Name: Isobel (Goes by many aliases as well.)
Nickname: Izzy
Age: 24
Race: Human
Subtype: Succubus/Blood mage
Sex: Female
Eye color: Pale blue
Hair color: Blond
Height: 5'5"
Weight: 120
Build: Lithe
Notable features: A colorful tattoo of a koi fish upon her right bicep, a trio of ragged whitened scars down the left side of her neck that look like claw marks.
Profession: Unknown :]
Abilities: Performs rune-based magicks, usually destructive or healing in nature and enhanced by the use of blood and affected by the amount of blood used. She was also discovered at a young age, to have the ability to manipulate someone's soul/energy. Literally being able to rip someone's soul from their body in a violent manner or draining their life force away slowly, making them appear withered until they fade away.
Weaknesses: Human weaknesses. Can be hurt/harmed/maimed/killed.
Random Info: This mage has been through a lot. It shows in the tinge of weariness in her crystalline eyes and for anyone that has known her for awhile it can also be seen in the slight change in her personality. Life has a way of leaving its mark on the soul... Does it not?
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Isobel Shields
It's powerful stuff, human hemoglobin, both as a physical, life-giving substance and tangible instrument for psychic workings.
0 · 2,821 views · located in 
Wing City Gardens (South)
a character in “The Multiverse”, as played by Celedia
Description
So begins...
Isobel Shields's Story
Izzyâs face mirrored the triumphant look plastered over Evanâs countenance and for a second she thought, âWe can actually do this!â
That was before all hell broke loose.
The massive man that had assumedly been felled rose back up, his lips curling back into a snarl before yelling a few guttural words. Her reactions werenât as quick as Evanâs either. As she had stated time and time again, she was used to stealth and seduction, not combat, and even as she tried to drop to the ground to avoid the sudden gunfire, she realized that she wasnât quick enough. A bullet grazed her shoulder, tearing off a chunk of skin before it slammed into the objects behind her.
She heard shattered glass, which rained down upon her now prone form and using her hands to cover her head, Izzy waited for a few seconds to gather her thoughts. The warm blood trickling down her upper arm gave her an idea and she pressed her hand to the wound, coating her fingertips in the viscous liquid before drawing a series of runes upon the ground.
If Evan looked up, she would motion for him to stay where he was, just for a second until she was done and when the symbols were finished, she laid her bloodied hand atop them and muttered something under her breath.
A shockwave suddenly exploded outwards towards the rest of the room, knocking down everything in its path. The couch overturned, the large man stumbled as he was caught off guard and the two smaller thugs that had come to his aid were knocked flat on their backs.
That was before all hell broke loose.
The massive man that had assumedly been felled rose back up, his lips curling back into a snarl before yelling a few guttural words. Her reactions werenât as quick as Evanâs either. As she had stated time and time again, she was used to stealth and seduction, not combat, and even as she tried to drop to the ground to avoid the sudden gunfire, she realized that she wasnât quick enough. A bullet grazed her shoulder, tearing off a chunk of skin before it slammed into the objects behind her.
She heard shattered glass, which rained down upon her now prone form and using her hands to cover her head, Izzy waited for a few seconds to gather her thoughts. The warm blood trickling down her upper arm gave her an idea and she pressed her hand to the wound, coating her fingertips in the viscous liquid before drawing a series of runes upon the ground.
If Evan looked up, she would motion for him to stay where he was, just for a second until she was done and when the symbols were finished, she laid her bloodied hand atop them and muttered something under her breath.
A shockwave suddenly exploded outwards towards the rest of the room, knocking down everything in its path. The couch overturned, the large man stumbled as he was caught off guard and the two smaller thugs that had come to his aid were knocked flat on their backs.
âRequires bloodâŠâ She practically yelled, her hearing diminished from the gunfire in such close quarters and as if it would help, she pressed in on her ears as if trying to get them to pop. Chaos ensued and she could barely keep up with everything that was happening until her eyes landed upon Evan fighting the mountain of a man⊠And losing.
Using Evanâs distraction (if you could call getting slammed in the face with a revolver a viable âdistractionâ), Izzy got close enough to lay a hand on the bruteâs forearm. Her secondary power couldnât be done from afar and needed skin to skin contact but as soon as her soft palm clasped onto the thug, she violently dragged his life force from his body.
Mr. Huge Foreignerâs eyes rolled back into his head and he made an odd sound before crashing to the floor. Izzy swung her gaze around, searching for the other two men who were struggling to get out from beneath the couch that Evan had launched at them but before she could move towards them, she sway slightly as a feeling of lightheadedness overtook her.
Blood loss? She wondered, glancing down at her arm as a river of the crimson liquid flowed from her shoulder wound, some of it dripping down onto the carpeted floor beneath her.
âGoddammitâŠâ She hissed, taking ahold of the bottom of her tank top and ripping off a length of the stretchy fabric to craft a makeshift bandage to staunch the laceration.
Using Evanâs distraction (if you could call getting slammed in the face with a revolver a viable âdistractionâ), Izzy got close enough to lay a hand on the bruteâs forearm. Her secondary power couldnât be done from afar and needed skin to skin contact but as soon as her soft palm clasped onto the thug, she violently dragged his life force from his body.
Mr. Huge Foreignerâs eyes rolled back into his head and he made an odd sound before crashing to the floor. Izzy swung her gaze around, searching for the other two men who were struggling to get out from beneath the couch that Evan had launched at them but before she could move towards them, she sway slightly as a feeling of lightheadedness overtook her.
Blood loss? She wondered, glancing down at her arm as a river of the crimson liquid flowed from her shoulder wound, some of it dripping down onto the carpeted floor beneath her.
âGoddammitâŠâ She hissed, taking ahold of the bottom of her tank top and ripping off a length of the stretchy fabric to craft a makeshift bandage to staunch the laceration.
Izzy kept catching bits of the action in between trying to tie the strip of cloth around her upper arm and by the time Evan was finished with the two men, she had semi-successfully bandaged herself up. The blood on her arm was beginning to dry and a scowl formed on her lips as she studied herself, then Evan for any more injuries.
âAgreed. That didnât exactly go as I thought it would.â Sinking to the ground on her knees, she lifted her fingertips to rub at her temples, hoping that simply wishing the lightheadedness away would make it so and when she finally cast a glance in Evanâs direction again, she smirked.
âYou keep getting hit in your pretty little face and no oneâll be able to recognize you.â
âAgreed. That didnât exactly go as I thought it would.â Sinking to the ground on her knees, she lifted her fingertips to rub at her temples, hoping that simply wishing the lightheadedness away would make it so and when she finally cast a glance in Evanâs direction again, she smirked.
âYou keep getting hit in your pretty little face and no oneâll be able to recognize you.â
Isobel let loose a sharp burst of laughter as she resettled herself in a new position on the ground. Planting her butt on the floor, she brought her legs around and bent them so that her arms could loop around her shins and her chin could rest upon her knees.
Baby blues closed once again as wooziness overtook her but within a few seconds her eyes reopened and trailed slowly over to the two unconscious men. She knew a way to interrogate them but she knew that for everytime she used, or threatened to use, her powers in that way Evan would hate her a little more. Should that even matter? Time and time again she had told herself that she despised Evan and that he was only here to help capture the 400 missing women and children and then they would split. Probably never talk to each other again once their slates were wiped clean.
Why did she fucking care what he thought of her and her powers?
Her entire body language changed as she pushed herself up off of the ground. Shoulders tense and drawn back, she crossed the room towards the two thugs laying beside the overturned couch. Methodically, she unlaced their boots and used the strings to tie their hands behind their backs, leaving them laying on the sides until they woke back up.
After working in silence, she finally answered him. âWe threaten their lives. Usually works for interrogation, right?â
Baby blues closed once again as wooziness overtook her but within a few seconds her eyes reopened and trailed slowly over to the two unconscious men. She knew a way to interrogate them but she knew that for everytime she used, or threatened to use, her powers in that way Evan would hate her a little more. Should that even matter? Time and time again she had told herself that she despised Evan and that he was only here to help capture the 400 missing women and children and then they would split. Probably never talk to each other again once their slates were wiped clean.
Why did she fucking care what he thought of her and her powers?
Her entire body language changed as she pushed herself up off of the ground. Shoulders tense and drawn back, she crossed the room towards the two thugs laying beside the overturned couch. Methodically, she unlaced their boots and used the strings to tie their hands behind their backs, leaving them laying on the sides until they woke back up.
After working in silence, she finally answered him. âWe threaten their lives. Usually works for interrogation, right?â
Izzy barely refrained from snarling at Evan. âAssassin.â She repeated the word for him then did so again. âAssassin, not interrogator. Not torturer. I havenât had to do things likeâŠâ She spread her hands out as she stood up, gesturing to the whole scene in front of them- the two prone bodies of the unconscious men, the dead giant and the generally disheveled appearance of the apartment.
One of the men, the one with the harder skull that took an extra hit in order to knock him out, began to stir and it seemed like their time to decide was growing limited. âIâll gag the one thatâs still out. We question the one thatâs about to wake up.â She paused, opening her mouth as if about to add something else but she slammed her lips almost immediately, pressing them into a thin, straight line.
Moving towards the thug that was stirring, she leaned over and smacked him once upon his cheek. âYou, wake up!â She said, her tone sharp and commanding as his eyes began to blink rapidly as his gaze rose to her face. A snarl escaped his busted and bloodied lips before he let out a long string of foreign phrases that she didnât understand in the least.
Looking over her shoulder, she cocked a brow at Evan.
One of the men, the one with the harder skull that took an extra hit in order to knock him out, began to stir and it seemed like their time to decide was growing limited. âIâll gag the one thatâs still out. We question the one thatâs about to wake up.â She paused, opening her mouth as if about to add something else but she slammed her lips almost immediately, pressing them into a thin, straight line.
Moving towards the thug that was stirring, she leaned over and smacked him once upon his cheek. âYou, wake up!â She said, her tone sharp and commanding as his eyes began to blink rapidly as his gaze rose to her face. A snarl escaped his busted and bloodied lips before he let out a long string of foreign phrases that she didnât understand in the least.
Looking over her shoulder, she cocked a brow at Evan.
The conscious man struggled to get up, his arms twisting helplessly as they were bound quite tightly behind him and as the blood welled in his mouth from Evanâs kick, he spit in Izzyâs general direction causing her to grimace in disgust.
âWe already killed your big buddy over there so I wouldnât expect him to come to your rescue or anythingâŠâ Izzy made the statement almost conversationally and she crouched down a little closer, smirking as her hand gestured next to the man that Evan was dragging across the floor. âBut by all means, if you want to see both of your friends die because you wouldnât open your mouth⊠Thatâs up to you.â
âFuck⊠youâŠâ The manâs first English words came out in a forced, breathy exhalations as if it pained him to speak and the statement only made Izzyâs grin grow bigger.
âAh, people keep telling me that. Sadly, youâd be on the bottom of my list of those whoâve offered.â Her head turned again, watching Evanâs movements before she spoke again. âSo letâs try this, now that we know you speak EnglishâŠ. Albeit poorly.â
âWho sent you here?â
âWe already killed your big buddy over there so I wouldnât expect him to come to your rescue or anythingâŠâ Izzy made the statement almost conversationally and she crouched down a little closer, smirking as her hand gestured next to the man that Evan was dragging across the floor. âBut by all means, if you want to see both of your friends die because you wouldnât open your mouth⊠Thatâs up to you.â
âFuck⊠youâŠâ The manâs first English words came out in a forced, breathy exhalations as if it pained him to speak and the statement only made Izzyâs grin grow bigger.
âAh, people keep telling me that. Sadly, youâd be on the bottom of my list of those whoâve offered.â Her head turned again, watching Evanâs movements before she spoke again. âSo letâs try this, now that we know you speak EnglishâŠ. Albeit poorly.â
âWho sent you here?â
The man twisted his lips, apparently in an attempt to spit out another string of foreign venom but suddenly he winced as if in pain and dropped his head back down upon the ground. Probably a concussion from Evanâs telekinesis voodoo and Izzy hoped that the man wouldnât pass out during their interrogation.
âLook⊠Weâre not all bad.â Since Evan wasnât speaking, she was going to attempt to pull a good cop/bad cop routine by herself.
Hereâs hoping this doesnât fail miserablyâŠ. She mused as she reached up, yanking free the strip of cloth that was sealing her bullet wound closed. The movement reopened the laceration and it began to bleed lightly, rivulets trailing down her upper arm. Like Evan, she was fairly low on energy but she needed to show the foreigner for this to work so she traced a few runes onto her arm using her own blood. Within seconds, the gouge began to seal itself, drawing some of her own blood back inside of the cut to heal itself.
âSee? I can heal that headache of yours if you just feed us some information. A name. Who sent you?â
The foreigner glanced between the two of them as if weighing his decision. Which would have the worse outcome? Betraying his employers or perhaps losing his life? He didnât know how far Izzy and Evan would go to prove their point.
âJob was offered by woman. Green eyes. Dark hair. No name.â His accent was thick, made even more incomprehensible by a swollen lip and aching jaw. âWe have no other info. Only dummy cell phone which we are to use to call her if you show up.â He lifted his hips and twisted them to one side as if to indicate the cell phone was in his pocket.
âLook⊠Weâre not all bad.â Since Evan wasnât speaking, she was going to attempt to pull a good cop/bad cop routine by herself.
Hereâs hoping this doesnât fail miserablyâŠ. She mused as she reached up, yanking free the strip of cloth that was sealing her bullet wound closed. The movement reopened the laceration and it began to bleed lightly, rivulets trailing down her upper arm. Like Evan, she was fairly low on energy but she needed to show the foreigner for this to work so she traced a few runes onto her arm using her own blood. Within seconds, the gouge began to seal itself, drawing some of her own blood back inside of the cut to heal itself.
âSee? I can heal that headache of yours if you just feed us some information. A name. Who sent you?â
The foreigner glanced between the two of them as if weighing his decision. Which would have the worse outcome? Betraying his employers or perhaps losing his life? He didnât know how far Izzy and Evan would go to prove their point.
âJob was offered by woman. Green eyes. Dark hair. No name.â His accent was thick, made even more incomprehensible by a swollen lip and aching jaw. âWe have no other info. Only dummy cell phone which we are to use to call her if you show up.â He lifted his hips and twisted them to one side as if to indicate the cell phone was in his pocket.
The man twisted his lips, apparently in an attempt to spit out another string of foreign venom but suddenly he winced as if in pain and dropped his head back down upon the ground. Probably a concussion from Evanâs telekinesis voodoo and Izzy hoped that the man wouldnât pass out during their interrogation.
âLook⊠Weâre not all bad.â Since Evan wasnât speaking, she was going to attempt to pull a good cop/bad cop routine by herself.
Hereâs hoping this doesnât fail miserablyâŠ. She mused as she reached up, yanking free the strip of cloth that was sealing her bullet wound closed. The movement reopened the laceration and it began to bleed lightly, rivulets trailing down her upper arm. Like Evan, she was fairly low on energy but she needed to show the foreigner for this to work so she traced a few runes onto her arm using her own blood. Within seconds, the gouge began to seal itself, drawing some of her own blood back inside of the cut to heal itself.
âSee? I can heal that headache of yours if you just feed us some information. A name. Who sent you?â
The foreigner glanced between the two of them as if weighing his decision. Which would have the worse outcome? Betraying his employers or perhaps losing his life? He didnât know how far Izzy and Evan would go to prove their point.
âJob was offered by woman. Green eyes. Dark hair. No name.â His accent was thick, made even more incomprehensible by a swollen lip and aching jaw. âWe have no other info. Only dummy cell phone which we are to use to call her if you show up.â He lifted his hips and twisted them to one side as if to indicate the cell phone was in his pocket.
âLook⊠Weâre not all bad.â Since Evan wasnât speaking, she was going to attempt to pull a good cop/bad cop routine by herself.
Hereâs hoping this doesnât fail miserablyâŠ. She mused as she reached up, yanking free the strip of cloth that was sealing her bullet wound closed. The movement reopened the laceration and it began to bleed lightly, rivulets trailing down her upper arm. Like Evan, she was fairly low on energy but she needed to show the foreigner for this to work so she traced a few runes onto her arm using her own blood. Within seconds, the gouge began to seal itself, drawing some of her own blood back inside of the cut to heal itself.
âSee? I can heal that headache of yours if you just feed us some information. A name. Who sent you?â
The foreigner glanced between the two of them as if weighing his decision. Which would have the worse outcome? Betraying his employers or perhaps losing his life? He didnât know how far Izzy and Evan would go to prove their point.
âJob was offered by woman. Green eyes. Dark hair. No name.â His accent was thick, made even more incomprehensible by a swollen lip and aching jaw. âWe have no other info. Only dummy cell phone which we are to use to call her if you show up.â He lifted his hips and twisted them to one side as if to indicate the cell phone was in his pocket.
Ivanâs lips curled into a sneer at first, until Evan leaned in with his flat eyes glowing an eerie blue. The trussed-up foreigner then tried to backpedal, his booted feet pushing at an angle towards the ground in a vain attempt to get away from the two people left standing in the room.
âNo! No! I tell you everything. Swear!â He paused and his body began shaking a bit whether from sheer terror or the results of his adrenaline finally fading away. His body twisted so that he laid flat on his back and squeezing his eyes tightly together he chanced a question.
âYou⊠let me go now?â
Meanwhile, Izzy had stood back up and was pacing a short distance back and forth. Her baby blues shot to Evan at Ivanâs uttered inquiry as if to ask, âAre you really going to just let him go?â
âNo! No! I tell you everything. Swear!â He paused and his body began shaking a bit whether from sheer terror or the results of his adrenaline finally fading away. His body twisted so that he laid flat on his back and squeezing his eyes tightly together he chanced a question.
âYou⊠let me go now?â
Meanwhile, Izzy had stood back up and was pacing a short distance back and forth. Her baby blues shot to Evan at Ivanâs uttered inquiry as if to ask, âAre you really going to just let him go?â
Izzyâs jaw dropped in stunned silence as the next few seconds played out before her very eyes. She hadnât expected Evan to do⊠Well, anything really. Though she wasnât happy that he viewed her as some sort of demonic life-stealing monster she also wasnât enough of an ass to make him change his own views upon murder. That look that she had shot him was an unspoken inquiry, of course, but it was to see if he wanted her to kill the man.
Her gaze lifted to follow Evanâs movements and her heart lurched for him. Had he ever even killed anyone before? Thoughts tumbled through her mind and she winced as he vomited. Like a rookie cop on his first crime scene.
Though she knew that she was probably the last person heâd seek comfort from at this moment, she wandered towards the kitchen and grabbed a hand towel. Wetting it with water from the faucet, she strolled slowly towards him with the damp cloth now extended towards him. Whether he wanted to clean his hands, his cheeks or his mouth was his option.
âHere, take itâŠâ A soft murmur as she pressed the towel into his grasp and bypassed him to give him a moment to his self. There was still a third man left unconscious and Izzy didnât believe in leaving loose ends. A quick touch on the back of his neck, her fingertips grazing over his exposed skin, she ripped his life force from him quickly and quietly. His body didnât even jerk as the last breath left his lips.
Her gaze lifted to follow Evanâs movements and her heart lurched for him. Had he ever even killed anyone before? Thoughts tumbled through her mind and she winced as he vomited. Like a rookie cop on his first crime scene.
Though she knew that she was probably the last person heâd seek comfort from at this moment, she wandered towards the kitchen and grabbed a hand towel. Wetting it with water from the faucet, she strolled slowly towards him with the damp cloth now extended towards him. Whether he wanted to clean his hands, his cheeks or his mouth was his option.
âHere, take itâŠâ A soft murmur as she pressed the towel into his grasp and bypassed him to give him a moment to his self. There was still a third man left unconscious and Izzy didnât believe in leaving loose ends. A quick touch on the back of his neck, her fingertips grazing over his exposed skin, she ripped his life force from him quickly and quietly. His body didnât even jerk as the last breath left his lips.
A half-hearted smile tilted Izzyâs lips as she tried to joke to bring Evan out of his distraught reverie. âMovies also show that the guy always gets the girl, good always prevails and that bad ass guys never look at explosions. Creative license.â She stood up once more, her eyes grazing over Evan and then the bloody body that he was trying to hard not to stare at.
Her feet carved a trail towards the upended couch which had a deep blue throw tossed over its back in the beginning of the fight. A throw which was now stretched across the floor on the opposite side of the room and as she picked it up she noted that it had some sports teamâs logo upon it which was displayed for all to see as she laid it out over the dead manâs body to cover the visceral scene from Evanâs sight.
âWe should goâŠâ She moved towards Evan, baby blues staring at his flat blue eyes.
Her feet carved a trail towards the upended couch which had a deep blue throw tossed over its back in the beginning of the fight. A throw which was now stretched across the floor on the opposite side of the room and as she picked it up she noted that it had some sports teamâs logo upon it which was displayed for all to see as she laid it out over the dead manâs body to cover the visceral scene from Evanâs sight.
âWe should goâŠâ She moved towards Evan, baby blues staring at his flat blue eyes.
What a cluster fuck of a day.
If anything had become obvious during their little vigilante side trip then it shouldâve been that they had no clue what they were doing. If the WCPD actually decided to do their jobs for once, they would find three dead bodies in an apartment of a man that had just recently gone to jail. Their fingerprints were no doubt scattered over every available surface and the mage highly doubted that the cops would believe that one guy had his head blown off while the other two just magically died from natural causes.
Evan headed into the hallway and she raked a hand that was caked with dried blood through her blond hair, tousling it a bit as she cast one last look at the apartment before following after.
âEvanâŠâ The words started then stopped just as abruptly as she failed to find a way to ease his mind. He wasnât the type of person suited for this life. His shortened mortality had aided in his love of life and his absolute abhorrence to ending it prematurely. And here she had just helped him commit his first murder.
Fuck.
âLook I need to get cleaned up andâŠâ She gestured to him, not wanting to voice the fact that he still looked rather ragged even after he had cleaned off most of the spattered blood from his skin. Her lips twisted as she tried to figure out what it was she was trying to say. She felt that he couldnât be left alone at the moment and if he was anything like some of her past cohorts then he could definitely use a drink right now⊠But she couldnât exactly roll into a bar with him looking like she had just been elbow deep in someoneâs mutilated torso either.
If anything had become obvious during their little vigilante side trip then it shouldâve been that they had no clue what they were doing. If the WCPD actually decided to do their jobs for once, they would find three dead bodies in an apartment of a man that had just recently gone to jail. Their fingerprints were no doubt scattered over every available surface and the mage highly doubted that the cops would believe that one guy had his head blown off while the other two just magically died from natural causes.
Evan headed into the hallway and she raked a hand that was caked with dried blood through her blond hair, tousling it a bit as she cast one last look at the apartment before following after.
âEvanâŠâ The words started then stopped just as abruptly as she failed to find a way to ease his mind. He wasnât the type of person suited for this life. His shortened mortality had aided in his love of life and his absolute abhorrence to ending it prematurely. And here she had just helped him commit his first murder.
Fuck.
âLook I need to get cleaned up andâŠâ She gestured to him, not wanting to voice the fact that he still looked rather ragged even after he had cleaned off most of the spattered blood from his skin. Her lips twisted as she tried to figure out what it was she was trying to say. She felt that he couldnât be left alone at the moment and if he was anything like some of her past cohorts then he could definitely use a drink right now⊠But she couldnât exactly roll into a bar with him looking like she had just been elbow deep in someoneâs mutilated torso either.
Izzyâs lips tilted in a sad sort of smile. It was crazy how one day they could be at each otherâs throats and ready to kill one another and the next she wanted to wrap her arms around him and ease away his pain.
âThen you wonât go to your home, youâll come with me back to the condo.â
She didnât give him an option. Hell, she didnât know if heâd be able to make a decision on his own anyway with how lost he looked at the moment and as she bypassed him and slender fingers wrapped lightly around his wrist, urging him to follow her though she would break away if he remained standing still.
âCâmon,â she urged once more.
Boot-clad feet carried her swiftly down the staircases leading to the lowest level and when she had finally found a door leading outside, she pushed it open with enough force that it slammed back against the nearest wall. Not that she was a strongman or anything but her quick and forceful actions were brought on by the fact that she just needed out of that damned building and she was sure Evan felt the same way.
Her Vantage v12 managed not to get jacked while they were busy playing superheroes and within seconds she had the doors unlocked and she was sliding into the driverâs seat.
âThen you wonât go to your home, youâll come with me back to the condo.â
She didnât give him an option. Hell, she didnât know if heâd be able to make a decision on his own anyway with how lost he looked at the moment and as she bypassed him and slender fingers wrapped lightly around his wrist, urging him to follow her though she would break away if he remained standing still.
âCâmon,â she urged once more.
Boot-clad feet carried her swiftly down the staircases leading to the lowest level and when she had finally found a door leading outside, she pushed it open with enough force that it slammed back against the nearest wall. Not that she was a strongman or anything but her quick and forceful actions were brought on by the fact that she just needed out of that damned building and she was sure Evan felt the same way.
Her Vantage v12 managed not to get jacked while they were busy playing superheroes and within seconds she had the doors unlocked and she was sliding into the driverâs seat.
Though she tried to be subtle, Izzy kept stealing sideways glances at Evan during the entire car ride. His face was pale, his eyes vacant as they stared out of the side window and even when he finally spoke, his teasing tone and joking words fell flat quickly after they left his lips.
âThat actually sounds like a good plan,â she murmured in reply as she navigated the heavy traffic leading down the road to her condominium and another handful of minutes passed by until she was easing into her parking spot once again. She was out of the car and on her way up to her floor, trying to give Evan some space to sort out his emotions because she knew drinking would only amplify whatever it was going on in that head of his at the moment.
If she had to wager a bet, she would say the sight and sound. A replay of events that would loop continuously for him and him alone until he came to grips with it.
Would he be pissed at her? Blame her for her own lifestyle infecting his rather normal life? Doubt threaded through her and she cast another glance back at Evan while unlocking her door and tossing her keys into the bowl on a nearby table as she always did. Habits were hard to break.
âYou know where everything is. Feel free to get to drinking. Iâm going to grab a shower real quick. Or you can use the shower inâŠ.â Her words trailed off. She had been close to saying âyour roomâ from his brief layover after being discharged from the hospital but she didnât want to be reminded of that time. Of the long awkward silences that filled the lapses in conversation after their huge blow out over her profession.
âIn⊠In the guest room.â
âThat actually sounds like a good plan,â she murmured in reply as she navigated the heavy traffic leading down the road to her condominium and another handful of minutes passed by until she was easing into her parking spot once again. She was out of the car and on her way up to her floor, trying to give Evan some space to sort out his emotions because she knew drinking would only amplify whatever it was going on in that head of his at the moment.
If she had to wager a bet, she would say the sight and sound. A replay of events that would loop continuously for him and him alone until he came to grips with it.
Would he be pissed at her? Blame her for her own lifestyle infecting his rather normal life? Doubt threaded through her and she cast another glance back at Evan while unlocking her door and tossing her keys into the bowl on a nearby table as she always did. Habits were hard to break.
âYou know where everything is. Feel free to get to drinking. Iâm going to grab a shower real quick. Or you can use the shower inâŠ.â Her words trailed off. She had been close to saying âyour roomâ from his brief layover after being discharged from the hospital but she didnât want to be reminded of that time. Of the long awkward silences that filled the lapses in conversation after their huge blow out over her profession.
âIn⊠In the guest room.â
"You didn't."
The words came simply as she made her way down the hallway to her own bedroom. In the seesaw of emotions after their 'talk', after his subsequent stay and then his abrupt departure as soon as he had been well enough to leave, she had not ventured to the guest room- his room until he had left. To 'clean up' was her reasoning. To make sure that he had abandoned would be suitable if she ever had guests again. And she probably wouldn't yet she had checked every drawer and every cabinet to search for things left behind.
To burn it in effigy of the man that managed to knock her self esteem away within the blink of an eye? Or to use it as a chance to reach out and drag him back into her life when she thought that he had gone for good?
Not like it mattered now. He hadn't left behind so much as a scrap of himself and days later he had re-entered her life unwillingly just to begin the drama anew.
With a shake of her head, she pushed such thoughts aside and wandered to her wardrobe, extracting a crisp white tee and a pair of men's drawstring sweatpants. A small reminder of another portion of her life which was better left unspoken. Upon exiting back into the hallway and then finally into the living room, she thrust the objects into Evan's hands without meeting his eyes.
"These should fit. You know where everything is."
The words came simply as she made her way down the hallway to her own bedroom. In the seesaw of emotions after their 'talk', after his subsequent stay and then his abrupt departure as soon as he had been well enough to leave, she had not ventured to the guest room- his room until he had left. To 'clean up' was her reasoning. To make sure that he had abandoned would be suitable if she ever had guests again. And she probably wouldn't yet she had checked every drawer and every cabinet to search for things left behind.
To burn it in effigy of the man that managed to knock her self esteem away within the blink of an eye? Or to use it as a chance to reach out and drag him back into her life when she thought that he had gone for good?
Not like it mattered now. He hadn't left behind so much as a scrap of himself and days later he had re-entered her life unwillingly just to begin the drama anew.
With a shake of her head, she pushed such thoughts aside and wandered to her wardrobe, extracting a crisp white tee and a pair of men's drawstring sweatpants. A small reminder of another portion of her life which was better left unspoken. Upon exiting back into the hallway and then finally into the living room, she thrust the objects into Evan's hands without meeting his eyes.
"These should fit. You know where everything is."
"You didn't."
The words came simply as she made her way down the hallway to her own bedroom. In the seesaw of emotions after their 'talk', after his subsequent stay and then his abrupt departure as soon as he had been well enough to leave, she had not ventured to the guest room- his room until he had left. To 'clean up' was her reasoning. To make sure that the room he had abandoned would be suitable if she ever had guests again. And she probably wouldn't yet she had checked every drawer and every cabinet to search for things left behind.
To burn it in effigy of the man that managed to knock her self esteem away within the blink of an eye? Or to use it as a chance to reach out and drag him back into her life when she thought that he had gone for good?
Not like it mattered now. He hadn't left behind so much as a scrap of himself and days later he had re-entered her life unwillingly just to begin the drama anew.
With a shake of her head, she pushed such thoughts aside and wandered to her wardrobe, extracting a crisp white tee and a pair of men's drawstring sweatpants. A small reminder of another portion of her life which was better left unspoken. Upon exiting back into the hallway and then finally into the living room, she thrust the objects into Evan's hands without meeting his eyes.
"These should fit. You know where everything is."
The words came simply as she made her way down the hallway to her own bedroom. In the seesaw of emotions after their 'talk', after his subsequent stay and then his abrupt departure as soon as he had been well enough to leave, she had not ventured to the guest room- his room until he had left. To 'clean up' was her reasoning. To make sure that the room he had abandoned would be suitable if she ever had guests again. And she probably wouldn't yet she had checked every drawer and every cabinet to search for things left behind.
To burn it in effigy of the man that managed to knock her self esteem away within the blink of an eye? Or to use it as a chance to reach out and drag him back into her life when she thought that he had gone for good?
Not like it mattered now. He hadn't left behind so much as a scrap of himself and days later he had re-entered her life unwillingly just to begin the drama anew.
With a shake of her head, she pushed such thoughts aside and wandered to her wardrobe, extracting a crisp white tee and a pair of men's drawstring sweatpants. A small reminder of another portion of her life which was better left unspoken. Upon exiting back into the hallway and then finally into the living room, she thrust the objects into Evan's hands without meeting his eyes.
"These should fit. You know where everything is."
It had been a rough day.
That was the only explanation she accepted as her weary eyes glassed over with what appeared to be tears. Yet, she wouldnât admit to them even though she averted her eyes towards the hallway so he wouldnât see them, should he chance a look up from the clothing now clutched between his hands.
No, you donât⊠Was her response internally and the same statement wouldâve been issues verbally except for the fact that no matter how much of a hard ass she seemed⊠She wasnât a complete bitch. He had been through too much today so it wasnât the day to rail at each other.
âI didnât have to invite you back but I did.â Her voice shook slightly, a barely imperceptible quiver as she started passed him and down the hallway towards her own room and bathroom. âBut I did. Take that however you wish.â
She didnât give him a chance to respond as she escaped behind the door, closing it softly behind her and as soon as it clicked shut she twisted her body until her back could rest upon the four-inch thick mahogany. A hand lifted to rake through her hair, a habit of hers, and as she lowered her extremity once more she saw that her blood had coated her forearm like a sleeve.
With a shake of her head, she moved off to shower and redress.
That was the only explanation she accepted as her weary eyes glassed over with what appeared to be tears. Yet, she wouldnât admit to them even though she averted her eyes towards the hallway so he wouldnât see them, should he chance a look up from the clothing now clutched between his hands.
No, you donât⊠Was her response internally and the same statement wouldâve been issues verbally except for the fact that no matter how much of a hard ass she seemed⊠She wasnât a complete bitch. He had been through too much today so it wasnât the day to rail at each other.
âI didnât have to invite you back but I did.â Her voice shook slightly, a barely imperceptible quiver as she started passed him and down the hallway towards her own room and bathroom. âBut I did. Take that however you wish.â
She didnât give him a chance to respond as she escaped behind the door, closing it softly behind her and as soon as it clicked shut she twisted her body until her back could rest upon the four-inch thick mahogany. A hand lifted to rake through her hair, a habit of hers, and as she lowered her extremity once more she saw that her blood had coated her forearm like a sleeve.
With a shake of her head, she moved off to shower and redress.
When Izzy emerged, she was wearing an outfit oddly similar to Evans- a white tank over black yoga pants while her feet were left bare. Her own shower had taken remarkably less time than Evanâs had since she didnât feel the need to scrub herself raw but her entrance into the living room had taken a bit more time since she didnât feel prepared for what was inevitably to come.
Either awkward conversation fueled by liquor and the hesitance that had sprung between them on his previous visits here or some sort of emotional heart to heart which would spring forth from the tragedy of the day.
It didnât seem like anything good could come from this, at all.
Still, she had urged her feet forward, letting them sink into the plush carpeting that spanned the room as she made her way to the liquor cabinet first. Evan had already poured himself a glass but she knew more than a glass would be needed so she picked up the Jack by the neck and snatched up a glass of her own before moving towards the couch to curl up on the opposite end with her lower back pressed against the arm and her legs tucked up underneath of her body so that she faced him.
âSo,â she started, pouring herself some whiskey and placing the bottle upon the coffee table. âYou can back out, yâknow. Stick to the research portion or we can think of another plan. We donât need toâŠâ
Her words tumbled out quickly and instantly, she regretted them. She had been trying to take his mind off the day but at the same time she had wanted to reassure him that he never had to go through this again. Never had to kill a man, ever again.
Either awkward conversation fueled by liquor and the hesitance that had sprung between them on his previous visits here or some sort of emotional heart to heart which would spring forth from the tragedy of the day.
It didnât seem like anything good could come from this, at all.
Still, she had urged her feet forward, letting them sink into the plush carpeting that spanned the room as she made her way to the liquor cabinet first. Evan had already poured himself a glass but she knew more than a glass would be needed so she picked up the Jack by the neck and snatched up a glass of her own before moving towards the couch to curl up on the opposite end with her lower back pressed against the arm and her legs tucked up underneath of her body so that she faced him.
âSo,â she started, pouring herself some whiskey and placing the bottle upon the coffee table. âYou can back out, yâknow. Stick to the research portion or we can think of another plan. We donât need toâŠâ
Her words tumbled out quickly and instantly, she regretted them. She had been trying to take his mind off the day but at the same time she had wanted to reassure him that he never had to go through this again. Never had to kill a man, ever again.
"They're the scum of the earth."
His eyes had met her while speaking those words and if she were the type of person to admit personal things, she might claim that it hurt. It shouldnât have because she already knew his opinion of her but neverthelessâŠ
It hurt.
So as he continued his soliloquy she drained the rest of her glass and poured another. Liquid courage was what she needed to refrain from either clocking him in the jaw or abandoning him to the TV as she escaped into her bedroom. Fight or flight, before now she didnât quite know how true that phrase was.
Yet, before she had even settled the bottle back down upon the coffee table, his last words surprised her and she didnât hesitate to hide the suddenly arched brow or the disbelief that flashed over her pale features.
âYouâve been through a lot today,â She remarked, her eyes not meeting his and instead her gaze settled to gaze out of the windows at the sea. From her perch, looking passed him she could see the roiling waves and the inky black sky stretching out into the horizon, dotted with stars.
âEven though you didnât know the man youâll experience the same sort of grief.â Her words would ring true, pulled from years of experience and for her, it was a safer topic to talk âshopâ then to hit upon the emotional.
His eyes had met her while speaking those words and if she were the type of person to admit personal things, she might claim that it hurt. It shouldnât have because she already knew his opinion of her but neverthelessâŠ
It hurt.
So as he continued his soliloquy she drained the rest of her glass and poured another. Liquid courage was what she needed to refrain from either clocking him in the jaw or abandoning him to the TV as she escaped into her bedroom. Fight or flight, before now she didnât quite know how true that phrase was.
Yet, before she had even settled the bottle back down upon the coffee table, his last words surprised her and she didnât hesitate to hide the suddenly arched brow or the disbelief that flashed over her pale features.
âYouâve been through a lot today,â She remarked, her eyes not meeting his and instead her gaze settled to gaze out of the windows at the sea. From her perch, looking passed him she could see the roiling waves and the inky black sky stretching out into the horizon, dotted with stars.
âEven though you didnât know the man youâll experience the same sort of grief.â Her words would ring true, pulled from years of experience and for her, it was a safer topic to talk âshopâ then to hit upon the emotional.
âIâm used to it.â
The statement was accompanied by a half-hearted tilt of her lips and she tried her best not to gulp down her whiskey like it was water. Thankfully, Evan segued away from the emotional and back into the easier-to-handle business side of things and she didnât have to abruptly change the topic herself. Hell, if he had voiced his worries of getting used to killing or starting to like killing then she might have drawn out of her protective cocoon long enough to assuage his fear but since he had moved to safer topics, she played along quite easily.
âWe canât cloak and dagger everything, yâknow. What if they wonât give us the next biggest player? What if we get to the top of the food chain and we canât bring them down?â She shook her head, casting her gaze back out the window once more as she thought of every single way this whole charade could go wrong.
âWe have to be prepared for anything if weâre going to keep this up.â
The statement was accompanied by a half-hearted tilt of her lips and she tried her best not to gulp down her whiskey like it was water. Thankfully, Evan segued away from the emotional and back into the easier-to-handle business side of things and she didnât have to abruptly change the topic herself. Hell, if he had voiced his worries of getting used to killing or starting to like killing then she might have drawn out of her protective cocoon long enough to assuage his fear but since he had moved to safer topics, she played along quite easily.
âWe canât cloak and dagger everything, yâknow. What if they wonât give us the next biggest player? What if we get to the top of the food chain and we canât bring them down?â She shook her head, casting her gaze back out the window once more as she thought of every single way this whole charade could go wrong.
âWe have to be prepared for anything if weâre going to keep this up.â