Haunting Shadows (Book 2)

Chapter 52

Casian had gotten Izzy up the stairs and away from Elijah’s dead body before she could even try to sneak a glance at him. He had no idea of knowing the horrors she might or might not have faced in her life so far, but he did know he wouldn’t let her face any new ones for as long as he could help it. She had followed him without protest, silent tears gathered in her eyes. His arm was placed protectively around her and she latched to his side.

Once up the stairs, Casian wasn’t quite sure where to go. He needed some place where he could talk to Izzy. Before he had a chance to dwell on the thought too long, she started tugging him in the direction of Andreas’ many libraries. The whole time they remained silent until they entered the first library to their left.

“How come I don’t remember you? Or Andreas, or Dylan?” Izzy demanded, her arms crossed as she positioned herself in front of him.

Casian released a heavy sigh, but smiled slightly at her. “I don’t know. You were very young, Izabeth…. You were taught that Elijah was your brother and that his mother was yours. You were only four at the time of my death. At that age, we can still forget people when they leave our lives.”

One traitorous tear slipped down Izzy’s cheek. “But you were my brother! I shouldn’t have forgotten you completely! What kind of person does it make me to forget you just because you died when I was little? Weren’t we close?”

He reached out and wiped the tear from her cheek. “We were. And I should’ve recognized you the moment I laid eyes on you, but I didn’t. Izabeth… or do you prefer if I call you Izzy instead?”

She shook her head. “Either is fine.”

“Izzy… you can’t blame yourself for forgetting me. No one reminded you. You had no one to miss me with, and at the age you were when I died, it would be impossible for you to remember me. You might have remembered my face… glimpses of memories that you didn’t know what to do with. If anything, I’m the terrible brother for not having realized that Izzy was short for Izabeth.”

Izzy scoffed at that. “You’ve been here less than a day. Given more time you’d probably have figured it out without Elijah’s help.”

“Probably.”

“What about Andreas? Why didn’t he recognize me?”

Casian ruffled his hair, the exact same shade as Izzy’s. “Andreas… well, he’s complicated. He probably did subconsciously recognize you, but didn’t realize who you were. He was most likely blocking all memories of his little brother, including the ones you were involved in because they are too painful for him to process.”

A few more tears fell down her cheeks. “He must really miss him…. I’ve never seen Andreas act that way…. How did Dylan die?”

“He was killed by a knight before I could save him,” Andreas said, suddenly appearing out of nowhere. Both Izzy and Casian jumped at his sudden manifestation.

Izzy ran to him and threw her arms around Andreas. He remained perfectly still, his hands in the air as if he didn’t really know how to react to a hug. When it became clear that she wasn’t going to let go anytime soon, Andreas put his arms around her as well, and hugged her back, holding him to her protectively.

“I’m so sorry,” she whispered, crying into his chest.

Andreas petted her hair. “It’s not your fault.”

He shifted his attention back to Casian, letting out a humorless chuckle as he shook his head. “When Lana and Kalen first brought her to my doorstep, I had no idea who she was. The pieces didn’t click into place, but I felt a strange fondness for her even before I got to know her. I couldn’t explain it, but no it all makes sense.”