“Maybe a little,” I admitted.
He glanced at Nakari and rode ahead, trotting alongside Andre. We came to a stop.
“We need to warm up,” Callon ordered.
At least it wasn’t just me this time.
Within moments we’d dismounted. Clayton and Koda disappeared while Callon moved closer and rubbed my arms.
“We’ll have a fire soon.”
“I though as a Timeless I wouldn’t be affected by the cold as much,” I said.
“True, but we’ve been in Ireland. We have to acclimate to an area first,” Callon replied. “I’m not as warm as you might think,” Callon admitted.
Andre and Nakari huddled beside us.
“Thanks,” Andre said. “I didn’t want to be the one to slow us down, but it’s colder than Antarctica here.”
“It’s not that bad,” I said, regardless of the fact that my teeth were chattering.
Andre scoffed.
“Oh, give me mass flooding and daily rain any day!” she joked. “If it gets any colder right now, there’ll be icicles warmer than me.”
“So melodramatic,” Nakari said and rolled her eyes.
“I have acclimatization issues. Is that so wrong?” Andre shot back. “You’re not exactly looking so warm yourself, Blue Cheeks.”
“I was in a rush. I didn’t realize which blusher I used,” Nakari answered.
I brought my fingers to my mouth, partly to warm my hands, but mostly to hide my chuckling. I’d never known Nakari to have a sense of humor. Then again, that was hardly a side of her she’d want to show to me…
Soon the boys had built a crackling fire, and we hovered beside it. Callon, Maes, Koda and Brogan stood in a huddle nearby, going over the plans again, I was sure. It was a get in and get out sort of plan; we wouldn’t have time for anything else if we wanted to beat the Trackers, Tresez and Cloakers. They’d even talked about using other options with Colt as well, if they thought he was under Marcus’s influence. I wasn’t exactly sure what those other options were, but I’d seen Callon bring along syringes and bottles.
“Are you getting warmer?” Clayton asked, adding another log to the fire.
“Getting there,” Andre replied.
Even Nakari inched closer to my side. She must have been desperate.
“Thanks for the extra layers,” Nakari said quietly. “I appreciate you thinking of me.”
I nodded, deciding not to tell her it’d been Callon’s idea.
Steam poured from Nakari’s mouth like she was going to speak, but nothing came out. I gave her a sidelong glance, but she looked away.
“Just say it, Nakari,” Andre said.
I looked at Nakari again; this time her green eyes fought to hide her apprehension.
She sighed and stared into the fire.
“I know just about everyone had given you warnings about Colt, Cheyenne, but I’ve kept quiet because of our…unique relationship. I just want to ask one small thing. Please don’t break Callon’s heart.”
My throat tightened. She thought I’d crush him.
“I’m not as coldhearted as you might think, Nakari!” I snapped.
“I’m sorry. It’s just that I’ve known Callon for a long time…I know what he’s been through in the past, and I can’t bear to watch him travel down that path of despair again.”
I blinked. She was convinced I’d hurt him. I turned on her.
“I love him. I’m going to marry him, and I have no intention of breaking his heart or allowing past emotions to get the best of me. We’re out here to rescue Colt because he is an important part of this family—nothing more.”
Even as I said the words I knew the untruth to them…Colt was more than a part of this family, he was a vital part of me. But I knew I’d have to suppress any and all emotions of romantic love for him—I had to for Callon’s sake, for mine and for the Timeless clans.
“Thank you,” Nakari whispered. “I just needed to hear it from your lips.”
Callon paused in his discussions and looked over at us. He’d heard the conversation, heard what I’d said. His eyes drifted to Nakari; her head was lowered. It’d taken a lot of courage for her to say those words to me. Words I mostly likely needed to remember and heed the warning.
Brogan, Koda, Maes and Callon stepped closer to the fire, warming themselves. I looked around, but realized I hadn’t seen Daniel in a while.
“Where’s Daniel?” I asked.
“Here,” Daniel replied. His shoulder brushed mine. “I was just securing the area.”
“Thank you,” I replied.
As soon we’d warmed, we mounted and were riding once more. I knew that by midday we’d make the falls, as long as the weather held up.
I shivered off and on for the remainder of the night, but when the sunlight began to break through the trees, warmth spread through my limbs again.
“It won’t be much longer now,” Daniel said. “Just be sure to stick close, just in case we need to make a quick escape.”
I nodded. They’d been drilling it into my head; running was just fine for now. We’d stand and fight later. My safety was their first and foremost concern.
“Remember,” Callon added, “go for the water. If Cloakers are here, they can’t touch you there.”
I remembered what he and Dex had told me earlier. Water was the Cloakers weakness. They needed to have a solid surface to land on before they could grab someone. It would be like pouring coffee grounds into water, they wouldn’t be able to stick together. At least that was the best explanation Dex had given me.
“Yes, got it,” I replied.
My fingers tightened on the reins and Mandi whinnied. She knew something was up. She felt just as anxious as I did. I stroked her neck.
“It’s alright, girl. It’s going to be alright.”
She nodded in agreement and kept up her steady pace.
A pile of blackened ash and partially burned logs lay slightly uncovered beneath the snow. I glanced around. While the snow on the ground made the forest look slightly different, I knew exactly where we were. This was the campsite we’d used on our travels to Dex and Lilly’s. I kicked Mandi’s side and rode ahead.
Callon and the others didn’t try and stop me, and Maes allowed me to lead. My legs tightened in the stirrups as a large log came into view. Mandi leapt over it with little effort, landing in the small stream. Her hooves found solid ground again as we cleared the bank, and my breath caught. Soon the falls would be coming into view.
I heard it first, the gushing gurgling of the river and then the pounding of water hitting the rocks. We were close now, very close. Within the blink of an eye, the gravely beach beside the small pool came into sight. Brogan, Callon, Koda and Maes pushed ahead, and I slowed Mandi to a walk. Nakari, Clayton, Daniel and Andre stayed back with me.
I searched the forest, looking for any movement, any sign of Colt. My heart raced, pulsing with energy. He was here, nearby.
Koda, Callon and Brogan dismounted and Maes disappeared into the surrounding trees. Callon waved us forward. When I stopped, he held Mandi while I dismounted.
“I don’t see anything, princess,” Brogan grumbled. “No tracks…”
“You’ve only glanced around from horseback, Brogan,” I said. “Colt wouldn’t want to be found by anyone else. He’d make the clues hard to find.”
Brown eyes bore into mine.
“We have to search on foot,” I insisted.
Callon waved Brogan off, but not before a nasty glare etched his eyes. Back to feeling lower than pond scum…
“Spread out,” Callon ordered. He squeezed my hand.
Daniel jumped beside me, and I headed for the water’s edge. His fingers latched over mine. We had to stick together, no matter what.
I followed the shoreline, walking slowly, examining every detail, searching for a hidden clue—a boot impression in the sandy surface, rocks out of place—anything. The spray of icy cold water brushed over my cheeks, and I stared at the fal
ls, taking in their beauty once again.
Anxiety welled up inside me, making my heart race even faster. I was here again, here at the falls where I first knew I loved Colt. I watched the misty images form, Colt standing before me as I sat, his fingers brushing away my wet hair. The feel of his bare chest against mine…
I fought to push down the emotions, the feelings of warmth and happiness, as I knew they were a lie. It’d been nothing but turmoil since I’d met him, nothing but heartache, but still…
“Cheyenne?” Daniel squeezed my hand.
I blinked.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, Daniel.”
I focused again on the details, on the spot where I’d sat with him. It was different somehow. The water flowed over what appeared to be rocks, yet I was sure nothing had been there last time.
“Daniel, take me to the falls.”
“Chey?” He raised a brow. “The water…”
“Just do it!” I tugged him forward.
Daniel jumped us to the falls, to the ledge where I’d sat before. The icy cold water was pushing at my shins; the spring run-off was starting already. I fought to remain standing as I tried to walk closer to the edge.
Daniel gripped my arm, trying to pull me back.
“Chey, you’ll fall in.”
“Look!” I pointed to the watery surface. Large stones were arranged in a pattern. Daniel’s eyes grew wide.
“It’s a word!” he shouted above the roar of the falls.
We both moved closer, my eyes trying to make out the clue.
“It says ‘Come’!” Daniel exclaimed. “It’s a clue!”
He turned to jump us to shore, wanting to tell the others, but I shook my head.
“Wait.” I took off a glove and pulled one of the bracelets from my pocket. “Help me lift a rock.”
His brow furrowed.
“I want to leave Colt a clue that we were here, in case something happens.”
Daniel nodded. I bent down, placing the stone bracelet under one of the large rocks. Satisfied, he jumped us back to the shore.
“What’d you see?” Koda asked. The others gathered around, eager to hear.
“Colt gave us a clue. He spelled ‘come’ with rocks, like he said in his note.” I pointed to the falls, to the rock shelf where Daniel and I had just come from. “He’s been here. And he’s still close by. I can feel it.”
“Spread out then,” Koda ordered. “Callon, Nakari, head north. Maes, Andre, you take south. Daniel, Clayton and Cheyenne, head west, and Brogan and I will head east.”
Daniel, Clayton and I began heading west when Koda called out again.
“I want us all back here within the next two hours, no later.”
We dispersed into the woods. We didn’t want to miss any clues that might be lying on the forest floor.
Daniel jumped ahead, while Clayton and I kept our eyes out. A broken branch, or rocks in a grouping…Colt could have placed anything for us to find.
Time ticked by, and still nothing appeared. I had no idea how much ground we’d covered, but soon we would have to go back. Clayton glanced at me nervously. He knew too, but didn’t want to say it.
Suddenly, I caught the smell of burning wood. I stopped, trying to locate the source. At the same moment, Daniel reappeared.
“Do you smell that?” I asked. Clayton sniffed, and shrugged.
“Smells like a campfire,” he replied.
Daniel nodded, then pushed us behind a large tree trunk.
“Stay here,” he instructed. “Let me check it out first.”
I tried to reach for his arm, but he disappeared before I made contact. I wanted to go with him. Clayton held onto my elbow.
“Don’t,” he whispered. “Daniel will come back for us. We don’t know what might be waiting out there.”
As much as I wanted to yank myself free, I knew I needed to listen. We needed to work together.
Daniel reappeared.
“It’s a Tracker party…” he hesitated. “Colt’s with them.”
My heart raced, Colt was so close! I took a step forward, but Clayton pulled me back.
“Wait, we need to get the others,” he said. I looked to Daniel, pleading.
“Can’t you just tell Callon?”
Daniel shook his head.
“We’re too far,” he said. “It won’t take long to head back. The three of us aren’t enough to get Colt out, anyway. We can’t ruin our only chance.”
“But if we take too long, they’ll get away!” I protested. “We can take them…”
Daniel sighed and grabbed my hand.
“If I show you, will that be enough?”
I swallowed. “Well…”
“I won’t take you if you can’t promise to stay hidden.”
I sighed. He was right. I had to keep my head.
“Alright.”
He jumped through the forest, Clayton running behind us. Within moments, we were perched behind some trees. I peered around the corner, and my heart leapt in my chest. Colt was sitting on a tree stump. He was wearing the same shirt I’d seen in the vision, and thick chains were wrapped around his arms. Tears of both relief and love escaped my eyes. He was alive!
“I think those chains are enchanted,” Daniel whispered. “He’d have broken free otherwise.”
My hands began shaking. We were so close.
Daniel grabbed my shoulders, forcing me to look into his worried blue eyes.
“I don’t think I can jump him out of here. If the chains are magic, chances are it’ll prevent me from jumping with him. They’ll block our powers.”
“Then how do we get him out?”
“We don’t!” Daniel hissed. “We need Callon and the others.”
“But…”
“You promised, Cheyenne!”
I shook my head.
“I’m not going to abandon him like I did at the ravine,” I said. “Besides, what if the Trackers find Clayton’s tracks? They’ll run out of here before we can catch up again. We’ve got to do this now. If you can distract the Trackers, I can get to Colt.” I flexed my fingers. “I should be able to break his chains with my powers. Then, with him on our side, the Trackers won’t stand a chance.”
Clayton looked torn.
“It could work,” he said, “but I don’t want to risk anything. If they capture you instead, Cheyenne, they won’t care about Colt or any of us. They’ll drag you straight to Marcus.”
I clenched my fists. I knew I’d be putting myself in danger, but it was no less than Colt had done for me. If only I could convince them…
A shout from the trees on the opposite side of the clearing made me jump. Soon a pair of Trackers appeared, muttering to each other. They must have been on patrol. One pointed towards us, and I gulped.
“We’re going, now.” Daniel gripped my arm and we disappeared. Clayton made to follow, but unfortunately he stepped on a twig, and a loud snap echoed. The Trackers yelled, running towards the sound.
“No!” I fought to shake Daniel off. “They’ll get Clayton. We have to go back!”
“You’re more important!” Daniel shot back.
“But if they catch him, they’ll send out a party to search for the others,” I said. “Leave me behind Colt in the trees. They won’t think to look for me so closely. When you’ve got Clayton out, come back for me.”
“Chey…”
“Please, Daniel!”
Daniel sighed. I knew he really didn’t want to follow my plan, but eventually we jumped again. I blinked; we were behind the trees surrounding Colt. His broad back filled my vision. Before I could whisper my thanks, Daniel was gone. I prayed he would get to Clayton before the Trackers spotted him.
Colt shifted a little. Had he heard us?
“Hey!” one of the Trackers shouted. The clang of metal falling to the ground shortly followed.
“Watch him!” another yelled, and footsteps pounded in the forest.
I rounded the tree, and st
opped. A scraggly looking Tracker eyed me nervously; he’d been hidden by Colt’s frame, and I hadn’t seen him. I wasn’t afraid. I spread my arms out, summoning the wind, and the Tracker turned tail and ran. It was a far cry from the men who’d kept me under guard when I was with Marcus…
“Cheyenne?” Colt murmured weakly.
I twisted on my heels, and my breath caught. Colt had stood up. His shirt was caked with mud, his cheeks dirty and sunken, and a hollowness echoed in his icy blue eyes. Still, I caught the flicker of hope within them as well. He’d been waiting for me!
I threw myself into his arms, his chains rattling in protest.
“You’re here,” I breathed, his heartbeat echoing in my ear. “You’re really here!”
“Oh, Cheyenne,” Colt whispered, smiling. “I knew you’d come for me!”
Chapter 18
“You’re alive,” I whispered. His warmth beneath my cheek, his strong arms around me…he was right here with me. “I knew it. I felt it in my heart.” I inhaled. He smelled of pine, dirt and sweat. Eventually he pushed me back, and his shoulders sagged.
“Did you come alone?” Colt asked.
I shook my head, suddenly reminded about Clayton and Daniel.
“No, and we don’t have much time,” I said. “We need to go now.”
“Yeah.” Colt stretched his arms, causing the chains to jingle. They’d cut into his wrists, leaving blackened scars caked with grime.
“Let me get those off first,” I said. “They’ll slow you down.”
“Good luck,” Colt snorted. “They’re enchanted. They’ve been draining my strength since Marcus forced them on me.”
“I’ll fix that. Hold out your arms.”
Colt obeyed. I grasped each shackle. They felt normal enough. I closed my eyes, focusing my power to the palms of my hands. The chains began to rattle, and grew warm beneath my hand. Suddenly a tingling sensation ran up my arms and into my shoulders, and I couldn’t let go. Snarling, Colt shoved me away.
“Don’t!” he snapped.
“Why?”
“The magic trailed up your arms. It’ll weaken you like it has me.”
“But we have to get them off…”
Loud howls bounced off the trees. I froze. I knew those howls …Tresezes!
Daylight, a Timeless Series Novel Page 27
