See How She Fights (The Chronicles of Izzy #2)(40)

“What in the hell are you?” I peeked around Kennan.

“I am the Symbol-smith, Milady.” He bowed deeply as if that explained everything.

“That isn’t what I mean and you know it.” I stood up and moved around Kennan. Peeking around him was ruining my intimidation techniques. Okay, so they probably weren’t that great to begin with, but he wasn’t helping. Mister I-must-protect-my-woman-from-everything-even-if-it-is-just-a-gnat.

“I do not think this is the time for such a conversation. Instead we should turn our eye to the matter at hand. You wish to lift a veil?” He lowered himself in the chair as he asked.

“Man, I thought you Guardians were evasive. But, you are right, I do need your help in lifting a veil. I’ve been blocked by the woman orchestrating the sacrifices. If I’m going to stop it, and possibly rescue Isadora, her identity must be clear.”

“This is impossible,” Aberto said, staring down at his palms. I was struck once more by how inordinately handsome he was. I looked over to Kennan and blushed scarlet. I knew that I did not want anyone but him, but in the past few days we had not had any quality alone time. I must’ve been going through withdrawals. I shook myself out of my wanderings and focused back on what Aberto had just said.

“What do you mean it is impossible? You said you could help with lifting the veil,” I practically shouted. Why had I teleported his useless self here if not to do this?

“I can. I am merely stating that saving Isadora is impossible. That is a fixed point which may not be altered. Surely you know this.” He captured my gaze with his own intense blue one. There was something burning beneath the surface of those eyes, something unaccountably old and uncomfortably familiar.

“Yes, okay fine. I know that it is her time. But maybe we can save the other two Seers before they are sacrificed. Do you have any objections to that?” I wondered when I’d become so snippy. It had been building over the last few days. Maybe it was the lack of sleep catching up with me. Or perhaps I wasn’t cut out for all of this pressure.

“Swear an oath not to interfere in Isadora’s death.” Aberto had me locked in his gaze. I knew that if I swore this I would not be able to go against my word, even should I wish to. There was something binding in the way he spoke.

“I swear an oath that I won’t interfere, no matter how much I may wish to. Now, can we move on with this veil lifting thing?”

“Izzy, you should be more patient with him,” Kennan admonished in my ear, barely above a whisper.

“I don’t have that luxury when people may be dying.” I was beginning to feel as if I was the only one that had this sense of urgency. I had this building apprehension. I knew that if we did not act soon the scales would be tipped and I wasn’t sure I would ever be able to rebalance them.

“She is correct, she must act quickly.” Aberto got up and moved towards me. He lifted his ink stained hand to my face and held my cheek looking down into my eyes. I needed to distance myself from this man, or whatever he was. “Are you sure you wish to do this so close to your marking ceremony? These symbols will fade from your person over time but they will last for weeks to come. In this, the pain will be your own. You cannot separate yourself. Do you understand what you seek?” I swallowed, stepping out of his hand in the process.

“I do.”

“Then we shall proceed. I will return in a moment.” He vanished before my very eyes.

“Seriously, what is he?” I asked Kennan who looked incredibly ragey at the moment.

“He is overstepping his bounds is what he is.”

Oh great, I was about to get peed on. Just what I needed to add to the glory that was this day.

“Um, Babe, nothing to worry about, okay? So could we keep on task here? Like maybe by telling me if that dude is a ghost. That disappearing stuff is just creepy.”

“He is an Old One,” Ian said by way of explanation.

Yeah, crystal clear now. I was writing that damned handbook. Now that I was the leader of the Council, it was going to happen.

“Yep, totally got it now. Thanks,” I said as Aberto suddenly reappeared, carrying a pack on his shoulder. He was also dressed in jeans and a sweater now. I wondered if his clothes magically appeared like he did. Wouldn’t that be a cool trick? I would have to see if I could magic up myself a new wardrobe. That was totally going in the handbook if it worked under the section “Perks for Seers.”

“Are you ready?” Aberto asked.

“I suppose now is as good a time as any. What do you need me to do?”

“I need you to get into something without sleeves and lie down on the bed. We can do this here if your Guardian has no objections.” Aberto locked gazes with Kennan and it seemed they had a momentary silent conversation.

“I have none. We will wait outside,” Kennan said through gritted teeth.

“Wait, you are leaving?” I became panicked. I thought that I would at least have the comfort of their presence.

“This must be done by you alone,” Aberto and Kennan said simultaneously. So they really had just had a telepathic conversation. I watched as Ian and Kennan slipped out of the room. Kennan leveled me with a steady gaze as he left. I felt his encouragement seep into me as the door shut.

“What are you? More importantly, why do I feel like I know you?” I turned to Aberto, hoping that he might give me a more defined answer.