Page 87 of Touched

“The hell just happened…?” I breathe, stupefied.

* * *

Iclap proudly when my Kindred creates an air shield all on his own, as if it’s natural to him. “You did it!”

He turns quickly, looking at me. I can read the awe and pride on his face as clearly as if it was written on one of the pages of my books. “So weird. It was like… instinct. I could have used that a few times. I wonder if it works on bullets…” He exhales roughly, still looking around in wonderment.

“Yes, young Callum. If you’re fast enough, you can call on the wind as a shield to anything.” Devyn laughs musically.

“Cool.” He smiles broadly, his magnificent wings still slowly beating behind him.

I wonder if he knows he’s doing that?

Reach out, I trail my finger over them lightly, unable to stop myself. He shudders. They’re gorgeous. They are dark, mostly black, but they aren’t menacing or scary. Beautiful silver veins intricately map their entire length, and the tips are slightly pointed. They’re very reminiscent of Purple Swallowtail wings, a very common sight in Laric.

“So, now what?” Cyrus asks, breaking into my thoughts.

I look over at him, glance at Devyn, then, look up at Callum in expectation. Smiling, I say, “I have an idea. Let’s go into the house.”

Everyone looks at me curiously, but we all head to the door of the cabin. Once inside, Callum begins re-dressing while Cyrus and I take a seat at the old wooden dining room table.

Devyn stands in the kitchen and looks around, nodding as though she recognizes some things. “This dwelling belongs to Lanie LeBlanc.”

“Yes,” Callum says nodding. “She’s my grandma.”

“Ah… My old friend.” She looks at me pointedly. “Lanie is a powerful Sylph. It makes sense now,” Devyn says.

Devyn knows Callum’s grandmother?

How?

“What does that mean? What makes sense?” he asks before I can, buttoning his shirt.

“You are far more powerful than you know,” she comments, piercing me with her haunting cinnamon-hued stare.

“What does thatmean?” he asks again.

She ignores him, looking directly at me. “What is this idea, Aeris? Time is short and a plan is needed.”

Her eyes reveal that time is of the essence. I immediately understand. Nodding at her, I ask Callum, “The night with the Trahans… you said your police friends didn’t find whatever they were transporting? No one saw any of the packages or boxes?”

He looks from me to Devyn before shaking his head and sighing. His fingers rake through his wind-blown hair. “Friends?” He laughs harshly. “No. I already told you they didn’t. They got away, free and clear. And their shipment did, too. Mycolleaguesdid not find anything.” His brow furrows as he slowly says, “I’m not sure how hard they looked since no one but me could see them, their cronies, or their shipment. They were all Glamored…”

“The flying bullets and the fact that they did not see the Rougarou made it a bit chaotic,” I agree, nodding at him.

Come on, Callum. Think.

His eyes light up as they meet mine. “Shit! Perhaps something is still there…” I nod again. “You’re thinking we should go search. See if anything was left at the warehouse?” he guesses.

I smirk, pleased he understands my idea. “Yes. I think we should.”

“Where is this dwelling?” Devyn interjects.

“It’s at the Port of New Orleans, near the warehouses on the docks,” Callum replies. “It would be great if you could come give us a hand.” He looks at Cyrus. “You too.”

“I don’t know about that. That doesn’t seem like the best, or the smartest idea. Callum… the Rougarou. They’re after you… and Aeris. They even tracked her to Laric,” my brother says cautiously. “They’ve probably also picked up on my scent now… since I’m here with you.”

“Oh, don’t be a baby. You can handle a couple of them,” I say with a knowing smile at my brother. He’s apprehensive.

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