Last Wish (Highland Magic #4)(14)

I opened my mouth but Brochan reached over and clamped his hand over it. ‘I love you, Tegs, but no.’

‘Mmmmph.’

‘You have to promise.’

I glared at him then nodded. He released me. Stepping away, I pouted. ‘It was a really good joke. Now you’ll never know just how funny it was.’

‘I’ll live.’ He pointed at the safe. ‘Open sesame.’

Bob, who’d been snoring on my shoulder, jerked his head up abruptly. ‘You called?’

‘Figure of speech, Bob. We’ve got this.’

He frowned. ‘Are you sure? Because you could just wish…’

‘No wishing.’ I glanced at Taylor. ‘Do you want to do the honours?’

He swept a bow. ‘I’d be delighted.’ He grinned at Lexie. ‘Watch and learn, young one. Watch and learn.’

He knelt by the safe, one hand on the dial at the front and the other resting on the side. A look of intense concentration crossed his face as he began to turn the dial. It clicked round, Taylor muttering to himself as he listened for the tell-tale changes in sound that would indicate the correct numbers for the combination. I left him to it and flicked through the papers on the Bull’s desk. There was little here of interest, just letters from tenants and old bills. Interestingly, there was a photo of Tipsania hidden behind one pile of envelopes. She looked about twelve years old and she was wearing a dress that wasn’t a million miles away from the one I’d seen in MacKay’s Marriage Emporium. So that was where the Bull had got his inspiration from. I picked it up to examine it more closely and realised as I did so that the photo didn’t quite fit the frame. There was something underneath it. Biting my lip, I unclipped it to reveal another picture. When I drew it out, my mouth dropped open.

Brochan edged up and peered over my shoulder. ‘Is that…?’

I nodded. ‘My mother. I knew they’d had a relationship but I thought it hadn’t meant much because the Bull cheated on her.’ I stared down at her smiling face, itching to take the photo with me. I didn’t have any images of her; whatever was left in the Adair mansion had been destroyed. I’d really liked to have had this one but if I took it would be like leaving the Bull a great big note saying ‘Integrity was here!’. I cursed aloud and put the photograph back inside the frame. Desire for just one photo of my mother warred with common sense. Damn him. I returned the frame to the desk but my eyes lingered on it.

‘Ta da!’ Taylor stood up and cricked his neck. He checked his watch and gave Lexie a cheesy grin. ‘And in record time, I might add.’

‘Yeah, yeah. Is there anything useful inside?’

Speck knelt down and rummaged through the contents. ‘Deeds to some land up north. Some cash, a few bearer bonds and stock certificates…’ He whistled. ‘This Bull guy really is loaded, you know.’

‘Leave the money,’ I instructed.

‘Aw, Tegs…’

‘It’s not what we’re here for. Is there anything about the wedding? Anything about Aifric?’

Speck rifled some more. ‘Not that I can see.’

‘Shite. Are you sure? Because—’

Bob piped up. ‘I think I should tell you guys that we’re about to be interrupted.’

We all swung our heads towards him. Bob held up his hands. ‘I can feel the Bull’s presence. Ommmmmm…’

Double shite. ‘Everyone out. Now!’

They didn’t need telling twice. Lexie wrenched open the door, darting out and away with the others hot on her heels. I went to join them but realised at the last moment that the sodding safe was gaping open. Gritting my teeth, I dashed back and tried to slam it shut. A piece of paper jammed in the opening. Feeling my pulse speed up, I fumbled to yank it free and toss it back inside so I could close the safe door. It was lucky that the Bull was a messy boy or he’d immediately have realised someone had been going through his papers.

I got back to my feet. Making a hasty and knowingly foolish decision, I grabbed the photo frame off the desk and ran for the door but it was too late. The Bull was only steps away.

I pulled back inside. There had to be somewhere to hide. Behind the curtains perhaps? They were too flimsy. Under the desk? No, that was stupid. I could wedge myself between the bookshelf and the wall. I leapt towards the gap just as the Bull’s shadow fell into the room. Too late.

The Bull stared at the open study door, his expression thunderous. Then his eyes landed on me, catching me red-handed in the middle of his room. So much for my supposed death. Oh well.





Chapter Four


The Bull’s expression immediately changed from anger to what I could only describe as terror. ‘Integrity Adair,’ he breathed. He snapped his arm upwards.

Convinced he was going to attack, I did the first thing I could think of: I reached inside myself for the Gift I’d stolen from the retching Sidhe at the border and drew on it, desperately hoping it would be something I could use to defend myself. Magic flashed through me but, instead of anything useful, the photo frame in my hands suddenly felt heavier. I glanced at it; it had turned into gleaming gold. My heart sank. A useful Gift in most circumstances but not in these ones.

‘Don’t, Cul-chain’ I commanded, using his true name to compel him. I really should have done that at the start.