‘That’s enough!’ Aifric roared. ‘I understand tensions are running high but this is neither the time nor the place! We have far greater things to worry about. This young lady has endured two attempts on her life and yet she’s still here. Do you remember when you found the adder in your bed, Dorienne? You didn’t leave your lands for a year after that! She’s here helping and she’s braver than the lot of you.’

I felt flustered at the attention and unhappy that my outburst had caused a scene. All these Sidhe wankers – myself included – had a lot of pent-up frustration. Maybe I should recommend yoga?

‘We’ll go to the Foinse and see what the situation is,’ Aifric continued. ‘If we can’t fix it without our Gifts, then at least we can try to understand what the problem is. If we need to go back to the Cruaich and re-group then that’s what we do.’

I was alarmed. I didn’t want to spend any longer among this lot than was necessary, even if a delay meant there was less likely to be another attempt to kill me. Besides, if I stuck around to find out what had really happened to my parents and the rest of the Adair Clan, I wanted it to be on my terms, not because I was forced to wait for someone to come up with a solution for the Foinse.

I looked at their faces. There was a lot of anger towards me, bitterness towards Aifric and resignation that our quest was already doomed. Taylor was a great believer in positive thinking when it came to heists. If we walked into a job thinking we were going to fail, then we would. What was needed around here was some optimism.

I drew in a breath. ‘I’m sorry. I spoke out of turn. I am sure that our combined intellect can find a way to restore the Foinse. You guys are the best and brightest of your Clans. Of course we can do this.’

‘Go Chieftain!’ Lily yelled.

I winced at the sour expressions on the faces of the Kincaids and Darrochs. Yoga was out and a group hug was probably not a good idea, either. We needed something – however temporary – to band us together.

‘Let’s take a photo!’ I burst out. ‘All of us together. Then we’ll have it for posterity.’

There were a few grumbles. ‘Good idea,’ Byron said briskly. ‘Do you have a camera?’

Shite. I thought quickly. ‘No, but I’ve got my phone.’ I dug it out of my pocket. ‘You lot get together and I’ll take it.’

Lily shook her head solemnly. ‘No, Chieftain. I will not travel any further from here, so I’ll take the photo. The Saviours of the Foinse together!’

The others looked at Aifric. He smiled and nodded. ‘Come on then.’