I found Darrien and Jahlem waiting. They stood near the bed and eyed me carefully, like they were unsure. Marcus had made it clear; they were my bodyguards. Where I went, they went. I headed towards the terrace door and stepped out. The terrace was small, but a bistro table with two small chairs had been placed where I could sit and enjoy the view….and search for signs of my family.
I sat and stared at the stone walls caging me in. A prison potentially for the rest of my life, unless Callon could find a way to remove me, but the chances were slim. Marcus had brought me here for a reason; he knew he was untouchable here.
I trembled as a cool morning breeze drifted past. I should have dried my hair, but I was actually hoping it would chill me, numb my feelings. The sunlight hit the lake and cast its reflection onto the stone walls and inched its way up. Flickering iridescent lights scattered out before me and caused me to squint. It seemed to be coming from the sunlight’s reflection off the water. I lifted my hand to shade my eyes. It was strangely familiar somehow. Like fireflies dancing…
An enchantment!
My heart sank. Marcus had an enchantment just like Callon had at the estate. The others would never be able to get to me! But if Marcus had broken through the enchantment by using Colt, couldn’t Callon break through the enchantment by using Maes?
“It can’t be broken,” Jahlem said quietly.
He stood behind me. I’d heard them both follow, but ignored them till now.
“What can’t be broken?” I chose to play dumb.
“The enchantment,” Darrien replied. “Maes can’t break it.”
I turned on them, my eyes narrowing. How did they know what I was thinking?
“We can’t read your mind,” Jahlem said, “but we can sense what you’re thinking.”
“How?”
“We’re Servak, like you. And you are your mother’s daughter.”
“You’re Servak?”
Darrien nodded.
“But you sided with Marcus?”
“It’s not that simple,” Jahlem answered. “When Sahara refused to marry Marcus and ran away, she didn’t inherit her father’s power. That left the Servak weak and vulnerable. Marcus exploited this, and has now taken control of our powers as we’ve been without a leader for so long. He uses this to make the Sarac stronger, but it comes at a cost to us,” Jahlem answered. “We have nothing to resist him with.”
“So you’re powerless against him, too,” I observed.
They didn’t answer, but knew I hit the nail on the head. Even my bodyguards were as stuck as me.
“One day, it will not be so,” Darrien said. “One day the Servak will be free again. That was the last thing Sahara promised us.”
“You knew my mother?”
“Yes,” Jahlem replied.
I fiddled with my Servak ring, twisting it on my finger. I had so many questions.
“Why did everyone hate her?” I asked. “Was she an awful person?”
“The hatred spills over because she fled,” Darrien said. “She allowed her father to die, and many blame her for the loss of Jorell as well. They see her running away as what led to the undoing of the Servak.”
“Because without a strong leader the clan weakens,” I said and then hesitated. “Did you hate her?”
There was a long pause before Jahlem responded. “Your mother did what she thought was right, and I can’t fault her for that, but deserting her clan in the process wasn’t a well-thought-out plan.”
“So you blame her for Jorell’s death,” I stated.
“No,” Darrien said. “We blame her for your condition.”
Why did it all come back to Sahara? The Servak, Consilador, Laundess, and Coltooro clans…they all blamed my mother’s actions for putting me in the position I was in now. Surely she would have known that her actions one day would affect me, or any child she had. If I’d been born male, I’d probably already be dead, but because I was female, it made me more valuable. I was marriageable material, able to bind clans together and create stronger alliances—strengthen their powers through their rings.
I stood abruptly, the metal chair scraping on the stones. I needed to leave this room. Marcus said I had a garden I could freely roam, I needed to breathe.
I headed straight for the bedroom door, Darrien and Jahlem directly behind me. If they could sense what I was thinking, then I didn’t need to tell them where to take me. They’d know.
I stepped out into the lifeless dark hallway, and Jahlem moved ahead of me, leading the way. We turned to our left. I wouldn’t have thought the hall could get any bleaker, but it did. We stopped before a metal door, and I waited for Jahlem to unlock it. The stone staircase was dark, damp and smelled of musty rocks.
A long, narrow winding staircase led us to another metal door. Jahlem once again unlocked it, and the bright light from the sun caused me to shield my eyes. I blinked a few times as gravel crunched under my shoes.
I glanced around. Stone planter boxes lined the pathway, which had many different rows. Some of the planters contained trees that were just now blooming soft delicate flowers. A bench rested against the gray stone wall, and a patch of grass was spread out before it.
It wasn’t a large garden, but it was laid out nicely. One large solitary wood and metal door sat in the far corner of the garden. It looked like a narrow pathway leading to the front of the manor. There was a keyhole for what appeared to fit an old skeleton key, but no knob to twist it open, only a lone circular handle.
“It’s locked,” Jahlem said. “Very few have access to the key.”
I nodded and headed towards the grass. I removed my shoes and picked a sunny spot to lie down. I closed my eyes.
“You’re safe here,” Darrien said. “We’ll leave, but will remain close by.”
I didn’t reply, but heard their footsteps departing.
I listened to the wind blow against the stone wall. The wall itself blocked it from my sanctuary. I was grateful it didn’t take away the sunshine, at least not yet.
A shadow drifted above me and I looked up. Icy blue eyes stared down at me…Colt. I looked away and stood, brushing myself off. I had nothing to say to him and looking at him made me angry. I slipped my shoes on.
He didn’t say anything at first. It was as if he was contemplating something. I looked up. His face was hard, rigid, but his eyes said something else. He looked torn, his emotions getting the better of him. An internal battle was taking place.
Was he finally coming to his senses? I couldn’t stop myself as I reached out to touch his hand.
“What a predictable little girl you are,” Colt said with an iciness that trickled over me like a cold freeze. “Makes me wonder what I ever saw in such a simpleton.”
My chest tightened. I drew my hand back and gritted my teeth. Apparently I was wrong, but no matter what he said, I wouldn’t let him get to me.
“Wait, I know what it was.” Colt began to circle me. “It was what my brother wanted, that’s what drew me to you. A game of sorts, a game to see who could make you fall the hardest and fastest.” He paused, waiting for the words to sink in. “Callon was in on it, too, although he’d deny it.”
I bent my head, balling my hands into fists to stop them from shaking. They were words, nothing more than words…but they were coming from Colt, and it caused the wound to fester. Gone were any conflicting emotions that he might have had.
“I won, of course. You easily fell victim to my charms, like the little schoolgirl you are. A well placed wink and grin was all it took, really, and you spilled your heart out willingly.”
He stopped in front of me and grasped my chin, forcing it up. A glint was in his eyes, and a smirk rose on his lips. Why was he saying this? Why was he trying to goad me?
“I even got you to forsake your betrothed and tell me I was the one.” He laughed. “Even now your tears betray you, sweetheart.”
I shoved him away and ran towards the door we had entered the garden through. I yanked on the hand
le, but it was locked, and Colt was right behind me. He spun me around, lowering his head and grasping my face again.
“There’s no more running for you, Cheyenne.”
I clenched my fingers and swung hard, hitting him on the cheek. He blinked and stepped back, rubbing it. The sting of it rippled through his eyes before he pushed it back and smirked.
“I never loved you, Cheyenne.” The words dripped from his tongue, feeding the crimson-eyed beast within.
“Leave me alone!” I said between my teeth. I ran towards the far corner of the garden. Why was he being so mean and hurtful? Was he trying to get me angry? Did he know of the crimson-eyed monster? Was Marcus having Colt act like this to draw it out? No! I wouldn’t let the beast take control! I wouldn’t give Marcus access to it!
“Aww, is that all you can do, child?” He drew the word out. “You meant nothing more to me than a simple fling, like all the rest. I had hoped you’d be a challenge, but you fell like all the rest—easily and willingly. Pathetically…”
He towered over me again, snaring me in the corner like a frightened rabbit. I backed up against the wall, searching for a way out. Where were Darrien and Jahlem? Weren’t they supposed to be protecting me? Marcus had said that as a Consilador, Colt’s powers would be diminished, but he was still three times my size and stronger than an ox with or without his powers.
I lunged to the right and he met me, blocking my exit. I jumped to the left and again he stopped me. He was toying with me! Anger bubbled up inside, and the crimson-eyed beast clawed its way free. I ran towards him, shoving my shoulder into his chest, using all my weight. I then bent and swung my foot out, hitting his ankle hard. A move Skylar had taught me. He tilted, then tumbled to the dirt in shock. In one smooth movement I yanked the pitchfork from the wooden planter and lifted it over my head ready to plunge it into his chest.
“You dare call me pathetic?!” I hissed, my eyes flaring. “When you betrayed your own flesh and blood? When you turned your back on us…on me?” My hands shook. “You’re nothing but a weak coward, Colt O’Shea, and I’ll never let you rip my heart apart again!”
My arms braced, ready to thrust the pitchfork down, when I caught Colt’s eyes. The cold glare had vanished, replaced with…remorse?
Tears streamed down my cheeks, my heart pounded and pulse raced. What was I doing?
He didn’t break his gaze from me, nor raise a hand to defend himself. Shaking, I dropped the pitchfork and ran towards the side gate that was locked. I leapt up the stone wall, my feet making contact on a small ledge, and thrust myself up, grasping the top of the gate in the process, and swung myself over. I tumbled to the ground on the other side and quickly scrabbled to my feet. I ran down the narrow pathway between the manor and wall and heard heavy feet hitting the path behind me. I didn’t stop once I reached the edge of the manor; instead, I flew down the same gravel path Marcus had brought me up, searching for a hiding place.
My feet left the ground, and I screeched as an arm snaked around my waist. I was pulled into a large chest and lost my breath. Another arm came around me. I lost the will to fight and slumped forward. I shook with raw emotions and sucked in a ragged breath.
“Don’t run,” Marcus whispered near my ear. His head pressed against my neck. “Shh, calm down, my angel.”
How was I supposed to calm down when I’d almost killed Colt? How was I supposed to calm down when Marcus was holding me like a trapped animal? When all everyone wanted was to set this monster free!
Ever so slowly, his arms loosened, and he turned me towards him. He stroked my damp hair and rested his head on mine while he held me close.
“You can come with me,” he said softly. “If you want someplace quiet where no one else can bother you, I’ll take you there.”
I nodded, knowing I really didn’t have a choice. He’d probably sent Colt to torment me…to get me to this emotional state. I just wanted to be alone.
We walked, side by side, entering the manor and passing the stairs. He took me down a long stone corridor that wasn’t as dark and dreary as the others. We stopped before double wooden doors and he pulled out a key. Unlocking it, he opened it and escorted me into a library.
The smell of leather and old papers hit my nostrils. Mahogany shelves lined the ten-foot-tall walls. Ladders on rollers allowed access to each section. Smaller, lower shelves were stocked with easily accessible materials, and comfortable seating areas with leather chairs sat in groups. A lone dark cherry table was placed nearby. Pens, paper and other writing supplies were lined up ready to be used.
“There’s just about every book imaginable here, Cheyenne. There’s even a card file to tell you where the books are.” He pointed to a wooden box just behind the desk.
He gestured me towards to a leather chair to sit. I complied and looked out the large picturesque window. A small valley sat in the distance just outside of the wall. A small stream ran through it, and deer lingered nearby, drinking. Marcus handed me a book and sat across from me, a book of his own resting in his lap.
“You can read or stare out the window. The choice is yours, but I’d like to stay here with you if you’ll allow it.”
I knew I really didn’t have a choice. I lay the book in my lap and stared out the window, thinking about what just took place.
Colt had purposely sought me out to torment me, to goad me, but it felt forced. I’d seen something in his eyes before he spoke. I saw the remorse after his hurtful words, but when I thought to comfort him, he turned on me. What frightened me the most was the way I reacted. As I held the pitchfork over him, the crimson-eyes beast was ready to kill him…what if I’d had my powers? What if I’d just reacted and threw him into the wall or over it. What if I’d picked up the pitchfork with my powers and plunged it into his heart?
A cold chill ran over me at the thought of harming someone I once loved. What was I becoming? Would I turn into the monster that sat across from me? Would I kill because those I loved had been killed? Would the vicious circle ever end?
I didn’t need to look up to know gray eyes were watching me. He was studying me, watching my every move, trying to figure me out. He’d been fairly kind to me; unlike the last time we were together. He was trying to show me Matt again, the one who befriended me, and the one who deceived me.
Everyday was becoming a battle as Marcus tried something new to get me to open up. They were simple things really, taking me on walks around the compound, reading with me in the library and sitting in my private garden. He hadn’t been harsh, had only spoken kind words.
I forced myself inward, following a routine of sorts, fighting back my emotions for everyone…Callon, Colt and Marcus. I’d been able to avoid Colt with Darrien and Jahlem’s help, but I knew my time was running short with him. He was waiting for his next opportunity to corner me, and this time I didn’t know if I’d be able to stop the crimson-eyed beast.
I hadn’t seen or heard from Callon since my arrival, nor had Maes spoken to me in my thoughts. My hopes of ever leaving this compound were dwindling. Not to mention resisting Marcus was draining. I was a zombie, merely going through the motions to keep myself alive, but for what purpose?
I paced across the opulent rug in my bedroom. The sun’s rays were just now rising over the stone wall, my cage. I was antsy today. It was my birthday, my twenty-first birthday to be exact. I should have been celebrating with Callon and my family. I should have been happy and content, but instead I was trapped in this dark and dreary manor, and the walls were closing in around me. I knew my time was running short, but I had no plan, no means of escape, and I didn’t see any in the near future.
I pressed my shaking hand to my forehead. Why did my life have to turn out this way? Why couldn’t I have been born to anyone else but Sahara and Qaysean? Why was destiny so cruelly taking out her punishment on me? Everything that I’d ever loved had been stolen, crushed into the cold hard ground without regards to my feelings and needs. And now I was being pushed into a position that n
ever should have existed. Why hadn’t my mother followed through on her betrothal? And why was I being forced into it?
I headed for my bedroom door, regardless of the fact that Jahlem and Darrien hadn’t arrived. It was too early yet. They didn’t expect me to rise for a few more hours, but I needed out of these four stone walls barricading me inside.
The door creaked open, and I peered around the corner. Nothing but shadows lurked there, and I quietly stepped out. I hesitated for a moment, not sure which direction to head…the garden or the library. I sighed, neither would do today. I needed a change of scenery.
I turned towards the front of the manor. With luck, I could possibly sneak out the entry and down the gravel path to the stables. I knew it would be dangerous. Marcus had warned me, and I’d avoided them, but seeing the horses and petting them would remind me of Mandi…and I needed a happy memory today. I had received her on my birthday after all, a special gift that I’d never stop loving. The only one who’d always loved me for just being me.
Footsteps sounded behind me, and I twirled around. A dark shadow was nearing quickly, a shadow I didn’t recognize. I pressed up against the wall, as he walked with purpose. I was unsure if he was a threat or not. I should have waited for Darrien and Jahlem…
He glanced back behind him, as if he were checking to see if he were being followed. The hall may have been dark, but I saw intent in his mismatched blue and brown eyes. The closer he came, the larger his frame grew. I swallowed. Black hair fell over his shoulders as he looked down, checking for something in his pocket. His head whipped back up, and he snarled at me as he rounded the corner. Apparently I wasn’t on his list. I inhaled. I’d stopped breathing again.
I peeked around the corner, following his movements. Colt was just leaving his room and suddenly stopped when he saw the other man. I recoiled back around the corner, then listened to the voices.
“Get out of my sight, Michael,” Colt growled. “Marcus may have you here for a reason, but the first chance I get, I’ll kill you.”
“Such mighty words from a man who’s betrayed his own family,” Michael snipped.
Daylight, a Timeless Series Novel Page 38
