See How She Fights (The Chronicles of Izzy #2)(16)
“I’m sorry, are you talking about a demon or something?” I asked, not believing my ears.
“It falls more in the ‘or something’ category, dear. Now quit interrupting.” She looked at me sternly and continued with her story. “The problem we face now is that without the manuscript we are unsure of what ceremony is being performed. Moreover, we don’t know if the person responsible is trying to conjure the same beasties as before. They could be up to all manner of no good, in fact. So, I implore you my dear, anything you see, please tell me. No matter how incidental you may feel it to be, I must know.” She leveled me with her serious gaze.
“I understand. But how are we to find the manuscript? If it has been missing for over five years, how will we even know where to look?” I begged.
“We know where there are several other copies. Over the next few days, I would like you to assist the scholars in searching. Perhaps sift through the memories of the books. They may tell you if they were ever held with such a manuscript and who owns it.”
“I’m sorry. Did you just ask me to talk to the books?”
“Yes. Why?”
“Books. Don’t. Talk,” I said as clearly as I could.
“Well, not with that attitude they won’t.” She looked at me before moving toward her door and opening it. “With that, I will bid you a good evening. I have grown tired and need to rest.” She waved her hand impatiently for us to leave.
I rose from my seat numbed by the events of the day. I came here to discuss nightmares. At least that’s what I thought I’d come for. Instead, I was now faced with a multitude of Seer murders that would continue if I did not figure out where the manuscript was and find the person responsible for the deaths. Oh, and then there was the pesky thing about me taking over the council and ruling in Isadora’s place. Then there were the monsters. Since she said they weren’t demons precisely, I figured it was as good a term as any. I felt as though I had been living in the Twilight Zone for the past year. The moment I got adjusted to my surroundings, “Thwack!” I was smacked in the face with a whole different set of new and interesting problems. I needed a drink. In fact, I needed several.
I made my way out of the room and mumbled a goodnight. I looked over at Kennan and was struck by how much I needed him. I was still upset with him, and if I was honest with myself, I knew that I didn’t fully trust him to not keep withholding information. Yet, I also knew he was my best bet to come through this latest disaster unscathed.
I swallowed my pride and made my way up the stairs ignoring the bows and whispers. I was too caught up inside my head to be bothered. I entered our room and headed straight for the bed throwing myself down on it in the process. I rolled over to find Kennan patiently waiting for me to say something.
“Well, this is a whole lot of suck,” I said, burying my face in the pillow once more.
“Would you like me to leave? I can stand guard outside the door so that I know you aren’t bothered.” The tone of his voice left me raw and hollow.
“Um, could you stay?” I mumbled into the bed as tears threatened to once more flow.
“Izzy, I’m not going to rush you. I really don’t want to stay in here if you’re still upset. More importantly, I don’t want you to forgive me just for the sake of having someone close right now. If we ignore this, we won’t get better.” Kennan’s voice was strained with things unsaid.
“I’m not over being mad at you, Kennan. It will take a while for me to believe you are no longer keeping things from me. I need to know everything, whether you think it is pertinent in the moment or not. I’m tired of being blindsided. I know that this is hard for you. I know you don’t want me to be in a situation where I could be harmed. Trust me, I get that you are trying to protect me. But you can’t. Not from everything,” I said, rolling over so that I could see his face. It was shrouded and dark. He looked at the door and then looked back at me.
“Damn it,” he swore before moving toward me with purpose. He threw himself on top of my body, pulling mine up the bed beneath his own.
“What are you doing?” I whispered, looking at his lips. Why did he have to have such perfect lips? It wasn’t fair. I was trying to be mad at him.
“I am making up with you,” he said before moving his lips down my neck to nibble on my collarbone.
“I am still mad at you. This doesn’t change anything,” I said breathlessly. Damn those accursed lips.
“Mmmhmmm,” he mumbled against my skin as he began removing the obstacles that were my clothes.
I let him devour me and wash away the last few horrible hours. I threw myself at the mercy of his body and forgot all that threatened my shaky sanity. I would get back to the problems at hand later. For now, I could pretend that all was well. In that moment it was. I stayed in that beautiful state of ignorance for two hours before my body gave out. I was exhausted by the events of the day and sated by the events of the evening.
“I am sorry, Red,” Kennan whispered as he kissed down my back. “I promise never to lie again, even to protect you.”
“I don’t ever want to feel like that again. Like I can’t trust you,” I slurred sleepily. I drifted off to the feel of his scruff moving down my body as his lips traced my contours. Even had I wanted to, I could not stay awake.