A dark-stained concrete wall with a shelving unit built into it served as his headboard. A black and gray chevron-lined comforter with striped smoke-colored sheets covered the bed. Two metal end tables with office lamps sat on either side.
Inch-by-inch I crawled the remainder of the way to the bed, dragging myself up to lie on the top. Callon’s musky scent drifted through my senses. He’d been here not that long ago.
Had he seen us coming and left? Or had he already departed knowing we were close? He ran because of me. He still didn’t want anything to do with me.
He won’t come to you. He doesn’t want you, Marcus whispered in my mind. You’re worthless in your family’s eyes. I’m the only one who knows your value.
He knew nothing of value. He was using me, like he’d done to countless others before me. His control over me was so much deeper than I’d realized, and I was growing weaker by the moment.
Come back to me, and I’ll restore you.
I knew he’d say anything to get me to return. Was he the one causing me to become frail? I lost my breath as the pressure in my head grew. It was as if he was tightening a clamp around my head, trying to crush me completely.
Let go, my angel. Let go, and the pain will disappear.
“No!” I screamed. “I won’t give in!”
It had to be him, but how?
I curled my legs to my chest, holding them tight. Tears streamed down my cheeks. I was losing this battle, the battle I had thought I could fight alone. I was going to die in Callon’s bed, and he’d never know how sorry I truly was.
He’d never understand what I’d done. He’d only ever see it as a betrayal. But it didn’t matter now. Marcus had won. I’d failed the entire Timeless race with the one thing my mother had told me to do…marry Marcus.
My mind began to float into darkness, a room with no windows or doors. My fingers traced the frigid surfaces, and no matter which way I turned, only coldness surrounded me. I fought to bring forth my fire element, but instead fell to my knees, weak and exhausted. I pressed my hands to my face; the iciness from them chilled me even more.
Was this my fate? My mother had doomed me to failure before I even got a chance to change our history? Goosebumps trailed down my neck, and I began to shiver.
“Cheyenne,” a voice whispered. “Cheyenne, come back.”
I curled tighter into myself, holding on to what was left of me.
“Cheyenne, you don’t want to stay there,” it whispered again.
Someone’s warm breath tickled my ear. I stilled.
“I know you’re weak and tired. I can help you, but only if you come back.”
It wasn’t Marcus whispering in my mind. This was different and yet familiar.
“Please, love, come back.”
My breathing hitched, and my lower lip shook. I knew who was here; I knew the voice speaking to me. I scratched at the blackness surrounding me, searching for a way out. Warm arms engulfed me, and I clung to them tightly. My eyes fluttered, and soon light began to emerge, warm light and fuzzy images of the room I’d been in.
“Callon?” I called out in desperation, still unsure if it was truly him. “Callon!”
“I’m here,” he whispered in my ear. “I’m here now.”
I couldn’t control myself as the sobs broke from my chest. His hold only grew tighter, and I clung to him like he was my last breath of life. He’d come back, he’d come back to me.
“I’m sorry,” I wailed. “I’m so sorry.”
“Shh,” he soothed me.
His warm fingers caressed my cheek.
“Rest,” he murmured. “We’re here for you.”
My body began to grow lax, my mind clearing.
The Timeless race will despise you, my angel, Marcus whispered. They’ll despise you when you murder Callon.
I couldn’t catch my breath, and I struggled to free myself from Callon’s hold.
“Cheyenne!” he cried. “Don’t fight me!”
“No!” the bellowing cry came from my belly. “He’s going to have me kill you!”
Callon’s hold loosened, and I scrambled to the floor, curling myself into the far corner.
“Please,” I begged, “stay away.”
His heavy footsteps told me he’d moved, but I knew it wasn’t far. I heard voices nearby.
“It’s worse than I thought,” Callon’s low voice said. “Marcus has a deep hold.”
“She’s growing weaker by the moment, Callon,” Nakari said. “You saw her. I’ve never seen a Timeless look so frail.”
“He’s draining her like a battery,” Colt’s husky voice said in realization. “She’s his main power source.”
“But he weakens himself when he controls her,” Darrien said.
“And he’s restoring his powers by taking them from her,” Colt replied.
“How?” Jahlem questioned. “I’ve never seen him do this before.”
“Because he has the Consilador’s powers,” Callon replied. “He’s using my mind control powers to not only control her, but to steal her powers to regenerate himself faster.”
“He’s killing her,” Daniel said. “Callon, you have to help her.”
My heartbeat quickened. Colt and Daniel were here. They’d come for me, but it was too late. I was beyond the point of no return, a failure for the Timeless race to blot out of their history.
An eerie silence drifted over me. A black mist gathered at my feet, but it wasn’t Raina. Steam drifted around me as the walls began to turn to ice. Slowly the deep freeze began to creep across the floor, and inch by inch it moved closer to me, ready to swallow me whole.
He won’t help you, my angel. I’m the only one offering you true freedom.
Callon’s shadow loomed behind me, and I fought back my fears. Marcus had threatened me, but only because he feared Callon. He knew he was the only one who could save me. I closed my eyes, waiting for his touch. Chills raced down my neck, as his warm breath lingered.
You feel your powers rising, my angel? The golden whips of death that killed Skylar will murder your love…
My veins tingled with the power of fire running through them, but it wasn’t as it had been before. I looked down at my hands, the now frail bony skeletons that they were. A blue hue flickered to life, but then vanished. I was too weak; he couldn’t use me because he’d drained me too far. I didn’t have much longer.
Callon’s chest pressed against my back, his hands trailed down my arms. His strong fingers gently grasped my wrists and crossed my arms over my chest. He remained still, waiting for me to relax in his hold.
“I’ve failed you, Callon,” I whispered.
“You’ve never failed me, Cheyenne,” he murmured against my hair. “Failure isn’t missing your target; it’s not having one. Failing isn’t falling down; it’s refusing to get back up. Failure isn’t trying; it’s failing to try. Failure is quitting, and you’ve yet to quit. You’ve never failed because you’ve never given up.”
His hold tightened.
“I’m the failure. I left you when you needed me most.”
“But you’re here now.”
“And I won’t let go.”
I closed my eyes, as my body stilled. I wouldn’t kill him today. Marcus had ensured that by draining the very breath from my lips.
“You have the Consilador’s powers, Cheyenne. You gained them when you married Marcus, just as he did. He’s controlling you using my mind powers, and I’m going to help you get them back.
“I want you to go back to that small space I pulled you from earlier. That dark room that you thought had no doors or windows. We’re going to open those windows and doors, using your memories to block him out.”
I exhaled, knowing where I was heading, but I wasn’t alone this time. Callon was with me. He’d help me. Callon’s fingers intertwined with mine, and I pulled him inside, opening the door and letting light in.
“He’s closed the windows to all your light, your happy memories,” he whispered.
“We’re going to reopen them so he can’t wade through them.”
I stilled, listening to his directions.
“You had a happy childhood, love. Open that window and let those memories flood you. Think of Gene and Alexis, all the love and warmth they provided you.”
My mind began to whirl as memories of my parents flooded my sight. Dancing in the rain with my mom because she wanted to feel the moisture on her skin. Running in the meadow with my dad as we chased a wild rabbit. Laughter around the campfire when a marshmallow exploded.
“Now move to the next,” he said. “Your time with Colt, your sunshine.”
The spray of water dampened my skin, laughter and soap being thrown around. Hiking and flowers, and friendship abounded.
Callon didn’t need to say more as I whirled through the dark room and sprung open the doors and windows containing my happy memories, washing aside the deep despair and agony.
Campfires and waterfalls, the love from a brother, the love from a family. Callon holding me after Sam bolted. My fingers tightened over his as the vice on my head loosened and shattered into a million pieces.
Snow, beautiful, white, unstained snow began to tumble from the skies above. I closed my eyes, the moisture dampening my cheeks. I began to drift, light and airy, to the snowy layer at my feet. My body grew heavy with sleep.
Callon’s warm lips touched my neck. “I have you now, Cheyenne.”
Soft fingers brushed my cheek, pulling my hair from my lashes. They fluttered, and I looked up into the warmth of hazel eyes I’d so dearly missed, and feared I’d never see again. I couldn’t speak at first as tears streamed down my cheeks. My hand lifted, touching his unshaven cheek as he sat on the edge of the bed.
“You came back,” I whispered.
“I came back for you,” he replied.
“I’ve missed you.”
A smile creased his lips. “And I’ve missed you.”
I took in every detail I’d missed in the dim lighting. His brown wavy hair had gotten longer, and my fingers pulled at the long layers. The brown Henley he was wearing clung to his muscles as he leaned over me. Every beauty mark that I’d taken for granted, every speck of green and gold in his eyes, the pink hue of his lips.
He should’ve been my husband, but I’d destroyed any chance of it ever happening.
“I married Marcus, Callon. I married him thinking I could destroy him by myself, but I can’t.”
“You’re not alone.” He leaned in closer on his elbows. “I understand now.” He pressed his eyes closed. “I was angry, Cheyenne, consumed with anger and jealousy and…”
“But you understand now?” I asked even though he said he did. I needed to know he understood why I married him. That I never meant to hurt him.
His breath hitched, and his head lowered, burying itself in my chest.
“I’m sorry I didn’t listen to you. It was Colt, Nakari, and Daniel who finally found me, brought me to my senses, helped me see beyond my fury and mistrust.”
My chest ached, and tears freely flowed. I rested my chin on his head; my arms came around his shoulders, holding him close.
“We’ve both made mistakes, Callon,” I said, my fingers rubbing his back. “Mistakes that are in the past. We both have to move on.”
I couldn’t believe the words that were flowing from my lips, and yet they were true. We needed to forget about the past failures and concentrate on the future. Callon’s return had restored my faith that he did love me and that he wanted to fight this battle together.
His head slowly rose, the tense muscles on his shoulders relaxing. Eyes, soft and full of compassion, reached mine.
“I didn’t know if you’d forgive me. I don’t deserve it,” he said.
“I have nothing to forgive. I was the one who caused you pain. But we both understand now. It’s time to end this with Marcus.”
Shadows lingered outside the glass partition separating Callon’s bedroom from the rest of the loft. He glanced over his shoulder.
“They’re waiting.”
Callon helped me sit up. A bout of dizziness overcame me as I slid my legs off the bed. His arm came around my hip and he helped me stand.
“You’re weak. It’s going to take a few days before your powers are restored. Marcus nearly killed you.”
I nodded my understanding, and slowly we moved closer to the edge of the glass partition. Daniel was pacing back and forth, his hand pushing back his hair. His head lifted and he ran to our side, pushing Colt back.
Callon stepped back as Daniel crushed me in his arms, and I held on just as tightly.
“I’m sorry, Daniel,” my voice shook with the raw emotions. “I never meant to harm you.”
“It wasn’t you,” he murmured into my shoulder. “It was never you.”
“I thought I killed you.” My throat grew tight. “I thought I’d lost my brother.”
“Never.”
We held each other, neither wanting to let go. We were both alive, we both had survived another round. I drew back, and Daniel’s bright smile quickly faded. He saw it in my eyes, knew all this happiness was only short lived.
I stared at his neck, the pink scar that now remained. I’d caused him great pain but Skylar hadn’t been so lucky.
“I killed Skylar,” I whispered, as tears beaded at the back of my eyes. “I—I didn’t mean to, but it was my hand that ended his life.”
Colt stepped closer, pulling me from Daniel and pressed me close.
“Nakari told us,” Colt said quietly. “We know Marcus used you. You wouldn’t have harmed him otherwise.”
Callon moved closer, his hand coming to rest on my shoulder.
“It’s over now, Cheyenne. He can’t control you anymore. You put your barriers up. It’s not going to happen again.”
I heard Colt and Callon’s words, but it didn’t take away the fact that I’d done it. That Skylar had died by my hands…and yes, I’d created barriers as Callon said. But what if Marcus could break them down again as he had so easily before? Then what?
“I know Cheyenne needs her rest,” Nakari spoke up. “But we’ve got to get back and start planning our battle strategies.”
Colt helped me to the sectional, and Nakari sat on the glass table in front of me. Darrien and Jahlem moved behind her. A fireplace that I’d missed earlier crackled with flickering flames.
“You’re looking better,” she gave me a faint grin. “At least now I won’t have to worry about you blowing away in the wind.”
I reached out and touched her hand.
“Thank you.”
She nodded.
Colt’s arm came around my shoulder, pulling me closer, and Daniel sat at my feet. Callon disappeared around the glass partition and returned with a blanket. He sat beside me, drawing the blanket up and around me.
Callon’s fingers laced in mine. Warmth, not that of my element, but real warmth from his touch filled me. I squeezed his hand.
“You said get back. Where are we going?” I asked.
“Montana,” Colt answered. “Back to the cabin. The family’s waiting there for us.”
I blinked, caught off guard. More than just those in this room were waiting for my return.
“They want me back?”
Colt’s icy blue eye met mine, and a smile perched on his lips.
“Of course they do. The moment we figured out you ran, Nakari and Skylar went searching for you. The rest of us left the mine once Daniel could travel. While Nakari and Skylar searched for you, Daniel and I went looking for Callon.”
“But Brogan said I’d killed him. I ran because I couldn’t live with myself knowing you’d blame me…”
“It was a lie, Cheyenne,” Colt said, his fingers tightening on my shoulder. “Brogan never said that. You heard what Marcus wanted you to hear. He fed you lie after lie until you thought they were the truth.”
“I didn’t run to him,” I said. They needed to know I didn’t purposely return to him.
“W
e didn’t think you did, Chey,” Daniel said. “No one thought you did.”
“And we’re extremely grateful Darrien and Jahlem kept you safe,” Colt added. “They told us what took place at his compound, sweetheart.” He leaned his head against mine. “I’m so sorry you had to live through it.”
A shiver raked me as the dark memory of Marcus came to me, his cruelty and mixed personalities flooding my thoughts.
Callon’s hand tightened over mine.
“Let it go, Cheyenne. Don’t dwell on it, or it will only unlock doors for him again.”
I knew Callon was right. I needed to dwell on the here and now. I needed to focus on the fact that no matter what I’d thought, my family hadn’t given up on me. They searched for me, and some sacrificed everything so I could be here now and continue to fight this battle till the end.
I glanced out the arched windows, where the dark skies revealed the city lights. I had no idea how long I’d rested, but my strength was returning. By morning, things would be different.
Time seemed to stand still as we quietly sat, absorbing the moment. Soon, all too soon, we’d return to Montana, and the final steps of our battle would be planned. I’d be reunited with our family, and see their grief and remorse when I told them about Skylar.
I stared at the dwindling flames of the fire. So much loss, and so much more yet to come. Our grief was only starting; many would likely lose their lives in the battle, many that put their trust in me, in the Kvech, only to have it fail…
A very real chill prickled my skin, and I turned towards the arched windows. My breaths grew heavy. Something wasn’t right.
“Cheyenne?” Colt asked, grabbing my arm as I stood, my eyes not leaving the night skies. “What’s wrong? What’s going on?”
Callon stepped in front of me, breaking my concentration. His eyes narrowed. “What is it?”
“He’s here,” I whispered.
Darrien and Jahlem leapt to their feet, heading towards the entry.
“Here or nearby?” Callon demanded.
I closed my eyes, trying to sense his presence again.
You can’t hide, my angel, Marcus whispered. I’m coming for you…
I gasped. He’d spoken to me again.
Awakening: A Timeless Series Novel, Book Four Page 28
