"Do ye really believe yer silence will protect ye?" Killian pressed as he leaned forward. There was a fire of determination kindled within him. "Tell me who sent ye and perhaps I'll be lenient on ye."
The man's blue eyes shifted to Fraser before returning to Killian. For a moment, it seemed as if the tension mounting in the roomwould cause the assassin to crack. It was the assassin's croaky laugh that caught Killian by surprise.
"Ye really thought ye could intimidate me? That was funny. Ye cannae intimidate someone who has nothin' to lose. And I've got nothin'. Yer faither made certain of that," the man said through gritted teeth. Through the defiance and hatred, Killian could see the decades of pain that clouded the man's view.
"If ye'll nae talk, then I have nay reason to keep ye around," Killian said as he tucked the keys into his sporran. "Fraser, see that he doesnae miss his meetin' with the gallows."
Killian turned and started for the doorway. His ears itched for some pleading or begging as he handed the key to the cell back to Fraser. When no pleas or begging tickled his ears, Killian made no show of the silence. He marched on, and the assassin would die one way or another. How he chose to go was the only thing he had left to figure out.
"Wait," the assassin pleaded as Killian heard the door to the cell rattle open. Killian slowed but didn't stop. With his patience growing thin, he waited for the assassin to give him more. "There's one name I can give ye, but I'll only give it for a life."
"I'm listenin'," Killian heard Fraser say as Killian paused on the steps.
"Swear to me that I'll go free first," the man negotiated, his voice bending with emotion.
"Now that depends on the name and the information ye give me," Fraser said as Killian's ears itched for more.
"There is but one name, Mason," the assassin said. "He's the one with the deep pockets. But I've never actually seen the man face to face."
"How convenient. Ye give the name of the laird's brother, do ye think us a fool?" Fraser demanded as the sound of bones crunching echoed through the dungeon.
"I swear, he's the one who has been fundin' us," the man said. Killian tiptoed back down the steps, far too intrigued to know what to say or do. With limited information, Killian wasn't sure if the information could be believed at all.
"Us?" Fraser asked as Killian caught Fraser's eye.
"There have been previous attempts, have there nae? And there will be more as long as the funds continue to flow," the man said. "But I… I can be the inside man for ye. Aye, I could get to ken everyone involved here, if ye just spare me life."
Rolling his eyes, Killian knew that was all he was going to get from the assassin.
"Say the word and I'll arrest yer brother," Fraser said.
"It would be better if I do it," Killian huffed. "Although, I daenae see the threat. He's feeble and nay real threat to me."
"He's got supporters," Fraser pointed out as he nudged his head to the cell. "That's dangerous. Where is yer brother?"
"He's…" Killian paused a moment as his first thought jumped to the infirmary. But that wasn't right. The last place he'd seen Mason was out on the terrace. In the garden, he was with… "Leah."
"What?" Fraser asked, his voice no higher than a whisper. Panic shot through Killian. With no time to explain, Killian darted up the steps and back outside. He moved through the crowd like a phantom, only to find that the bench Mason had brought Leah was empty.
Nay. Where are ye, ye devil?
"Killian? Is somethin' wrong? Ye’re lookin' a bit pale. Should I fetch Elsie?" Alan asked, his tone a bit higher than Killian was used to. Shaking his head, Killian charged for the stables.
As Killian turned the corner of the stable, he spotted Mason dragging Leah by the arms. The sight nearly sent Killian into a mad rage.
"What on God's green earth are ye doin'?" Killian demanded as he struggled to come to grips with what his eyes were witnessing.
"Ye daenae deserve her," Mason snapped as he fumbled into the closed door of the stall.
"And ye think ye do? Since when do ye resort to kidnappin'? This isnae like ye brother. Let Leah go, and we can talk through this," Killian encouraged as he wondered if Mason would draw his blade.
"What do ye ken? Nothin'," Mason fired as he kept Leah's limp body between them. Killian tried to find some opening to use to get Leah back, but Mason was clever and blocked each move he saw.
"I ken more than ye possibly could comprehend. Now let Leah go, I'll nae tell ye again," Killian warned as his fingers curled around the hilt of his dirk.
"What in the…" Leah mumbled as she slowly came to. She tossed about, stunning Mason, who had been far too feeble to stop Leah from fleeing him.
"Nay," Mason cried out as Killian rushed to Leah's side and used his body to shield her from his brother. "This isnae fair. Ye shouldnae be the laird. I should. The clan will rise against ye and when they do, it will be I who will have the last word, brother. I will end ye like the monster ye are."
