Page 85 of Touched

I huff. “You might wanna fucking release me first, Poison Ivy!” I deadpan.

Forget, Cyrus. This chick is Poison Ivy!

“Oh, certainly.” She waves her hand again as she laughs gleefully. Suddenly, the roots just go back into the damn ground, and I can move again. It’s so abrupt, I almost topple over.

I really want to shoot this bitch now.

Still shirtless, I force my hideous bug wings to pop from my back. It’s getting easier and easier each time. And all it requires is concentration at this point. The pain of them bursting free of my back has also diminished. It’s now only a slight discomfort.

Once they’re fully out, I toss a quick look at Devyn. Her hand covers her mouth as she giggles at the sight.

Where is my damn piece…

Fucking bug wings…

“Oh, my.” She cocks her head to the side, staring at them intently. Her gaze trails over them as she appears to take in every detail. I’m doubly annoyed, because I know she’s not doing it to be rude. She literally can’t lie or hide the truth, which is written all over her too-pretty face. “Now, let’s see you fly, Callum.”

Well, shit. I’ve never done this on my own, except in the cabin during sex.With Aeris.

And thinking aboutthatto channel my inner Sylph isn’t going to do anything but give me a fucking chubby.

Son of a bitch.

“You got this, my love,” Aeris whispers, running her hands down my back, circling my wings, and drifting down my spine to my waist. Pressing a soft kiss to my bare shoulder, she steps back. Her touch gives me the motivation I need, and soon, my wings, which feel like fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth appendages, start beating wildly. Without further thought, my feet lift from the ground.

Shit.

What do I do now?

Put my arms out like Superman?

Fly straight up with my arms folded like Magneto?

“Just do what comes naturally.”Aeris’s voice echoes inside my head.

Glancing down at her, I nod.

Floating toward Devyn, I look down to see Cyrus standing with his arms crossed across his chest and a slightly proud smirk on his lips.

Aeris smiles.“You’re doing great, Callum!”Her encouraging words fill my head again.

Well, shit. Now I have to land.

Slowing the beat of my wings, I let myself slowly float down to earth. My boots land in the mud. It sucks at them, slightly throwing off my balance. I manage to stay uprightandnot break an ankle.

“Very well.” Devyn, now just a few feet from me, scrutinizes me, staring so long it starts to make me uncomfortable. “Fascinating. You look completely human, with scarce a trace of any Sylph qualities except those,”—she flicks her hand—“wings the goddess has chosen to bestow upon you.”

That’s it, I’m going to get my sidearm.

I grit my teeth instead and growl, “Are you done?”

She giggles. “Oh, no. Not by an age. Here, let me help you.” Reaching forward so fast I almost miss it, she places her hand on my shoulder. I’m again frozen, literally rooted to the spot. She closes her eyes and puts her other hand out. Her lips move in a silent chant as she seemingly calls upon something.

The earth beneath my feet begins to tremble. I can barely move my head, but my eyes slide to where Aeris and Cyrus now stand side by side. The earth under their feet is not quaking. Nor is it moving under Devyn’s.

The hell?

It’s only moving beneath mine!

---