Before I could correct my mistake, the audience erupted. I glanced up, baffled. Were they laughing at me already?
‘Give me a bloody chance,’ I whispered under my breath. I scanned the first row. Every face was contorted in hysterics. Some people were doubled over, clutching their stomachs. So they were all still against me. Bastards.
I stared again at the strings and chose one at random. Whatever. This was only five minutes of my life and I was already making a fool of myself. What did it matter which string I plucked? I twanged it and another perfect note spun out, almost breath-taking in its clarity.
The laughter stopped abruptly. There was a loud gasp, followed by a sob from somewhere to my right. I plucked the same string again. Yeah, yeah. So I couldn’t play any kind of tune.
There was another sob and several people cried out. I gritted my teeth; I was probably making their ears bleed, just as Taylor had foretold. I glanced at the few visible faces and saw that most of them were crying. Eh?
I flicked another look at the judges. Two of them had their arms round each other, while the third was wiping away tears with a large spotted handkerchief. I shook my head in confusion and stared at the harp.
‘Okay dokey,’ I whispered as I realised what was happening. The first note had made everyone laugh; the second one had made them cry. Dagda’s harp really was magical. Awesome. Then I shrugged; enough adulation. I ran my hand from one side of the harp to the other. The sound was extraordinary, a chiming thrum that grew in tempo and volume.
I focused on one woman in front of me. Her face twisted from glee to anger to abject misery. By the time the notes faded away, she was clutching her heart with such an expression of delight that I almost fell backwards. It was too much to look at.
I turned my head and checked the clock. It felt like half an hour had gone by but I was barely into my second minute. I was done though; I shrugged, picked up the harp and walked off.
The official who’d been so annoyed with me moments earlier was on his knees, gaping at me. Even Angus, who hadn’t left yet, stared at me in awe. A heartbeat later, there was a roar of what sounded like thunder. I frowned. It hadn’t looked like a storm was coming when I arrived. Then I realised it wasn’t thunder – it was applause.
I peered out from the curtains. The audience were on their feet, not just clapping but stamping and shouting for more. One of the judges called for an encore. I pulled back, dropping the harp as if it had burned me.
‘I’ve never heard anything like that in my life,’ Angus breathed. ‘So much for not being musical.’ He grasped my hand and squeezed it. ‘That was incredible.’
‘Er, it wasn’t really me.’
‘Don’t be so modest. You were amazing.’
With the clock ticking down the last few seconds, the crowd continued to roar. The judges consulted and I held my breath. When the scores flashed up, it took a moment for them to register.
‘A perfect score,’ the official gasped. ‘Wonderful! Simply wonderful!’
‘Um, thanks.’ I didn’t know where to look. Bob and Dagda had come through, and then some. I gingerly stretched out my hand, my fingers curling round the cool wood. The harp felt exactly the same, apart from the slightest vibration that was invisible to the eye. ‘You were fabulous,’ I whispered. I didn’t think it was my imagination that the vibrations grew momentarily stronger before fading away entirely.
I left Angus and the official gaping after me and quickly covered the harp before picking it up and walking into the bathroom nearby. As soon as I was inside, I locked the door and pressed my forehead against the mirror. If I thought I was shaking before, it was nothing compared to now.
Light flashed and Bob appeared. ‘Told you!’ he sang out. ‘Aren’t I wonderful? Don’t you want to have my children?’ He bounced up, landing on my shoulder and moving back my hair to whisper in my ear. ‘Don’t you want to make a wish right now out of gratitude for my awesomeness?’
I pulled back. ‘I think it’s the harp that’s awesome, not you.’
‘I’m the one who found it for you. And it’s not as if you played it particularly well. I told you to choose C sharp, not strum it like a guitar. You’re lucky that things didn’t go completely tits up. Some of those strings create notes that can cause difficulties for weak-minded people who aren’t fabulous genies like me.’
‘Why didn’t you tell me it was going to have that effect?’
He tutted. ‘What did you think would happen? That’s what Dagda’s harp does. Honestly, Uh Integrity, sometimes I despair of your naivety.’
There was a sharp knock on the door. ‘Tegs? Are you in there?’
Bob grinned. ‘The others are coming to congratulate me. Let them in. We should get this over with before I start to feel embarrassed.’
I unlocked the door and Lexie flew at me, her small arms wrapping me in a hug. ‘I knew you could do it! You were brilliant!’
‘Thank you,’ Bob said.
‘I have to admit,’ Brochan rumbled, ‘that was pretty amazing.’
‘I know, I know. There’s no need to go on about it, though,’ the genie continued.
‘Shut up, Bob,’ Speck said. ‘Tegs, you are a musical genius.’
‘She didn’t do anything!’ Bob howled. ‘Why are you praising her? I’m the one you should be thanking!’
‘Actually,’ I said, glaring at him, ‘I think the harp did all the work.’
‘It was you who played it,’ Lexie said loyally. ‘And you got full marks. That means you’re top of the table. Let’s head out there and gloat.’
‘I’m not sure that’s a good idea,’ Taylor said, frowning. ‘They love you right now but it doesn’t take much for adoration to turn into jealousy. You should play things down. It would be better to head back to the cabin and keep a low profile. Besides, we ought to prepare for the Adventure challenge. I don’t think the Hunt will be easy, even for Tegs.’
I nodded. ‘Taylor’s right. This lot are fleeting with their loyalties. Let’s get out of here while we can.’
Lexie pouted but agreed. Bob, however, crossed his arms. ‘You’re denying me my moment of glory.’
‘Bob?’
‘Yes?’
‘C sharp when you cross the street or you’re going to B flat.’
‘Is that a threat?’ he demanded. ‘Are you threatening me, Uh Integrity? Because grammatically it doesn’t even make sense. Just because you wish you were as magnificent as me.’ He sniffed loudly. ‘You were right, Taylor. It didn’t take long for some people to become jealous.’
I ignored him and looked at the others. ‘Come on. Time to vamoose.’
*
The audience were leaving the auditorium. I noticed more than one Sidhe with mascara streaks running down their cheeks – men as well as women. Several people congratulated me but I merely inclined my head in brief acknowledgment and kept moving. Lexie, Speck, Brochan and Taylor formed a helpful cordon to ward off the more enthusiastic well-wishers as we squeezed our way through and escaped into the cold air.
We weren’t the only people outside. Taylor jerked his chin towards a copse of trees where I spotted Aifric remonstrating with one of the judges. He hadn’t seen us, which was probably just as well. I wasn’t sure I could cope with his saccharine-sweet falseness right now.
‘Integrity!’ I turned to see Byron. He caught up, his eyes raking over me. ‘That was some performance.’
I dipped into a curtsey. ‘Thank you.’
‘Was it you or the harp?’
I shrugged. ‘Does it matter?’
‘I suppose not.’ He tilted his head. ‘You were very good,’ he said quietly.
I tried not to notice the others slipping away to give us some space and gave an awkward shrug. ‘It was just one challenge,’ I reminded him. ‘There are still two more to go.’
‘True. But now you’re in pole position.’
‘Go me.’
A small smile tugged at his mouth. ‘Indeed. Go you.’ He took
a step towards me and his voiced dropped. ‘What are you playing at?’
I stepped back. ‘What do you mean?’
‘There’s more going on here than meets the eye. What was that business with the ring and Jamie? He said you found it in the Lowlands, which is frankly ridiculous. Do you have any idea how dangerous it is to go there?’
Taken aback by the sudden turn in the conversation, I glared. ‘Do you? Have you ever passed through the Veil?’
‘Of course not! I’m not reckless like you.’
‘You mean you’re boring,’ I shot back.
‘Boring?’
This time I stood my ground. ‘It appears so.’
‘I’ll show you how boring I am,’ he muttered under his breath. He leaned towards me. Before anything could happen, however, there was a loud curse from Aifric. We both turned to watch him stomp back towards the auditorium.
I licked my lips. ‘What do you think that was all about, Byron? Why would your father be so angry at the judges?’
The crackle in the air between us changed to something else entirely. ‘Are you trying to insinuate something?’
‘I’m just saying that it’s a bit strange that he’s so worked up.’
His eyes narrowed. ‘My father has been nothing but generous towards you. He didn’t have to be like that, considering all the trouble you’ve caused.’
‘All the trouble I’ve caused?’
‘He’s on your side, Integrity. Just like me.’
I hoped that Byron wasn’t like his father at all. I shook my head. I could stand here and argue till I was blue in the face but Byron wasn’t going to listen to a word against his dear daddy. I sighed. ‘I have to go.’
He reached for me but I whirled away and ran after the others. I didn’t look back.
‘What was that about?’ Taylor asked with a glint in his eye.
‘Not what you’d like it be,’ I sighed. ‘I’m just burning bridges.’
Chapter Fourteen
The rest of the day passed slowly. We spent most of the time discussing what might occur during the upcoming Adventure challenge. Considering my role with mountain rescue, I was well-placed to win. The trouble was that the Carnegies – and Aifric – would be very aware of that. When night fell and I curled up in bed to get some sleep, my mind was still whirring over the possibilities. I had to be prepared for every eventuality. If I slept, it wasn’t for long.
It was a relief when dawn came. I spent some time applying make-up to hide my bruised eyes and dressed carefully so that I looked my best. I didn’t want anyone to think that I wasn’t ready for whatever the second challenge would bring; showing weakness of any kind was not an option. In any case, it was worth the effort when I glimpsed the briefest flash of irritation on Aifric’s face as I joined the other competitors in the main hall. I also caught the Bull grinning evilly at me. Clearly he was hoping – and expecting – that I’d fail miserably. I resisted the temptation to order him to start cheering my name but it wasn’t easy.
‘We would like to thank Clan Carnegie for the wonder of the Artistry challenge,’ Aifric boomed. ‘And we are excited by what the Adventure challenge will bring.’
From my left, Angus nudged me. ‘Is that the royal we?’ he said in an undertone.
I smirked. ‘Now, now,’ I whispered back. ‘He is our Steward, after all.’
‘He shouldn’t be.’
I glanced at him, surprised and not entirely sure what he meant. There wasn’t time to ask, though, because Aifric was speaking again.
‘We trust that there have been no further leaks and that the nature of the Acumen challenge remains under wraps.’ He didn’t look at me as he said this but several others did. I tried to look innocent. ‘We will pass over to the Carnegies to explain how the challenge will work. In the interests of fairness, only the competitors and the organisers shall remain in this hall.’ He bowed once and swept out.
The supercilious lordling who seemed to be the MC stepped up. ‘Competitors will be blindfolded and transported to the challenge site, then released onto the course in groups. You are permitted to work with others to achieve success but any points garnered will be your own. As I’m sure you are all aware, Adventure asks a lot of all the competitors, both emotionally and physically. Your progress will be tracked sporadically via drones, and the audience will watch from the auditorium so as not to disturb the action. Places will be decided by the order in which you return with your Clan flag in hand.’ He smiled coldly. ‘Your ultimate goal is simple. Find your flag. You will receive clues at particular points throughout the challenge to help guide you on your way. Hopefully most of you will return in one piece. In this challenge, anything goes.’
I frowned. ‘What does that mean?’ I asked Angus.
‘That competitors can use their Gifts as they see fit,’ he murmured. ‘And they can interfere with others, as well as help them. In theory, it’s the Carnegies’ job to make sure that no one gets injured. In practice, the more blood that’s spilt, the better.’
Bugger. That didn’t sound particularly good, especially as I would now be a target with my name shining out from the top of the league table. Maybe winning the Artistry challenge hadn’t been so wise after all.
Most people were dressed for action; even Tipsania had foregone her voluminous skirts for a jumpsuit. I noticed her at the front, clinging to Byron. No matter what was going on between me and him, it irked me that she was cuckolding him behind his back. I reminded myself that it wasn’t my problem but it didn’t help.
She simpered as a piece of paper was handed to her. I scowled. Tipsania did a good job of playing the role of helpless female; I didn’t think she was any more helpless than I was.
The paper was a map and we all received a copy. It wasn’t very detailed but there was enough information to indicate where the first clue was located. It seemed that we were to start at the base of a small group of hills and move towards the ocean’s edge. On the map the distance didn’t appear far; neither did the terrain seem treacherous. Judging by the way the Carnegie MC had spoken, however, those would both be dangerous assumptions.
I studied the map closely, then folded it and tucked it inside my jacket. Another official came over and gave us each a cursory check, looking for forbidden items. He eyed Bob’s letter opener and my bottle of water. ‘You are only permitted to bring one object with you,’ he intoned. ‘The water or the,’ he paused, ‘knife.’
I thought that calling the letter opener a knife was being overly generous but Bob would be pleased. I weighed up my options and decided on the genie. At this time of year, there was bound to be snow I could melt down if I got dehydrated. And Bob would be entertaining, if nothing else.
Angus watched me make my choice. ‘Wouldn’t a pocket knife be more useful?’ he inquired.
A wet sponge would probably be more useful, I thought. I smiled though, aware that Bob would be listening. After the lack of glory yesterday, he could probably do with some ego stroking. ‘Oh, this scimitar is more useful than you think,’ I said airily.
Angus’s eyebrows shot up. ‘Scimitar?’
I coughed. ‘Yes. What are you taking?’
He pointed. ‘Rope. My grandfather used to say that there was nothing more useful. There’s a lot that can be done with it.’
It was a sensible choice. ‘I’m sure it’ll serve you well,’ I said sincerely. I glanced round, trying to see what the others were bringing along. There was a worrying number of weapons. I made a note to avoid anyone who was carrying anything of that ilk and began to stretch.
Angus seemed amused. ‘Getting ready for a sprint? The Adventure challenge is more of a marathon.’
‘I want to make a quick start,’ I told him. It was true. In discussion with Taylor the previous day, we decided it was the only way. Go too slowly and others would follow me; go slowly and I’d end up caught up in their tracks and mistakes. To be successful, I had to pull away from the herd. If necessary, I’d choose a circuitous route
even if it was longer. The Hunt was going to be difficult enough because we were being sent out in staggered groups. Also, I was used to relying on a team so doing this alone would be tough. But it was not insurmountable; this kind of challenge was far more suited to my skills than music.
Angus nodded. ‘Interesting. You don’t want to team up with me and work together? We’ll both be in the last group, after all.’
I grinned. ‘Thanks but I’m probably going to draw considerable fire. You’ll do better on your own.’ Plus, he’d slow me down.
‘Fair enough.’
We fell silent as the first group – the Moncrieffes, Scrymgeours and Kincaids – stepped up. A Carnegie tied black masks around each person’s head. Byron turned to me just before the mask hid his eyes and I caught a flash of emerald before they were covered up and he was led away with the others to a waiting vehicle.
‘There go the winners,’ Angus said, without a trace of rancour. ‘I’m surprised they didn’t change the order after your showing in Artistry.’
I shrugged. ‘I’m surprised you’re not more bothered about your place. You got a decent score too.’
‘Not decent enough. No one expects me to win and I know I’m not going to.’
‘So why take part?’
‘You know the answer to that already.’ He raised his voice. ‘Honour, darling. It’s all about honour.’
I was really starting to hate that word.
Enjoyable as Angus’s company was, it wasn’t easy waiting around before we were called to go. With twenty minutes between each group setting off, I regretted not staying behind in the cabin so I could snooze. The fact that everyone was called up in groups of three also worried me. When the MacQuarries were called along with Angus, and I was the only person left standing, those worries were confirmed: the Carnegies were making up for their failure to keep me at the bottom of the league table the day before. Whether I wanted to team up with others or not, they were making the choice for me. I tried to keep my expression blank; I wouldn’t let them see how much their decision to separate me from everyone else rankled.