See How She Fights (The Chronicles of Izzy #2)(21)

“You did just choose, you know?”

“Shut up, I am not talking semantics with you,” I snickered. He had a way of pulling me out of my own head that came in handy at times like this.

“I’m just saying, technically it was a choice,” he said tickling my ribs.

“Stop it, you. I’m trying to be deep and thoughtful. Don’t distract me with your tickles and devilish grin. I have important things to do,” I said trying to pull myself back to reality.

“You can take a break,” he breathed against my skin, distracting me in an entirely new and delicious way.

“I suppose that a few minutes distraction would be acceptable,” I moaned.

“I had a little longer in mind, if you don’t object,” he said, moving his mouth down the planes of my body, causing all other thoughts to disappear. I deserved a break, right? I mean, the fate of the world wasn’t going anywhere in the next hour or so.

**********





CHAPTER EIGHT


By the time dawn finally broke, I was beyond exhausted. Between the visions of the previous evening, and Kennan’s lovely distraction, I was done for. I thought about falling back asleep and then disregarded the idea. I had no desire to run into Ren again nor did I want to face Xavier and the pile of dead Seers. I opted to get up and go for a run. If the past two days had been any indication of what was coming, I needed to stay in shape. I crawled out of the bed, afraid to wake the dozing Kennan. He reached for my arm and pulled me back against his body.

“Where do you think you are going?” his sleepy voice rumbled against my body.

“For a run. I don’t want to go back to sleep and risk more visions so I thought it would be a good idea to get out and do some training.” I pulled out of his arm cage and went back to finding my running gear.

“Fine. I am coming with you,” he said, getting up drowsily to find his stuff.

“You don’t have to, Kennan. I can get some of the other Guardians to go.”

“When will you get it through your head that I’m not letting you out of my sight ever again?” he said pulling on his shoes.

“That seems a bit extreme,” I mumbled as I pulled a hoodie over my head.

“Well, with your track record I think it’s a perfectly normal reaction. You, my love, are a trouble magnet,” he said kissing the top of my head. I punched him in his side.

“This is so not my fault. I have good karma, you know?” I asked, skipping just out of reach of his hands as he made a grab for me. I knew if he had really wanted to get me he would have used his super speed.

“Sure, Red. Whatever makes you feel better,” he said snickering. I turned to smack him again but he used his super speed landing a good swat on my tush.

“I am so going to get you for that,” I said, chasing him down the stairs.

“Come and get me, babe,” he threw over his shoulder playfully.

“Are we playing a game?” Conall said appearing suddenly.

“Nope, just going for a run,” I said as I started to do some warm up stretches. I’d learned long ago not to go running with Guardians unprepared.

“Well, considering I am now on your detail, Milady, I shall join you as well,” Conall said with a slight smirk. “Good morning, Brother,” he threw in Kennan’s direction.

“Good morning, my arse. You know how tired I am?” Kennan groused playfully. It seemed whatever issues had transpired the previous day had rolled off of his shoulders.

“Well perhaps if you had slept instead of keeping the whole house up with your moaning, you would not be so worn,” Conall said earning a punch from Kennan. The two erupted in a brawl as soon as we stepped outside. I was beginning to think I needed to intervene when I noticed they were both laughing. I decided to ignore them and start my run. They could catch up when they were done being ridiculous.

I began at a slow pace, getting my muscles warmed up. I looked around the surrounding countryside, trying to recall the path I’d taken the last time I was here. I set out in the direction I remembered the path being and found a solid pace. I was totally in my zone when something zipped up on either side of me causing my instincts to kick in. The training that Ian and Kennan had been drilling into me for the past year took over. I twirled and brought my leg out and down causing one of the oncoming figures to topple while I struck out with my arm at the other figure. I stood and looked down upon the damage I’d just caused in the matter of seconds.

“Who has been training the lass?” Conall wheezed from the ground.

“Ian started her training, but it seems her instincts have gotten sharper along with her other talents,” Kennan moaned while he rubbed his back down by his kidney.

“It is your own faults, you know? It is really rude to sneak up on a girl,” I muttered before continuing my run. If I stopped to think about what I’d just done I would start freaking out again. I had just taken down two highly trained Guardians single-handedly. There was only one other time I’d felt that same sense of focus. The day I killed Xavier. Well, the day I thought I’d killed Xavier. The jury was still out on that one.

“Wait up!” Kennan yelled running after me.

“Ugh, I think she broke me, man,” Conall said as he hobbled to catch up.

“I didn’t mean to hurt you,” I huffed as I picked up the pace. I wanted to see if my stamina had grown along with my instincts. Two miles later I realized that was not the case. I paced through the field trying to catch my breath as Kennan and Conall taunted one another.