See How She Fights (The Chronicles of Izzy #2)(62)

“I’m fine, Kennan. Really, we need to hurry,” I said, starting to sit up on the couch as Molly flung her arms around my neck. “A little too tight, Molly. I can’t breathe,” I squeaked.

“Don’t ever scare me like that again, Izzy. Just, don’t die on me. Okay?” she said with tears streaming down her face.

“I didn’t do it on purpose. But I promise to be more careful from now on.” I looked at her steadily. I knew that if I wanted these people to move then I needed to keep my crap together. If I fell apart about a little thing like dying, everything else would go to pot. There was no time to dwell. “We need to go. It’s time.” I squeezed Molly’s hands as I stood from the couch.

“Where do you think you are going?” Kennan asked, moving to help me up from the couch.

“I have to go with you. I still have to mark Xavier,” I said, placing my hand on his chest. I knew he didn’t want me to go. I could see the battle in his eyes. I waited for him to try and stop me, as he had been trying to do since this all began.

“We need to hurry,” he said, eyeing me steadily. With every single one of his instincts screaming at him to keep me safe, he had pushed it all aside to support me. I knew what it had cost him.

“Thank you,” I whispered as tears filled my eyes.

“No more dying, Izzy,” Kennan said before moving out toward the hall. Everyone started to follow out. I lingered for a moment and snagged Aberto’s hand as he started to leave.

“What did you do to me?” I asked him. I felt different, like a part of me had been fundamentally changed.

“I saved you,” he said evenly. I knew I would get no more from him. I was going to start charging him a dollar for every cryptically vague answer he gave me. I would be rich in a week.

“This isn’t over,” I said calmly.

“I know.”

We eyed each other steadily for a moment before I turned to leave the room. Hopefully this would end tonight and I would be back to myself by tomorrow. Sans runes. I was ready to end this.

“Shall we?” Ian asked, moving toward the door. I noticed he was in the same black get-up as the other Guardians. I sort of missed the ninja suit.

“Better get it over with,” I said, moving out the door. Molly stood still in the doorframe looking out at us, the people assembled to end her mother’s life. “I’m sorry Molly.” I meant it. I hated to put her through this.

“End it,” she said, turning away to disappear into the depths of the house.

“She will be fine, Pip Squeak. Don’t worry,” Ian said, squeezing my shoulder.

“Load up, gentlemen. We have work to do,” Kennan instructed the group of Guardians that had gathered outside. Every last one of them looked like they had seen better days. I recognized a few of the men from sifting through Kennan’s and Conall’s memories. They all bowed to me as they passed to get in the cars. I stood still, waiting for everyone to move before following Kennan into the SUV. Aberto slid in beside me so that I was sandwiched between the men. “Let’s go,” Kennan commanded. I had never realized Kennan was in charge of these men, but it fit. There seemed to be a lot I didn’t know about my Guardian.

“How will I separate myself once we get there? I’m assuming I can’t mark Xavier on this plane in order to make it work. So, what is the plan?” I asked Aberto.

“We must remain with the vehicles when we get there,” he replied calmly. I wished I could bottle his resolve. It would be so nice to be able to take a dose at times like this.

“Are they still at the factory?” Kennan asked. I had totally forgotten to ask Ren and the others. I started to say as much when Aberto spoke up.

“They have not moved. Xavier is not yet completely healed. The ceremony takes time and his connection having been partially severed from the Seers will put a strain on the healing. She will not be able to move him yet,” Aberto replied as he turned to stare out the window at the passing fields.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” Kennan asked in my ear.

“No, not really. But thank you for backing me.” I laid my head on his chest and let the beat of his heart comfort me.

“I will always back you. No matter what. I just want to protect you. I get carried away with it sometimes.” He bent down to kiss the top of my head.

“I know. I love you, Kennan. Be careful in there tonight,” I whispered.

“Always.” He pulled me closer to his body and I let myself disappear into the comfort for a moment.

We rode the rest of the way to the factory like that. I breathed in the scent of him and melted into his embrace. All the while I could feel Aberto’s presence in a way I had not before. I felt him as though he was a part of me. Whatever he had done had changed me. I just wasn’t sure what those changes might mean. I glanced over to find him staring at me, his eyes confirming my suspicions. I started to speak only to have him shake his head imperceptibly. I closed my lips and sighed. He lifted the side of his mouth in a crooked smile and turned to continue looking out the window.

Only too soon, we arrived outside the factory. Kennan turned towards us with a look of determination on his face. I knew that this was a situation neither of us wanted to be in again. He was going after his brother but I saw no hesitation in his eyes. I knew that whatever came, this would end tonight. There would be no mistakes made this time. He lifted my chin and kissed me deeply, causing my toes to curl. I could feel heat pool in my stomach in response. He pulled away and breathed deeply with his forehead against mine.