Page 89 of Touched

A large cargo ship is docked at the edge of the water, but I don’t detect any humans around. None.

This seems strange.

For a dwelling this large, with this number of ships, shouldn’t there be humans about?

As we reach the air space, over the location of the incident with the Rougarou, Callum takes the lead. Before we left the cabin, we took extra precautions. The items from the chest are on us. Grams said they would help should we run into the Rougarou.

I have the dried wolfsbane, rosemary, sage, and lemongrass in my satchel. Callum has loaded his gun with silver and wolfsbane bullets, and two of the old pistols are strapped on either side of his waistband, along with a pouch of extra ammunition. The flamethrower is also harnessed to his back, nestled between his magnificent wings. Two slender blades hang from his waist. He looks like a warrior. Cyrus has taken charge of the ax and wears it in the holster between his wings as well. The carved handle is poking up, behind his head, between his shoulder blades. It’s easily accessible, and easy to grab, should the need arise. Devyn has claimed the intricately detailed and coated angled sword. The way it fit into her hands, and the ease with which she maneuvered it, makes me almost think she’s held it before.

Callum nods at us all, pointing at the alley behind the warehouse, indicating that’s where we should land. We do, though he lands a little awkwardly. As he hits the ground, instead of delicately settling, he rolls to the front, slightly off balance, but he manages to stay on his feet.

We stand together in a group in the narrow alley. The smell of the Mississippi River is strong, the pungent aroma mixing with the oil from the boats. A completely different smell, even from the Preserve. The low waves from the river lap against the ships and shore.

I look to Devyn as a sudden thought occurs to me. “Do you think you could teach Callum how to use his Glamor? I’ve not learned how to do it unless I’m holding onto him. And I’m not certain he can do it himself.”

She gazes thoughtfully at my Kindred before her brow rises and her lips twist. She says, “I don’t do, I teach. Watch.” She slowly approaches Callum. He stands tall and doesn’t break eye contact with her. Staring directly at him, she says, “Do as I do, and repeat what I say. Exactly as I say it. Learn the words. With time, you will be able to utter them within your head.”

He nods curtly. Only once. She nods in return. With her hands hovering over the top of her head, she clearly says,

“Invisibilia omnibus sed nobis.”

Without touching herself, she runs her hands along her body, bending down until she reaches the soles of her feet.

“Metam!”

I’ve heard the incantation before. Or rather, I’ve heard about the use of it. We, Laric Fae, rarely need to use Latin for enchantments. We tend to use Gaelic. In my schooling, we learned it’s sometimes harder to use the elements in the human world, so occasionally, a little Latin, the language where all magick is based, helps to solidify the enchantment when combined with whichever element a Fae has an affinity in.

I’ll teach him Gaelic.

My Kindred should know the language of my enchantments.

Devyn stares at Callum as he intently repeats the words and covers his body with his hands, though his eyes are closed in deep concentration.

He slowly opens them, as he asks, “Am I invisible?”

A giggle escapes me at the hopefulness in his tone.

“We can’t tell. We’re Fae. We can still see you,” Cyrus dryly says. Looking around curiously at his surroundings, he makes a face, wrinkling his nose. I presume at the pungent foreign smells.

“I suppose we’ll find out if, or when, a human approaches,” I reply, trying not to laugh at the distaste on Cyrus’s face. “Show us the way, my love.”

“I don’t feel any different.” Callum shrugs, heading toward the warehouse where the brothers had attacked him.

I shouldn’t have to rescue him this time.

I hope…

Cautiously, we approach the large door leading into the alleyway. But it’s locked. Before I can try to configure a way to get it unlocked, Devyn waves her hand at the stained concrete, dirt, and rock. The earth under the door quakes a little. Vine roots from between the cracks in the concrete slither up the surface of the door. Once they reach the lock, Devyn looks over at Cyrus with what could almost be a flirtatious air and raises her brow. His bare chest swells and his lips curve into a smirk. Still looking at her, he twists his hand into a fist. The vines wrap around the metal lock, twisting and encasing it. When it’s completely covered, he squeezes his fist closed. The knob crushes beneath the vines and they unravel, allowing it to fall to the packed ground with a resounding thud.

My eyes widen in surprise. I’ve only ever seen Cyrus use his affinity to encourage things to grow… never to destroy.

Callum chuckles uneasily and shakes his head. “Wow. Thanks, you two. Remind me to never piss you off… that knob could be my head next time,” he says with a chuckle, pushing against the door. It opens with ease.

Cyrus laughs but his eyes are intent on Callum as he retorts, “Glad you took note.”

They just stare at each other, until Devyn sarcastically says, “Great, you both have big cocks. Can we get on with it?”

Cyrus’s head whips toward her as a flush coats his cheeks and Callum laughs heartily before he grins. My eyes dart from Cyrus to Devyn, noticing the way they’re looking at each other.

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