“Thanks!” I called, then jumped into the forest.
This was more like it; I could move much faster and cover more distance, though I wouldn’t be able to rely on this later. Daniel would know not to come too close again, so I wouldn’t get a second chance to steal his powers, either. Maybe I’d been too hasty…
“There she is!”
I gulped. That was Brogan’s voice. I searched around the branches, trying to pinpoint his location, when suddenly half a tree hit the ground in front of me. I squealed, jumping out the way. The tree lifted itself, and my eyes widened as Brogan hauled the trunk upright and aimed for me again.
“Hey!” I ducked under, sliding in the dirt. “That’s not fair!”
“Life isn’t fair sometimes, Cheyenne!” Brogan roared, swinging the tree like a club. It hit the ground once more, causing a minor quake. I stumbled, catching myself on my hands. Was he crazy?!
“The game is capture the flag, not kill it!” I barked.
Knowing I couldn’t hope to match his strength, I headed into trees on the right again. He came after me, but he couldn’t drag his trunk through the narrow spaces. Eventually I felt I was far enough away, and I stopped to catch my breath. I inhaled slowly, despite the fact my lungs burned for air. I couldn’t afford to be heard.
Quiet footsteps approached, and I crouched behind a tree stump. If I could find out which direction they were coming from, I could jump to safety before Daniel’s power wore off. I only had a couple of minutes left.
A dark brown jacket flashed briefly through the branches, along with wild hair.
“She’s quick,” Skylar observed, glancing around. “You shouldn’t have let her take your power, Daniel.”
“Don’t be boring, Skylar,” Daniel chuckled. “You’d be surprised how creative Cheyenne can get.”
I heard Skyler laugh, and their voices grew distant again. They’d walked right past me. I kept perfectly still, straining to hear any signs of further movements. Five minutes slipped by, then ten. It seemed the others didn’t want to continue the chase.
The silence loomed, and I rested against the tree stump. My mind began to swirl, running through the events that had brought me to this point. So much had happened, so much death, despair, grief and anger. Everything had changed; I wasn’t the same person anymore. I was no longer the sweet innocent girl Colt had fallen in love with. My heart had too many cracks, and too much of the crimson-eyed beast had poured out. My powers made me strong, and I loved the feeling and purpose they gave me. I’d thrown Koda aside easily, and hadn’t felt any remorse over it. I couldn’t help but wonder, would Colt still love me the way I was today?
I drew my arms around myself. Colt, my Colt. Callon had told me I’d been having hallucinations, but I knew better. This feeling ran deeper, a connection I’d always taken for granted until I’d thought it was gone. It was too real to be a delusion.
Or was it? Was I only feeling his presence now because I’d been too wrapped up in my grief to notice? Was he calling out to me? Or was I completely losing my mind?
I shook my head. Perhaps I was still dreaming. Too afraid to let go of Colt’s memory and be with Callon. I’d hardly gotten to spend any time with Callon since the clan members had gathered, not that it wasn’t partially my own doing. I’d been the one to back off from the responsibilities. It was ironic, however. In the past he’d always been at my side, so in my face that I’d longed for some space. Yet now, a brief glance here and there was all I could hope for. I shouldn’t have taken my time with him for granted.
A rustle caught my attention, and I began walking. I couldn’t afford to remain in the same place for too long. My thoughts continued, mulling over what was to come. My days would be spent like this now, planning and strategizing, as Callon and the others trained me to become the weapon to defeat Marcus. Any tender moments would be few and far between. Maybe that was where the jealousy came from when I caught Nakari staring at Callon. That had to be the source, since he’d told me they’d been friends a long time and I had nothing to be threatened by. Although the jealousy could have come from how all the other clan members treated her. They adored her and feared me. Even Lilly had a close relationship with her, and I felt like I’d been left out in the cold. However, once again that had probably been my fault. I was the one pushing everyone away to protect my heart.
But then again, sometimes friends turned into something else…
The soft patter of water droplets hitting my nose broke my thoughts. The rain had started. I couldn’t wander around daydreaming. I needed to keep moving, play them at their own game and prove I was capable of holding my own.
I tried to slip through a pair of narrow trunks when the red material on my arm got caught on a branch. I yanked hard, tearing a chunk off. Great! I twisted around and untied the cloth, before securing it around my neck. Brogan hadn’t said I couldn’t move it. Besides that would make it harder for them to see it too.
I headed back to the ravine again, stopping just at the top. It did provide the best view, after all. The forest had fallen quiet for some time now; they had to be planning something. I scanned the forest, but with the clouds, rain and dense brush, the visibility had grown limited. A large pine stood a few feet away, and I stared at it. I could climb it, but was it worth all the sap and sharp needles? Chances were it wouldn’t improve anything. The best thing I could do was keep a low profile till nightfall came.
“You can’t just hide, Cheyenne,” Maes rumbled behind me.
My hand flew to my mouth, stopping my scream.
“Maes!” I snarled. “You just can’t sneak up on somebody like that!”
I took a few deep breaths, trying to calm my racing heart. It was like the dog could read my mind at times.
“It’s a game of tactics. You need to outsmart them and get back to the terrace without being captured.” He crossed his arms over his chest, and a chunk of wet black hair fell over his eye.
“Don’t you have to stalk Andre or something?”
“You’re far too predictable,” Maes scoffed. “They’re all waiting at the bottom of the hill. You’ve just trapped yourself.”
“Who’s at the bottom of the hill?”
“Koda, Daniel, Skylar, Clayton and Andre. The rest will be coming up from the north side to cut off your escape. But you’ve still got one way out.”
“Really?” I frowned. “Why are you helping me now?”
“I’ve been helping you all along, mon espoir. You just haven’t seen me.” He tilted his head. “Nice touch with the flag. It’s still visible, but at least now it doesn’t scream ‘here I am.’”
I rolled my eyes.
He stuck out his hand. A chunk of red material sat in his palm. “You left this behind. You shouldn’t make it so obvious.”
I snatched the fabric back and shoved it in my pocket. When I looked up, he was gone.
“Men,” I muttered and began heading south, or at least what I thought was south. I had no sun, moon or stars to gauge my direction, but I knew night would soon fall and then I could head back and declare myself the winner.
I kept to higher ground, so at least I’d spot them first. The drizzle continued, and I pulled my coat tighter around me. Little good it did. The braid Lilly had helped me with this morning was nothing more than a sponge, allowing the water to run down my back. A hot bath would really hit the…
I stopped. The scenery had suddenly changed. The forest had thinned, and a narrow path leading to a small stone bridge had appeared.
Brushing my loose hair back, I slid down the wet embankment and onto the leaf-covered path. Since the others were so keen to ambush me, I could let them wait a while longer. This was my one chance to explore the estate without everyone wondering where I’d run off to.
My fingers trailed over the moss-covered rail as I crossed the bridge. A small meadow filled with low stonewalls and gates told me they’d been neglected over the years. Callon and his family must have used them for livestock years ago. Would he ha
ve run through this meadow as a child? Would he or Colt have played here? I’d have to ask Callon to tell me about it. There was so much I didn’t know about him, so much I’d pushed away.
I continued past the meadow and found myself at the foot of a round path. The trees, brush and ivy had grown thick, and only a tiny space in the middle was left open to pass through. I smiled and couldn’t help but think of Alice in Wonderland. What lay in wait on the other side of this rabbit hole?
As I passed through the narrow opening, my eyes widened. I’d found an ivy-clad cottage straight from a storybook. Almost every peak and ridge was covered in a blanket of green, and only a small portion of the roof remained visible. Even the white-washed windows were smothered with it. A brightly colored yellow door drew me in, inviting me to stay for a while.
A sneeze captured my attention, and I scrambled to the side of the cottage. Low voices were murmuring. Ah, maybe they’d guessed I’d come this far and were lying in wait for me to step inside. Quietly I slid closer to the voices. Only Daniel could have reached this place without me noticing. He was probably waiting behind the building to capture me. Well, that wasn’t going to happen. If I caught him first, then he’d be my prisoner, and the tables would turn. I could force him to help me.
I stopped at the edge of the stone and listened, trying to determine his location and who was with him. The voices echoed off the cottage and forest just behind. A dilapidated low-lying wood fence lay ahead of me. I got down on all fours and began to crawl, inching myself closer to the sounds. When I came to the edge, I peeked through the open slots. It wasn’t Daniel at all.
It was Callon and Nakari.
That little traitor!
My fists clenched. I knew she wasn’t fond of me, but she was supposed to be my teammate. She wasn’t supposed to help the enemy. We were meant to work together…wait, unless she’d been captured. But that didn’t make sense. She could jump like Daniel. There was no way she would allow herself to be caught. Besides, they were after me, not her.
I watched them converse, the stones muffling the words. What were they talking about? Callon moved to a tree, leaning his back against it while staring out into the forest. He had that far-away look in his eyes, the same one he had when something bothered him. What was he thinking about so hard? I inched closer, trying to capture their words on the wind.
Nakari bent her head. Her wet auburn hair fell into her face. She looked hurt; her fingers rose and latched onto her necklace. The necklace that held her ring. My heart burned. Why did so many of us have to suffer? So much loss among us, so much pain and misery.
Callon took a step forward. He spoke too softly for me to pick out what he was saying, but his tone said it all. He was comforting her, just like he’d comforted me. He lifted her chin and brushed the hair from her eyes. Her fingers wrapped around his wrist. Tears streamed down Nakari’s cheeks, and she closed her eyes. She pushed Callon’s hand over her chest, over the ring.
“I know you feel it, Callon,” Nakari said loud enough for me to hear now. “It’s never gone away. I can see it in your eyes when you look at me.”
“Nakari, please.” Callon shook his head.
“There are still feelings there for me, I know it.” She pressed both her hands over his.
Callon turned away, hesitating.
“Let me prove it to you, then. Let me show you how much I still care about you.”
My throat grew tight. My chest contracted as if a heavy weight had pressed down. I watched her lean in, her lips parting. I slumped to the ground, shaking as waves of hurt rolled over, threatening to drown me.
Callon…how could he? Callon who said he loved me, who said his heart belonged to me…he was a complete liar! Every word he’d ever said—every touch, every kiss—it meant nothing! I was just a pawn in his game to win the grand prize!
Without a second thought, I ran for the forest, not caring where I was heading. Anywhere away from them.
“Cheyenne!” Callon yelled, and I ran even harder.
Flashes of blue appeared, and I caught sight of Nakari’s coat.
I wanted to scream, to create a whirlwind so grand I’d rip every tree from its roots and split them in half like my heart. I wanted tens of thousands of splinters to fly through the air, to show Callon what he’d done to me.
Suddenly a pair of arms came around me, and I was forced to the wet cold earth. I gasped, trying to catch my breath, when I was thrown to my back and my hands were pinned above my head. I stared up into hazel eyes.
“Cheyenne,” Callon commanded, “don’t run away from me!”
The crimson-eyed beast roared as I brought my fingers together. I narrowed my eyes, allowing the power to build in my chest.
“Get off me,” I said between clenched teeth.
“No! You need to listen to me…”
The beast burst forth, and Callon was thrown to the side. The wind began to howl, building and building around me.
“Cheyenne, stop!” Nakari cried. She jumped to Callon’s side. Go ahead and run to him, Nakari—have him! No more! I conjured up more air, watching the trees bend almost to their breaking point. She’d provoked this. She could deal with the consequences!
Suddenly something struck me in the side, and the wind escaped my fingertips. I hit the ground with a gasp, mud splashing into my face. I tried to move, but found a massive paw on my chest. Maes had pounced, breaking my concentration. His jade-rimmed eyes were hard. Slowly he backed off, returning to his human form. I stood, shaking, while Nakari helped Callon to his feet.
Tears poured down my cheeks. What had I ever done to be forced to endure such heartache and pain? I’d never asked for any of this! All I’d ever wanted was to live a normal life, and be with the one I loved. Not to constantly be angry and want to destroy.
“Cheyenne!” Maes growled. “What the…”
His words were cut short as I raced past. I couldn’t stay here. Callon was right; I was still out of control. I turned back to see if he was following when a bolt of electricity shot from thin air. It tore through my limbs, and I was thrown back. I collided with Maes’s chest, and we tumbled down a small ravine, landing in a creek. My cheek lay in a pile of cold mud, and Maes lifted his head. A groan escaped his lips.
“You found the enchantment.”
My head spinning, I looked up. Flickering iridescent lights were gliding across the ridge, like fireflies.
Footsteps neared, and I caught familiar breathing. Callon had come.
“Cheyenne, please, just listen! I can explain…”
I didn’t wait for him to finish. I brushed Maes’s hand, seizing his power. A moment later, I shifted, becoming a Tresez. Almost at once, my head felt like it was going to explode.
“No!” Maes shouted.
I stumbled to my feet, the forest whirling before me. Patches of gray, black and red drifted past. It looked like another world. I opened my mouth to speak, but only a low whine came forth. Bile rose in my throat, and my legs gave out. My head hit the ground, and I began panting.
“Shift back, now!” Maes pulled my head up. “You shouldn’t have done that!”
A red aura glowed around his chest, while the rest of his body was shrouded in dark shadows. I turned to see Nakari and Callon had the same aura. Maes had heat vision.
My panting slowed as the dizziness subsided. Power, raw unleashed power, trickled through my veins. It was different than what the crimson-eyed beast provided. This was pure animal strength, mightier than even Brogan’s.
I leapt to my feet, releasing a roar, and focused on Callon. He pushed Nakari behind him, and I opened my jaws. There’d be no summoning of the wind, only razor sharp teeth to leave a lasting impression.
Maes stormed in front of Callon. Pure rage radiated as his aura grew brighter.
“If you don’t change back now, I won’t hold back,” he threatened. I blinked. I’d never seen him so mad before, not even when I’d been moping around in the manor. I’d pushed him too far, but no
farther than they’d pushed me.
I took a step back, my legs tightening, allowing me to spring forward. I cleared their heads and sprinted into the dense trees. Running was the safest option right now. If I didn’t leave, I’d do something I’d regret. I needed to control this rage.
My new instincts filled every pore, and I let them lead me back to the estate. Nightfall was coming. I didn’t have to play this stupid game anymore, didn’t have to deal with Callon’s lies. Besides, I’d proven myself worthy. I’d evaded them all, and hadn’t let the beast get the better of me. It had been close, though. I still had a way to go.
Of course there would still be payment for Callon’s actions, but it would come from me, not the beast.
I jerked to a stop. A powerful scent had reached my nostrils. It was familiar. I lowered my head, following the trail. So this is what it was like to be Maes. The slightest change in the air, and I could taste the difference on my tongue.
My ears perked up. Rustling in the bush ahead caught my attention. I crept closer, watching for any sign of life. Something prickled across my back; my old Tresez nail wound.
Oh no!
Suddenly a small red glow began to emerge. A tiny drumbeat echoed in my ear. No, not a drumbeat, a heartbeat. I slid closer to investigate, when a black rabbit bolted from the brush and took off into the forest. So that’s what rabbit smelled like to a dog…
Be careful, you fool!
I snapped my head around. Who said that?
I caught a scent mixed with hers. She’s not alone.
Huh? Who was talking? Where were they? I crouched lower, my eyes searching the forest shadows. My nostrils flared. It was the previous scent again. Not rabbit.
Circle to the right. We have the advantage in the dark. Conall will have our heads if we come back empty handed.
Either way we’re doomed. If we meet up with Maes…
Tresez! I had to warn the others! Wait…I was a Tresez! I had Maes’s strength. I could dispose of these dogs myself.
If you want me, come and get me! I screamed in my thoughts.
Glowing eyes met mine, and I felt the hair rise on the back of my neck. A low rumble grew from within as I began circling the filth in front of me.
Daylight, a Timeless Series Novel Page 14
