See How She Runs (The Chronicles of Izzy #1)(38)

We sat around the fire joking around. It made me realize how much I had missed out on by not making more friends. I could see how my mom would like Ian. He sort of brought out the happiness in everyone he was close to. Even Kennan seemed more his old trickster self with Ian around.

“So, Ian, have you met your girl yet?" I asked, wondering if Ian had a Seer out there unprotected.

“Izzy, that isn’t something you should ask a Guardian," Kennan admonished.

“Well, how was I supposed to know? There is no guide book. Or is there some sort of welcome pamphlet I didn’t get?" I eyed Kennan quizzically. “Sorry Ian. I really didn’t mean to pry, well I suppose I did. Sorry all the same," I said.

“You are fine Izzy, and no I have not met my one and only yet. But I am holding out for someone with a remarkable sense of style and panache," he said with a wave of his hand.

“Maybe she can teach you a thing or two," I said laughing as Ian threw a stick at me.

We headed in as the fire turned to embers. I said goodnight to the guys and headed to bed. I wanted to try and find my mother in my dreams that evening. However, when I finally did drift to sleep, I felt the void. She was really and truly gone. No longer would she fill my dreams with her calming and sometimes alarming presence. No longer would I be able to reach out and connect with her. I sighed as I walked through the fog, wondering if I would ever find Xavier again. As soon as the thought danced across my mind, Xavier was standing before me.





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“Well hello dear, did you want to talk?" he asked me condescendingly.

“Not really. I just want to know where you are so I can come and punch you in your stupid, smug throat," I said, wishing I was better at the whole tough talking thing.

“Funny, I want to know the same thing. Where are you?”

I felt him try and pull from my thoughts and quickly constructed a mental brick wall hoping that it would deter him.

“Interesting talent you have there. Did your little protector teach you that?" he asked with a curl of his lip.

I was amazed at how someone so handsome could be so unbearably ugly all at the same time.

“Nope, natural talents and all that. So why don’t you tell me where you are little man. Because I am coming after you and I am going to rip everything you hold dear out of reach. I am not going to stop until you have lost everything you have worked so hard to gain. I am coming for you. With or without your help, I will find you and you will pay."

Ooooh, that sounded tougher. Sweet.

“I don’t doubt you will try. But I must go. Hey, do me a favor. Tell my brother I said hello will you?" Xavier asked.

The look of confusion on my face spoke the words I could not.

“Oh, how rich, he didn’t tell you? That is priceless. Oh well, I shall see you again soon. Tata for now," Xavier said, before disappearing back into the fog.





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SIXTEEN





I sat up in my bed and threw the covers off. I looked down to make sure I was decent. After all, there was a pinky promise to abide. I stormed to my door and threw it open, shouting in the process.

“Kennan O’Malley, you deceptive son of a biscuit eater! I swear, if I were as big as you, I would seriously be able to do some sort of physical damage. But as I am not, just know, that I am incredibly pissed off that you would keep something like this from me. Aaaaaahhhh!" I yelled.

I was madder than a wet hen.

“What are you talking about Izzy? In what way have I deceived you?" Kennan asked tiredly.

“He is your brother. YOUR BROTHER!" I shouted as I chucked a pillow at him.

“Who is my brother? What are you yapping about woman? Maybe try and make some sense.”

“Let me break this down for your Neanderthal brain. Xavier. Is. Your. Brother. And you DID NOT TELL ME!" I shouted, looking for something else to throw at his stupid enemy, brother-having head.

“When did you talk to him, Izzy? Does he know where you are?" He sounded scared which deflated my anger only slightly.

“Just now, I was walking through the fog in my dreams and looking to see if my mom was still lingering, which she is not. But then I thought about trying to find Xavier and poof he was there. And no, before you freak out, he does not know where we are. I built some sort of brick wall so he couldn’t go digging in my head. Don’t try and change the subject though, your brother. He of evil bastardness is your brother. Not like we are all part of the same brotherhood, but like hey we have the same parents. Also, we should do some sort of memorial for my mom," I said with a stomp of my foot.

Ian snickered from the corner. “Bro, you didn’t tell her he was your brother. Oh, you are in the doghouse man," Ian laughed as he turned over and went back to sleep, tuning out whatever we might say next.

“Can I come in your room and talk so we don’t wake sleeping beauty over there?" Kennan asked tiredly.

I nodded and he got up and followed me into my room, shutting the door behind him. It suddenly felt very closed off with Kennan so close to me. The anger having dulled my sanity, I suddenly felt the desire to climb him like he was some great tree. I shook myself and looked up at Kennan waiting for an explanation. I would deal with my lust later, for now I wanted answers.