Brochan folded his arms. ‘You can’t take that chance.’

‘Much as I hate to say it, Tegs,’ Speck interjected, ‘I think he’s right. And we all know that you’re not concerned because of Tipsania. You should let Byron go.’

Lexie frowned. ‘Why should she?’

‘Well, for one thing he thinks she’s dead.’

‘That can be easily solved,’ she scoffed.

Somehow I doubted that. Even if I told Byron the truth, he’d probably never speak to me again. ‘This is about more than Byron,’ I said, not sure whether I was being honest with myself or not. ‘Something must be up for the wedding to be going ahead in Tipsania’s absence. We can’t allow Aifric’s machinations to continue and we need to know exactly what he’s up to. Knowledge is power, people.’

Bob beamed. ‘Indeed it is! I am a supremely knowledgeable being. It’s only natural that you’d want to be as wise and knowing as I am.’ Nobody acknowledged him but it didn’t seem to matter. He snapped his fingers, magicking up a pair of horn-rimmed spectacles and a mortar board.

‘Much as I hate to say it,’ Morna said, ‘I think this is worth investigating. Aifric Moncrieffe never does anything without good reason. Something worrying is going on here and it would pay to know what. It would be nice to think that you can hide here for the rest of your days but it’s completely unrealistic.’ She nodded. ‘We can kill two birds with one stone: find out what’s going on with the wedding, and make sure you have a decent enough handle on your Thievery Gift.’

Before the others could protest again, I said, ‘So it’s settled. And who knows? Maybe we’ll find what we need to bring Aifric down for good. We can get in touch with Angus, too. He might have other insights we can use.’ Suddenly, I felt buoyant with optimism. I clapped my hands. ‘Now all we need is a plan.’

Taylor looked as if he wanted to argue some more but in the end he just sighed. ‘We need to be sensible and make sure the odds are in our favour. The longer everyone believes in your death, the better.’ He jerked his chin at Brochan. ‘I think that has to include the Bull, too.’

May squeaked, no doubt sensing my excitement and I grinned in response. This could end up being a lot more fun than leaving the safety of the Adair Lands just to make a phone call. ‘No problem.’

***

It felt like a lifetime since I’d last been in Aberdeen. It was like returning to an old friend – albeit one who’d been in the wars since I’d last seen them. From the foot of the main parade at Union Street the evidence of the Fomori demon attacks was still painfully visible. Many of the grey granite buildings were scarred and there appeared to be a healthy trade in scaffolding. All the same, a deep satisfaction uncurled within my chest; it really was good to be back.