I had no words to say as I stared into Matt’s eyes. My emotions were all over the place. He was willing to give it all up for me. He wanted to save the Timeless race and unite the clans…but was this the truth or another lie? He’d been so black and white in the past. There were no grey lines until now. And now was when I needed to see those lines. I didn’t need any more confusion; my entire life had already been filled with enough to fill an ocean.
“H—how do I know it’s the real you?” I whispered.
He knelt, his free hand coming to rest on my thigh. I stared, searching for the right answer.
“You know it’s me, Cheyenne. I can see it in your eyes. You want to pull me back from the edge. You want to save me.” He leaned in closer, his heavy breath flooding my senses. “Let me show you. Let your heart decide.”
Warm, soft lips touched mine, sending a shiver throughout my body. His eyes closed as he began to slowly, deliberately try to draw a reaction from me. The hand resting on my thigh rose and slipped around my waist, pulling me from the stump.
My hands automatically pressed against his chest as I tried to keep my senses about me. He was fighting hard to show me he cared, that I was the one who could save him…but who would save me? This was supposed to be a battle, not surrender. He was conceding, declaring me the winner, if I’d only rescue him.
He drew back, his breath thick. “All you need to do is give me your powers, my angel. Surrender to me, and I will forever surrender to you.”
All I had to do was surrender to end this war. Surrender and live the rest of my life with him. The man who’d murdered my parents, attempted to murder Colt, had me break my family apart, and ended my sweet Daniel’s life. Surrender was what I had to do, and live the rest of my life in misery.
Tears streamed down my cheeks as he nestled himself in the crook of my neck.
“How?” I whispered.
Marcus drew back, his blue eyes glimmering with hope.
“You—”
His words were cut short as the crack of a whip sounded overhead. Glittering silver particles showered us. Marcus stood up, knocking me to the ground. The whip sounded again, this time striking his leather-riding coat. A dark veil slithered over his features as he stalked towards Jahlem.
“Marcus!” I screamed, trying to stop him, but he refused to acknowledge me.
Darrien pulled me from the ground, his normally tanned skin ashen.
“You didn’t say anything, did you, Cheyenne?” his voice low. “You didn’t give him your powers, did you?”
“N—no,” I muttered.
I turned to see Marcus towering over Jahlem. Darrien shoved me aside.
“Stay back,” he said. “He’ll use you against us if you try and stop him.”
“Darrien no!” I ran past him, trying to prevent Jahlem’s death. I refused to have another part of my family die!
A bright light flashed, and Jahlem stumbled back. Had he been hit?
Darrien ran up beside me, trying to pull me back, but I reached Marcus first. His hand was outstretched, and fear ran through me like a wild river. I knew what he’d do to Jahlem if I didn’t stop him. I dove into Marcus’s arm, knocking it away as he was about to launch a lightning bolt at Jahlem’s chest. We tumbled into the snow.
I crawled to my knees, forcing myself atop Marcus and crushing his hand to my chest. His eyes darkened, and golden streaks glowed from under his turtleneck.
“Show me you care!” I cried. “Show Jahlem mercy! Show me you can be this man you say you are beneath the layer of darkness! Show me you’d give up everything for me!”
My chest heaved from the heartbeat drumming against it. I knew I had a wildness in my eyes. I felt it, pure desperation to prevent another death. Darrien and Jahlem may have stopped me from giving him my powers a moment ago. But were they right? If I’d surrendered, I’d save them all.
Marcus shoved me aside and stood up, his nostrils flaring like a wild bull. He looked down upon me, his jaw firming.
“This one time, my angel,” he hissed. “I’ll grant you this one time.”
He stalked off in the opposite direction, and I looked around. Jahlem’s hand shook as he still held his whip. A large gash had split his leather jacket open, and blood ran down his side. His gaze, however, remained focused on Marcus’s back. Trackers and Tresezes alike had witnessed the whole thing, their eyes flickering back and forth between Marcus and me.
Darrien helped me to my feet. I glanced back once more. Marcus had disappeared in the crowd. I turned towards Jahlem, his stoic posture quickly fading. The moment we arrived at his side, his legs gave way. Darrien laid him down while I frantically tore away his coat, exposing a large cut running from his shoulder down the length of his chest. Marcus hadn’t completely missed his target. Darrien disappeared while a handful of Trackers pressed in.
I grabbed Jahlem’s hand, feeling his cold fingers shaking.
“I’m sorry, Jahlem,” I murmured as tears began to stream down my cheeks. “I did this to you. I’m so sorry.”
“You didn’t?” he asked softly. “You didn’t give him your powers?”
“No.” But I knew I might have if Darrien hadn’t stopped me.
He squeezed my fingers. “I was afraid we’d lost you.”
Darrien returned and gently pulled me away. I stood nearby as Darrien and a few other Trackers began to clean and bandage Jahlem’s wound.
I’d done this to him. I was the one who caused him to lash out at Marcus because he’d thought all was lost, but I was the one lost. Every direction I turned provided no escape. Marcus had nearly convinced me to give my powers over to him. What if I had? His words confused me. I’d been so sure Matt was there with me, but was he?
“It wasn’t who you thought it was, Cheyenne,” Darrien said as he returned to me. The other Trackers moved Jahlem closer to the fire, and covered him with a blanket.
“He called you angel, Cheyenne,” Darrien explained, grasping my fingers. “Only Marcus calls you angel, not Matt.”
I stilled. He’d heard our conversation?
“He’s trying to confuse you, deceive you. There’s no good left in him. He can’t be saved.” He sighed. “He’s this way because his father made him bypass the ring protection using their magic. It’s made him powerful, but his hold on sanity is slipping. He has moments of clarity while with you, but he’s no different than his father. He can’t be brought back from the brink of darkness. He will only take you down with him.”
My lower lip shook. I’d nearly given Marcus my powers in an effort to save him, and I would’ve condemned the Timeless along with the human race to their demise.
“I thought it was Matt,” I whispered. “I almost…”
“But you didn’t,” he replied.
“Jahlem still got hurt.” I blinked away the tears.
“It was well worth it to save you.” He drew me into an embrace, rubbing my back.
No, he was wrong. It wasn’t worth it. I should’ve seen it, but Marcus had been so convincing.
Who was I supposed to believe?
Jahlem moaned, and Darrien and I came to his side. I knelt and held his hand, grateful he’d been willing to save me.
“You’ll never have to protect me again,” I whispered. “Never again.” Because I knew I wouldn’t fall for the same ploy twice. I’d hold true to my vows—until death do us part.
Chapter 18
Hours passed before Marcus returned. Darrien got word that he was wandering in the forest, murmuring to himself. It was as Darrien said. Marcus was too far gone, like his father. The respite was barely enough time for Jahlem to heal. Darrien and I helped him mount, and a groan escaped him.
My heart ached. I’d been the one who’d done this to him. He’d chosen to defend me, and paid the price dearly.
He kept himself hunched over the saddle horn. He was still in a lot of pain. Marcus’s powers were strong, so the healing time almost doubled, Jahlem had said. I knew firsthand about Marcus’s power
s. I’d been hit with his lightning bolt too, although he’d held back his full strength. I knew what kind of pain Jahlem was in, and knew it’d take time to heal. Darrien pointed for me to mount, and then gave me Jahlem’s horse’s reins. I drew his horse closer.
Marcus raised his hand, telling us it was time to depart. He glanced back, his black wavy hair falling over the scar on his forehead. The scar I’d given him when I thought Colt was dead. The scar he deserved for Daniel’s death.
I looked away. Darrien and Jahlem were right; there was no good left in him. The magic he’d used had taken him past a point of no return. Matt may have been in there, but he was buried too deep to bring to the surface. I needed to focus on the here and now. Like how I was going to deal with returning to the mine.
My heavy heart saddened even more. I’d be returning to the place where I’d murdered Daniel. I struggled to push back the tears. How many more would needlessly die before Marcus could be stopped? And how many more would I be used to kill before I could regain control?
Daniel, my one hope. One of the few who never stopped believing in me even when all hope was gone. So many memories wanted to flood my mind; I fought them all down, except for one that wouldn’t retreat. His scream of agony as I burned him echoed in my ears. The cry for help when he realized I was killing him. His blue eyes closing, his body going limp…I sucked back a sob. Would I see a memorial for him when I arrived?
“Cheyenne.” Darrien touched my arm. “Cheyenne, are you okay?”
I nodded, keeping my gaze on the mare’s neck. I needed to hold back the tears, tears that could overtake and push me down even further. I needed to keep calm, wait for events to unfold, and prevent any other needless deaths. Like Nakari’s.
By nightfall, Jahlem’s condition had improved. Eventually, he was able to take back the reins to his horse. We finally stopped and watered the horses. I clung to Darrien’s side. I didn’t need to be alone with Marcus again. I didn’t need to hear him begging me to save him. Not when his mood could switch so suddenly and unexpectedly. I couldn’t risk any more injuries to Jahlem or Darrien.
“Here, hold this,” Darrien said, handing me the remains of Jahlem’s leather jacket. “I need to add more salve to his wound.”
Jahlem’s eyes closed as Darrien pulled the bandages away. Jahlem’s jaw tightened as the cold salve was applied. The deep red cut was turning a light pink. The wound was healing well. By morning he’d probably be back to normal, but he would always have the scar as a reminder.
A scar that I’d given him.
“Tsk, tsk, tsk, Jahlem,” a whispery voice said behind me.
Raina!
“Quite the nasty burn,” she cooed. “From running to defend Cheyenne, I hear.”
I turned to face her. Her pale face was almost glowing in the moonlight. A black feathery scarf sat around her neck, and her ruby red lips pursed with irritation.
“Was she worth it?”
They didn’t reply, ignoring her presence, but I was more than willing to give her a piece of my mind.
“They stopped me from making a huge mistake, Raina,” I said, pushing myself between them. “Something that would have affected you, kept you as Marcus’s black Cloaker Queen forever.”
She stilled, a coy smile rising.
“Always the drama queen, Cheyenne.”
“I can free you, Raina. I can free the Tresez, the Servak, and the entire Timeless race,” I said.
Raina’s eyes narrowed.
“No one can free us.” A black mist began to form, and her face blurred. “You’re controled by Marcus just like me. There’s never going to be freedom.” The black mist swirled, and then she vanished into the night.
Darrien and Jahlem stared at me, as if I’d promised a rabid bulldog a treat. Raina was a wild card who could either help or hinder, and I wanted her to help. I just had to keep at her. If Marcus’s hold on the Servak had loosened because of our marriage, what was to say that his hold over Raina hadn’t loosened too? I had to keep trying.
The lone howl of a Tresez announced it was time to leave again. We’d traveled a great distance already. I was sure we’d reach the mine by morning.
I helped Jahlem with his jacket, and then Darrien and I helped him mount his horse. Both Jahlem and I quickly mounted our own and joined the rest of the army on their march.
Marcus maneuvered his stallion closer to my side, but said nothing. He allowed Jahlem to remain between us. What was he up to now? Was this yet another attempt to win me over? He hadn’t spoken a word to me for the entire day, and now he wanted to be near me? The longer I was with him, the faster his personality changes seemed to come. If I blinked, I’d miss who stood before me.
But what was I supposed to do? I’d come back to him, regardless of what I wanted; somehow I’d subconsciously made a path straight for him. Why? It was becoming clearer by the moment that he might be beyond help, but I still had no idea how to defeat him.
The night chill surrounded me again. Marcus was watching me when he didn’t think I was looking. Jahlem adjusted his horse to ride closer to me, despite his injury. He’d do it all over again to keep Marcus away from me, but I was the one who should’ve been protecting him.
I was the one with all this power at my fingertips, yet I couldn’t produce a single flick of a flame without dreading who Marcus would turn me against. He’d shown it very clearly at the mine, and when I’d torched the bogus Tresez. He had complete control over my powers. I wouldn’t risk using them when he was near.
It took too long for the morning’s rays to lighten the now grey skies. Heavy, snow-laden clouds lingered in the treeline, and moisture stung the morning air. Snow would start falling soon, but it was too late. I knew where we were, mere miles from the mine. A few miles before my full betrayal would be revealed to my family.
I fiddled with the reins in my hands, my mare growing anxious as she sensed my emotions. I pressed my eyes closed, hoping I’d open them and see this was all just a dream. That Daniel was actually seated on the side of my bed, telling me all about how I’d fallen and hit my head. That they’d been here for days, waiting for me to wake up. That Callon had finally returned. That all that was happening now had been an awful nightmare. A nightmare—not real.
“Cheyenne.” Marcus touched my arm.
I opened my eyes, tears brimming near the surface. This wasn’t a nightmare I could wake up from; it was what I’d forced myself to live, day in and day out for the rest of my life.
“Cheyenne.” His voice grew firmer along with his grip. “It’s time.”
We came to a halt at the edge of the familiar meadow. No smoke rose from the brick building, no firelight shone through the large windows. I didn’t hear any neighs or snorts from the corral. A silent blanket lay over the area. Were they hiding or had they gone?
Marcus pulled me closer, but I yanked my arm back. His gaze grew dark, and I knew what I was risking, but I wasn’t going to budge. He may have had control over my powers, but he’d never have control over my body willingly. He’d have to drag me from this horse to walk beside him, regardless of the consequences.
We rode further into the meadow. His army dismounted, the Tresezes already at the building’s entrance. My heart raced. My family should’ve left; they should’ve known I was a lost cause now. There was no saving me—a murderer.
Nausea hit me. Would Daniel’s grave be here, or would his body have disappeared like so many other Timeless? I scanned the forest. Or could I make a run for it? Could I leave Marcus and his army behind before I was forced to do his bidding? But had Nakari followed us here? If I ran, and she came for me, I’d put her in danger.
A strong hand yanked me from my horse, and I stumbled to the ground. Marcus dragged me beside him. Darrien and Jahlem dismounted and tried to catch up. Marcus pushed me ahead of him, and I fell into the snow.
“Get up!” he barked. “Get up and call your so-called family out! Have them fight me now!”
My hands shook as I s
tood up. I glanced around, but I didn’t see any signs of anyone remaining. I turned to face him.
“They’re—”
The words were ripped from my mouth as the scenery suddenly changed. I was in the forest, and I could hear Marcus’s howl. I blinked as fingers linked in mine.
Nakari!
“You stupid girl!” Nakari hissed as she peeked around a tree. “How could you be so irresponsible and return to that monster?!” She turned on me, her auburn hair tucked into her cream jacket.
“Why’d you come? He’ll force me to kill you!” I yanked my hand away.
“Let him try!” she snarled.
“Why’d you come? I was protecting all of you…”
Her eyes flared. “Protecting us from what?! You’re the idiot who ran off, straight to the one person who’d use you as a weapon! Not to mention that you almost gave your powers to him!”
I blinked. She’d seen that too?
“But I killed Daniel,” I whispered close to tears. “How could I live with myself after Marcus used me to murder my family? Who is he going to kill next?!”
“Who said you’d killed Daniel?”
My mind whirled. So many voices that day had told me, hadn’t they…
A snarl, and then a roar from a Tresez echoed a few trees away. Nakari grabbed my wrist and we jumped. Trees began whipping by with so much speed they were blurring. We suddenly stopped, and I slammed into a sapling. I yanked the pine needles from my hair.
“I—is Daniel alive?” Hope began to rise.
“Of course he’s alive!”
I leapt forward, hugging her tightly. I wanted to cry, release all the joy that now bounded in my heart.
“He’s alive,” I whispered. “He’s alive!”
Nakari shoved me back.
“You can hug him later, but right now I need to get us and Skylar out of here.”
Skylar was here?
“Where? Why?”
Awakening: A Timeless Series Novel, Book Four Page 24
