Awakening: A Timeless Series Novel, Book Four (20 page)

It was better this way. Everything I’d worked for had been destroyed. If I thought it had been bad after marrying Marcus, I knew I’d completely shatter under their
blame now. And I’d never be able to look Colt in the eyes again after I’d killed my beloved Daniel.

Why had
he come to me…why had he touched me?!

I reached the edge of the forest. A large valley with rolling hills was set before me. A winter wonderland whose beauty was lost on someone like me. If Colt had brought me here, I’d have thought it was stunning, majestic. Now it was all buried beneath a blanket of white
, heavy misery.

I can make you happy again, my angel.
All you need do is come to me.

“No.” I shook my head. Marcus could never make me happy. He’d stolen everything from me.

I only opened your eyes the truth.

He’d only opened my eyes to death and hatred.

You’d always be safe with me.

But the real question was, would my
former family be safe from me? I pulled my coat tighter around my neck. Above all, I had to ensure their safety; I wouldn’t allow another tragedy from my hand to befall them again.

I continued, the snow hitting my shins. I stopped at the top of a ravine and looked across the rolling hills. A pack of wild horses grazed on the scant grass
that poked through the snow. I forced myself on, following their trail. I had the gift of speaking to animals. Surely I could hitch a ride. In my desperation to leave, I hadn’t thought of bringing Mandi with me, not that I wanted her where I was heading.

The afternoon light had turned, and soon dusk would be at my back. I stopped close to the herd, and their heads perked up. I began cooing, speaking to them softly, reaching out to any that may be willing to listen. Step by step
, I inched closer to the wild beasts. I stretched out my hand and they stirred.

A lone stallion emerged, his shaggy chestnut coat
flecked with dirt. He paused a few feet away, his ragged black mane fluttering in the slight breeze. He gave a snort and shook his head up and down before he reared up on his hind legs. A clear warning to back off.

I stepped closer, determined to make a connection. All I need
ed to do was touch him, ease his anger, and guide him to a gentler mood. Again he snorted, steam coming from his nostrils. His lip curled up in a snarl, but I remained steady. I pushed my hand out further, cooing softly.

He pawed the ground and shook his untamed mane again before taking a cautious step forward. I pressed my palm out, allowing him to smell, and slowly raised my hand enough to cup his chin.

His fears ran through me like pictures from a slide show. He’d seen humans before; they’d chased him down. He’d kicked and gnawed at them till he freed himself. But there was one, one who’d been gentle.

“I won’t hurt you,” I whispered. “I just need your help.”

Maximus,
the name drifted through my mind. They’d called him Maximus.

He lowered his head, allowing me to push his matted mane aside, revealing the
diamond-shaped patch of white fur. His black eyes studied me as I continued to soothe him. Soon, he shook his head up and down, giving me the approval I needed.

His herd remained distant, but watched with wary eyes.

“I need to ride you,” I said, stroking his neck. “I need you to carry me far away.” I slid my hand further down his side and then over his back.

His skin rippled from the sensation, and I repeated it again, cooing to him the entire time.

“Bend down,” I asked and pressed myself closer. “Bend down and let me ride you.”

He stomped his hooves restlessly, but then bowed on one leg. I climbed on his back
, and he instantly reared on his hind legs. My fingers tightened into his mane.

“Calm, Maximus,” I commanded.

It took a few moments before the command took hold, but soon I had him walking around his herd, who watched with interest.

The sun made its final descent over the mountain range, and the cool night air was beginning to set in. I’d had no rest the night before
. My mind wouldn’t allow it. And I’d have no rest tonight. I kicked Maximus gently and we galloped off into the darkening sky, his herd following behind.

I kept heading south, hoping at some point it would lead me past a town or a cabin. Any place where I could lose myself amongst the noise of the crowds. A place where I could become no one.

You can’t run from me, my angel. You need to come home to the only family that will love you, protect you, and cherish you for who you are.

I ignored Marcus’s words. He didn’t know how to love, cherish
, or protect.

Do you not think I couldn’t do the same to humans as I did with your family? Do you not think that your hiding among them will keep them safe? I’m offering you freedom, Cheyenne
. All I ask is that you come to me.

My lower lip trembled. Marcus was threatening me. I
f I surrounded myself with humans, innocent lives would be lost. Maximus gave a snort and I swallowed. He was sensing my emotions, my unease.

I focused on the terrain, the snow
-covered hills lit up by the full moon. Such beauty that I couldn’t absorb, such beauty that only made the crevice in my heart deeper. What would my mother have done in my place?

Would she have tried to win her family over as I
had? Would she have tried to convince them that there was hope? Or would she have returned to Marcus to try and keep her family safe?

You know the answer already. She ran away, my angel. She deserted me, her father
, and her clan.
Marcus whispered in my mind.
But you are not your mother. You are stronger, bolder, smarter. You see what needs to be done and take action. You don’t need to cower in fear any longer. Together we can make this world a better place.

I fought to ignore his words, to push them from my mind. My thoughts were so
jumbled, right and wrong were mixing together until I didn’t know which way to turn.

Night turned to day and day turned to night as I rode, Maximus keeping a steady stride. Something had to give soon, and I was afraid that something would be me.

Maximus came to a sudden stop, and I fell forward into his mane. An amber-rimmed Tresez stood in our path. Shad had returned.

I dismounted, but remained close to Maximus. I didn’t want him to bolt.

“What do you want, Shad?” I said firmly.

He shifted, and Maximus released a frightened neigh.

“Found a friend, did you?” Shad eyed the chestnut stallion. “Magnificent creature.” He took a step forward.

Maximus stomped his hooves.

“Horsemeat can be quite tasty when you’re a hungry Tresez.”

“Touch him
, and it’ll be your last meal,” I warned.

Shad lunged forward, shifting midstride, and bounced up on his hind legs
, releasing a loud growl. I lost my hold on Maximus’s mane, and he bolted into the darkness. Shad’s snarl gave the appearance of a smirk.

“You…” I began to stalk towards him.

Shad cut me off as he shifted back to his human form. “You’ll thank me later,” he snapped. “You don’t want to take him where you’re heading.”

I stopped and glanced
around.

“Where I’m heading?” I asked. Nothing seemed out of place.

He raised a brow. “You don’t know, do you?”

I didn’t reply.

“You’re only about five miles away from Marcus’s compound, Cheyenne.”

I shook my head. “No, NO! I didn’t ride towards his compound! I just rode!”

“He directed you, and you followed.”

“No!” I turned and began heading the opposite direction.

“It won’t matter which way you head, Cheyenne. You’ll always come back to him.”

I kept walking.

“He won’t let you go. He needs you as much as you need him.”

I paused.

“Can’t you see? He’s controlling every aspect of your life. You can’t fight him. You can only join him. You can’t beat this. He’s your destiny,” Shad said.

I turned and faced him.

“What do you mean he’s my destiny?” How’d he know about this?

“I read pieces of Sahara’s journals. I know which direction she pointed you.”

“What?! When?” I stalked closer.

“A long time ago.”

I pressed my finger into his chest. “You read parts of my mother’s journal, and yet you could have said something to Maes when you were with him!” I screamed. “Instead you allowed chaos and confusion to rule!”

He pressed my hand back.

“I was never on your side. I’m only telling you now to point out the obvious. You’re supposed to be with him.”

I was too furious to reply. He knew my mother’s thoughts, could’ve help
ed me out, but didn’t say anything till now.

“Everything in your life has led to this moment in time. It was your family that
changed things by stealing you away. You can make a difference now and rejoin him.” His gaze hardened. “I won’t allow Maes to destroy my life again.”

Everything in your life has led to this moment, my angel. Come to me. I know you’re close
. Come to me and let me heal your wounds.

I pressed my hand to my chest. Had everything in my life led to this moment here and now? Had Marcus been controlling me, bringing me back? Or was this my own will taking over and making this choice for me? Would Marcus honor our previous agreement? Would he remain distant and leave my family alone?

I can give you more than you realize, Cheyenne. The freedom I can grant is truly incredible.

I allowed my legs to take over as I continued south. Soon enough I’d figure this out, soon enough I’d know what I’d walked myself into. Soon enough I’d know what destiny held for me.

Shad followed alongside me in his Tresez form as we passed through the dense forest. I studied the landscape. Was this where my family had camped, waiting for my rescue? Is this where they’d felt complete and utter disappointment when they figured out I’d married Marcus? Is this where they’d decided to keep the threat I’d become close? Is this where they’d lost all hope?

A fine mist began to form over the snow, and the dawn
’s rays lightened the grey skies. We’d been walking for what seemed like an eternity when a light snow began to fall, and a fog swept over the ground.

I stumbled and Shad stared at me. Memories began to flood me, and I soon realized why. I stopped in my tracks, frantically taking in my surroundings. A
stone-walled structure began to emerge before us, a stone-walled structure I knew too well. Marcus’s fortress…

This was the vision I’d had; the vision that I didn’t understand! Marcus had been drawing me to him this entire time, and he’d used Shad to complete the task…a task he
hadn’t volunteered for, and a task he’d never return from.

“Run!” I spat. “Run, Shad! He’s going to have me kill you!”

The heavy wooden gates parted, and a tall figure approached. There was no smile, there was no warm embrace…there were only cold, dark eyes. Eyes filled with hatred and betrayal, eyes wanting to control and devour, eyes ready to condemn me to the sentence he saw fit.

“Run!” I screamed again. “Run while you can!”

Shad’s eyes met mine for a brief moment before he disappeared into the forest.

“It’s time to come home now, my angel,” Marcus said with an icy coolness that caused me to freeze.

My time was over. I’d just condemned myself to hell itself.

Chapter 14

I remained immobile, staring at the towering man before me. No warmth exuded from him
. The words he’d whispered in my ear were gone. A chill swept over me, and the hair on my neck started to rise.

“What? No warm welcome for your husband, my angel?” Marcus stepped closer, his grin like ice. “I
expected a wholehearted embrace at least.”

I didn’t reply. His blue eyes remained cold, distant. Snowflakes began to settle on his black jacket and raven hair
, which was much longer than when I’d left. A scraggly beard had replaced his once clean-shaven cheeks. He brushed his hair back, revealing the scar I’d given him running from his brow to his eye.

He cupped his bearded chin and lifted a brow.

“Oh, does this bother you, angel? Not used to seeing the rugged side of me?”

Again I didn’t reply, knowing that any word could set him off.

He took another step forward, causing me to look up.

“If you’d stuck around, you’d have grown accustomed to it,” he said, his voice low and dangerous. “But you didn’t, and now it’s you who’ll have to adjust.”

Without warning he latched his fist into my hair at the back of my neck, and yanked me forward. I released a small squeal, and struggled to keep pace with his long strides. I winced from the pain of every missed step. He didn’t release me once we passed his fortress gates; instead he made a spectacle of me before his army. He continued dragging me across the snowy compound, up the stone stairs and through the double French doors. He pressed me forward through the arched entry to his cold, lifeless sitting room, and threw me to the floor.

I tripped, and my nose made contact with the marble. Instant pain ran up
my forehead, and into my skull. I grabbed my face, and felt the warmth running over my lips. I drew my hand back. Blood was gushing from my nostrils.

He began pacing before the fireplace, which was home to a crackling fire. His eyes
focused on the grey wool rug. I pushed myself up to a sitting position, my eyes watering from the recent impact. I cupped my hand, trying to slow the bleeding, but gave up when I started to gag on the coppery liquid.

Boot steps sounded in the hall, and then paused. I looked up as Darrien rushed forward, Jahlem a few steps behind.

“Don’t touch her!” Marcus growled.

Jahlem and Darrien exchanged hesitant glances, but then bowed and stepped back. I lowered my head, ashamed. I’d been stupid
to think my return would be any different. But I wasn’t doing this for me; I was doing this for my family, my former family—for Daniel and his memory. I was doing it so Marcus couldn’t force me to hurt them any more.

Marcus’s pacing continued, and my bleeding nose subsided. My once white jacket was stained with red spots, it
s purity tainted, not unlike me. I was now stained with Daniel’s blood. I’d forever hold his death on my shoulders; it was my stupidity, my arrogance, that led to it, even if Marcus had used me.

Suddenly
Marcus yanked me from the floor, and my head was thrown back from the force. His fingers cut deep into my arm through my thick winter coat. His blue eyes held a wickedness I hadn’t witnessed before, a wild cannibalistic presence.

He said nothing, but his breath was ragged. My heart began to race. From the corner of my eye I could make out Jahlem and Darrien moving closer. What would they do? Would he hurt them?

“Let me clean up for you,
husband
,” I whispered in desperation, hoping the word meant something to him. “I—I’ve traveled a long way to come back to you.”

He blinked, his gaze softening, and his breathing leveled off. His tight grip loosened, and he held me at arm
’s length. He glanced at Jahlem and Darrien before returning his gaze to me. He released his hold and looked me over.

“Clean up,” he said turning back to the fire. “Dinner’s at eight.”

Darrien pulled me from the sitting room, and we headed for the marble stairs. Jahlem’s auburn hair caught my attention as he dashed off down the hall in a different direction. I closed my eyes for a moment, and held on to Darrien as dizziness fought to overpower me.

“Cheyenne?” Darrien said.

“It’s fine, just keep me moving,” I murmured.

My legs wobbled as we
crested the top of the stairs, and our pace quickened down the familiar runner leading to my bedroom door. Darrien pushed it open, and we stepped inside.

I blinked. What was once a pristine room now lay in shambles. Where a canopy bed
had been, only a cracked and deformed woodpile remained. The mattress and dark blue silk bedding were hanging from the frame, lopsided and torn. The hand-crafted silk curtains lay ripped to shreds in a puddle on the floor. Even the custom-made black velvet couch had its legs ripped apart and sections of upholstery shredded.

Darrien led me towards the former bathroom door. The antique handle dangled from its perch. He pushed it open, and he had me sit on the white-jetted tub. He pulled a drawer open, and grabbed some towels and a washcloth. I stared down at the grey marble floor.

What was I going to do now? No matter which direction I’d chosen, I’d have ended up here with Marcus. Whether it was his doing, or my subconscious, I didn’t know, but destiny was going to make sure I played this part out.

“
Here.” Darrien touched my shoulder. He tilted my chin up, and began dabbing the wet cloth around my nose. His brown hair had gotten longer; he had it tied back now. His eyes had softened with compassion, so different than when I’d first met him atop the ravine years ago. But even then, when he recognized who I was, his demeanor had changed, unlike Ryder’s.

He paused for a moment.

“Are you hurt anywhere else?”

“No, other than my pride,” I replied. That had been stripped away the moment I’d returned.

Jahlem passed through the door, carrying a bowl of ice. He set it on the bathroom counter and turned to me.

“If the bleeding
has stopped, you should probably clean up. We can ice your nose when you’re done,” he said. He nodded towards Darrien. “Darrien can find some clothes for you.”

I stood and removed my blood
y jacket. I bent and untied my boots, as Darrien returned with clothes. They both departed, and I climbed into the shower. The water should have been refreshing, but it wasn’t. The spraying nozzles only reminded me of where I was, and what I’d done.

I dried myself off, and dressed in the khaki pants and orange cashmere sweater Darrien found. I stood in front of the mirror, staring at the mess before me. The bridge of my nose was swollen where I’d made contact with the marble, and deep purple rings were emerging beneath my eyes. If Colt
could see me now, he’d be furious, but I wasn’t Colt’s concern anymore. I had married Marcus, and it was my husband who’d done this to me. And chances were, this was the tip of the iceberg. I would endure almost anything to keep him away from my family…almost.

I grabbed the bowl of ice and a few towels, heading
into what was left of my room. I didn’t need Jahlem or Darrien to explain what had happened. I knew Marcus had gone on a rampage after I’d been rescued, not unlike what he’d done after my mother had left.

Jahlem met me outside the bathroom door, and led me to the makeshift seat they’d constructed from the black velvet sofa. They had me lay down as Darrien kneeled beside
me, and gently held an ice pack to my nose. Jahlem prepped another ice pack, and placed it under my neck.

“Hopefully this should stop you
from getting a headache,” Jahlem said.

I closed my eyes. In actuality
, I already had a headache, but the benefit of being Timeless meant I’d heal quickly. The pain would be gone in a few hours, but the bruises might last a few days. And the scars would likely last a lifetime.

At least now I’d only have one tormentor here, unlike my last visit. The thought of Colt’s previous actions nearly drew me to tears. But that was all in the past. He’d always been my light, and that memory was what kept me living. I would sacrifice so he and the rest of the family could live.

“Why did you come back, Cheyenne?” Jahlem asked quietly. “You could’ve stayed away.”

I
kept my eyes closed, not wanting to see their gaze. Destiny kept bringing me back. Regardless of what I thought, or where I thought I should be, this was where I was, and this was where I’d stay until I could end it.

“I came back for you,” I replied, knowing it was the truth. I’d come back for the entire Timeless race, whether I wanted to or not.

Darrien’s hand touched mine. “Thank you,” he said, but the tone in his voice told me his real feelings. They wished I’d stayed away from the nightmare that was to come.

Another set of w
arm fingers grasped mine.

“We’re more than just your protectors, Cheyenne,” Jahlem said. “We’d willingly sacrifice ourselves for you.”

I opened my mouth to speak, but then didn’t reply. I didn’t want them to sacrifice anything. They’d given more than enough over the years with their forced servitude to Marcus. This was my destiny, not theirs. However, any help they could provide I’d willingly take.

I opened my eyes, as my mind began to whirl.
Shad’s words about my mother’s journals lingered in my mind.

“My mother’s journals, where are they?”

Jahlem looked down, fiddling with the ice pack. Darrien sighed.

“Marcus burned them,” Darrien said.

My heart sank.

“All of them?” I’d only found pieces
. Surely she would’ve written more. “Would she have hidden them?”

“
He found and destroyed all that we’re aware of, Cheyenne,” Jahlem replied. “After you left, he found the pages in your room. He had us tear the place apart searching for any others.”

“We found
some,” Darrien said and lowered his head. “We read what she wrote, but we found nothing of importance in the other copies.”

I stared at the ceiling. Any hope I had of finding more in my mother’s words was gone. Marcus had seen to it that they were destroyed. I truly was on my own.

My mind wandered to Colt, the misery he must be in with Daniel now gone, the misery in knowing I was the one who killed him. Tears misted in my eyes. My Daniel, the only brother I’d ever had, had been destroyed by the one he’d stood beside faithfully.

What a total
and utter disappointment I must’ve been in Dex and Lilly’s eyes as well. The daughter they’d hoped they found was nothing more than a cold-blooded murderer. They’d have been better off not knowing me, like my parents had planned all along.

And
Callon
…
would he return now? Would he reunite with his family so they could fight against Marcus? Fight against me? Regardless of the words I’d spoken to him, to everyone, they’d forever see me as a traitor. Following in the footsteps of my mother. But that was the choice I’d made, or rather the choice that had been made for me.

I needed to push all those feelings aside. I was beneath the enemy’s roof; surely there were things I could learn, weaknesses to be found and strengths to be toppled. The journals were gone, but I had Jahlem and Darrien. They’d lived under Marcus’s tyranny for a long time
. I was sure they were more than ready to make a difference in the long, drawn-out war.

But right now, the most important thing I needed to do was earn Marcus’s trust. He needed to believe I’d returned for him. He needed me, but I was unsure exactly why. He had my powers,
had demonstrated quite easily he could control them. Why bring me back here other than to torment me…unless I was to be a spectacle. A trophy to be paraded in front of Callon.

I closed my eyes as weariness threatened to overtake
me. I hadn’t slept in a while, and with Jahlem and Darrien here, I felt a small sense of peace. I’d rest, then concentrate on why I’d returned in the first place.

“Cheyenne.” A hand gently shook my shoulder. “Cheyenne, you need to get ready for dinner.”

I blinked and looked up into caramel eyes.

“You haven’t much time,” Jahlem said
, reaching for my arm, almost panicked. “Don’t make him wait.”

I sat up. An ice pack fell to the ground, and I took in my surroundings. The room was dark, only a faint light shining through the bathroom door. Realization came quickly. I was at Marcus’s compound
. This hadn’t been a dream.

I made for the closet. If dinner was at eight, I couldn’t wear what I had on. I stopped in my tracks, and a shiver escaped me.

A formerly opulent chandelier hung askew in the closet, the bulbs flickering and exposing the shattered pieces. Clothes lay strewn about, some ripped to shreds, others torn in half. Shoes had been scattered from one side to the other. Marcus had gone to town after I departed. The room still vibrated with his anger and power.