There was the tiniest vibration in response. The genie had kept me up half the night with his plans to find an astronaut for his next owner and blast off in a spaceship. I’d let him babble on. It might keep him more focused for the next few days if he felt like he had plans for the future that didn’t involve stubborn Sidhe naysayers.

‘Coming!’ I called, before stepping out to meet Byron. The second I did, I was tempted to duck back into the bathroom and change my clothes. The formal finery he was wearing put me to shame.

‘You look nice,’ he told me politely.

Damned by faint praise. ‘Well, you look like an over-dressed duck,’ I told him, pretending not to notice the way his shirt moulded itself to his torso.

He lifted an eyebrow. ‘Are you suggesting that I’m fowl?’

I stared at him. ‘Did you just make a joke?’

He grinned. ‘It seems like it’s the best way to get your attention.’

Slightly nonplussed, I let him take my arm and lead me out. It was a long way down to the ground floor. Several Sidhe minions and other Clan workers dipped in curtseys and bows as we passed.

‘It must get kind of irritating,’ I muttered, ‘having people do that all the time.’

He gave a short bark of a laugh. ‘They’re not doing it for my benefit.’

I bristled. ‘Well, they’re certainly not doing it for mine. Most of you lot hate me. And one of you is trying to kill me.’

‘I’ve not found any evidence of a plot against you. And nobody hates you.’

We passed by Tipsania, who was wearing an alarmingly low-cut gown. ‘Interior, how are you?’

I gritted my teeth. ‘It’s Integrity.’

‘Oh!’ she simpered. ‘I’m so sorry. I’m just awful with names.’

‘Alright,’ Byron conceded once she was behind us, ‘most people don’t hate you.’

‘I don’t know why her knickers are in such a twist. She’s got the perfect life. At least in her eyes, anyway. I’m the lowlife crim without a true name.’

‘Not everything is as it seems,’ he replied cryptically. ‘Not even you.’

When we eventually made it outside, the older woman who’d stopped me before was in front of us. She swooped down in another low curtsey and said, in a clear voice, ‘Chieftain Adair.’ Unfortunately her words were followed by a high-pitched cackle that made her appear even crazier .

I stiffened. There was a murmur from the cluster of Sidhe around us and I spotted several dirty looks. It confirmed that all those who despised me openly were high born. I chewed this over silently as Byron and I continued on our way.

The last person we encountered before the grove was Jamie. His cheeks reddened rather adorably but he did give me a small grin.

‘Hi,’ I said softly.