Page 81 of Touched

His words snap my attention away from the memory I’m trying to conjure. I’m back to little fairy and her brother. Aeris nods at his question.

“What is that?” I inhale deeply, letting the full aroma fill my nose as I try to focus on what the scent is. It’s strangely familiar, but also not. It’s like nothing I’ve smelled before.

Is this a new sense for me since learning to use my Sylph magick?

Like Spidey-senses?

“It’s familiar,” Cyrus announces. “Woodsy. Clean. Almost as if I’m pulling the scent from a memory of long ago… similar to the smell of a new plant that’s just blossomed. It’s dainty stalk breaking through the soil, allowing its leaves to unfurl for the first time.”

“Or the smell of the air after a rain?” Aeris asks.

“Sure, that too,” he agrees. “It’s that familiar sense of belonging.” Cyrus rushes toward the door and swings it open, sprinting outside.

Before he crosses the threshold, Aeris is on his tail.

* * *

Oh, hells!

What is he doing? He’s rushing into unfamiliar territory. Towards who knows what.

Anything could await him.

“Cyrus!” I scream my brother’s name as he almost flies from the door-frame.

Callum abruptly grabs my arm, stopping me in my tracks, causing me to bump into his body. “No, Aeris! What are you doing? You don’t know what’s out there!” His breathing is escalated, and his grip is tight.

“He’s my brother,” I snap, shimmying out of his grasp. “Come with me to see what he’s after if you must, but don’t you dare even try to stop me from seeing whatever this is.” My voice is hard and firm.

Callum’s eyes harden as we glare at each other. “Whatever this is could be dangerous, or a trap, Aeris!” He states it flatly with warning in his voice. “And me grabbing you was not stopping you; it was me slowing you down before we run into something… Who the fuck knows what. But possibly bigger than ourselves.”

He’s trying to protect me.

I stare at my Kindred for a moment. Suddenly, I smile, unable to stop myself as my heart fills with love. I reach for his hand. “Of course you were, my Sylph warrior. Now come on. Let’s see what Cyrus is up to… together. I’ll even let you protect me.” Weaving my fingers with his, I smile broader as he sighs before chuckling. But he lets me lead us toward where I saw my brother bolt. For a moment, I can’t find him.

Panic builds in my chest and I feel my breath start to halt with the incoming fear.

Where did he go?

Did whatever is out here grab him?

Is he safe?

Oh, hells!

“Cyrus, where are you?” I call out, my voice wavering with the fear I’m not even bothering to contain. When he doesn’t answer, I try again. “You better be safe, dammit. So, help me, Cy. I will kick your ass!”

Wow!

It’s so unlike fairies to cuss like this, but now it’s becoming almost fun.

Callum is rubbing off on me.

He chuckles next to me.

Is he laughing at me? This is funny to him?

He rapidly clears his throat when my head turns. I glare at him. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to laugh.” But he’s still smirking.

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