Page 63 of Touched

“What are you saying, Da?” A glimmer of hope flickers within me, warming the depths of my chest. I attempt to suppress it, wary of the disappointment that comes with such emotions if I’m wrong.

Da’s eyes lock with Ma’s.

Ma gives Da a single nod. Another silent conversation takes place.

Can Callum and I do this, too? Is this part of the Kindred connection?

Stop. Not the time. Focus, Aeris.

“Da?” I question, bouncing on the balls of my feet, fueled by my nerves.

Please, please, let him say what I desperately need to hear.

Da’s eyes bore into mine, golden to golden. I try not to react to the flash of sadness that passes through his irises. My heart constricts for the briefest of moments. “You are my daughter,” he repeats. “We will deal with this as a family. Whatever this means.”

Out of my peripheral vision, I notice Cyrus's mouth abruptly snapping shut.

"Thank you, Da," I exhale, relief washing over me like a tidal wave.

A potent thought strikes me. I waver, torn between keeping it locked away and voicing it aloud. The weight of the unspoken idea hangs heavily in the pit of my stomach.

How do I protect Callum and our newfound connection when I can't even leave Laric?

I have to leave. Callum needs me to protect him.

"What about the Rougarou?" Cyrus interjects, breaking the momentary peace. "If one human can see through their Glamor, others might, too.”

There are times I could strangle him. Why can’t you just keep your mouth shut, Cy?

Taking a deep breath as I gather my thoughts, a retort stifles on the tip of my tongue.

Da turns his gaze to Cyrus. "That's a matter for the queen and the Elders to deal with.” Da returns his attention to me. “For now, I suggest you prepare yourself, Aeris. If you think your bond with this Sylph is going to bring anything other than turmoil, you're mistaken. This… this ismuchbigger than you.” He sighs once more before saying, “This is the beginning…"

Despite the sternness of his words, I detect a hint of concern in his tone I don’t understand.

Zinging is sacred. Isn’t that what I’ve been taught my entire life?

Why would a connection between Callum and me cause turmoil?

The beginning of what, exactly?

I don’t understand any of this.

My mind is clear on one thing: I'll brave any storm, face any peril to be with Callum, to protect him as he would me once he learns how.

I seriously hope he is reading that book his Grams gave him.

“I won’t abandon my Kindred, Da,” I reply, crossing my arms over my chest to further communicate how serious I am.

I snuck past the wards once… I can do it again.

If I must.

Standing, Da walks around the table. "Very well. Prepare for the challenges ahead.” He pulls me into a tight hug. “You will not face them alone, my daughter."

I nod, wiping a stray tear from the corner of my eye. Pulling back enough to look Da in the eyes, I bravely say, “I must go to Callum, Da. He needs me.”

Da holds my gaze, looking at me so intently, I worry he’s looking into the depths of my soul. Finally, he exhales, his shoulders sagging. "I know you do, Aeris. Just promise me, you'll be careful. You two might be Kindred, but that doesn't mean you're invincible. Even though you’re both much stronger…together."

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