Fated, A Timeless Series Novella (A Timeless Series Companion Novel)

by Wiedmeier, Lisa L

  I rubbed my eyes, not sure what to make of it. Did that mean Cheyenne was Servak? It had to; the rings were the same. Yet Gene and Alexis were Coltooro. So where had Cheyenne picked up the ring? Since Sahara had fled her marriage to Marcus, the Servak had been without a leader for many years. Yet if Sahara had taken her clan ring with her…

  Excitement bubbled in my chest. Finally, the mystery was solved! Cheyenne wasn’t Kvech at all. Now Callon wouldn’t have to worry about his obligation.

  But then, as I thought about it, I realized the implications. If Cheyenne had received the ring from Sahara, they had to be related. Sahara wouldn’t just give it away to anybody. And I knew Sahara had no brothers and sisters, so Cheyenne couldn’t have been a niece, and she was much too young to be her cousin or something. Yet as far as I knew, Sahara had had no children. Then again, she had been together with Qaysean for a while…

  I groaned. Before my head would burst, I shut the book. No, I was thinking too hard about this. Besides, it wasn’t as if I could do anything about it. Perhaps it was better if I stopped poking my nose around. I didn’t want to jump to any hasty conclusions. I’d let Callon sort it out.

  Sighing, I scooped up the journal and headed to the desk to pick up the other books. However, as I studied them, I noticed one of them looked a little different. While it had the same black leather cover and golden script, the pages didn’t feel right. As I ran my finger along it, I realized why. They weren’t real pages at all, but a wooden slab painted to look like pages.

  Well, wasn’t today turning into an exciting day.

  I returned to the couch and sat down. I shook the fake book, and it rattled. It was a box made to look like a book. Carefully I felt around it, and found a small catch. Slipping it open, I pulled the lid off and stared. Inside the box was a set of folded papers. I took them out, holding them in the light. The ink had bled through the pages, making it difficult to read, but there was no mistaking the handwriting.

  These papers had been written by Dad!

  My hands shook as I began reading. I couldn’t make out a lot of it, but I did catch the words ‘renew’ and ‘enchantment’ and ‘Consilador’. No way! Was this how the generations of my family had managed to keep the O’Shea estate safe from attack?

  Tucking the papers under my arm, I decided to take them to my room. I had better light there, and a magnifying glass. Back when I was locked away in the manor, I became very good at deciphering codes. This shouldn’t be much different.

  A quick jump through the corridor and up the stairs, and I was back at my room. I searched through my desk, finding the magnifying glass, and I flicked on the lamp. Slowly, I began to tease out the words. It was a series of instructions relating to how the enchantment worked. A smile broke onto my lips. Though there were a couple of sentences I couldn’t figure out, I understood the gist. The enchantment could be renewed easily, and I wouldn’t need to wait for Callon. This was perfect! He had enough on his plate to worry about. If I could fix the enchantment for him, he wouldn’t have to hurry home, and could focus on helping Cheyenne.

  I stuffed the papers back into the fake book. It wasn’t surprising Dad didn’t want this information lying around, because as easy as it was to renew the barrier, it was just as easy to break it. We couldn’t afford this knowledge to get into the wrong hands. Still, I was glad I’d come across it. Night was about to fall, too. I wouldn’t have to worry about anyone watching if I tried this now.

  Decision made, I stood up and grabbed my coat. This chance was too good to pass up. I headed back to the landing, dialing Ryan’s number on my phone. For this to work, I needed to be close to the edge of the enchantment, so I’d have to take the car.

  Ryan answered after several rings, and agreed to drop the keys off. As I paced the hall, I ran through what I had to do. I’d never tried anything like this before. My pulse raced, and I had to take a few breaths to calm myself. I couldn’t afford to get over-excited. I had to concentrate.

  A jingle from the front door told me Ryan had arrived, so I went to meet him. He smiled, and didn’t ask what I was planning as he handed me the keys. I nodded in thanks, then hurried out. The air was freezing, but fresh, rich with the scent of wet earth that only comes after a heavy rain. The smell that reminded me I was home…

  It was only a short drive down the road before I felt the tingling sensation in my spine. I parked, then jumped outside. There wasn’t anything obvious to see, so I had to rely on my other senses to guide me. I walked around, stopping in an area where I felt the tingling the strongest. This was it.

  Flexing my fingers, I took a deep breath, then spread my arms. My fingertips touched the edges of the barrier, and a light hum buzzed through them. I closed my eyes, trying to picture the barrier in my mind. The image had to be crystal clear, otherwise it would fail.

  Slowly, I lowered my arms, bringing my hands together. I felt the enchantment pull, starting to fill the empty gaps. The tingling grew less intense, and I had to stop myself shouting in triumph. Yes, it was really fixing itself! Heart thundering, I licked my lips, and brought my palms closer. Just a little more, and then…

  Suddenly a ripple shuddered across my neck, and I hissed. My arm jerked, and then lightning-like pain shot into my back. I screamed, and fell to the ground. My awareness of the enchantment vanished, and I curled into a ball, desperate to escape the pain. My legs froze up, and I gasped. I couldn’t move!

  Then everything went still. A cold breeze wafted over, and I shivered. The pain had subsided, but I was too afraid to move in case it started again. I couldn’t sense the enchantment at all now, and it left a horrible tension in the pit of my stomach. This wasn’t supposed to have happened.

  What had I done?

  My teeth began to chatter from the cold, so I forced myself upright. I didn’t seem hurt in any way, which was a relief. I carefully returned to my feet, then wandered around, holding out my hand to feel for the enchantment. Twenty steps later, and still nothing. I swallowed. It must have meant I’d fixed it, right? Deep down, though, I knew I was wrong.

  At last, after walking almost a mile from the spot I’d started, I felt the tingling again. It was much, much weaker, like a feather brushing over my skin. Sometimes it would vanish for a while, and then re-appear a few minutes later.

  Oh no…

  Instead of fixing the magic, I’d made it weaker. Now the gaps were enormous, there might as well have been nothing there. Panic filled me. I should never have tampered with something so powerful. And Callon wasn’t going to return for another month or so.

  I shook my head. No, I couldn’t afford to wait that long. If the manor was breached in any way before Cheyenne arrived, all our preparations would be for nothing. This was supposed to be our stronghold, our safe haven of protection.

  Sighing, I jumped back to the car.

  I’d have a lot of explaining to do tomorrow over the phone.

  Chapter 6

  “Some chances only come once a lifetime. I’m never letting go of this one.” ~Colt

  The sun above the Wilson’s house was just starting to set, and I shielded my eyes. What luck we were having with the weather. It seemed like the forecasters were right for once; we were going to have an early spring. I glanced to Cheyenne, who was winding up the garden hose. We’d just finished washing her Jeep, though it had taken a little longer than expected. Some excess moisture still prickled on her skin, jeans, and her blouse. I couldn’t help but smile. Well, she had asked me to clean her wash mitt. It wasn’t my fault there’d been a bit of backsplash.

  Slightly guilty, I trudged towards her with the soap buckets and held out my hand.

  “Here, trade me,” I said.

  “Thanks,” Cheyenne replied, dumping the hose into my arms and taking the buckets. “Come on.”

  I paused to give a brief stretch, then followed her to the porch. Today was the promised day, and it was all I could do to contain myself. Gene and Alexis were going to tell Cheyenne the truth about h
er heritage as a Timeless. As far as she knew, they were going on a camping trip, but I knew better. Camping was much too dangerous right now, given all the Tresez that had flocked to the area.

  Instead they were going to surprise her with a vacation; one filled with warm sun and white sandy beaches. Cheyenne had absolutely no idea. I’d even gone as far as pulling out the camping equipment to go along with the ruse. It couldn’t have come a moment too soon, either. Getting Cheyenne out of the state would take a lot of pressure off us, and she deserved a good break after working so hard all semester.

  But more than that, she needed to be in a calm state of mind when Gene and Alexis told her the secret. Neither Callon nor I knew how much they’d reveal, but they’d let her know about us, and what we’d been doing for the past two years. She’d find it hard to accept at first, but eventually she’d come round and things would really get rolling. It would only be a short few months until graduation, and then she’d be coming home with me…

  “You have to get going, don’t you?” Cheyenne’s eyes met mine, a cloudy gray today. She was disappointed our time together was growing short. I didn’t hold her gaze, afraid I’d cave. The past few weeks had been the hardest, knowing exactly what lay in store for her, yet not being able to share any of it. I wanted to be there when the news was finally broken, to comfort and reassure her, but I knew I had to give her space. She was strong, she’d get through it. I just had to be patient.

  “Yeah, I have a flight to catch.” I secured the hose on the holder, taking that little bit longer than I needed. I’d not see Cheyenne for a whole week, and the realization was starting to sink in. A dull ache flickered in my chest, and I frowned. This had never happened before.

  Was I going to miss her?

  I already knew the answer as I headed to the porch to grab my stuff.

  Cheyenne frowned, looking out across the drive. The breeze caught her long blonde hair and tangled it in her lashes. As she tucked the loose strands behind her ears, I clenched my hands in my pockets. If I didn’t, I’d reach out, brush them back myself and…I shook my head. I had to get a grip.

  “Your parents are due home around six, right?” I glanced at my watch, hoping a change of subject would calm me down. Then again, I wasn’t that keen to leave Cheyenne alone, even if it was only for forty minutes. But if I stalled, I’d miss the flight home.

  “Yeah, my dad’s plane landed about an hour ago,” Cheyenne answered, oblivious to my thoughts. “They were supposed to stop and get my mom a new cell phone and talk to them about the service up here. It’s been hit or miss lately. The error code comes up as network problems.” She paused and stared out in the forest again. Her eyes had become a darker gray.

  Quickly I followed her gaze. She must have seen something. Eventually I spotted a shadow disappearing into the trees. I had to stop myself from rolling my eyes. Typical of the Laundess clan; they were much too laid back for a job like this. I’d have to remind them not to let Cheyenne get any hint they were around. At least I knew they were already here.

  I touched her arm reassuringly.

  “Cheyenne?”

  Her eyes brightened a little, though they didn’t return to their usual blue. She was still thinking.

  “After that they’ll be home,” she went on, as if she’d never paused. Hmm; when she continued a conversation like that, it usually meant she had something serious on her mind. “Thanks to your help, I already have the camping gear lined up in the hallway.” She smiled. “They wanted to leave tonight.”

  I chuckled softly. Yeah, for a trip you won’t be taking. Even so, I worried for her. Despite all the time we’d spent together and how much she’d opened up to me, there were still things she kept in her heart. I wish she’d share her fears with me.

  “Come on.” Cheyenne took a hold of my arm and pulled me off the porch. The warmth of her palm tickled my skin. “You need to go. I’ll be fine.”

  As she let go, the dull ache in my chest returned. Swallowing, I mounted my motorcycle. Why was I feeling like this?

  Colt, what are you doing? Callon’s thoughts echoed in my head. Ah, he must have parked nearby. Finish up, we need to get on the road or we’ll miss our flight.

  I sighed. Playtime was over.

  Coming, Dad.

  I could feel Callon’s frown.

  This isn’t the time to be joking around. Daniel said we had to get back right away. We don’t have much time left.

  Alright, alright.

  I made to slam down the kick-starter, when Cheyenne spoke.

  “You know,” she said, “for someone who’s had so many concussions, you really should be wearing a helmet.”

  Her eyes had returned to their vibrant blue, and I grinned. That was my Cheyenne, always concerned about everyone else. If only she knew how much stronger I was.

  She looked up and stepped forward. For a moment I wondered why, when she brushed the leaves from my hair, still stuck from our tickling fight earlier. She was so close her scent caught me, like fresh cut wildflowers. That proved too much, and I leaned in, slowly drawing her into a hug.

  I’d be a whole week without her. A whole week without her smiles, her voice, her laughter…it was going to hurt being apart for so long.

  I scoffed. What was I saying? It was just a week! I’d been with other girls before and hadn’t had any problems leaving them for my travels. But something was different here. Cheyenne wasn’t just ‘some girl’. She was my friend, someone I’d shared as many things with as my own brothers. And I wanted more.

  Cheyenne gasped; she hadn’t expected this. Her heart raced against my chest. In that moment, my resolve weakened. My cheek brushed hers, so soft and warm, and I placed a sweet kiss near her ear.

  “Miss you already, Cheyenne,” I breathed.

  She stepped back, her cheeks tinged pink.

  “Same here,” she choked. I had to chuckle at her reaction. Not just because it was cute to see her so embarrassed, but also because it meant she’d felt the same thing. I was going to have to explore this when I returned.

  “I’ll see you next Sunday.” Winking, I revved the engine and headed down the long gravel drive. My eyes didn’t leave my rearview mirror until I turned and hit the highway.

  I hoped I hadn’t been too overbearing. This would give her something to think about, at least. It had given me something to think about, too. I’d never thought about anyone as strongly as this. Even when I was away from her, she constantly overtook my thoughts. And being with her always made me feel so alive. For so long I’d drifted around, straying far from home and exploring the world. I’d thought it was what I wanted. But Cheyenne had made me realize I’d been nothing but a lost boy. Now she’d given me a purpose, and I wasn’t going to fail her.

  I tightened my grip on the handlebars. The plan was set. We’d go to Ireland, fix up the manor, and bring her home. I just had to hold on for another week. Then I could prove to her what she really meant to me.

  I rolled my phone between my hands, occasionally pressing a button to check the screen. No new messages had arrived in the last two minutes since I’d checked it before. Sighing, I continued fiddling. Why hadn’t she called?

  Colt, cut it out.

  I glanced to my right. Callon had his hands in his pockets, staring at the drinks machine opposite. Though he looked bored, he must’ve been watching me the whole time.

  What? Have you heard something?

  Without warning, Callon reached over and snatched my phone.

  Hey! I scrambled to get it back, but Callon held it away.

  If you check this thing again, I’m going to throw it onto the runway. His hazel eyes narrowed. Will you quit being so twitchy? I told you I got a message from John saying Gene and Alexis had passed his checkpoint about two hours ago.

  But Cheyenne hasn’t texted me…

  Callon rolled his eyes.

  You’re her bodyguard, not her boyfriend. The others are at the house anyway, keeping an eye on her. They’ll call if
there’s an issue. He switched off my phone and handed it back. “She’s in good hands, Colt. Don’t worry.”

  I grabbed the phone back gruffly.

  “She better be.”

  As I shoved the phone into my jeans pocket, the terminal speakers chimed. They were announcing our flight departure. I tensed. This was it. I wouldn’t have any cell signal for a week. My hand flew to my pocket again, but Callon’s scowl made me pause. Cheyenne was about to have a major bombshell dropped on her. Getting her confused with my own feelings would just make it worse. It wouldn’t be fair on her. Better if I kept my distance for the time being.

  Adjusting my bag over my shoulder, I brought out my passport and boarding ticket and headed for the departure gate. I’d not bothered packing much since we’d only be gone a week, though it was also because I wanted to be prepared for a quick getaway. Cheyenne might need me at a moment’s notice.

  It was slow-going, and the line halted as we entered the jet. The economy passengers continued to fill up from the exit ahead, and I tapped my foot impatiently. What was taking so long at our end?

  Finally the group moved, and I spotted the cause of the hold up. A woman with tied-back blonde hair was trying to cram her oversized bag into the overhead compartment. She was too short to reach, though. At last, a kind steward appeared and relieved her of her luggage. Her cheeks flushed a little as she saw the line behind her, and she quickly slid into her seat. I raised an eyebrow. It was beside mine.

  Callon nudged me.

  Looks like you’ll have someone to talk to on the long flight.

  I flashed him a sidelong glance.

  Knowing my luck, she’ll prefer a tall, rich doctor with the personality of a scouring pad.

  Huh?

  You know, abrasive.

  Smirking, I ignored his irked glare and moved to my assigned seat beside the woman. Except, as I checked my ticket stub, I realized she was actually sitting in my seat. Her green eyes looked up, and color rose in her cheeks.

  “Um, excuse me,” I said, as her face grew redder. “But I think you’re sitting in my seat.”