I considered. ‘Very well. But only because it’s a really good one and I don’t want to have to listen to you talk about it for days to come. Once it’s done, you’re frosty and alert at all times. Got it?’
‘Got it, Uh Integrity.’ He winked. ‘We’re going to make a great team.’
I sighed. I really hoped that it wasn’t going to be long before Lexie showed up with the others. Between now and then, I probably needed to learn some patience. Like immediately.
*
‘What do you call it,’ I asked Byron when I eventually found the library and his stiff-backed form staring out a window, ‘when worms take over the world?’
He didn’t answer.
‘Global worming,’ I informed him.
He turned and faced me, his brows drawn together. The hair which normally fell so artlessly across his forehead had somehow formed a cute little curl. It was difficult to resist the urge to brush it away.
His eyes searched my face. I wondered what exactly he was looking for. ‘Jamie told me what happened,’ he said finally.
‘He tried to tell you when you barged into my room,’ I reminded him. ‘You just didn’t seem to be in the mood to listen.’
‘The Foinse must be failing faster than we’d thought,’ he said, ignoring my pointed comment.
‘You’re kidding?’ I scoffed. ‘You think it’s because the magic is draining away from your safe little Sidhe world that a sea monster suddenly appeared from hundreds of miles away? In my bedroom? I gave you more credit than that, Byron. Either someone wants the Foinse to break down, or their desire to rid the world of me is stronger than their desire to see the magic safe.’
‘No-one would dare,’ he growled. ‘You have guest privileges.’
‘Oh yeah? Because I’m pretty sure someone just did dare. If you don’t believe me, go have a look outside. The stoor worm left a lovely snail trail all the way down your wall.’
His jaw worked. ‘I’ll have a guard put on you.’
The last thing I wanted was to be watched twenty-four-seven. ‘I don’t need a guard. I need you to make sure that whoever is behind this is stopped.’
‘Investigations have already begun,’ he said stiffly.
‘Good. Now tell me what you want.’
He took a step closer so I had to crane my neck to look up at him. His voice dropped until it was both silky and dangerous. ‘Did he make you scream?’
‘The worm? Of course I bloody well screamed.’
Byron’s emerald eyes glittered. ‘No. Did Jamie make you scream?’
I swallowed and stared at him, my tongue suddenly unable to form any words.
‘I could make you scream,’ he continued. He reached over and brushed my bare arm with the tip of his index finger.
I jerked away and Byron laughed.
‘Is that why you summoned me here? To measure your sexual prowess against your mate’s?’
He watched me with amusement. I decided I preferred glowering Byron. ‘No. We need to go over the arrangements for tomorrow and the naming ceremony.’
I felt an odd mixture of relief and disappointment. ‘Well, good. Go on, then.’ I crossed my arms firmly across my chest. Just in case. Of course I received a sharp jab of pain in my ribs when I did so. It was a struggle to stay composed.
‘Normally, the ceremony would take place on your Clan ground,’ Byron explained.
‘I don’t have a Clan.’
He didn’t rise to the bait. ‘Just so. Besides, after your father’s untimely demise, the Adair grounds were salted. It’d be a miracle if the sacred grove is still standing.’
