I trotted to my room, changed and returned to the top of the stairs. I paused. The halls echoed with laughter, lots of laughter, including a deep, rich chortle that gave me goosebumps. I hadn’t thought Brogan could make such a sound. I hadn’t heard this sort of happiness for a long time. Rather, I hadn’t wanted to hear it, too consumed in my own misery.
Sighing, I made my way down the stairs, halting inside the music area. Apparently the mock battle between Koda and Daniel hadn’t ended, and now Skylar was in on it.
“You got nothing on me, Skylar,” Daniel said slyly. He turned his head and a devious smile rose on his lips. He landed beside me, and I startled. I knew what that smile meant.
“Hey now…” was all I was able to get out before Daniel jumped us across the room. Koda lunged and I cringed, waiting for an impact that never came.
“You wouldn’t hurt Cheyenne now, would you?” Daniel hid behind me.
Daniel twisted me to the right as Skylar moved closer.
“And you’d use a poor defenseless girl as a shield?” Skylar asked.
“I wouldn’t call Cheyenne defenseless,” Koda chimed in.
“Hey!” I grabbed Daniel’s hand, touching his knuckles, but something blocked me from taking his power. Daniel wagged his finger at me.
“Not this time, Cheyenne. I need my powers, and you can’t have them.”
I glanced towards Callon, and he shrugged, smiling. He was enjoying this.
“Don’t worry, Cheyenne,” Koda said. He stealthily moved closer. “We won’t hurt you, just Daniel.”
“Good to know,” I replied as we landed near the dining room table. My damp hair clung to my lashes, and I looked at the fire longingly. Within a second, we’d moved into the hall again. If this kept up, I was going to be sick.
“You’ve got nowhere to go now,” Koda rumbled.
“And you say you know me,” Daniel teased.
Suddenly, I was in complete darkness, and the soft whisper of a breeze told me Daniel had disappeared. He’d left me.
“So much for getting warm,” I mumbled. I stuck my hand out and moved towards what I thought was a wall. My left shoulder made contact with a large object. “Ouch!”
Where had Daniel jumped me? I fumbled around for a few moments, until I found a door handle. The knob was cold as I twisted it and I stepped forward.
A shiver escaped me. This room was even colder, and pitch black as well. I twisted to my right, pushing my fingers against the wall. There had to be a light switch someplace. Finally, I found it and flicked it on. Light flooded the room, and I flinched at the brightness.
I was in some sort of storage room. Sheets covered paintings lining the left side of the wall. Boxes were stacked in organized sections circling around to the right, and old furniture had been placed behind some chests and crates. I’d found a treasure trove.
I glanced towards the door. The hallway was dark. This must be what lay behind the metal studded doors just off the dining room. Apparently Daniel could jump me through walls if he knew what lay on the other side. I guess I wasn’t going to have to pester Callon after all.
Moving further into the room, I ran my fingers over the sheet-covered frames. Might as well have a look while I was in here. I might not have the chance again. I paused in front of a frame larger and broader than me, then carefully lifted the sheet back. My eyes grew wide. A pair of icy blue eyes were staring at me.
Colt.
He had to have been about twelve or thirteen. He was dressed in what looked like black wool pants and had shiny black boots that ran up to his knees. A crisp white shirt stuck out from under his gray-buttoned vest and his blond hair was tied back with a black ribbon. He was much smaller, almost scraggly looking, with an awkward smile perched on his lips.
My fingers traced his outline. What would he have been like as a teenager? Surely he’d have had awkward moments like the rest of us…like me.
I soaked in his picture for a few more moments before I carefully covered it again and moved on. I studied the frames, deciding which to inspect next, when an oversized one with part of its sheet falling off caught my eye. It was buried behind some other paintings, so I worked on moving them aside before I could make enough room to pull away the sheet. It fell to the floor, and I stepped back.
It was a life-sized painting of the male O’Shea’s—all of them. Callon, Colt, Daniel, and their father. I moved in closer to view the gold tag at the top. Kieran. So that was their father’s name.
It was easy to see where they’d gotten their looks from. Kieran had black wavy locks, icy blue eyes and a frame that was just a tad bit larger than Colt’s. There was also a softness to his features that resembled Daniel’s.
Callon and Colt stood in the back, wearing black wool suits, black vests with white shirts and red ties. Kieran sat in a chair, dressed much the same, and Daniel sat with his arm propped over his knee, staring out into some forgotten place. I moved in closer. His eyes, those dark blue eyes that had always relayed warmth to me were filled with sadness, loneliness. Why?
I looked up at Colt’s eyes. Had the artist captured something in his eyes as well? Distance…he was looking at the artist, but seeing beyond. It was a far off gaze, searching for something on the horizon.
I moved over to Callon. His shoulders were squared, his hand resting on the back of his father’s chair. His eyes revealed strength, determination, and confidence. He was the first in line, his father’s son, ready to stand in his father’s place when the time came, and he longed for it.
I reached out, wanting to trace his jawline, wanting to feel what he felt, but pulled away at the last moment. All his strength, determination and confidence were wavering now, most likely because of my actions and things that had happened in his past. How could one live for so long, with so many changes, and yet still remain so loyal to a cause? I covered the portrait, knowing I’d probably never understand.
I sighed and turned around. Did I really want to explore this place? I could learn so much, but I’d probably only uncover more things to remind me of what was at stake here…the continuance of the Timeless race as they knew it now.
I stepped out of the small space and tripped on a piece of loose material. My hand caught the edge of a box and it toppled over. I froze as a familiar song began to play, and my eyes caught pink fabric poking out from a cardboard lid.
My heart ached, and I forced myself to crawl forward. I lifted a shaking hand and pulled the brown lid away. I blinked back tears as I reached for the small pink and white box and closed the lid. The melody fell silent. I traced the small dents in the lid, and the tear in the material on the lower left corner.
My jewelry box.
I sucked in a breath. This had been a gift from my mom and dad when I was six. I’d been frantic after my parent’s death, searching the house for it. Colt had come to my home and found me panicked. He knew it was important to me.
“Cheyenne?” Callon’s voice echoed down the hall. “Hey, what’s going on?”
I couldn’t reply.
“Sweetheart, what’s wrong?” He moved beside me, his arm coming around.
I lifted the small pink box up.
“What’s this?” Callon asked, studying it.
“My jewelry box.” My voice shook. “It went missing after my parent’s death. I’d wanted it so badly then…”
“You found it here?” He stroked my cheek.
I nodded.
He placed a tender kiss on my forehead, his hand coming to rest on mine. My thumb ran over the gold latch, and I delicately flipped it open. The familiar melody began to play again, and I stroked my Servak ring. I watched the small ballerina and my mind traveled back to when I’d received this gift from my mom.
The memory was crystal clear, as if it were yesterday.
The warm wind blew my ball past the playground and into the grassy field. Children’s laughter and screams filled the air. I was happy. It was my birthday, and I was now six years old. I chased after the ball, smiling as I
ran, because I knew my parents would be here soon to help celebrate with my classmates. My mom was bringing cupcakes, and soon everyone would be singing to me.
I paused at the edge of the field. A woman with long wavy brown hair was holding my ball.
“Is this yours?” she asked.
I nodded.
“Cheyenne!” my teacher called out, and I turned to see her waving me back.
“Cheyenne…” the woman repeated. “That’s such a pretty name.” She moved closer and handed me the ball.
“Thank you,” I replied. “Today’s my birthday. I’m six.”
An angelic smile crossed her face, and her gray eyes grew watery.
“Happy Birthday, Cheyenne,” she whispered.
“Sweetheart,” a man just behind her called out.
I moved to see him. His blond hair fell into his eyes.
“We have to go now,” he told the woman.
“Cheyenne, it’s time to come in now,” my teacher called out. “Your parents are here.”
“I have to go now,” I told the pretty brown-haired lady. “We’re going to have my party.” I smiled.
“Goodbye,” she whispered, close to tears. “Be brave, Cheyenne, and always follow your heart.”
The vision disappeared, and I felt my cheeks soaked with tears.
“Sahara…” I whispered.
Callon turned to me, his eyes probing. “What did you do?”
I blinked. “I—I didn’t do anything…I don’t know.”
“You had a memory?”
“Yes, it was so clear, like it took place…”
“Yesterday.” He finished my sentence for me.
“Why? How?” I couldn’t form my questions into words.
“You took one of my powers, that’s how.”
“What?” I shook my head. “I don’t understand.”
He sighed and looked down, his fingers stroking my wrist.
“I’m able to enhance memories.”
“Enhance memories?”
His hazel eyes met mine. “I can’t create new memories, only bring old memories to the surface with clarity. And though I wanted to comfort you, I didn’t help you produce this memory.”
“It was my mother, Sahara. She came to see me on my sixth birthday…” I looked up, my eyes widening.
“What?” Callon said.
I pressed the small box to my chest.
“I received this on my sixth birthday.” I swallowed, fighting to stop more tears spreading. “It held my Servak ring, Callon. My parents gave me this…my real parents, Sahara and Qaysean.” I couldn’t hold back, and I choked out a sob. “I got to see them…they were still alive when I was six.”
Callon pulled me closer, and I curled into his hold, hugging the box tightly. Subconsciously I had known all along. It was one of the few gifts I’d ever received that wedged its way into my heart. Just having it around was soothing, and now I knew why.
Slowly, I calmed down. Wiping my eyes, I looked to Callon.
“You’ve done this before, helped me relive memories?” I asked.
“Yes.”
“At the cabin, when I didn’t want to get out of bed because I missed my parents.” I drew back. “You brought me the memory with Colt on my birthday, and you got me to speak again.”
A faint smile rose. “I did. I didn’t know how else to help you.”
“You’ve helped me in so many ways, Callon.”
“Just as much as you’ve helped me,” he said.
He leaned closer, his lips brushing mine. My fingers moved to his silky hair. He brought his lips to mine. It’d been too long since he kissed me like this—way too long.
“I—I never knew I could feel so much for you,” he muttered against my mouth.
My eyes fell closed. I too didn’t know I could feel so much for another after Colt.
His lips covered mine, and he pressed me closer, his hand sliding up the back of my shirt. Goosebumps rolled down my spine, and my breathing hitched as he parted my lips.
For too long I had held back from him, afraid of betraying Colt’s memory, but now…now I needed to let go and give Callon back what he’d given me—life. He’d given me hope as well, hope that I, we, could move on.
He tilted his head, pressing the kiss deeper, and butterflies erupted in the pit of my stomach. Raw, untamed passion poured out from him as our breathing grew ragged.
Footsteps sounded in the hall, and Callon stilled. He drew back, a faint grin rising. “I think we’ve been found.”
He pushed my hair behind my ear, and I looked up to see Daniel, Koda, Bree and Skylar standing in the doorway.
“Everything okay?” Daniel asked, glancing around.
“She found her jewelry box, Daniel,” Callon replied.
Daniel’s eyes grew wide and he knelt beside me.
“I’m so sorry, Cheyenne,” he said. “I—I forgot that Gene and Alexis had shipped some of your things over here. The caretaker had told me, and I said to put it in storage…I—I just forgot.”
“It’s okay, Daniel,” I whispered.
Daniel remained still. He was still fearful of pushing me over that edge.
Callon helped me stand and drew me into his side, and I wiped the remnant of a tear from my cheek.
“I didn’t mean to upset you. I can bring the rest of your boxes to your room,” Daniel added.
“There’s more?” I looked around.
Daniel twisted a box around. “Anything with a big C on it is yours.”
“I’d like that,” I told him. “Thank you.” It would be wonderful to have some of my own things.
Callon took my hand as I cradled the pink and white box close to my chest. The hall was no longer dark as we left the storage room, and I kept my head lowered as we passed Koda, Skylar, and Bree.
“We’ll help Daniel,” Bree offered.
I nodded and followed Callon out into the hall and up the stairs to my bedroom. I sat on the corner of my bed, waiting for the boxes to arrive. This was the last piece I needed to move on. I’d missed so many things from home; which may have been why I’d never really found the courage to move on completely. Now though, that would change. I wouldn’t get caught in the past, but take it with me into the future.
Chapter 12
Five large boxes were delivered to my room, and I couldn’t have been happier. Clothes, sweaters, jackets, scarves, gloves, jeans, boots and a few blankets lay at my feet. I’d finally have something warm to wear.
I smiled as I dug through the last box. I remembered packing some of these things with my mom; it’s what we always did when the season was about to change. I just never expected that I’d have all this stuff here with me. But then again, my mom always thought ahead, was always the planner. For that I was grateful.
My fingers ran across something hard, and I quickly pulled it out.
“What is it?” Lilly asked, folding some of the sweaters.
I carefully unwrapped a book-sized package. Once the paper fell away, I gasped.
“It’s a picture of my parents,” I whispered. Tears that I thought had disappeared were fresh again.
Lilly moved and placed her arm around my shoulder. “And it’s in a nice silver frame,” she added.
I traced the outline of my mother’s face, before sighing and setting it on the table beside my bed. At least now I had a picture.
“Alexis was very thoughtful in sending things here ahead of time,” Lilly said while she tucked some clothes into a drawer. “The picture of her and Gene is sweet, thoughtful.”
“It is,” I replied, putting the last of the jeans away.
Lilly placed her hands on her hips, smiling. “Since we’re done here, Dex has asked for you to meet him in the library.”
“Oh?” What was this all about?
“He wants to make sure you’re up-to-date with some Timeless history. We’ve made huge mistakes not sharing our heritage with you. It’s time we fixed that.”
My eyes lit up. It wa
s about time! At last, I could finally learn more about my family and the clans. All the things Callon had promised were coming true.
I dashed for the door. “I’m on my way then!”
Lilly laughed, and I hurried through the hall and down the stairs, pausing at the library doors.
“Where you off to in such a hurry, princess?” Brogan grumbled.
I turned, giving him a blank look. “Me?”
“Yes, you, princess.” He crossed his arms over his large chest.
Great, now Brogan had a nickname for me…
“I’m meeting Dex.”
“And?”
What did he care? “We’re going over some history.”
A smirk rose. “It’s about damn time somebody listened to me.”
“That’s right, love. We all need to listen to you,” Layla swept into the hall and hung off his arm, her eyelashes fluttering.
“I think I should go with her and make sure…”
Layla cut him off. “Leave her be. I need help with some herbs.”
His lip twitched, but when he looked down on Layla, his eyes filled with warmth. I had to blink twice to make sure I’d seen it right.
A sly smile rose on Layla’s lips, and she led him towards the dining room. I swallowed. That was a disaster averted. I pushed open the library doors and walked in. Callon peeked out from behind a bookshelf.
“Hey there.” A warm grin emerged. “Looking for me?”
“Always.” I glanced behind him. “Is Dex here?”
“No.” His head tilted, and he moved closer. “Is everything okay?”
“Oh sure, it’s just that Lilly told me Dex wanted to see me in the library.”
Callon chuckled. “He’s in the other library.”
“Huh?”
He grasped my hand. “I’ve been wanting to show you, but I needed to make sure you were ready.” He tugged me along into the hall and headed towards the dining room. He stopped at the metal studded doors and pulled a key out of his pocket. Unlocking it, he ushered me inside.
This time there was more light, a trail of small hanging sconces lit the way. The corridor was windowless, and the gray stones made it feel like the walls were closing in. Our feet padded against the long red runner, its pattern more Asian than the other rugs in the manor.
Daylight, a Timeless Series Novel Page 18
