We’re putting her life at risk!’

‘All our lives are at risk. She knows that and she wants to come.’

‘You told her what we were doing.’

He gazed at me implacably. ‘No secrets.’

A smile tugged at the corner of Byron’s mouth. ‘Can’t argue with that.’

May gave me a cautious smile. ‘In … tegrity?’ she asked, trying out the word.

I sighed. Crapadoodle. ‘Fine. Let’s go.’

Bob’s bottom lip jutted out. ‘Avast, me hearties,’ he mumbled.

‘Everything will be fine,’ I told him. I injected as much confidence as I could into my voice. Sooner or later I was bound to start believing my own hype.

Bob crossed his arms and huffed. ‘Remind me of that when Fomori demons are chewing on your heart.’