The rest of us exchanged looks. Perhaps it was time to change the subject. ‘Just because we don’t have a plan yet,’ Taylor said, ‘doesn’t mean that we can’t come up with one. Get Byron down here, Tegs, and we can thrash out some ideas.’
‘I can’t. He has to stay and make sure everything is ready for the wedding. And he’s got his Plan B to sort out.’
‘You don’t even know what Plan B is.’
I sighed and glanced down at my feet. ‘I’m not blind to the fact that it’s not perfect, I’m really not. But he was right when he said that the Sidhe and the Clans aren’t my world. I don’t know them like he does. In the absence of any alternatives, I think we need to go with him.’
Taylor ran a hand through his hair. ‘We have an alternative.’
There was something about the tone of his voice that I didn’t like. ‘What?’
He wouldn’t meet my eyes. ‘We play Aifric at his own game. I’ve done some research and it wouldn’t be too hard to get hold of some kind of poison…’
Bob clapped his hands together in glee. ‘Now we’re talking!’
I counted to ten. ‘I can’t believe you’re bringing that up as an idea.’ Taylor was normally as anti-violence as I was.
‘Take a look around, Tegs. We saw exactly the same vision that you did.’ He pointed over to the faint patch on the cobbles where my mother and father had breathed their last – and I had breathed my first. ‘He ran a sword into your father’s back, not to mention murdering your entire Clan. Maybe it’s time to put your pacifism to one side.’
‘We’ve been through this before.’ My jaw was clenched so tight that it hurt. ‘No. Nothing’s changed since last time.’
‘A lot’s changed. Byron is with us now. That bodes well for the future.’
Brochan shook his massive head from side to side. ‘I told you not to mention this.’
I glared at them. ‘So you’ve been discussing this while I was away? Behind my back?’
‘Stop being so testy. It’s a reasonable conversation to have. You wouldn’t have to have anything to do with it. One of us could manage it for you.’ Taylor finally looked at me directly. ‘We need to keep you safe, Tegs. Having this temporary reprieve has made us all realise just how good life could be here when we don’t have to keep looking over our shoulders.’
‘No. And if any of you try anything like that, we’re done. I don’t care how good your intentions are, I won’t have it. We are better than that.’ I paused. ‘Is that clear?’ Everyone nodded. I tried again. ‘I said, is that clear?’
This time I received a chorus of replies. ‘Yes, Tegs.’
‘You do still have one wish left,’ Bob began.
I pointed at him. ‘Zip it.’
Lexie raised her hand tentatively. ‘Areyouangry now?’
I exhaled. ‘No. I understand where you’re coming from. And you don’t have to put up your hand to speak, Lex.’
‘Are you sure you’re not angry?’
I narrowed my eyes. ‘If you want I’ll tell you all a joke to prove just how un-angry I am.’
Taylor stood up and backed away. ‘There’s no need for that.’
Sorley, who’d been sitting silently in the corner and gnawing impressively on a yellowing toenail, glanced up. ‘I’d like a joke.’ Everyone groaned loudly and hushed him. He shrugged his wide shoulders then he seemed to squeak.
Lexie tilted her head, confused. ‘Did your bones just cheep?’
His eyebrows snapped together. ‘I’m not cheap! I swore fealty. I don’t require financial remuneration because my kind is too honourable to stoop to mere monetary rewards.’
‘No, I meant cheep. Like a bird.’
‘No, you blasted pixie! I’m a damned troll.’ There was a momentary pause before there was another squeak.
Lexie stared round at us all. ‘I’m not the only one who heard that, right?’
