“Cheyenne!” Maes growled. He muttered something in French, his jade-rimmed eyes narrowing at me.
I dusted my hands, before clasping them beneath my chin.
“Maybe next time you shouldn’t try to make me angry to see how strong my powers are, Maes.” I glanced towards Callon. “You don’t know what you could unleash.”
“I’ll take whatever you dish out, sweetheart,” Callon said with a confident smile. I looked away, scowling. Why did he always have to belittle me like that? I’d make him eat his words, one day. I’d prove my strength and show them all that I wasn’t a weak child.
Of course, I’d need a nap first. My little hurricane conjuring had taken more out of me than last time. I’d need to build up some endurance.
“Cheyenne, do you want to go to bed?” Colt said sweetly. “You look exhausted.”
“Only if you stay with me,” I replied. I knew I was being selfish, but I just needed him right now even if it caused a rift between him and Callon.
“Of course I’ll stay.” He helped me up, and we departed for my room.
He left me at the bathroom door, and I went in. I was a complete mess. My hair was windblown and tangled, my cheeks were plastered with sand and dirt, and I didn’t even want to get started on my clothes.
Once I’d tidied myself up, I stepped outside, expecting Colt to be waiting. Instead, I saw Callon sitting on the bed. I hesitated.
“Where’s Colt?”
“I sent him out,” Callon replied.
“Why?”
“He’s been with you all afternoon and this evening. I wanted to talk with you.”
“But I asked him to stay.” It suddenly became clear. “You can tell him to leave and he has to go?”
“Yes.”
I frowned. I’d been right all along; Callon did have power over Daniel and Colt. Once again, it didn’t matter what I wanted. He was the leader of the Consilador clan, and his word was final. I stood in the doorway and shook my head.
“Can’t it wait til morning? I’m really tired, and my head hurts.”
“It could, but I don’t want to.” He patted the bed beside him. Reluctantly I stepped towards him, sitting on the edge of the mattress. I was struggling to keep my eyes open.
“That really drained you today, didn’t it?”
“Yes,” I said. “But it’ll get better right? I won’t be like this every time, will I?”
Callon sighed. “It’s hard to say. Everything you’ve done hasn’t been normal. You’re defying the odds. You should’ve died a couple of times by now…” He trailed off deep in thought.
“Comforting,” I mumbled, too quiet for him to hear. “So what did you need to talk to me about?”
Callon looked me in the eye, before bowing his head.
“I wanted to apologize for this afternoon. I wanted to make sure you weren’t too upset,” he said.
“Too upset?” I sneered. “Oh, it was nothing hitting you with a tree couldn’t fix.”
Callon chuckled, rubbing the side of his head.
“Nothing I didn’t deserve.”
“Exactly,” I said. I was going to say more, but I stopped myself. I’d promised that we would start anew. Even if the only new thing this time was the bump on Callon’s head. “Is that all?”
“No, but I’ll wait until morning for the rest. You need some sleep. Do you want me to stay?”
I wanted Colt to stay…
“No, I’ll be fine.”
He hesitantly leaned forward and kissed my cheek. “Good night then.”
He stood up and left. Rubbing my tired eyes, I slipped under the covers and curled up onto my side. There was no point in getting worked up, not when I was so tired. Things would be better in the morning, when I’d have a clearer head.
Muttered whispers in the hall woke me. Maes and Callon were talking. Colt was near the door, a scowl on his face. A quick glance at my bedside clock told me it was still early morning.
What was going on?
I poked my head from the sheets and gave a loud yawn.
Suddenly, they disappeared. Their footsteps sounded on the stairs. I shrugged and rolled out of bed, dressing and then headed to the great room.
Callon and Maes were waiting at the bottom of the stairs.
“Something wrong?” I asked.
“Did you sleep well?” Callon asked.
“Uh, yeah.” Obviously there was no good morning first…
“How do you feel right now?”
“Pretty good, actually.” My eyes narrowed. “Why?”
“You’ve been sleeping for over twenty-four hours. We’ve been trying to wake you.”
I stared at him puzzled. “I never heard anything. I must’ve been sleeping hard,” I relied flatly. What was going on?
I moved further into the great room.
Daniel stood a few feet away. Colt neared and wrapped his arms around my shoulders, drawing me closer. This couldn’t be good—it was as if he were bracing me for something—as if they expected me to explode into a rage of some sort. As if they needed to contain me…
Callon and Maes stepped closer, both wary.
“Cheyenne, we’re leaving now, and you’re coming with us.”
Colt trapped my wrists with his hands, so I couldn’t move them. I stared blankly. I had told them I would leave if that was what they decided. I just wasn’t expecting it right now.
“Why?”
“We don’t feel comfortable with you here alone. What if, after you use your powers, you can’t get back to the house?” Callon was back in medical mode. “You slept for over twenty-four hours this time. What if you collapse someplace where we couldn’t find you? I can’t take that kind of chance. You need someone around to keep an eye on you.”
I remained calm and took a deep breath. I needed to test something first.
“Okay.”
Maes and Callon stared as if I’d grown wings.
“You’re not angry?”
“No.”
Callon was still suspicious, and after he nodded at Colt, I felt Colt’s grip tighten. I rolled my eyes.
“Look, I’m not trying to get your guard down. But, can I at least pack my things before I leave?”
No one dared reply. They were completely mystified.
“Really, I’m not going to try and throw the three of you through the window. Though it’s very tempting…” A sleek smile rose from my lips.
“I wouldn’t put it past you,” Callon muttered. “I’ve seen enough of your temper to know that even I’d struggle to pay for damages to the house if you went off inside one.”
“I promise I won’t damage the house. Or any of you.” I pulled my wrist free. Colt didn’t put up much of a resistance, and let go, trying to hide his grin. Callon, too, had a soft smirk of amusement. I raised an eyebrow. “Am I missing something here?” Of course, I knew exactly what they were up to, but I had to play the part properly.
Since no one bothered to answer, I shook my head and walked into the kitchen. They trailed behind; Daniel remained a few paces away, out of arm’s reach. They were keeping him at a distance on purpose. I laughed inside. “I’m just a little hungry. I won’t be hurling kitchen knives at you. Do you want anything before we go as well?”
“We’re fine. You go ahead and eat,” Callon replied.
“Daniel? Did you want something?”
His eyes sparkled. “I always love whatever you make.”
“I’ll just make you what I’m having if you’re good with that.”
“Sure.” He took a couple steps closer and was now at the counter.
It only took a second for my guardians to realize their mistake.
In the blink of an eye, I leaned forward and my fingers brushed Daniel’s arm. I’d swiped his powers with the distraction of food. A second later, I was on the other side of the great room.
“Pretty good, huh?” I said gloating. “Didn’t think I could do it, did you?”
Four sets of eyes loc
ked on me. This was another game, a test to see if my skills had improved. “Catch me if you can!” I said playfully and winked, disappearing to the deck.
Callon, Colt and Maes scrambled to the door as Daniel remained shell shocked at what I’d done. They made it out quickly, only for me to jump back inside. I landed next to Daniel. “Thanks, not that you had a choice in it.”
He shook his head. “Have fun with it, I guess.” He smiled.
I jumped again, and landed in a different location on the deck. Maes immediately dived and almost caught my leg. I moved, and he collided with the chairs. I vanished to the road below, laughing as Callon and Colt both leapt over the rail and sprinted towards me. “A little slow today, boys?”
I wove in and out of the trees as I made my way to the dock. I was quickly getting the hang of it, and I landed behind Callon. I skimmed my fingers across his neck. He was faster than I thought, and I barely escaped his outstretched hand. I landed in front of Maes for a fraction of a second. He was grinning deviously; he knew my time was running short.
I paused on the edge of the dock, crossing my arms as I waited for their arrival. “Really, I expected much more of a challenge. Is old age getting you down?”
Callon and Maes slinked forward, trying to determine which way I would jump. I leaned left slightly, before leaping off to the right and jumping in midair. Their miscalculation was spectacular, and both plunged into the ice-cold lake as I reappeared on the edge of the dock.
“Bit early for a bath?” I teased. Callon growled, spitting out water. I was so engrossed in my taunting, I didn’t hear Colt creep up behind me, until he wrapped his bulky arms around me. His warm lips touched my neck. I knew I only had seconds left, and quickly jumped us to the small island. I twisted and looked up at him, smiling. “I guess you won the prize, Colt.”
“I think you had a little too much fun, sweetheart.” His eyes narrowed slightly. “How’d you know we were trying to make you mad?”
“Well, it was easy, really,” I said. “When I got up, the date on the clock in my room hadn’t changed. So I couldn’t have slept for over twenty-four hours. That meant you were up to something, and when you held down my hands, I figured out the rest.” I poked him in the ribs. “You wanted to see if I could make objects move without using my hands.” I let out a triumphant sigh. “But your poor plan backfired, and you had to play by my rules for a change.”
“You’re a clever girl,” Colt chuckled. “I guess we’d better keep on our toes from now on.”
Smirking, I glanced past him. Callon and Maes were swimming towards us. I realized that the dock seemed awfully far away.
“Ah, I think I made a minor miscalculation about jumping here. I didn’t think about the fact we’d have to swim back.”
Colt laughed.
“I don’t mind. Besides, I won the prize.”
“You did.” I would never have let anyone else catch me…
“So if I won…does that mean I get to do what I want with it?”
I shrugged. “Depends what you have in mind.”
“Oh, I have an idea or two…so hang on!”
It happened so fast I didn’t have time to react. He scooped me up in his arms and took off running. I yelped, and he carried me to the top of a small crest of rocks. He slid me to the ground, and I stood before him giggling. “So, you wanted to put your trophy somewhere you could show it off to everyone?”
“Cheyenne, please, you think I’m that shallow?” He sat down, and I nestled beside him. “We’re going to watch the sunrise together.”
I smiled.
“I’d like that.”
He pulled me closer and draped an arm over my shoulder. Soon after, branches rustled below. Callon and Maes had found us.
“Prizes can’t be taken away. You have it all day long, until the sun sets,” I whispered.
Callon and Maes stood before us, soaking and shivering, and I couldn’t help but laugh. Maes reached out, flicking water in my face, but Colt shifted so I was protected in his embrace. I stuck my tongue out. “Sorry, Maes, Colt won the prize—he has it until sunset. Maybe you’ll have a chance tomorrow.”
He stood with arms folded. “I didn’t know a prize was involved in this game.”
“You,” I said, “should learn to read the fine print.”
“So only one prize per day? Sunrise to sunset?” Callon stepped closer.
“That’s what the fine print reads.” I raised a brow. “Try again tomorrow.”
“Maybe I will,” he replied in a dangerously low voice. He really was quite a sore loser…
“You know, the two of you will have to come up with something better than trying to get me mad. Ever thought about just asking?”
“I don’t ask for anything,” Maes replied.
Once again his dark side emerged.
I ignored his comment and decided to enjoy the moment instead.
I sat quietly, waiting for the sunrise. Maes and Callon watched the horizon, occasionally muttering to each other. For once, though, they seemed to be having a more social conversation. Could it be that they were finally getting along?
Just before sunrise, Daniel appeared.
We sat in awe of the fiery orange glow as it crested the horizon. I rested my head into Colt’s shoulder, and his arms tightened. He whispered in my ear, “I love you, Cheyenne.” A gentle kiss followed. It warmed my heart. This was my Colt, the man who always gave me the tender moments I longed for. This feeling inside was not stemmed by any rings; it was my own.
“I know,” I faintly whispered. I knew I loved him, but I just couldn’t bring myself to say the words aloud, especially in front of Callon. I couldn’t love one without the other. I wanted both halves to make the whole, and I couldn’t have it.
“Thank you.” He moved his palm to my cheek. I sighed. I knew Callon was nearby; I needed to be careful not to cause any undue jealousy. I lowered my head, and Colt reluctantly pulled his hand away. I continued to watch the sunrise, though from the corner of my eye I noticed Callon’s gaze shift to Colt. His eyes betrayed nothing; however, I knew words were said. Colt’s muscles tensed around me.
“What’s on the list for activities today, Cheyenne?” Daniel abruptly asked. He could sense the change in mood, too.
“Whatever these two,” I pointed at Callon and Maes, “conniving men decide.”
Daniel chuckled, “It doesn’t look too good for you. I’d borrow my powers again and leave before they get to you.”
I attempted to lean forward, but Colt held me back. “Sorry, love. I’ve won the prize, and it’s not going anywhere without me.”
As I glanced around, I realized just how underhanded they looked today. I’d be in for something big. “Just so you realize,” I said calmly, “I won’t be responsible for what happens to any of you. You’ve made your bed, and now you’ll have to lie in it.”
“Big words for one so small,” Maes shot back. “Arrogance is not becoming of you, Cheyenne.”
Callon stepped forward, attempting to take my hand. He had just about lost his patience with me sitting with Colt. I let him pull me up…before I scrambled past him and touched Daniel’s arm. I paused just to see the shock cross Callon’s face, before I grabbed Colt’s hand and jumped us to the shore below.
“I’d say I was sorry,” I called out. “But I’m not. Colt offered to buy me coffee this morning. We’ll see you at the café.”
Colt and I jumped to the dock. I turned back to see Callon, Maes and Daniel running, only to stand on the shoreline, stuck. I let go of Colt, feeling a little guilty. “Wait here a second. I’ll be right back.”
He smiled knowingly. In the next moment, I jumped next to Daniel and brought him back to the dock with us.
“Thanks,” Daniel said. “You’re really getting much better at visualizing your jumps.”
“I may be getting better, but it’s only because I had a great teacher.” I squeezed his arm. “We’ll see you later.”
I grabbed Colt’s
hand, and we disappeared to the main road. I knew I still had time left and could make it to the café, but I wanted to walk. It’d been too long since I’d been able to just hold Colt’s hand and enjoy his company without being fearful of Callon’s reaction.
“I didn’t know I was taking you to coffee this morning,” Colt said.
“Yeah, well, I read your mind and could see that’s what you really wanted,” I said.
“What else did you read while you were in there?”
“Oh, lots of stuff.” I kicked a rock off the pavement and watched it fly into the grass.
“Like?”
“Like how you wished I’d come home with you.” I kept my eyes forward, waiting for his reply. I knew what he truly wanted to hear, but I just couldn’t say it to one brother without the other.
“Really?” he said in surprise.
“Yeah.”
He stopped and looked straight at me.
“Would you?”
“Well, hell did freeze over recently, and I said that had to happen first.” I smiled. “You didn’t see the reports on the news?”
He nodded slightly. “I heard a brief statement, but not the official report.”
“Maybe you weren’t tuned to the right frequency?”
“No, I think I am, but perhaps I should check first.” He pulled me forward and kissed me lightly. My eyes half closed, saddened when he withdrew. “Yes, I think I have the right frequency. Your lips are freezing!”
“Maybe you should warm them up,” I replied softly.
“Maybe I should.” He leaned forward again, but then paused. Disappointment flashed through his eyes. “I think it’ll have to wait until later. I can hear them nearby. We’re not going to make it to the café.”
As if on cue, Daniel appeared. “Sorry, but I think you’re going to be in a heap of trouble for stealing my powers twice in one day.” He looked behind and frowned. “Here they come!”
I didn’t have to look to hear their thudding footfalls. I cringed; Callon was going to be furious. In seconds they had caught up to us, and bent double, catching their breath. Water dribbled from Callon’s hair, making it wavier than it already was. I clasped my hands behind my back sheepishly. “Um…have a nice swim, boys?”
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