See How She Fights (The Chronicles of Izzy #2)(43)
“She was going to come back for you. I heard her say she wanted to get her girl back. She still loves you, Molly.” I knew that what I said would probably make this all the harder for her, but I also knew that if I was in her place I would want to know.
“But that love wasn’t enough to leave that sick bastard. She has always had an unhealthy obsession with him, Izzy. This is not something new. This is not something that just developed after his death. She’s the one who orchestrated most of the Seers being brought in. I can’t begin to tell you how many times she threatened to disown me when I would balk against the Corporation. So don’t worry about me. I’m disappointed, the same as I have been my whole life, but I’m not heartbroken. I have no problems with you putting an end to this.” Molly gave me a hard steady look before getting up and leaving.
I looked up to find Kennan and Ian staring at me with gaping mouths. I looked hard at Ian and he darted from the room to find Molly. Regardless of how strong she’d been, I knew this wasn’t easy for her. I also knew that she was right. Her mom had made a choice. She had chosen to stand behind a man who would never love her the way she loved him. She had tossed the love of her daughter aside in search of something that would never exist. It was sick, it was twisted, and it had to end.
“I need you to gather some Guardians. Men that you trust, Kennan. I know where they are and we need to move quickly. I want this to end now.” I got up and moved to my suitcase. I pulled out a pair of leggings and a long shirt and my green sweater. I didn’t have a ninja suit like Ian, but I did have comfort clothes.
“You aren’t coming with us, Izzy.” Kennan rubbed his hand down his face.
“Like hell, I am not coming with you. There are things I can do now, things that may help. I have to be there. You can’t lock me up in a protective bubble anymore, Kennan. If I’m going to be the head of this Council it means I may be in danger from time to time. It means I will have to put myself at risk for the sake of everyone else. I accept that responsibility and I need you to do the same.” I wrapped my arms around his torso. I needed the comfort of his warmth and I knew that he felt the same.
“I just want to keep you safe, Izzy. You are all that matters to me. Not the Council, not these sacrifices, not anyone else. Just you. If something were to ever happen to you…..” He swallowed and pulled me closer to his body. He bent his head down and breathed in my hair before kissing the top of my head. “I must move if I’m to find the Guardians I need. But I am taking you to Conall and Eleanor before I go. You are not to leave his side while I am away do you understand?”
“How long will you be gone?” I hadn’t anticipated having to wait. I thought that he would have several Guardians here that he trusted. I was wrong, it would seem.
“Answer the question, Izzy.”
“Fine, I promise not to leave his side while you are away. Now you answer mine, buster,” I said, poking him in the side.
“It may take a few days. The men I need are rather scattered these days. In that time, you and Eleanor will be able to form a plan on how to break the connection that has been put into place during the sacrifices.” He pulled me against his body tightly and pulled away to kiss me fiercely. His kiss was a promise of what would follow his return. I threw myself into that moment. I took it all in. I needed this man the way I needed the air I breathed.
“Hurry,” I said, pulling away. I knew that the sooner we acted, the better. I wasn’t sure if we would make it in time as it was.
“You have my word. Now, let’s move you down to the library. Don’t trust anyone here but Conall and Ian while I am gone.”
“I got it. I don’t trust people so easily after the debacle last year. So you have nothing to worry about. I’ll be careful. Plus, I have this handy tattoo marking my back to keep me safe.” I smiled up at him. I knew that he saw straight through my bravado but neither of us acknowledged it. He pulled me under his arm and we made our way down to the library.
We arrived to find Eleanor frantically flipping through books as Conall struggled to take notes quickly enough. She had papers strewn about her body. She worked with a ferocity I envied.
“Conall, I need you to watch Izzy while I am away. I must gather the Division.” Kennan moved to shake Conall’s hand. He grabbed Conall’s elbow and Conall did the same. Their arms came into alignment and I wondered what the motion meant. Everything these men did, they did with a purpose. Nothing was incidental.
“So, it is time once more,” Conall said, looking in my direction.
“I fear it may be the start of something, yes. Besides, I want men we can trust here. Someone at the Council betrayed Isadora and your father. Only they knew who it was. I will not leave Izzy’s fate to anyone I do not trust.” He leveled Conall with his gaze. I could read in his eyes the promise he was asking Conall to make.
“With my life, Brother. I will protect her with my life. You need not ask. I already swore the oath to my mother. Now go, find the men, and return so that we may put an end to this madness.” Conall nodded at Kennan as he moved back toward the table to take notes for Eleanor once more. She hadn’t paused once in her furious search.
“I must go. I love you with all that I am, Izzy. Please don’t run off into the fray without me this time. Don’t act until I’m back. Swear it to me.” His eyes pleaded. I knew that after my actions last year it was hard for him to leave.