Page 33 of Touched

But… what other choice do I have? I have no idea where to even begin to look.

“If I trust you, what’s in it for you? Why would you want to help someone you don’t even know?”

He laughs, the sound reverberating throughout the library. It’s so loud. My head whips around to see if anyone else heard it, but no one is even looking this way. No one can see or hear Trevor, but me. He chuckles again and says, “Oh, I know you, Callum. I know you. You don’t know me. Your grandmother is a very good friend of mine. We’ve been waiting for this day. She sensed you’d Zinged and sent me to make sure it was all true. You were easy to find. I didn’t have to look far. I was there. I saw the two of you speaking under the tree before the magickal hurricane whisked her away… back to Laric.”

Zinged? What the fuck is a “Zing”?

My grandmother sensed it? And sent a troll to check on me?

Waiting for this day? What day?

What the fuck is going on?

“What the hell do you mean ‘Zing’? What are you talking about?” My voice rises. I quickly lower it as two women look over at me with unease on their faces. Smiling at them, I wave and mouth, “Sorry,” before ducking further into the book eaves. Leaning down, I practically growl at Trevor, “What do you mean you were waiting for this day? Also, I’m a grown-ass man. I don’t need my grandmother sending you to spy on me.”

He laughs robustly again. Thankfully, I’m the only one who can hear him, because it is dreadful to listen to.

Trevor’s dark eyes lock on me as he angles his head. He pointedly says, “See, that’s where you’re wrong, Callum. I wasn’t sent here to spy on you. I was sent here to help you find your Kindred.”

The next night

My Kindred? What the hell does that even mean?

I wish that troll had displayed the good sense to explain himself. It’s not like I know what I’m talking about, or even doing. Last week, I knew solidly that fairies were only in children’s books and fairy-tales.

And now?

I’m somehow attached to a real one?

A living, breathing, drop-dead gorgeous woman fairy.

No… Fae.

Aeris.

I need to focus. This is the biggest bust of my career, and my thoughts are scattered.

Just like the leaves were when she was taken from me.

Aeris.

I need to find her.

Head in the game!

You can find her after you finish this bust, Callum.

I need to get her out of my mind, right now, or I’m going to get myself killed. The Trahan brothers are no joke. I’ve been holed up in this dark corner, wedged between two shipping containers, for an hour now, waiting for them to show their faces.

Porter’s Warehouse is at an active shipping port, off the main Port of New Orleans, and the perfect cover for a smuggling ring. I mean, I get it. I understand why they chose here, but I just wish it wasn’t so dark. Nothing good ever happens in the dark. Not in my world, anyway.

“Incoming. Headlights visible.” The low voice in my earpiece is that of our expert sniper.

I whisper back at her via the radio pinned to my Kevlar-covered shoulder, “Copy that. Hold your position until we have the evidence we need. If we don’t catch them in the act this time, they’re going to get away with it. Again.” My body tingles with excitement. I’m wearing my tactical uniform, including bullet-proof-vest and tactical gear. We’re all loaded down with multiple firearms…You can never be too prepared in my line of work.While I love being a detective, this really makes me miss my time as a street cop, where most of my busts were done in broad daylight. I’m still not used to hunkering down in the shadows well after midnight. It’s not in my nature to sit still and wait.

A gust of wind rushes at my face and I’m instantly brought back to that field… those trees.

Aeris?

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