See How She Fights (The Chronicles of Izzy #2)(10)
“Well, you better go get some stuff packed. It sounds like the natives are getting restless.” I smiled as we made our way to her room. As soon as we got in, I noticed the multiple deadbolts in various stages of assembly in her room.
“I told you I was making some changes. I wasn’t about to risk him sneaking in and doing something else to me while I slept. I don’t mean like that. I just mean that I didn’t want to wake up with missing eyebrows or with a Sharpie mustache. I don’t trust the man,” Molly said with a scowl.
“I am surprised you didn’t do this sooner. I would have,” I said laughing. I could just imagine Molly drilling holes and installing the locks, cursing Ian the entire time.
“Alright, I think I’m ready,” she said, pulling her bag up her shoulder.
“Well, that was fast. I didn’t think you would be ready for a while.”
“I learned to always have a running bag ready. I had plans to escape the Corporation long before you came along. Then you showed up and brought the cavalry.” She smiled brightly as we made our way back downstairs.
“Ready to hit the road?” Kennan asked.
“Yup, I think we are good to go, if Ian would pick his jaw up off of the floor,” I snickered.
“You look completely different,” Ian said in awe.
“I am incognito thanks to your hijinks. I am calling a ban on all pranks that involve my appearance. My clothes, my body, and my hair are all off limits, do you understand me?” Molly leveled a deadly stare at Ian.
“I solemnly swear never to do anything like that again.” Ian held his hand up like a boy scout.
We made our way out to Kennan’s old SUV with Molly griping about its dilapidated state. He needed a new car. We piled in and made our way out of the city to the Council headquarters. The closer we got, the worse I felt. I didn’t think I was prepared for what was about to come my way. I knew from Isadora’s tone on the phone that whatever she knew was something I was not prepared for.
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CHAPTER FOUR
We arrived at the Council to find two Guardians waiting outside for us. One stood at least a head taller than Kennan and had a wicked scar bisecting his right eyebrow. His graying hair hung long down his back with the top section pulled back by a leather strap. He reminded me of an elf from “The Lord of the Rings.”
The other Guardian looked to be about Kennan’s age. He had russet-colored hair that waved down to his square jaw which was clenched tightly. His face resembled the elder Guardians with its scars, only this Guardian wore an eye patch covering one eye. Whatever these men had been through had marked them. I stared into his good eye for a moment, shocked at how utterly green it was. I had never seen anyone with eyes that color in my entire life.
We got out of the car and Kennan and Ian rushed to embrace the men, leaving Molly and I standing there staring. The men finally dropped their grim expressions in favor of comradely smiles. It was in those smiles that I realized the two men were related.
“Izzy, come here. I want you to meet some people,” Kennan said, waving me over. Ian motioned for Molly to join me.
“It is an honor to meet you,” they said simultaneously and bowed holding their right hands over their hearts. I was suddenly overcome with the desire to curtsy. They were treating me like a queen. It was unnerving.
“Likewise?” I said, half question, half statement.
“Izzy, this dapper gentlemen is Breanan. He is Isadora’s Guardian and husband. This young rogue is their son Conall. Gentlemen, meet the future Mrs. O’Malley,” he said with a beaming smile. The guys looked shocked but clapped him on the shoulder in congratulations.
“And who might you be?” Conall asked Molly with some interest.
“She is mine,” Ian practically growled. Molly punched him in his stomach before sticking her hand out to introduce herself.
“My name is Molly. Tell me, is there some sort of trade in program for unwanted Guardians?” she asked with a glower in Ian’s direction.
“Unfortunately, no lass. Otherwise I would be sweeping you up for myself.” Conall gave Molly a wink before moving aside. Ian’s glowers did nothing to dissuade him.
“Well, this is lovely and all but I would really like to speak with Isadora if I could. I have some new, or rather old, information that might be pertinent,” I said, trying to get everyone back on track.
“Of course, right this way.” Breanan gestured for me to go ahead of him. He left me with the impression that he was a man of few words. I imagined anything he did say was taken seriously and immediately carried out. At least I knew I would do pretty much anything he asked.
Aside from their slightly dangerous appearance, I felt I could absolutely trust the two men. Well, at least Breanan for certain. Plus, there was the fact Kennan had introduced us. I knew he would not allow people he did not trust implicitly into my life. He was far too protective for that.
“Awesome,” I muttered as our posse made its way inside.
The moment I stepped foot over the threshold, all motion stopped inside the house. People began bowing to me as Breanan and Conall had. It was really starting to freak me out. I looked over to find Kennan wearing a strange expression. It was part serious Guardian and part “Oh crap she is gonna kill me.” He had some explaining to do.
I arched my brow at him to which he shrugged his shoulders. We walked into what must be Isadora’s study and found her seated by a great fireplace in a high wingback chair. She looked up from her book with a beaming smile. She rose with the grace of rippling water and moved towards Kennan and me. When she was before us, she reached up and brushed a hand down each of our cheeks.