The supercilious lordling who seemed to be the MC stepped up. ‘Competitors will be blindfolded and transported to the challenge site, then released onto the course in groups. You are permitted to work with others to achieve success but any points garnered will be your own. As I’m sure you are all aware, Adventure asks a lot of all the competitors, both emotionally and physically. Your progress will be tracked sporadically via drones, and the audience will watch from the auditorium so as not to disturb the action. Places will be decided by the order in which you return with your Clan flag in hand.’ He smiled coldly. ‘Your ultimate goal is simple. Find your flag. You will receive clues at particular points throughout the challenge to help guide you on your way. Hopefully most of you will return in one piece. In this challenge, anything goes.’

I frowned. ‘What does that mean?’ I asked Angus.

‘That competitors can use their Gifts as they see fit,’ he murmured. ‘And they can interfere with others, as well as help them. In theory, it’s the Carnegies’ job to make sure that no one gets injured. In practice, the more blood that’s spilt, the better.’

Bugger. That didn’t sound particularly good, especially as I would now be a target with my name shining out from the top of the league table. Maybe winning the Artistry challenge hadn’t been so wise after all.

Most people were dressed for action; even Tipsania had foregone her voluminous skirts for a jumpsuit. I noticed her at the front, clinging to Byron. No matter what was going on between me and him, it irked me that she was cuckolding him behind his back. I reminded myself that it wasn’t my problem but it didn’t help.

She simpered as a piece of paper was handed to her. I scowled. Tipsania did a good job of playing the role of helpless female; I didn’t think she was any more helpless than I was.

The paper was a map and we all received a copy. It wasn’t very detailed but there was enough information to indicate where the first clue was located. It seemed that we were to start at the base of a small group of hills and move towards the ocean’s edge. On the map the distance didn’t appear far; neither did the terrain seem treacherous. Judging by the way the Carnegie MC had spoken, however, those would both be dangerous assumptions.

I studied the map closely, then folded it and tucked it inside my jacket. Another official came over and gave us each a cursory check, looking for forbidden items. He eyed Bob’s letter opener and my bottle of water. ‘You are only permitted to bring one object with you,’ he intoned. ‘The water or the,’ he paused, ‘knife.’

I thought that calling the letter opener a knife was being overly generous but Bob would be pleased. I weighed up my options and decided on the genie. At this time of year, there was bound to be snow I could melt down if I got dehydrated. And Bob would be entertaining, if nothing else.