Page 24 of Touched

Callum.

Why did Da specifically say that one sentence? Interacting with humans is forbidden. Especially that one.

A human is a human.

Or so I believed… until Callum revealed he may have Sylph blood.

Is that why Da said that?

Shaking my head, I continue looking at my book for more answers. There is no possibility of getting an answer from Ma or Da right now. And it’s best I don’t stir up any more trouble. If they believe I’ll heed their warning, and they hear or see nothing more of it, it’ll be much easier to find a way to see him again.

And Imustsee him again.

Flashes of earlier appear in my mind. The look of terror that filled Callum’s wide blue eyes as I was hauled away from him by a force he could not see sends a tightness to my chest.

I will see him again, won’t I?

Grinding my teeth as I fight the nauseous feeling in the pit of my stomach, I slam the book shut. I take a deep breath, then blow it out, fanning the loose hair around my face. As I close my eyes, Callum’s face appears in my mind, causing some of the tension in my body to begin to fade.

Knock, knock, knock.

Oh, hells.

I scramble to the bookshelf to put the book back in its place.

“Yes,” I call out.

The ill feeling that plagued me moments ago suddenly turns to a burning knot that slowly rises in my chest, threatening to suffocate me.

“May I come in?” Cyrus asks.

My eyes roll of their own accord as I cross my arms over my chest. My wings practically vibrate as I try to keep my wits about me and not say too much.

Don’t lash out at him, Aeris.

Cyrus comes in, shutting the door gently behind him. A resigned sigh escapes him as he flatly says, “I see that you’re upset.”

“Upset?” I retort sharply. “Why would I be upset? Oh, that’s right. My brother ratted me out to our parents, and now, I’m in more trouble than ever before,” I quip, waving my arms about wildly. Papers and small trinkets begin to fly around the room as the sheer, delicate covering over my window flaps and whips, threatening to shred.

Cyrus’s eyes widen at the display of my fury. His hands raise to shield his face from anything that may catapult toward it. “Aeris, please! Calm down! I didn’t seek them out. Though, I had a mind to. And it seems I had reason to worry.” He raises a stern brow, and my hands still, causing things to fall to the floor. The trinkets thud and roll at impact. Cyrus sighs again before continuing. “Ma was looking for you, holding the dress you had on with the mark on the back of it. I had to answer honestly. You told me very little, though,” he says. His arms drop to his sides, now that his face is safe. “But she kept asking more questions. Then, Da came to look for her. They asked me if you had been out of Laric again. I had to say yes. You know I had to tell the truth, Aeris. But I did not, intentionally, expose you.”

Cyrus’s eyes lock on mine, his vibrant green meeting my golden irises. His hands fall to his hips, his fists clenching, showing my tantrum has upset him. Blowing a breath through puffed cheeks, I stand and go to him, chagrined.

“I’m sorry I was angry with you. I thought you assumed I was going to find a human and told Ma and Da,” I say, putting my hand on his arm.

Cyrus’s green eyes practically glow as they meet mine. “I considered it. What were you thinking, Aeris? You know you can’t interact with humans. They’re dangerous,” he hisses, his hand covering mine.

I pull away, instantly agitated, again. My voice rises as I snap, “How do you know that? Because of some old stories? Cyrus, I have books that sayweare mythical creatures. According to human literature, we do not exist! How can we trust everything that’s written or told?”

“Aeris, you are impressionable. Yes, you are no longer a fledgling, but you are young in years. And you read too many of those books about human romance. Youcan’ttrust humans. If they knew about us, about this place,” he says, waving his hand toward the window, and looking outside, “they would ruin it all.”

“You don’t know that. And if you came in here just to lecture me, you can go. I got enough of a tongue-lashing from Da already. But you know that! Since you quietly sat for the show!”

“Aeris…” Cyrus exclaims.

“Just go, Cyrus!” I yell, forcefully pointing to the door.

He sighs, and I can tell he wants to say more, but I glare at him before turning my head, purposefully shunning him. From the corner of my eye, I see him as he turns to leave. Once the door closes behind him, my neck tightens with tension. My arms drop and my head rolls on my shoulders, trying unsuccessfully to work my muscles. I hate fighting with Cyrus. He’s my best friend. But I don’t need another family member trying to explain how wrong I am, or how terrible humans are.

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