‘Don’t even think about it, son,’ he hissed. ‘I’ve got the power now. With this letter-opener and with a genie at my beck and call, I can make all of this right. I can keep all of us safe.’ He glared at me. ‘You think you’re so powerful. Integrity Adair, the woman who has it all. You’re just a child,’ he sneered. ‘You’re no one. If it wasn’t for your Gift and your ability to steal magic from others, you’d still be hiding under a rock with your criminal friends. Well, let’s see what happens when I have that power instead.’ He held up the blade. ‘I wish for the Gift of Stealing, just like hers.’

Bob flew up, his expression utterly miserable. He looked at me helplessly but I knew he didn’t have a choice. ‘Your wish is my command,’ he whispered.

Aifric’s eyes widened then he threw back his head and laughed. ‘I can feel it! I can feel it flooding through me. I can take any magic I want.’ He strode towards me. ‘And I’m going to take yours.’

‘Father…’

It was too late, Aifric was already doing it. He reached inside me and ripped out all the magic contained there. He took back his Gift of Healing, he took Morna’s Gift of Growth and Kirsty’s Gift of Truth-Telling. He took the trickles of Animal Calling and Electrosurge. He took it all. I felt like my insides had been sucked out, like someone had reached to me and taken my heart. My legs gave away and I fell.

I heard Byron cry out and rush towards me. Blood thumped in my ears. Taylor was at my side, then Lexie and Brochan and Speck and Bob and May and Fergus. They were all there. Even Asbar started towards me. I was dimly aware of Aifric cackling loudly and dancing, pirouetting around the castle top.

‘The power!’ he yelled. ‘It’s consuming me! I will be unstoppable!’ He spun and cheered.

‘Wait,’ I whispered. Nobody heard me. I tried again. ‘He’s taken too much in one go. He’s not used to it and he’s going crazy with the adrenaline and the rush.’

Bob floated in front of my eyes. He winked at me, as aware of the consequences of the wish as I was. I lifted my head while Aifric jumped up and down. ‘I’m going to take it all,’ he roared. ‘All the magic in Scotland will be mine. I’ll take Scotland and then I’ll move to England. The world will be mine for the taking. I’ll…’ his eyes widened. ‘Shit.’

In his glee he hadn’t paid attention to where he was going. He was too close to the edge and the wall designed to hold people back wasn’t high enough. He was already toppling to one side. His hands flailed. ‘Help me!’ he screamed. ‘Help…’ I caught a glimpse of self-awareness and terror in his writhing eyes as he tipped over the edge. ‘…me….’

I closed my eyes. A second later there was a thump as his body landed far below. Bob zipped over and looked down. ‘It’s not a letter opener!’ he shouted. ‘It’s a scimitar!’ He frowned for a moment then turned to us and shrugged. ‘I don’t think he heard me.’