Page 15 of Touched

Opening the book, I scan the table of contents as I try to figure out where exactly it is I should be looking. This book is massive. It would take me weeks to read the entire thing and I don’t have that kind of time. I need to find answersnow.

“The Origins of Fae… no …Anatomy of Fae… no…” I mutter to myself as I read through the titles of the chapters of the book. Finally, my finger falters as it lands onGlamor: How to use it and how it works to protect fairies.

Flipping through the pages, I find the chapter I want and quickly begin scanning them. Early in our fledgling education, we were taught how fairies use Glamor to hide ourselves from the human world. I remember learning that it would protect us when we were outside of our colony should the need ever arise, especially when entering the human world. I recall there being a part about our Glamor not working to shield us from other magickal creatures… but it should always keep us hidden from humans.

My eyes stop, widening as I find exactly what I’m looking for:

When using Glamor, Fae are hidden from all beings that are not mythical creatures. The only exception being if Glamor is intentionally removed by Fae themselves. Over the centuries, there have been several documented circumstances where Fae have encountered mortal beings who were able to see them regardless of Glamor. This has only occurred when the mortal was discovered to have mythical blood. The mythical blood allows them to see Fae even when others around them cannot. This is exceedingly rare and has only been documented in a few cases.

Mythical beings mating with mortals, in the human world, is the cause of these rare occurrences.

The sound of the front door shutting sends panic coursing through my body. With my breath quickening, I slam the book shut, jump off the bed, and quickly squat down in front of my bookshelf, shoving it back into its spot there.

“I didn’t realize you’d returned. How was your day in the human world, Aeris?” Cyrus’s voice sounds behind me, causing me to jerk with a start.

“Oh, my gosh… you startled me.” I shriek, jumping up before spinning on the balls of my feet to face him, my wings fluttering rapidly behind me. Twiddling my fingers together nervously, I take in my brother as he leans against the wall of my bedroom, near the door. He has a look of expectation on his face. His brows crease, pushing in toward one another as his top lip curls slightly. A smirk covers his handsome face.

Oh, hells…

I’ve been trying to play this exact conversation in my head the whole way home. So, I could prepare what I would say when he asks. Healwaysasks. Shrugging, casually trying to hide my discomfort at his question, I reply, “It was okay. I saw lots of people out today in the French Quarter. Yes, lots of interesting looking people today.”

Folding his arms across his bare chest, he furrows his brows as his lips purse. He sighs. “Nothing unusual happened? I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was going to happen today. My gut has never steered me wrong. Is there anything you’re not telling me, Aeris?”

Letting out a nervous giggle, I bounce onto my toes. “I went to that plantation where I feed that mischievous little squirrel sometimes. The imp bit me because I didn’t bring him any of our walnuts. He is quite spoiled by them.”

He lets out a low chuckle at that confession, but his face never falters. His deep green eyes are locked on me, as though he’s trying to read my mind.

Thankfully he cannot!

“I taught him a lesson though. I shook the tree just enough to scare him a bit but not enough to make him fall,” I retort, flashing a sly smirk as the memory of watching him grip the tree with his small claws fills my head.

“So, you were bitten by your furry little friend. Anything else eventful happen?” he pries, still watching me.

Shifting nervously, I try to think of something else I can say to appease him. I remember testing to see if anyone at the plantation could see me and decide to tell him about the tour. “I took the tour today at the plantation. A couple was there wanting one, so I simply joined them, following them around. I learned some very interesting facts.”

“Was this tour done with or without your Glamor?” he sharply asks, raising his brow. His arms uncross and he brings his hands down to rest on his hips.

“With my Glamor on, of course!” I exclaim, letting out an airy laugh. “I didn’t remove it today. I know better! I just explored for a bit, and then, came back home. I’ve worked up quite the appetite with all the flying I did. Are you hungry? I can make us something for dinner since Ma and Da aren’t home yet,” I retort, breathing heavily from the speed of my words. Pushing past him in the doorway before he can respond, I begin to make my way toward our spacious kitchen.

I hear his footsteps on the soft moss as he begins to follow me down the hallway. Holding my breath, I wait for him to answer. I hope we can drop the topic of my adventure in the human world because I don’t know how much longer I can keep myself from blurting out that a man, ahuman, was able to see me.

“I’m not hungry. I ate just before I went into the garden,” he replies dryly. “What is all over the back of your dress?” he asks suddenly, his voice rising as we enter the kitchen. Immediately my heart stammers in my chest.

Oh, hells.

Visions of leaning against the large tire of Callum’s vehicle after the incident flood my mind.

“What did you get yourself into this time, Aeris?” Cy’s voice is hard.

* * *

The sun is blistering hot as I make my way toward the row of large oak trees, behind Jackson Square. Aeris told me to meet her here today, but she never specified an exact time. She simply said tomorrow afternoon. All I can hope is that she’ll actually show up, and I won’t sit out here risking heat stroke for nothing.

Glancing at my watch, I see that it’s a few minutes past twelve. I told LT I’d be taking a lunch break at noon, and then, meet with him afterward. I don’t have much time, but I can’t risk not coming here and leaving Aeris to think that I don’t care to learn the truth about her. I haven’t been able to get her off my mind since our interesting encounter yesterday.

I spent most of my day, and honestly, most of the night, too, replaying our interactions yesterday. The detective in me has been trying to find a logical explanation for how she walked away from being hit by my truck without a scratch after I saw her bleeding. I swear I watched her cuts and abrasions heal right before my eyes.

Then, there’s the fact that no one could see her but me…

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