‘Is that a wish?’ he asked eagerly.

‘No. But if you want me to use up any of your wishes, then this is the best shot you’ve got.’

Bob’s bottom lip jutted out. ‘But Sisko…’

‘My next of kin is a man named Taylor. He’s human. He won’t recognise you for what you are.’ I stroked the blade. ‘He will, however, appreciate this very fine silver and melt it down to make something more bankable.’

Bob was aghast. ‘He wouldn’t dare.’

‘He wouldn’t know. So,’ I said, ‘my death will not help you. The only chance you’ve got of me asking for any wishes is when my back is against the wall and I have no choice. So pay sodding attention.’

I thought for a moment that I’d gone too far and that Bob would relapse into a sulk. Instead, he shrugged cheerfully. ‘Okay.’

‘Good,’ I muttered.

‘Can I just watch the end of the episode first?’

I considered. ‘Very well. But only because it’s a really good one and I don’t want to have to listen to you talk about it for days to come. Once it’s done, you’re frosty and alert at all times. Got it?’

‘Got it, Uh Integrity.’ He winked. ‘We’re going to make a great team.’

I sighed. I really hoped that it wasn’t going to be long before Lexie showed up with the others. Between now and then, I probably needed to learn some patience. Like immediately.

*

‘What do you call it,’ I asked Byron when I eventually found the library and his stiff-backed form staring out a window, ‘when worms take over the world?’

He didn’t answer.

‘Global worming,’ I informed him.

He turned and faced me, his brows drawn together. The hair which normally fell so artlessly across his forehead had somehow formed a cute little curl. It was difficult to resist the urge to brush it away.

His eyes searched my face. I wondered what exactly he was looking for. ‘Jamie told me what happened,’ he said finally.

‘He tried to tell you when you barged into my room,’ I reminded him. ‘You just didn’t seem to be in the mood to listen.’

‘The Foinse must be failing faster than we’d thought,’ he said, ignoring my pointed comment.

‘You’re kidding?’ I scoffed. ‘You think it’s because the magic is draining away from your safe little Sidhe world that a sea monster suddenly appeared from hundreds of miles away? In my bedroom? I gave you more credit than that, Byron. Either someone wants the Foinse to break down, or their desire to rid the world of me is stronger than their desire to see the magic safe.’

‘No-one would dare,’ he growled. ‘You have guest privileges.’