See How She Falls (The Chronicles of Izzy #3)(26)

I was once more curled into the fetal position on the floor. My stomach lurched and I ran towards the closest trashcan, emptying the contents of my stomach. The smell of the burning city still caked my nostrils as the sound of deranged laughter rang in my ears.

“This is the end of the world, isn’t it?” I breathed out.

“What did you see?” Kennan moved towards me with a handkerchief.

“I saw what will happen if we can’t stop this darkness from coming.” I looked up from the trashcan with tear filled eyes. “We have to stop it," I pleaded.

“We will, Izzy, we will.” Kennan carefully rubbed my back, one of the few places that was still safe to touch on me.

“Why couldn’t it have been just a minor demon? Why does it have to be this one? Are they insane? How am I supposed to fight this? I’m not enough.”

“You will not fight alone," Kennan swore. The conversation I’d overheard between him and Conall played back in my head. I wasn’t sure what was about to happen, but I knew something bigger than I ever imagined was coming. I also knew I needed all of the help I could get.





Chapter Thirteen


Centering myself, I tried to think. I’d had a plan, I just couldn’t seem to remember what it was. With the echoes of hatred ricocheting through my mind I could hardly think. I needed help. That was a start.

“I think that I need to consult the Council members and get their take on this. Does someone have a phone that I can use?” I looked around the room hoping that someone had brought one in with them.

“You may use mine.” Aberto moved forward with a smartphone in his hand.

“Seriously? You have a phone? Does it even work in the dreaming? Who’s your carrier?” I was near full-on laughter by the time I was finished spouting off questions. Once again, my sense of self-preservation had kicked in, causing me to find humor in things that shouldn’t be funny.

Aberto responded by handing me the phone and rolling his eyes. “Make the calls.”

I stared at the phone momentarily, trying to remember the numbers. Pulling myself back from near mania, the numbers finally came back to my mind. I entered them in, hoping beyond hope that Damali would answer.

“Hello?” Damali’s voice sounded unsure.

“Damali. It’s Izzy. I wanted to let you know that we have uncovered what the darkness is and to ask if you might be able to help with what’s coming.” The only sound on the other end of the call was a sharp intake of breath that I would have easily missed had I not been paying close attention.

“What is it you think is coming, dear?” The condescension practically dripped from her every word.

“Sonneillon.” I wanted to see if she knew who or what it was before I said more.

“You are obviously ill-equipped to be in the position that Isadora left you. Sonneillon is a myth, a story, a demon. I will be no part of whatever this is. I believe you seek to find approval and attention through these dramatic acts. Once you have real evidence of what is coming, then you may call me again.” With that, the call was ended.

“Well, looks like she isn’t going to be much help. She didn’t even believe me.” I stared at the phone in disbelief. That woman had promised me just a few days before to help me in any way she could and now she just dismissed me.

“You still have one more Seer to address.” Conall’s calm voice broke through my thoughts and brought me back to reality.

“Yeah, flighty Francesca is probably going to be a TON of help," Molly quipped.

“I have to try. I promised to keep them informed. Maybe she will surprise us," I supplied, hopefully. “Here goes nothing.”

I picked up the phone to dial Francesca’s number, when the phone began ringing in my hand. I held it out for Aberto to answer.

“She needs to come NOW!” I heard a voice shout through the phone. “Oh, and in person. No more soul travel!”

“It seems your presence is required by the Order. Are you willing to oblige them?” Aberto asked.

I looked over at Kennan who gave me the “It’s up to you” look.

“Only if everyone in this room comes as well.” Ian had a lot of built up resentment toward these people and I wanted to find out why. What better way to figure it out than to have him there?

“Not a chance, Izzy. There is a lot that I will do for you, but don’t ask this.” Ian turned and walked from the room not waiting for a response. So much for that theory. Looked like he wouldn’t be mending any emotional fences any time soon. “What about you, you staying or going?” I asked Molly.

“You know he won’t let me go if he doesn’t, and I won’t push him on this. I want to be there with you, but I can’t. Looks like the four of you will be handling this on your own.” Molly wrapped her arms around me, pulling me close. “Promise me you will be careful, don’t do anything reckless.”

“I promise that I will try not to do anything reckless.” I squeezed her tightly, not wanting to let her go. As I pulled away, she left the room, unable to look back. I sighed, trying to pull my thoughts back to the present.

“I still need to call Francesca, even if we are going to the nut house again. I have to see what she says.”

Aberto handed the phone back to me after ending his call with what I could only assume was Sena. She seemed to be my aunt’s right hand woman. Or maybe she was her personal assistant. I had no idea how their whole system worked. Looking down at the phone in my hand, my hope was that this call went better than the last had.