‘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.’

‘You guys don’t mess around, do you?’ I asked, feeling faintly sick at the wanton destruction and the thoroughness with which the Adairs had been treated.

He looked as if he knew what I was thinking. ‘It was before my time. And tempers were running high.’

‘I’ll bet.’

‘The grove here at the Cruaich will serve just as well,’ he continued, as if I’d not spoken. ‘Every Clan is represented here.’

‘Even the murderous Adairs?’

He held my gaze. ‘Even them.’

‘Fine. So what do I have to do?’

‘You enter alone.’ He pulled out a scroll and tossed it in my direction. ‘You read this aloud, asking your ancestors to guide you. Then you’ll receive your true name. Your Gift should emerge within a few days.’

‘You’ve got more than one Gift. Maybe I will have too.’

‘Maybe. I only have two. Your father had three.’

I was surprised. Three Gifts? I’d known he was powerful. I just hadn’t realised by how much.