See How She Fights (The Chronicles of Izzy #2)(41)

“I am an Old One,” he said, pulling out the same instruments he’d used to mark my back. “Now I need you to go and change into something without sleeves.” He never once looked at me as he placed his tools out on the table next to the bed. It felt strange to be in such closed quarters with him. I did not even know what he was. Moreover, it had not escaped my notice that he’d completely ignored my second question.

“Fine, but could you explain it once I get back? I didn’t grow up in all of this so I am a bit lost in the sauce.” I headed to the bathroom and changed into a sleeveless dress. It was all I had without sleeves. I moved back into the room and Aberto gave me an assessing gaze before motioning to the bed.

“What is lost in the sauce?” he asked without a trace of humor in his voice.

“It means I have no clue what is going on. Up until this point, I have kind of been bumbling about blindly. So if you could explain what an Old One is, I would appreciate it,” I said, lying back against the pillows. “Besides I am sure I could use a distraction while you do this.”

“Unfortunately, I cannot explain it while I mark you. That requires my entire concentration. I swear to you that I will someday explain what I am. You have my word. There are more important matters lying at your feet at the moment. Are you ready?” he asked, placing his hand on my cheek once more. I really wished he would stop doing that. It felt far too personal.

“Yes,” I stammered, not at all sure that I was.

“Let us begin. There are seven marks that must be made. They will not go as deep as the one on your back and the ink will vanish after a month’s time. If you have not found her by then, I must reapply the marks.”

“What are these marks? They don’t look like the Celtic knots or the runes that I have seen.”

“That is because these are neither. The marks you have shown me are from the First Ones. There are very few left in existence with the memories of such marks. They hold great power which is why they were hidden away from man. I trust you will not use these marks for ill intent.” He moved towards me with the tattooing implement.

“I swear I will not.” It sounded corny, but if I wanted to get the show on the road, I knew I had to promise him. The fact was, I had no idea how to even use the marks he was about to put on my body. I didn’t even know what they were. In hindsight, I probably should have done a little more research. I trusted that Molly and Aberto wouldn’t do anything that would harm me. I hoped that trust held.

“Then we shall begin.” The moment the words left his mouth, I felt the burning begin to build. Only this time, there was no outlet. There was no one there to help me endure the pain. I gritted my teeth as the pain threatened to pull me under. Fire spread beneath my skin until it escalated into a raging inferno. Every bit of my body screamed out to have the pain stop.

“You must find a place where the fire is cooled to a burning ember. Concentrate.” Aberto’s voice broke through the pain.

I tried to let his words wash over me. I needed to look inside of myself and find the place he was talking about. The pain was starting to rise as he moved on to the second mark. I wasn’t sure I would be able to endure much more. I cried out and began to lift myself off of the bed. As I moved Aberto pinned me to the bed by my shoulders.

“You must endure.”

I thrashed against him. I wanted to run. The pain was too much.

“Look at me,” he commanded.

My gaze was drawn to him and I stilled. As my eyes locked with him a momentary peace swept through my body.

“You must endure,” he said with finality.

I nodded once.

My body was drenched in sweat as he began the torment once more. I wondered how much pain a person could endure before it became too much. My soul felt as though it was being branded by what he was doing. I drew into myself and sought out a place that made me feel safe. I thought of Kennan and our home in Alabama. I surrounded myself with that image and allowed it to comfort me. I let the memories of Kennan chasing me around the farm house lull me into a state of relaxation. I could get through this. I could do this and I could rid this world of his brother once and for all. I breathed deeply and allowed the memories to carry me through the pain. It was still there, burning in the background, but as Aberto had said, it was a mere ember.

“It is done,” he said, moving away from me. He paused, putting his instruments away as I gazed down at my arms. Like before, he’d made the marks beautiful. I felt as though I was his walking canvas. He breathed deeply before continuing. “You truly love him, don’t you?” he asked and the sadness in his eyes startled me.

“Who? What are you talking about?” I was utterly confused by what was transpiring.

“Your Guardian, he is your home is he not?” Aberto reached for me and cupped my face with his large, calloused hand once more.

“He is. I love him more than I ever thought I could love anything or anyone.” It was the truth. I would be lost without Kennan. He was my home. He was my refuge. He was my world.

“As it should be.” The sadness in his eyes made a thousand questions spring to mind. As always, I was not exactly eloquent, so I just shouted out the first one that came to mind.

“What’s your deal? Why does that upset you?” I moved away from his hand once more. If he kept doing that I was going to break the durn thing.