Gifted Thief (Highland Magic #1)(85)

‘That’s enough!’ Aifric roared. ‘I understand tensions are running high but this is neither the time nor the place! We have far greater things to worry about. This young lady has endured two attempts on her life and yet she’s still here. Do you remember when you found the adder in your bed, Dorienne? You didn’t leave your lands for a year after that! She’s here helping and she’s braver than the lot of you.’

I felt flustered at the attention and unhappy that my outburst had caused a scene. All these Sidhe wankers – myself included – had a lot of pent-up frustration. Maybe I should recommend yoga?

‘We’ll go to the Foinse and see what the situation is,’ Aifric continued. ‘If we can’t fix it without our Gifts, then at least we can try to understand what the problem is. If we need to go back to the Cruaich and re-group then that’s what we do.’

I was alarmed. I didn’t want to spend any longer among this lot than was necessary, even if a delay meant there was less likely to be another attempt to kill me. Besides, if I stuck around to find out what had really happened to my parents and the rest of the Adair Clan, I wanted it to be on my terms, not because I was forced to wait for someone to come up with a solution for the Foinse.

I looked at their faces. There was a lot of anger towards me, bitterness towards Aifric and resignation that our quest was already doomed. Taylor was a great believer in positive thinking when it came to heists. If we walked into a job thinking we were going to fail, then we would. What was needed around here was some optimism.

I drew in a breath. ‘I’m sorry. I spoke out of turn. I am sure that our combined intellect can find a way to restore the Foinse. You guys are the best and brightest of your Clans. Of course we can do this.’

‘Go Chieftain!’ Lily yelled.

I winced at the sour expressions on the faces of the Kincaids and Darrochs. Yoga was out and a group hug was probably not a good idea, either. We needed something – however temporary – to band us together.

‘Let’s take a photo!’ I burst out. ‘All of us together. Then we’ll have it for posterity.’

There were a few grumbles. ‘Good idea,’ Byron said briskly. ‘Do you have a camera?’

Shite. I thought quickly. ‘No, but I’ve got my phone.’ I dug it out of my pocket. ‘You lot get together and I’ll take it.’

Lily shook her head solemnly. ‘No, Chieftain. I will not travel any further from here, so I’ll take the photo. The Saviours of the Foinse together!’

The others looked at Aifric. He smiled and nodded. ‘Come on then.’

I slid down from Barbie, using Lily as a crutch to stop my knees from giving way. Then I handed her the camera. Aifric took centre stage and placed his arms round the shoulders of the Darroch and the Kincaid Chieftains. Their smiles were fixed and forced – but at least there were smiles.

Diana and Malcolm joined in. I stood awkwardly to the side until Byron beckoned me. He placed his arm round my waist and grinned. Malcolm leaned as far away from my body as possible. Subtlety was clearly not his thing.

‘What did Cinderella say when she left the photo store?’ I asked Malcolm. Byron’s arm tightened. I tried to ignore the way he drew me closer and that his hand was holding me possessively.

‘Everyone say cheese!’ Lily said.

‘Some day my prints will come,’ I said, pasting on a huge smile. ‘Cheese!’

We posed. Diana extricated herself from the group and grabbed the phone to examine the result. ‘It’s good,’ she declared. ‘We’re beautiful people.’

Byron and I exchanged amused looks. I shrugged, banking down the desire to stay where I was. He still smelled far too good. I pulled away, gave the photo a cursory glance and tucked the phone back into my pocket.

‘I’ll make sure you all get copies,’ I promised. ‘Or we could set up a Foinse Facebook page. Every year we could meet back here and have a reunion  .’

‘Don’t push your luck,’ Malcolm muttered. Aifric shot him a warning look.

‘Is there any food we can eat before we set off that doesn’t require cooking?’ he enquired.

Diana rummaged around in her bag. ‘I’ve got fruit.’

‘Perfect. Ten minutes, fill your stomachs and then we shall depart. Lily, you are content to stay behind and look after the horses?’

She nodded eagerly. The animals didn’t look particularly thrilled. I leaned over and massaged my aching thighs, willing some life back into them. I had the feeling I was going to need it.





Chapter Twenty Two




The first up were the Kincaids. They conferred briefly and then Malcolm walked up to the shimmering barrier. Everyone else took several respectful steps backwards, including William. Just to be certain I couldn’t be accused of listening out for his true name, I shuffled as far away as possible and stuck my fingers in my ears, but I still watched carefully. I wanted to see how this worked.