Page 65 of Sins of a Scot
Iseabail was about to reply when she suddenly felt a strange sensation in her gut. Like they were in danger. Like someone was following them.
Glancing to look behind her, she saw two men walking on the other side of the road. They were only a short distance behind, and both of them appeared to be looking at her. Upon seeing her noticing them, they turned their faces away.
“I think we’re being followed,” she hissed, keeping her voice low so the men couldn’t hear her.
Without looking around, Owen said, “How far back, and how many?”
“Two. They’re on the other side of the road, nae far behind us.”
Owen still did not turn to look. “Are ye certain they’re nae just locals?”
“When I looked at them, they were looking at me, and then quickly turned away.”
Owen nodded, as though coming to some conclusion. “All right. When I tell ye, I want ye tae run as fast as ye can. We have tae catch that boat.”
“But what if they?—”
“Just dae as I tell ye, Iseabail.”
“All right.”
They were still some distance away from the harbor yet, and not able to help herself with the growing worry, Iseabail glanced over her shoulder a second time.
“They’ve got closer,” she whispered.
Only then did Owen turn to look, and upon seeing them, he turned to Iseabail. “We need tae move. Run, Iseabail!” he yelled.
Owen bolted on and Iseabail kept pace as the men broke into a run and chased behind them. The sailors up ahead were yelling at each other, and as they closed the gap, Iseabail was certain they were not going to make it.
“Come on, Iseabail. Faster,” Owen barked.
Her heart thumped in her chest, both from the running and the panic of what was about to happen. They had to get to that boat. They just had to. Automatically, wanting to know where the men chasing them where, she turned to look at them. But it was a dreadful mistake, for in doing so, her foot caught in her dress. Already moving forward at a great pace, she lost her balance, and, unable to right herself, she went flying forward landing painfully on her hands and knees.
The clattering sound of footfalls grew closer and closer, and in no time at all, the men were upon her. Between them, they grabbed at her cloak, spinning her onto her back.
“Argh,” she screamed.
As she panted in panic, one of them clambered on top of her. She saw the flashing glint of metal, and then felt the cold blade of the man’s dagger against her throat. Towering over her, he glared at her. His small beady eyes were too close together, and his lips were pulled thin as he snarled down at her.
“Laird Sutherland is running out o’ patience,” he spat. “Yer braither and faither will meet a dire fate if ye dinnae stop sleeping with yer lover and find the crystal.”
“Get off me,” Iseabail screamed. “Get off me.”
A second later, she heard a battle cry and lifting her head, she watched as Owen launched himself at the man who stood to the side. Pushing himself off her, the other man went to his companion’s aid, and as she struggled to get to her feet, Iseabail watched as Owen bravely battled both men at the same time.
The men were fierce, but Owen was both bigger and stronger, and punch after punch, he fended them off. One flew to the ground and appeared stunned, but with a lucky strike, the other man sliced his dagger across Owen’s upper arm, making him cry out in pain.
Still, Owen did not relent, and swinging his fist, he hit the man clean across the jaw. Like his companion, he went down, and as he stumbled, Owen turned and ran towards Iseabail.
“Go. Go,” he screamed.
Turning toward the harbor, they saw the boat pushing off from the harbor wall.
“Wait,” Iseabail screamed. “Wait.”
But the sailors were too busy yelling to each other to hear her. Sutherland’s men had now regained their footing and were once again on the move, coming after Iseabail and Owen, even as they ran to the boat.
“We’re nae going tae make it,” Iseabail panted breathlessly, panicking as she watched the ship move further out into deeper water.
