“That was some work-out, Colt,” a voice called. “Something on your mind?”
I glanced to the door. Callon was there, holding a book.
“Maybe,” I said, grabbing the towel on the bench and wiping my face.
Callon sat beside me, resting his chin on his hands.
“Anything you want to talk about?”
I started to chuckle.
“Shouldn’t I be asking you that?”
Callon bowed his head.
“Was I really that bad after Dad died?”
“Callon, you over-dosed on morphine,” I said stoutly. “I didn’t even think it possible, given you’re Timeless, but when I saw you on the floor, not breathing…” I shook my head.
“I was in a very dark place then,” Callon said quietly. “But that’s all in the past. I didn’t come here to relive old memories, and I decided a long time ago I wouldn’t let them rule me, either.” He glanced to the ceiling. “But enough about me. What’s got you so wound up?”
I sighed. I wasn’t sure how much I could actually admit, given the complexity of the situation. I’d have to play safe for now.
“Don’t tell me it’s about a girl,” Callon smirked.
“Kinda,” I said.
Callon’s smile dimmed, and he raised an eyebrow.
“Really?” he murmured. “That’s not like you at all, you know.”
“Alright, will you stop with the jokes? I have a heart too, you know.” Even I was getting fed up with the teasing. Nobody ever took me seriously, and it was starting to grate on my nerves. “I’m stuck with my feelings and I don’t know what to do.”
“In what way?”
I reached for my water bottle and took a swig.
“I’m not sure. I’ve never been so confused before, not like this. I mean, I’ve been in so many relationships, but I’ve always known what I wanted and where I stood. With this, there’re so many dark corners I don’t understand, I don’t know where I’m going.”
Callon nodded.
“I see. So where before you could always see an end in sight, or find a point where you could cut loose, this time you can’t. You’re uncertain what the future might hold, where your relationship might lead. And that scares you. Right?”
I blinked.
“Did you just read my mind?”
Callon laughed.
“No. I’m just observant, is all. And more experienced.” He stood up, folding his arms. “Everybody is afraid of the unknown. Sometimes you just need the courage to follow your heart, even if you can’t see what lies ahead.” His hazel eyes darkened slightly. “But remember, it might lead you to a lot of trouble, too. Whatever you decide, I’d be careful.”
He turned and left. I watched him go, and swallowed. I got the feeling he knew more than he let on about my relationship with Cheyenne. He’d warned me to keep my distance, in case the rumors about her parentage were true. And I thought I’d be able to; I’d done it plenty of times before.
Yet somehow Cheyenne had seen through the charm, and had uncovered the real me. She’d helped me find my loyalty, and my sense of responsibility. I’d been fooling around for so long, never truly understanding my purpose in life or what I wished for. I wasn’t the Consilador leader, nor did I want to be a mere soldier fighting blindly in our war. Yet the weight that Callon had to bear terrified me, and so I’d fled, hoping I wouldn’t have to face what he did and he’d take away all the uncertainty. Like a little child wanting their parent’s comfort.
Now the answer was crystal clear. I was Cheyenne’s guardian, her friend and protector. She was the reason that had been missing from my life. I didn’t have to drift anymore, didn’t have to hide in Callon’s shadow and run from the unknown. It was time to step up and prove I wasn’t the coward everyone thought I was.
Keeping Cheyenne safe was my duty, and I was going to see it through with all my heart.
The sun had yet to rise as I walked behind Callon, heading towards the lake. Daniel was in step behind me, yawning, though I could sense his nervousness. It had been five days since we’d arrived—five days of wrestling non-stop with my chaotic emotions—and Callon had finally discovered how to recreate the enchantment. If this worked, we could rebook our return flight to Idaho tomorrow, and I’d be back with Cheyenne within twenty-four hours.
Failure wasn’t an option.
We reached the lake’s edge, the crystal cold water lapping at the bank. Callon halted, and turned back to the manor.
“This will do fine,” he said. “Stand in front of me and make a triangle.”
Daniel and I did as we were told. I stood to Callon’s right, Daniel to his left.
“Raise your right hand and place it on top of mine,” Callon said.
He extended his arm, his palm facing up. His Consilador ring lay loose in his hand. I pressed mine on top, feeling the metal pinch my skin, while Daniel added his. Callon adjusted his grip, so all three of us had contact with the ring.
“Keep this position and don’t break it,” Callon ordered. “No matter what you see or hear, you must never let go. Is that clear?”
Daniel and I exchanged a puzzled glance.
“What should we expect?” I asked.
Callon sighed.
“I’m not too sure, but you might sense things that aren’t here,” he said. “Whatever happens, don’t lose contact with the ring. Try and think of something to focus your mind, it’ll help you not become distracted.”
Daniel nodded and closed his eyes. Sighing, I followed suit. I decided to think about the song Cheyenne liked to hum when she did her homework.
Slowly, I felt the ring grow warm. Despite the temptation I didn’t open my eyes, concentrating on the melody. The warmth became stronger, so strong it almost scalded my palm, but I didn’t budge. I felt Daniel’s grip tense, and Callon’s fingers tightened, keeping us together.
A low moan ran through my ears, and I clenched my teeth. It started off quiet and faint, before increasing in pitch. Then it turned to an ear-piercing shriek, and I couldn’t stop myself daring to sneak a look.
I gasped. A racing whirlwind surrounded us, tearing through the lake and forest. The waves rose high, twisting, before smacking back down again in a rush of bubbles and foam. The trees bent close to their breaking-point, threatened to be de-rooted from the spot. Between the shadows and cloud I could just about make out the manor, though I couldn’t see what was happening around it.
As I continued to watch the spinning tornado, shapes began to appear inside it. First they were animal-like with claws and teeth, and then they became more human with arms and legs. It was horrifying to look at, but I stood my ground.
Next thing I knew, I felt something cold creep around my neck and chest. Icy tendrils had wrapped around me, trying to pull me into the vortex. I dug my heels into the grass. No way! I wasn’t going anywhere. Their grip tensed, but I was too strong an anchor.
Then a voice whispered in my ear,
“Let go, Colt.”
My eyes widened. That was Cheyenne! But no, impossible, she wasn’t here…
“Don’t fight it,” Cheyenne’s voice cooed. “Just let go and come with me.”
“Where are you?” I called out.
“If you stop fighting, I can show you.”
“But I can’t, my brothers…”
“Leave them, you don’t need them anymore. I promise we’ll be together, forever…”
My muscles began to relax, and I felt my hand pull away from the ring.
“Yes…come to me…”
The voice turned to a dark hiss, and my eyes widened. Wait, this was a trick! I renewed my grip over Callon’s hand, and the voice began to choke.
“No! C-Come…with…”
Suddenly Callon was shouting, his voice clear against the howling wind.
“We, the last of the O’Shea’s, pledge mind, body and soul to these lands, as have our ancestors before us. Protect these grounds, and we promise our children will renew the vow
for every generation!”
As he spoke, the tendrils slipped away. The heat from the ring lessened, and then the whirlwind ceased. The trees returned to their upright position, and the lake waters calmed, the dawn light sparkling off the waves. A shiver ran down my spine, and my eyes lit up. That feeling…the enchantment was back!
Grinning, I looked to Daniel. He seemed alright, though he did look a bit spooked. He must’ve experience the same thing. Callon, though, wasn’t moving. His eyes were closed, and his grip on the ring was iron.
“Callon?” I pulled my hand free and touched his arm. Callon groaned and stumbled, and I had to grab him before he hit the ground. “Callon! What happened?”
Callon mumbled; he was groggy all of a sudden. As I helped him stand, Daniel’s breathing hitched.
“Look, look!”
My eyes snapped ahead. A tall figure stood a little way ahead of us, watching carefully. He raised his head, revealing a smiling, bearded face, and deep blue eyes.
“Well done,” he whispered, before he vanished.
“Wait!” Daniel cried. “Dad!”
He jumped to the place where the man had been standing, but it was empty. It was as if he’d turned to smoke. I couldn’t believe it. That man, no, Dad, had been right here with us…how could that be? He’d been dead for so long!
“What’re you staring at?” Callon muttered. He seemed a bit more awake now.
“Did you see the man?” I asked. “He looked just like…”
“I didn’t see anything,” Callon interrupted. “Never mind, we’ve done it. The enchantment has been reborn. We should head back.”
He shook off my arm and started to walk back to the manor as if nothing had happened.
“Callon, tell us what’s going on!” Daniel snapped, hurrying to keep up. “Why did Dad appear?”
Callon stopped, his eyes intent on the terrace.
“He didn’t appear,” he said, his eyes narrowed. “It was an illusion.”
“So you did see him,” I commented.
Callon sighed.
“Alright, you’ve got me there. I wasn’t expecting it, you know,” he admitted. “All I could go on was what Marilyn and William had written. They were the couple who originally created the enchantment. They said it tested their deepest fears and longings. But once they’d overcome that, they had their courage acknowledged.”
“Oh!” Daniel’s eyes brightened. “Is that why I thought I heard your voice, yelling at me for being weak, and that I should just give up?”
Callon tensed.
“Most likely,” he said. “What about you, Colt?”
I slid my hands into my pockets.
“I heard a voice making promises and asking me to let go, too,” I said. “Couldn’t really tell who it was, though.”
Callon frowned. He knew I was lying.
“And you, Callon?” Daniel asked.
“I heard Dad blaming me for his death,” Callon answered. “He tried to get me to let go, too. But we made it.” He managed a smile. “I guess glimpsing him once again was our reward.”
“Yeah,” I said. “He’s proud of us, I know it.”
Callon and Daniel nodded.
“Well, we should rest up,” Callon said. “We’ve got a long journey tomorrow.”
“What? Can’t we leave today?” I asked. “It’s still so early.”
“We can’t leave for twenty-four hours,” Callon explained. “Not until the enchantment has stabilized.” He poked my chest. “We’ve already been away a week. Another day is not going to make much difference.”
My teeth clenched, but I knew I couldn’t say anything. Damn it, all this waiting was driving me insane. Whoever said absence makes the heart grow fonder was definitely on the right track.
I couldn’t wait to be back on that plane.
“Finally!”
I all but jumped out of the truck. At last, we were back in Sagle. From the moment we’d landed I’d been alert, waiting for any message from Cheyenne. I’d tried texting her myself, but Daniel had accidently spilt soda over my phone and I was still waiting for it to dry. Of course, I was tempted to borrow Daniel’s phone, though I doubted it would work. Cheyenne wouldn’t recognize the number and might ignore it.
“Happy now?” Callon asked, grabbing the bags and heading towards the front door of the house. As he fumbled with keys, I jerked my head at Daniel.
“Time to switch,” I said.
You’re not going anywhere, Callon called out. We’ve still got to arrange our back-up plan.
I threw my hands in the air.
Are you kidding me, Callon?!
No, Callon answered. You and Daniel need to map out an alternative route to the airport in case we run into problems, one that doesn’t use the main roads. We might need to use it if Gene and Alexis are followed.
My fist clenched, and I punched the truck door. He was doing this on purpose!
Callon was there in an instant, his jaw tense.
What’s the problem?
…nothing. We’ll do it now.
I stormed to the passenger side of the truck and flung the door open. The quicker I got this over with, the quicker I could see Cheyenne again. Before Daniel could put the truck in gear, however, my phone beeped.
A new message.
A sudden discomfort settled in my stomach. Eh, it was probably another junk text. I’d get a flood of them now I was back with the main network. The keypad was still sticky with sugar, so it took some time to get the message to load. Finally the name of the sender flashed, and I almost choked. This was from Cheyenne, but it was an old message, sent last week the evening I’d left for Ireland. I hadn’t received it because of the lack of signal cover.
They’re never coming home.
My hand started to shake.
Oh my God…no…
“Colt?” Daniel reached over and shook me. “Colt, what is it? What’s the matter?”
I couldn’t speak, dumbfounded. This wasn’t right. I had to be dreaming this. I re-read the message twice, three times, twenty times. It wouldn’t go away.
“No…”
The phone beeped again; a voicemail from the same date. I let it play, listening to Cheyenne’s frail voice begging me to call back.
“NO!” I ripped the seatbelt off and jumped out of the truck.
“Colt?” Callon turned around. Once he saw the look on my face, though, his eyes went wide. “Colt, what is it?!”
They’re DEAD! I raced for the garage, my heart filled with dread. The image of Cheyenne’s lifeless body flickered before me and I wanted to scream. Gene and Alexis never made it home, Cheyenne’s been by herself all week!
What?! Callon’s eyes burned. He flipped out his phone. Let me call…
I didn’t bother catching the rest of his words; I’d found the motorcycle keys. Wryly I grabbed the helmet, before jumping into the seat and hammering the kick-starter. The engine didn’t fail me and roared to life instantly.
Colt, wait! Callon barked. Don’t go alone! You don’t know what’s…
I ignored his protest and shot out onto the road, going as fast as the gears would let me. I didn’t care if a hundred Tresez were waiting for me; I’d tear through them all to get to Cheyenne if I had to. The message continued to haunt me. Never coming back…she’d been all alone for seven days, she’d lost the parents she loved and hadn’t had anyone to support her grief. Worse, she’d been completely vulnerable to attack.
I should never have left.
I ripped down the country road, taking the corners way too fast, but I didn’t care. I’d stalled long enough back at the house, and I was going to make up for it. My phone burned in my pocket, the screen frozen on the last message from Cheyenne. The distress call I’d been listening out for, but had never received…
My mind reeled as I came towards the highway. How, how could this have happened? The Wilsons had been so cautious for all these years! I knew we should have never got the Laundess involved, we should’
ve just kept it to ourselves. Now Marcus had found them and exacted his final punishment. Damn him, damn him for killing Gene and Alexis! I’d never forgive him for shattering my Cheyenne’s heart. Never!
A truck’s horn blared; I was riding too close. I swiftly overtook, watching for the gravel driveway. My gas was running low, but I couldn’t stop. I had to get to her now. One week, one stupid week away and I’d already failed in my promise to protect her. But hope continued to beat in my heart. She had to be alive, she had to be…
“Cheyenne, I’m coming,” I muttered, crouching low against the handlebars. “Just hold on!”
At last the gravel entrance appeared. My heart hammered into my ribs as I rode down the long driveway scanning the Wilson’s house. The house I’d visited so often it might as well have been my own.
The Jeep stood alone in the drive, and I sighed. I’d only known Gene and Alexis for a couple of years, but they’d been such kind-hearted people. How anyone would want to hurt them made me sick. I could only imagine what Cheyenne had been going through. And all alone, too.
I parked beside the Jeep, then grabbed the keys and removed my helmet. None of the lights in the house were on, but it was still daylight. Otherwise, everything looked, well, normal.
Sighing, I dumped my helmet and headed to the porch. A sudden chill raced through me, and I checked over my shoulder. Something moved into the trees. Frowning, I backed away from the door. I cast an eye across the forest, but nothing else stirred. There was something there, but if it wanted Cheyenne, it’d have to get through me first.
I plucked the spare key from its hiding place. I was betting Cheyenne wouldn’t answer the door.
“Cheyenne?” I called loudly; I didn’t want to frighten her by entering without warning.
No reply.
The silence filled me with dread, so I unlocked the door and stepped through.
“Cheyenne? Cheyenne, where are you?”
The hall was empty. It’d been full of camping stuff when I’d left. Cheyenne still didn’t answer, so I began to check the rooms. The living room was dusty and barren, as was the rest of the hall and the downstairs bathroom. Swallowing back panic, I thundered up the stairs to the bedrooms. No-one there, either. No, she couldn’t be dead…
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