Kirsty didn’t pay any attention to me as she gazed meaningfully at Byron. ‘That’s the trouble with my Gift. I can tell when someone’s lying but I don’t know the reason behind the lie. And sometimes people don’t tell the truth because the truth hurts. People lie for all sorts of reasons. It’s not necessarily a bad thing.’

I pondered over Kirsty’s words. I could see what she meant. If she was going to be so thrilled at losing her Gift, I wasn’t going to feel any guilt about using it.

Kirsty turned to Tipsania. ‘Lie to me,’ she begged. ‘Say anything you like as long as it’s untrue.’ Tipsania looked at her like she was insane.

‘Go ahead, Tipsy,’ Byron murmured.

She sighed dramatically. ‘I have blue skin.’

Something deep within my veins buzzed. Lie. Duh. As I tried to absorb what I’d experienced, Kirsty gave a peal of laughter. ‘Brilliant! I felt nothing!’ She reached over and hugged Tipsania who stiffened, her arms remaining rigid by her sides. Kirsty tossed her hair. ‘I’m out of here, losers!’ She turned on her heel and marched away, a bounce to her step.

‘Er … Kirsty?’ I called. ‘Where are you going?’

‘There were only two reasons I had to compete,’ she replied over her shoulder. ‘One was to try and win so I could ask the Chieftains to put money into research for ways to stop our Gifts. But I was too far behind so it wasn’t going to happen. And it doesn’t matter because I don’t need to win any more to stop my Gift.’

Byron looked puzzled. ‘What was the second reason?’

‘To attack me for killing William Kincaid,’ I muttered.

‘But you didn’t kill him. His death was an accident,’ he said

I threw up my arms. ‘I know!’ Kirsty’s shape disappeared among the trees. ‘I should go after her. She’s just spent half the day in a coma. She has no idea where she is or where she’s going.’

‘She’ll be fine,’ Tipsania said dismissively. ‘There’s a clue point about a half a mile away. All she has to do is wait there and someone will pick her up.’

I gave a sidelong glance. ‘Really? Or will the Carnegies just leave her to freeze to death?’

‘They wouldn’t do that.’

I wouldn’t bet on it. I reckoned that they were bloodthirsty enough to do just that – and not only to me. Kirsty wasn’t important enough in Sidhe hierarchy to merit a rescue. Judging by the expression on Byron’s face, he thought the same. I shook my head. ‘I suppose you guys are out in front?’

‘Of course.’

That was something; by taking a risk, I’d found the leaders. In fact, because I was in the last group to depart I was in now in first place. I could take time out to make sure Kirsty was alright.

‘Great. Good to see you both. It’s, um, nice that you’re working together.’

Tipsania’s eyes narrowed. ‘What does that mean?’