Page 115 of Touched

She’s a big girl. A fierce and beautiful fairy, Callum. She’s proved it time and time again.

She’s going to be fine.

Please let her be okay.

Cyrus, though he’s Earth, has elected to stay by my side. Trevor is also beside me as we cautiously make our way closer to the center of the chaos. Whatever enchantments those with Spirit cast over us seem to be working. Though we remain stealthy, taking great care to stay undetected as we reach the heart of Laric. Until we want to be detected.

My eyes widen as I take in the utter devastation. I’ve been caught in the middle of some shit before, but this… this is like nothing I’ve ever seen.

Some FaeDorcha arethrowingfire. It shoots from their hands like water from a hose, everywhere… just because they can.

Their hands are fucking flamethrowers.

As I watch, another throws their arms into the sky. A swirling black tornado whorls above them. They laugh as they send it straight for a row of homes.

They’reenjoyingthe destruction. Like it’s a game to them. Fairy families are forcibly dragged from their homes and thrown into the street on their knees. Some lose their balance and keel over, their faces harshly slamming into the charred ground. Children are crying. Mothers are screaming, trying to shield and protect them as their men are savagely kicked, beaten, and thrown around.

Skidding to a stop, my breath catches within my throat. The scene before me is horrific.

This is… barbaric.

I’ve never seen Laric before, but from what Aeris has told me, it must have been a beautiful place. Now, most of it lies in ruins. Homes are in flames or are in shambles on the ground. A castle in the center of the colony has massive holes within the structure, crumbling walls, broken turrets, and smoke and flames rising from it. Screams and shouts echo in my ears, reverberating within my head.

I can’t get the shrieks out of my mind.

A thud jars my shoulder.

“Hey!”

Turning, I see Cyrus, hovering just above me in the air. His hand is on my shoulder and pure rage is on his face.

“Let’s go!” he yells above the noise, jerking his chin to the sky before catapulting into it, ax swinging.

Right.We need to save them.

I will my wings to free themselves, wincing at the sting when they burst from my back. The fabric of my t-shirt shreds as they unfurl. Flapping them rapidly, I take to the sky right behind Cyrus to assess the situation. Our army is both in the sky and on the ground, fighting furiously against the FaeDorcha.

Lightning suddenly cracks across the sky, whipping past me, barely missing my face, and strikes a FaeDorcha heading straight for me directly in the chest.

The dark creature slumps, tumbling through the air, rapidly hurtling toward the ground end over end, almost in slow motion, a gaping hole in its chest. The thud of the impact as he crashes into the charred, hard ground vibrates within my head.

I look to the side, seeing Aeris’s father nod at me before setting his attention on more FaeDorcha. I gasp as I jerkily inhale.

Oh, fuck!

He just saved my life.

Beneath me, a herd of Centaurs gallop with their bows at the ready and arrows flying. I blink.

Is that… Trevor? Riding one?

Go, Trevor.

My head swivels, taking everything in, trying to encompass the whole picture. To see where our strongholds are and who might imminently need my help. Groups have spread out, going head-to-head with the enemy, and most have managed to stay in formation. Those who have been separated are being picked off by the FaeDorcha. My heart pangs as they fall, lifeless.

A dark blur appears beneath me. Diving, I catch a flying FaeDorcha midair, ramming into his side with my shoulder, like a dolphin rams a shark. He screeches, turning to attack. But I’m ready. My blade slices through his jugular before he can make a sound. His eyes go wide as he clutches at his slit throat and rapidly falls toward the ground below. My head swivels.

Sylph are guarding the Fae, shoulders aligned, forming a wall, with the Fae in the center, allowing them to use the Earth to trip, catch, and ensnare the FaeDorcha while the Sylph battle them with swords, mallets, and chains. They’re combining their powers… and it’s working. Singling out and ganging up on the FaeDorcha. Working in groups to take them out.

---