Page 19 of Sins of a Scot
“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 peoplefeelanything. 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.”
