I was dressed and waiting when Callon appeared beside me.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?” I commented, gesturing to the snow. It was probably the nicest and the most I’d spoken to him in a long while.
“Yes, very,” Callon replied, puzzled by my comment.
I looked straight into Callon’s eyes—there was sadness, and a desire to comfort me. I blinked and turned away. This was the reason I’d been avoiding eye contact. Even with as little conversation as I’d had with Colt and Callon, even with me never forgiving them for their betrayal…I had to admit I still loved them.
It was the love of a family, the only family I had now. My guardians had given up so much for me, but my relationship with them could never be the same. Without a conscious decision, I touched his right hand. I just needed to keep the feel of his skin fresh in my mind.
In that gesture, Callon saw my vulnerability; just for that brief second, he knew I was weakening. He slid his fingers over mine, and our rings touched. An uncontrollable shiver ran over me. A deep satisfaction reflected in his eyes. We didn’t move. We just stood and stared—an invisible electricity flowing between us. The current was so strong that it was becoming harder and harder to resist. I looked away and gently pulled my hand free. This was the first time since my fever that our rings had touched—the connection was real—I felt it.
I stared at the snow until I had regained my composure.
“Are you ready?”
“If you are,” Callon replied.
“Let’s go then. I don’t want to miss out on buying that big turkey.” I forced a smile.
Daniel, Maes and Colt were waiting in the great room. Colt neared with my coat and helped me put it on. “Thanks,” I said as our fingers touched, and hope lit in his icy blue eyes. I had to look away. I was completely helpless if I stared into them too long. What was wrong with me?
As expected, I sat in my usual place in the truck, boxed between Colt and Callon. Colt sat a bit closer and our legs touched. I closed my eyes and forced back the feelings pushing too close to the surface. He was different than he used to be, and I knew he had changed because of me. I missed his smiles, his sense of humor, his teasing. Now his head was always low, his eyes filled with guilt, his brow lined with worry. The Colt I loved was buried beneath the guilt…snatched from me forever.
The drive into town was quiet, matching my mood.
“What are you thinking about, Cheyenne?” Callon broke the silence.
“Thanksgiving dinner,” I lied. “My mom always took care of it.” My mom…I missed her. She would have scolded me for lying so easily. What a disappointment I was.
“It’s not as hard as you think,” Daniel chimed in. “You’ve proven yourself a great cook. I’m sure it’ll be fine. Besides, you poisoned us before, and we survived.”
Light laughter broke out.
I kept my gaze forward. “Thanks for your vote of confidence, Daniel,” I murmured.
Daniel squeezed my shoulder. I knew he was just trying to get me to smile, laugh…anything to cheer me up. I very rarely smiled or laughed anymore. He didn’t understand what a broken heart did to someone.
We arrived at the crowded grocery store. We weaved up and down the aisles, checking the list off as we went. I’d purposely left off a few items.
“Callon,” I called out as he was unloading the cart at the checkout with Colt. “I need to run to the bathroom before we leave. Do you mind?”
“No, I’ll take you.” Callon stepped closer.
“I won’t be long. Can Daniel go with me? We’ll meet you at the truck in a few minutes.”
Callon nodded. Daniel took my arm as Maes began to follow. Stopping, I turned around, my irritation flaring.
“Maes, Daniel is with me. I’m just going to the bathroom. I don’t need an army escort.” Maes paused, an eyebrow raised. I swallowed. Did he know I was up to something? “I’ll be right back,” I said firmly. I couldn’t back down now. Reluctantly, he turned away.
As we neared the bathroom, I set my plan in action.
“Shoot,” I grumbled. I fumbled with the list in my hands and passed it to Daniel. “I forgot the stuffing and broth. Can you get them to Callon before he checks out? I’ll only be a minute. I’ll come straight up front, okay?”
Daniel hesitated only slightly. “All right, hurry though.”
I nodded and hurried into the bathroom as Daniel walked off. I waited a few moments, then cracked the door. He was gone. I bolted for the storeroom doors and ran out the rear exit into the alley. I was at the service entrance to the hardware store with my hand on the knob. A harsh yank, and it flew open. I took two steps into freedom, almost giddy that my plan had worked when I was suddenly pulled from my feet. I let out a yelp that was quickly muffled as a large hand covered my mouth.
“Gotcha,” Colt said.
My jaw hung open. How did he get here so fast? He must have been waiting for me.
Seconds later, the truck appeared at the end of the alley. I glared at him.
“We’ve got groceries to get home, Cheyenne. Let’s not waste any more time.” Colt pushed me over his shoulder and headed for the truck.
I was too shocked to struggle.
“How did you know?” I was so easily caught…what did I do wrong?
“It was just a matter of time. We already knew where the entrances and exits were, and we knew you’d try them.” Colt paused briefly. “Although it did take you longer than we thought to make a break for it. Besides, your face is pretty easy to read when you’re determined.”
My face was easy to read?
Colt opened the truck door and sat me on the seat. Callon grasped my arm and pulled me over to the middle.
“Nice trip?” Maes was slouched in the back seat, arms folded over his stomach, smiling like a content cat.
“Sorry, Daniel,” I said quietly. I really didn’t like using him like that; I just didn’t have a choice.
“It’s okay. I knew what you were doing anyway.”
Colt buckled me in while Callon held on to my arm.
I looked up and saw Colt hesitating. It was as if he wanted to speak to me, to reach out and touch me, but he didn’t. His eyes were speaking a thousand words to me as we held our gaze. He was unsure about us, about where our relationship would end up. The relationship that he wanted and I was fighting to distance myself from. It was like an echo of the intense moment at my house before I left for Montana.
“Done for the day now, Cheyenne?” Callon’s testiness was clear, but was his irritation directed at me or Colt?
I didn’t say a word for the whole drive home. I kept going over the plan in my head, trying to pick out the flaws. What had I done wrong? How had they known what I would do? It was as if they could read my face, predict my actions and easily stop me without breaking a sweat.
I clenched my fist in my lap. I had failed at this attempt, but I would not fail again. I was quiet, stewing over what happened. Colt leaned closer.
“Don’t be mad, Cheyenne. It’s not that bad being stuck with us, is it?”
I sat rigid, glaring out the front window. Colt had no idea how truly heartbreaking it was to be with him and Callon every day. I could never be away from them. Somebody always had to be nearby because of the threat on my life. I lived with all four of them twenty-four/seven without room to breathe, to think…to mend my shattered life, and I could never seek comfort in Colt or Callon’s arms. I could never feel a warm embrace without wondering what was behind it. I could never break down and cry to release all these pent-up emotions.
The snow increased in intensity as we arrived home. I waited for Colt to get out of the truck. He surprised me by pulling me by my arms and inverting me over his shoulder once more.
“Colt!” I shouted. “Put me down!” My anger was building quickly.
“No,” Colt said calmly.
“Colt!” I snapped again.
Without missing a step, he carried me into the house and dropped me on the sofa.
I attempted to rise, and he wrapped his bulky arms around me as we both fell back into the couch.
“Colt!” I said through my teeth. “Where am I going to go now? Let me go!”
“Do you remember,” Colt whispered, “after we brought you back from the bank, when I said I never wanted to feel so helpless again?” He pushed me back further, tilting my head to look up at him. “I’m never letting you go, Cheyenne. I swore I’d protect you, and I meant it.” He softly kissed my cheek.
That was too much, and I lost it.
“Like you meant all those other promises you broke?!” I screamed, fighting to free myself. “Damn it, Colt! Don’t you realize what you’re doing to me? I’m sick of you stomping my heart to pieces and then cutting me again with the broken shards!” Colt’s arms loosened. “It’s horrible living with the two of you. Every day I have to see you, smell you, hear you, and know I can never be held in your arms, or feel your love ever again.” The tears were flowing freely. “How blind are you?” My hands were shaking. “How much more selfish can you be?” I whispered. “I can’t stand this…I have to leave. The two of you are going to destroy me.”
The room had become deathly quiet. Callon’s hand touched my shoulder, and I jumped. My reddened eyes met the sympathy in his.
“Cheyenne, I…” Callon began to say when I bolted from the room. This meltdown was quickly turning nuclear.
I slammed the bathroom door closed and crumpled against it to the floor, sobbing.
The crying slowed when a brown flash appeared out of the corner of my eye. My eyes grew wide as I saw an enormous spider. Its body was the size of my palm and the spiky long legs extended even further. The barbed hair was standing up on its back, and it moved.
I froze.
Its black orbs were staring at me, its fangs shifting swiftly back and forth. It repositioned itself rapidly. I screamed and scrambled away. The door burst open. Colt’s eyes were wide with panic, and I ran toward him. He caught me in his embrace. Seconds later, Daniel, Callon, and Maes came in, crowding the tiny room.
Daniel quickly cornered the gruesome creature as Colt escorted me to the great room.
My body was shaking from the emotional overload, and Colt’s arms only tightened as we moved to the far corner. I couldn’t hold back any longer and soaked in his touch, my fingers locking into his shirt.
“I’m sorry, Cheyenne,” Colt whispered. “I’m so sorry for what I’ve done to you. But I won’t ever give up loving you.”
Footsteps echoed through the great room, and Colt shifted uncomfortably. His hand locked on my shoulders as if I was about to be pulled from his grasp. His muscles rippled over my cheek as it was pressed into his chest, and he held his breath as if he were waiting for something.
“Colt,” Callon growled, and the hair rose on the back of my neck. “She’s not yours. Let her go.” The authority in his tone was evident, but this was a threat Colt wasn’t about to let go unanswered.
“No.”
Colt’s arms loosened, and I was shoved behind him into the corner. Callon’s icy stare met mine before narrowing on Colt. I remained still, stunned by what was happening. Maes slinked in, his eyebrows arched in amusement. He was enjoying this.
Callon took a step forward, his arm tensed. He was going to strike his own brother!
“No!” I cried. A second later Daniel flashed between Colt and Callon.
“What the hell is wrong with you two?” he spluttered. “Do you want to hurt Cheyenne even more?” His pushed them apart. “You were the fools who broke her heart in the first place. Let her have some peace.”
Daniel jumped again, this time landing at my side. He took my hand in his. “Come on, Chey, let me take you away for a bit.” I blinked, and we were on the front porch. A second blink as the wind rushed by, and we were further down the snow-covered gravel road.
A black flash caught my eye, and I began to panic. “Daniel!”
Daniel drew me into a hug.
“It’s okay. It’s just Maes.”
Daniel’s magic touch began to work slowly. I took calming breaths, and he held me close. My anger, hurt, and heartbreak melted away for the moment, as I watched the snowfall. Colt and Callon were ready to fight over me…
“Daniel,” my weak voice sputtered. “I’m sorry…I’m the one driving the wedge between everyone. I’m breaking this family apart.”
“No, they did this to themselves. Callon and Colt both knew and didn’t tell you. It was wrong.”
A low growl sent a chill down my spine, and Daniel’s hold tightened. Maes’s ears twitched and he suddenly shifted into his human form. He wasn’t smiling anymore.
“Get her to Callon; you and Colt come with me,” he commanded. He disappeared from sight. Daniel jumped us back to the porch. Callon was already waiting.
I looked to Daniel. What was going on?
“It’s going to be fine,” Daniel said. “Just go inside.”
Colt bounded off the steps, stealing a passing glance at me. He, Maes and Daniel then vanished into the forest. Callon grabbed my arm and pulled me inside.
We swiftly headed towards the stairs leading to the loft, where Callon abruptly pushed me onto some pillows on the floor and stood guard by the door.
“What’s going on, Callon?” I whispered.
Callon didn’t turn away from his post. “Tresez. Trackers, too. You need to stay hidden.”
Cold fear washed over me. They’d found us.
Callon paced as I sat and allowed my thoughts to run wild. How were we going to escape? Where would we go now? Where could we go? Would they find us again? It had all happened so fast. Daniel and Colt were fighting again for me…and Callon said there were Tresez. So, why hadn’t my back burned like it had in the past? Now that I thought about it, I always felt a constant dull ache…was it because of Maes?
Daylight faded as we awaited their return. Callon suddenly took a deep breath. “It’s safe. We need to start a fire. They’re going to be cold when they get back.” He helped me up, and together we headed into the great room. I sat in the far corner, nervously awaiting their arrival. Callon was stoking the wood, his back facing me as he watched through the windows. His edginess was rubbing off on me.
Finally, Maes, Colt, and Daniel returned, covered in snow. The room remained dark, lit only by the flickering firelight. No one spoke as they moved close to the fire to warm themselves. Colt’s eyes remained downcast, and I curled my legs into my chest. An occasional chill washed over me, but it wasn’t necessarily from the cold.
Daniel jumped in front of me with a blanket and sat next to me. Maes moved to the front of the couch and sat at my feet. They were forming a barrier of protection around me. Colt and Callon eventually moved, but kept a distance between themselves. How had I not noticed this before? I’d been too preoccupied with my own problems to realize I was the cause of another rift…
Thanksgiving came and went, and the snow continued.
My heart was heavy…more than just me was breaking. Colt and Callon had hardly spoken a word since the incident. Daniel tried to make up for it, taking me for walks, or sitting in my bedroom playing poker with me, but the hostility hung over the house like a dark cloud; a storm waiting to burst. I longed for the way it used to be: the laughter, the smiles, the love. Now everything seemed cold and empty, like the shell I was becoming. Colt was more distant than ever, and I was scared for him. I was afraid that I’d broken the man I’d fallen in love with, in a way that would never heal. And Callon…
“Cheyenne?”
I turned to see Daniel approaching. I’d been sitting on my bed watching the snowfall. Maes entered my room too and leaned against the dresser, crossing his arms.
“You want to play some poker?” Daniel flashed a toothy grin that made me smile. He plopped down on the bed beside me.
“Sure.”
Maes watched from a distance. His stare didn’t seem as cold today. Daniel and I played a few hands before I got up the nerve to speak.
> “Maes, you want to play with Daniel and me?” Daniel paused in his dealing and looked at me in curiosity. “It’s better than having you stare at me the whole time.”
A grunt left Maes’s lips. With exaggerated movement, as if it was a pain for him to move, he sauntered over, and I scooted over as he neared the bed.
“You want me to play cards with you?” His accent thickened.
I looked up and tilted my head. “Yes, parrot.” A sly smirked inched over my lips. I was guessing he didn’t remember our conversation in the cave.
Maes huffed and sat down. Daniel dealt and we played. I couldn’t say it was the most enjoyable experience, but it wasn’t awful either. Maes’s grunts and groans provided enough entertainment for me, and it seemed to make him more comfortable for a change.
There had been a wet snow, and it had frozen hard overnight. I was insistent on taking my run regardless of the icy conditions. It was one of my few freedoms that I wouldn’t let pass by.
We’d just finished up our run, or what Daniel called “my comedy act” when we neared the Jeep and my feet slipped. I slid under the Jeep.
“Cheyenne!” Daniel came running. “I thought you wanted to go running, not sledding.”
“Funny,” I said rubbing my sore leg. As I turned to push myself back out, my eyes fell to the undercarriage…where there was a ring-sized black box with a green blinking LED light. I tried to pull it off and realized it was held in place with a magnet. I twisted it in my gloved fingers—I knew what this was! A tracker! With a small shred of hope, I glanced up again and found another small magnetic box. I flipped it open and wanted to scream. It was a spare key to my Jeep! I swiftly placed the key in my pocket and replaced the second box.
Colt grabbed my ankles and pulled me out. He helped me to my feet. His eyes were filled with concern. “Are you okay?”
I took a small step back and opened the palm of my hand, revealing the small object with the flashing light. I watched his face, and his concern disappeared. He immediately glanced at Daniel, who seemed slightly panicked.
Promises Page 9
