Matt had been nothing but nice to me since that day in the diner, the day I exploded on him because of my own failures. Over the past weeks, if he’d see me out he’d been sure to start a conversation, but he never pushed anything.
“Mind if I join you?”
“Sure,” I replied, and internally warned myself not to talk about anything beyond mere pleasantries. I couldn’t afford to mess up a human life.
“Looks like rain is brewing.” He glanced up at the dark clouds in the distance. “I’m surprised you’d chance a walk now.”
I looked up. “I think it’ll be fine. I’m just going to the grocery store.”
“Dinner?”
“If I find something I like.”
“Maybe I can help,” he replied as he kicked a loose stone.
“Maybe.”
We fell silent, the rocks crunching beneath our shoes on the path.
“You walk really fast for a woman,” Matt chuckled.
“Glad I could amuse you, Matt,” I replied and glanced his way. He had no idea why I was walking so quickly, and I had to keep it that way.
“It’s just that you’re so tiny in comparison to me. It’s a bit of a surprise.”
I eyed him. He was large compared to me. I hadn’t paid close attention as I’d been trying to avoid him. He was definitely over six foot, close to Callon’s size.
“Yeah, well, you look like an oaf if you ask me,” I smiled, happy to distract myself from the thoughts whirling through my head.
He stopped in his tracks and crossed his arms, tilting his head. “Are you teasing me?”
I gave a sly smirk and kept walking. I missed Colt’s teasing.
He quickly caught up. “So, are you finally taking a liking to me, then?”
Prickly warning signs in the form of goosebumps ran down my neck. Careful, Cheyenne, he’s human, and this will only cause you trouble. I shrugged a reply.
We arrived at the grocery store. As I was about to pick up a small hand basket, Matt grabbed one first. “Let me,” he said. I had no choice but to allow him.
I headed for the medicine aisle first in search of aspirin. Matt stood beside me with a puzzled expression.
“I’ve got a headache,” I explained. He didn’t need to know anything more.
He reached above me, handing me a small blue box. “This should work.”
I turned and looked up into sympathetic eyes.
“I had a friend who used to get a lot of headaches. She told me this worked the best for her.”
“Oh.” Surprised, I took the box from his hands and began to study it. Now was when I wished I had the doctor’s advice. I wasn’t even sure how much I should take. It’s not like I was human anymore. Would I double the dose, or take it like I would have when I was human? I sighed. I’d have to figure it out later. No need to have Matt questioning me.
I dropped the package in the basket and headed towards the deli.
“Do you like pasta?” Matt asked as we rounded the corner to the bakery.
“Yeah.”
“Will you let me make you dinner tonight?”
I stopped dead in my tracks and turned to face him. I was in no condition to have company, not after what had just happened on the trail.
“Just dinner,” he added. “No strings attached. I’ll do all the work, and you can just watch. We can even do it at your house.” He smiled hopefully and grabbed a baguette.
He didn’t allow me to answer as he headed to the pasta aisle, and I spun on my heels to keep up.
“Dinner? Seriously?” I asked, trying to buy time.
“Yeah, dinner with a friend.”
“Matt,” I protested, and he suddenly turned to face me.
“You owe me for jumping down my throat the last time we dined together,” he reminded me slyly.
I cringed. Nothing like guilting me into it.
“Fine,” I huffed. “But you leave right afterwards, got it?”
“Sure.” He agreed, and I struggled to keep pace.
We arrived at my house just before the rain began. I flicked on the kitchen light as black clouds blocked out the remaining sunlight. Matt began unloading the bags, and when I attempted to help, he moved me aside, handing me the medicine bottle.
“I said I would take care of dinner. Go take this so your head feels better.”
“But…” I tried to protest.
“Nope, you agreed to this.” He gently pushed me toward the great room. “I’ll bring you some water in a minute.”
I headed towards the couch in defeat. How’d I get myself into this mess? Plopping into the corner, I ripped open the package and dumped two pills in my hand as I contemplated how many to take.
He set a glass of water in front of me. “Take three, it should help.”
I dropped another tablet in my palm and tossed them into my mouth, followed by a drink of water. I turned to watch Matt as he began destroying my kitchen.
I smiled as he hummed, but I couldn’t help my thoughts as they drifted to my guardians. I missed them. I missed Colt. I crossed my arms on the back of the couch and rested my head on them. The pelting rain on the deck was comforting. I closed my eyes as the spices from the spaghetti dinner began drifting throughout the house, and I reminisced about my trio. I could almost hear Daniel’s laughter, as he and Colt would joke around. I could picture Callon holding back his smile as he sat in the other room watching them. It was like he wouldn’t allow himself to join in the fun. It would’ve been too irresponsible for him.
“Cheyenne?” A hand touched the back of my head. “Are you feeling okay?”
I groggily lifted my head to see steel grey eyes staring at me in concern.
“Dinner’s ready, but if you don’t feel good…”
I sat up straight and realized I must have fallen asleep. “No, I—I’m fine.” I forced a smile and stood up. Matt watched me closely. The attacked from the Tresez must have really zapped me.
“Is the kitchen table okay?” he asked.
I nodded and headed in that direction. He pulled out the chair for me. “Thanks.” I sat and watched as he moved to the chair beside me. Sighing, I dropped the napkin in my lap and raised my brows at the full plate of pasta before me. “Wow, this looks great, Matt.”
A smug smile spread over his face. “Thanks. Now dig in.”
I rolled my fork with pasta and blew on the sauce to cool it down. The taste that touched my tongue was simply amazing. “Matt, this is fantastic!” I quickly shoved another bite in.
“It’s an old family recipe.”
“Don’t ever lose it!” I smiled, meaning it for the first time in a long while.
We finished dinner, and I was once again shooed off into the great room as Matt cleaned up. I stared out the windows, watching the rain tumble to the ground. I hadn’t realized truly how much I missed my trio until now.
“Penny for your thoughts?” Matt asked as he sat across from me in the chair.
I looked down and fiddled with my Servak ring. It had actually been nice having company around. But my thoughts were private, and the thoughts about what happened earlier were off limits. “It’s not worth the penny,” I replied.
He sighed. “I worry about you, Cheyenne. One so young shouldn’t have to bear whatever burden you’ve chosen to bear.”
“I didn’t choose it. It chose me.”
“I’m a good listener, you know.”
I looked up and met his open face. “I’m sure you are, but I’m a lousy talker.”
He remained silent for a few moments.
“What’s your favorite color?”
I tilted my head. “Huh?”
“What’s your favorite color?” he asked again and took a sip of his wine.
I shrugged, as I had no idea where he was going with this. “Blue.”
“Favorite time of year?”
“Fall.” It seemed simple enough to give one-word answers.
“Song?”
“I don’t have just one.
”
“Fair enough.” He nodded. “Okay, favorite instrument?”
I shook my head. He should know that. “Guitar.”
He smiled. “All right, favorite food?”
“Mexican.”
“Favorite outdoor activity?”
I grinned, knowing he expected me to say hiking. “Horseback riding.”
“Really? It so happens I own some of the finest stallions in Canada.”
“Good to know.”
The questioning continued until he’d finally gotten me to delve out more information than I intended to. Birth place, where I’d traveled to, where I’d lived and more information than anyone had ever asked me or than I’d given out in years—outside of Colt. Regardless of Colt knowing my background, he was one of the few who could get me talking just like Matt had.
I found it was growing impossible not to like Matt. He’d become a friend I could talk to—just general conversations—but a friend nonetheless. He was distracting me from my mission to find out who I was and where my life was going. It was enough of a diversion that my problems didn’t seem to matter much anymore. But I couldn’t deny that I was missing Callon, Colt and Daniel. I was growing restless without them. And I needed to make up for what I’d said to Callon.
I’d also realized that I wasn’t alone…shadows lurked in the background just like my guardians had warned me. I was constantly on alert, even knowing Maes was the invisible barrier stopping them. The last Tresez attack had proven they could break through from time to time.
“Something bothering you?” Matt asked.
I’d been fiddling with my cup for the last five minutes while we sat outside at the café. I should have known he’d notice.
I sighed.
“Sorry.” I stood up. “Look, I have to make a phone call. Can you just wait here a second?”
“Is it that important?” Matt reached into his pocket. “You can use my phone if you want.”
“It’s fine,” I said. “I’ll use the payphone. I just…I have to do this now.” If I didn’t, I would probably change my mind again.
“Of course,” Matt said. “I’ll be waiting.”
Flashing him a brief smile, I snatched my keys and headed to the payphone just inside the café doors.
Colt answered on the first ring. “Hello?” His husky voice rang like music in my ears.
“Colt!”
“Cheyenne, is that you?” He sounded…relieved?
“Yes, it’s me.” My eyes watered, and I twisted sideways next to the payphone.
“Where’ve you been? I’ve been calling and texting with no reply. We were about ready to come up.”
“I’m fine. My phone disappeared. I’m sure it’s around the house someplace. I—I just haven’t been able to find it yet.”
“I’ll bring you a new one.”
My fingers gripped the receiver tightly. “I’d like that, and I’d really like to see you, Callon, and Daniel. Just for a long weekend if you’d like to come.” I sighed. “I really miss the three of you.”
“Are you sure?” He was trying not to let his excitement show.
“Yes, when can you come?”
“We can be there in an hour if you’d like,” he said hopefully.
“How about tomorrow morning?”
“We’ll be there.” He hesitated. “I love you, Cheyenne. You know that don’t you?”
It filled my heart to hear him say those words, and I could feel my face breaking into a grin. “Yes, I do, Colt. I’ll see you in the morning.”
I hung up. To my surprise, Matt was leaning against the doorframe inside the café.
“Having guests for the weekend, huh?”
“Were you eavesdropping on my conversation, Matt?” I tilted my head and crossed my arms.
“What can I say? I can’t help my curious nature.” He smiled.
“It’s really none of your business.” I eyed him sternly. “I’d actually suggest you might want to disappear for the weekend. If they caught you hanging around, they might not play nice.”
“You’re probably right.” He stepped forward. “Though I didn’t come over here just to eavesdrop. I was actually going to ask if you wanted to come with me to Canada next week. I have some business to take care of. Interested?” He raised his brows in anticipation.
I laughed at his expression. “No, but thanks for the offer. You go and have fun.”
He frowned. “It won’t be fun without you.”
I shook my head. “You know, I have to do some shopping for tomorrow. Do you want to come?”
“Sure.”
We left for the grocery store together. I picked up items for the long weekend. I planned on making my guardians at least one meal. Matt helped me carry the bags in and hung around while I put the items away. He was quiet as he watched, leaning against the counter with his arms crossed. “Are you sure you want your friends to come?” His forehead creased in concern.
“Yes, I miss them.”
“Even after all the issues you’ve had with them?”
“It’s in the past, Matt. At least, I’m hoping it is.”
“What are you expecting out of this visit then?”
“Possibly a new start.”
“A new start, huh?” He exhaled loudly. “Sometimes you just have to leave things in the past, Cheyenne.”
I knew what he was suggesting, but I knew what I needed to do, and that was to leave all the hurt in the past and start fresh with them. There was so much I needed to know, and if we could come together on more equal ground, then maybe I’d be able to finish working through all that had been thrust upon me.
“Sometimes you do, Matt.” I turned towards him and saw what looked like resentment flash through his eyes before he quickly hid it.
“I just don’t think they’re worthy of what you have to offer.”
I reached out and gently touched his arm. “Thank you, Matt, for being my friend.”
His gaze wandered down to my fingers. “Well, I guess I’d better go. I’ll see you Monday.” With his head lowered, he walked past me, and the click of the front door told me he’d left.
Returning to the task at hand, I began cleaning and found that by late afternoon I hadn’t wasted enough time. I stared at the lake from the windows in the great room. I hadn’t returned to the dock since Maes and I had our argument. Maybe I’d find him there, and I could let him know the trio was coming for the weekend, although he probably already knew. I’d gone through a lot of changes, and I was hoping all of them had too.
I sighed. It wouldn’t hurt to have a quick stroll to the lake. I headed out of the house and went straight for the dock. The water was crystal clear, inviting me to test it out. I dangled my legs in, watching the ripples from the breeze drift by. It always amazed me how something invisible could cause such a reaction. I began to concentrate on the water, thinking about the mechanics. How the air above could cause ripples…or better yet, whirlpools, if I swirled it into the water.
Since the Tresez attack, I’d been contemplating what happened, how the Tresez had ended up against the tree and the gust of air. Could I have power over the elements like my father? I’d tested a few things out at the house, but I hadn’t had any success.
I lifted my fingers and closed my eyes. Slowly I began spinning the water in circles while imagining it flowing in the direction of my hand. The water tugged at my ankles, but then it stopped. I sighed. Oh well, it had been an fascinating idea…
“Now that was interesting, Cheyenne.”
I squealed and almost fell into the lake. Heart racing, I spun around. Maes raised an amused eyebrow. My shock vanished, replaced with relief. I hadn’t realized how much I’d missed his presence.
I jumped up and threw my arms around him. “Where have you been?”
Maes awkwardly embraced me in return. He hadn’t expected that. I hadn’t expected that…
“I’ve been here,” he chuckled.
“Why haven’t you come to see me?
” I stepped back.
“I have,” he replied. “You just haven’t always seen me.”
“So you’ve been slithering around in the shadows watching me?” I teased.
“You could say that,” he said.
“Callon, Colt, and Daniel are coming tomorrow.”
He nodded. “I know.”
“So you’ve been talking to them?”
“Sometimes. They were worried since you weren’t returning texts, emails or phone calls.”
“Oh.” I glanced down at the wooden dock. “I lost my phone someplace in the house. I think I was sleepwalking…”
“You were sleepwalking?”
“That’s the only way to explain it. I—I haven’t been sleeping well.”
“I see.”
“You’re okay, right?” I wanted to change the subject.
“Parfait, mon espoir.”
He gazed past me towards the water. “What were you doing?”
“Nothing.” I shrugged. “Just twirling my fingers, pretending to move the water in circles. Why?”
“You were doing just that,” Maes said.
“No, I wasn’t. I mean I felt the water pull a little, but…” I furrowed my brows.
“Try again. Close your eyes if you need to concentrate. I’ll tell you when to open them.” He pulled me to the edge of the dock. I hesitated. Was he teasing me? This could just be a ruse for him to push me into the lake. But Maes didn’t really tease, and when he tried, it was really awkward. He stood immobile, his jade-rimmed eyes studying the water.
“Try, Cheyenne. What will it hurt?”
I closed my eyes and repeated the hand movement I’d performed earlier. Slowly, I began twisting my wrist in circles over the water. A gentle breeze ruffled my hair.
“Concentrate,” Maes rumbled.
Methodically, my right wrist circled, and I raised my left hand out over the water, trying to feel the air I was creating.
I heard a loud gasp, and my eyes shot open as Maes grasped my wrist.
“Did you see that?” a female voice called out. “It looked like a funnel of water on the lake.”
“Where?” another answered.
“Right in front of that couple,” she replied.
I stiffened, and Maes remained immobile.
“I didn’t see anything,” a male added. “Hurry up. We’re gonna be late.”
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