See How She Falls (The Chronicles of Izzy #3)(51)

“It’s done," I whispered.

“I know.” Kennan’s strained reply threatened to tear me apart.

“We need to make a plan. Find somewhere that we can fight. I don’t know how much time it will take for Sonneillon to get here. For all I know, he could show up at any moment.” I moved toward my bag, trying to keep myself in motion. If I stopped, I would never be able to face it. Just looking at Kennan was painful. How could I ever leave him?

“Let’s get dressed and find Eleanor and Mona. Perhaps they will have a better idea of what we should expect.” Kennan’s subdued tone told me that I wasn’t alone. His feelings mirrored my own.

“What about last time? How long was it after Cait’s last mark appeared that the demon came crashing onto this plane?”

“We had a day. Just a day.” Kennan rubbed his hand down his face. We were both reluctant to leave the room, knowing that it was probably the last time we would have alone together.

“Then we don’t have any time to waste. We have to get moving," I choked out. Tears threatened to drown me as I dug through my bag, trying to find something to wear.

“I know.” Kennan pulled me close, kissing the top of my head as he did. “But before we do, I need you to know that no matter what happens, no matter the outcome of the next few days, I love you. Just try to remember that.”

“I’ve never doubted it.” I breathed him in, relishing in the comfort of his scent. It would all be over soon. I just hoped that someday we would be together again. Surely God wasn’t so cruel as to keep us apart for the rest of time.

“Time’s up," he muttered, moving away from me to get up and put some clothes on.

I felt my throat tighten as tears threatened to fall. It was all too much. I couldn’t understand what kind of cruel world would give me such happiness only to snatch it away. I suppose it wouldn’t really be a sacrifice if I didn’t have so much to lose. No matter how I looked at it, this whole situation sucked.

“Can you ask Eleanor and Mona to meet us downstairs?” I asked.





[N1] Kennan had managed to get dressed already and I needed some time away from him if I had any hope of keeping myself together.

“I can.” Kennan moved to the door, looking back at me for a moment. The look in his eyes ripped my heart out. There was nothing I could do to ease the pain.

I smiled warmly as he left the room. I had to be strong. I couldn’t falter now, when my actions mattered the most. It was time I faced the music, got everyone ready, and ended this darkness. I slowly combed through my meager clothing choices and picked out the most comfortable thing I could find. Screw going out in style, I was exhausted and I would be doing good to even put the durn clothes on.

I pulled my pants up slowly over the cauterized runes, careful to avoid the sensitive skin. I did have to give it to them though, whatever they had done had given me more energy. I didn’t feel like a big wind could blow me over any longer. When I came to my shirt, I paused to look at the ugly mark in the mirror. It covered my entire chest, a large glowing symbol of my imminent destruction. I could feel the pull of the darkness, the temptation to submit as I looked into the mirror.

“I will not falter.” I told my reflection, causing my eyes to spark blue. I looked more closely and found that the hazel of my eyes was almost completely faded. In its place was the glowing blue I’d seen in Aberto’s eyes and, come to think of it, Uriel’s eyes. I wondered when the glowing eyes had faded from our DNA. What an odd thought to have at a time like this. I shook myself from my ridiculous thoughts and sought to refocus my attention on what was really important.

I pulled on my shirt and headed out into the hall, carefully ignoring every one of the Guardians waiting there. I walked with purpose down the stairs. I needed goals, I needed something to focus on. If I didn’t keep moving forward, I would never move at all. I would stay rooted in place, perpetually frozen in this moment with Kennan. But we weren’t made to stay still, nor were we made to move backward. The only way for me to go was toward my destiny.

“Izzy?” Aberto’s voice pulled me from my thoughts.

“Yeah?” I looked up at him, an empty shell of myself.

“What has transpired?” Concern etched his features as he pulled me to a stop.

“What’s happened? You should say that instead.” I paused for a second before moving on, no stopping for me.

“What’s happened? Izzy, stop and look at me. Tell me what you know," Aberto pleaded.

“It’s time. I know that Uriel is the one that has been talking to me. I know that the heavens knew of Emmanuel’s plans for as long as he has been in existence. I know that I only have one day left on this earth. I know that this predestination stuff sucks. Mostly, I know that I’ve been living on borrowed time, and it is time to repay that debt.” I rushed through everything, hoping that if I just kept going, I would find a way to make it.

“You owe nothing.” Aberto’s eyes flamed.

“I owe everything.” I reached up and touched his face the way he had mine a thousand time throughout my life. “Please don’t make this any harder on me than it already is.”

“What would you have me do?” His voice came out strained.

“Help me. Help Kennan and Conall, even Ian when I’m gone. Help them to keep fighting.”