Page 78 of Touched

Callum sighs, running his palm along his strong nape and squeezing it at the base before replying. “I don’t know. But there is something out there. We’ve both felt it. We just need to figure out what the hell it is, and if we need to get rid of it.”

“That’s why I came out here. I came to warn you,” Cy says. His eyes lock on mine and I can see the emotion within their depths. “There are…things… the queen, and the Council, know but they aren’t telling anyone, including Da. And he’s a Council member. Low ranking, but still. I overheard some of the sentries talking. Bad things are on the horizon, and I think it’s your right to know. You have your Kindred. You’ve Zinged.” He looks from me to Callum, then, back at me again. “You’re not a child anymore, Aeris.”

Callum leans against the wall and crosses his arms over his chest, staring directly at my brother. “Start talkin’, fairy boy.”

Cy narrows his eyes, and his jaw tightens, but he continues, choosing to take a seat at the small table.

He must be hungry. Or thirsty, maybe?

It’s been a long journey for him.

“Can I get you anything?” I ask, already planning on getting him some water.

I step toward my brother, but Callum holds out a stiff arm, blocking me. “Uh-uh,” he says, still eyeing my brother warily. “Not until he tells us what’s going on.”

Cy sighs. “Look, I understand you are my sister’s Kindred, Callum. You must understand that I have no intention of letting anything happen to her or toyou. You’re her Kindred. That means you matter to her…”

“She matters to me, soyounow matter to me. It’s that simple.”

Oh, Cyrus.

That is why you left the safety of the wards.

I sigh when I sense the continuing tension in Callum. Turning to face him, I cup his cheek with my palm. He instantly relaxes, albeit slightly. “Fae cannot lie, Callum. He’s telling the truth. He’s here. He got through the wards. You told me yourself that only your bloodline or those with no ill intent toward your bloodline could pass. Please, let’s listen to what he has to say. If we’re in danger, we should hear him out. He took great risks to get out here. He left Laric without permission… That’s a crime.”

Callum sighs. “I’m still trying to comprehend the whole ‘smelling us’ thing.” Shrugging, he grimaces, before leaning back against the wall. He points at Cy. “Shoot.” Cy only looks at him. Callum dryly says, “That means talk.” He pulls me into his side.

“I know what it means.” Cy rolls his eyes, annoyance swirling within the glowing green. But he continues with his warning. “There are more creatures, and Fae, in the human world than you know of, Aeris. A lotmore. Once, long ago, after the Wars, the half-bloods had a choice of which world they wanted to live in. They could go to the human lands and liveasa human, or they could stay in Laric. We are no longer afforded that choice because of those who drifted toward their human side rather than their Fae. They became… selfish, and greedy. Likehumans. Thus, the wards went up and we Fae were never to cross them again.”

“Glamor only works for so long in the human world. You discovered this, Callum. When you had your run-in with the Rougarou.”

“Do you know what they’re after, other than us?” Callum asked.

“World domination, as far as I can tell.” Cyrus chuckles at himself, but I don’t find it funny.

“Didn’t you tell me they were moving a shipment of something?” I ask Callum. “Do you know what it was?”

“Stolen goods. Weapons and shit. But we think there’s more to it than that. The bust was supposed to give us the missing piece. But they got away clean and clear. I think the only way we’re going to find out is to try and takewhateverit is from them. As we’ve learned, it’s not an easy task.”

“I think it’s magickal herbs,” Cy blurts out.

My mouth flops open and I stare at my brother. “No one would dare smuggle anything from Laric… or any Fae colony, past the wards. They would be caught, for sure.”

Of course, I made it past them… and now, Cyrus has, too.

Callum takes a seat at the table, directly across from my brother, and leans forward, his elbows on the table. His eyes narrow on Cyrus. “Ifthey are smuggling these… magickal plants… here, into the human world, what’s the purpose? Why would they want to do that? What do they do?”

“Would they even work on humans? What would the Trahan brothers gain from that?”

Cy leans in closer. “I’ve been doing some extensive research on just that. In my opinion…” He pauses, as though his words would speak it into existence. “I think the magickal plants and herbs are being used to turn those with human bloodintoFae…”—he pauses as I gasp— “without the hindrances of being a human.” He inhales, locking eyes with Callum. “I think…they’re building an army.”

Is that even possible?

It is magick… but can herbs and plants change humans into Fae?

They wouldn’t do that….

Would they? And for what purpose?

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