‘I hope so.’ I crossed my fingers on both hands for luck. The grove was sacred – no way would a pack of hounds be allowed to tear through it after an intruder who hadn’t actually done any damage. If my plan worked the magic bound into the land would stop anyone, regardless of how skilled they were, from being able to farsense through it. As long as no one thought to come and comb through the grove, both Bob and I would be safe.

I ran through the first fringe of trees, keeping to the path until I was deep enough inside to slow down. The sunlight disappeared almost immediately above the canopy as I was swallowed into the grove’s interior. The sounds of the dogs and the shouting faded away but I didn’t slow down. Even when strands of my hair caught in outstretched twigs and it felt as if my scalp were being pulled from my skull, I didn’t stop. I was not going to let Aifric win. I was never going to let Aifric win.

Gasping for breath, I pounded ahead. I only realised that I’d arrived at the central clearing – the place where I’d seen fleeting images of my ancestors and received my true name – when I felt a frisson of electricity shoot through me. I sloughed off the invisibility and came to a halt.

Bob was awestruck. ‘Uh Integrity,’ he breathed. ‘This is amazing.’ He stretched out his arms, spreading his fingers wide. ‘I can feel the power. I can even hear it.’

So could I. Already a chorus of indecipherable whispers was rising in my ears. I swallowed. It was probably alright for me to be here. Unlike the individual Clan groves, this one at the Cruaich was open to all Sidhe. In essence, it was the central point for all of us.

I put my hands on my hips, trying to slow down my breathing. Regardless of right or wrong, it would be wise to stay away from the clearing. I didn’t need to be haunted by angry Sidhe spirits of yore.

I turned round, planning to leave the path and plunge into the trees in case a search party did come through here. Before I could take a step, a word rang out and made me freeze. ‘Layoch.’

My true name. I thought I was nervous before, trapped on that staircase between Aifric and his guards, but it was nothing compared to this. I slowly turned around.

‘Layoch.’

My mouth was dry. I swung my head from left to right but, unlike the last time I was here, there was nothing to see. There was the only the voice, accented with a gentle Scottish lilt which I couldn’t distinguish as male or female.

‘Uh Integrity,’ Bob quavered. ‘This is scary.’

‘I know. Don’t worry. We’ll be fine.’ I wished I could be sure of that.

‘Join them,’ the voice whispered.

My spine went rigid. Join who?

‘Join them,’ the disembodied voice repeated.