Maes?
I leapt, landing on its back and sinking my teeth into its thick fur. A moan rumbled against my lips as the creature began snarling. I shook my head, the smaller Tresez flopping around like a rag doll until I lost my hold and it broke free.
I was hit from the side, causing me to stumble when I caught sight of more glowing eyes moving through the forest. There were more than just two. I began moving back. I could take on one or two, but an army?
Well, what do we have here? Maes out on a patrol? one growled.
My heart began racing as the monstrous Tresez neared. It was almost the same size as Maes…wait, of me now. I had Maes’s strength, but not his skills. The one before me was a seasoned warrior; I’d only be able to fight him with my powers.
Fangs nipped my hind leg, forcing me to change direction. They were creating a circle, entrapping me.
What? Cat got your tongue, Maes?
He was waiting for a reply. If I said anything, he’d know it wasn’t Maes.
He went on, What’s that you say? Cheyenne’s got your tongue now because you only answer to her, traitor?
It moved closer, its nose in the air.
She’s never going to free you. The curse can’t be broken. All you’ve done is waste your time believing in fairy tales that will never come true. A snarl escaped him and white fangs flashed. Besides, Marcus only wants her powers. He’ll dispose of her after he takes them.
Fangs sunk into my neck, and a yelp escaped me. I turned and snapped at the attacker. Another bit at my front leg while yet another got a hold of my tail. Crouching, I attempted to leap free, but was quickly knocked down by the large one.
Snapping jaws were everywhere as I was pinned to the ground. There were too many!
What’s this? The great and mighty Maes giving up so easily?
“If you want a fight, pick on someone your own size, Conall!” Maes boomed.
Instantly the heads turned, and I bolted free.
“Run, Cheyenne, run!” Andre screamed.
Ear-piercing howls broke through the air. I didn’t wait for an encore and ran through the forest. I just needed to get clear so I could shift into my human form. I needed to fight them with powers I knew how to use!
I see you, and I’m coming for you, little one.
I slipped on the wet earth, and landed hard on my side. I regained my footing quickly, but not before teeth sunk into my shoulder, and I was thrown through the air. I rolled to my side quickly, as yet another Tresez appeared. This one looked different, though. One of his front paws and a narrow strip extending from his eye to his snout were pure white, sticking out against his black fur.
Hello, Cheyenne. I don’t believe we’ve met before. My name is Conall.
He began stalking me. Pain radiated across my shoulder blade. But I had no time to waste. This was my chance to shift. I closed my eyes and thought about shifting to my human form, but nothing happened. Maes had made it look so effortless!
Your time is running out, little one. Marcus is waiting for you.
The name sent white-hot flames through me. Marcus…
I charged at Conall, taking him by surprise. I leapt and knocked him from his feet. With lightning speed, I spun around and dung my fangs in deep between his shoulder blades. A deep rumble came from his chest as he suddenly rose up on his hind legs and smashed me into a tree.
Instant pain rippled up my spine, and I collapsed in a heap. His hot breath poured over my face.
You’re not strong enough. You’re weak, just like your mother.
The crimson-eyed beast flared, flowing out through every pore. I rose, howling, as Conall backed away. My lips exposed the razor sharp fangs I was about to tear him apart with. I ran full speed when an explosion ripped through my body.
“No!” The words formed on my lips as I fell—human—face first onto the wet earth. My time was up.
Fangs latched onto my arm, and I was jerked to the right. My left shoulder made contact with a tree, and I screeched. A low rumble started from the back of his throat. It sounded like a hyena’s laugh. He was laughing at me!
I crawled to my feet, cradling my arm. I blinked, trying to clear the fogginess. The flash of a blue coat caught my eye. Nakari! She’d come to help after all. But while she did glance my way, a second later she was gone. My eyes scanned the forest, but she’d left me once again. Abandoned me like everyone else.
Conall shifted. He had a chiseled face, flecked with multiple scars, one running from his eye to his nose…just like the white streak when he was a Tresez. His lank hair dangled over his shoulders, and he wore a set of dog tags. His loud laughter filled the air. “Looks like you’re on your own there, little one. No one to swoop in and rescue you!”
I stood my ground, sliding my fingers closer to my wrist. It was going to be difficult using my left arm, but if I hit him just right I could do it.
“I don’t need anyone to rescue me.”
He laughed louder. “You’re a pathetic child. They’ve taught you nothing here, and I’ve come to bring you to your proper home.”
“Ha!” I began circling him. “You said Marcus was going to take my powers and dispose of me.”
The dark figure followed me closely.
“All everyone wants me for is a weapon,” I went on. “Why don’t you fight your own battles, you coward?”
Conall snarled, and lunged for me. I pushed my hands out, hitting his chest with a surge of power. A howl erupted, but not before he latched his hands around my wrists. We both flew through the air and smacked into the forest floor.
I sucked in a breath, fighting back the pain, and squirmed to get away. Conall yanked me to my feet. His face was inches from mine as he pinned me to a tree. The battle wounds scarred his face, and his black hair was filled with mud and leaves, making him look wild and dangerous.
“Did you think I didn’t know about your little tricks?” He released my wrist only to grab my throat. “Did you think I came totally unprepared?”
He pulled me away from the tree only to smash me into it again. I lost my breath. I wasn’t going to last much longer. His grip grew tighter, and I clawed at his arm.
“I have orders, foolish girl, and you’re coming with me.”
My knee flew into his ribs, but it had little effect. My air supply was running short, and his hold was only getting stronger.
“If you kill me,” I whispered, “then all is lost.”
A wicked grin grew. “I’m not going to kill you. I’m just waiting till you pass out.”
Dark patches floated before my eyes. It wouldn’t be long now, and I’d have failed at yet another task. My whole life had been riddled with failures, defeats, and utter despair. Why would anything change now?
I grew still, my eyes rolling to the back of my head when total weightlessness took over. It was as if I was floating.
A deafening roar burned my ears, and my eyes shot open. Maes was in his Tresez form and was now looming over Conall. I lay there still for a few moments, listening to the battle. Once again, someone was fighting for me, once again I hadn’t held my own. All this power, and all I could do with it was hurt those closest to me…
Strength welled up inside me. No, I wasn’t going to sit here and watch! I was going to fight, and I was going to defeat Conall! I wasn’t the weak link!
Maes turned and roared as he saw me approach. Conall’s gold-rimmed eyes locked on me. Sheer will and determination drove me on, and I lifted my hands above my head, creating a whirlwind. Trees began cracking, and their splinters mixed in the air. I just had to get close enough to Conall and get Maes out of the way.
As if Maes heard my thoughts, he suddenly dove to the left. Like a conductor, I scooped my hands, ripping a tree from its roots, before firing it like a torpedo at Conall. It grazed his side. He turned and began trailing me. I ripped another out and sent the missile towards him. Without warning, he leapt over it and knocked me to the ground. His teeth sunk hard into my shoulder, but not befor
e one last tree found its mark, smashing straight into his face.
Cracking ribs and a wild howl shook my ears, before I watched Conall and Maes run off into the blackness. I rolled to my side, barely able to catch my breath. White-hot pain rippled down my side, the smell of blood and saliva mixing.
How had the Tresez gotten through the enchantment? Andre said they couldn’t, unless someone let them in…
Nakari.
She’d left me several times. It was obvious she didn’t care for me, but would she go as far as that? She wanted to prove her love to Callon, but was she capable of killing me?
Lightning lit up the night sky, and soon thunder echoed. The rainfall increased. I rolled to my belly and sat on my back legs.
“Colt,” I whispered, “I need you.” My tears mixed with the rain. I needed his strength, his love…I needed something to hold on to, to get me through this.
Squelching footsteps warned me someone was near, but I didn’t move. My head hung low. I couldn’t deal with Callon right now.
“Chey, it’s me, Koda.”
I didn’t reply.
“Are you okay?”
I inhaled a shaky breath. I wasn’t okay. I’d never be okay. I just had to survive.
I closed my eyes as he kneeled beside me, an arm coming around my shoulder. I tried to push him away.
“It’s okay. You’re okay now.”
I fell into his chest as his arms cradled me. I didn’t want to accept his help, but I didn’t have any strength left. I just needed to be told everything was going to be okay, that I had friends who’d support me. I needed to know I could make it through another day. I needed to know I wasn’t alone.
Chapter 10
Koda helped me return to the estate, carrying me after I finally collapsed from exhaustion. He’d also stayed while Dex and Lilly tended to my injuries. It wasn’t the first, nor would it be the last time I’d take a beating from a Tresez. The evidence from the attack was clear. My neck was changing from black to a greenish blue with streaks of red from broken blood vessels. Also, just about every muscle ached, but I’d been fortunate this time around, as my jacket had prevented any deep wounds.
My mind kept wandering over recent events, mostly what I’d seen Callon and Nakari do—they’d kissed. Betrayal, broken promises…all the words in the world couldn’t describe how I’d felt seeing her lean forward. He’d told me they were friends, that I had nothing to worry about, but obviously I was just being lulled into a false sense of security.
But worse than that, what I’d done was wrong. I’d stolen Maes’s power out of rage, with the intent to harm Nakari. If Maes hadn’t stepped forward…I shook my head, trying to erase the memory.
I’d also put every one of our clan members at risk, all because I couldn’t control myself. I couldn’t keep doing this anymore. I couldn’t become this ugly monster the beast wanted. I was heading down the wrong path, and I knew it. Maes had warned me it would be dark and dangerous, that I wouldn’t be able to crawl back out of this hellish pit unless I realized my mistakes. I had to change. I hated what I was becoming. And worst of all, Colt would’ve hated what I was becoming.
The fire snapped as I watched the sun rise from the sitting room. No one had returned yet, and it was probably for the best. I was positive they were hunting Tresezes; chances were that more than just the five had entered. I’d purposely kept my back to the terrace doors. I didn’t want to see Callon’s face yet, or anyone else’s disappointment.
Dex clicked a small lamp on and pushed a chair closer as Lilly and Koda moved in around me. Whatever was on their minds was sure to be on mine soon enough. I pulled my legs in closer and curled the blanket around me tightly. I was sure I wasn’t going to like it.
“We need to talk about what happened, Cheyenne,” Koda said. “What happened with Nakari and Callon.”
I stared down at my blanket. Great, not that I didn’t expect them to find out, but so soon?
“Callon told me,” Koda added.
Lilly reached out to touch my hand, but I pulled it away. Hurt flashed through her eyes, and I stilled. I was doing it again, pulling away and retreating into my dark hole. I pushed the blanket down and grasped her hand.
“I’m sorry, Lilly.”
She nodded and blinked away the moisture.
“What you saw and what happened were two different things.” Koda lowered his head, trying to catch my eyes.
“I saw pretty clearly what took place, Koda. Callon and Nakari kissed.” My throat tightened. I was calm now, but for how much longer?
“Callon would never betray you like that, Cheyenne.” Lilly squeezed my hand. “He loves you very much.”
“He kissed her.” My jaw clenched.
“You ran away before he could explain what happened.” Dex moved closer. “You’ve got such a temper, sweetheart. Sometimes it blocks you from hearing what needs to be said.”
“I’ve only gotten a temper since all these responsibilities, this weight that’s been thrust upon my shoulders!” I snapped.
“Do you think the rest of us don’t have responsibilities or weight thrust upon us?” Koda replied. “Do you see us acting out against everyone that wants to help?”
“Cheyenne, we know you’re stronger than this,” Lilly said. “You’re allowing your emotions to control you…”
I cut Lilly off. “Emotions are all I have left to feel alive.”
“You have the love and warmth from your family, from all of us here, if you’d just open up and let us in.”
Tears grew in my eyes. “If I open myself up and lose another person I love, I won’t be able to make it.”
“So this is what it’s all about? Fear of losing us?” Dex’s voice sombered. “What I think you need to realize, Cheyenne, is that our fear of losing you is greater.”
I looked up into his warm brown eyes.
“You’re here with us, but we feel like we’re losing you and can’t stop it. Do you know what it’s like to sit and watch another person destroy themselves, and feel utterly helpless to stop them? We’ve all had enough loss in our lifetimes to fill the largest of canyons, and there will be more, but what we have to do is move on for the sake of all the Timeless yet to come. We can’t allow Marcus to defeat us outside of battle. We must have inner strength as well if we’re to overcome.”
“But how?” I whispered, near tears.
“We have to work together, rely on each other for strength when we need it most,” Lilly said.
“The strength of a family,” I barely uttered.
“The strength of your family,” Koda added. “You’ve got a large one right here ready and waiting.”
I’d been such a fool. I needed to make good use of the resources around me, starting right now. I pushed the blanket away and leaned into Dex and Lilly’s open arms.
Warmth, real warmth, filled me for the first time since Colt’s death. They loved me, cared enough to help me realize my mistakes without condemning me for them.
“We love you like our own daughter,” Dex said.
Lilly kissed my head.
“I love you too,” I breathed and knew I truly meant it. I’d held back too long my words of love. To them, others and another…
“Cheyenne.” Callon’s gravely voice sent goosebumps down my spine. Dex and Lilly drew back, and I stood.
Dark circles etched Callon’s eyes, his face was scratched, and his wet hair was coated in mud and leaves. His wet clothes clung to his frame and his hazel eyes held a mixture of sadness and exhaustion. He’d come straight to find me without getting cleaned up. He reached out to grasp my hands, and I flinched at the icy coldness.
“We need to talk. What you saw, what you thought, isn’t what happened.”
I remained completely still. I didn’t want to give in to my anger, yet I had to give him the chance to explain. I owed him that much.
“Nakari was upset, and yes, I tried to console her. She’s just as lonely and heartbroken as the rest of us and mad
e a mistake. A mistake that shouldn’t be held against her.”
Not unlike the many mistakes I’d made since I’d met him. How many chances had I been given? Too many, and he deserved so much more. It was time to let him know.
“I believe you.”
His eyes closed as he drew me into the full embrace of his arms, nestling his head on my shoulder.
“I would have never betrayed you like this. I love you, Cheyenne.”
My eyes watered, and my lips trembled with the words I knew I needed to say.
“I love you, Callon.”
He stilled, but his hold grew tighter.
“I should have told you sooner.”
“Now is perfect…” he whispered. He inhaled a shaky breath and suddenly the full weight of his body began to topple us over.
“Callon!”
We hit the floor with a loud thump, and I struggled to push him off me until multiple hands pulled him away. Dex was already checking his pulse.
“What’s happening?” I shook with panic. Callon was the strong one…
Brogan and Koda carried Callon away. I tried to follow, but Daniel appeared. He held my arm.
“Wait!” I cried. “What’s going on? Where are they taking him?”
“It’s okay, Chey.” Daniel placed his hands on my shoulders. They disappeared into the hall, and heavy footsteps sounded on the stairs. “He had to make changes in the enchantment. It always weakens him.”
“What? Make changes? Why?”
“Because the Tresez were allowed in.”
The little traitor…
“Nakari! She let them in!” I shoved Daniel away and pushed through the crowd of clan members. Nakari simply bowed her head as I approached, when Andre stepped in front of her.
“Cheyenne, you need to calm down!” Andre said firmly. “She may have made a mistake, but she’s no traitor.”
“Then why did she leave me when I was fighting Conall? She could have helped me!”
“I went to get Maes,” Nakari said. Her voice was weak. “I didn’t want to leave you, but I didn’t have a choice. Conall is too strong to fight alone.”
Daylight, a Timeless Series Novel Page 15