A merman stepped out from behind one of the pallets. ‘She doesn’t like strangers.’

Tension knotted across my spine. She? I licked my lips. ‘Lord Carnegie asked me to…’

Before I could finish my sentence, the merman boomed out a laugh. It reverberated around the hold and bounced off the steel walls. ‘You’re no Carnegie Sidhe.’

‘Maybe not,’ I said softly, ‘but I am Sidhe.’ Usually that detail was enough to prevent further questions.

‘I know exactly who you are.’

Uh-oh. That wasn’t good. I thought quickly. The sailors above deck had been terrified of the Carnegie lord so maybe I could use that to my advantage. Right now, the merman was blocking my exit and, lithe as I was, I didn’t think I’d make it back up that narrow staircase without him grabbing me. I’d have to continue down the intimidation route, distasteful as it might be.

‘Then you know what I’m capable of,’ I said clearly.

The merman folded his arms. ‘Bad jokes and safe cracking?’ He smirked. ‘Because if you crack that safe, Integrity, you’re not going to get out of here alive.’

I blinked, taken aback. He really did know who I was. ‘How do you…?’

‘I have a cousin,’ he said. ‘A sea-fearing idiot of a cousin. Instead of enjoying all that the ocean has to offer, he lurks around cities stealing shit.’ He snorted. ‘Landlubber.’

My shoulders sagged in relief. ‘Brochan.’

The merman inclined his head. ‘Just so.’ He regarded me for a moment. ‘We don’t tend to talk about him. His parents aren’t exactly proud that their firstborn is thalassophobic.’

Afraid of the sea. I had to admit it was certainly an unusual – and not particularly welcome ‒ trait in a merman. But Brochan was also my friend. ‘He’s far more capable than most. He might have turned his back on the ocean blue but he doesn’t have to kneel to a Clan and he doesn’t have to worry about getting wrinkly fingers from spending too much time in the water.’ I raised my eyebrows pointedly.

The merman grinned. ‘Indeed. We meet up from time to time. He likes you a lot. He’ll be pleased to know that you’re sticking up for him.’

‘He doesn’t need me to stick up for him. He can fight his own battles.’

He took no offence at my sniffy comment. ‘Just so. I’m Jimmy, by the way.’

I inclined my head in wary greeting and watched him for a moment. ‘So what’s in the cage?’ I asked finally.

‘Nothing you’d want to nick.’

I smiled. ‘Come on, Jimmy. We’re practically family.’

He laughed wheezily. ‘Good one. The day I’m practically family with a Sidhe is the day my parents disown me too.’

I frowned. He already knew that I wasn’t like other Sidhe. Surely he could grant me a little leeway. ‘Tell me what’s in the cage,’ I coaxed.

He was still amused. ‘If you really want to know…’ He raised his head and whistled. There was another rattle, followed by a hiss. I turned to see a creature out of my worst nightmares drop down from the roof of the cage.