‘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 goldmeddleready for me.’
Bob just groaned.
