See How She Awakens (The Chronicles of Izzy #4)(24)

“What do you mean? I thought you said I needed to learn to control it before I could help anyone?” Confusion raged within me. If it were up to me, I would already be well on my way to helping her.

“This is uncharted territory. Today’s events have led me to believe I was mistaken. Perhaps the only way for you to fight the darkness within yourself is to fight that which plagues this world.”

“Did you see what happened? I thought you couldn’t see the Revenants.” I looked at him, searching his eyes. I’d wondered for a while now if he could still read me, perhaps this would answer that question.

“I searched your mind as you fell. I was witness to everything.” Aberto assessed me before slowly continuing, “It is not an easy thing to access your mind, nor is it something I wish to do unbidden. I have no desire to invade your privacy. Concern for your wellbeing caused me to act, nothing more.”

“Fair enough.” I moved towards the bed, my legs feeling weak. I wanted to sit, to think about everything for a moment. My arm caught my attention as I sat down. An outline of a hand was burnt into my skin where Conall’s Revenant had held onto me. It wasn’t blackened as had been the case with Molly. Instead, it was a glowing blue outline that pulsed with the reminder that something had to be done, and quickly.

“What am I supposed to do?” I didn’t know where to start. The world was falling apart around me, and everyone was in danger. There was no clear path to take. At least with the demon, I’d been given a road map. Go to the demon, embrace it, destroy the threat.

“Look within yourself. What is the answer you find?”

You can’t trust yourself. You don’t have the answers. Besides, you will never be able to conquer me. You’re too late.

“I want to talk to Ian. To see Molly.”

You will hurt them if you go. You aren’t strong enough to fight me.

“Is it safe?” my voice trembled as I I looked to Aberto, hoping he would know.

“I will not allow you to harm those you love.” Aberto moved towards the bed, pausing just in front of me. Lifting his hand to my face, his calloused fingers brushed the hair from my eyes. I leaned into the comfort, allowing the rightness of it to wash over me. I wasn’t ready to fall into something with someone else, the memory of Kennan was too fresh, too raw. I wasn’t sure I would ever be able to heal enough to move on, but the comfort of someone that loved me was a welcome respite; a balm to my tattered soul.

“I could hurt you just as easily.” Looking up to his face, I saw a crooked smile settle on his mouth.

“You could try.” Challenge raged in his eyes. In that instant I knew he was never in any danger of me. He hadn’t been fighting when the darkness had taken hold. He’d allowed everything to happen the way it had so I could recognize the darkness’ influence. The sneaky bastard.

“I suppose we should get going. I have a future crazed Guardian to talk to.”

“You will be fine, Izzy. I promise you.”





Aberto pulled us quickly through space to where the Order was situated deep in the swamp. Warily, I stood outside the door, unsure whether or not the people within would want to see me.

“Well, it is about damned time you came back.” Sena threw the door open, pulling my arm as she yanked me into the rickety old house. “You look better, less like a swamp witch, more like a completely overwhelmed person that is in over their head.”

“Nice to see you again, too.” I looked at her. She seemed so unfazed by the thought the darkness could take over my body at any moment. Sena, the fearless. “Could you take me to Ian?”

“Are you sure you want to go in there? Something is seriously brewing inside that man. He’s been a bit off, if you know what I mean.”

So it had already begun.

“I’m sure.”

Sena led me to the room where Molly lay, blocked from the world and the dreaming.

“What?” Ian’s voice was short as he barked out the question.

“I came to talk to you.” I entered the room, looking back over my shoulder to Aberto. He looked to me, as if questioning whether he should come as well. I shook my head slowly. I had to do this on my own.

“This is your fault.” Ian rose, the anger churning in his eyes. I could see the darkness skittering below the surface of his skin. A ripple, barely visible.

“No, it isn’t.” For the first time, I knew it was the truth. I wasn’t responsible for what was happening to Molly. Even if I had not been in the void, they still would’ve found her.

“How can you say that?” Ian stalked toward me, his voice an icy refrain. He stopped, towering above me.

“Because the darkness is still coming. It echoes within me, the promises I failed. And I did. Somehow it is still here. It is living inside of me, and it has taken you.”

“I am nothing like you,” Ian spat.

“No, you are far worse. You are letting the darkness eat at your soul.” I’d come to talk calmly with Ian about what his fate would be if we didn’t stop what was happening, but instead I found myself challenging him.

“Where do you get off, Izzy? You come in here, all high and mighty, talking about how I am f*cked up. Well, what about you? How did your soul searching go? Did your little venture of self-discovery help you? Did you find yourself while the rest of us wait for Molly to die? Have you been having fun?