‘There are exceptions to every rule, Tegs. Stay safe. And,’ she added with a wink, ‘guard that heart of gold of yours.’

Speck nodded. ‘He only wants Tipsania because he’s a gold digger.’

‘Rescuing Candy could prove to be incredibly useful,’ Brochan said. ‘He’s probably a gold mine of information about the Moncrieffes.’

Taylor gave me a fatherly grin. ‘We’ll stay here and be as good as gold, Tegs.’

I straightened up. ‘Don’t try to beat me at my own game.’ I waved goodbye to them all. ‘Remember,’ I called out over my shoulder as I got into the car, ‘I’m going to be interrupting Aifric and Byron’s plans so when I get back, be sure to have my gold meddle ready for me.’

Bob just groaned.

***

As it was the seat of power of the Highlands, the Cruaich borders were simple to cross. All Sidhe were granted admittance automatically and there were simply too many people of all backgrounds and ethnicities passing back and forth for strict rules to be maintained. Perhaps it was arrogance, too; except for the Fomori demons’ incursion earlier in the year, no one had attacked the Cruaich for decades. If they had done, they’d have found themselves up against a considerable number of Gifted Sidhe – and no wanted those sorts of hordes after them. The Sidhe Clans were adept at keeping everyone else in their place.

All the same, I wanted to stay hidden. Long before I reached the border, I abandoned the car in favour of walking, skulking around like a shadow, flitting in and out of the trees that led towards the main Cruaich driveway. While I couldn’t expect the Bull to maintain his silence forever, I didn’t think he would have already passed on tales of my ‘ghost’. It would take him a while to realise that what he’d seen was wholly corporeal and alive. At least for now, I could count on being unexpected and I had to make as much use of that as I could.

The first group of people who passed me were humans heading up towards the main castle. They looked nervous and their heads were bowed in conversation as they walked. No doubt they were petitioning the council on some matter. I wished them well but they weren’t the sort of people I needed.

I hung back until they were out of sight then kept on going and eventually crossed the border itself. My skin buzzed faintly with the magic but my Sidhe blood kept it at bay easily. Staying alert, I skirted away from the drive, continuing to use the trees as cover but staying near enough to the road to see who was on it.

I’d barely gone a hundred feet when a lone Sidhe came wandering down, hands in pockets and expression distant. A Labrador trotted by his side, which immediately made me warm to him. Then I reminded myself why I was here and concentrated on stealing whatever Gift he had.