See How She Falls (The Chronicles of Izzy #3)(32)

“It cannot be stopped.” The demon’s voice, like metal grating against metal, sounded in my mind. Hate and fear welled up inside of me instantaneously, causing my stomach to roil. I struggled to find air as the voice echoed through my mind, bringing forth the visions of the burning city and the man with blackened eyes.

I swallowed down my fear, pushing it aside to stand on shaky legs. I turned my attention toward Aberto, no longer able to stomach the demon. Aberto moved towards the sprawled man, a brilliant blue glow surrounding his body. The look in Aberto’s eyes terrified me.

“Hello, brother," the man sneered. Betrayal and shock quickly replaced the anger upon Aberto’s face.

“It cannot be. Why? Why would you do this? Why bring this destruction down upon the earth we were sworn to protect? We are not meant to interfere! Do you not understand the penalty for what you do?”

“Nothing could be worse than this accursed existence," the man snarled. “Had I acted all those years ago, perhaps I would not be here now. I will bring this world to justice, the justice it deserves. No longer will I protect these undeserving people. Instead, I will make them earn their forgiveness, earn their place in the heavens. The darkness will come and it will purge the earth. Nothing can stop it.” He disappeared into the fog with the demon, his words left to echo through the emptiness.

Aberto turned and came towards me slowly, a look of dismay upon his face.

“You came," I croaked. My throat felt bruised from where I’d been held down.

“I will always come.” Aberto reached his hand out to help me to my feet.

“Who was he?”

“He is Emmanuel. He is an Old One.” Apparently, that was all Aberto would be divulging. With the shock of it all, I wasn’t interested in pressing. All I wanted to do was sleep, to actually sleep and rest for more than five minutes.

“Can you help me sleep?”

“I can.” Aberto placed his hands on either side of my face to whisper a binding that would prevent me from dreaming, but allow me to rest.

Thankfully, all that remained was the beautiful oblivion.

Being pulled from sleep by Kennan’s voice startled me. I felt like I hadn’t slept at all and my throat and arm felt as though I had been beaten. Oh yeah, I had. I tried to sit up but fell back against the pillows abruptly.

“Izzy, hold still. The Grand Seer is trying to treat your rune.” Kennan pushed gently against my shoulders to hold me in place.

“Which one was it this time? Which rune?” My voice came out a strained rasp.

“It is Kalc," my aunt muttered, doing her best not to touch my skin directly.

I was so tired of being unable to touch anyone but Aberto. It had been months since I’d been able to have my naughty way with Kennan. I missed him. I missed his touch. If anything, I wanted to end all of this just so that I could get laid again. Was that so wrong?

“What’s it mean?” I whispered.

“It roughly translates to chalice or offerings.” She paused for a moment, finishing up my bandage, “There, all finished. Now, we should get you some food. I will have it brought here because you don’t seem exactly mobile at the moment.”

“Thank you.” I grabbed her hand and squeezed tightly before she left the room.

“What happened in the dreaming? Aberto came back furious and then disappeared once he saw you were safe.” Kennan gently stroked my forehead, careful to avoid contact with any of my other skin.

“Aberto knows the man orchestrating whatever this is. He’s an Old One, Kennan.” My throat felt as though it were lit by fire. I honestly didn’t think I would be able to talk much more.

“Explain this.” Kennan pointed toward my neck and what I was sure was a gnarly bruise.

“I foolishly tried to figure out who we are up against. He didn’t like being unmasked.” Swallowing back any further words, I winced.

“Just rest. If you can bring Aberto back, that would probably be a good thing. We need to know what he knows.” Kennan rose to his feet and walked to the other side of the room to lean against the dresser. I could see the tension rippling through his back as he stood there. He knew that time was running out, and he was doing everything he could to hide his concern.

“We are going to make it," I promised, as much for myself as for him. I needed to hope that the prophecy could be rewritten.

“You better be right. I can’t do this without you, Red. You’ve been my life longer than I can remember. No more dying, no more risky stunts, no more rushing into the fray. Got it?” Kennan returned to sit next to me on the bed as the door opened.

“I have some grub for you.” Sena came in and stopped wide-eyed. “Holy crap! What happened to your neck? Is he beating you? Because, I’ll totally kick his ass if he is.” She nodded toward an incredulous Kennan.

“Happened in the dreaming," I wheezed.

“Ah, so they pulled ya back in again. Do you mind if I take a look at your protection marks?” Sena moved towards me, setting the food down on the dresser as she came.

“Umm, no?” It didn’t seem wise to argue with her at any rate. She was the sort to just plow on through without a second thought.

I sat up slowly, lifting my shirt so that she could see my marks.

“Well, if those aren’t working, then nothing will. Does Abe know they aren’t working?”