Page 77 of Touched

Cyrus shuffles his feet, looking a little chagrined, before meeting her eyes. His eyes are the strangest color of green, almost emerald in their intensity. He simply says, “I didn’t want you to face this alone.”

“I’m not alone,” she tells him, raising her chin. “I have Callum. Do Ma and Da know you’ve left?”

Cyrus shakes his head. “You’re not the only one who knows how to sneak past the wards, sister. I just haven’t found a need to… until now. This place…” His voice trails as he looks about the area. “Is this where you live inside the human world?” He crinkles his nose as he stares directly at me. “It smells... ripe.”

* * *

Istare at my brother in awe. Dismay. And perhaps, a bit of anger, too. He’s known all this time how to get through the dang wards, and he’s hidden it from me. Pressing my lips together as I stare at him I swat him on the shoulder. Not lightly. “All this time, Cy? You kept this from meknowingI needed answers?”

I still need answers.

How did he find us?

How did he get out now that Ma and Da knew?The Elders must know.

The queen would have reinforced the wards. Changed the enchantments. Something.

“How did you even know where to find us?”

Cyrus shrugs. “I know people.” He smirks. “And I gave a troll a favor token. So, he gave me an enchantment.” His lips curve in a full smile. He’s pretty proud of himself. “And I already told you, I followed your scent.” His eyes narrow on Callum as he says it, his nose crinkling again.

Oh, hells… he followed my scent.

That means anyone can…

The Rougarou can…

Callum stares back at Cyrus, not cringing at the animosity being thrown his way. His brow raises at Cy. Cy simply glares back. Finally, Callum growls, “Fucking trolls,” and turns, heading back toward the cabin. He calls over his shoulder, “Since you’re here, we should get inside. Let’s have a chat.”

Curling my arm around Cy’s waist as he glowers at Callum’s back, I chuckle, “Relax. He’s my Kindred. I’m safe.” I press into his side and slap at his shoulder. “Come on. I really am glad you’re here.” He sighs before looking down at me. He shakes his head as we walk into the cabin.

My brother is here.

I really don’t know what to make of this. I shut the door firmly behind us and watch my brother intently as he takes in every inch of the small cabin. This must all be so new to him. “Have you ever been in the human world?” I ask him.

He shakes his head—no—eyes wide with wonder. “It’s so similar and yet…”

“So different.” I finish the sentence for him— “Look,”—I point. “my favorite thing humans have, that we do not, is the toaster. It has these little slots that you put slices of bread in, and when you push down the lever, it perfectly browns the bread for you. There’s no need for an open flame!”

Cy grunts as he nods. He drops his pack on the little table in the kitchen area and continues his self-guided tour around the little cabin.

After a moment, I say, “Cy…” I keep my voice calm and low, but I need answers from him.

He looks at me after his thorough inspection of the little black-colored cooking machine on the counter.

Callum approaches, cupping my shoulder with the warmth of his calloused palm. “What she’s trying to say is, why the fuck are you here? And are you saying that a troll gave you the location of where we’re hiding right now? What troll?”

My brother finally gives us his attention, though he takes his sweet time. He merely stares at Callum as he answers. “Trevor, of course. Who else? He helped me find a way through the wards. And no, he did not give away your exact location. He merely pointed me in the right direction.” His brow arches and I can read his look. My face flames as he says, “I could smell youbothfrom miles away. The Kindred bond between you is… strong. Once I reached the wards, I used the enchantment the troll gave me. Passed right through.” He glares at Callum again.

What, how? Trevor said only those of Callum’s bloodline could enter. Or… those with no intent to harm those of his bloodline.

He followed our smell…

Oh, hells...

My brother knows I’ve been intimate with Callum.

I turn, glancing at Callum, my cheeks probably the same color as a beet. He just smirks back at my morose brother. “Are we in danger here?” I ask.

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