‘But if it’s happened to the two of us maybe it’s happened to others.’

He gave a grim nod. ‘Exactly. Perhaps they’re not aware of it yet or they think they’re the only ones and are too ashamed to talk about it.’

‘Do you think it’s some kind of disease?’ Kirsty asked in a small voice.

‘Frankly, I have no idea – but it could have serious implications. Imagine if every Sidhe lost their Gift. Where would we be then?’

I licked my lips. ‘Would it be so bad? Kirsty seems happy enough.’

‘I hated my Gift,’ she said. ‘Most of the others love theirs.’

A muscle jerked in Byron’s jaw. ‘I’ll have to tell my father about this,’ he finally said. ‘We can’t just ignore it.’ He glanced at me. ‘I don’t suppose you have any theories?’

‘I know very little about how Gifts work,’ I mumbled. Until I found a way to control what I was doing, I’d have to be very, very careful. ‘Look!’ I said suddenly, spotting a break in the trees up ahead and relieved to be able to change the subject. ‘There’s the road!’

We emerged onto its flat expanse. After being surrounded by trees and nature for so long, it was strange to have this reminder of civilisation. I felt like I’d been out here for days, not hours.

Kirsty looked up and down the road. ‘My sense of direction is all messed up. Which way was that last clue again?’

Byron pointed to the left. ‘Back that way. And with those Baugans waiting with the traps, you don’t want to go that way.’

I raised my eyebrows. No wonder I’d managed to catch up. I’d obviously managed to skip one of the more dangerous parts of this challenge. My shortcut was proving more advantageous than I’d realised.

Byron pulled out a perfectly folded map from his pocket and smoothed it out. It was almost identical to Kirsty’s apart from one extra mark: the finishing line. I beamed in delight.

‘There’s only one more place to go and that’ll be where the Clan flags are,’ he said, jabbing his thumb at a spot that seemed to be back in the centre of the forest. ‘I reckon if you continue on down the road to your right, you’ll come to Crianlarich. It’s a hop, skip and a jump to the Cruaich border from there.’

Kirsty grinned. ‘Perfect. Thank you for your help.’ She turned to me. ‘And,’ she added grudgingly, ‘thanks for yours too.’

I bowed. ‘No problem.’

‘It took you ages to show up, you know,’ she said. ‘I thought I’d missed you.’

I wrinkled my nose. ‘Let’s just say that I didn’t have the easiest start to my Hunt.’

‘It didn’t take you long to catch up though, did it?’ Byron remarked. ‘Did you skip all the clues?’

‘Er…’

Kirsty’s brow furrowed and she delved into her pocket. When her hand came out empty, an odd light came into her eyes. ‘You took my map.’ I didn’t bother denying it. She flicked back her hair. ‘Well, thank you anyway. I’m sorry I attacked you.’