Awakening: A Timeless Series Novel, Book Four
Page 33
“I married Marcus to end his reign.”
“Today?”
“Yes.”
His head slowly began to nod. His brown eyes brightened, and his shoulders straightened.
“I choose you then,” he said and waved his arm for others to follow.
A stream of Trackers passed by, but more than half remained steady, eyes narrowing. I nodded at Darrien, and he moved back.
I closed my eyes, pulsing my energy down through my feet. The earth began shaking, and gravel and snow began falling to the ground. I dug deeper, imagining the canyon caving in. I opened my eyes to see the debris-filled cloud as I released the power surge. Trackers scrambled for cover, but some lay buried under the rocky grave.
Where I should’ve felt proud, victorious at what I’d done, I didn’t. Instead it only weighed heavily on my heart that more needless deaths had occurred. I turned away. They didn’t need me for this anymore. I needed to make my way to the front.
“Take my horse,” Brogan said, handing me his reins, his eyes never leaving the Trackers. “We’ve got this covered.”
I quickly mounted his horse and headed for the entrance. I knew I wouldn’t have much time before Marcus tried to barricade us in. I just had to push all emotions aside. We’d given the Trackers a choice. Those that died had done so because of their own actions.
I heard the battle cries before I saw them. I rounded the final corner to see the Trackers trying to block the entrance of the canyon. Our army was being forced back. Several flashes of black caught my eye; Tresezes were now roaming the ridges above.
I forced Brogan’s stallion on, and the army parted as I ran past. A blue hue began to grow in the palm of my hand, and I flicked my fingers, sending firebombs into the Trackers’ midst.
A hole grew, one large enough for me to run through, one I could create a funnel in. I twisted my wrist above my head and snapped it, throwing the wind funnel into the opening. Trackers scrambled to the side as I felt the warmth rising in my veins. I spread my palm open, and the blue flame ignited the funnel.
They screamed as I slowly moved the inferno forward. An arm snaked around my waist, pulling me from Brogan’s horse to the ground. Callon touched my arm, directing me where he wanted it to go.
“I saw what’s on the other side,” he said near my ear. “I’ve got to get it cleared so we’re not attacked from the side once we’re out in the open.”
I nodded.
“Don’t expel too much energy, Cheyenne. We need you at full strength. Let us fight some of the battle. Let us draw Marcus out.”
I didn’t reply. I couldn’t. It was my job to draw Marcus out, not his. Once he had what he needed, I knew what I needed to do.
Ever so slowly, we moved towards the mouth of the canyon. Callon suddenly jerked my arm to the left. A pocket of Trackers had been hiding in a crevasse. Their cries stung my ears, as some got burned.
I released my fire-filled whirlwind and glanced out into the valley. A battle was raging. Jahlem and his army were fighting Trackers and Tresezes. I ran towards him, only to have the valley suddenly disappear. I blinked, and I was up on the ridge again, Nakari holding onto my arm.
“I need to help!” I barked.
“No!” she snapped. “You need to survey the situation first. The best way is to have the higher vantage point.”
My eyes narrowed, but I knew she was right. I was leading this battle; I needed to make the right decisions before running off like I’d done earlier. We had a plan.
“Brogan’s clearing the canyon,” I said aloud, mostly for myself. “I just cleared the entrance with Callon. And Jahlem is fighting in the valley. Where’s everyone else?”
“Shad took a pack of Tresezes to the north, hoping to draw out any other strays.” She pointed to the trees. “Maes and the others are on their way out to help Jahlem. Conall’s holding back. We think he’s staying near Marcus.”
“Where’s Marcus?” I asked.
“Dex thinks he’s back there.” She pointed to the northeast, at a dense patch of trees.
“And Raina?”
“Haven’t seen her yet, but I’m sure she’s coming. She’ll wait for nightfall to make her move, just like Conall.”
I looked up at the once bright blue skies. An orange glow was growing. Nightfall was coming, and our toughest fight was yet to be waged. We just had to make it till the sun rose again, till I could see Marcus face to face and he’d know who had won this battle—forever.
A scream caught my attention, Lilly’s cry for help. I didn’t have a chance to say a word as Nakari jumped us to the next ridge. Three Tresezes had Lilly cornered; blood was dripping down her neck.
Wide eyes met mine, her chest heaving. I didn’t waste a moment as I blasted power from the palm of my hands. Two Tresezes flew backwards, their black fur smoking while the third turned on me. Black eyes stared me down. The quills on the back of its neck rose and fell with its fury that I had blocked his kill. I pressed my palm out when a streak of black and white landed on its back.
Nakari jumped beside Lilly, took her hand, and returned to my side. We stood still, watching Shad rip the large Tresez apart. Shad released a deafening roar and then his teeth sank into the enemy’s neck. With an audible crack, the Tresez fell limp. Shad shifted and ran towards Lilly.
“Are you alright?” he panted breathlessly.
“Y-Yes,” Lilly replied, her voice shaking.
“I’m sorry I left you, Lilly.”
“You stupid, stupid dog!” Andre’s voice rose up from the valley floor.
“Nakari, take Lilly to the other ridge, have her act as our lookout. Shad and I are going to help Andre.”
Nakari nodded and jumped Lilly to the opposite ridge. A moment later, she returned and jumped me to the valley below.
Andre swung hard, hitting a Tresez in the head with a large rock.
“Argh!” she screamed. “You drooled on me!”
The Tresez toppled to the ground. It wasn’t moving.
“What?!” she yelled, her hands rising and chest heaving. “They’re gross.”
“Always the drama queen,” Nakari said and rolled her eyes.
“Listen Miss ‘I jump away when they come at me,’ some of us have to use our own strength!”
Regardless of the battle taking place around us, I couldn’t help but grin.
“Need some help, Andre?” I asked.
“It’s a little late now,” she replied, brushing her black strands of hair from her eyes. She glanced down at her once white jacket. “Damn! He got blood on me!”
“She’s fine,” Nakari said as we jumped out into the valley.
I landed on the edge of the fight, and I caught sight of Tresezes I knew couldn’t be on our side just at the forest’s edge. They were waiting for dark to arrive. I began stalking towards them, as Nakari jumped to help Daniel. If they were afraid to come out and play in the light, I’d coax them out. I didn’t need to have them sneaking around in the snow, preying upon our army.
The familiar blue hue grew in my palms, and I felt my crimson-eyed beast come to life. It was time to bring the battle to these cowards.
“Here, puppy, puppy, puppy,” I taunted. “I’ve got a treat for you…”
Chapter 26
Snow trickled down from the pine branches, dusting my hair. I studied the tracks at my feet; the Tresezes had been here recently. I stared out into the darkening forest. They were out there, but my scar didn’t burn.
I glanced back; Jahlem, Daniel, and Callon were fighting with our army in the valley not more than three hundred yards away. Beyond them Colt, Koda, and the others were fighting near the mouth of the canyon. If I could eliminate the Tresezes as darkness fell, they’d only have to watch for Cloakers. I could give them a chance, weaken Marcus’s army and then draw him out.
Daniel stopped fighting, his gaze meeting mine. I needed to end this today, to return Daniel’s powers and free the Timeless race. Daniel thought he wasn’t strong enough, but he fought with somethi
ng greater than he realized—hope, love, and determination. He fought to free his brothers and sisters. He fought for me.
“I love you, Daniel,” I whispered, knowing he couldn’t hear me. I needed to say the words, needed him to know I loved him more today than I ever had. That he was my brother—forever.
I turned back to the forest, my legs taking over. I had a Tresez by the name of Conall to find.
I pulled my hood up over my head. If they could hide in the dark forest and use it for cover, then I could use the snow as my cover. They didn’t need to see what was coming. They just needed to feel it.
I trudged through the snow. It wasn’t as deep here as in the meadow. The trees had caught most of it. Each step I took pushed me further into the forest, further into their territory.
A familiar burn started on my back. They were nearby. I stilled, watching the shadows for movement. I needed them close to take a direct hit. It’d be too hard to create a whirlwind between the trees. I needed wide open space to have the greatest effect.
Branches crackled on my right, then on my left. They were trying to circle me. A low snarl caused my hair to stand on end. This wasn’t just a handful of Tresezes. This was an entire pack. I took a wider stance, lowering my hood and spreading my hands out. They could be coming from any direction, and I needed to be ready.
Without warning, a Tresez leapt at me from the left, and with just as much speed, I sent a pulse of air from my palm, hitting it in the throat. It collapsed to the forest floor with a thud, and released a gurgle before going silent.
“Who’s next?” I challenged. “I have places I need to go.”
White fangs and pink gums began popping up through the trees, snarls and snapping jaws echoed in my ears. I swallowed. I was going to have a fight on my hands.
I didn’t wait for them to attack, but instead began pulsing blue fireballs at the white of their teeth, the only way to ensure a head shot. Trees cracked as some darted behind them and I missed. My hands were pulsing out energy so fast I felt like I had a semi-automatic weapon in my hands.
Yelps, screeches, and whines bounced around me. A dark shadow came at me from the side, and I hit it mid-air as it fell into the snow beside me. Another one from behind tried to make contact, but I ducked as it leapt and then traced my fingers on its belly as it passed over. I didn’t need to see it to know what I’d done. I could smell the foul order, its intestines staining the once white snow.
The attacks began to slow. Breathless, I stood surveying the damage. At least thirty limp Tresez bodies littered the forest floor, but I knew there were more out there. I’d heard them run. But where was their leader, Conall? A shiver raked me, and I realized I might have made a deadly mistake.
Conall had lured me in the forest, taking me away from the fighting in the valley. These Tresezes hadn’t even come close to touching me; he’d sacrificed them so he could lead his pack to attack the clans!
I took off in a sprint towards the valley, my heart racing. I’d been a fool to think I could kill them off so easily! How many Timeless had already died because I hadn’t thought this out?
My legs couldn’t move fast enough as I came to the forest edge. The night skies cloaked the valley in its veil, but it didn’t hide the sounds of Tresez growls. I rubbed my hands together and then drew them apart slowly, creating a large fireball. I needed to give them a chance. They needed to see their enemy.
I threw my hands out in front of me, sending the fiery light out and up into the sky. The orange glow illuminated a pack of Tresez, larger than the pack I’d fought in the forest, on the valley floor. They had our army surrounded. Beyond the mere few hundred of our side that sat in the center of the Tresezes, another circle was forming. The Trackers were also closing in. And still beyond them, emerging from the far edge of the valley, a black mist drifted closer. A mist that was blocking the moon’s rays: the Cloakers were moving in to battle.
I’m here! I screamed to Maes. I’m coming!
I tore off towards my family, towards our Timeless army, which looked near defeat. The deep snow was slowing me down, and then I heard swishing in the distance. A looming black shadow moved closer and I readied myself, my hands drawn as I came to a stop.
My eyes remained focused on my target; I felt the power rising, rushing through my veins, as a blue hue started to grow in my palms. I needed to hit the shadow close up to have the biggest impact.
“Cheyenne!” Colt yelled and I froze.
Blond hair shone in the moonlight as he pulled down his hood. He was wearing Koda’s cloak! He didn’t slow as he neared. Instead he extended his arm, and I latched on as we circled around. I pulled myself up onto Midnight’s saddle.
“I almost killed you!” I said, my heart still racing.
“I had to risk it. I couldn’t let them see me coming.”
We raced back towards the ever-growing circle.
“I need to take some out from the back side,” I said. “I’m going to stand. Hold me in place.”
“Got it!” he replied.
I worked my way up on the saddle, holding on to his shoulder while he maneuvered Midnight closer to the battle. I managed to get my leg over his shoulder and he secured it with his arm.
The crimson-eyed beast growled inside me. It was more than ready to be unleashed. I pulsed power to my palms and began flicking my fingers at the Trackers as Colt rode us around the circle. It didn’t take long before Trackers on horseback were riding after us.
I twisted around and sent a blast of air, toppling riders over along with their horses. A sharp sting hit my cheek, and the crack of a whip snapped. Warmth oozed down my cheek and onto my neck. I sent a smaller fireball into the air where the snap took place, searching for the Tracker who’d hit me.
A lone Tracker who towered over the others waved a whip above his head, his gaze intent on me. In the blink of an eye, he released the leather strap again, this time hitting Colt’s shoulder.
Colt gasped, his hold loosening on my leg. The metal whip snapped again, this time making contact with my wrist. Colt fought to hold on to me, but the Tracker yanked back hard, and I flew from Midnight’s back.
“Cheyenne!”
Air rushed from my lungs as I hit the snow-packed ground. I rolled to my side, trying to loosen the leather, but the Tracker yanked again, pulling me closer to him. Fire ignited in my palm as I grabbed the leather strap; a moment later the monstrous Tracker was looming above me.
A deep bellowing laugh came from his gut. “You’re nothing more than a mere woman!” His thick hand reached down.
“I’m more of a woman than you’d ever be able to handle,” I said and latched onto his wrist.
Smoke rose, red-hot burning embers dripped from his wrist as the fire spread up his arm. A deep agonizing cry rang in my ears as the fire spread across his chest. Trackers turned wide-eyed as their mighty warrior cried for mercy.
“How many have cried for mercy at your hands?” I yelled. “How many Timeless have died because you gave them none?”
The crimson-eyed beast roared as the Tracker fell, and I released my hold. Trackers began to back up, tripping over each other to get away from me.
“It doesn’t have to be this way!” I shouted. “You have the right to choose freedom over death! Drop your weapons, and back away from the fight while you still can. Join us in fighting for freedom, or join him.”
My chest pounded from the adrenaline, the beast inside ready to battle. The Trackers remained still, unsure.
“I don’t lie. Join your Servak brothers Darrien and Jahlem.”
My eyes narrowed, and my fingers tensed. Anger boiled in my veins that they’d believe the brainwashing of Marcus over my offer of freedom.
“So be it…” I whispered and began spinning my hands over my head.
Snow and sticks and debris were sucked into my whirlwind as it grew in momentum. Trackers scrambled away as I guided the swirling vortex where I knew it would do the most damage—towards the Tresezes.
I aimed my swirling air at the line of Tresezes attacking, knocking them from their feet, allowing our army to land the fatal blow. I danced it around, trying to scatter the army of Trackers, causing chaos, and it was working.
I dropped the winds and fought my way to our army. I could do more from within the circle now. I could encase them in a force field of sorts. I’d done it before with Conall and Colt; surely I could do it again. This time they’d have no magic stone to stop me. Marcus himself would have to come.
I sent one last burst of air, clearing a path before stopping beside Callon. His nostrils flared as he faced me, his fingers flexing around the branch he held. His cheeks were redder than I’d ever seen them; and a vein seemed to pulse on his neck.
He blinked a few times, as if he didn’t recognize me and then he took a breath.
“Are you okay?” he asked, staring at my bloody cheek.
I nodded, not sure what to make of this new side of Callon I’d never seen. Grunts came from behind us in the dark.
“He’s coming,” I said, not needing to explain more. “It won’t be long—”
My words were cut short as a Tresez with white paws and a narrow strip extending from his eye to his snout flew from the blackness and knocked me to the ground.
“Conall!” I gasped, but quickly recovered and jumped to my feet. Callon ran towards me, but before I could stop him, another Tresez jumped him from the side.
I shot my hand out and aimed a pulsing blue ball of energy at the Tresez attacking Callon. I released it, and a moment later, fangs from another latched on to my arm, dragging and tossing me around like a rag doll.
With my free hand, I pulsed out fire and shoved it into its side. I fell to the ground, grabbing my wrist as pain shot up it. I crawled to my feet as the Tresez shifted in front of me…Conall.
I glanced over my shoulder; several larger Tresezes now circled me. Conall had managed to drag me away from the inner circle.