‘Missive? What are you? An eighteenth-century weirdo? Why not phone? Or show up at my door? If you’d talked to me in person…’

‘You were already making plans to run off,’ Byron said calmly. ‘You wouldn’t have listened. This way I got your attention.’

‘My friends are in jail!’ I shrieked. ‘My mentor is hiding out in my flat under the impression that his throat is about to slit!’ I glared at the Wild Man. ‘Your henchman knocked me out!’

There was a rumble. ‘Sorry about that,’ the Wild Man said. ‘I tried to be gentle but you’re pretty fragile for a Sidhe.’

‘It wasn’t his fault,’ Byron said. ‘Candy was under orders.’

‘Candy? That’s his name?’ I muttered under my breath. ‘You’re all a bunch of nutters.’

Byron swept a bow while I continued to glower. ‘At your service, ma’am.’

‘The champagne,’ I accused. ‘You knew it was spiked and you switched the glasses.’

‘Hello? I’m a telekinesis expert, remember?’

I shook my head. All this bloody time… ‘You can’t keep me here,’ I spat. ‘This is a free country and I’m not eleven years old.’

‘No. You’re not that pathetic either.’

I narrowed my eyes. ‘You remember who I am.’

He looked at me patiently. ‘Integrity, how many other women are there with your colouring wandering the streets? Of course I know who you are. Everyone knows who you are.’

What did that mean? I cleared my throat. ‘Everyone?’

‘Your location was found less than forty-eight hours after you flitted from Bull Scrymgeour. Lots of people have been keeping tabs on you, not just me. We needed to know where you were because we knew we might possibly need you in the future.’ His eyes gleamed. ‘I must say, you’ve had a very interesting career.’

My nausea increased. ‘Let me out of here.’

Byron stepped back. ‘You’re free to go at any time.’

‘Just as well,’ I huffed. I stalked past him, eyeing Candy in case he tried anything. Fortunately, the Wild Man didn’t move a muscle. I placed my hand on the doorknob and tugged.

‘There is just one thing,’ Byron interjected.

I swung my head round. ‘What?’

‘Your mentor, whatever you want to call him, still owes me money.’

Shite. Well, I’d just find another way to solve that little problem. ‘You’ll get your money.’ I opened the door.

‘And your friends are still enjoying the very best that the prison service can offer.’ He tutted. ‘It would be a real shame if someone tipped the police off about all those thefts that have been occurring in the city. Your friends might never get out.’

I stared at the lift. It was right there, waiting for me. All I had to do was get in it and go home. I clenched my fists. ‘What do you want?’ I asked finally.