See How She Falls (The Chronicles of Izzy #3)(11)
The thought of Kennan resigning himself to the fact that Aberto had to be involved was huge. I still hadn’t told him about Aberto’s confession, and then there was the dream that I’d just had. I wasn’t ready to look too close at that. As a thousand thoughts passed through my mind, Kennan began to utter the words that would send me off into a dreamless sleep. Only, it wasn’t a restful sleep that awaited me, it was something far worse than memories.
A parade of images passed through my mind, calling forth memories long forgotten. It was as though I were sifting through my own past, searching for answers. At every turn he was there. I was in the dreaming, I was a child playing with my friend the Old One. I was a teenager, freshly struck with the grief of losing my parents. I was in the fog, seeking out Aberto, but not knowing what I was seeking.
It seemed like at the end of each memory, there was a ghost of an image, a whisper that erased the time that I’d passed in the dreaming. Yet, the more I came there, the less afraid I was. I’d been wondering since all this had begun, how I could possibly have adjusted to the dreaming aspect of this world so easily. Now I knew, it was because I’d been there so many times before. I just couldn’t remember. I felt a wave of anger wash over me at all of the memories that had been stripped from my mind by Aberto. What right did he have to take them from me? My anger melted away as my memories brought me to a part of the dreaming I hoped never to experience again.
I was back at the lab, being tortured by Xavier. Yet, in these memories, as I was being ripped to shreds by the wolves, resigning myself to death, there was Aberto. But this time, he didn’t intercede. He stood on the outskirts of the vision, as if to observe what I may do. I watched myself go through each of the torturous scenarios all over again, each time seeking out Aberto only to find him watching, waiting. Why hadn’t he helped me?
By the time the endless parade of memories began to fade, I was furious. He’d left me there to suffer when he could’ve saved me. He said that he cared for me, but how could anyone that cared for me ever stand idly by while my world was torn apart? Then the last memory of him surfaced, a memory of my last nightmare at the farmhouse. He’d told me that it was time, he’d nudged me into action, into this mess I was in now. Why hadn’t he protected me?
Chapter Six
The fitful sleep finally released its hold on me as the sun began to retreat. Darkness was falling and I was left with a thousand questions, and only one person that could answer them. Well, not even a person. Whatever he was, he’d made my “people that I’d like to throat punch” list. In fact, he had moved right up into first place on the list. Sitting up, I stretched my arms high overhead attempting to shake off some of the dreams, memories, whatever they were. I looked across the room to find Kennan sleeping in a chair rested against the door.
“Hey, handsome.” My voice came out like sandpaper. I’d startled Kennan from him dreams causing him to almost fall out of his chair. His arms flailed like some deranged cartoon character as he tried to steady himself.
“Um, hey yourself. What time is it?” Kennan rubbed his hand down his face, a sure sign he was worn.
“I’m not sure, but there is someone I need to talk to, and I need you to be cool about me doing it alone.”
“Again? Already?” Kennan stood, trying to stretch out his stiff muscles and effectively rerouting my focus. “Izzy?” Kennan’s raised brow brought me back to the present.
“Unfortunately. I’m going to head down to the office. If you want to go grab some food, I can get Conall to come stand outside of the office. I know it isn’t exactly pleasant for you to have to stand out there while he is in there with me.”
“I’m fine, although, I am a bit hungry. Maybe you’re right, it might make things easier if I’m not there every time he shows up.”
“Are you sure?”
“I trust you, Izzy. Nothing will ever change that.” Kennan pulled me close to him, kissing the top of my head.
“Alright, well, let’s get to it then. I want to get this over with. I just hope his Oldness doesn’t try and play keep-away with the answers again. I’m awfully close to throat punching him right now, so he’d better watch himself.”
“You’re terribly scary, you know that right?”
“Oh, don’t you start with me, mister. I have lightning bolt fingers now. I could totally zap you when make me mad.”
“I am truly terrified.” Kennan did his best to look afraid, although, I wasn’t buying it for a second.
“You better watch yourself. I’ll zap you when you least expect it.” I raised my brows up and down like some sort of deranged scientist, all while drumming my fingers together. I thought I looked truly frightening. Or insane, but who’s counting?
“Okay, fine, you are a fearfully and wonderfully made Seer of limitless talents. Happy now?” Kennan smirked.
“For now," I preened as I walked down the hall toward my office, where Conall just happened to be waiting. Convenient, that.
“Did someone tell you to be here?” I was curious how he’d gotten here so quickly.
“Aberto said that you might be in need of my assistance this evening. He is waiting on you in your office," Conall said with a deep bow.
“Oh that son of a biscuit eating, Old, secret-keeping asshat. I’m seriously going to zap him. He deserves it. The eavesdropping bastard.” I started to storm into the office as Kennan pulled me to a stop.