‘I was always going to be leaving. I have a new job.’ I smiled. ‘This one is on the right side of the law.’ I wasn’t quite so sure that Lexie, Speck, Brochan and Taylor would adhere to that but they weren’t his concern. I checked my watch. ‘In fact, my train leaves in a couple of hours so I don’t have long.’

A muscle throbbed in his cheek. ‘You’re Sidhe. You don’t have to work among the Clan-less.’

‘No,’ I said cheerfully, ‘I don’t.’

A door opened at the far end of the corridor. It was difficult to be sure with the light behind them but it looked like Aifric. I forced myself to stay relaxed and raised a hand in greeting. I didn’t check to see whether he waved back.

‘Anyway,’ I continued. ‘This is for you.’ I took out a small velvet bag from my inside pocket. ‘I thought you might want it back.’

Byron was genuinely surprised. ‘Is that the Lia Saifire?’

I inclined my head. ‘It is. And it’s all yours. Clan Moncrieffe can do whatever they wish with it.’

‘I thought you’d sold it on.’

I smiled. It had been a piece of cake to steal it back from the human who’d bought it. He’d shoved in a display cabinet in a showy castle up in the north. There was a vast collection of artwork and other jewels alongside it. I bet it would be months before he even noticed it was gone. Teleportation made everything easier. It was just as well I was changing professions; I’d be bored out of my wits if heists were always so simple to pull off.

‘I’d like to say it’s been a pleasure knowing you all,’ I said lightly, ‘but I can’t deny that I’m glad all this is over.’

He took another step towards me. ‘Is it? Is it all over, Integrity?’

‘Of course it is.’ I paused. ‘What did the beaver say to the tree?’

Byron frowned. ‘Integrity…’

‘It’s been nice gnawing you.’

He didn’t acknowledge my joke. There was no appreciation for the finer art of humour these days.

‘Goodbye Byron.’ I tossed him the bag with the Lia Saifire in it, turned on my heel and walked out, whistling. I’d be back.

Thank you so much for reading Gifted Thief! I really hope you enjoyed it.  It would mean a huge amount if you could leave a review – any and all feedback is so very, very welcome and hugely important for independent authors like myself.

The second book in the Highland Magic series, Honour Bound, will be released on February 29th. Might as well make use of that leap year! You can pre-order the book right here. If you turn the page, you can read a sneak peek of Chapter One.

Honour Bound

Chapter One