A large hand touched my shoulder, and I glanced back. Brogan stood beside me, his gaze on the Tracker party. He’d never tell me in words, but it was his way of showing support.
“We need more time to formulate an escape plan. You think you can hold them for a bit?” Brogan asked.
“I’ll try,” I replied. I knew it was the best I could give him for the moment. Marcus wasn’t here, but that didn’t mean the Trackers didn’t have their own tricks up their sleeves. I’d lacked knowledge and experience previously; I wouldn’t make the same mistakes now.
“They want Cheyenne,” Callon said just behind me. “They made that clear by their method of fighting.”
“They backed off when they should have been aggressive,” Koda added.
“Raina’s not here…” Maes started to say.
“She’s here,” I called out over my shoulder, cutting him off. “Colt sent her off, but chances are she’ll return.”
“You saw her?” Maes asked.
“Yes.”
“Cheyenne won’t be able to ride alone then,” Brogan said. “It’ll slow us down.”
“Midnight’s more than capable of carrying us and not slowing down,” Koda replied.
Movement caught my eye. A pack of Tresezes began circling. They were going to test the barrier.
Hold steady. They can’t get through, Maes said in my mind.
My fingertips began to tingle in anticipation. The voices behind me turned to murmurs. It was as if everything else around me faded. It was just my invisible barrier and me. A lone Tresez pushed ahead, pausing just before my wall. He nudged his nose forward and then jerked back. I’d felt it, like the smallest of prickles on my skin. Soon more joined in, the prickles turning to stings, but it wasn’t anything I couldn’t handle.
Colt stood in the background, studying me. He called out to Conall, and then they both eyed me carefully. Conall reached into a leather pouch tied to his side and pulled out a small semi-circular object. He tossed what looked like a rock up and down, his palm swallowing it each time.
What were they up to?
The last remaining trickle of sunlight flickered out of sight. Night was falling; we were going to have a big fight on our hands.
The Tresezes and Trackers moved back behind Conall, and he stepped forward.
“Now, little one, no more games. It’s time to go,” Conall said.
Don’t breathe it in! Maes screamed.
My eyes grew wide as Conall threw the rock at my wall. My body jerked violently as a bolt of energy ripped through me. A yellowish brown cloud of smoke billowed around me. I collapsed to the ground and coughed. It smelled of decaying leaves and burned my throat and eyes. I couldn’t prevent the smoke from entering my lungs, but I could prevent it from reaching the rest behind me. I struggled to sit up, sending a surge of wind carrying the mist back towards Conall and Colt.
Callon dragged me back into our protective circle. I sat dazed as Andre held me up.
“How much did you breathe in?” Andre asked, panic clear in her voice.
“Enough,” I choked out. It hurt to swallow and my lungs burned. “You didn’t…” I couldn’t finish my sentence as a coughing fit took place.
“You blew it away.”
A leg hit my side, knocking me further into Andre. She grunted. They were fighting, fending off the Tresezes and Trackers. How were we going to escape?
The horses began to scatter, and our protective circle began to break down. A Tresez broke through the barrier, its black eyes focused on Andre and me. I tensed, waiting for the attack, when Mandi reared up and smashed her hooves into its skull. The Tresez lay unmoving; Mandi released a wild snort and stood over us protectively.
Andre’s hand shook while she pushed back her black hair. We were both defenseless on the ground. We needed to move.
“Help me stand,” I said.
I winced. My chest stung with the exertion. Andre helped me to my feet, and shoved my arm over her shoulder to support me. We slowly inched our way back as the fighting drew closer. I glanced around. Everyone was engaged in battle. Daniel and Nakari were jumping around and landing deadly blows. Nakari wasn’t large or all that strong, but the element of surprise and a log played well to her advantage.
I caught sight of blond hair, blond hair I knew too well. Colt was slowly inching his way closer to us, his hand clenched tightly around the chains. The chains began to turn red, like they were on fire, but no flames burned them. The red turned to deep amber and drops of melting metal dripped from them…like molten lava.
I pushed up against Andre.
“I see him,” she said.
Did she see what was in his hands? If the chains hit her, they’d burn her. If Colt wrapped them around me again, I’d be burned alive!
“The chains!” I hissed. “They’ll burn us!”
Andre’s eyes narrowed, but she didn’t say anything.
A Tresez crept closer. I blinked. It had two heads.
“Do you see that?” I quaked.
“Use your powers, Cheyenne!”
Andre jerked my hands up, and I recoiled from the pain. The forest, and the Tresez, began spinning violently. I didn’t have to see clearly to know how close the Tresez was…I heard its low growl. I planted my feet firmly, opening the palms of my hands. No two-headed Tresez freak was going to harm us.
I flicked my fingers and watched a blue flash of light hit the Tresez, throwing it into a grouping of Trackers. I stumbled back, stunned. Koda caught me.
“Well that’s new,” Koda said. “Think you can do it again?”
“I—I don’t know.” I wasn’t even sure what had happened, other than the forest stopped spinning, and the Tresez vanishing. Was I hallucinating? Was it from the yellow smoke?
“Let’s try.”
Koda helped me raise my arms, and I shot another burst of blue light towards a group of Trackers. If I’d been bowling, I’d have gotten a strike.
“Yes!” Koda hollered. “Another!”
Before I had time to reply, he had me turned towards another grouping. This time Colt was directly behind them, his molten chains swinging in the air. I released the surge and crumpled in Koda’s arms. It was taking too much out of me.
I inhaled a shaky breath.
“Chey!” Koda turned me towards him. “Damn! Callon!”
My head rolled to the side. I didn’t have enough strength to hold it up.
Koda carried me towards Callon when he was hit from the side. I flew to the ground and winced as my cheek made contact with a tree branch. I lay still. Warmth ran down my cheek and there was a taste of metal touching my tongue…blood.
I blinked. Night was falling. The last bits of sunlight streamed through the tree branches…I blinked again. Why were the branches moving like that? There was no breeze, no wind, but the limbs seemed to dance, swaying back and forth…snakes!
A strangled scream left my lips, and I fought to catch my breath. My chest wheezed. I couldn’t bring in enough oxygen. Six sets of gold-rimmed eyes came into focus, and I tried to crawl away.
“I told you it was time to go, little one,” Conall said. His hand latched onto my ankle, and I stared at him, stunned. He had three heads!
This wasn’t real! This wasn’t real! I kicked to no avail.
“Save what energy you have left. The more you use your powers, the more you will suffer. Only Marcus has the antidote.”
The yellow smoke…
“No!” I screeched.
With a rush of energy, I lunged forward and touched Conall’s arms. I’d rather die here than be taken to Marcus. The crimson-eyed beast surge from my palms, Conall’s lip twitched, his eyes rolled back into the back of his head, and then he was gone.
I dropped back down, staring up at the starry skies. All the sounds became whispers, and Mother Nature’s cold fingers drifted over me. I shivered, my lungs clamoring for air as they fought to suck up every last drop.
Auburn hair and caramel eyes blurred above me, f
amiliar somehow.
“Cheyenne,” his whispery voice said. “It’s Jahlem. Darrien and I are here to help you.” One ripped open my jacket, while the other placed his fingers on my neck.
Jahlem…Darrien…They’d showed me kindness before, while with Marcus.
Jahlem’s eyes darted about.
“Do it,” Darrien said. “She’s not getting enough oxygen.”
Jahlem raised my head, while Darrien opened a small vile. They were about to pour something into my mouth when Darrien suddenly dropped the vial. It shattered on the ground. A moment later, they were gone.
“I’ve got you,” Daniel said and lifted me into his arms. “They’ve cleared a path for us. Whatever was in the smoke is starting to affect them too. They’re dropping like flies.”
My eyes fell shut, too heavy to keep open. Strong arms came around me, and soon, the rhythm from hoof beats darkened my world even further, rocking me into a dark, deep abyss.
Chapter 19
I woke to a heavy weight crushing my chest. My hands flew out, struggling to dislodge whatever was there, when fingers came around my wrists. I gasped, trying to suck in air, and my eyes flew open.
“Cheyenne, it’s okay. You’re safe!” a voice cried out.
I blinked, trying to focus, but all I saw were blurry images. Daniel? I pushed at the silhouette. Why where they crushing me?
“Cheyenne! You’re safe. Calm down!” This time I knew the voice, Callon.
I struggled even further, my body jerking forward. I needed air.
Cheyenne…
I stilled. The voice was inside my head. Maes. Why couldn’t I see him?
The smoke, Cheyenne, Maes said. It’s poisoned you.
My ragged breaths turned to panting. Callon’s strong arms eased me back, my head resting on his chest. His fingers touched my neck, and I closed my eyes. Where was I? Above my struggled breathing, I heard the hum of tires and wind against windows. We were driving now. I’d been out for a long time. The last thing I remembered was our group riding away from danger, from Colt. My heart ached at the thought of him.
“Her breathing is getting worse,” Callon said.
“It’s going to get worse before it get better,” Maes replied. “I know which stone Conall used, and the antidote is complicated to make.”
“Once we’re on the jet, we can work on it.” Callon’s voice was calm and serene, but his heartbeat told me otherwise. “I’m going to need to stop for some medical supplies in the next town.”
“Stopping for anything other than gas is risky, Callon,” Brogan rumbled.
“I don’t have a choice. She needs oxygen.”
“I can get it, Callon,” Nakari said. “I can get in an out before anyone knows what’s going on. I know what you need.” Obviously, she was feeling guilty over Colt’s revelation about her and Callon’s engagement.
“I’ll help too,” Andre added. “She just looks so pale.”
“Thank you,” Callon replied.
Without my consent, my eyes fell shut and darkness swallowed me.
I breathed deeply. Finally I could breathe without feeling like I was being crushed. I inhaled again, sucking up the sweet air. Something was pressed up against my face, covering my nose and mouth, and I heard a hissing sound. I lifted my hand.
“It’s okay, love. It’s an oxygen mask,” Callon explained. His fingers began to stroke my hair.
My lashes fluttered. My vision was still blurry, but I knew where I was and who was with me. We were still driving, and I was pressed up against Callon’s chest. He was holding me. An oxygen tank sat beside us, where I should have been sitting.
“Are you feeling any better?” Daniel asked. His blue eyes came into view as he leaned in. “You can’t see me very well, can you?”
I shook my head.
“Are you cold?”
I didn’t have time to reply when he pulled a bulky jacket up around my shoulders.
“There, that should help.” He sighed. “Callon will make you well again, Chey. He’s already been talking with Dex and Layla. Maes know what needs to be done.” His eyes saddened. “I just don’t understand why Colt would allow someone to harm…”
“Colt,” I murmured, and tears stung too near the surface. He knew what Conall had thrown, was a part of it…he’d betrayed us all.
“Shh.” Callon kissed my head. His hand squeezed mine. “Finding Colt the way we did wasn’t what we wanted, but we’ll make it through this too, love.”
It wasn’t right, none of it. It was all Marcus’s doing. Once again he’d taken away what little happiness I wanted—stolen it like he’d stolen everything else from me. The man was ruthless, and now he was trying to kill what he considered precious—me. I couldn’t stop the tears once they started.
I clung to Callon, my fingers burying themselves into his shirt. I clung to him like he was the last lifeboat. I needed to be in his arms. I needed his strength at the moment to keep me from falling. I knew all too well what the pits of despair looked like, knew the crimson-eyed creature would welcome me again. I couldn’t go back. Callon was my last lifeline—I’d do anything to keep him safe.
My tears eventually faded, and just the hissing of oxygen was heard in the SUV. Hissing that reminded me of a snake—Marcus.
The SUV began to slow, and regardless of my hazy vision, I knew we’d reached Helena. It wouldn’t be long till we could board the jet and be on our way home—away from this misery-ridden hellhole we’d just crawled out of.
We passed through the security gate with no questions and parked beside a large hangar. I knew the jet had to be just inside. I’d overheard them talking while we drove. Quinn and Skylar would be ready to depart once we arrived.
The sun hung low in the sky. Another night was about to fall. Just how many days had slipped by?
The SUV’s doors opened, and I immediately started shivering. Callon adjusted his coat over me and lifted me out. The cold swirled around us. The tubing from the oxygen mask drifted loosely in the wind. Daniel walked behind us, carrying the tank.
“We’re almost…” Daniel didn’t finish his sentence as Callon abruptly stopped.
Callon’s hands grew tight on my limbs. I turned, but couldn’t see what stopped him.
“Take her with you, and she’ll die, Callon.” A familiar voice called out.
Marcus!
Anger swelled inside me. My jaw clenched and the bitter taste of copper flowed on my tongue. Blood. I swallowed.
Brogan and Koda’s large frames stepped before us, blocking any view.
“First it starts with hallucinations,” Marcus said clearly. “Then each and every time she uses her powers, it weakens her. Next comes the labored breathing, and oxygen won’t help. And finally, the worst of all, a deep, dark, lonely coma. It will be a long, slow painful death.”
We slowly began to move again, a circle of bodies around us.
“If you get on that plane, Cheyenne, you’ll die. I’m the only one with the antidote. Come with me, and you’ll live. Go with Callon, and you’ll die. I can offer you a life without running in fear. What can he offer you?”
The bodies parted enough for the shadowy figures to come into view. I didn’t need to see clearly to know Colt and Conall were with Marcus. Colt should have been coming home with us…Marcus stepped forward with his hand outstretched.
“Come with me, Cheyenne. I can make you whole again. I can give you everything.” It was the same tone he’d used on me before, soothing, caring and a complete façade.
I pulled the mask away, speaking just above a whisper, “I’d rather die than spend another moment with you!”
I knew he’d heard me because in the next moment Daniel’s hand latched around my ankle, Callon’s grasp became tighter, and our pace increased. It was apparent my words had angered him, enough that my protectors thought he’d use his powers, even in public.
The warmth from the jet’s interior hit my cold cheeks. Brogan pulled my oxygen mask back into place. I
closed my eyes. We were safe now. Callon laid me down on something soft, a pillow placed under my head and a warm blanket wrapped around me.
“Get my bag, Daniel,” Callon directed. “I need to check her vitals.”
A small wisp of air moved my hair, and my hand was lifted out from under the blankets. From under heavy lids, I watched Callon clip a small device over my finger. It emitted a beeping sound.
“I’m measuring your oxygen level, Cheyenne. You seem to be breathing better now,” Callon said.
I couldn’t help but wonder if there was some truth to what Marcus had just said. So far everything he described had happened, except for the last.
“Will I die?” I whispered.
“No,” Maes replied. His dark figure stood behind Callon. “Marcus doesn’t want you dead. He wants you scared so you’ll conform to his wishes.” He hesitated. “I’m not going to lie. This won’t be pleasant for you until we find the antidote.”
How much worse could it get?
The jet’s engines roared to life, and Quinn’s voice broke over the intercom, telling us to prepare for take off. Callon secured a buckle around me and then sat beside me on what appeared to be a couch. Obviously I needed to be near everyone instead of back in the bedroom. He brushed the hair from my face.
“I’ll take care of you, love. I promise.”
I closed my eyes and allowed the hum of the jet to pull me into a peaceful rest.
My eyes flew open at the screeching of tires. I blinked. My vision was back, and the cabin was dark. I inhaled; Callon had removed my oxygen mask.
“It’s okay,” Andre said. She was sitting on the floor beside me. “We’re just landing in Chicago to refuel.”
I tried to reply, but my lips wouldn’t move. It was strange. I couldn’t move my arms or legs either. What was going on? Was this the coma Marcus was talking about? But he’d said I’d go into a coma, and I was awake…panic began to well up inside. How was I supposed to tell Callon if I couldn’t speak? I started to hyperventilate.
“Cheyenne?” Andre leaned up on her knees. “What’s wrong?”
Daylight, a Timeless Series Novel Page 29