See How She Awakens (The Chronicles of Izzy #4)(11)

“No.”

“Very well.” Aberto moved toward an inky blot on the horizon. It was a fathomless void blocking out the stars. As we moved closer I could tell it was some sort of building. If I were really pushing my definitions, I’d call it a house.

The door creaked as Aberto yanked on the rusty hinges. Reality came crashing in as the door finally relented and opened. He’d brought me to a prison. I was going to be kept in solitude for the rest of eternity.

If you end it, you won’t have to remain here.

The room, because there was only one room, consisted of a bed, a kitchenette, and a table that seemed to serve as more of a desk than anything else. There was no bathroom, though I supposed I hadn’t needed one since coming out of the dreaming. Maybe I didn’t have to do that now that I wasn’t in my human form?

He brought you here for himself, not to help you.

“No.”

“Would you rather find a different location?” Aberto moved closer to me as I stood in the doorway.

“I wasn’t talking to you,” I muttered, afraid to meet his eyes. A strong, calloused finger under my chin forced my face up so he could see my eyes.

“Who were you speaking with?”

“You didn’t believe me. Why would you now? Because Uriel said it was true? Why wasn’t my word enough?” My voice broke as I let the words escape.

He doesn’t trust you.

“It was wrong of me to doubt your sanity. I overestimated my knowledge of the void and underestimated your strength. It will never happen again.” Aberto stared into my face, moving his hand to cup my cheek. “Tell me now.”

“Will you believe all I say?”

No, he won’t. He will say he does, and placate you with lies. He doesn’t trust you, not really.

“Stop it,” I whimpered.

“Izzy, explain this to me. What is happening to you?” Aberto dropped his hand from my face.

“It is there, always lurking, talking to me. It scratches at the surface, begging to be released—to take hold of me completely. Sonneillon said time was my enemy. Every second I remain on this plane, it gets worse. It may be one day, or a month, but either way I’m not strong enough to keep it at bay. You were there today, you heard me. If you want to help me, make it end—all of it.”

He will never let you go, he’s too selfish.

“No. Not without trying to control it first.”

Behold, the truth. When will you acknowledge what I speak is infallible?

“Promise me something, and I will try.” There was one way to test the darkness’s logic.

“What would you have me promise?”

“If I change too much, if the darkness overtakes me, I want you to end me yourself.” I couldn’t live like this, knowing I was hurting everyone I loved, but being powerless to avert my actions.

“I swear to you if we fail here, I will do everything in my power to keep you from harming those you hold dear,” Aberto replied, not a real promise to end me should I transform fully.

“That is not the agreement. If I’m taken, you will end me.”

“How can you ask this of me, Izzy?” Aberto closed the short distance between us. “How can you expect me to snuff out the light of your sun, to end the only brightness I’ve ever known?”

He will hold you here for an eternity, never letting you go, the darkness murmured.

“Do you still love me?” My eyes searched his, begging for the truth.

“It is unwavering.” Aberto’s eyes connected with mine, the ferocity in his gaze caused my stomach to drop. He wasn’t lying.

“Then swear it to me; swear you will keep me from harming anyone else. You and I both know the only way to make that happen is to end me completely; erase my existence from this world. Don’t let your love for me destroy the world, Aberto. Let me go.”

“You would’ve let your love for Kennan destroy the world had you known he would die. How can you ask me to do any different?” Aberto’s clipped words drew short.

“Is that why you didn’t tell me the truth? This whole time, is that why you kept everything from me? So I could fulfill some damned prophecy?” The darkness swelled within me, taking over. “You are a selfish bastard, you know that? You treat me as though I owe you something, as if I asked you to be there every second of my life. I don’t owe you shit. You talk about love, about how much I mean to you, but you never once stop to think of anyone but yourself.”

Gripping my upper arms tightly Aberto shook me. “ENOUGH!” he shouted. “You will not have her.” Fear swelled in his eyes.

I already do, don’t I, Izzy?

“Answer me!” I spat, a breath separating our faces.

“I will not answer your questions until you gain control of yourself. You are stronger than the darkness, Izzy. Fight it!” Aberto demanded.

“This is me now. What, you don’t love me like this?” Reaching my hand up, I trailed a finger down his cheek.

His hand snapped up to still mine in an instant. “No more. I will not answer your questions until you fight whatever perverseness this is.” Aberto threw my hand to the side.

I wanted nothing more than to slap him in return. To drag my nails through his skin and eviscerate him.

“No,” I breathed. That wasn’t me, I wouldn’t want that. Never. “Please make it stop!” I begged.