Daylight, a Timeless Series Novel (5 page)

I fought to inhale, but the air wouldn’t fill my lungs.

“Shh,” Dex whispered as his arms encased us further. “We’re here to help, Cheyenne.”

“He’s gone,” I muttered. “Colt’s gone.”

“We know,” Dex replied.

“We’re here now,” Lilly repeated
, her tears mingling with mine. “I wish I could change things for you. I wish you didn’t have to suffer as much as you have.” Her voice shook. “It’s going to be okay. You’re not alone, Cheyenne. You’ve never been alone.”

We remained in a silent embrace for what seemed like an eternity before Dex and Lilly drew
back. I kept my head lowered as Callon came to my side, his hand rubbing my back.

“It’s been a bit rough around here,” Callon said softly. “But Cheyenne’s strong
. She’ll pull through.”

“S
trong?” Maes muttered under his breath, “She knows nothing of suffering.”

“Maes!” Callon jerked away from me. “Enough!”

Jade-rimmed eyes met mine—cold, dark and unemotional. The dog had no heart after all.

“Come on.” Lilly locked her arm around
me and pulled me towards the field. “Let’s go for a walk.”

Lilly led us down a grass path
, leaving the rumbling voices behind. The sound of horses whinnying in the distance caught my attention.

“I’ve missed you greatly, Cheyenne,” Lilly said. “I—I wish Dex and I could have been the ones to raise you…”

My throat grew tight, and I kept my eyes forward. “If you’d been my guardians, then chances are you wouldn’t be here right now,” I replied.

She sighed. “It’s just that you would have known us
. We would have told you the truth, and you wouldn’t have closed yourself off so much.”

I didn’t reply. Chances are they would’ve hidden things from me as well, especially if
that had been my parent’s wish. There was also a reason why I’d closed myself off. No connection meant no pain when they departed. Colt had been the only one to break down that barrier, and now he was gone too. Proving I’d been right all along.

Lilly stopped and turned towards me.

“Don’t lock us out, Cheyenne. Callon told us what’s been going on.” Her shaking hand brushed her black locks behind her ear, and our eyes met. “I wanted to come the moment we found out, but Callon held us back. He didn’t want to push you farther over the edge than you already were.” Her blue eyes softened. “I want to help. I want to be the one you confide in. I want to love and nurture you…”

“You want to take the place of my mother,” I finished her sentence.

“I want to love you as your mother, Sahara, would have wanted me to.” Her shoulders sagged forward as her gaze moved to the grass. “Your mother and I became close in her final years, and yet she never told me about you. I know why now.” Tears began to stream down her cheeks. “It’s because she wanted me to be here for you now. She knew her life was coming to a close, and she was ensuring you were taken care of.”

I stared at the fragile woman before me. She was
baring her heart to me, opening it up if I’d just accept it. Was this truly what my mother would have wanted? I just couldn’t accept any more misery in my life if something were to happen to Lilly or anyone else.

“I know,” I whispered. I reached out and touched her hand, squeezing it.

A tear-stained smile rose on her lips.

T
he fenced pasture ahead caught my eye. Two black stallions caught my attention. We stopped at the fence and watched them run and prance until they neared. I stood up on the rail.

They were tall, at least eighteen hands each. Their black coats shimmered in the sunlight
, giving off a bluish tint. I studied them as they gave wild snorts. They were almost identical. The only distinguishing difference between them was that one had a notch missing in his ear.

I reached out to them with my mind, cooing and calming them until they became still. I stretched my hand out
, and the notched-eared beauty moved closer, nudging my hand across his snout. His black eyes met mine in understanding. The other moved closer, his head hovering near my cheek. A gentle nod caused his snout to brush my cheek and then he moved away. Both, however, remained immobile just a few steps away from me.

“I knew you had this gift, Cheyenne,” Lilly said softly. “I could see it even before your transformation.”

I stepped down and looked around at the vast estate around us.

“You can talk with them, right?”
she asked.

I nodded.

“Can they communicate with you?”

“No, it’s just one
-sided.”

“I used to be able to talk with animals…” Lilly trailed off.

I stopped in my tracks. “Used to?”

She smiled. “Yes.”

“What happened?”

Before she could answer, a voice spoke.

“Enjoying your walk, ladies?” Callon asked. I jumped, releasing a small squeak. Where’d he come from?

Lilly smiled. “Yes, I thought it would be nice for the two of us to have some
girl
time.”

Callon’s smile brightened
, and for the first time in a long time it seemed to reach his eyes. “I think that would be the best thing for Cheyenne right now,” he replied.

I turned my attention back to the matter at hand. “Lilly, you said used to.”

She smiled and then glanced at Callon, but no reply came.

I was so over this non-disclosure. I turned on Callon, brows puckering, shoulders tensing when suddenly it all faded away. I stared at the man whose face had softened and weary eyes pleaded. He reached out and took my hands in his as Lilly departed.

“I promise not to hold back on you, Cheyenne, but I’ve just barely gotten you back. I won’t allow anything or anyone to push you to those dark depths.”

“But I just want to know…”

“And you will, but I need you whole again before the weight of all that you bear comes crashing down on you. I was wrong in holding back earlier, but you have to believe me that it was always for your protection.” He moved closer, lifting his hand to tilt my chin up. “First, I want to see those bright blue eyes of yours once more. Not the gray clouded haziness that’s been there. I want the Cheyenne that I came to love and adore before all of this started. I want to see you smile. I want to hear your laughter. I want to feel the love I know you still have inside of you.”

Soft, warm, supple lips touched mine. A swarm of butterflies erupted in my stomach
, and my lids lowered.

“I want you to be surrounded with love and support, the love of your family, of those that care about you more than caring about what you will become.” His
words were full of passion. “You told me that you wanted to start over, love. Well, I’m asking the same for me. I want to start over; I want to hold nothing back. I want to love you with my whole heart, and I want to protect yours from ever being broken again.”

A tender caress brushed the corner of my mouth
, and my breathing hitched.

“I love you, Cheyenne, and I intend
to love you for the rest of my life,” he whispered.

A cool wind swirled around us
, and I shivered from the chill.

He pulled me into a hug, his strong arms surrounding me. Strength was what I needed right now
. I was weak. Too many failures that I could never take back encircled me.

“Come on.” He kissed my forehead. “Let’s get back before your goosebumps get any bigger.”

I nodded and fell into step beside him.

“You see the lake?” he asked.

My eyes followed the shoreline as it disappeared into the tree-lined hills.

“It looks
pretty big.”

He smiled. “It is.” He turned us and pointed out towards the estate. “You see all this land to the left and right of the estate?”

“Yes.”

“That’s all ours.”

“Looks like a lot of work.”

He chuckled. “
It is.”

“Who takes care of it
?” I asked. “Since obviously you don’t live here all the time.”

“It’s been in my family for many generations
. We have an arrangement with the Campbell family, who maintain it for us.”

“So they’re human?”

“Yes.”

“But wouldn’t they know you and your family are different?”

“Yes, but they took an oath.”

“An oath?”

“Yes, an oath to serve us and preserve our lands and protect our names.”

I stopped. “
What do they get in return?”

“Protection.”

Okay, but still.

“
They’ve never once let out that you were different?” I asked.

He faintly smiled. “No. It’s different over here. Families serve for generations upon generations. They knew the oath they were taking, and knew the consequences if it were ever broken.”

I raised a brow. “What would be the consequences?”

Callon looked away. “Death.”

“Seriously?”

“Yes.”

I hesitated. “So—so you’d follow through on this if the oath was broken?”

“Of course.”

Here was another side of Callon I hadn’t seen before. Somehow I knew it was there, but maybe I’d chosen to ignore it. It made sense. Callon was a leader. He was one to follow all the rules—always.

“Come on.” He pulled me along.

We continued meandering through the field, stopping to pick wildflowers before we made it back to the terrace.

“Here, let me put those in water for you,” Callon said. “I’ll be
right back.”

He disappeared through the doors and I sat on a chaise, staring out into the horizon
, watching a lone crow fly overhead.

I’d made it another day.

“Cheyenne,” Maes rumbled.

My breath caught
, and I scrambled back onto the chaise.

“Quit sneaking up on me!” I snapped
, glaring at him.

A small smirk rose
on his lips. Before I could retort again, the crow cawed. I turned, watching small sparrows chase it away.

“Did you know,”
Maes said, “that in Irish mythology, crows are associated with Morrigan, the goddess of war and death.”

I stared at him blankly for a few moments. “
What’s that supposed to mean?”

He sat in a chair across from me.

“Morrigan was the goddess of battle. She’d sometimes appear in the form of a crow and fly above the warriors. Her purpose was not to attack, but to render the warriors helpless at the right moment.”

My eyes narrowed.

“Are you trying to scare or warn me?”

“That is entirely up to you,
mon espoir
.”

Great
, now he was back to calling me his hope.

“Don’t call me that, Maes.”

“More are coming.”

“What?” I grew rigid. “Who’s coming?”

“Koda, Nakari, Clayton and Skylar.”

My stomach began to roll with nausea. Dex and Lilly were here
—that was all I needed. Why bring others I didn’t know?

And why Koda
…

“Maes!” Callon snapped.
“Get in here!”

Maes smirked to
himself, before he departed through the terrace doors. But my anger was now directed at a new target.

What did Callon think he was doing to me?

Chapter 4

I couldn’t believe this. They were all coming; the ones who rescued me from Marcus. I knew I should be relieved—they’d all risked their lives to get me out—but the thought of seeing Koda again was too much. He was identical to Colt in just about every way. His blond hair and blue eyes, his massive arms and tall frame, the way he’d produce a crooked smile, making me see the man I loved all over again.

The man I’d lost…

Tears stung my eyes. Why was Callon doing this? How could he think I was ready for all those horrible memories to be unearthed again? I’d barely escaped from the depths of my despair, and now he was cutting my lifeline and throwing me right back!

A chill breeze crept over
the terrace, and the last of the sunlight streamed over the manor. Yet even when the wind stopped, I was still shivering. It wouldn’t be long now before the familiar darkness reached out, calling me to join with it. To let go and let the shadows take over. Then all my light would be extinguished, and I’d be perched on the edge of the black abyss. An endless pit of shadows where a pair of crimson eyes lurked, waiting for me to take that final step.

I closed my eyes. No, I couldn’t let that happen. I had to keep fighting for the little brightness I still had.

I turned back towards the house. It was completely black; no lights were on. Swallowing, I gazed towards the sky, but even the stars wouldn’t give me any hope.

The shadows began to draw closer, crossing the lake, field, and forest until they surrounded me. I held myself tighter. My fingers traced
the outline where Colt’s bracelet should have been. I wished I still had them so I could lock them together and make the light come forth. How could I ever go on without him? He was still here with me, wedged deep into my heart and soul. But I needed his touch, his smile, his arms around me…

My body ached for him, my need so great to reach out and feel his warmth beneath my fingers, but it would never be. My heart raced, and I suddenly stood up, unable to bear it any longer. My throat was tight, longing to release
a cry, to let out the tears once more. I needed to get away—I needed to move before it overwhelmed me and I fell off the edge.

I leapt from the terrace, and landed hard on the gravel. The impact probably hurt, but I didn’t notice as my legs took over and I bolted into the field. Faster and faster I ran, desperate to leave the abyss behind, and yet still it remained, looming over my shoulder; as close to me as my own shadow. It would never let me be.

I reached the lake and halted, my breathing ragged. The water lapped at the bank as it must have done for years, eroding into the earth. It was almost funny, how such a gentle trickle could carve through entire mountains eventually. Was this what would happen to me in the end? The darkness would eat away at me, little by little, day by day, until it consumed me completely. It didn’t matter if I tried to resist—it would win through in the end. Perhaps not today, or tomorrow, but someday.

No!

Biting my lip, I sprinted along the bank, towards the forest. I didn’t stop, entering the trees and chasing the broken trails. The moon fought to peer down between the branches, brooding. I tried to follow its light, but it always disappeared before I could reach it.

At last, my body couldn’t keep up anymore. My chest ached, my heart drummed against my ribs, and finally my legs gave way.

I hit the ground, and the last of my strength fell with me. The spicy scent of wet earth was rich in my nostrils, and the cold dampness began to seep into my skin. It was finding its home, slithering over my broken defenses, uniting with the darkness and wrapping tight around me. Another piece of my light snatched away, never to return. I couldn’t go on like this. Please, just take the pain away…

The wind rustled through the forest,
the mournful creaks and groans of the trees echoing the laments in my heart. I didn’t want to close my eyes, but I was so tired. The darkness was too powerful. I couldn’t fight it alone. Oh Colt, come back, come back to me! I need you…

“Cheyenne.”

I froze. That soft voice mingled with the breeze. It couldn’t be…

“Cheyenne, you promised me you’d live.”

“I can’t!” I cried. “I can’t go on without you.”

“I’m still here. I’ve never left you.”

“But I need your touch, your warmth, your smile,” I whispered.

“Cheyenne, you have Callon now. You need to live for Callon.”

Callon.

The darkness stirred within, and I frowned. Callon,
who’d invited everyone here without regard to my feelings. Callon, who didn’t understand what was going on inside me, who couldn’t accept that my heart belonged to Colt and had fought to break us apart. Who had kept my real life and heritage from me, had deceived and lied to me! I was nothing but a tool to him, a weapon against Marcus. How could I live for someone so…

I shot upright, my forehead suddenly slick with sweat. No, that wasn’t right. He had done those things, but only to protect me. And he had never wished for Colt to die. He was doing everything he could to help me, and yet all I’d done in return was run away. Push
ed him aside, refused to let him heal my wounded heart.

What
was I doing? Who was I becoming?

I pushed
myself upright and leaned against a tree, wiping the moisture from my cheeks. Colt was right. I needed to live for Callon. I had to. I had to go on before the line between the darkness and myself blurred further. It was becoming difficult to see where I ended and where it began.

Slowly, I began to
walk back the way I’d come. Soon, though, I started to realize my mistake. I hadn’t kept track of landmarks; I was completely lost. The moon, too, had disappeared behind the clouds. I had nothing to guide me. Panic set in, and I broke into a run.

My foot caught on a loose branch
, and I fell to my knees. I didn’t bother to stand again. Instead I stared into the forest, into the unknown. Inside and outside, I was surrounded by blackness. It pressed in closer, and my chest tightened. I couldn’t breathe.

“Help me!”

My plea echoed across the trees, before it was snatched away by the wind. My head slumped. This was it. I was on my own. I lay listening to the night’s sounds, waiting for it to take me away.

A branch behind me cracked, and I stiffened. Suddenly footsteps reached my ear, heavy and full of purpose.

Maes.

I closed my eyes and waited for his berating, but it didn’t come. Instead there was only silence.

He stopped a few paces away, watching me. I didn’t look at him, but glanced to the horizon. The pre-dawn light was beginning to emerge. At last it broke through the clouds, and a stream of sunlight danced before me. The sight brought back memories of my mother, Alexis.
“Sunshine smiles, Cheyenne. Look!”
I could still hear her words so clearly, and felt my tears renew. When would it ever stop?

“Cheyenne,” Maes said, his French accent breaking through. “I’ve come to bring you back.”

I didn’t reply.

“Cheyenne.” A heavy hand touched my shoulder. “You shouldn’t be alone.”

“What does it matter to you, Maes?” I hissed, pushing down my sadness. “You’re only here for yourself. I’m your hope, remember?” My hands flew out before I was able to stop them and I sent a blast of air into the forest, causing a small tree to crack. I clasped my fingers together. What was wrong with me? It was as if I couldn’t control my emotions any longer…

“Cheyenne.”

I shrugged off his hand and rose on shaky legs. His jade-rimmed eyes met mine and I paused, unsure of his expression. Was he actually showing remorse? Was he allowing me to see past all those barriers he’d set in place to protect himself?

“I loved once,” he rumbled. His subdued tone made me gasp. He’d never spoken like this before. It was somewhat frightening. “I’ve begged for the cold grip of death to come and take me away rather than living out the nightmare every day. I watched the one I loved perish right before my eyes and was helpless to prevent it. I replay that image over and over, feeling the guilt and shame for my failure, almost every day.” He paused, and looked me straight in the eye. “I know the darkness you
’re fighting, because I’ve been there myself.”

I swallowed.

“You’ve seen the crimson eyes staring back at you, haven’t you?” he said.

My eyes widened. How did he know what I’d seen? It was what I imagined it to look like,
and I’d told no one.

He stepped closer, his voice lowering.

“Don’t fall into the abyss like I did. Fight it, conquer it, and live on. Because once you fall in, the climb out will be worse than hell itself.”

“But you came out.”

“Because of you, Cheyenne. You gave me hope again; hope enough to claw myself back into the light.” His jaw tensed. “I won’t allow you to disappear.”

“Stop saying that!” I snapped. “I’ve had enough of the lies
. I don’t need yours on top of them!”

“What are you—
”

“Don’t pretend you’re innocent!” I cut him off. “I know you only want me to free you from your stupid curse. I’m just a tool to be used when the moment calls for it.” I balled my hands
into fists. “Why do you all do this? You push so many expectations onto me, and you don’t even give a single thought to my feelings!”

“And how can we, when you close yourself off all the time?” Maes shot back; the barriers were up again. “You don’t speak to us. Instead you hide away like a whimpering pup, feeling sorry for yourself and blaming others for the isolation you’ve brought upon yourself!”

His words struck home, and moisture tingled behind my eyes.

“I can’t be the person you want me to be,” I said, my voice trembling. “I can’t.
I couldn’t protect the ones I love, and if it wasn’t for Callon, I’d have killed you all that day.”

Maes sighed.
“Perhaps I have been too harsh on you. You are stronger than this,
mon espoir
. That is not an expectation I place on you; that is a fact I have seen. You must not burden yourself with things you cannot change. The darkness will always be there, but you shouldn’t cower from it. You must learn to master it.” He looked away, as if afraid I’d see into his heart again. “Or it will consume you.”

Stunned, I could only nod. Maes had to be desperate if he was apologizing for shouting at me.

“You need to find a way to distract yourself. Focus on building your strength. Your aim is to beat me in a fight. Let’s see if you can do it.”

“You want me to fight you?”

“I want you to become stronger, so when the time comes you’ll be ready for battle.” He stood motionless for a few moments as we both pondered his words. “Come,” Maes said. He strode into the forest. I trailed behind, fixing my gaze on his broad shoulders. Last time I’d done this was when he’d fished me out of a river, and I’d struggled to keep up. Now that I was Timeless, it wasn’t so hard, though I did notice he wasn’t taking such big strides as before.

My mind wandered back to Callon, and my shoulders sagged. How many more second chances was he going to give me before he decided this
fresh start
was over? I’d told him I needed help, and yet once again I’d run away. Maes was right; I was a whimpering pup.

“I said I didn’t mean that, Cheyenne,” Maes said.

I stopped. “What?”

“You’re not a whimpering pup.”

“Why would you say that?” How did he know what I was thinking?

“Because I know you well enough to see you’re wallowing
, and you need to stop. What’s done is done. Move on.”

I was quiet for a moment. “But you told Callon I ran away at the first sign of trouble.”

He didn’t reply.

“Well, I think you’re bipolar,” I huffed. “One moment you’re supportive and then next you’re…”

“I won’t coddle you. You’re stronger than that.” He picked up his stride, forcing me to jog.

We spent t
he remainder of the way back in silence. The beast inside had finally calmed; however, I knew it would return again. It was far from over.

I hadn’t realized how far I’d run into the forest, but the sun was high by the time we finally reached the meadow. Callon, Daniel, Dex and Lilly were on the terrace, looking tense. I hesitated, unsure of how they’d react. I was sure it would only be with disappointment.

Rustling in the grass caught my attention, and I looked across to the lake. Callon and Daniel stood just a few feet away. Both were worn out with worry. I clenched my hands, my nails digging into my palms. I couldn’t face him, not after what I’d put him through.

Callon took a step forward, then paused.

“Cheyenne?” He wasn’t sure what else to say.

The dull ache in my chest grew more intense. I’d let him down,
again
. I’d run instead of seeking him out. Practically telling him he wasn’t good enough to comfort me.