“Well, you’ve barely spoken to me since the attack, You won’t make eye contact…” She began walking towards me. “…and I think if I said boo right now, you’d jump sky high.”
“I wouldn’t jump.” I looked her in the eyes and then continued with my walk. She followed. “How long have you been stalking me?”
“A few days. You’ve been hiding inside, and I figured eventually you’d attempt to sneak out.”
“You can read me that easily?” I asked.
“You’re just doing what I would do.” She shrugged.
“I’m sorry about your friend,” I offered.
She sighed. “Well, it’s all a part of war, I suppose. I just wish she’d have come with us in the first place instead…” she trailed off.
“It’s not your fault.”
“No, I know that, just like it’s not your fault for what happened at the lake, regardless of what Maes thinks.”
I rolled my eyes at the mention of his name. Andre smiled.
“He pushes you for a reason.”
“It’s getting old.” I veered off, wanting to circle through the forest and emerge behind the stables to avoid being seen. My goal was to sit by the lake even with Callon’s warning in place.
“What’s getting old,” Andre chuckled, “is Maes following me around. Do you know that he now thinks he’s my self-appointed guardian?”
“Better you than me,” I smirked.
“I heard you had experience with that too. How’d you get him to stop?”
I smiled. “You came along.”
“Lucky me,” she commented.
We continued at a brisk pace and soon we were in the forest. The crack of branches caught my attention and I stopped. I moved in front of Andre.
“What?” she asked.
“Did you hear that?” I tilted my head and listened again.
A branch crackled again.
“There,” I said “Something’s here with us.”
I searched the dark forest and heard the patter of paws. Was it Maes or something else? I clenched my fists. I wasn’t going to let Andre get hurt this time. I’d kill the Tresez if it attacked.
She touched my shoulder. “Relax, it’s just Maes.”
“How do you know?” I asked. “I can’t see him.”
“Because these grounds are guarded by an enchantment. No one other than those who are invited, namely Tresez, can set foot upon this estate.”
I faced her.
“An enchantment?”
“Yes.”
I stared, waiting for the rest of the explanation. “And?”
“Well, it’s an enchantment that’s been maintained by generations of the O’Shea family.” She stared back.
I lifted a brow.
“They didn’t tell you this?” she asked.
“No.”
She shook her head. “Alright then. You know what an enchantment is, right?”
“Sorta.” I hated to reveal how ignorant I was.
“It’s a magical defense barrier that protects us from unwanted visitors. From the outside, all you see is the manor sitting about three miles away, and you’ll always be walking towards it.”
“So it keeps sending you back to the spot from which you came.”
“Exactly.”
“Interesting. So for each invited guest, Callon has to change the enchantment?”
“I’m not exactly sure how that works, but I guess something along those lines.”
That might explain the bags under his eyes. It would drain him. I started walking again. At least I knew we were safe here, but if we left, we’d be vulnerable.
The patter of rain hitting the trees gave me a sense of peace as we made our way through the woods. My plan had been to circle the lake, but as we neared from a different angle, I realized the sheer magnitude of it. There was no way Callon would let me wander that far, and I had no idea where the enchantment boundaries lay. It wasn’t worth the risk, no matter how desperate I was to be alone.
I found a fallen tree and sat as the rain stopped. Andre remained a few feet behind me, allowing me my personal space. I sat quietly, watching the raw beauty unfold before me.
The lake was serene. Not even a simple breeze moved the water’s surface. My eyes followed the shoreline, taking in the tree-lined hills rising from the lake’s edge. The depths of greens were amazing. How could one color vary in so many different ways? A lone bird flew low over the waves, searching for its prey.
The patter of paws returned behind me and soon it turned to footsteps. Andre sighed as I heard Maes sit beside her.
“I told you not to follow us,” she murmured.
Maes gave no reply.
“You need obedience lessons, Maes.”
Maes snorted, and I couldn’t help but smile.
I stood up and moved closer to the water.
“Don’t think about going for a swim, Cheyenne,” Maes growled.
I narrowed my eyes and glanced over my shoulder. “It’s a bit cold for a swim, Maes.”
I picked up a rock and skipped it over the water. I followed the ripples as my mind ran to a memory of Colt. He was the one who’d taught me to skip rocks properly. He used to laugh at my throws. If only you could see how far I’d come, Colt…
“Not too bad,” Andre said as she stood beside me. She ran a hand through her soaked hair. “Really, Cheyenne, you could’ve picked a better day to go for a walk.”
“Aw, have I messed up your hair?” I eyed her matted locks. “You know, the wet dog look suits you.”
“You’re one to talk,” Andre replied. “Your blond curls are bordering on a bird’s nest.”
I snorted. “And your mascara is running down your cheeks.”
Her eyes widened. “I don’t wear mascara.”
“Well then something else is slithering down your cheek.”
Her hand flew to her face and Maes turned her to face him.
“Let me take a look.”
I stepped towards the shoreline, my eye caught by one of the pebbles, when Maes moved beside me. We both stilled as we focused on a shimmering object in the water.
“You see it, don’t you?” I asked.
He nodded.
I moved closer towards the lapping water until large fingers clasped onto my jacket.
“Can you part the water?”
I looked up and blinked. “I don’t know.”
“You’ve been practicing, right?” he asked.
He knew I had been, since he’d caught me several times, but this was something I’d never attempted and then there was the…
“Little bursts of power tend to weaken me.”
“Then make it big.” He turned away for a moment. “Andre, call Callon.”
Maes’s fingers latched onto the back of my jacket to hold me steady as I concentrated on the water. I pulled my hands down and spread them apart, watching in amazement as the water began to part. I was really doing it.
“Make it bigger and longer,” Maes instructed, and I pushed forward.
I managed to open up about twenty feet of water, and we stepped forward onto the damp sandy surface.
“Do you still see it?” The water was now over my head, but Maes was tall enough to see over the crest.
“Yeah, get us another ten to fifteen feet…”
My eyes caught sight of movement in the water beside me, and I flinched. Was the creature lurking nearby?
“It’s just fish. Keep moving.” Maes nudged me forward.
I pushed out more power, but could feel myself weakening. I knew I wouldn’t be able to maintain it for much longer.
A splash of water hit my cheek, and I froze. That wasn’t a fish. A glint of red whipped past, and I felt its presence—the creature was here.
“Maes, I think…”
I glanced down when something that resembled a tentacle slinked into view. My breath caught as I watched it latch onto my ankle, and the water collapsed on top of us.
I was thrust
through the water at a high speed, and any air in my lungs was ripped from me. My jacket peeled away like it was nothing. I fought to open my eyes and realized I was in complete darkness. My chest began to burn, and I forced my hands down towards my ankle, pinching and clawing at the slick skin. Whatever had a hold of me loosened, and I swam towards the surface, gasping for air as I broke through.
I barely caught the sound of Andre screaming when I looked towards shore and saw her pointing. I’d been dragged out more than five hundred yards. It only took a moment to realize her warning as a limb from the creature narrowly missed me. I spun around, dazed. My eyes grew large as I saw more tentacled limbs emerging from the dark abyss. My heart began to race. Now was my chance!
“Cheyenne!” Maes’s frantic voice caught my attention. He was swimming towards me. Daniel suddenly appeared next to Andre on the shore. Andre had summoned help.
I turned back to the creature. Two tentacles crashed beside me, hurling me like a rag doll further into the lake. This time I managed to take a breath before being sent into the deep cold water.
The creature once again had me spiraling towards the bottom, and the murky water wrapped itself around me like a vapor. I stared into the darkness, trying to find it with my senses when something slithered across my neck, causing a stinging sensation.
Air was what I needed to fight this thing, air that was at the surface. Unless…
I began spinning my hands above my head, concentrating as hard as I could, trying to create a whirlpool.
A tentacle found my waist and began squeezing, cutting into my T-shirt and jeans, ripping into my skin. It had claws, tiny nails, thousands of them! I had to get away. Its hold grew tighter as I struggled; it was squeezing the air out of me!
A bulky arm snaked around my chest, and my head was turned as air was forced into my lungs. Brogan. The tentacles seized onto him, trying to pull us apart. Just before his grip left me, my fingers brushed his skin, drawing on his power. Strength, yes, this was what I needed!
As he was torn away from me, I grabbed onto the nearest tendril, severing it in half with my bare hands. I felt its blood warm the water, and I ripped away another piece, and another. A piercing shriek shook me as suddenly the creature vanished. My chest was about to burst; I needed air. Kicking my weary legs, I headed for the surface.
I sucked in all the air I could, pushing the pain from my fresh wounds down. I’d heal later. Before I could make a move, though, I was quickly surrounded. Brogan, Callon, Koda, Maes and Skylar were around me, making sure I wouldn’t escape. Daniel must have brought them.
“What did you do to me?” Brogan snarled.
“Took what I needed!” I snapped. I should’ve felt guilty for stealing his powers, but I didn’t. I needed them more than he did, and I’d put it to better use, too.
“Cheyenne, we need to work together here!” Callon swam closer and stared at the blood pooling around me. “You’re hurt.”
I pushed away from him.
“That’s not important right now.” I’d wounded the creature, but it was still alive. I had to finish it off while I had the chance. And the only way to do that would be…
“Koda, can you throw me in the air?” It wouldn’t be an easy feat in the water.
“How high?” Koda asked.
“Just what are you doing?” Maes snapped. “It almost drowned you! If you think you’re any match against it…”
“Shut up, Maes! I know what I’m doing.”
“Cheyenne, no!” Callon grabbed my arm. “You’re still bleeding. You can’t…”
“You need to stay clear while I create a whirlwind,” I said. “When you see the creature rise from the water, then we can kill it.”
“But you’re hurt—”
“I have Brogan’s powers,” I reminded them. “I’ll be strong enough.”
I didn’t back down from his stare. Eventually Callon sighed and looked away.
“Skylar,” he called out. “Take Cheyenne and Koda below and help get her in the air.”
Koda pulled me to his chest and Skylar took hold of Koda. I inhaled a large breath. We made a rapid descent. They waited for a moment while I curled into a ball. I’d only have one chance to get this right.
Koda squeezed my arms, and I waited as we cut through the water.
I burst from the lake and immediately began twisting my wrists, forcing the air to obey. I glanced around. They hadn’t thrown me high enough, and I was falling too quickly! I pushed my arms out, and began spinning, twirling like a ballerina.
My free-fall slowed, and I held myself just above the lake. I’d done it…now to control the water-logged whirlwind.
I moved myself and my handiwork further away from Callon and the others. I wasn’t going to cause them harm this time. Now I just had to wait for the creature to appear again, which I knew would be soon. I couldn’t afford any delay; I wouldn’t have Brogan’s powers for much longer.
I hovered, waiting for it to strike when I saw ripples in the water nearby. Suddenly the tentacles lunged from the water, straight for me.
I reacted quickly, pulling the funnel tighter, tangling the tentacles together. I closed my eyes as I poured out more power. My skin tingled as the spray from the wind-whipped water slashed over my exposed flesh. I pressed the funnel even closer the creature, squeezing the life from it as it had done to me.
It was my turn now to show my strength, to show Callon I was strong enough to fight Marcus and avenge Colt’s death. To prove to Maes I was no longer the weak link…to allow this beast inside me some freedom.
I squinted through the howling winds, and watched the creature rise from the dark depths. It looked like a giant squid from my deepest nightmares. Black shimmering scales with thousands of razor sharp claws lining the inner side of its tentacles. Crimson eyes stared back at me, eyes filled with wrath, evil, and pure rage.
Crimson eyes…
It started out small, a high-pitched squealing that was more of an annoyance, and began to grow with intensity with each passing second. My body began to shake, vibrating with the noise the creature was pushing out. Pain began to radiate into my limbs, working its way up my spine and settling in my ears and head. I pinched my eyes closed, trying to fight through the misery, but it was no use, and suddenly I was underwater.
I opened my eyes, disoriented, as I took in my new surroundings. The surface was nowhere in sight, and soon it became clear that I wasn’t even sure which way was up. The creature’s tentacle slithered over my arm, drawing blood, and soon a dizziness began to overwhelm me. It was poisoning me with its venom now. Before it had just been toying with me. I had to get to the surface, but where was it?
Suddenly I was being pulled through the water at a high speed. The creature had wrapped its limb around my thigh. I fought to dislodge it, but Brogan’s powers were gone. As unexpectedly as it started, it stopped. Once again, I was left to float in the darkness. I spun around and began swimming towards a dim light. It had to be the surface, but the closer I got, I began to realize it wasn’t sunlight, but something glowing on the bottom of the lake.
How far down was I?
I swam harder, knowing I was running out of air. Where was the illumination coming from? It was similar to what I’d seen when Andre was attacked. Just like what Maes and I had seen earlier. I reached out and the loose debris began to cloud the glow as I fumbled around in the muck. My fingers latched onto something round and metallic, and I yanked hard, pulling it in front of me.
It was a ring.
The light began to grow brighter, and I squinted as I drew it closer, examining it. It had symbols carved into the sides. Where three ruby red stones should have sat, only two were present. Ruby red like the necklace Maes had given me.
My chest began to ache for air. Timeless or not, I could still drown, and the creature wasn’t finished with me yet.
A muffled scream took the rest of my air as Skylar appeared and pulled me towards the surface. I gasped, pressing my eyes close
d and clasping the ring firmly.
“Cheyenne!” Skylar’s voice trembled as he helped hold me up. “Cheyenne!”
“I’m okay,” I muttered and fought to regain some strength.
“Callon!” Skylar bellowed.
I knew what I needed to do. It was now or never.
My fingers wrapped onto Skylar’s forearm, and a warm tingling sensation filled my veins. “I’m sorry, Skylar.” I pushed the ring onto my thumb and pulled away from him, holding myself just above the water’s surface. I struggled to take a breath, and began to see two of him. No, I had to hold on, just a little longer!
Skylar tried to grab me, but I disappeared beneath the surface.
I kicked my weak legs and flew down towards the dark depths. I didn’t need to see the creature. I could sense it.
Even though I knew I could probably hold my breath as long as Skylar, his other senses underwater were incredible. I didn’t see the black muck and debris, but instead there was a pattern of heat waves where the creature had been. I also moved through the water like a mermaid, quick and agile. I’d have a fighting chance now.
Coolness ran through my right side and then suddenly my left. This thing was circling me, waiting to strike. I stilled, waiting for it to make its move. By instinct, my legs kicked and I pulsed through the water, the creature directly behind me.
I veered to the right and down. A tentacle brushed the already open sores on my thigh, and I forced back a scream. I stopped, twisting to face the crimson-eyed beast head on. I lifted my hands, the ring illuminating the darkness.
Red eyes stared at me from the blackness, at the ring. Was this the treasure it guarded?
A limb rose slowly and a pulsing began to vibrate the water, penetrating down to my core. This creature wasn’t going to win. Two could play this game.
I stretched out my fingers, forcing my arms down, and felt my own beast come alive within me as the lakebed began to shake.
Lightning quick, a razor-edged tentacle whipped across my cheek, and I cringed, feeling the warm blood flow. Blows to my thigh, calf, and forearm caused bile to rise in my throat. I pressed my eyes closed to prevent the spinning sensation and pulsed more power out. The hits were coming fast and furious as I held my ground. The boulders below me began to move. The water was clouded with debris as I opened my eyes.
Daylight, a Timeless Series Novel Page 11
