“Maither!” she gasped at her displeased expression.
“Where have ye been, Jane? I turned around, and ye’d ran off. This is why I told yer faither I didnae want tae come tae the market with ye.”
Jane was so terrified that she didn't mind her mother's reprimand. She stepped out of her arms to look up at her familiar, enraged face. Jane resembled her father more than she did her mother. She was a tall girl for her age, with golden hair and hazel eyes. Her sister Aileen, on the other hand, had long dark hair and was short, just like their mother. Mirren was bound to pick Aileen as her favorite.
“Dear Laird! Ye think ye can behave like a lad, eh? I see when ye run around with boys at the castle too, ye ken,” her mother said.
She grabbed Jane’s arm, pulling her along as she headed to the northern side of the market. Jane said nothing as they struggled through the crowds, her mind still fixed on her meeting with the strange woman. They walked past villagers, traders, and barking dogs, past stalls of shining wares, until her mother stopped before a merchant of jewels.
Mirren picked up a silver brooch and put a few coins in the seller’s withered hand before they stepped away. She glanced at Jane and gave her a sheepish smile.
“This is for yer sister. It will go well with the gown I bought her last week. Ach, dinnae look at me like that, bairn! I didnae get ye one because I didnae have any coins left, but I will commission one for ye tomorrow. There is naething suitable to be bought here, anyway.”
A pang of jealousy shot through Jane’s head—the familiar whisper starting in her mind, quiet and simmering, as it climbed to a screech.
Lies. She lies!
“Nae, nae…” Jane groaned and closed her eyes.
“Ye look peaky, Jane. What did ye do when ye were gone?”
“I chased a cat… and I met a woman.”
Jane blinked her eyes open, her mother's smile slipping off her face.
“I am telling yer faither that ye’re running off intae alleys by yerself again, young lass. Yer sprees worry me too much.”
“Is that why ye dinnae want tae spend time with me, Maither? Because I worry ye so?”
Her mother’s eyes widened. “I want tae spend time with ye, Jane. Where in the world did this come from?”
“Ye always take Aileen with ye when ye go shopping,” Jane said, feeling tears roll down her cheeks. “And ye purchased a brooch for her but naething for me. Never for me!”
“That doesnae mean anything, lass. I love both my bairns the same. Ye’re both my children. And I already told ye; I’ll find a gown for ye tomorrow.”
She lies.
Her mother's voice continued to drone on, as did the pain in her head. It was shrill and agonizing, threatening to tear her apart. She could only hear the voice—nothing butlies.
Mirren was still talking when Jane pulled at her arm and shouted, “Nae, Maither! Please. Nae more lies! I cannae bear it.”
A look of shock spread across Mirren’s face. “What did ye say, lass?”
It was the first time Jane had mentioned thoselies to anyone. She'd never revealed her power to her father or mother. Except for a few maids she had caught, no one knew or suspected anything. Wishing she had said nothing, she staredat her mother's pale countenance andthe shock in her eyes.
But it was too late.
“Why do ye say I lie, Jane? Ye should nae speak tae yer maither like this!”
“I ken ye lie, Maither. I always ken, and today, I encountered a woman who told me why. She was a strange woman, but she dinnae lie like ye.”
With a trembling voice, Jane proceeded to tell her mother all that had happened on the other side of the alley. When she was done, Mirren was studying her, her head cocked to one side, her eyes wide in shock.
“Ye’re talkin’ mince!”
“I speak the truth, Maither. I ken when ye lie, when anyone lies,” Jane repeated clearly, her voice stronger with each word.
Mirren gasped and staggered back, pressing a hand against her heart with a loud cry. “For heaven's sake! Lower yer voice, Jane. People might hear this nonsense,” she hissed through clenched teeth.