See How She Fights (The Chronicles of Izzy #2)(31)

“No, you left my memories. I felt it when you severed the connection and then you just went catatonic. You’ve been like this for four hours,” Conall said.

“Oh,” I said, trying to catch my bearings. That explained why my stomach was growling so loudly.

“You need to stop running off on me, Izzy. I swear to the gods I am going to lock you to my person at all times,” Kennan said, getting up to pace the room.

“I would like to ask you gentlemen to leave the room for a moment,” Isadora spoke from the corner.

“I…” Kennan began but stopped as she gently shook her head. “I will be right outside that door. Don’t you dare try and leave through a window either, Izzy. No more. Until this is over you stay where I can see you at all times.”

“Okay,” I said with wide eyes. I really hadn’t meant to run off that time. We both had residual fears left over from our last adventure. The guys left with Kennan quick on Conall’s heels. I kind of felt bad that I’d gotten Conall in trouble.

“I take it you saw our dear Cait?” Isadora asked.

“Seriously, how do you do that? It’s just creepy,” I grumbled. I really wished she would give me a heads up about this stuff. But like Eleanor, I knew she followed the whole “don’t reveal things before their time” thing seriously.

“Was she well? Did she move on? She has been waiting for so long for you to come.”

“Wait, she was stuck like that until I showed up?”

“Yes, well time moves differently on that plane so I am sure she did not feel as though she had been waiting at all.”

“She moved on. She told me that if I didn’t stop whatever was coming I would end up like her. Then she made me promise to find Conall’s true Seer. She said that it wasn’t her.”

“Well, I knew that.”

“Then why didn’t you tell him? He is still mourning her loss,” I said, realizing the truth of my words.

“I’m not at the luxury of doing what is best for the moment, my dear, and neither are you. We are the keepers of the future. With that comes the gravest of responsibilities. No matter how much we may want to change things to stop the hurt of the present, we cannot. We must suffer the pain of those around us to ensure that the intended future stays on course.”

“Well that just sucks,” I said, leaning back against the seat. I was going to make a terrible leader. Isadora handled it all with such grace and here I was moping.

“Indeed,” she said before sitting next to me. “It sucks quite a lot.”

“I need to ask you about something.”

“Anything, my dear. My door is always open to you.”

“Ren said something about a protection mark. Is that a thing ya’ll do?”

“Oh, my,” Isadora said, looking stunned. “That hasn’t been done in ages.”

“Well, she mentioned that I might need it. When a spook tells me to get something, I listen.”

“If you would like it, we can make it happen. Just understand that it is not a pleasant thing you are asking to do.”

“What is it I am asking to do exactly?”

“The protection mark is a large tattoo that covers the entirety of your back, Izzy. It is a sort of old magic that has been transmuted into a Celtic Shield Knot.”

“Well, now I see why no one has done it in so long,” I sighed. I knew deep inside that it was a step I needed to take. Whatever was happening, I needed every bit of help I could get. “So, can we make it happen?”

“If that is your wish, we can start it this evening. I just have to gather the supplies and the Symbol-smith.” A look crossed over her face that would have been imperceptible had I not been paying such close attention. It was part dread and part anticipation.

“I don’t think it is really my wish to be in more pain, but I think that it is something that needs to happen.”

“I will make the necessary arrangements. Return with a full stomach at eight this evening and we will begin the process. Be sure to inform Kennan that this was your choice. He seems a bit unkempt this afternoon and I don’t wish to cause any more problems,” Isadora said before moving back to her desk.

“Okay. I will see you at eight,” I slowly made my way toward the door, wondering what in the heck I was getting myself into.

**********





CHAPTER TWELVE


“Izzy, I swear to the gods you have got to stop scaring me,” Kennan said, pulling me into his arms as I left the office.

“It isn’t like I mean to do it. Besides, Conall said he would clear the whole training thing with you,” I nodded in Conall’s direction. I noticed him studying the carpet quite closely. Awesome, he had pulled an Ian. “Well, at least I left a detailed note this time. You knew where I was.”

“True, but that doesn’t mean I wanted your head filled with the terror of a hundred years ago,” Kennan griped, letting me out of his embrace.

“She needed to know,” Conall said simply.

“I did need to know. I think it will be important. At least Cait said so. She sent a message for you Conall. When you’re ready to hear it let me know.” He looked up at me with surprise and hesitation on his face and nodded once.

“Now, I would like to know now.”