See How She Fights (The Chronicles of Izzy #2)(52)

“What is going on here, Izzy?” he asked slowly. He pulled my body against his own and I immediately felt like I was home once more. All of my fears washed away to be replaced by the comfort of his protection.

“I am teaching her to soul walk,” Aberto said, eyeing us steadily.

“How long have you known you could do this, Izzy?” Kennan asked, pulling back to look down at me.

“I didn’t know what it was. I did it the night of the tattoo ceremony,” I shrugged, pulling myself back against his body and leaning my head against his chest.

“Did you not think to tell anyone?” he asked Aberto.

“It was not the right time. She was not ready,” he replied. “We must return to our training. If you feel the need to remain in the room you must not interfere.”

“Can’t I just take a break and come back tomorrow?” I asked. All I wanted to do was go up to my room and wrap myself around Kennan.

“You do not have the luxury of following your whims. Learning to do this is imperative if you wish to save the Seers trapped between planes. Do not balk at your responsibility just to fulfill your personal delights.” Disdain dripped from his every word.

I felt the angry tears start to rise in my eyes and I tamped them down. I didn’t know what I’d done to deserve such censure. I swallowed down my pride and nodded. I pulled back and reached my face up to kiss Kennan deeply. I knew that Aberto was right. I needed to worry about someone besides myself. It didn’t excuse how he had talked to me, though. I pulled back from the kiss and looked in Kennan’s eyes.

“Are you sure? You don’t have to do this right now. We can find another way,” Kennan said, running his hand down my cheek. I leaned into it. He looked over to Aberto. “Don’t push too far, Old One. She is still new to this. Remember that,” he said before turning to leave.

“You can’t protect her from her destiny, Guardian. You know this,” Aberto said.

“I can try,” Kennan said before slamming the door.

“What was that?” I said, wiping at my eyes.

“Get back to work,” Aberto said coldly.

I threw myself back on the couch, fuming. I could not stand this rollercoaster I’d been on for the past few days. I would master this and then leave Aberto to find Kennan. I longed to surround myself in his comfort. I wanted to forget about my responsibilities for a while. Most of all, I needed to belong to myself again. I swallowed my anger and concentrated on ripping myself apart. I did it more quickly than I’d done all day. I stood outside my body and looked over to find Aberto assessing me with steady eyes. He nodded toward my body.

“Again,” he said.

I mended myself back together and did it all again. I repeated the process another ten times. Each time he said again. Each time I let my anger fuel me. Finally, I sat up on the couch and looked at him steadily.

“I’m done,” I said, getting up to leave.

“You can’t allow him to hold you back from what you are meant to be,” Aberto’s voice was calm and steady, causing my nerves to be set on edge.

“Do not pretend to know anything about me or Kennan. You weren’t there last year. He may be trying to protect me, but he is not doing it just to keep me to himself. I’m done for today. I’ll look at the ceremony tomorrow and if I find that I can’t do it on my own I’ll find you.” I got up from the couch and headed to the door. “Thank you for your help,” I added. I knew that he had helped me and I felt guilty for not at least acknowledging it.

“I am ever at your service,” he bowed as he faded from my sight. I looked around the room wondering where he had poofed to. I wondered if he was still floating around where I could not see him.

“Whatever,” I mumbled and left the room in search of Kennan. I didn’t have to search far. I found him sitting just outside the room, next to Conall.

**********





CHAPTER NINETEEN


“Are you done?” Kennan asked.

“I am for tonight. Want to get some food?” I asked, heading toward him.

“I would love to.” He wrapped me under his arm and placed a kiss atop my head causing me to smile up at him.

“I love you,” I sighed into him.

“As I do you,” he replied.

“If you need me, you know where to find me, Brother,” Conall said before bowing.

“Thank you for your help. I am indebted to you,” Kennan said.

“It was my honor to serve her,” Conall said as he made his way down the hall.

“Are you okay?” Kennan looked me over as if to make out any small thing that might have altered in the last day and a half.

“I’m fine. I just want to put an end to all of this and get back to Alabama. I know I probably won’t be able to stay there for long, but there has to be some sort of vacation time associated with this job. Right?” I looked up at him with wide eyes. I really hoped I would get some time off from saving the world. Doing it for another two hundred some odd years with no break was not something I was interested in.

“I’m sure, as the head of the Council, you can make your own schedule, Izzy. Just don’t overexert yourself before then. I’m worried about you.” Kennan pulled me closer.

“I’m fine. Really, I promise. I don’t feel bad. I’m just a little tired from popping in and out of my body all day.”