Shoulder the Skye (Skye Druids #2)(31)
Author: Donna Grant

 

“Have you had any success?”

 

“We’ve helped a lot of people, but as far as finding the one who put a price on Druids’ heads? No’ yet.”

 

Her brow furrowed. “You think someone put a price on our heads?”

 

“Figuratively speaking. It’s a theory, at least.”

 

“That’s…frightening.”

 

He nodded. “Aye, it is. We’re sorting through a few leads. Or we were until all my shite.” He shrugged one shoulder. “We’ll stop the murders. One way or another.”

 

“That’s why you’re so upset you’ve been blamed for them.”

 

“Aye. Though anyone would be shaken to be called a murderer when they’re innocent.”

 

“True. Tell me more about the Knights. I get the feeling Sabryn is the leader.”

 

Elias usually wasn’t keen on talking about his friends, but he wanted her to know everything. Though he wasn’t quite sure why as yet. “She is that. She’s the one who put the group together. Our funds come from her and Carlyle, but we’ve been paid for some jobs.”

 

Bronwyn’s brows drew together into a frown as she tilted her head. “So, people know about the Knights? Do you have a website or something?”

 

“Nothing like that, lass. There are places online that Druids can go to interact with other Druids.”

 

“Couldn’t someone lie and say they were a Druid to get in?”

 

He nodded, grinning. “Aye. And at first, some did. But we’re resourceful. In order to enter any of the chat rooms, you have to do a spell.”

 

“Through the computer?” she asked, her eyes wide. “That works?”

 

“It does. Of course, that doesna mean that a Druid can no’ have non-Druids sitting beside them at the time, but only so much can be done by no’ meeting in person.”

 

“Are there any of those?”

 

He enjoyed her interest. Like her, he’d been raised on Skye and was used to the isle’s traditions. Things were vastly different in other parts of the world. “There are. More than most people know. Would you like the link to a chat room?”

 

She started to reply, but then her expression closed off. “I imagine they’re for mies only.”

 

“Some are, but I’ve encountered droughs.”

 

“Is that why you aren’t afraid to be around me?”

 

Elias crossed his ankle over his knee. “Things here on Skye are usually one way or the other. Black or white. This or that. There is rarely anything in between, which goes against the natural order of things. Nothing is black or white. Good or bad. I’ve known some good people who do terrible things and vice versa. You’re labeled as a drough here,” he began.

 

“Because I am,” she replied.

 

He shrugged. “Be that as it may, you’ve shown me nothing but kindness. You allowed me to remain, offered comfort at one of the worst times in my life, and opened your home to my friends. If I listened to others, I would think you were the worst person to walk the Earth, not worthy of my spit if you were on fire. That isna how I operate, lass.”

 

“You can say that without knowing me?”

 

“I can say that because it’s been my job to learn people by watching them. Actions speak a lot louder than words.”

 

She drew in a deep breath and slowly released it before softly closing the laptop. “I think you’ve guessed why I use blood magic, but it’s to shield the house. It’s a large residence, and it takes tremendous magic to keep the spell in place.”

 

“Do you know what blood magic will do to you?”

 

“I do,” she answered.

 

Elias linked his hands over his stomach. “Is it to guard against Sydney?”

 

“Sydney Russell. Aye.”

 

“You could ask for help. Rhona would come.”

 

“Maybe, but I can’t involve her. I can’t involve anyone. Not even you.”

 

He twisted his lips. “It’s a little late for that.”

 

“It isn’t. If you’re here when Sydney returns, I ask that you stay out of it.”

 

“I’m no’ sure I can,” he told her honestly. “It isna in my nature.”

 

She swallowed and glanced at her hands before looking back at him. “I’m asking as your host.”

 

“What does he want from you?”

 

“He wants my cousin’s location.”

 

“Why?”

 

“Beth has something he wants.”

 

That certainly didn’t sit well with Elias. “And what’s that?”

 

“Her ability. Sydney has a personality that draws others to him, especially Druids. Once he discovers your specialty, he decides whether he can use it or not. If your magical ability can help in whatever illegal and dangerous scheme he’s come up with, then he convinces you to join him.”

 

Something about the way she talked told Elias that the bastard had also used her. It made him regret not ending Sydney’s life the night before. Had he known all of this, he might have done just that.

 

“People rarely refuse Sydney,” Bronwyn continued. “I was lured in by him a few years ago. He’s attractive, and he uses that on women, but he isn’t kind. I came across him during a time in my life when I wanted an escape. He found me in Inverness, and I was looking for something crazy and dangerous. He fit the bill perfectly.”

 

Elias remained perfectly still, waiting and hoping for Bronwyn to continue.

 

She picked at a nail. “It was fun for a while, but all that ended when an elderly woman was killed. She lived alone in the house we’d broken into to steal something Sydney had his sights set on. I don’t even remember what it was. She heard us and came out of her room, demanding we leave. When Sydney shoved her aside as if she were nothing, her small, frail frame tumbled down the stairs, and something snapped inside me. I took a cold, hard look at what I’d become and what I had helped him to do.”

 

“Is that when you left him?”

 

She shook her head and looked away. “I tried, but Sydney seemed to know what I planned. He found ways to stop me. Threats without actually being threats, if you know what I mean.”