Page 105 of Touched

A bright glow surrounds the line of creatures. We move a little closer and they appear to have human-like features and wings. Not unlike us.

Devyn says, “They’re not dark Gifted. The spell would have cast a dark aura around them if they were. The bright light shows they are safe. Or at least neutral.”

Cyrus nods, firmly saying, “I’ll fly to the edge and question them.”

Needing some sort of comfort, my hand reaches out. It’s immediately held by a small, warm one. Looking over, Devyn’s cinnamon eyes are reassuring.

Maybe she’s not awful.

Of course, she’s not awful, Aeris.

She‘s done nothing but help thus far.

“What business do you have here?” Cyrus booms out near the edge of the wards.

“We were called upon by Lanie LeBlanc,” one of the men near the front answers, scanning the sky.

They can’t see us.

My mouth falls open as I excitedly fly through the wards, dragging Devyn with me. “Grams sent you? Are you…” My eyes widen as I see the similarities to Callum without the hindrance of the wards.

He answers before I can ask, nodding. His eyes continue to search the sky. “Sylph. We are Sylph, young Fae. Lanie sent word of the trouble surrounding her grandson…” His eyes narrow though he cannot see us. “And I suppose… you. You are his fated mate… a Fae. He is with Trevor the troll in New Orleans. Lanie gave us these coordinates and told us to meet you here. We mean you no harm. If you are comfortable, you may drop your cloaks.”

“Callum! Is he all right? He was supposed to be here by now,” I shout as I drop my cloak, allowing them to see me.

The man, who spoke before, nods. His short, dark hair blows on the breeze and his large set of red-hued Sylph wings flap as he looks in my direction. He answers, “He is. For now. But we must locate the remainder of the Sylph. We are spread far and wide.” His amber eyes lock on me as he says, “Lanie has revealed the prophecy is upon us…”

The prophecy… again.

What exactly is this prophecy and how do Callum and I fit into it?

No one has revealed the specifics.

I feel as though that is relatively important to know.

“Then, let’s stop dicking around here, and go find them,” a warm, familiar voice calls, from behind the Sylph.

“Callum!” I gasp, all thoughts of what the prophecy actually consists of instantly disappear. Dropping Devyn’s hand, I race directly toward my Kindred.

Our bodies slam together, his lips crushing mine as his fingers fist my hair, anchoring my lips in place. Relief and joy flood my body as I grip him tightly, not wanting to ever let go again.

“I was so worried,” I say between planting kisses over his face, always returning to his lips. “I missed you.”

He chuckles. “I’m fine. I love you, little fairy.” He pressed his forehead to mine, staring into my eyes briefly, before giving me another long kiss.

“Eh-hem,” I hear over my shoulder. It’s Cyrus.

“Right,” I say, my cheeks heating.

The red-winged-Sylph speaks again. “We haven’t much time if we are to save Laric.”

As we soar through the dark and ominous sky, Aeris by my side and the rest of our army close behind, a single phrase echoes in my mind…

"The prophecy... War? The war is upon us."

We remain cloaked as we approach the airspace above Laric, where my Kindred and her loved ones reside. The closer we get, the stronger the scent of smoke becomes. It’s impossible to miss. The sound of painful screams and overwhelming fear also fills the air. Worry is etched on the faces of my beloved and her brother as we finally touch down in smoke-laden clearing that Cyrus says is not too far from their home.

We’re too late. The Dark Fae are already here.

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