Page 17 of Torn Ivy
“Yeah, you pretty much inferred it,” I interrupt. “We get a say in what goes on in your life, Ivy, whether you like it or not.”
Ivy’s eyes flash with anger, the pink energy crackling more intensely around her. “You don’t get to dictate my choices,” shesnaps. “None of you do. This is my life, my power, and my decision.”
“Ivy,” Tate says softly, reaching out to her. “We’re not trying to control you. We just want to protect you.”
She jerks away from his touch. “I don’t need your protection. I need you to trust me to make my own choices.”
“Even if those choices get you killed?” Torin growls.
“Especially then,” Ivy retorts.
I watch the standoff, feeling torn. On the one hand, I understand the guys’ desire to keep Ivy safe. On the other, I know firsthand how suffocating it can be to have others try to control your destiny.
“Look,” I say, trying to be the voice of reason for once. Tate is blinded when it comes to this. He can’t see reason. “We’re all on edge here. Why don’t we take a step back and figure this out together?”
Ivy’s gaze snaps to mine, her blue eyes blazing. “Really? After you’ve been sneaking around working for some shadowy organisation to get closer to Poison?”
I wince. “Touché. However, that isn’t the issue here.”
She grimaces because she knows I’m right.
“Okay, this has gone far enough,” Cathy states, stepping forward. “Ivy, you are acting like a sullen child. Snap out of it. You want to be such a grown-up? Act like one. This isn’t just about you, dear girl. It’s about everyone. The good, the bad and the downright evil. But they all matter in the bigger scope of things. Do you understand that? Or do we need to go back to basics with you like a toddler?”
Torin and I exchange a shocked stare. Wow, this woman doesn’t pull any punches.
However, it seems to have worked. Ivy is huffing, but she is losing her defensiveness.
It’s not much, but it’s a start.
7
IVY
I take a deep breath,trying to calm the chaos magick swirling inside me. Aunt Cathy’s harsh words sting, but I know she has a point. I’m acting childishly when the stakes are so high.
“You’re right,” I say grudgingly. “I’m sorry. Tonight has been extra.”
“We understand,” Ramsey says gently, moving closer and looking sheepish. “But we need to work together if we’re going to have any chance against Death.”
I nod, looking at my guys. “I know. I’m sorry for trying to exclude you. I just don’t want any of you to get hurt because of me.”
Tate’s expression softens. “Ivy, we would lay down our lives for you. When will you realise that?”
“He’s right,” Torin adds gruffly. “We would do anything you asked us to do.”
Bram nods in agreement, though there is wariness in his eyes. He knows more about this chaos magick, and he is worried about it. That doesn’t fill me with great confidence.
“Okay,” I say, squaring my shoulders. “So, what’s our next move?”
“More training,” Ramsey says. “What you did, bringing the guys here was monumental. You need to take that and hone it as a skill. Just like the gigs, you have to roll with the punches. It’s what makes you so great. Why you are so good at what you do. You can think on your feet and think outside the box.”
“Essentially, that is what chaos magick is,” Bram says. “But there are few texts on this, from what I can remember. It’s an ancient magick that has no place in this world and no bearers.”
“Until now,” Tate says quietly, looking at me like I fell from the moon.
“There is a place thatmighthave the information we need,” Vex says.
“Where?” I ask. “Because it’s all very well saying I need to roll with the punches. Any help I can get, would be much appreciated.”
