See How She Runs (The Chronicles of Izzy #1)(55)

I stood still, not knowing what was expected of me. I certainly did not want to end up hooked to a machine. If I got hooked up, I would never be able to find Kennan without being discovered. So, I decided to continue with my nice captive charade. My momma always used to say that you attract more flies with honey than you do vinegar. I never understood why anyone would want to attract flies, but now it was starting to make more sense.

Xavier motioned with his hand that we were to move forward into the doctor’s bay. He led me to a physician’s table and had me climb up and sit. I was growing nervous that they would be able to lift the wards without my help. Kennan had assured me that the ones we had used had not been used in over a thousand years and were far more difficult to break than the ones most Seers used today. The ones he had me use took a great deal more time and focus to put in place. So I was counting on his word, and my ward ability to keep me safe.

I looked around and saw a woman approaching me. She was followed closely by two more Lurches. Seriously, would it kill these people to add a little color to their wardrobes? I mean, didn’t they know that black suits were kind of cliché. Maybe they bought them in bulk for a discounted price. I pulled my mind back into focus and looked back at the woman.

She was amiable looking. She had crinkles around her eyes that spoke of long ago easy smiles. Her hair was graying around the temples and was plated neatly. The thing that struck me most was her eyes. They were a brilliant blue, the kind of blue I had always wanted instead of my indecisive hazel. But these eyes told of great sadness. She carried so much history in her eyes that I wanted to weep. I could not imagine what horrors she must have witnessed to end those easy smiles and replace them with the grief that now sung out of those beautiful, blue orbs.

She approached the bed slowly. I was getting tired of being treated like a caged animal. I had not bit anyone, yet. I looked at her, patiently awaiting whatever my next test might be. I tried my best to school my features into a blank, friendly expression, but from the look on her face I didn’t think I achieved it. The way she stared at me, I was wondering if I more resembled a deranged chimp. She cocked her head to the side in question.

“Are you Moira’s girl?" she asked, with a thick southern accent.

“Yes."

Short and sweet, that was me.

“You look just like her, you know? Well, close enough that anyone could tell you were kin at any rate. Well, Baby Doll, I need to check you out. Make sure nothing is broken and all that. It shouldn’t hurt." She said the last with a sigh, like she wanted to be doing anything but this.

“What are you going to do?" I asked, knowing that this was no ordinary physical.

“Well, I need to check your brain out and see if those wards you put up can be taken down. I also need to check and see if you are getting any information from the outside." She looked down at the chart in her hands and nodded. “Ready?" she asked before putting her hands on either side of my head.

I could feel a pressure building in my head. I knew that she was unable to penetrate whatever wall she was trying to push down. Suddenly, I heard her voice in my head. I had to school my features so as not to show my surprise.

“I am so sorry about your momma. I wish that I could have done more to help her. I wish I was strong enough to help you. But they have my Molly. I can’t let any harm come to her. I am sorry." She breathed out heavily, as if she was taxed by what she was doing.

“How can I hear you, are my wards broken? Can all of the Seers jack into my head like this?" I asked, terrified. I did not know any other Seers, for all I knew we were all hooked up to the same wavelength.

“Your wards are safe sweetheart. Good strong strapping ones at that. And no, not all Seers can jack into your head. That is just something my Molly and I can do. We all have our own talents you know." She finished and dropped her hands.

“These wards are unlike anything I have ever seen. They were done with very old magic. Stuff that has not been used in at least a thousand years. If you want a crack at what is in this girl’s head, you better get your scholars working," she said to Xavier, before sending an apologetic look my way. I knew she had her daughter to protect, but dang it, I wanted someone in my corner.

Molly, where had I heard that name before? I knew her. She was the one that had lied to cover my tracks. She had known exactly where I was and she had saved my skin. Well, at least until I had served myself up on a platter. I should have shoved an apple in my mouth while I was at it.

“So, what now chief?" I asked Xavier. For once, I did not add any heat to the question.

“Now we get you situated in a room. If you behave, you will be allowed to socialize with the other Seers. If you act out, we will hook you to a machine and see if it can’t sort out those pesky wards of yours," Xavier said with a nod toward some of his men.

They moved toward me and each grabbed an elbow. I wondered if I was to be dragged to my room or carried. The way they lifted me from the table looked like some sort of Broadway parody. I was tired, if they wanted to carry me the whole way, I would not have objected. I looked back to where Xavier stood, a questioning look in his eyes.

“I will be keeping an eye on you, so don’t start any more trouble. Am I understood?" his voice the same cold I had come to hate.

Where Kennan was all warmth and comfort, like a warm fire and good book, Xavier was like the frozen tundra. I was glad to be rid of him, but wondered at his warning. How would he be watching me? Would I get a Lurch of my very own? Oh happy, happy, joy, joy. It was just what I had always wanted. I looked skeptically at the men on each of my elbows.