Page 82 of Touched

My eyes narrow, but I’m desperately trying not to smile back. “It’s okay,” I whisper, remembering why we’re outside of the cabin in the first place.

Cyrus.

Where did he go?

“He’s going to get an earful when he does turn up, though,” I quietly say.

My Sylph love chuckles as he pulls me to his side. He nods. “Yeah. Now that is a show I’ll pay to watch.”

I shake my head as worry again tries to fill my brain.

As much as I’d love to enjoy the humor in this moment, I cannot allow myself to until I know my brother is secure.

Stomping my foot against the ground, as my hand tightens around Callum’s, my other hand fidgets at my side. Wind begins to slap against us, picking up momentum rapidly. My voice rises again. “Cyrus, seriously! Why are you not answering me?”

Callum rubs my arms gently, in an effort to calm my ever-growing frustration. It’s working… somewhat. But until I see Cy’s face, I might turn a waterspout into a full-blown tornado.

A crunch of sticks from the corner of the house, out of our eyesight, catches my attention. Releasing Callum’s hand, I rush forward and round the corner of the cabin. Cyrus is on the other side. Standing alone.

But is he alone?

He’s talking. Like having a full-on conversation with someone. But there’s no one there. Or if there is, I cannot see them. Tilting my head, I listen, hoping to understand what is happening.

“How long have you been here?” He nods his head a few times, as though someone is responding. “I sensed you. They sensed you. I’m not sure if it’s you… or something else. Are there other creatures here in this warded area?” Silence stills for a moment as I watch my brother strangely. “Oh, I see,” he says.

“Has he lost his fucking marbles?” Callum loudly whispers, next to my ear.

“I…” All I can do is shake my head. Right now, I honestly do not have an answer for what I’m witnessing. “Er, I don’t know… Fae can normally see other Fae. Just like you as a Sylph, can see us. But… I cannot see anyone. Uh, doyousee anything? Is someone in front of Cy?” I whisper.

“Nope. Not at all,” Callum answers, not bothering to lower his voice. “Was he dropped on his head a lot as a baby?”

“No. I can hear you,” Cyrus calls back sarcastically.

Callum chuckles. “I’m aware. You were meant to. So, who the fuck are you talking to? Because you’re standing by yourself, man.”

But someone must be there…

Is this what Callum looked like to other humans when he was speaking to me?

Who is it? Why can we not see them?

“Umm, Cy?” I take a small step forward. “What’s going on? Who are you talking to?” The excitement of new possibilities rushes through me. I love to learn new things. But it also terrifies me.

What all have I not yet encountered?

What else can we Fae not see, hear, taste, or touch?

Hells.

I can’t think about that right now.

I wish Ma were here. She would have the answer. She always has the answers for everything.

I miss her so much already, but I would not give any of this up to go back home.

Callum is my Kindred. I love him too much to let him go.

It would rip my heart in two if we were separated.

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