See How She Falls (The Chronicles of Izzy #3)(21)

“Because we have much to discuss.”

“Son of a…. Gah, give a girl some warning, and you aren’t supposed to read my mind!” I jumped, waking Kennan up in the process.

“Why are you in our room?” Kennan asked groggily.

“Izzy and I have important matters to attend to. Namely, the darkness. Perhaps you remember, she is the only thing standing between it and the world’s undoing.”

“There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t remember. But perhaps she would be better equipped to save us all if she got a little rest.”

“There will be time to rest later," Aberto replied shortly.

“Yeah, when I’m dead," I muttered.

“Not funny," they simultaneously reprimanded.

“Fine, but can I please put on some clothes before we get started? Oh, and maybe drink some coffee?”

“If you must.” Aberto moved to lean his mountainous form against the door.

“Umm, turn around.” I raised my brows at him, hoping to get the point across.

“You could just conjure some," Aberto mumbled as he turned. I knew that there had to be some sort of a perk to this whole thing. I thought up a pair of pants, but nothing appeared. That trick still needed a bit of work, sad really. I moved towards the dresser and pulled out my last pair of jeans.

Fully clothed, I turned to look at Kennan who was still lingering in bed. “You coming?”

“Am I needed?”

“Pretty sure you are always needed," I answered with a raised brow.

“Not at this juncture. Izzy and I must discuss things she is remembering. The time has come for the rest of our story.” Aberto nodded towards Kennan before turning to leave the room.

“You really aren’t coming?”

“Izzy, it is easier this way. I know he won’t let anything harm you, but when the two of you are together, it is difficult for me not to interfere. He was right, and so were you. I need to let you start standing on your own feet, Iz.” The covers fell away from his boxer brief clad body as he got up from the bed to move towards me. “I will always be there when you need me. If you want, I can come now.”

“No, I know you’re right. But, I don’t want you to feel like I’m choosing him over being in bed with you. Because, trust me, I would much rather be back in that bed wrapped up in you.”

“That isn’t fair, and you know it," Kennan growled as I tried to climb him. “You know that the risk of transference is too great. Even the times we have tried to be careful, it was almost too close.”

Once more, I cursed the blasted runes decorating my body. If any Guardians or Seers touched them, the runes could potentially harness their power to strengthen the bridge. It wasn’t a risk either of us was willing to take, but that didn’t mean I had to like it.

“This job sucks," I grumbled, disentangling myself from my resilient Guardian. “Moreover, your self-control is stupid.”

“Get back to work, oh fearless leader.” Kennan swatted my butt before flinging himself back on the bed.

“I don’t like you anymore. Just so we’re clear," I muttered as I left the room, only to hear a, “You love me and you know it,” shouted at my back.





Chapter Eleven


“Alright, spill the goods," I said, limping my sore-legged self into the hall.

“We shall discuss your memories once we have reached the protections of the office.” Aberto reached out grabbing my hand inside of his. He pulled me close, helping me to steady myself as we made our way down into the main part of the house where my office was being guarded by a seemingly tireless Conall.

“You know you don’t have to stand there all night, right?” I questioned.

“Milady, I wish to ensure that you are kept safe and that your information is uncompromised,” Conall’s calm voice echoed through the empty hall.

“Right, okay then. Well, we are here now, so go sleep.” I moved into the office, wishing desperately that they would put a coffee maker in there.

“Your wish," Conall smiled as he moved down the hall towards the stairs.

“I wish he would stop saying that.”

“You are not in high spirits this morning, Izzy. What bothers you?” Aberto moved into the room behind me, pulling the door shut in the process.

“What’s the matter?” I groused.

“That is what I am inquiring, what burdens your mind?” Aberto seemed confused as I threw myself onto the closest comfortable surface, which just happened to be the couch.

“No, I’m saying that you should have asked ‘what’s the matter?' Remember, we are trying to get you hip to the times, old man.”

“Ah, I see. What’s the matter?” Aberto asked slowly, as though the words tasted strange upon his tongue.

“The dreams, or memories, are they real?”

“They are.”

Aberto moved to crouch in front of my prone form on the couch. I rolled to the side so that I could face him.

“Why were you always there? Why was I even there as a child? I thought that wasn’t supposed to happen. And my mother and aunt, how do you know them?” I rubbed my eyes, still fighting off the exhaustion that threatened to pull me under.