Page 7 of Sins of a Scot (Bound by a Highland Curse: The Morgan’s Clan Stories #7)

CHAPTER SIX

I seabail could only stare at him, as he was standing there, waiting, expectation dancing all over Owen Sinclair’s face. Clearly, she had taken a wrong turn somewhere in those tunnels, for by now, she ought to be free of this castle and journeying on. Instead, she was standing in this man’s bedchamber, being interrogated. Again!

I am back where I started. Well, nae quite. But soon enough, I will be. Perhaps with more stringent restrictions upon me. But dae I tell him the truth?

Well, ye really have naething tae lose. Clearly, he has figured out yer secret. Besides, he has offered tae answer yer questions if ye answer his. Maybe, by telling him the truth, ye might get somewhere. Like discovering where he managed tae find that crystal that hangs around his neck. ‘Tis the first clue ye have found, after all.

Iseabail listened to her common sense, and could not disagree with it. It was indeed, the first clue. She had been searching for anything related to the stone for several weeks now, and had found nothing. Maybe her meeting Owen had been fate, or divine providence, or both. She needed to divulge her secrets, for only after doing so would he divulge his. She could think of escape later. For now, she needed to find its source.

With a sigh of resignation, she said, “Fine. Me name is Lady Iseabail Mackay, daughter o’ Laird Hamilton Mackay, sister of Keane Mackay.”

Owen’s jaw dropped as he gawked at her. “Ye are Laird Mackay’s daughter?”

Iseabail was surprised. “Ye ken him?”

Nay,” Owen shook his head, still clearly astonished at her disclosure, “but I ken o’ him.”

“Och, I see.”

“But I dinnae understand?” he continued, a deep frown furrowing on his forehead. “What are ye doing on Sinclair lands? More tae the point, what are ye doing wandering around taverns alone? Where are yer guards?”

“Tis a long story—” she began, thinking he had finished with his questions, but he continued.

“And what possessed ye tae try and steal from me? And what about Daire?”

Iseabail raised her hand to try and slow his tirade. “Please. If ye give me a moment, I will explain everything.”

He now paced back and forth, clearly agitated in his confusion.

“Ye may well ken o’ me faither, but what ye dinnae ken, because the council and mesel’ deemed it best tae keep it secret, is the fact that both me faither and me braither have been kidnapped by Laird Dylan Sutherland.”

She watched as he stopped pacing, his eyes flying wide open with a gasp. “What?”

Iseabail shrugged. “It is true. At this very moment, me faither and braither are being held against their will by the laird because he wants me tae find something fer him.”

Owen stared at her intently. “What dae ye mean, something? And why has he chosen ye? Why nae yer braither?

Iseabail was careful with her next words. Owen Sinclair didn’t need to know everything. Just enough to satisfy him so she could then ask her questions in return. In that second, she decided to omit the fact that Laird Sutherland wanted her hand in marriage.

“Laird Sutherland is determined tae take over our clan. He has been trying fer some time, but we have fought back valiantly. As he has advanced, we have kept him at bay, and clearly, he has become both frustrated and impatient. It is those circumstances that have caused him tae take the drastic action o’ taking me faither and braither captive. And I dinnae ken why, he is using me and nae me braither. All I ken is that I must find an enchanted crystal and bring it back tae him.”

Owen lifted his hand to his necklace. “This crystal?” he exclaimed.

“Nae,” Iseabail shook her head, “that is only part o’ the stone I need. Somewhere out there,” she nodded towards the window, “there is a far larger stone.”

“And why does he want the crystal so badly?”

“Because it blocks powers,” Iseabail said plainly.

“I kent it,” he exclaimed, seemingly delighted at her words. “Ye dae have a gift, dinnae ye?”

Iseabail nodded. “As does me braither. We inherited it from our maither’s side o’ the family.”

By his expression, Owen was clearly working through what that meant, and then, coming to the only conclusion he could, he said, “That’s why ye were able tae affect Daire, but nae me.”

“Aye.” She nodded. “I have told ye what ye want tae ken, now it is yer turn.”

Owen looked at her with raised eyebrows, clearly suspicious of whatever Iseabail was going to ask. After realizing he could not really go back on his word, he said, “What dae ye want tae ken?”

Nodding to the crystal, she replied, “Where did ye get it?”

But he did not answer straight away. Instead, he resumed his pacing, back and forth across the rug he went for what felt like an eternity. Evidently, he was considering her question, and trying to ascertain if he ought to answer it.

Eventually, he turned back to her. “Why dae ye want tae ken?”

Iseabail snarled. “Ye told me that if I answered yer questions, then ye would answer mine. I have been open and honest with ye. In fact, ye’re the only person outside o’ me clan that kens the truth. Ye owe me an answer.”

“Fine. Me stepmaither gave this tae me. She wanted me tae be protected against anyone using their powers against me.”

Iseabail’s brow furrowed. “How does she ken about powers?”

He looked at her intently. “Because she has gifts, like ye.”

It was Iseabail’s turn to be surprised, and she gasped a little at his words.

“She kens many others like ye, too,” he continued. “It is the reason she gave me this necklace in the first place. She is well aware that some people use their gifts fer good, while others use them fer evil.” He then gave her a piercing look.

“I hardly used me powers for evil,” Iseabail countered. “Ye think telling a man tae go and get a drink is evil?”

Owen shrugged. “If the purpose is tae steal something that belongs tae another, then aye. I dae.”

Iseabail sighed and rolled her eyes.

“Tell me more about this crystal?”

“What dae ye want tae ken?” she asked.

“Everything. Clearly, it’s important tae Laird Sutherland. He’s going tae a lot o’ trouble tae get it.”

The thought of her father and brother suffering flashed through her mind at his words. “This crystal serves two purposes. If it is worn by someone with nay powers, it protects them from anyone who tries tae use a power against them. Thus, me gift is rendered useless while ye wear that stone.” She gestured to his necklace. “However, if the wearer does have power, the crystal magnifies the powers that the wearer possesses.”

Again, Owen frowned in deep thought. It took a few seconds before he glared at her with an obvious conclusion. “Laird Sutherland has powers?” he balked.

Iseabail shrugged. “I dinnae ken fer certain, but it makes sense tae me that he does. It’s the only reason I can think o’ that he wants it. That, or he has someone close tae him with such gifts. But he is an evil man, and in truth, I am nae certain he would give another such power.”

“It would go against nature, o’ course,” she continued. “One who possesses a gift ought nae tae take any more than nature has already given. Nay doubt, there are consequences. Though I cannae imagine Dylan Sutherland cares much about that.”

Owen tilted his head. “Maybe he doesnae have powers. Maybe he just wants tae protect himself from being manipulated by those with powers.”

“But he wouldnae need the whole crystal fer that. Sure, look at ye. I cannae manipulate ye at all.”

Owen considered her words. “Fair point.” He paused and then paced back and forth. “Ye say that what he’s planning tae dae goes against nature, and that there will be consequences. What dae ye mean by that?”

“That he may pay with his soul,” Iseabail said plainly.

“He’ll die if he tries tae use the crystal?” Owen gasped.

“I cannae ken if he’ll die. If I’m honest, I dinnae really ken what might happen. All I ken is, things willnae be good fer him. How that manifests, only the gods really ken.”

Owen looked at her with interest. “Ye still havenae told me what yer gift is, Iseabail.”

She sighed again, and then said, “I can compel people tae dae whatever I tell them.”

Owen’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Anything?”

“Ye asked how I had managed tae get intae that room tae see yer fight, and how I had made Daire leave ye, so I could be alone with ye. That is how. I say what I want, and they dae it.”

Iseabail suddenly remembered the guard. Stepping forward, she gazed at him pleadingly.

“That is why yer guard ought nae tae be punished. He did naething wrong. He would never have let me go by his own will. I forced him tae dae it. Dae ye see?”

Owen nodded swiftly, as though the guard and what he had done was the most of his concerns. “Rest assured, naething will happen tae him. I ken him well, and he is a good man.”

Iseabail heaved another sigh. “Thank the gods fer that.”

Once more, he commenced with his pacing in silence. Iseabail was not sure what was supposed to happen now, but she suspected Owen was deciding that very thing. What was he to do with her? But a plan was already forming in her mind. She would get out of this place, and she knew exactly how she was going to do it.

Eventually, he turned back to look at her. “That is some gift ye have. Being able tae make people dae and feel whatever ye choose.”

She shook her head. “I cannae make people feel anything. They dae as I tell them, but I cannae make someone sad, or angry, or in love. Me gift works on actions only.”

“Still, a woman with yer skills poses danger everywhere she goes. Eden can tell if someone is being truthful or telling lies. She senses a lie as soon as she hears it. But yer gift is far more powerful than that.”

“I have never, ever used me gift fer bad,” Iseabail spat. “And I never will.”

“I only have yer word fer that,” Owen argued.

“What has me life got tae dae with ye at any rate? Ye wouldnae even ken I had a power if I hadnae have told ye,” she countered.

“Still,” Owen said carefully, “I think I would like tae investigate it further, and thus, I’m afraid, ye’re nae going anywhere.”

But Iseabail had an ace up her sleeve. He could not keep her prisoner against her will, and there was not a chance she was returning to those dungeons.

“Ye will come with me tae find the stone,” she said adamantly.

His eyes widened, surprised at her confidence, and then surprise turned to amusement, and he began to chuckle. “Have ye forgotten that yer powers dinnae work on me?”

“Nae,” she shook her head, “I havenae. However, I am well aware that yer faither doesnae ken about yer fighting.”

The laughter halted immediately and Owen glared at her.

Iseabail smiled. “I’m also aware that ye dinnae want him tae ken. So, ye see, I only need tae ask fer an audience with the laird, tae which I am entitled, and yer faither will discover everything ye are keeping secret from him.”

“Ye wouldnae dare,” Owen growled.

“Try me,” Iseabail spat back.

He could do nothing but glare at her, for they both knew she had him over a barrel. His frustration was obvious, and she was certain she could see his mind working to find a way that he could get out of this situation. He couldn’t, and he knew it. But Iseabail wasn’t Laird Sutherland, and blackmail did not feel right in her gut, even if it might be necessary under the circumstances. Perhaps she could make this easier for both of them.

“As an act o’ good will, I can offer ye something in return,” she said. “Me clan is very wealthy. Our treasury is filled with gold and silver, as well as many coins. If ye come with me and help me find this stone, I will give ye all the money ye need.”

He scowled at her, gritting his teeth and tensing his jaw. “How dae ye ken I need yer money?” He threw his hands up and gestured to their surroundings. “Can ye nae see the wealth o’ me own clan all around ye?”

Iseabail sighed, realizing Owen’s pride was bruised at her offer.

Men and their pride!

“I overheard yer conversation with Daire in the dungeons,” Iseabail confessed. “It is evident now, as I think about it, that if ye dinnae want yer faither tae ken ye are fighting, neither can ye ask him fer the money tae help ye. It is why ye fight, isnae it? Fer the money?” She gazed at him with interest. “Who are ye saving yersel’ from?”

Once more, his eyes grew wide, surprised that she knew as much as she did, and then his brow furrowed. “That’s nae o’ yer concern,” he growled.

“Maybe nae,” she countered, “but if ye help me, I can help ye.”

His pride still kept him from accepting straight away, so Iseabail waited. He would have no choice but to accept, and eventually, after more huffing and pacing, he did.

“Fine. I will accompany ye. But only because ye are giving me nay choice.”

“O’ course,” she replied diplomatically.

“We will have tae…” he trailed off, his mind working once more with what lay ahead of them. “We will have tae give me faither and stepmaither a good excuse. I cannae just leave fer a period o’ time.”

It was Iseabail’s turn to try and come up with a solution, and after a moment, she came up with a ridiculous idea. A ridiculous idea, and yet, the only one she could think of. “We could tell them we are courting, and that ye are coming tae see me lands.”

Owen raised his eyebrows at the suggestion, but shook his head. “They’d never believe that. Besides, ye have tae remember, Eden can sense a lie. She’ll pick that up in a second. Nae. It needs tae be based more on truth.”

The two took several more minutes to think, and then Iseabail tried again. “Ye are accompanying me back tae me lands. I was robbed, and ye have agreed tae make certain I return.”

He nodded slowly as he considered her suggestion. “Well, ye have been robbed, in a way. Ye’ve been robbed of yer family.”

“And me freedom.”

“And yer peace.”

“And me future,” Iseabail added.

“Aye, that will work. And I will talk mostly. We just need tae keep those things in our mind when we make mention o’ it at breakfast on the morrow.”

“Breakfast?” Iseabail gawped.

“Aye,” Owen said, surprised at her reaction. “Ye’re going tae have tae meet me faither and stepmaither at some point.”

“Then we will also need tae have a story fer how we met. Surely, they are bound tae ask?”

“All right,” Owen said, looking thoughtful once again. “Then… we can say…”

“It has tae be the truth,” Iseabail reminded him.

“Or a version o’ the truth,” he countered.

Over the next few minutes, they then came up with a plan of what they were going tae tell Laird and Lady Sinclair. It was not very convincing, but it would have to suffice.

“While wearing this necklace, Eden willnae be able tae tell if I’m lying or nae,” Owen added. “But in a way, it makes things even more complicated. I still have tae be careful what I say, fer whatever ye reply also has tae be the truth.”

Iseabail nodded. “That makes sense. I am now just terrified I will say something wrong.”

Owen shook his head. “I will try and guide ye as best as I can. In the end, however, we’ll have tae help each other.”

When all that was said and done, Owen opened his bedchamber door, and nodded for Iseabail to follow.

“Where are we going?” she asked suspiciously.

He smirked at her. “Well, ye cannae stay here,” he said, nodding to his bed.

Iseabail glanced over at it, and then blushed at the thought. “Nay, o’ course nae.”

“Come on. We have many rooms here.”

She followed him out and the two travelled down the corridor. A minute later, Owen opened a bedchamber door and gestured for her to enter. “I will tell the maids ye are here. Someone will arrive shortly tae light the fire and bring ye some food.”

He pulled the door over to leave, but stopped when Iseabail began to speak.

“How dae ye ken I willnae run away?” she asked, surprised that he was giving her such freedom.

That smirk danced on his lips again, and with an arrogance she knew he possessed, he replied. “It’s obvious ye need me.”

Without another word, he closed the door, leaving Iseabail feeling frustrated at his bumptiousness. But at least she was not spending the night in a cell. Instead, she had a room of her own, and a comfortable bed. Her worries had abated, for now. Tomorrow would bring with it, its own troubles.