Awakening: A Timeless Series Novel, Book Four Page 2

  I’d worked hard, gained ground with him in Ireland, but everything had changed. Everything had been wiped away when I married Marcus, because he didn’t understand, and chances were he wouldn’t understand until it was too late.

  Colt kept me close as we rode, his chin leaning against my head. His familiar woodsy scent drifted around me, and I couldn’t help but inhale. Regardless of all that had transpired, I’d missed him, but I was married now and everyone around me was in danger…especially Colt and Callon. They would be Marcus’s first targets, unless I kept my distance. But Marcus wasn’t here right now, and Callon was gone. He’d deserted me, us.

  I’d thought he’d merely gone for a walk, to cool off, but he still hadn’t returned to our group. Even if he did, it wouldn’t change a thing. I knew he’d refuse to make eye contact with me. He was angry, hurt, and powerless, all because of me. I’d handed over not only his powers, but the entire Consilador clan’s powers. Even though it hadn’t been intentional, the fact remained. I’d left them unprotected, unable to defend themselves—trapped, just like me.

  But surely I could change their fate, unlike mine, and get their powers back…I just had to figure out how, and Callon was my best shot at figuring out the how.

  Afternoon transitioned to evening, and the forest grew darker. We didn’t stop, and neither had the pain in my skull. I could feel myself growing weaker. I glanced around, searching for Callon.“Will he come back, Colt?” I asked.

  “I don’t know,” he replied, “and I can’t ask him, either.”

  I pressed my eyes closed for a moment. He’d lost his telepathy because of me.

  “I’m sorry,” I murmured.

  “It’s going to take time, sweetheart, time for everyone to come to grips with this new situation.”

  Situation, he said, but I knew it was their death sentence.

  He sighed and kissed my head.

  “You’re exhausted. I know how long it took you to recover from the failed bonding with Callon. I also know the joining of powers is going to be worse for you. We’re not going to stop, so close your eyes and rest. Marcus isn’t coming.”

  Marcus wasn’t coming…at least not now, but he would. It was only a matter of time.

  I didn’t want to listen to Colt’s advice, but as each hour passed, it was becoming harder and harder to keep my eyes open. Charlie snorted beside us and Daniel stretched out his arm, handing me a small blanket.

  “This will help keep you warm, Cheyenne.” The moonlight shone through the trees, letting me see his sad eyes. “I didn’t know how we’d find you. I—I wanted to bring you something that reminded you of home.”

  “Thank you,” I whispered, close to tears once again. Daniel, my brother, was always thinking of me. He didn’t care what the others would say.

  Colt helped drape the blanket over me, and I huddled into his chest. The rhythmic sounds of his breathing, bringing back memories of how it used to be before my life had been turned upside down, helped lull me to sleep.

  My hands drifted over the soft grass of the valley, which tickled my palms. A mountain lake lay ahead. The clear skies caused the sun’s rays to dance over the water as if it were glass. Not a ripple distorted the surface; it was perfect, just like this moment.

  A tall figure moved in the distance, but I wasn’t concerned. I knew who was coming toward me, Callon. His brown wavy hair framed his face perfectly. His white shirt was unbuttoned, exposing his brawny tanned chest. His khaki pants hugged his frame well. A smile emerged from his rugged features, his hazel eyes lit up as he neared, and he stretched out a hand for me to join him.

  I had no fears here. For once, my heart felt light and carefree. For once, my heart was singing with happiness. A small breeze drifted over us, and I inhaled the scent of wildflowers. I closed my eyes, wanting to lock this moment away, this perfect moment, this perfect place.

  Thunder suddenly rolled across the sky, and my eyes shot open to see lightning illuminating black clouds. A howling wind swept over the valley, knocking me to the ground. I fought to stand.

  I struggled to my feet as lightning-laden clouds dropped from the skies. The earth shook from the thunderous blasts, and Callon tumbled to the valley floor.

  “No!” I screamed as I ran towards him.

  A lightning bolt sizzled beside me, tossing me to the side. I crawled to my feet again as the raging storm heightened. A crack of lightning whipped its way across the sky and smacked into Callon. I lost my breath as I watched his body fly through the air. Another strip of lightning snapped at his chest, and then another and another.

  “No, Callon! No!” A gut-wrenching bellow came from within.

  I threw my hands out, summoning the winds and light, but nothing happened. I gritted my teeth and fought to pull out that crimson-eyed creature, but it remained dormant. Nothing came to life.

  Hands grabbed at me, strong hands that wanted to force me down, force me to submit.

  You have nothing, my angel, a voice whispered near my ear. What you have will be taken from you…they’ll die. You no longer have control, I do.

  That voice…Marcus!

  I struggled to turn and face him, to claw at his eyes, but with each movement I made, I was knocked back down to the valley floor.

  “Cheyenne!” a deep voice roared. “Cheyenne! Wake up!”

  “No!” I fought the arms that held me down. “I’ll kill you!”

  “Cheyenne.” A soft hand touched my cheek, stroking it. “Cheyenne, it’s okay. It was just a dream.”

  I blinked, my eyes focusing in on the faces around me, and my lower lip began to tremble. Lilly held my cheek, her blue eyes filled with tears. The hands that had me pinned down began to loosen. Koda and Brogan stood, their shoulders tense, ready to leap again if needed. Maes released my legs, his eyes narrowing as he studied me. Daniel and Colt knelt by my head, their eyes wide. Colt opened his mouth to speak and then closed it.

  I turned away and rolled to my side. What had I done? What had happened?

  “Callon,” I whispered. I’d witnessed Callon’s death—a horrid death, and Marcus, he’d been there. He’d spoken to me.

  I couldn’t hide the terror in my eyes; they’d all seen it. But it was a dream; it wasn’t real…or was it? Was this a vision of what was to come?

  “Cheyenne?” Dex gently tugged on my arm to roll me over. “Cheyenne, let me take a look at you.”

  I sat up and pushed him away, panting for air. Callon, I needed Callon right now. I needed to know he was still alive, that what I’d seen wasn’t real. I needed to tell him I’d fix everything. I’d make it right in his eyes again…he just had to give me time.

  “Callon, I need to see Callon.”

  “He’s not here, Cheyenne,” Colt replied.

  I pulled my legs to my chest and began to rock.

  Where was he? Shouldn’t he have come back by now? I looked up and took in my surroundings. We weren’t in the forest anymore. We were in a small meadow and a large stone building lay ahead. The sun’s rays were peaking over the mountaintop that sat behind it.

  How long had I been out? How many days did I lose? And how many days had Callon been gone?

  I rose only to stumble. Colt quickly caught my arm, and I fought to push him away. He released me, but stayed nearby. I pushed past the group and made my way towards the abandoned building.

  My hand shook as I brushed blond wisps of hair back. I couldn’t handle the stares, the fear they expressed. I needed something concrete to focus on, and the new landscape was the only available option. Colt didn’t speak. He and Daniel walked beside me, scared I’d break, just as scared as I was.

  The old stonework was beginning to crumble; the many large windows facing us were covered in years of dirt and decay. A large stone stairway led to two enormous steel doors. Several smaller outbuildings stood nearby, and what looked like a corral and stables.

  I stepped towards the building, which appeared to be an old mine, and stopped at a small creek’s edge.r />
  Wherever here was, I was sure we were going to stay awhile, but why?

  Maes stepped in front of me, but I kept my gaze on the water.

  “I need you to wait here. We need to clear the building first,” Maes said.

  I didn’t reply as Maes and Brogan moved past me. I’d stand here and wait like I’d been told. I didn’t need to give them any more reasons not to trust me, especially after that nightmare.

  My eyes misted. It had all amounted to nothing in the end. The fact was that even though I was Timeless, after all the secrets that had been kept from me, after all the time I’d spent in hiding, nothing had changed. I was still trapped in a destiny I couldn’t control, and the ones I loved most were going to suffer for it.

  Chapter 2

  I watched Brogan and Maes cautiously climb the stairs to the old building. The creak of the metal doors caused me to cringe. Maes glanced back as Brogan entered the dark building. He hesitated for a moment, as if unsure he wanted me out of his sight, but then turned and entered.

  My mind wandered back to our first meeting, when he dragged me out of the rushing water and saved my life. He wasn’t who I thought he was. He was dark and mysterious, menacing and challenging. He was larger than life, like Colt, but in a medieval way with his black hair, broad chest, and his jade-rimmed eyes that continually searched. At times, I felt like they could see into my soul.

  He’d called me mon espoir, his hope. He sought me out to help him break the curse over the Quaysaar clan, the curse that made him shift into a Tresez. Tresez were horrid creatures that resembled hideous mythical dogs, grotesquely large, and with fangs that could rip you apart in seconds. It was a curse cast over him by my grandfather because his father chose the wrong side.

  The curse was weakening, though. The stronger Tresezes could shift into their human form, but Maes had been without his clan ring for generations, until I found it on the bottom of the lake in Ireland. He’d waited for such a moment for so long, only for it to be destroyed the moment I married Marcus.

  In his eyes, I’d failed him, and the once strong connection we had was severed forever. His anger, his despair—he didn’t need to say anything more. His actions told me everything. He’d sided with Brogan, Callon, and the others. They all saw me as worthless—a failure—and a new threat. But I’d show them they were wrong. I’d get the Consilador’s powers back, and Callon would return.

  Mandi’s muzzle nudged my back, followed by a whinny. I knew she was with us. I’d heard her several times. I didn’t turn around, but instead stepped back and leaned into her neck. She’d missed me as I’d missed her, but any joy in our reunion was whisked away by my current situation.

  “We’ll find him,” Colt said near my ear. “I’ll find him and bring him back, I promise.”

  I should’ve felt warmth from his words, from his knowing exactly what I’d been thinking about, but I didn’t. It was obvious Callon didn’t want to return.

  I felt Colt’s stare upon me, knew his uncertainty and that he was full of questions. The heat from his chest heated my arm. He was there waiting in case I fell. Waiting to pick me up, dust me off, and put me back up on my feet…the same feet that had trampled over my family’s hearts.

  I heard my family in the background, whispering, murmuring to each other. They all stayed back, wary of what I might say or do. After all, they’d just witness a breakdown of sorts, a nightmare that was more than alarming. A nightmare they were sure was only the beginning.

  Even Koda, who’d defended me, had doubts. He couldn’t quite put his faith in me yet. He needed proof that the decision I had made was in the best interest of the clans, and he couldn’t see it. His trust was wavering, weakening as each day passed.

  “Cheyenne,” Colt said pointing to the mine, “they’re ready.”

  I looked up to see the others already heading towards the building. I’d been too wrapped up in my own thoughts to realize they were walking away from me, not that they wanted me here.

  “Come on.” Colt lightly gripped my arm, tugging me forward. Daniel trailed alongside me as well, his eyes downcast. His powers were gone. No more jumping, no more private conversations with his brothers; the things he loved so much. I watched his footsteps out of the corner of my eye. From time to time he’d come closer, then awkwardly move away. Was it because he’d lost his powers? Did it make his steps unsteady? Or was it because of me? Was he fearful of getting too close?

  We came to the stairs, and I looked up at the steel doors. The metal had seen better days. The rusted hinges bled orange near the edges, which only made me think of the bloodshed yet to come.

  I glanced back at the meadow. Mandi and the other horses were grazing lazily. Thoughts of running to Mandi and riding off tempted me. But where would I run? To search for Callon and then have him reject me again? I probably wouldn’t even make it to Callon before Marcus found me again. My only choices were between staying here, or running back to Marcus…not really much of a choice at all.

  I took a step forward as the faint sunlight began to illuminate the dark entry. A chill ran over my skin as I passed over the threshold. Marcus had been here. I inhaled a shaky breath and a fine mist trickled from my mouth. The chill was real.

  Maes held a kerosene lantern, lighting the way as he walked ahead of us. He stopped in the center of what looked like a large open space.

  “What do we need to do, Maes?” Dex asked, hidden in the shadows of a darkened corner.

  “The old mine has a generator. No doubt it will take work to get it running again.” Maes glanced towards Colt. “I’m going to need your help.”

  Colt nodded.

  Daniel inched closer to me, fiddling with his sleeve.

  “As for the rest of you, once the generator is running, we’ll have some light. There are rooms upstairs that need to be gone through. Brogan and Koda, I need you to work on the well pump outside.”

  Colt squeezed my arm. “Daniel will stay with you.”

  I watched Colt and Maes head down the dark hall, and with them went the small amount of light. I followed Daniel and the rest toward the sunlight streaming through the entry. Koda and Brogan brushed past us, searching for the well pump.

  Lilly glanced at me as Nakari and Layla led her down the stairs. Her mouth opened as if she wanted to speak, but she didn’t. Instead she disappeared around the corner of the stone building.

  I sat down on the wide stairs, Daniel beside me. Why were we playing house here? Why weren’t we searching for Callon? I twisted and leaned my back against the cold wall, waiting for what I knew was to come. Dark blue eyes met mine. He sighed.

  I examined his features, all that I’d missed about him. His skin was darker than I remembered, most likely from his constant vigil over the last three months. And his black hair hadn’t been cut since before the almost wedding with Callon.

  He reached out to grasp my hand, but pulled back. It was as if he was afraid to even touch me now. Bree moved to sit in front of him. She tried to force a faint smile, but gave up. Instead she leaned on his leg, resting her head there. Her long brown hair tumbled over his jeans, and he cupped her head tenderly as he moved his gaze down, avoiding mine.

  Clayton and Skylar gave me a sidelong glance before moving down further into the valley. Even they were unsure of me now.

  “They’re going to take care of the horses,” Andre explained, taking a seat on the ledge behind me. Apparently she hadn’t deserted me yet. She played with a stray black strand of hair. Her blue eyes met mine for a moment and then she looked away.

  “It’s not going to be easy around here, Cheyenne,” she said quietly. “What you did…”

  “Changed everything.” I finished her sentence.

  “I just wish…”

  “Wishing gets you nowhere, Andre. Reality is what brought me to my decision.” I rubbed the frayed denim on my knee. I knew what reality I was now in—it was going to be hell.

  Her blue eyes met mine in frustration. “You’re the on
e who jumped the gun.”

  “Jumped the gun? Seriously?” I snorted.

  Her jaw firmed, and she crossed her arms. “I just wish we could have talked it out.”

  “And what would that have done?” I shook my head and stood. “It wouldn’t have changed a thing. It just would’ve cause more problems. Callon would never have seen it my way. He’d have sent an army in and caused more deaths—more pain—needless loss! As it is, you’ve changed everything! Marcus may not be chasing us, but he’s coming for me, and the biggest fear I have now is losing everyone I love!”

  Andre blinked.

  I took the steps two at a time as hot tears scorched my face. The dry grass crunched under my feet, and I stopped beside an old metal and wood outbuilding, leaning against its side.

  I’d never felt so lost, alone, and trapped all at the same time. I picked a piece of stray grass and played with it. My thoughts wandered to my parents, Qaysean and Sahara.

  I couldn’t completely blame them for what they’d done; they had acted out of desperation, out of fear. I knew from my mom’s journals she felt trapped and alone. Just as trapped and alone as I felt now.

  “Timeless,” I snorted. I could still hear Callon telling me I was different, and I still remembered the numbness I felt when I found out I’d age one year for every one hundred years. And the fact that I’d have to transform first. I snapped the grass stem in half. The transformation hadn’t been easy, either. It was misery ridden, all but unbearable, and almost ended in death.

  Not to mention that when my transformation was complete, I was to marry my betrothed, Callon. Who would have imagined it turning out like this? Who would have known Marcus would fight so hard for me, would seemingly kill Colt only to have him bring me to his doorstep. Every step I thought I’d taken myself had always been guided by someone else…

  Warm fingers brushed hair from my neck as a bulky arm snaked around my waist, pulling me closer. Colt leaned his head on mine. I closed my eyes. His touch was different now. It was as if he was afraid of me.