See How She Falls (The Chronicles of Izzy #3)(5)

“All of our resources are back at our homes. Obviously, our presence here is unnecessary. We can assist you from there," Damali answered snidely.

“If you think returning to your homes is the best move, then by all means, don’t let me stop you. But I’m holding you to your word. You say you can assist me from there, and there better be some assistance coming my way. If not, I can easily find a new Council. There was nothing left in Isadora’s notes about retention of Council members.” I raised an eyebrow, waiting for any of them to respond.

“We shall help you in any way we can, Milady.” Damali’s tone seemed sincere, but I didn’t have the best track record in judging people’s character.

“If that is all you can give me, then you are dismissed," I said, turning toward my desk. I wanted them gone. I was tired of wearing the contacts, I was tired of worrying about what new talent may develop in their presence, and most of all, I was tired of trying to fill the role of Council Leader. I was exhausted beyond belief.

“May the gods shine favorably upon you," Brutus shouted as they made their exit.





Chapter Three


I waited until I heard the door shut to look up. When I did, I found Kennan and Aberto both staring at me. I decided it was time for some answers; answers I’d been waiting on for weeks. I needed to understand what Aberto was. I’d been struggling, trying to understand what I was becoming, and I knew, without a doubt, that his secret held some of the answers I sought.

“Kennan, I need to speak with Aberto alone for a moment.” I pleaded with my eyes. I knew that my request would just add to the tension brewing between us, but I could only deal with one problem at a time.

“If that is your wish.” Kennan’s voice came out strained through gritted teeth.

“I need answers.” That was all I could give Kennan. Any more explanation, and he would once again begin to fret over my well-being. Lately, he had been either distant or smothering, never just the Kennan I was used to.

“I will wait right outside the door. Please come and get me when you are finished.” Kennan left without sparing me another glance. It hurt deep in my chest that things were so off with us. I just didn’t know how to make him believe that my changes didn’t change how I felt about him.

“I need to know the truth," I choked out. I knew that Aberto had been keeping a lot of secrets from me, and I also knew that he said I would regret knowing the truth.

“Can we sit?” Aberto’s gruff voice sounded from behind me.

“Sure.” I swallowed deeply, not wanting to address the other issues at hand.

“What would you like to know?” he asked, after we had arranged ourselves in the two wingback chairs close to the fireplace.

“What are you? I only ask, because I want to understand what is happening to me. In order for me to do that, I think I need to know all that I can about you.”

“Are you sure that you want the truth. It is not a pretty tale, Izzy. This is a tale of shame, of a curse that I carry with me through the rest of time. Modern Seers and Guardians have forgotten the truth. The Guardians revere Old Ones as the beginnings of their lineage. They have painted us as their guides, their source of wisdom. Which is what we have made them believe over thousands of years. The truth is far uglier. No one, aside from those cursed, knows the truth. Are you sure this a burden you wish to bear? It is a secret that I would ask not be shared with anyone, not even your Guardian.”

“I need to know, Aberto. If that means I have to keep a secret, so be it. It isn’t like I’m not already keeping stuff from him.” I closed my eyes and pulled in a deep breath, trying to chase away my sadness. I opened my eyes slowly, trying to convey in mere seconds what could take an eternity to say. “Please, I need the truth.”

“The truth.” Aberto paused. “The truth may be easier to show you than to tell you. Will you come with me?” He reached his hand out to me, pleading with his eyes.

“Where?” I asked.

“I want to take you back to the beginning, the dawn of the Guardians. If you wish to know me, to truly understand what it is that I am, then you must see it for yourself.”

“Okay.” I reached my hand out and entwined my fingers with his. Immediately, I was ripped into the dreaming, or vision, or whatever it was. I really missed the days when I just had one or the other.

“Where are we?” I whispered, afraid my voice may draw unwanted attention.

“We are in the place where it all changed, the moment I became what you see before you now.” Aberto said, pointing towards a much younger, less troubled visage of himself. “This is the culmination of my fall. This, Izzy, is the man I used to be. The man I would still be if it weren’t for the wisdom of the gods. We are on the island of Santorini.”

“Why are we here, and maybe more importantly, when are we here?” I questioned Aberto. Nothing looked remotely familiar. The beautiful buildings I associated with Santorini were nowhere to be seen.

“The year is 1645 BC, and we are here because I did not heed the warnings whispered by the gods. If I had, these people would still be alive.” I turned to look at Aberto only to find a darkness staring back. “I was arrogant, and in that arrogance, I failed them.”

“What do you mean?”

“I will show you.” Aberto led me closer to his younger self. As soon as we were within earshot, he pulled me to a stop. “Listen.”