See How She Runs (The Chronicles of Izzy #1)(63)

I didn’t know whether to be offended by the pity or happy that it was not fear there instead. I did not want people to look at me with fear in their eyes, but pity was not too much further up the scale of suckage. I just watched him work.

“Do you need anything? I can bring you some blankets and food if you would like?” he offered as he finished up.

“Um, could you have Ian bring my food for me and a blanket would be lovely," I said, hoping not to sound too paranoid. I was not sure whom I could trust here, and I counted on that paranoia to keep me breathing. I just hoped that trusting him with the blanket did not leave me with a case of small pox. What did I know of the nefarious plans of evil masterminds?

He left with a bewildered expression on his face. I was sure he was going to go tell someone to come put me in a straightjacket, but I wasn't sure I was capable of caring at this point. As long as they left me in here with Kennan, they could do anything. A few moments later the doctor returned with some blankets and a pair of warm socks for my bare feet. He assured me that food would follow shortly.





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TWENTY SEVEN





Soon after the doctor left, an irritated Molly and a sheepish Ian entered the room. Molly carried a tray of food in her hands that could feed two people. I looked at her questioningly.

“Can someone please tell me why I can’t shake this fashion victim? All I wanted was to bring some food in here and sit with you for a while. Everyone else here is totally unstable. At least with you I know what I am getting into. But can I come alone? Noooooo," Molly said with a look of accusation in Ian’s direction.

I laughed. I did not feel happy, but I found a great deal of humor in her current state of obliviousness. I had felt like I had been playing catch up for the past few months. It was nice to finally be a step ahead of someone for a change.

“So it is true then, Ian? I mean I suspected, but this is just awesome. Why didn’t you just tell her?" I asked.

“I did not think it was an appropriate time," Ian said shortly, trying his best to avoid eye contact.

“Could someone please fill me in here? What am I missing?" Molly asked, irritation oozing from every word.

“He belongs to you now babe, sorry," I said with a snicker.

“What does that even mean?" she asked, exacerbated. She looked to Ian accusingly and then back to me with a look as if to say, "what the heck is going on?"

“It means he is your Guardian. As in, for the rest of your life, that big fashionably-challenged brute will be following you around," I said as a look of horror filled Molly’s eyes.

“But I already had Guardians, what do you mean he is mine? I don’t understand," Molly said panicked.

“They sold you some lies, Blondie. In our kind there is one Guardian for every Seer. You just happened to get super lucky and get me," Ian said with a wink.

“Um, no. Isn’t there some sort of return policy? Clearly this will not work," Molly floundered as she made wild gestures between Ian and herself.

“Afraid we don’t get to choose babe. It kind of gets chosen for us," I said, laughing at the look in Ian’s eyes. He was wearing the look he wore in training. He looked determined. Poor Molly had no idea what she was in for.

“Ugh, can I just go back to the lab? I feel like I have fallen through the freaking looking glass. Ever since you lot showed up things have gone straight to hell. I am blaming you," Molly said in my direction without any real heat.

I shrugged my shoulders and went back to watching the rise and fall of Kennan’s chest. Ian pulled two extra chairs into the room and we sat around eating and chatting. It felt weird to talk around Kennan when he could not be a part of the conversation, but it was nice to have all of the people I trusted in one place.

A few hours later Molly started yawning and Ian proclaimed it was time she got some sleep. She looked at him with an arched eyebrow and he changed his proclamation to a suggestion very quickly. It was going to be so much fun to watch Ian beaten down by the tiny Molly. I just shook my head at the two of them and said good night.

I leaned forward and rested my head against the bed. I would not leave Kennan, no matter what anyone said. I don’t know how long I slept before I felt the fingers running through my hair. I shot awake, pinning the hand down to the bed. I tried to gain my bearings as quickly as possible. I had trouble remembering where I was. I looked down and saw Kennan lying on the bed and he was awake. I released his hand quickly.

“You, you’re awake. Or am I still dreaming?" I asked blearily.

“No, it is real," Kennan croaked, barely above a whisper.

“Oh, don’t talk. I don’t want you to hurt yourself," I said, brushing my fingers across his perfect lips.

Kennan reached up and grabbed my hand, holding it in place before gently kissing my fingers. He moved his hand back to my face and brushed my cheek with his thumb. A gesture so familiar and safe, it brought tears to my eyes.

“I love you too, Izzy," Kennan croaked out.

I stood frozen. He had heard me. Even as his life was fading away, he had heard me. I looked down at his face and I needed to know what kind of love. If it were just familial love, then I was in big trouble.

“Um, just one word answers okay? I don’t want you to strain, but I need to know. Do you love me like a sister?" I asked.