See How She Fights (The Chronicles of Izzy #2)(39)
“You have forgotten the Perthro symbol on the chests,” Conall said as he made his way around the couch to look at the paper in my hands.
“No, I haven’t I just want to confirm the others first. Is that what they all mean Eleanor?”
“Yes. The symbols are being used in the negative though. They are being carved so that the positive properties of each are being taken from the person being sacrificed. The last, the Perthro symbol is the symbol of the vessel.”
With that every doubt I’d had dissipated.
“So these Seers are being linked to one another psychically and physically? They intend to use Isadora to unite the others, don’t they?” I stood up and began to pace the space between the furniture. I had to find a way to stop them before he came back. The world did not need him in it. I intended to make sure he stayed gone this time. I just had to find out where they were first.
I had a feeling I’d caught a glimpse of it in my vision earlier. That factory was important. If I could force myself into the vision, perhaps I would be able to figure out where it was. I paced as everyone around me began chattering about what they thought we should do. I looked down at my arm, still bandaged from the rune, and wondered if it would disappear when this all ended. More importantly, I wondered if Ren and the other Seers would be released from the dreaming plane.
“What is your plan, Milady? What would you have us do?” Conall bowed deeply.
“Would you stop with the bowing already?”
“Yeah, Eye Patch. Remember what she said earlier?” Ian elbowed him in the ribs as he passed. “But really, what do you want us to do, Shorty?”
“Molly gave me a way to see through the woman’s veil. I think the first thing I need to do is get into the dreaming and call on the Symbol-smith. He should be able to help me with the ceremony I need to break through her blocks. Then I am going on a mission to find out where they are. Your mom may have said this is what needs to happen, but I am not going to bow down and let it just transpire. In everything there is a choice. I choose to kill Xavier again. I choose to end this once and for all before another Seer suffers. I will not allow this to continue. The fates be with me or against me, this is the course I am set on.” I headed for the door. I needed food and I needed to get myself in the dreaming as quickly as possible.
“Where are you going, Red?” Kennan ran after me, trying to keep up.
“I am going to eat and then I am going to get started on this. Eleanor, can you go and see if you can find any information about breaking the bond being formed in the sacrifices? Surely there is some way to undo the damage. I will not have those girls being stuck on that plane for the rest of eternity if it can be helped.”
“I will do everything I can. Conall, would you like to assist me?” She reached up and grabbed his hand. I was grateful she had thought to give him a task. I just hoped it would prove to be enough of a distraction from today’s horrific revelations. I nodded at them and made my way to the dining facility with Ian and Kennan flanking each side.
“When did she get so bossy?” Ian stage whispered to Kennan.
“She got bossy when she had to take over the Council,” I replied, moving quickly towards the food. I longed for a cup of coffee but knew that it would make getting to the dreaming difficult. When I awoke, I was going to drink a whole durn pot of the stuff. We ate quickly as Kennan and Ian discussed what they thought our plan of attack ought to be. My only concern was finding the Symbol-smith and getting that woman’s veil down. I needed to know and I had a feeling Molly did as well. I got tired of listening to the two of them yap and headed for the room. I knew that they would follow, probably arguing the entire way.
**********
We made it back to the room and I asked Kennan and Ian to wait outside. I knew that falling asleep on command was going to be difficult and I didn’t need their debate keeping me awake. I wanted to solve this as quickly as possible. Okay, if I was being completely honest with myself, I wanted to kill Xavier as quickly as possible. For real this time.
I sat down on the edge of the bed, moving my head back and forth, trying to work the stiffness out. I needed to find a place that I was comfortable. The few times I’d actually been in control of entering the dreaming, I’d done so under duress. I hoped going into it this way would yield better results. I lay back onto the pillows and allowed my mind to clear. I glanced at the paper Molly had given me once more. I hoped that I would be able to burn the image in my mind so that I could tell Aberto what I needed. As soon as his name crossed my mind, I was ripped into the dreaming. So much for relaxing.
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“You are in need of me so soon, Milady?” Aberto moved towards me through the fog. He really was like an Italian Samurai.
“I wonder if you can help me with the symbols required to lift a veil. Is that something you are familiar with?” I wondered how old Aberto really was. There was something about him that was not quite Seer, not quite Guardian. He was something entirely different all together. Moreover, I somehow knew him. I wanted to get to the bottom of it, but I knew there were more important things at hand.
“It is. I will come with you now. As you awaken, pull me with you.” Aberto brushed his hand down the side of my face causing my blood to burn hot. I was suddenly spinning back to reality and the present with something in tow.
**********
I sat up on the bed and screamed. Standing in the room with me was Aberto almost exactly as he had been during my ceremony. Ian and Kennan burst into the room, seeking out the danger. Kennan moved to stand between us.