See How She Awakens (The Chronicles of Izzy #4)(15)

Running alongside the cabin was a stream, barely a trickle, but the deep ravine was enough to tell me that when rain came, it would fill to the brim. Vultures circled off in the distant sky, but nothing else moved, no sounds could be heard save for the slow running water.

Aberto’s gaze fell heavy on me, pulling my attention back to our conversation.

“Love and sacrifice, tell me.” I sipped the coffee, almost spitting the bitterness back out. Instead I let the warmth run through me, allowing it to ignite the cold places inside.

“What I am about to tell you, I know it will not change things between us. Know that I am not asking anything of you. I only wish to tell you what you seek.” Aberto looked at the ground beneath his feet, his jaw clenching and unclenching in frustration.

“Stop stalling.” I hated when he did that. Classic Aberto diversion tactics.

“Let me begin before the fall.” Aberto rested his elbows on his knees and stared out at the horizon as he continued. “Kennan knew the darkness would take him. He knew he would die. When we discussed it, he made me swear I would never leave your side. That I would take his place to protect you, to care for you so you wouldn’t be alone.”

He wants to fill Kennan’s place. He is only here to be with you.

“Aberto,” I started, but couldn’t finish. His eyes cut me short.

“I told you, I am not asking anything of you. What you lost is irreplaceable. I do not seek to fill the space where Kennan resides within your heart. I am only trying to explain. Please allow me to finish.” Aberto waited for my consent before turning his gaze away once more. “In the dreaming, when I told him, I believe he understood what must happen. If Kennan had remained in the void with you, you would never leave. He sacrificed his connection with you so that you may live. Before he died, he wanted me to promise him I would ensure you did just that. His words to me, he begged me, knowing how I felt for you, I can’t explain this properly.”

“Can you show me? In your memories?” I asked, unsure if I really wanted to play out the loss of him again.

“If that is what you wish.”

“I need to know.”

Grabbing my hand, Aberto thrust me back in time to the Order. I remembered this day, the conversation. We walked out into the murky swamp air, the chorus of frogs and cicadas threatening to burst my eardrums. I stopped next to Aberto, whose gaze was transfixed by the swamp. He looked as though the weight of the world rested upon his shoulders.



“Out with it.” Kennan muttered, barely above a whisper.

“I fear the news I am bound to deliver is not pleasant.” Aberto never broke his concentration on the murky water.

“Is this about how you feel for Izzy? If it is, I have no desire to continue this conversation. It isn’t as if you have hidden your interest in her.” Anger etched Kennan’s face before something replaced it, perhaps fear, or was it resolve?

“I have made no secret of my affections for her, that is true. Despite those feelings, she has chosen you, Guardian. Do not forget there is more at stake here than her love. Her life is on the line. The prophecy has spoken, she will fall.”

“What is this about then? What do you know?” Kennan growled.

“You will die.” Aberto’s voice was stiff, void of any emotion.

“What?” Kennan turned towards Aberto, gripping his arm tightly. “What do you mean? When? How?” Uninhibited fear radiated from his every pore.

“On the day of the reckoning, when the beast emerges, you will die. Your death will trigger something in Izzy, something that must happen in order for her to do what must be done. I know not why or how, I just know this must be.” Sadness coated every word.

“Are you certain? What of her, will she perish?” Kennan’s strained voice asked.

“I am unable to see Izzy’s fate. Once I interceded, her future shifted. Into what, I know not. As for you, I’ve known my entire life. I saw it the day I was brought into existence, and I’ve seen it every day since.” Aberto looked back to the swamp, doing his best to mask the sadness in his eyes. His sadness wasn’t for Kennan, it was for me. I’d seen it countless times.

“Swear to me you will protect her, that you will not leave her side.” Kennan grabbed Aberto’s shoulders turning his body to face him, “Swear it to me," he choked out.

“You need not even ask it, but I shall swear it all the same.” Aberto reached for his elbow to swear an oath. An unbreakable bond that could never be revoked. “I swear I will guard and protect her all of my days, no matter how many they may be. She will never be alone from this day onward.”

“See that she is not. If you don’t mind, I’d like to be alone for a while.” Kennan’s voice faded as reality came rushing back.

I stood, abruptly, knocking over the bitter coffee in the process. My chest heaved as panic began to rise. He’d just been there, in the flesh. He’d been so real, and now he was gone once more. I’d never get him back again, and he’d known. He’d knowingly gone into battle to die. Aberto had told me, but I hadn’t truly believed him until now. And then he’d left me in the void. He was always leaving me.

Perhaps he never loved you.

“He loved me. I will never doubt that,” I whispered.

“Izzy?” Aberto questioned.