Gifted Thief (Highland Magic #1)(7)

The blue-haired pixie grinned, using the edges of the gap to hoist herself up while Speck and Brochan helped steady her. ‘Are you staring at my arse, Speck?’ she called out.

He coughed, going slightly red. ‘Course not,’ he mumbled. ‘I respect you too much, Lexie.’

‘Oh,’ she said, sounding disappointed, ‘that’s a shame. I’ve been doing extra squats just for you.’

Speck went even redder. I pressed my lips firmly shut, trying not to laugh.

Even with Lexie’s petite form, it was a tight squeeze. It took almost as long for her to shimmy through as it did to complete the drilling. It was just as well that this particular model of vault had a failsafe button on the other side in case anyone got trapped inside. There was no way the rest of us would have made it through that gap.

When her feet finally vanished and she stood up, Lexie peered back at us from the other side. ‘Peekaboo!’

‘Open the damn door,’ Brochan growled.

‘What’s the rush?’

‘Well, let me see,’ he said sarcastically. ‘We’re breaking and entering into what is supposed to be one of the most secure vaults in the country to steal a gemstone that’s worth more than most people will make in their lifetime. If we get caught, we’ll end up in prison until we’re all grey and wrinkled. So, sure, take all the time you need.’

She jabbed a finger through the gap. ‘Pixies don’t go grey. And Integrity’s hair is already pure white. So it’s only you and Speck who have to worry about that side of things.’

‘Lexie…’

‘Okay, okay. Give me a moment. It’s pitch black in here, after all.’

Brochan started to mutter something under his breath.

‘Counting to ten?’ I asked, amused.

‘I could count to a thousand and she’d still annoy me.’

‘You love her really.’

There was a loud creak as the vault door began to open. Speck pushed forward, tripping over his own feet in his haste to get inside.

‘I can’t believe you’re leaving me on my own with these two,’ Brochan grumbled.

I smiled and gestured at the door. ‘Moany mermen before shady Sidhe.’

‘I’m not moany. Not any more than you’re shady, anyway.’

‘I’m a thief,’ I said simply. ‘I’m about as shady as you’re likely to get.’ I gave him a gentle nudge. ‘Come on. Weren’t you getting worried about the time?’

He blew air through his cheeks and followed the warlock in. I held back for a moment, savouring the last time I would ever do this. It had been a hell of a ride. Then I entered the dark vault too.

Speck had recovered enough from his stumble to click his fingers and create enough light for the four of us to see what we were doing. The vault was lined with box after narrow box. It reminded me of Doctor Who’s TARDIS. Even with its huge door, the size of the vault and the number of safety deposits boxes were surprising.

‘What number is it?’ Brochan asked.

‘A724,’ I answered. ‘Further down the back.’

‘Did I ever tell you that I’m slightly claustrophobic?’ Speck asked.

‘Only every time we do this,’ Lexie replied. ‘Is there anything you’re not scared of?’

He seemed to think about it for a moment. ‘Spiders,’ he said finally. ‘I quite like spiders.’

The pixie shuddered delicately. ‘Ugh.’

‘There it is,’ Brochan said, breaking into the conversation. He strode over, examining the box in question with a practised eye.

‘You know,’ Speck said, ‘there must be a lot of wealth hidden behind all of these. We don’t just have to take the jewel.’

‘Do you want to be the person who steals some poor grandmother’s family heirloom?’ I asked, watching Brochan carefully. ‘Or Joe Bloggs’ life savings?’

‘You have an interesting sense of morality. We are here to nick the Lia Saifir after all.’

‘The lordling who owns it is as rich as Croesus. He won’t miss it.’

Speck snorted but I ignored it. ‘Can you open it, Brochan?’

‘I reckon so.’

‘Do you need some tools?’

He drew back his fist and smashed it into the box. The door sprang open. He looked at me from over his shoulder. ‘Nah,’ he grinned. ‘I’m good.’

My eyes danced. There was nothing like sheer brute strength. I stood next to him and gazed down. This was always my favourite part, the heart-stopping moment before the big reveal when all our hard work and preparation would pay off. With a deep breath, I reached out and slid open the drawer.

I stared, my mouth dropping open. Crap-a-doodle-doo. Brochan cursed and spat.

‘What?’ Speck asked. ‘What is it?’

Lexie squeezed her way in and gazed down. ‘Shit. It’s gone?’ She shoved her hand into the box and felt around. ‘Maybe it’s rolled to the back?’

I shook my head. Frustration, disappointment and just the tiniest edge of relief mingled together in my stomach. ‘No. It’s empty.’ I sighed. ‘Taylor was so sure it would be here.’

‘A month!’ Speck shrieked. ‘It’s taken us a month of planning to get here and the stupid gem’s not there? Now what?’