‘Do you think it’s some kind of disease?’ Kirsty asked in a small voice.
‘Frankly, I have no idea – but it could have serious implications. Imagine if every Sidhe lost their Gift. Where would we be then?’
I licked my lips. ‘Would it be so bad? Kirsty seems happy enough.’
‘I hated my Gift,’ she said. ‘Most of the others love theirs.’
A muscle jerked in Byron’s jaw. ‘I’ll have to tell my father about this,’ he finally said. ‘We can’t just ignore it.’ He glanced at me. ‘I don’t suppose you have any theories?’
‘I know very little about how Gifts work,’ I mumbled. Until I found a way to control what I was doing, I’d have to be very, very careful. ‘Look!’ I said suddenly, spotting a break in the trees up ahead and relieved to be able to change the subject. ‘There’s the road!’
We emerged onto its flat expanse. After being surrounded by trees and nature for so long, it was strange to have this reminder of civilisation. I felt like I’d been out here for days, not hours.
Kirsty looked up and down the road. ‘My sense of direction is all messed up. Which way was that last clue again?’
Byron pointed to the left. ‘Back that way. And with those Baugans waiting with the traps, you don’t want to go that way.’
I raised my eyebrows. No wonder I’d managed to catch up. I’d obviously managed to skip one of the more dangerous parts of this challenge. My shortcut was proving more advantageous than I’d realised.
Byron pulled out a perfectly folded map from his pocket and smoothed it out. It was almost identical to Kirsty’s apart from one extra mark: the finishing line. I beamed in delight.
‘There’s only one more place to go and that’ll be where the Clan flags are,’ he said, jabbing his thumb at a spot that seemed to be back in the centre of the forest. ‘I reckon if you continue on down the road to your right, you’ll come to Crianlarich. It’s a hop, skip and a jump to the Cruaich border from there.’
Kirsty grinned. ‘Perfect. Thank you for your help.’ She turned to me. ‘And,’ she added grudgingly, ‘thanks for yours too.’
I bowed. ‘No problem.’
‘It took you ages to show up, you know,’ she said. ‘I thought I’d missed you.’
I wrinkled my nose. ‘Let’s just say that I didn’t have the easiest start to my Hunt.’
‘It didn’t take you long to catch up though, did it?’ Byron remarked. ‘Did you skip all the clues?’
‘Er…’
Kirsty’s brow furrowed and she delved into her pocket. When her hand came out empty, an odd light came into her eyes. ‘You took my map.’ I didn’t bother denying it. She flicked back her hair. ‘Well, thank you anyway. I’m sorry I attacked you.’
I’d stolen her Gift and she was apologising to me; I couldn’t have felt more awkward. ‘No problem. Look after yourself and don’t leave the road.’
‘No worries,’ she grinned. ‘Have fun, you two.’ There was a flicker of mischief in her eyes.
‘What was that last comment about?’ I asked Byron as she walked away.
He leaned towards me and dropped his voice. ‘I think she senses the sexual tension between us.’
I gave him a shove. ‘As if.’
‘You owe me, Integrity. I won the bet.’ A smile tugged at his mouth. ‘I’d hate to think you’re a sore loser.’
‘Not in the slightest.’ Besides, anything that kept the conversation away from missing Gifts could only be a good thing. ‘I suppose you want me to hang around here so you can beat me to the finish line?’
He snorted. ‘Hardly. I can beat you without you doing that.’
‘So,’ I said, crossing my arms, ‘what do you want then?’
His smile grew. ‘A kiss.’
It took a moment for the word to sink in. When it did, I stepped back. ‘You want what?’
