‘So,’ the other demon said, ‘when you told us you only had one Gift and we knew you weren’t lying, we assumed it was something to do with manipulating the air. We had never seen such a thing before. But,’ he smiled slightly, ‘we have never seen anyone who could steal magic before either.’
My eyes drifted back to May then to Fergus whose jaw remained tight with tension. ‘May’s a spy,’ he spat, bitterness lacing every word. ‘She’s been working for the Fomori demons all along. She followed you across the Veil to watch you and report back. All along she’s been manipulating us. May is no victim.’
His words penetrated my skull and I wobbled, agony nibbling at my body. Byron cursed and marched over, glaring at the monster demon who shrugged and passed me over. Byron wrapped his arms round me so I could lean back into his chest. ‘You’re alright,’ he murmured into my ear. ‘We’re all still alright.’
And with that, I felt like I could let go. I’d been clinging to consciousness with every shred of my being; now Byron was at my back it was if my body decided of its own volition that I could relax. Voices continued but I closed my eyes and passed out. Later, my mind whispered. Later.
Chapter Nineteen
There was something on my nose. Even without opening my eyes, I was fairly sure as to what – or rather who – it was.
‘I know you’re awake, Uh Integrity,’ came Bob’s plaintive voice. ‘Just how many times have you had a fainting fit in the last week? Should I start stocking up on smelling salts?’
My eyelids fluttered open. He was perched on the tip of my nose, staring fixedly at me. I pretended not to notice his relief and frowned. ‘I have not had fainting fits,’ I said in mock irritation. ‘In fact, I think you’ll find I’ve been in full control of my faculties.’
He peered at me. ‘You have a concussion,’ he declared.
I sat up, brushing him off. ‘I’m fine.’
On the far side of the room, which didn’t look all that different from the prison cells I’d been in, a door opened. Byron, looking tired and harassed, saw that I was awake and strode over. ‘How are you?’ he demanded. ‘Where does it hurt?’ His emerald eyes roved over me. ‘What do you need?’
I smiled. ‘Which question would you like me to answer first?’
His shoulders relaxed slightly although the concern in his expression didn’t flicker. ‘You looked like you were half dead in that arena,’ he growled. ‘What they did to you…’
I dismissed his worry. ‘They had their reasons.’ To appease him as much to rid myself of the pain that throbbed through my body, I sought out more of Aifric’s Healing Gift. Unsure how it worked, I pulled it out and told it to heal me. My body tingled, my blood hummed and a pleasant warmth spread through me, right down to my toes.
‘Wow.’ I shook my head in amazement. ‘So that’s what it feels like.’
‘You should have done that at the start,’ Byron chided.
I shrugged. ‘It honestly didn’t occur to me.’
‘You’re an idiot.’
I smiled at him. He smiled back.
‘Jeez!’ Bob said. ‘Get a room!’
Byron didn’t glance in his direction. ‘We have a room. You should get out.’
Bob put his hands on hips and huffed. ‘The nerve!’
‘Actually,’ I interrupted, albeit rather reluctantly, ‘we have other things to do. Where are Fergus and May?’
Byron grimaced. ‘Fergus is next door. We’ve not seen May since … well, you know.’
I nodded. She really was full of surprises. I stood up, declining Byron’s offer of help, and looked down. I might have healed my wounds but I looked the worse for wear. My clothes were covered in blood, dirt and other things it was probably wise not to examine too closely.
‘They don’t know about Bob,’ Byron said. ‘But they have been more,’ he pursed his lips, ‘hospitablethan I would have expected. Your plan worked.’
I grimaced. I did almost die and we still had a long way to go before we could call this expedition a success. All the same, my optimism was coming back with considerable force.
***
We found Fergus slumped against a wall. It was the first time I’d ever seen the canny Bauchan look dejected. I knew I should probably keep my mouth shut but knowing it and doing it were different things. ‘Why do spies avoid capitalisation?’ I asked. He lifted doleful eyes to me. ‘Because they like to keep things low key.’
A muscle jerked in his cheek. Other than that, there was no sign that he’d heard me. ‘Too soon?’ I sighed. ‘You really shouldn’t be upset about May. It’s not the first time someone’s lied and it won’t be the last. Besides, did she really ever lie? I didn’t ask her why she followed me across the Veil.’
