“No!” Lilly’s voice shook, and the bodies split as she pushed her way in. “She’s not leaving!”
“We’re having a clan leader meeting, Lilly,” Brogan said. “You are not allowed—”
Dex cut him off and put his arm around Lilly. “No, Brogan, she has just as much right as anyone to be here. Besides, Colt and Daniel aren’t clan leaders and yet they’ve remained.”
Brogan’s dark eyes met Colt’s. “He’s a traitor. He should be banished with her!”
Koda’s fingers grew tighter on Colt’s arm.
“Callon isn’t here, which means I’m next in line,” Dex said as he straightened his shoulder and stepped closer to Brogan. He pushed his finger in his chest. “You have no authority here, Brogan. You don’t call the shots. I do.”
Brogan grew quiet, the veins on his neck bulging. It was taking everything in him not to fight back. I could’ve spoken up and demanded that they recognize me as the rightful heir, but as I glanced around at each of them, I knew I was the cause of all of this. We couldn’t even carry on a civil conversation; I couldn’t hold this group together to fight against Marcus when the time came. I was going to be their demise…
Brogan stormed from the room and slammed the door behind him. Whatever trust and respect I had earned at one time from him was wiped away, but his hatred for me hurt. I lowered my head.
A delicate hand touched my shoulder, drawing me back. Lilly sat on the edge of the bed.
“I don’t want you to go, Cheyenne. I know there’s still hope. There has to be,” she whispered. She leaned in and drew me into a hug.
I wanted to believe her, I wanted there to be hope…and there was for her, but there was no hope for me. Marcus had to die, and I had to do it.
The Sarac line would end, and the Consilador’s powers would be restored if I hadn’t already found a way to do it. With the last of the Sarac clan gone, Maes’s curse would surely have to be broken and Callon would be able to rebuild the Timeless race, restore what had been damaged for so many years.
But how would I know for sure that Maes’s curse would be broken? Dex had already said not much was known about the curse. It had been hidden for a reason. Unless Maes knew…
Lilly drew back, stroking my cheek. Dark circles etched her eyes. She wasn’t sleeping either. She was just as lost as I was.
“I love you, Cheyenne,” she said as a lone tear ran down her cheek.
As much as I wanted to hold back my love for her sake, I couldn’t. “I love you too.”
She rose and grabbed the bowl and rag Colt had been using from the side table and departed. Colt returned to sit beside me, propping me up against his chest. His fingers spread over mine.
Maes began to pace, and Dex stepped closer.
“How are you feeling now? Do you have any sharp pain in your back or right thigh?” He was back in doctor mode. It reminded me of Callon, and I felt a pang in my chest.
“No, but what were they? I’d never seen anything like that before.”
“They’re Tresez, but they’re what we would call condemned Tresez,” Koda explained. He pushed his fingers through his now long blond hair, pulling it away from his eyes.
“Condemned?” I repeated.
“They’re more animal than human,” Koda replied.
“I’m not sure I understand.”
Maes stopped pacing.
“Just like you, the Quaysaar clan members have many powers. Some have poisonous spikes or barbs and some are less human and more beast. The ones that have those spikes can’t change back even when the curse is broken. It’s something all Tresez have to fight,” Maes said solemnly.
“So even if I break the curse, Tresez will still exist,” I said.
“Yes.”
Great, they’d always be a threat to the Timeless.
I looked up at Colt. The icy blue eyes that had once danced with happiness and joy were somber. Everything about him had changed, just like everything about me had changed. Gone were the days of laughter, and here were the days of the unknown. The lines in his forehead creased as he squeezed my hand and sighed.
Maes had stopped pacing and was staring at me and frowning.
It’s dangerous, Cheyenne, Maes said, his gaze intent.
Why is it dangerous? I asked.
Dex told me of your vision.
I stilled. Dex had heard me after all, and he’d told Maes.
You opened a bridge to Marcus with your mind, he continued. He now has an open connection with you. Once he figures you out, then he’ll control you.
I shook my head.
No, we share powers. He can’t control me.
You’re no match for him…time will show you what you refuse to believe.
If this is so dangerous, why are you talking to me now in my thoughts? I asked. If he has control over my mind, he’d hear my thoughts and anything you say to me, right?
Because you have questions.
Now I was the one who looked away. I traced the cording on the plush comforter. He’d been reading my thoughts this whole time.
You know more about your curse than you let on, don’t you?
He didn’t reply.
If Marcus dies, will that break your curse?
No.
I looked up. I needed to see his eyes to know his true response when I asked my next question. It was a question that I’d had myself.
If both Marcus and I die, will it break the curse? There will be no more living heirs to the Kvech, and to the Sarac—no more link.
His eyes flickered with emotions so fast that had I not been watching closely I wouldn’t have seen it.
“No, Cheyenne,” Maes replied out loud.
Either he was lying or he didn’t know. It was obvious that he’d had the same passing thought at one time. But neither of us would know for sure till that moment came. There had to be another way.
“You’re not being banished either,” Maes said. “You’re right. If you die, your powers go to Marcus. He’s up to something. He’s not attacking, he’s not searching…he’s waiting.”
“Waiting for what?” I replied.
“He sent those Tresez to do one of two things. To kill you, or to get you to use your powers. Either way was a win for him.”
“Does he want to locate me?”
“No…maybe. I’m not sure anymore.” He shook his head.
“Your connection to him is deep,” Dex said, realizing the possible truth. “We think the sudden bursts of power are linked to him as well.”
Maes crossed his arms again.
“And my dreams,” I added, knowing the direction they were headed.
Colt sighed.
Marcus and I were connected through marriage, uniting our powers. Surely he couldn’t control me, but what if Maes was telling the truth? How was I supposed to fight and defeat him if I could do nothing?
Chapter 6
I studied the room I’d been placed in. I’d been in there once before, and I vaguely remembered the gold chandelier hanging above the bed. Now that it had been cleaned and opened up, the marble fireplace took center stage, and a black velvet couch had been uncovered before it. There was even a private bathroom, not that I wanted to use it. Besides, there were some issues with the plumbing anyway, until they got it fixed I couldn’t use it.
I could feel Marcus’s presence in the room. No one had needed to tell me it was his. I could see it in the opulent design. I didn’t want to stay here, but it was the safest decision after our last conversation.
My connection with Marcus had grown deeper. I’d felt a power running through my veins, and it wasn’t like before. It was as if the crimson-eyed beast that had come to life in Ireland didn’t want to fight it. Maybe it had been swallowed, or maybe this new power had calmed it. I wasn’t quite sure. At least Maes confirmed that Marcus’s army wasn’t on the move searching for us, but he’d sent those Tresezes for a purpose. Marcus’s silence also didn’t mean he wasn’t searching for Callon. It’d be days,
if not weeks, before we’d hear anything back from Skylar and Clayton. Days or weeks that we might not have.
My fingers drifted over the plush bedding as I wandered to the black velvet couch. Colt had left the fire burning for me, knowing I’d be cold after taking a shower. I pulled my damp hair over my shoulder. No blow dryers here. I had to dry it the old fashioned way or be chilled all day.
The rain pattering against the windowpane was somewhat soothing, even if the slow steady rhythm reminded me I was trapped in this room until the weather cleared.
My nose caught the scent of freshly baked bread. Lilly was making dinner tonight; a venison stew, Daniel had said. I’d go down later when the kitchen was empty and eat something. At least that’s what I’d promised Colt, Daniel, and Lilly.
I sighed. I missed Andre, Layla, and Bree’s company. They were being kept away from me for obvious reasons, Layla of course because Brogan wouldn’t allow her near me. I twisted my hair between my fingers. I’d overheard him telling her to stay away, demanding it. It was best this way. I didn’t want to hurt her.
I tossed another log on the fire and stoked the flames. Soon the fire began to roar, and I felt its heat finally warm me. I stared at my hands, rolling them over and inspecting my palms. It was odd that I didn’t need to use both hands to defend myself in this last battle. But then again, I’d used a different kind of power this time. In the past, it took both hands and I always produced a blast of air, not like this blue light that came from me now. This was from Marcus.
Would I be able to generate lightning or conjure up storms? Or would this power remain as it was now? At least now I wasn’t helpless if captured. I’d only need one hand to free myself. But I had no plans to be captured; no one was going to get close to me. I’d fight and they’d lose. There was no other option.
I yawned. My rest after the attack hadn’t been long enough, but at least it didn’t contain nightmares. I slouched down into the soft fabric and rested my head on the armrest. A blanket lay nearby, and I curled up underneath its warmth. I stared into the flames, my body growing relaxed, and soon my eyes took longer and longer blinks till they finally closed.
“Everyone’s safe,” I whispered as a reminder before sleep took me.
Snow crunched beneath my feet, and a thick fog lingered over the forest floor. I pushed a branch aside and studied my surroundings. It was familiar somehow, yet different. I continued on and soon the trees thinned, opening up to a grassy area. I searched the fog as I waited near the forest edge; I had no idea if this was a small meadow or rolling valley. I hesitated.
Paws padded behind me, and I turned to see amber-rimmed eyes…but it wasn’t Maes. This Tresez was smaller than Maes and had a white patch running down its nose. It stared at me intently, as if trying to read my mind. It moved closer and then nodded, directing me forward.
I wasn’t afraid, nor did I have the urge to fight this Tresez. It was as if all my emotions were gone. I was empty inside…
We walked side by side through the thick fog, the Tresez leading the way. A light snow started to fall, and the fog lifted. A stone-walled structure began to emerge before us, a stone-walled structure I knew too well. Marcus’s fortress…
Everything inside me told me to run, but I couldn’t. I was marching to my death and didn’t even fight it. I knew I had no other choice.
The heavy wooden gates parted, and a tall, dark figure approached. There was no smile, there was no warm embrace…there were only cold, dark eyes. Eyes filled with hatred and betrayal, eyes wanting to control and devour, eyes ready to condemn me to the sentence he saw fit.
My hand rose without my consent and touched the Tresez’s head; a moment later, it lay dead on the forest floor. Marcus had used me, my powers, to do his bidding!
“You’re mine now, angel,” he whispered. “My weapon that shall destroy them all.”
I couldn’t catch my breath, and I fell to my knees.
“No!” I hissed.
This couldn’t be! This was not what my mom intended. I was to destroy Marcus, not become his weapon! The loud snap of the fire caused me to jerk my head up with a gasp of breath.
I glanced around. I was still in my room, the fire was still burning…it was a dream, but I was kneeling on the floor. I sat back on my legs and pressed my hands to my face.
“It wasn’t real,” I whispered. It wasn’t real.
Was Marcus trying to speak to me in my dreams? Or was this just my imagination running wild? If this were Marcus, why would he show me his plans? He wouldn’t. He’d know I was the weapon made to destroy him, not for him to use.
Unless this was just a scare tactic, and he was trying to make me so fearful of what I might do that I’d come running back to him. No, this wasn’t going to work. He wasn’t going to get inside my head…I couldn’t allow it. It was just a dream he used to play on my fears. A reality that would never exist—never. Unless Dex and Maes were right…
I picked the blanket up off the floor and tossed it on the couch. The fire had dwindled, and the room was dark. I’d been asleep for a while. I glanced towards the door. The hall was quiet. Dinner should have already been served, and it would be safe to make my way to the kitchen without Brogan giving me the death stare.
I stepped into the hall, peeking around the corner. Regardless of my pep talk, fear still plagued me. I could handle a lot of things, but the death of those I loved would push me over the edge. I still needed to keep my distance to ensure their safety. I could control this…I had to.
I padded down the hall silently, my socks cushioning any noise. I should have put shoes on, but I didn’t want to be heard. I wanted to sneak by everyone before they realized it.
I stopped at the top of the stairs. Murmurs rose up to greet me. They were still around. I’d just have to keep my head down and make my way to the kitchen. I descended the stairs and rounded the corner to the hall when it grew quiet. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Koda and Daniel stare at me in curiosity. I glanced over at them only to run into what felt like a brick wall.
I fell back and looked up. Brogan’s massive frame stood before me.
“You’re in my way, princess,” Brogan grumbled as he chewed on a chunk of bread.
I wasn’t about to apologize; he’d done it on purpose.
Daniel came and helped me to my feet. He didn’t say a word as we walked around Brogan and headed towards the kitchen.
“Just ignore him,” Daniel whispered near my ear. “He’s been a jerk since…”
“Since I condemned the Timeless race,” I finished his sentence.
Daniel squeezed my arm and pulled a stool out for me. I glanced at the doorway to see Andre, Lilly, Bree, and Layla standing there.
Lilly motioned for Daniel to leave, and his sad eyes met mine. His shoulders slumped forward as he headed for the door. Bree’s fingers traced his arm as he passed.
“We were wondering if you were ever going to come down,” Andre said and made her way into the kitchen. She pulled out the stool opposite mine and sat.
“You hungry?” Lilly asked as she hurried to the stovetop. “I’ve kept some warm for you.”
“Sure,” I replied, unsure of what they all wanted with me.
Bree slid in beside Andre. She fiddled with an empty coffee cup in front of her. Wisps of her brown hair fell from her messy bun. She tucked them behind her ear.
Layla gave a forced smile and moved to Lilly’s side, cutting some bread on the wood counter. It was obvious who was missing, Nakari.
I glanced around. The kitchen wasn’t small by any means. An old industrial gas stove housed itself along the back wall. Open metal cabinets hung on the wall. Underneath there were base cabinets with wooden tabletops forming an L-shape. A large wooden sliding door closed off a pantry or storage room on the other side. And a long kitchen bar stretching the length of the room was where I sat.
Lilly slid a bowl of steaming soup in front of me and sat down. Layla handed me a large chunk of bread and leaned on th
e counter behind me. Were they going to watch me eat?
“You’re not supposed to be around me,” I said and took a bite of soup.
“We know,” Andre replied. “You know how much we love following rules.”
She lifted a brow in warning. My protest would’ve fallen on deaf ears.
Obviously Dex and Maes were nowhere to be found to prevent them, but Brogan would have seen them. Why wasn’t he in here screaming? I leaned over the edge of the counter to peek down the hall. He wasn’t eavesdropping either. What were they up to?
“I don’t know what to believe, Cheyenne,” Bree said quietly. “All that’s taken place…Daniel is worried sick for you. He’s jittery, fearful. He’s lost without his powers.” Her hazel eyes met mine. “I don’t know what to do for him, how to help him or help you.”
Andre touched her arm, squeezing it.
I lowered my spoon into the bowl and stared at the stew. Bree didn’t need to tell me about Daniel. I’d felt it in his touch. I’d been trying to stay away from him, but I’d only made matters worse.
“We’re all concerned about the future,” Layla said, resting her hand on my back. “There is so much unknown.” She sighed and began braiding my hair as if she needed a distraction. “Brogan’s just as hurt as the rest of us. He, well, he’s not good with showing his emotions properly, Cheyenne. He wants to do what’s right, but none of us know what’s right anymore. He wants to protect the clans, but isn’t sure how.”
“We’re all a bit lost, Cheyenne,” Lilly said, her fingers resting on my arm. “We just don’t know which way to go.”
This was new territory for all of us, but I knew which direction I needed to take. They might never understand the sacrifice I made, but I’d rid them of this threat forever. I had to.
I fiddled with my stew, turning the chunks of meat and potatoes around with my spoon.
“Cheyenne,” Lilly faced me, trying to capture my attention.
Now they were deciding to support me? Why couldn’t they have done this when they stole me from Marcus? Why did they make me feel so alone and abandoned? They could have possibly helped before, but now…now I needed to stay away from them so I didn’t hurt them. I looked up, making eye contact with each of them, knowing the reaction I’d get.
Awakening: A Timeless Series Novel, Book Four Page 8
