Last Wish (Highland Magic #4)

Speck’s hands were shaking. ‘Did I ever tell you that I’m afraid of the dark? The sooner this happens, the better.’

Brochan rumbled in agreement and Lexie bobbed her head. Then, from out of nowhere, May spoke. Her Fomorian words were slightly stilted but she’d obviously mastered the art of speaking properly in record time. ‘If your Steward demands your death, my king will grant it. He won’t even think twice. The prophecy is still a danger, no matter what you say. Integrity, you must show him he can believe in you. And you have to do it now.’

Fergus sidled over to her; he didn’t look at her but his arm brushed against hers in solidarity.

Strangely enough, I didn’t feel nervous. This would either be our moment of glory or the moment when everything went to shite. It felt like my whole life had been leading up to this. I was going to succeed; I had to succeed. The fate of Scotland depended on me.

I cleared my throat. ‘We haven’t been properly introduced,’ I said, my voice carrying across the air. ‘I’m Integrity Adair.’

The demon leader looked at me. I had no clue as to what he was thinking but there was calculation in his red eyes. ‘Names have power,’ he said.

I sucked in a breath. ‘My true name is—’

He interrupted me. ‘I do not require or desire that sort of burden. I am Asbar.’

‘It’s nice to meet you.’

He blinked. I had the feeling I needed to get on with it or he’d get bored and fling me over the edge. ‘I told you before that I can help you. I was telling the truth.’

There was a flash of light. The demons winced and shielded their eyes. ‘Is it time?’ Bob demanded. ‘Are we getting ready to rock and roll? Because I gotta tell you, I’ve been thinking about this and I reckon it’s a good idea after all. No other genie has tried something like this.’ He nodded vigorously. ‘They’ll be singing my name for the next thousand years.’ He looked round. ‘Long after you lot are dust.’

‘Thanks, Bob,’ I muttered drily. I pointed at Fergus. He swallowed and reached for his bag, opened it and pulled out the Foinse. Its silver light cast a strange glow over us all. The demons gaped. Some were afraid, others were simply awestruck. ‘This,’ I said, with a dramatic flourish, ‘is the Foinse, the source of all Highland magic.’

It hummed in response and pulled upwards from Fergus, flipping once and then spinning over to me. I smiled at it and reached out, brushing its warm surface with my fingertips. I gestured to Asbar. The Foinse seemed somewhat reluctant but even so it flew over and hovered in front of him. He stared at it in fascination. ‘We have something similar,’ he said, ‘as I’m sure you already know.’

‘The Draoidheachd. Yes.’

He didn’t take his eyes from the Foinse. ‘Your pronunciation is appalling.’

I wasn’t going to get into an argument about the merits or otherwise of my Gaelic. ‘What do you understand about it?’

‘We keep it locked away. Looking at its light hurts us and we are wary of its capabilities. We would never permit it to get this close to us.’

I looked at Taylor who looked back, wide-eyed. He might not understand Asbar’s words but he guessed the gist of them. ‘Don’t let go of it,’ I warned him. ‘Not yet.’

He nodded, unzipping his jacket once more and drawing out the golden sphere. At least three of the demons cried out.

‘What is the meaning of this?’ Asbar demanded. ‘Where did you get it from?’

Taylor straightened, smiling casually even though I could see through the curve of his mouth to the fear beyond. ‘We stole it.’

I grinned and added a quick translation. I received several furious snarls in response.

The nearest demon lunged for it. May, however, jumped in front and blocked his path. ‘Wait,’ she said clearly. ‘Just wait.’

It was Byron’s turn. ‘My name is Byron Moncrieffe,’ he said. His voice rang out confidently. ‘I am the son of Aifric, the Steward of the Highlands. I have read enough history to know what happened during the Fissure.’ He pointed to the Foinse that was still bobbing in front of Asbar’s face and then to the Draoidheachd. ‘When the Veil came down and Scotland separated, so did the magic. These two used to be one. They used to be together, just like Scotland was.’

Asbar looked at him. Oh. ‘Sorry,’ I muttered. ‘He doesn’t understand what you’re saying. It sounded really good though.’ I quickly translated.

Asbar drew himself up. ‘What are you suggesting?’

I licked my lips. ‘If we join the Foinse and the Draoidheachd together then,’ I shot a glance at Byron, ‘we think the Veil will collapse.’ Every single demon froze; even Asbar seemed lost for words. I took a deep breath and continued. ‘I might have used magic to create crops for you but we all know they won’t survive for long without sunlight. Lose the Veil and I’m betting this land will return to what it once was.’

‘Without adequate protection, sunlight will kill us.’

I nodded. ‘But I still have one genie wish left.’

There were shouts from below the castle walls. Fergus edged over to have a look. ‘It’s Aifric,’ he said grimly. ‘He’s here. Work quickly, Chieftain.’

I stared at Asbar. ‘You don’t need the Steward. We can end this right now without him.’

A Fomori demon spoke up. ‘Don’t forget the prophecy. She could wish for anything. She could wish for us to be destroyed! They’ll take back the Lowlands and forget we ever existed!’

‘She’s not their queen,’ another agreed. ‘We should wait to hear what the other one has to say first.’

Asbar listened to them both and others chimed in with their own arguments. I tried to calculate how long it would take Aifric and his retinue to get up here. Minutes at best.

Byron leaned over. ‘What’s going on?’

‘They’re trying to decide,’ I told him. ‘Most don’t seem to think it’s a good idea. They don’t trust us. They don’t trust me.’

He gazed at me. ‘Then you know what you have to do.’ He was right. There was no point wasting any more time. Do or do not, as Yoda would say.

‘Bob,’ I whispered.

‘Integrity,’ he warned, using my real name for once. ‘Think very carefully about this.’ He was quivering in front of me.

I smiled. ‘Don’t worry, I already have.’ I closed my eyes. I had lots of options but I knew which one was right. ‘I wish for the Lowlanders to receive no ill effects from the sun.’

Bob’s eyes welled up with tears but he held them back and bowed. ‘Your wish is my command.’

All at once the demons stopped talking. ‘Did you feel that?’ one asked. ‘My skin…’ They turned towards me, realising something had happened. ‘What has she done?’

‘Get her!’

Byron stepped in front of me, using telekinesis to throw back the first furious advance. Asbar snatched out, attempting to grab the Foinse. It flew away, spiralling towards me. ‘Now, Taylor,’ I yelled. ‘Release it now!’