See How She Runs (The Chronicles of Izzy #1)(49)

“Right, well, while you are at that, I am going to go lie down for a while. Those visions always wipe me out," I said, only half lying. I was exhausted, but mostly I wanted to be alone so that I could figure out what to do.

I closed my door and locked it before moving to my escape bag and dumping it out. I went through all of the contents, making sure I reloaded everything I would need for the next few days. I knew in my heart that if I stayed, Xavier would kill both Kennan and Ian. But if I fled, and made my way to the Council, well, then maybe they would be safe. I could not bear the thought of something happening to either of the men that had come to mean so much to me. Ian, the brother I never knew I was missing out on and Kennan, the man I loved. I thought about my plan and knew that it was risky. I also knew that it was quite possibly dumbest thing I would ever do.

I quickly repacked my bag, making sure I had enough sustenance for several days in the backcountry. I packed several sets of clothing, and made sure I had all of the maps from the house detailing my hiking routes. I would not be caught out there due to another stupid mistake. Oh, let me just leave this map showing my exact location. Nope, for once I was doing something smart. I looked at the bag and then back at the door.

I heard Kennan come in and knew that I would have to do my best to hide my intentions. It would be a miracle if he did not figure it out. He always could read me like a book.

I walked back out into the living room, trying my best to act casual. I tried to avoid eye contact with Kennan as much as possible. I looked toward Ian and tried for a subject that didn’t scream, "I am planning on running away tonight."

“So, did you convince them to go and give their bridge a look?" I asked.

“Yep, I am completely believable in my role as a civil servant. They said they would have somebody head out and give it a look," Ian puffed his chest out like he had done something exceptionally grand.

“Good work, if I had a dog biscuit I would give it to you," I said with a smirk.

Ian just pushed me in the arm and I hurtled into Kennan who was looking down at me. I did my best to look away but Kennan pulled me into his chest, hugging me close.

“I will make sure nothing happens to you, do you understand me? I will keep you safe. No matter what," he said fiercely. It was that last statement that I could not bear the thought of. I had already lost everyone else that I had ever loved. I was not going to lose Kennan. I hugged him closer, lingering in the safety of his arms as long as I could. Soon I would be on my own.

We spent the rest of the evening normally. We ate dinner and I feigned exhaustion and headed to my room. I could not look at either of them any longer or I would probably spill my guts and ruin my plan. As I made my way to my room, Kennan intercepted me as he had done every night for the past few weeks. I looked up at him, waiting for our nightly ritual of a kiss that lasted just a second too long.

“Are you okay, Izzy? You seem off tonight," Kennan asked, trying to pry my secret from me.

“Yeah, I am fine. I am just really tired. Visions will do that to me," I said. I hated myself for lying to him. But better I lie than he die.

Hey, that was kind of lyrical.

“Well, Ian and I are going to head out. We should be back by midnight. The wards are up so you should be safe here," he said before pulling me against him in another hug. He leaned back and kissed my forehead before moving to my face. This time his kiss landed just on the edge of my lips. If I turned my face a fraction of an inch, we would finally kiss. I could have finally fulfilled my desires of the past four torturous weeks.

I looked up at him and said good night. I wished he could read the good bye written in my eyes and I prayed that he would forgive me. I knew I would see him again, I just hoped he would be happy to see me whenever it happened. I moved through my door effectively cutting myself off from the two men.





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TWENTY





I set about quietly preparing myself to leave that night. When I finally heard the guys leave I got up and began to ward myself. Kennan and I had spent weeks practicing different wards and I used the three most powerful ones he had taught me. I cut myself off from the visions. I cut myself off from the dreaming. I cut myself off from the Guardians. I felt lighter without all of the ties binding me, but I also felt bereft without them. I waited another hour before gathering my things and leaving a note. I could not leave them thinking I had been taken. So I told them where I was going. I told them I was going over to Bremerton, where Mike had been stationed in the Navy. Then I would head to the Council.

I got out my map and plotted my points, afraid to use any lights this close to the cabin. I was glad that Kennan had made me hike each of the treks so many times. I felt as though I could do them blind by this point. I looked at my map one more time in the dim light of the cabin, and then stowed it and headed out. I must have hiked for about three hours before I heard a bellow ring out in the forest.

I heard Kennan’s yell, a feral cry. It echoed through the forest, promising to rain destruction down on anything between him and his objective. I stopped moving and made myself as small as I could. I was scared to even breathe for fear of being discovered. I stayed like that, hidden inside a rotted out tree for what felt like an eternity. I finally heard Kennan begin to move away, shouting my name. I had not been discovered. I got up and moved soundlessly through the trees.