See How She Awakens (The Chronicles of Izzy #4)(34)

“Calm yourself.” Aberto’s hard voice pulled my focus away from what I was feeling. Irritation replaced the panic. As I looked up into his face I could see a brief smile play out upon his lips. He’d done it on purpose.

“Not cool,” I said, glaring up at him, even if I was secretly thankful for the diversion.

“Explain, Izzy.” Eleanor’s brows were creased. I’d never seen her be anything but stoic. Even in her sadness, she wasn’t an emotive person. Something told me, Eleanor was a force to be reckoned with when angry.

“Let us gather the Order. This is a matter that concerns more than us.” Aberto touched my arm briefly before disappearing out of the door.

“Can it be stopped?” Eleanor asked.

The visions Molly had shown me played out in my minds’ eye. If I weren’t strong enough to fight them, then I would become their Revenant, their weapon against humanity, but in the second vision, I’d been strong. I’d stopped them.

“I’m not sure,” I answered honestly. What was the difference between the two scenarios? In one I was strong enough to fight, but in the other, I failed. Worry settled in as people began to file into the room.

You won’t be strong enough. You will do their bidding, my bidding, the darkness promised.

Seers and Guardians filled the room; some I knew, and others I did not. Their faces were a sea of confusion and concern.

As I rose to stand, Aberto moved to my side, clasping my hand. His presence was a welcome comfort, my very own security blanket.

“What have you discovered?” Mona stood at the front of the gathered group. Bodies crammed every available space in the room, struggling for space amongst the piles of books. This room was not meant for gatherings.

“The Council has been corrupted.” A sharp intake of breath echoed through the room. Guardians and Seers began to speak at once. Questions, fears, speculation assaulted me, making me feel weak at the knees.

“SILENCE!” Aberto shouted, his voice quieting the room in an instant.

“When I pulled the demon under, I saw it.” I started only to be interrupted by Mona.

“Why did you not say?” Mona seemed irritated I would’ve kept something like this from her.

“If you would let me finish.” I was equally irritated. If people didn’t quit interrupting I’d never get through this. “I didn’t remember. As most of you know by now, when the demon was defeated, its darkness transferred to me. It lives within me.” Another gasp from the crowd. Okay, so maybe that wasn’t common knowledge. A disapproving look from Mona settled it, my condition wasn’t known to everyone.

“Are you corrupted?” A small voice from the crowd drew my attention to a Seer. She must’ve just come into her powers. She looked so young compared to the battle hardened crowd surrounding her.

“In a manner of speaking, I suppose I am. I’ve learned to contain it. While it will always live within me, it doesn’t control me. I’m no longer a danger.” I paused, hoping to reassure the seemingly unconvinced crowd. “As I was saying, that darkness has been masking those memories. For obvious reasons, it did not want the truth to be revealed.”

I waited a beat for someone to interrupt again, when no one began to speak I pressed on.

“Damali, Eric, Francesca, and the other Guardian are at the center of this. They are responsible for the demon. They used the Old One to bring forth Sonneillon. When that failed, they sought another path. They are sacrificing Seers. From what I can remember, they were trying to create creatures of darkness.”

“Why would they do this?” Eleanor’s disbelief hung heavy in the air.

“They believe they are in the right; this is the path they must take to gain the favor of the heavens. They believe by bringing darkness to the world, they will be purging the land of unworthy souls. I’ve seen it in their eyes. It is their truth now. There will be no reasoning with them, no talking them out of the path they’ve set themselves upon,” I replied steadily.

“What can we do?” Mona asked.

“We must prepare for the worst. I’ve been shown two scenarios. In one I’m able to keep control over myself and stop the darkness from arising. In the other, I fall to the darkness and become the spark the darkness needs in order to set fire to the world. If I fail, darkness will fall. You need to brace yourselves for the worst case scenario. Above all, you must be prepared to end me in the event I turn.” I looked to Mona, begging her with my eyes that she wouldn’t allow me to live solely based upon some familial attachment. I needed to know she would stop me.

“You have my word,” Mona promised as she turned to address the rest of the room. “You heard her, go and prepare. There is a battle looming. One for the very fate of the world. The balance must be maintained. Prepare yourselves; call on your brothers and sisters. Spread the word, the time is upon us. However, I beseech you to take caution. Do not speak a word of the Council and their involvement. If we are to be victorious, we must keep the truth hidden. Am I understood?”

“What should we tell people when they ask?” The Seer that had spoken earlier looked terrified.

“Tell them darkness is on the rise, nothing more.” Mona effectively cut off any further questions with her stare. One by one the group left the room, leaving only those closest to me remaining.