“Move and I will fucking kill you.”

The deep edge of violence running through his voice sent a chill through me. I had absolutely no doubt he would go through with the threat.

“I’m thinking my cousin wouldn’t be too pleased about that.”

Her tone was amused and unworried. Either she wasn’t reading him very well or she knew something we didn’t.

“Right now, your cousin couldn’t give a damn.” My voice was so damn weak it really didn’t sound like mine. “You’re working with the people who poisoned my brother. I’ll never forgive or forget that.”

“I had nothing to do with—”

“Guilt by association is enough for me,” I cut in. “And I suspect it’ll be enough for Sgott.”

She snorted. “Even Sgott has to follow the rules.”

“He might, but I certainly don’t,” Cynwrig said. “Your employers came after my sister, and that is never a good idea.”

If Vincentia had any sense, she be panicking right about now. But there was nothing in the way of unease or concern coming from her. Was she killing time? Had she called in help before she confronted us? Given what she’d said about her employers wanting to speak to me, it seemed more than likely.

I silently reached for the wind and started paying more attention to the sounds and movement running underneath the storm.

“Again, I had nothing—”

“Then there’s the fact,” Cynwrig continued flatly, “that your employers kidnapped and almost killed Ruadhán’s only son.”

“Who the hell is Ruadhán?”

“Sgott’s daytime counterpart. He has a well-earned reputation for having a very loose interpretation of the law.”

“None of those events can be traced back to me, and even the IIT can’t manufacture evidence.”

An admission that she’d at least known what the Looisearch was up to even if she wasn’t a participant.

Cynwrig laughed, a sound so cold a chill shivered across my skin. “Oh, how little you understand the real world, little pixie.”

It was said with such condescension that I couldn’t help but wonder if that was an opinion that stretched to all pixies.

The wind stirred again. This time, there was whispers of movement; lights, approaching fast. I leaned my head back against the wall and closed my eyes, trying to sharpen the image I was being shown in order to see what exactly we faced. It remained rainswept and hazy, which was annoying.

“Don’t be sliding into unconsciousness, Bethany,” Cynwrig said sharply. “Not until we’re sure you haven’t got concussion after being blasted against the wall.”

“I haven’t. I’m just listening to the wind.”

“A statement that doesn’t reassure me in any way. Open your eyes, Beth.”

I drew in a deeper breath and forced my eyes open. His silvery gaze was filled with worry, and it warmed my aching heart.

Then the wind stirred anew, and the glare of those approaching lights grew stronger, closer.

“Tia,” I said. “Did you call in help before you confronted us tonight?”

Her snort was contemptuous. “Yes—do you think I’m stupid or something? I mean, seriously, cousin, did you not remember that I’d be able to sense your presence through the hum in the wood?”