“This isn’t fair. You know my weakness, and you’re using it against me. This doesn’t erase what you’ve done. I already told you, you blew it. Don’t expect to win me back by giving me a guitar. You’ve gained nothing from this.” My body grew tense.
“I wouldn’t say we gain nothing from this. We get to listen to you play,” Callon said calmly.
“Hmph,” I grunted. “And why should I play right now?”
“Because I know you want to, and it’s been a while. It seems to me you prefer the guitar to the piano. We’re just trying to give you something back, make it more comfortable for you.”
They were trying to make it comfortable? I was still going to leave.
“And if you still have ideas about leaving, we’ll stop you,” Callon said. His confidence was enough to drive me crazy. More annoying was the fact that he could read me like an open book. I did want to play—badly—but I didn’t want an audience.
I pulled the guitar out, and Colt removed the case from my lap. I narrowed my eyes in irritation, and he immediately moved away. I couldn’t help but catch the guilt and hurt in his eyes. He knew what he done to me; they all did. And I couldn’t help but notice how drastically I’d changed. This was so far from who I knew I was…but how else was I supposed to react?
I strummed the strings and began tuning the guitar.
I took a cleansing breath and closed my eyes as I began play. It wasn’t any particular melody, it was just something I created—all mine. Soft, soothing and light.
I never understood why the music soothed me so. It had a way of putting everything into perspective, clearing my thoughts. I wasn’t as angry anymore. I was deeply hurt, but I could close it off. I wouldn’t allow anyone to see the pain. I’d never allow anyone else to hurt me so deeply. I’d remain distant and lock that part of me away.
I needed to be strong, not allow others to influence what I should be. I didn’t like the choices laid out for me, and I wouldn’t accept them. I was still unclear who was right, and none of them would give me a straight answer. I would have to find out on my own. I would wait until the time was right and leave. Determination was on my side. They would regret the day they gave me back my music, and the day they chose to hurt me.
As usual I didn’t keep track of time, but I knew more than an hour had passed. Opening my eyes, I saw that Callon had moved closer. Colt and Daniel seemed deep in thought and Maes was staring at me.
“It was different this time, Cheyenne,” Callon murmured. “Before, we could see inside your soul, and now you’ve closed that off. Haven’t you?”
“Whatever.” I tried to brush off his comment, but it struck home how deep Callon could always see me.
“Why?” he asked.
“You already know!” I exclaimed.
Maes remained quiet, analyzing the situation. I glanced at Colt. He had his head down, deep in thought. Colt knew; they all knew.
“I’m sorry, Cheyenne. We never meant to cause you so much misery,” Callon apologized.
“Save your words, Callon,” I spat.
“We’ll make this right.”
“Good luck with that.” I stood and headed for the front door. “Am I allowed to go out front alone?” No sense in getting anyone riled up for not following the rules.
“No,” Callon replied. He began to move from the couch.
“I’ll go with you,” Daniel piped up.
Callon hesitated, looking to Colt for guidance before he nodded. Daniel jumped to my side. Maes stood up from the couch, inviting himself along as well. We walked out front, and I went to one of the patio chairs. Daniel sat close to me while Maes took the seat to the left. The night air was cool and refreshing. I closed my eyes and lay my head back, slouching so I didn’t have to strain my neck. I really didn’t feel like talking.
“Interesting conversation tonight,” Maes said. I didn’t reply. “A little bit of a lover’s quarrel?”
Another note to self, his accent came out when he was tormenting me.
“A quarrel, Maes. A lover’s quarrel would assume love is involved,” I snapped back.
“So no love then?”
“Not from me.”
“I see…actually that’s not what I see, if you want my opinion.”
“I don’t want your opinion.”
“Ah, so it’s worse than I thought. Both of them, huh?”
“It’s none of your business.”
“Oh, but it is my business, Cheyenne. You see, what affects you affects me in the long run. It’s like dominos.” Maes waited for a moment. “You seem to provide a lot of different challenges.”
Challenges…my mind started whirling about my first encounter with this tricky Tresez.
“Maes.” I sat up and met his dark eyes. If he was starting with the questions, then so was I. “You told me I was your only hope, that you were bound to me eternally and that I had to kill Marcus. Why?”
“My, aren’t you full of questions.” Maes leaned back in his seat, placing his arms behind his head. His amused stare set my nerves on end.
“Just answer me, please.” I was still feeling out of sorts from my last transformation, and it was hard to keep my temper in check.
Maes’s gaze drifted from me to the forest surrounding the cabin. He stared for a long time, before he kicked his legs up and rested them on the table.
“You’re a clever girl. You figure it out,” he said.
I inhaled deeply. I wasn’t letting go this time. I needed answers, and dealing with one Mr. Evasive was enough. “Answer the damn question, Maes!” I said through my teeth, my eyes narrowed.
An exasperated grumble left Maes as he turned towards me again. “Only the Kvech can break the curse that was brought upon the Tresez. You are the last remaining Kvech. Put two and two together.”
“A curse?” Will this nightmare ever end? “Tresez history 101, please,” I snapped.
Maes growled, baring his teeth. For a second I thought he was going to shift, but then Daniel quietly spoke up.
“The Tresez were the first to join the Sarac, Cheyenne.” It was almost odd to hear his voice. He hadn’t said a word since dinner. “The short version of the story is that the other clans weren’t real supportive—the Tresez were cursed as a people. They were to be the lowest of the low, forced to crawl around on all fours and serve their masters, as dogs.” He sighed. “They were the Sarac’s protectors, forced to do their bidding. As part of their duties, the Tresez kill the children of the Timeless before they transform. They were sent to destroy you, Cheyenne.”
I knew that last part, but it was still hard to hear. I swallowed and returned my attention to Maes. “But you didn’t. So why did the other Tresez try?”
“Obviously they didn’t see your rings.” Maes looked away as if to hide something from me. “Not everyone feels the same way I do.”
Maes felt something? Now that was a shocker. So I was still in danger from the Tresez unless…
“How can I free you?”
I waited for a reply, but one never came. Why did Maes want to hide the answer from me?
Daniel once again answered. “If the Tresez pledge their loyalty to you, and help you destroy the Sarac, their curse can be broken. You know you’re the only one who can destroy Marcus.”
I plopped back into the seat once more.
Ah. Maes couldn’t say it because then, in essence, he’d be saying he was pledging loyalty to me. I was beginning to think I had a target on my forehead that directed all these people into my life. Why me? And why couldn’t anyone else destroy Marcus? How was I supposed to kill a faceless man? He’d killed both sets of my parents, but…
Suddenly an odd thought struck me.
Maes’s eyes…
“The color of your eyes. Is it because of the curse?”
“Yes,” Maes replied.
“But the other Tresez, their eyes are black.”
“Yes.”
I waited patiently for a reply, but got nothing.
“How am I supposed to be your only hope if you won’t tell me anything?”
“The curse is weakening,” Daniel replied.
I looked at Daniel. “So why does he need me then?”
“He’s been waiting for a long time.”
“But if the curse is weakening, then why not wait it out?”
“Because it’s already been hundreds of years, Cheyenne,” Maes answered.
Hundreds of years? He’d been dealing with this curse for hundreds of years…a timescale I couldn’t even comprehend.
“Cheyenne?” Daniel’s voice brought me out of my thoughts.
“Yeah?”
“I know this sounds like a lot, but I believe in you.”
I turned away from him, tears rising. Daniel believed in me. His arm came around and drew me into a hug. How much weight could one person bear before it all became too much? I already felt like a bomb just waiting to go off. I was sure a major meltdown couldn’t be far off.
“I know how you like to run. I’ll go with you tomorrow if you’d like.” His hand rubbed my back. A sense of serenity seemed to be washing over me. I didn’t understand how he could provide me with this feeling of peace, but I accepted it willingly.
“I’d like that,” I mumbled.
Daniel was always safe, honest. His deep blue eyes always had a twinkle for me. I loved him like a brother.
We sat outside in the night air until I was chilled. I wanted to ask Maes more questions about the curse, and especially about my mother. However, I’d had enough frustration over his lack of answers, which told me it wasn’t worth my breath tonight.
Callon and Colt were standing near the door as we entered. I was sure they’d been listening to the whole conversation. Did Callon prompt Daniel to answer my questions? Or had given him permission to answer?
I stopped just inside the door. “I’d like to go to bed if you don’t mind. I’m just not sure which room I’m staying in now. If someone would direct me, I’d appreciate it.”
“I’ll show you,” Callon replied. I turned to follow him. We went to the same room I’d slept in the night before.
It was just as I thought…more independence lost. I frowned.
“I need to make sure you’re safe,” Callon said. “The other room was too easy to access. There are only two ways in for this one, and we’ve got them both covered.”
I turned to walk away, when Callon touched my arm. I stared at his fingers as that now-familiar electrical current tingled across my skin. “Cheyenne, I’ll make things right for you. You need to give me a chance. I can do this.”
I didn’t want to hear this right now; it was too late as far as I was concerned. “Are you staying in here with me or am I allowed to sleep alone?” My eyes met his. I saw his emotions float near the surface, but quickly disappear. What was he holding back?
“I’m staying nearby.”
“That’s all I needed to know. Thank you.”
Callon reluctantly released his hold, and I entered the bathroom to change, grateful for the distance. I quickly splashed cold water on my face, washing away memories of his touch. I didn’t need Callon or Colt. I would be fine on my own.
As I came out of the bathroom, Callon was standing on the balcony overlooking the forest. I climbed into bed and watched him. He didn’t turn around, and eventually my lids became too heavy to keep open. I began daydreaming about his touch, the touch that seemed to send my heart racing. He was right; this bond between us was bigger than either of us knew
But I wouldn’t let it take control.
Chapter 6
I woke early and knew my strength was returning. The sunshine was trickling through the trees in the forest. I scanned the room and realized I was alone. I slowly climbed out of bed and strolled to the open balcony door, stepping out into the cool morning air. I loved the smell of pine, dew and all the forest scents mixing together. I closed my eyes with a sigh and allowed the pieces of sunshine smiles to warm my skin.
That was my mom’s way to explain the phenomena to a four year old: when small patches of sunshine filtered through the trees, the sun was smiling in the forest. Sunshine smiles were spread everywhere. I stood still for a long time, soaking it all in—loving the memories of her.
“Cheyenne.” Callon’s deep voice made me jump. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you. I thought you heard me.”
“Could you at least slam a door next time?” I asked curtly. “Then I’d know you were in the room. I don’t have super hearing, you know.”
“So you’re still human then?”
“You don’t all have the same powers, so you really wouldn’t know whether I was or wasn’t unless I told you,” I said. “I’ve paid attention to past conversations.”
“Just checking.”
Callon was approaching me cautiously. What was he up to? He pressed closer, placing both hands on the rails, forcing me to lean back. Unease began to roll over me, and I tried to push him off. “Back off, Callon.”
He didn’t move. He stood immobile, seemingly trying to read my thoughts. My irritation pushed to the surface.
“Back off,” I repeated.
“I know I hurt you, Cheyenne, and I know I have to win your trust back. I’m not giving up. Eventually you’ll give in.” He spoke with such confidence that it left an ill feeling in my stomach.
“Your self-assurance has no effect on me, Callon,” I said coolly. A flicker of pain crossed his eyes, but he quickly pushed it away. It seemed he was finding it difficult to hide himself from me…
He reached out for my right hand, but I pulled it back.
“Oh no, you don’t. You don’t get to touch me when you want to.” I firmly stood my ground. Callon was not going to suck me in again, besides…where would that leave Colt?
Callon placed his hand back on the railing.
“I could make you.” His eyes held a dark, sultry look, and my breathing hitched.
“You could, but you won’t.” I was speaking more to convince myself. “You want it to be real, not forced.”
Callon didn’t move. As he kept me caged between his arms, his gaze remained on mine. Slowly he inched forward, and my heart raced. What was he doing? We didn’t make contact, but he was close enough for me to feel his hot breath on my neck.
“I do want it to be real.” Callon paused and gently kissed my earlobe. “I’ll wait. I’ve waited this long. What’s a few more weeks?”
A few more weeks? Callon thought he could win me over in a few weeks? Argh! No! No, no, no, I would not fall for this again. I shoved his arm away, and at last he allowed me freedom.
“I have a running date with Daniel.” I hurried past and went straight into the bathroom. I leaned on the closed door and inhaled, trying to slow my racing pulse. I needed to run and clear my head. I changed quickly and stretched. I opened the door and found Callon sitting on the bed.
“Are you hungry?”
“Yes, but I’ll wait until I come back.”
Callon nodded.
Daniel was waiting in the great room. Maes perched against the wall, watching carefully.
I was anxious to leave.
“Let’s go, Daniel.” I bolted for the front door, flinging it open and leaping down the stairs. Colt was just off the porch, watching as we ran by. Maes apparently felt the need to tag along, but his steps were much too light. I glanced back. He wasn’t in his human form any longer—he was a Tresez. He wasn’t letting me out of his sight.
I was going to have to plan out my escape carefully, taking my time to ensure I got the details right. My four guardians would make it difficult. Somebody was always watching.
We fell into a routine, each concentrating on our own tasks. The whole atmosphere at the cabin had changed from before our trip to Dex and Lilly’s, before I found out about Colt and Callon’s betrayal. There were no more smiles, no more joking and no more peaceful moments. It was almost like I was a stranger in my own house…but it wasn’t my home. It was theirs, and t
he reminder was constant.
Daniel was the only one who made my stay somewhat bearable. I was allowed into town for a weekly shopping trip to the grocery store, and in exchange I made a weekly meal. At least that was more than they’d allowed in the past. As the weather became colder, Callon, Colt and Daniel began playing card games. Maes didn’t take part, preferring to observe everything.
I, however, worked on distancing myself from Colt and Callon. I’d stopped talking with them unless necessary. I’d find ways to dodge their touches, and I forced myself to avoid eye contact. I’d stare at their shoulders or hair if I was forced to look their way. They’d noticed. How could they not?
There were no hikes, rides with Mandi, or anything that would involve leaving the dirt road. It was too unsafe. As long as I stayed on the main road, Maes could cover my tracks. If I wandered off, my scent would enter the forest, and we’d have the Tracker army to deal with. And of course the Tresez. Maes was the only thing holding them back. What was he to them? How much power did he hold that he could command their actions?
The first snowfall arrived days before Thanksgiving. Something about the first snow was always so magical. When summer came to an end, the heat dissipated and I could taste the moisture in the air—I longed for snow. The flakes gently cascaded to the ground like ballerina dancers, twisting, and turning in the air. It was so calming watching them drift down. Maybe my affinity came from my mom and dad; they loved the snow too. It brought back happy childhood memories.
I stood out on the balcony watching the speckles float to the earth. We were going into town to get groceries for our Thanksgiving dinner. Callon hadn’t been as uptight recently, possibly an effort to console me, and I had a plan in my mind. I’d been biding my time, but my patience was running out. I needed to figure this whole thing out; I needed to know the truth. I wouldn’t find it here—I had to find it on my own. No distractions from them, no distractions of anything. I was already tiring; their presence alone was wearing me down.
Regardless of the dangers, today was the day—today I would leave. I’d been scoping out the store for quite some time. I didn’t need anything more than my wallet to escape.
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