Page 109 of Touched

We spread out within the bountiful woods. Everyone looks at each other, and then, at me. Devyn stands at my side, a general in my army. As I meet the gazes of the Fae, Sylphs, trolls, goblins, and centaurs gathered before me, I feel a tug on my pants. I look down.

“You have no idea what you’re up against, do you?” Trevor sighs.

No sooner than my brother and I walk into our parents’ house, we’re greeted with open arms and relieved sighs. Ma and Da’s faces are a mix of hopeandworry.

“I’m so glad you are both safe. I’ve been out of my mind with worry.” Ma’s eyes fill with tears as she looks from me to Cyrus and back again. After harshly pulling me in for a hug, and grabbing for Cyrus with her free hand, Da joins in. We’re all entwined and protected with love within our group hug. Their arms are tight around us, almost suffocating us with their fear and tension.

“We were worried, too. We didn’t know that you were safe. The colony… it’s…” Cyrus says, his voice wavering. He may be my older brother, but at this moment, he’s a child who is worried about the welfare of his family and his home.

Oh, Cyrus… yes. I too was terrified at what we would find. At what’s happening outside.

His fear doesn’t make him weak. He is a warrior at heart.

Before I can say anything, a huge explosion sounds from beyond the cottage. Debris from whatever it is slams into the front of our house, while the force sends the front door flying inside, split in half. Thick smoke, ash, and debris immediately fill the air, making it difficult to breathe. The noise outside is deafening. My ears ring loudly. I’m disoriented but look around frantically. Through the haze of my vision, I see Cyrus, Da, and Ma wincing and flinching. Ma’s hands are over her ears and Da is shaking his head from side to side as though trying to clear it. Cyrus meets my eyes from his crouched position on the floor. Simultaneously, out of instinct, we all seemed to duck at the force of the impact with the house.

The first explosion is quickly followed by another, and a large rock comes flying through one of the somehow still-intact windows. Shattering the glass, it lands on the floor with a thud before rolling toward the place where Ma is covering me with her body, acting as a shield.

We don’t do war. Fairies aren’t fighters...

The voice in my head speaks but she sounds like the old me. Not the me I am now. The me I was before I met Callum. The me who was rebellious but naïve. The me who never imagined this would be happening inside my colony. Inside my home.

It is happening, Aeris.

My home… my people… everyone I care about is in danger.

We are at war.

I am a warrior. I am part of the prophecy.

I have to protect my home. Protect my family. Protect what’s left of Laric.

And also… the rest of the world… Gifted and human.

This is my fight.

This is the me I am now.

The me who has seen and done things I never imagined. The me who is brave, determined, free, and in love.

This is me. I have a purpose. I have a mission.

Determination and a sense of calm fills me.

“Aeris?” Ma says with a hint of fear. I look up at her. A worried expression upon her face.

She knows what is happening outside, and she also knows we must get out of here as soon as possible.

Before we never get to leave.

“That way!” I yell to be heard above the chaos, gesturing toward the back of our home.

Pride fills her eyes as looks back at me. She nods.

“Let’s go!” Grabbing Ma’s arm, I take the lead. We crouch, heading for the back door. Da and Cyrus follow close behind, staying near to the ground as well, under the smoke. The walls of our beloved home crack and snap as angry flames scale them, consuming them. In the commotion, Da somehow manages to grab the satchel he always carries with him. He’s fisting it, determined not to drop it. As we look behind us, at the clearing behind our home, through what used to be a wall, he slings it over his shoulder, reaches behind him, and unsheathes a sword.

What? Where did Da get a sword from?

Why does he have a sword?

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