Page 107 of Touched

They’re following us. Ready to fight.

A certainty looms… The time has come for all of us to act as one unit…

We are all now each other’s protectors.

Stepping forward I put my hand around Aeris’s shoulder, cupping it. The tension within her is almost palpable. Her golden eyes turn on me, pinning me in place. My voice is husky, though certain, as I mutter, “Nothing, and no one, is going to hurt you, Aeris. I’ll make sure of it.” Confidence and energy flow over me, andthroughme, almost like a current.

Aeris’s eyes widen, her mouth falling open into an “O”. She gasps, “Your magick.”

What? My magick?

Before I can ask aloud, she says, “I felt it. I felt you… yourpower.”

My power… the current.

I do. I have power. I feel it.

And now, I need to believe in it. Believe in the bond between Aeris and me.

We are the weapon that will defeat the FaeDorcha. I know it.

“We need to find our parents and make sure they’re okay,” Cyrus abruptly says, shaking me from my thoughts.

“You’re right,” I reply. Leaning down, I kiss the top of Aeris’s head, breathing in her scent. It calms me.

“Why don’t the two of you check inside. Maybe they’re safe.” I look around at the untouched house and gardens of Aeris’s parents’ home. “Perhaps they’re still here. Go. Go check. I’ll get with the others and plan our next move.”

Hope fills Cyrus’s eyes and he nods, clasping my shoulder tightly. “You know this isn’t going to be an easy fight…We have no idea of the gravity of what we’re up against. We’ve only seen the FaeDorcha; we have yet to encounter whomever… orwhatevershe's created.” Cyrus’s lips twist as he grimaces. He pats my shoulder just once before he turns, racing away.Covering the ground at warp speed, he scales the steps and flings open the door, entering the house. Aeris is hot on his heels.

I speak aloud. “It may not be easy, but we must fight back. We can’t just let them run rampant through the realms destroying everything in their paths. The Dark Fae, FaeDorcha as they are named, are a virus. And we…weare the cure.”

Turning to look around, I circle the entire crowd, locking eyes with as many as I can. Addressing them. Everyone nods at my words. All eyes are on me. I’m surrounded within a circle of Fae… and Sylphs. As if they are my army and are simply awaiting my command.

Um, okay…

Am I their commander? Are they my army?

Yes… Yes to both.

Only unlike the FaeDorcha, I didn’t create my army to force them to do my bidding… they are here willingly.

I can do this. I’ve been a detective long enough…

I can lead these men and women.

In the station, I’ve always been given orders… Even then, I created my own plan. I’ve always commanded myself. Now… now, I just need to command everyone else. But that also means I need to do what I’m good at… bring order and justice… while keeping everyone I care about as safe as I possibly can.

Sure… I can do it.

I just have to lead with my head… and my heart.

Some of us won’t make it out of this alive…

I know that.

How do I command people to do something knowing that they could very well lose their lives?

I can… because it means others will be protected.

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