Page 96 of Touched

My feet lightly touch the porch of Callum's cabin, hidden deep in the Preserve outside New Orleans. The foliage here is so dense that not even the moonlight can slice through the canopy. Despite the wild and enchanting refuge the cabin offers, it does little to quell my fears.

I should have stayed with Callum.

Suddenly, a light touch on my shoulder snaps me back to the present. Turning, I see Devyn. Her smile is gentle and somehow understanding as she says, “Your Kindred will be all right, young Fae.” She’s trying to reassure me.

I try to mirror her smile, but efforts fail me. Devyn's prowess in battle tonight was undeniable, yet my fear for Callum's safety lingers. It wasn't long ago he seemed vulnerable, although calling him helpless would be a stretch. Still, there were moments I had to save him. Those moments remain within my mind and do nothing to alleviate the knots in my stomach, or the tightness of my throat.

Cyrus softly lands beside Devyn. He gives my shoulder a reassuring squeeze before they both head into the cabin. I need to be alone with my thoughts anyway. My eyes drift over the landscape we just flew over. It’s a maze of slow-moving grass and bayous and marshes cradled by a canopy of cypress and tupelo trees. Their Spanish moss-draped branches, like solemn guardians, encircle the cabin, almost as though hugging it. Their roots veiled beneath the murky green waters of the surface.

After a bit, Cyrus's voice beckons from the doorway, “Come inside, Aeris.”

Turning toward him, my mind still clings to thoughts of Callum, his magnificent wings a vivid image in my memory. I'm tempted to reach out to him telepathically. I hesitate, not wanting to distract him. With a heavy heart, I choose silence. Sighing wearily, I step toward the cabin.

“Callum can take care of himself.” Cyrus wraps his arm around my shoulders. He gives me a comforting squeeze as he gently guides me inside. “Your Kindred proved that tonight.”

Cyrus's words, meant to comfort, echo in my head as we step into the dimly lit interior of the cabin. The wooden floors creak softly under our weight, a now familiar sound that had begun to bring a sense of solace. Tonight, however, it feels different, as if the cabin itself is aware of the turmoil within my heart.

I swear, Callum, if you don’t return to me, I will haunt you in the ether for all of eternity!

Taking a deep breath, I try to quell my rising temper.

I shouldn’t have let Callum go on his own.

I have half a mind to go after him.

Closing my eyes, I take another deep breath.

The air inside seems cooler, a stark contrast to the humidity outside. Enjoying the serenity of the heirloom dwelling, I take in the rustic charm of the place. The walls are adorned with artifacts of untold adventures. The sturdy furniture speaks of practicality over luxury. It suits the man my Kindred is, the man his ancestors must be: strong and unassuming.

Don’t you dare renege on your promise to me about returning safely, Callum LeBlanc.

Cyrus leads me to the worn sofa, urging me to sit. I comply, my gaze drifting to the cold fireplace. Part of me longs for the comfort of a fire, but it’s already stifling in the Preserve. Not that temperature affects us, but a raging fire in the idle of summer would not do a thing to dispel the cold knot of worry within my soul.

"Callum is more than capable, Aeris." My gaze turn to Cy as he sits beside me. "He's been in tougher situations before. You know that."

“Yes, and I had to save him from those situations.”

He casts a glance toward Devyn, who smirks, merriment dancing within her cinnamon-colored eyes.

“He has his Sylph powers now,” Cyrus counters.

I nod, more to myself than to my brother.

I know he does.

So, why doesn’t that fact make me feel better?

Because I know the kind of dangers that lurk in the shadows of this world. There are dangers that are as unpredictable as they are deadly.

At least, I think I know.

But do I?

With everything that has come to light recently, I am not as certain as I would prefer to be.

Devyn joins us, perching on the armrest beside Cyrus. Her presence is a quiet reminder of just how much I don’t know. We share the bond of being Fae yet, she is unfamiliar to me. "We all have our roles, Aeris," she says softly. "Yours is to trust, and Callum's is to act. He knows what he's doing in the human world."

I know her words are meant to reassure, but they stir a different emotion within me: Helplessness. I am Fae, Gifted. I have abilities that go beyond the human realm, yet in this moment, I feel utterly powerless. Vulnerable.

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