See How She Falls (The Chronicles of Izzy #3)(40)

Numbly, my legs carried me out of the house toward the waiting helicopter. Eleanor, Molly, and Ian were already strapped inside. Curious looks garnered each of their faces.

“What happened?” Molly’s voice was strained. Lord only knew what they’d been through the past few hours.

“If you come with me now, you will be banished and no longer recognized by the Council. I can’t ask you to do that. If you want to stay, I will understand.”

“Screw that. Those bitches just mutinied against my sister’s wishes. I’m coming with you. The Order always fascinated me, anyhow," Eleanor piped in, causing me to smile.

“What about you guys?” I asked Ian and Molly.

“We can’t go to the Order, but we will stand with you. If you could take us back to Chicago that would be best.” Molly held Ian’s hand tightly as he let go of a breath.

“Are you sure?” Ian asked her.

“Of course I am. I’m not making you go anywhere you don’t want to, at least not unless it is necessary.” Molly paused to look back at me, “It isn’t necessary we come with you, right?”

“No. I would much prefer that you weren’t there when the big bad ugly comes knocking. At least I would have two less people to worry about.” I grabbed Molly’s hand to squeeze it as the helicopter took off, leaving what had become my home behind. I wondered if I would ever truly have a home again.

“Brother, are you sure my presence is not needed?” Ian asked Kennan gravely.

“You were there the last time, Ian. You know that one more person will not make a difference. The rest of the Division is already on their way to where the Order is currently housed. If something changes, or if something happens, you will need to come.” They shared a look that spoke of a thousand secrets shared between them.

“I swear it," Ian pledged, grabbing Kennan’s elbow and aligning their forearms as he did. I’d only seen Guardians do this once before, but now looking at it with changed eyes, I saw the magic in the binding.

“Then we need to head to Chicago first," Kennan told the pilot as the helicopter shifted to adjust course.

We rode the entire way in silence. Still stunned by the Council member’s reaction, my mind mulled over everything that had transpired. Aberto was keeping secrets, he’d said as much on the way there. I wondered if he’d known what was waiting for me back at the Council, or if his secrets were something altogether different.

“No, Izzy," Aberto said, barely above a whisper.

“But…” I started.

“No," Aberto’s eyes flashed a bright blue before dying back to their normal color. Okay, someone hadn’t taken his crazy pills. You’d have thought he’d be used to my relentless curiosity by now.

“Fine," I ground my teeth together. I marinated in the events that had just unfolded. I’d been deposed, tossed off the throne, as it were. It stung more than I cared to admit. I knew that I was unfit to lead anyone, but hearing it actually said by someone else was a giant blow to my already frail ego. I thought I’d been doing pretty durn well considering my total lack of experience.

Grappling with what they’d said, my mind reeled. My changes had somehow dubbed me an abomination. Quite frankly, abomination seemed like a strong word. Maybe weirdo, I’d even give them freak, but abomination? Come on. I’d show them abomination. I’d lightning zap their arses. That’d show them.

The helicopter began its decent toward Chicago, and Molly’s stop.

“Izzy, we’ve got to go," Molly pulled me from my thoughts. “I’m sorry I can’t come with you. He just isn’t ready, and I won’t force that on him." Molly seemed torn between being there for me and being with her Guardian.

“He needs you more than I do," I smiled warmly at my friend. “If anything should happen, just know that your friendship has meant more to me than you will ever know. You saved me, and I never really thanked you for that. I love you, Molly. Promise me you will take care of yourself and keep working your fashion rehab magic on Ian?”

“Promise me you won’t make any stupid decisions?” Molly’s tears matched my own. I knew this very well could be the last time that I saw her bright face.

“I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t," I snot-laughed. Trying to cover my sobs with a chuckle.

“Don’t get dead, Pip Squeak," Ian ruffled my hair as he exited the helicopter.

“See you soon," Molly hugged me tight, not giving a rat’s butt that she might touch my runes, and for that, and so many other reasons, I loved her.

“See you soon," I knew it was a promise I wouldn’t be able to keep.

Just like that, they were gone and we were lifting off, heading back towards the Order and my inevitable doom.





Chapter Twenty One


An irritating silence prevailed the remainder of the way back to the swamp. An entire two hours filled with nothing but my own misery to keep me company. When the stupid helicopter finally landed and I made my escape, I was ready to scream.

Everything was falling apart and there was no way for me to hold it all together. I was powerless. A chain reaction had begun; as if the fates had set up an intricate path of dominoes to topple, and I was the last one in line. I could see them coming for me, but I could do nothing to prevent my fall. Just as the prophecy had predicted, I would fall. I stood, rooted to the ground just outside of the helicopter, filled with anger.