Awakening: A Timeless Series Novel, Book Four

by Lisa Wiedmeier

  *****

  Maes and the others had more or less fortified the place from Shad. They’d also banned me from going outside alone for fear that Shad would take me back to Marcus. But there was valuable information I needed, and the chances of Shad trying to take back the unwilling, well, his odds weren’t good.

  Shad also didn’t seem to mind the conflict, even if the last conversation with Maes had angered him. He was treading on dangerous ground.

  I peered down the long hall. It appeared clear. I quietly closed my bedroom door, and quickly headed for the secret passageway. If Shad couldn’t get inside the house, then I needed to make myself accessible to him outside.

  The passageway was cold and dark, but I managed to make my way down and out the back entry. I glanced around; from what I could tell, everyone was busy with other things. Colt’s job was to make sure of it, but I knew he’d be close by if I needed him.

  I hurried to the treeline and stood in the shadows, watching the first snowfall. A lone black rabbit ran past. Winter was here. It would only get colder, and I wasn’t just referring to the temperature.

  “What appears small and insubstantial can in reality be a heavy burden,” Shad said quietly.

  I jumped and turned to face him. He was leaning against a tree, smirking. I glanced around the forest; sure he hadn’t been there a moment earlier. Where had he come from?

  “Got that right,” I replied and turned back to watch the snow. “Like the unexpected snowflake that hails the coming blizzard.”

  “Oh, mais parfois inattendue est la meilleure voie d'arriver,” Shad replied.

  I remained still for a moment. He’d replied in French to confuse me on purpose. Regardless, I could pick out enough words to understand it had to do with the best way to arrive. He liked the element of surprise.

  “Planning and preparation have their advantages too.”

  “At times,” he replied.

  “But that’s not your style,” I said.

  He didn’t reply, but instead studied me.

  “Apparently the warning Maes gave meant nothing?” I commented.

  “Maes? Ha, he’s just a puppy at heart. Besides, I’ve been living with the threat of death over my head for years. Why should I care now?”

  It was obvious he didn’t care, and he wanted to talk.

  “You said you could help me with my dreams,” I asked. “But I guess the real question is how’d you even know about them?”

  He snorted. “You were the one slipping off to la-la land in the middle of a field where dangers lurk, but you tell me.”

  I knew it could only be one of two reasons.

  “Well, I think it’s because either Marcus told you, or because you have the same gift as your brother and can read my thoughts.”

  “Interesting conclusions.”

  “So which is it?” I turned and faced him.

  “Neither are really important.”

  “Okay, fine. What do you know of my dreams then?”

  He smirked. “Enough to know they’re bothering you.” He stood and moved closer to me, staring out into the meadow.

  I glanced out into the meadow as well. A hooded figure moved past the front of the building, but I knew it was Colt. Shad shifted on his feet.

  “Anyone could’ve told you that,” I scoffed. “Your specialty in stating the obvious is second to none.”

  “You’re one to talk,” Shad retorted. “Anyway, I mentioned before that exchange deals are my real specialty.”

  “Exchange deals?” I turned to face him, crossing my arms. He was changing the subject, but I was interested in this topic as well. “What exactly does that mean?”

  “What do you think it means?” He tilted his head.

  From past experience I knew he could mean a multitude of things, but in this case I had a clear idea. Marcus wanted me back, but why had he sent Shad instead of his army? What would Shad gain if he returned with me?

  “So what’s the exchange? It’s obvious Marcus wants me back, but it looks like you’ll gain something from this transaction, too. Or perhaps he’s holding something over your head?”

  Shad’s amber-rimmed eyes danced with amusement.

  “Well, now, you’re not as naive as they made you out.”

  “You didn’t answer my question. What are you gaining from this?”

  “Silly girl.” He turned towards the forest. “So many resources available at your fingertips, yet you cower and hide. Such a waste.” He headed for the trees, and I stood still, confused. He was talking in riddles again.

  He headed further into the forest, but then stopped because I hadn’t followed him. He glanced back.

  “Is the rabbit going to her hole already?”

  I stared at him, and then sighed. I turned towards the array of sheds. I wished he wouldn’t answer questions with questions. How was I going to drag any information out of him without wanting to strangle him first? I was beginning to see why Maes had said he was a thorn in his side.

  Weaving between the maze of wooden buildings, I opened the shed door and stepped in, brushing the wet snowflakes from my hair and shoulders. Shad had followed me. I started a fire in the old potbelly stove and pulled a stool close, warming my hands over the flickering flames. Shad hovered nearby, inspecting the shed.

  “Drafty hiding place, Cheyenne.”

  “Who says I’m hiding?”

  “Just an inkling I have. It hurts when your family doesn’t love you anymore. I should know.”

  I didn’t reply, his words striking close. It sounded like he’d been outcast from the Tresez, like me and my family. Was that why Marcus sent him?

  Shad moved closer to the workbench.

  “Actually, I’ve been meaning to ask. Why’d you come back to a family who doesn’t want you?” He leaned against the old bench.

  I cursed under my breath. He just wasn’t going to let it be. Well, two could play this game.

  “You’re a smart mutt, figure it out.”

  Shad chuckled, and I turned back to the fire.

  “For one touted as being the Quaysaar’s salvation, you’re a huge disappointment.”

  “For one touting such a great resume, I expected a lot more bite.”

  Shad gave a faint snort.

  “Had I come here to bite, you’d be feeling the sting, believe me.”

  Now it was my turn to smile. I was finally getting somewhere.

  “I doubt it, Shad.” I picked up a piece of kindling and played with it between my fingers.

  He laughed.

  “Big words. Shame you’ve nothing to back them up with. You have access to one of the most powerful Timeless in generations, yet you sit here crying like a frightened pup. Not the best strategy for someone so keen on defeating Marcus. I’d expect you to train or something.”

  I snapped the twig. That was a question I’d been trying to answer for some time, but I had no response for him.

  “Can’t you feel the strength running beneath your skin?” he continued. “Why are you holding back?”

  I sighed. That was the million dollar question alright. A question my family had been quick to answer.

  “They’re afraid if I use my powers it will be a beacon for Marcus,” I said. Wait, had it been a good idea to admit that? At least, I hadn’t told him the full truth, that they were afraid of my powers.

  “You married him. Your connection runs deeper than you could imagine. He doesn’t need a beacon to find you, Cheyenne. He knows where you are.”

  “So then why send you? Why didn’t he come himself?”

  “Because he’s…busy.” Shad grabbed a stool and sat down beside me. “But I guess I have to spell it out for you. Your marriage goes far beyond Sahara’s forfeited betrothal. Once you and Marcus unite the Kvech and Sarac powers, we can bring balance back to the clans. Then we can stop cowering in fear under the humans.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Don’t you see, Cheyenne? The Timeless are blessed. We
have such great wisdom and power, yet the humans do nothing but squander and destroy. It’s our duty to stop them from hurting themselves, stop them from causing all the needless wars and pollution, and rule them. Sheep need a shepherd, and you could be one.”

  “I don’t want to be a shepherd.” I looked away. “Besides, I thought by marrying we already united our powers?”

  “But only a Kvech can balance the power. If anyone else tries, they’ll go mad from the surge. Like what happened to Marcus’s father…”

  I stilled. Marcus would go mad without me? Maybe it would be easier to defeat him if I just kept running…but if he went mad, things could get a lot worse. He’d lose all reason, and even without my powers, he was strong enough to wipe out all the Timeless leaders…my family.

  “You can’t run your entire life, Cheyenne. Marcus wants to free you. He loves you a lot, you know.”

  I looked up, squaring my shoulders. “Then why did he lock me up? Why’d he send Tresezes to attack my family? Why’d he force me into hiding?”

  “Didn’t Callon lock you up as well? Didn’t he force you to want to escape and live alone?”

  “It was to keep me safe from Marcus!” I stood and stepped back.

  “You didn’t seem to think that back then.”

  My voice quivered. “I didn’t…I didn’t know any better.”

  “Perhaps. But don’t you think Callon was a little odd in his methods? Keeping all that information from you, information that could’ve protected and saved you…why do you think he did that?

  Realization hit hard.

  “To control me,” I whispered. But that couldn’t be the truth. He’d only wanted to protect me.

  Yet he’d been the one to run when I needed his protection and guidance the most…

  “You’re a Kvech, Cheyenne. The sapphire in the Timeless crown, the one who unites us all, leads us and grants us power. Callon wanted all that for himself. His greed for power overtook his love for Nakari. He threw her aside for you…but not for you—he only wanted your power. He’s no different than Marcus. Yet you still sided with him.”

  I shook my head and headed for the door. No, this couldn’t be right. Callon loved me. He’d sacrificed everything for me. Or had he? Everyone, my parents, my family, even Colt had wanted to control me at some point—to gain what they wanted, what they thought was right.

  My legs took over as I hurried toward the meadow. Snowflakes tumbled down around me, and I heard Colt’s voice in the distance. I knew he’d remain close.

  “Cheyenne! Cheyenne, wait!”

  I didn’t stop, instead heading for the corral. He’d catch up eventually. I needed to clear my head, to process all of this. Mandi whinnied and ran towards the rail as I paused to pet her. Why did everything have to be so complicated? Why couldn’t it be black and white? Shad’s words may have been his version of the truth, but they were forming cracks in my reasoning. Had it all been a lie after all? The family I’d longed for, the family I thought I had…was I just a means to an end?

  “Cheyenne, what’s wrong?” Colt said breathlessly as he stopped beside me. “Why’d you run? Did Shad do something?”

  “I’m fine, Colt.” I looked up into wary blue eyes, knowing I couldn’t share any of this with him. “I just have to work a few things out for myself.”

  He placed his hand over mine on the rail. “Did you find out anything about your dreams?”

  “No.”

  “So why are you so upset?”

  I shook my head and focused my attention on Mandi. I wouldn’t cry, wouldn’t let the heartache show. Shad was lying. He was only trying to make me go back to Marcus.

  So why was it so hard to look Colt in the eye? And why was it so hard to push my feelings aside for him?

  Colt’s free hand brushed the hair from my shoulder as his warm fingers lingered on my neck. A touch I’d once craved so much, now filled me with dread.

  “You can’t leave us, Cheyenne.”

  “I never said I would.”

  Colt frowned. “He’s a manipulator, Cheyenne. He’ll say anything to get you to side with him. Maes warned us.”

  “I know.” I knew Shad was trying to befriend me. He wanted me to side with him, and he was a master at his work, but…

  “Come on, it’s cold.” Colt tugged my hand and forced me to walk back to the stone building. “I’ll make you a fire in your room and we can warm up.”

  I walked beside him, my mind replaying my conversation with Shad. He was a manipulator, but a lot of truth came with the words he spoke. I was more valuable alive than dead. Marcus couldn’t kill me. He needed me to balance out the powers or he’d go mad like his father. But did he truly love me as Shad said? Did he seek comfort in my company? Or was this all a trick?

  Marcus had shown himself to be a different person at the end of my imprisonment, and he’d agreed to my terms. Could he still be reasoned with if I returned? Could I save the Timeless race this way? My original plan had never been given a chance…

  “Hold on,” Colt said as he released my hand. “I need to get more wood.”

  I nodded as he walked over to the woodpile. A shadow loomed nearby, and the hair on my neck rose.

  “Don’t have an empty soul with no purpose,” Shad whispered near my ear. “Don’t be like your mother.”

  “Leave her alone!” Colt roared. He dropped the wood, and rushed back to stand beside me, the muscles in his arms tense. “Get out, before I call Brogan.” His chest heaved as his eyes focused on Shad. “Go back to your dog house where you belong.”

  I touched Colt’s arm, pulling him with me.

  “Let’s go,” I said; he didn’t need to start a fight. I helped him pick up the pieces of firewood. Shad laughed, then slipped into the shadows.

  We climbed the stairs and paused at the steel doors as Shad yelled out his parting thought.

  “You know I’m right,” Shad called out. “Listen to your heart, Cheyenne.”

  The steel doors squeaked as Colt closed them behind us. I dumped the wood into my bucket and brushed the snow from my hair and coat. I hung the jacket on the hook and turned to meet Maes’s cold stare.

  Had he read my thoughts? All the rolling feelings in my head after talking with Shad…

  “Stay away from him, Cheyenne,” Maes said with an icy coolness that caused the hair to rise on my neck. I pushed the fear aside.

  “He’s the one who keeps finding me,” I replied.

  “He doesn’t know anything about your dreams. He’s a salesman. He’ll only tell you what you want to hear.”

  There he was, reading my thoughts again.

  “At least he’s giving me information, unlike everyone else,” I said.

  Maes’s eyes narrowed.

  “It’s not like you bothered to tell me what Marcus said about Andre, did you?” He stepped closer, and I blinked.

  I hadn’t talked to him yet, and apparently Colt felt it was up to me to say something.

  “Why do I need to tell you things when you can read them from my thoughts?”

  He barred his teeth. “I only read what you refuse to disclose!”

  “I didn’t tell anyone because I didn’t think you’d believe me!” I snapped. “I can’t help to protect Andre if I’m not here.”

  “Protect me from what?” Andre asked as the steel door squealed in protest.

  I cringed.

  She hung up her coat, taking her position beside Maes. She lifted a brow.

  “I said, protect me from what, Cheyenne?” she asked again.

  Maes’s stare kept me from moving. I sighed, and looked down at the grey stones.

  “From Marcus,” I said.

  “Ah,” Andre replied. “But why me especially? It’s not like I said anything about his awful haircut or terrible dress sense lately.”

  “Because Marcus wants to hurt Maes.”

  Silence fell for a few moments. Then Colt rested his hand on my shoulder.

  “So, he wants to make me the next
Raina,” Andre said quietly. “Can’t say I’m a big fan of the beehive look.”

  I looked up into her calm blue eyes. “You know about Raina?”

  Andre glanced at Maes. “Of course I do. Maes told me.”

  “Then you understand why I didn’t want to say anything?”

  “Not really, but that was your call. Anyway, you shouldn’t worry. Neither Maes nor I will allow it to happen.”

  “I’m sorry. I should’ve told you sooner.”

  Andre stepped closer, her hands resting on my shoulders.

  “I know you were frightened Brogan and the others would throw you out. But I’ve got your back, Tresez scar and all. Don’t forget that.”

  She drew me into a hug and I couldn’t hold back as I held her tightly. Someone believed in me…Andre believed in me. A tear slipped down my cheek.

  “Thank you,” I whispered as she drew back. I glanced at Maes. “I’m sorry.”

  Maes didn’t reply, but gave a nod.

  I turned and followed Colt up the stairs to my room. At least now Andre knew the danger, and I’d make sure she remained safe at all costs.

  Colt started a fire and I warmed myself by it.

  “Don’t let Shad get to you, Cheyenne. It’s like Maes said, he’s a salesman, and he’s only going to tell you what you want to hear.”

  I rubbed my hands together near the flames. Colt and Maes might’ve been right about Shad being a salesman; however, he didn’t tell me anything I wanted to hear. He’d reminded me of the past, the lies and deception. He’d reminded me that both Marcus and Callon had wanted me for my powers, nothing more.

  My vision began to grow hazy, and I stilled. A fine mist settled around me, and I was no longer in my room with Colt. In the distance, I heard low murmurs, and I stood up, following the sounds.

  A dim light illuminated my way, and I stopped before a dilapidated wooden building. The voices hushed for a moment and a shadow appeared near the doorway. It raised a hand to silence their conversation, but then turned away and the murmurs began again.

  I inched closer. Who was hiding and what were they afraid of?

  “We have to stop him,” a man’s voice said. “This has gone further than we should’ve allowed.”

  “And how do you plan on stopping his rampage? He won’t allow us to get close to him, not with Cheyenne around,” another said.