Promises

by Lisa L Wiedmeier

  Daniel

  I felt angry tears pricking my eyes. Callon must have read the email and told Daniel not to reply with answers. Callon was still furious with me, and now I’d pushed him even further by questioning my pending marriage to him. I set my phone to the side, next to my plate, with the message and reply still open.

  “Everything okay?” Matt’s worried voice asked.

  I didn’t answer as I stared at the empty space on the table before me. I was such an utter failure. I couldn’t even ask a simple question without causing another fracture in someone’s heart. When had everything gone so wrong? I was on a runaway train nearing a demolished bridge…nothing could stop me from falling off the edge.

  “Cheyenne?” A warm hand touched my arm. “Are you okay?”

  I sniffled and inhaled a shaky breath. “I’m fine,” I said just above a whisper.

  The flash of my phone powering down caught my eye. I glanced up to see Matt staring at it. Slowly his gaze lifted to mine.

  “Want to talk about it?” he questioned.

  “No.” I reached over and turned my phone upside down.

  “Here you go,” the bubbly waitress said. I turned towards her, grateful for the distraction. “One bacon cheeseburger with fries, a side of ranch along with a strawberry milkshake, and one double bacon cheeseburger with fries, a side of special sauce along with a chocolate milkshake.” She placed the orders in front of us, and I pulled my napkin into my lap.

  Matt released my arm and sighed. I focused my attention on my burger and fries, while he did the same.

  There was an uncomfortable silence as we waited for the waitress to return with the bill. When she finally did, I reached into my pocket to pay, but Matt handed her a large bill and told her to keep the change. I watched the now giddy redhead bounce away and then turned my attention towards Matt. A bit of irritation flared up.

  “I can pay for my own meals.” I said. I wasn’t helpless.

  “I wanted to pay for it, Cheyenne. Let me do this for you.”

  “Why?”

  He raised his brows. “Well, for starters, you look like you’ve just been dealt some bad news, and second, regardless of the chance meeting we had here at the diner, I never allow a woman to pay.”

  Now I raised my brows. “That’s a bit chauvinistic isn’t it? A woman can’t support herself? She’s helpless without a man?”

  He raised his hands up. “Now wait a minute, that’s not what I meant. I don’t allow a woman to pay, not because I don’t think she can’t support herself, or that she’s helpless. It’s a courtesy, a way of saying thank you for your company.”

  “Oh, so now I’m providing you entertainment, and you’re paying for it like I’m some common hooker out on the corner?” I snapped and then realized I was blowing this whole thing out of proportion. I was upset about my circumstances, and I was taking it out on Matt. What kind of a leader could I ever become if I always reacted instead of listened? I pressed my hand to my forehead as I lowered my head. Now I was even contemplating this whole Kvech role…

  “I’m sorry, Matt. I’m being so rude to you. I should go.” I rose from my chair and started to walk away when his fingers touched my arm.

  “Wait,” he said quietly. “Can I walk you back?”

  I sighed. This poor guy was a glutten for punishment. Who knew what I’d do next? “Sure.”

  He followed me as we left the diner and began the long walk back. The sun was starting to set, and the red skies displayed how my heart felt, broken and bleeding. When would this misery end?

  “I didn’t mean to upset you, Cheyenne,” Matt said as he walked beside me. “I’m sorry if I’ve offended you. That wasn’t my intent.”

  “I know. I’ve just had a bad spell, and I was taking it out on you. I’m the one who should be sorry. You were just being nice.” I kicked a small stone with my shoes and followed its path until it disappeared into the tall grass on the roadside.

  “I’m here to talk to if you want to get something off your chest,” he offered.

  I sighed. I wished I could talk to him, but I wouldn’t be able to truly share anything. He’d never understand. “Thanks. I’ll keep that in mind.” I looked up and faintly smiled, and he returned the grin.

  We turned onto the path leading to our homes with an awkward silence between us. We cleared the rear of my house, and he stopped as we came to the garage doors.

  “Thanks, Matt,” I said quietly and turned to head inside.

  “Can I see you tomorrow?” he called out.

  Was he just being nice, or was it something else?

  “I just thought you could use some company if you came out tomorrow,” he explained when I hesitated.

  “Maybe,” I replied and unlocked the door, entering into the house. I leaned against the closed door, pondering my evening. I just needed to be locked away in a tall tower, away from everyone and everything. I sighed and headed for the couch.

  I pulled my phone out of my pocket and held it in my hand. I’d turned it off before we left the diner. I didn’t want it buzzing in my pocket, and I didn’t need to have Matt push me any further to confide in him as I just might.

  My fingers traced the outline of the phone. I needed to hear a comforting voice. I needed to hear Colt tell me everything was going to be all right. That what I’d done wasn’t so bad, and Callon wasn’t angry. I wanted to hear that I could be with him and he’d worked it all out…but I knew the truth. It would never be.

  I turned the phone on and watched as the display screen lit up. Maybe Daniel had persuaded Callon to change his mind. Maybe there was an email waiting in my inbox giving me the information I was searching for. I thumbed over to my email. I stared at the read messages. Nothing new had come in. I sighed.

  I jumped as my phone vibrated in my hand. A text message appeared.

  Miss u,  u, Colt.

  It was as if he knew I needed him. Tears rose. This was my Colt, mine. The Colt who always knew what I needed before I did. I pulled the phone to my chest and hugged it, taking in the love he offered so freely.

  I slumped down into the couch and closed my eyes as I maintained my tight hold on the phone. The weariness of life was catching up with me. The sleepless nights, regardless of being Timeless, made my eyelids heavy weights and soon I drifted off.

  I rarely dreamed, but if I did and remembered, they were few and far between. The last was when I dreamed of the Tresez in the forest; though part of the dream changed, it still came to pass. Tonight I dreamed about a faceless man.

  It was strange; nothing was as it should be. I was with a faceless man; we were standing in the forest overlooking a ravine. An odd emptiness filled the area. No birds singing, no warm breeze. The surroundings were just hollow—completely vacant. The faceless man drew me into his arms as I stared out behind him. He held me close and began to whisper in my ear words I didn’t understand. I wasn’t angry, sad or happy. I looked past him, as if I were just existing—nothing more. No emotions. It was as if all the life had been sucked out of me. I was a mere shell of who I had been.

  I fluttered my lashes open, and inhaled a shaky breath, trying to shake that weighted presence in my soul. It was the same unease I’d been feeling, like something suffocating could overtake me if I wasn’t careful. I glanced around me. I was in my room, and dawn was breaking. I was in my room? The last thing, I remembered, I was on the couch.

  I sat up and glanced around the room, taking account of every detail. I was still dressed in my clothes from the day before, and the room appeared fine. Did I put myself to bed? I pulled the covers down and searched for my phone. It wasn’t in bed with me.

  I hurried downstairs and stopped at the couch, dropping to my knees and pushing the pillows out of the way. I yanked the cushions off and bent to look under the furniture. What had I done with it? Was I sleepwalking last night?

  My one connection to my guardians, and I’d misplaced it already. I pushed my hand through my hair. I couldn’t call them or
they’d panic…they’d show up here within hours. I’d just have to figure this out as I went along. When I was ready, I could use a payphone, since I knew Colt’s number by heart.

  I sighed, sinking to the couch.

  Just what was happening to me?

  Chapter 14

  The presence didn’t go away. It wasn’t anything I could describe in words, and I was scared about what it meant. Sometimes I would be drowning in an overwhelming storm of doom, and I’d wake up from an already restless sleep, covered in sweat. Other times, it was as if I could sense myself changing…an internal transformation with the physics of my body.

  Would I be gaining more powers soon? What would they be, and how would I know?

  It also didn’t help that I kept having the same dream about the faceless man and an emptiness so profound it left me shaking afterwards. Who was he? There were so many things I still didn’t understand…the choices my mother had made, regardless of knowing she’d have children, she’d left me to pick up the pieces.

  My mind whirled around my conversation with Maes at the lake. He’d told me my mother was self-centered and self-seeking. I hadn’t wanted to think about it at the time, but now my anxiety gnawed at me. Was it true? Did she run away from her betrothal because she was only concerned about her own well-being?

  Then there was the fact that she didn’t follow through with her obligation. So why couldn’t I make the same choice and deny Marcus as well? Technically, I could if I married Callon or Colt; however, what would that mean to future generations? If he’d hunted down my birth parents, Qaysean and Sahara, I was sure Marcus would never allow Callon, Colt or me to live in peace. I couldn’t allow this endless circle to continue. It had to stop before more were hurt, but how?

  He was faceless to me, just a name. In fact, his name was the only thing I knew about the man whom I should feel vengeful toward, a man I should hate, but yet couldn’t. At least, not yet. My dad had always taught me never to judge a person without knowing firsthand. I knew nothing about Marcus except what others had told me. Heck, I didn’t even have proof that he was the one who had murdered my parents; only the words of others whose opinions had already been formed with hatred.

  Finally, there was the whole royalty thing, since I was the last remaining Kvech. The Kvech were the ruling clan, and I was supposed to lead the rest of the Timeless clans, when I couldn’t even lead myself. What did this role consist of anyway? Did it mean I would tell people what to do? Or was I somehow to direct them in their path as a Timeless? What the heck did that mean? Why did my parents leave me with such responsibility and yet hide me from the Timeless people? Wouldn’t it have been better to have had someone raise me knowing what I was to become? Someone who would have taught me the Timeless ways? Were there Timeless ways at all?

  Or was it that I was just merely a weapon? Maybe I wasn’t supposed to lead; I was just the tool by which Marcus would fall. Called upon for battles and destruction…but with no will of my own…

  I pushed my fingers to my temples and rubbed them. I was getting a headache, but I was sure it was from all the stress I was putting myself through. Still, my thoughts wouldn’t stop tumbling. Maes had been keeping a low profile. I knew he was there, as he’d promise to watch out for me. I couldn’t see him abandoning me when he was so concerned about me trusting him.

  It was probably a good thing he hadn’t been around. I would have wanted to talk with him, ask questions, and that could’ve been disastrous. I’d have opened myself up to another Timeless’s influence, and one whose allegiance remained ambiguous.

  I sighed. No; this was something I had to work out on my own. Only I could come to the answer I needed. I just needed more time.

  I rose and headed for the back door. Dark rain clouds were in the distance, and I needed to get to the store. For some odd reason, the headache didn’t want to flee. I frowned. How easy it had been to take Callon’s medical expertise for granted. I could’ve called him, but I hesitated. What I’d done was unforgiveable regardless of how they’d treated me.

  Besides, I was probably overreacting. A little aspirin would sort me out.

  Grabbing my jacket from the kitchen chair, I headed for the front door. Stepping out onto the front porch, I surveyed my surroundings. It was odd. I’d been alone for a while now and nothing had happened. No attacks, nothing to make me uneasy, and no one saying I was their only hope…I smirked…and my guardians said I couldn’t take care of myself.

  I stepped off the porch and began my leisurely stroll to the grocery store, opting for the wooded path rather than the paved road. The trail would cut off the time it would take. I would also be able to avoid Matt. I hesitated for a moment, knowing it would be safer on the main road, but shook off the anxiety. I’d run on the trails before without any signs of Tresezes, besides, I had Maes.

  The trail wound around the back of the resort, giving me a glimpse of small meadows and the white bark of aspens. It was unusually peaceful; even the wind had died down.

  My eyes caught sight of red poppies, and I couldn’t help myself. I veered off the trail towards them. Poppies were some of my mom’s favorite wildflowers. I just needed to smell them. A little bit of home would help out greatly.

  I sat on my knees, lowering my head and taking in the fragrance.

  The sound of crackling branches echoed off the trees. I sighed. I was sure it was just Maes keeping tabs on me.

  As the sound moved closer, I realized it was different. The scar on my back suddenly began to pulse as a warning…this wasn’t Maes!

  I shot to my feet, my heart pounding and my eyes searching. Dark shadows moved in the forest, and fear swept over me. I’d assumed it was Maes, but now I wasn’t so sure.

  I’d fought the Tresez before as a human, but I’d had back-ups. I was Timeless now, but still vulnerable.

  I was alone.

  Black eyes met mine as a lone Tresez emerged between the trees and began to circle me. I search for anything, a branch, rock…nothing lay in the meadow except the red poppies.

  My body shook with the unknown. After all I’d fought for, I finally had my freedom and this was how it would end? My blood mixing with the crimson of the poppies…

  My mouth wouldn’t move to call out for help…not that anyone would come.

  The black hair rose on the Tresez’s back, rolling with each growl that emerged from its mouth. Glistening white fangs dripped with saliva, anticipating the taste of fresh meat.

  I inhaled a shaky breath and made a rash decision. I’d run for it. The Tresez was faster, but Maes had said they wouldn’t show themselves in public. The main road couldn’t be that far away. Maybe I had a fighting chance after all.

  My legs took over without another thought, and I found myself running through the trees, weaving in and out in a desperate attempt to avoid the Tresez’s sharp claws.

  I dunked under a branch and heard it snap as the Tresez hit it. Seconds later, I was tumbling down a ravine, colliding with black fur as the Tresez lost its footing. We separated at the bottom, only to leave me more vulnerable than ever…I was flat on my back.

  The Tresez was quick and already on its feet. Within the blink of an eye, it crouched and launched itself towards me. My only reaction was to throw my hands out and pinch my eyes closed as I waited for impact.

  A gush of air left me, and I suddenly grew weak. My head had begun to pound. My eyes shot open. There was no Tresez atop me.

  I blinked.

  I propped myself on my elbows and looked around. The Tresez lay unmoving next to a pine tree. What had just happened?

  “Having fun, are we?” Maes asked, and I screamed in fright.

  “Where have you been?” I bellowed, barely able to catch my breath. “I thought you were supposed to protect me!”

  His eyes grew dark, and he moved towards the limp Tresez, yanking it from the ground with one hand. A split second later, a snap echoed, and he dropped the dead Tresez to the ground.

  “There, you’re p
rotected now,” he growled. “Now get up.”

  I stared at him blankly. With just the flick of his wrist, he’d killed the Tresez…

  He stalked towards me.

  “Get up.”

  Every inch of me trembled.

  “I can’t.”

  He stared at me.

  “Why?”

  “I—I feel weak.”

  His head tilted, and then he reached down and pulled me up. I stumbled and leaned against a tree for support.

  What was going on? One moment, the Tresez was about to take a bite out of me, and the next moment, it was lying next to the tree. Maes had come up from behind me. There was no way he could have thrown the Tresez off. What was the gush of air?

  “Interesting,” Maes murmured.

  “You have no idea,” I mumbled.

  “Why were you walking off the trail?” he asked.

  I pressed my fingers to my temples, trying to rub away the pain. “I was taking a shortcut to the store. I was hungry.”

  “Well, then get on with it.” He took hold of my arm and helped me up the ravine to the trail. “Just ahead is another trail to your left that will lead you to the main road. Take it.”

  I nodded and turned back to find him gone. I forced myself to go on; I was in no condition to fight another Tresez.

  With each step, I managed to calm my nerves. I’d grown cocky thinking Marcus and his army would somehow leave me alone. A mistake that almost cost me my life, but somehow I had been able to protect myself. I didn't know how or why, but one thing was for sure. I couldn’t afford to be over confident. I was still weak in Timeless terms—I needed to be careful.

  Rounding the corner, I was surprised to see Matt near the edge of the road. I hesitated and brushed off my jacket. He had his cell phone to his ear and seemed to be in a deep conversation. His grey eyes locked with mine, and he smiled. Too late to turn around now. I nodded in acknowledgement as I neared him.

  “Hey, Cheyenne,” he said as he finished his call. “Out for a walk?”

  I nodded and kept walking as he moved alongside me. I hoped I didn’t have twigs stuck in my hair. There was no way I could explain what had just happened…I didn’t know what had happened.