Daylight, a Timeless Series Novel (21 page)

I heard her words, but chose to ignore them. I’d take my chances. However, I needed to catch him alone. I didn’t need to air all my dirty laundry in front of everyone. It was going to be bad enough in front of Maes.

I entered the sitting room
. He wasn’t there. The terrace doors were ajar, but when I peeked outside, only Bree and Daniel were there, talking. I tried the kitchen and found it empty. Passing the large studded doors just off the kitchen, I turned the knob once again only to find it locked. I’d have to ask Callon about this soon.

I climbed the
stairs, pausing on the top landing. I had an idea which room Maes used, but I wasn’t completely positive. I didn’t want him to hear me knocking on the wrong door and vanish before I got a chance to speak.

I paused at the last door on my left and glanced back. It was about three doors down from mine, which was about right. He’d want to be close
. In case anything happened, he’d want to make sure he’d have time to help if needed.

My knuckles rapped on the hard wood. I waited for a reply. When none came, I rapped again and waited a few moments before pressing my ear against the door.

The shuffle of feet on the hardwood and then padding on the rugs told me I’d come to the right room. Maes was pacing.

I twisted the brass knob, and met no resistance as the door silently opened. I stepped inside and closed it behind me. The pacing stopped.

No words were uttered as I slowly turned around. Only Maes’ flaring nostrils produced any sound. I didn’t need Andre’s powers to know exactly how Maes felt. My body vibrated with his anger, and my fear that he’d never forgive me.

His teeth flashed a snarl
, and the veins in his neck bulged. I needed to speak quickly before he shifted and ripped me to pieces.

I fell to my knees, my legs no longer able to hold me. “I’m sorry, Maes
.” My lips trembled. “What I did was completely wrong.” I bowed my head, utterly ashamed. “I took your powers out of anger.” I swallowed knowing what I was about to admit. “I wanted to harm Nakari, and it was wrong.”

He didn’t reply, but his breathing had slowed.

“I don’t like this
thing
I’m becoming. You were right all along. You warned me that anger and despair would eat me alive, but I didn’t listen. You told me not to go into those dark depths. You even knew the crimson-eyed beast. You tried to protect me from the same fate as you…and I didn’t listen.”

I inhaled a shaky breath.

“I came here to ask, no, beg for your forgiveness, but I understand if you can’t grant it. I pushed you too far, and I’m truly sorry for all the grief I’ve caused you.”

I swallowed. “Regardless of your decision, I
also came to make a vow to you today. For however long, for however many heartaches I must yet endure, I vow to you that I will never give up fighting to find a way to free you of your curse. I vow this to you, and all your future generations—forevermore.”

I waited for a reply, for anything, but nothing came. I rose and turned towards the door, pausing just before it.

“I was just lost, Maes. Misplaced…” I reached for the brass handle and pulled, but the door didn’t move. I looked up to see a large hand holding it closed. His dark presence loomed behind me. I hadn’t heard him move closer.

“You were never misplaced,
mon espoir
. Misplaced indicates something of no worth, like a pen, but lost…when something is lost, it is valuable enough to be found. The value of a masterpiece doesn’t go down when it’s lost—it increases. Just as your value as a lost soul only increased, and became priceless when found.”

Maes had forgiven me. I turned and stared into jade-rim
med eyes. Eyes that now viewed me differently, eyes that trusted me once again.

“I’m sorry.”

“I know.”

I couldn’t help myself as I hugged him. It was time to bring warmth back into this family again.

Chapter 11

The cold winds howled in the barren trees, and the dark skies threatened to release their heavy rains again. I pulled my jacket closer around my neck and adjusted my scarf, waiting for the others to catch up.

“Here,” Andre said
, handing me some gloves.

Koda winked and Daniel smiled
at me. Skylar followed behind them. We all stepped off the terrace to begin our patrol.

It was Maes’s idea to patrol the grounds
, even though Callon assured him the enchantment had been repaired. Callon had also told me directly that Marcus hadn’t come through. He reassured me that only the Tresez had; however, I was getting tired of surprises.

Each of us
would take turns going out in groups of three, to ensure there were no Tresez still around. Maes had a suspicion that one or two still might be hiding, although we hadn’t spotted any tracks.

Koda and Daniel
had decided to tag along out of boredom, and I’d been placed in Skylar and Andre’s group. “Strong with the weak,” Brogan had said. At least I’d moved up a notch in his book. He believed I could handle myself now, but then again, he could have been referring to Skylar or Andre as the strong one.

The mood had changed again in the manor
. We were waiting for the report from the twins, Tre and Jayna. Callon told me they had special skills, although he didn’t really clarify. He said I needed to see it for myself. I was assuming I’d get to meet them soon. I wasn’t the only one hoping Colt was alive; I’d seen a light in Callon and Daniel’s eyes, too. I felt like a weight had dropped off my shoulders, and the laughter had returned.

Just yesterday Andre
, Lilly and I were folding laundry, when Koda brought in several heaping baskets. I smiled, because it reminded me of Colt. Just like Koda, Colt would have piled the baskets over his head.

It only took a second for Koda to
hit a potted plant Lilly had been nursing on the window shelf. The pot exploded, sending particles of wet soil all over Andre and her clean pile of whites.

Lilly, Koda and I burst into laughter while Andre’s flaming eyes sought out Koda. Within a moment, Koda had darted out the door and Andre was hot on his heels with a broom and a long list of trailing words.
I couldn’t help but smile.

My fingers traced the
tips of the long yellow grass as we passed the edge of the meadow and entered the dark forest. My mind couldn’t help but wander to the previous week, specifically, the incident with Nakari. We’d been avoiding each other, neither of us making eye contact. We’d both been wrong in our actions, she trying to kiss Callon and me accusing her of treachery. Though I’d been the one who went too far…

“We’re going to head south,” Koda said
, breaking my thoughts. “You girls take the north side, and we’ll meet back here in a couple of hours.”

“Scream if you need us,” Daniel chuckled
, before he disappeared into the thick brush.

I eyed Andre. It was never a good thing when Daniel chuckled like that and
used the word “scream” in the same breath.

Skylar shook his head.

“Watch out for Daniel today. I have a feeling he’s up to no good. I heard Bree screaming before we left,” I warned them with a faint smile. It had been a while since Daniel had played his jokes. I was starting to realize how much I’d missed it.

Skylar caught my expression and smirked.
“It’s good to have hope again, Cheyenne. It brightens everyone’s outlook. It’s contagious.”

I nodded
. With a final wave, Skylar and Koda disappeared into the trees. Andre and I turned right, though Skylar’s words remained with me. Hope was contagious…

“What
’re you thinking so hard about?” Andre asked. Her pace had quickened as we trudged up the ravine.

“Just stuff,” I replied. I glanced up and watched the wind whip her black hair around.

“What kind of stuff?” she pried.

She wasn’t going to let it go. “What? Has my aura suddenly
turned into a rainbow or something?”

She stopped in her tracks. “Actually
, it’s more a brown color.”

I cringed.
That sounded horrible. “Seriously?”

“
Tends to mean muddy, unclear. I’ve never seen anything like it before. Just trying to figure it out.”

“Oh?” Well
, that would give her something to think about for a while, and I was sure she’d think aloud, too. I continued walking.

“So what colors
mix to make brown?” she asked.

I didn’t reply.
She’d answer her own question soon enough.

“Yellow, red, blue...”
She was counting them out on her fingers. Ignoring her, I pushed a large branch aside and held it for her to pass.

“Yellow is worry, red
suggests anger, and blue, well it’s calm…” She shook her head. “Makes about as much sense as a Timeless anti-aging cream.”

My foot slipped on the mud, and Andre caught my arm.

“Thanks.”

She
studied my face. “What are you angry about?”

“Nothing?” I shrugged. I really didn’t feel angry, at least not like I had in the past.
Although, I was still upset about Nakari.

“There’s anger mixed in there, but mostly worry.”

She was right on the worry. I was stressing over a lot of things, mostly Callon. He’d regained most of his strength, but he still had the dark circles under his eyes, and I’d caught Dex giving him worried glances. I wasn’t the only one concerned about his health. Just how much did renewing the enchantment drain him?

“
Look, don’t fret about Callon. He’s going to be just fine.”

I
stared at her. “Don’t tell me your other power is mind reading, Andre.”

A sly smile perched on her lips.

“So I was right!”

She stopped as we reached the top of the ravine.

“So you’re still angry with him?” she insisted.

I couldn’t help but smile.

“You’re not going to give this up are you?” I asked, knowing the answer.

“Nope.”

“Fine. I’m worried that the enchantment has taken too much out of him. He’s still weak, and it’s been a week. I’m still slightly miffed at Nakari, but I’m to blame also. I just need to learn to let it go. And I’m calm, or calmer because I’m learning to deal with my anger, and honestly…” I paused, unsure if I really wanted her to know. “You’re the first female friend that I’ve ever had. I feel like I can be myself around you, and you’re not afraid to tell me when I’m being stupid.”

Andre stood still, soaking in my words
, then shrugged as she walked along the small trail. “I always say what I think.”

“No wonder Maes likes you,” I muttered under my breath. “You’re two of a kind.”

“I heard that.”

“I’m sure you did.”

We continued on the trail, searching for any Tresez tracks, when the patter of rain began to hit the ground. I pulled my scarf over my head in hopes of preventing a complete soaking.

The scenery began to change as we emerged from the forest and
a small meadow appeared. At the edge stood an old building that had seen better days. I slowed down as I caught movement on the far side.

“Andre, wait,” I whispered
. She stopped, turning to me. I pointed to the building. “Something’s there.”

“Yeah, I know.” She continued
to walk toward the building.

I grabbed her arm. “Let me check it out first.”

She rolled her eyes. “It’s Nakari.”

I stiffened
, and then the realization set in. “You knew she’d be here?”

“Yup.” She pulled away and continued walking. “You two need to talk. I’ll be waiting at the edge of the trees when you’re done.”

I scowled. “I really don’t like you right now.”

“
You’ll get over it.” She waved her hand and disappeared behind the building.

Nakari
appeared, her hair plastered across her shoulders from the rain. Her emerald eyes stared, intent.

Anger
rose in my throat, but I swallowed it down. Better to get this over with now. I had to move forward. I stopped before her, staring down at the grass. No need to make eye contact. It wouldn’t change anything.

“
Cheyenne.” Her voice was soft. “You were right in asking me to leave. What I’ve done is unforgiveable. I—I had a moment of weakness, and Callon was correct to push me away.” She folded her hands together. “I came here not liking you, even though I didn’t know you. My mind had already been set. You had a path of destruction lying in your wake. You’d ripped all my hope away, and I blamed you for tearing Callon and Colt apart. I—I blamed you for breaking my heart.” She inhaled a shaky breath, and I looked up into her moist green eyes.

“You were angry when we came
to help, and I can’t fault you for that. What’s been thrust upon your shoulders would be difficult for any Timeless, but you—you were thrown into the lion’s den. I understood your anger at being dealt this hand. The cruelty of destiny to wave what you truly wanted before you, only to have it shattered into a million pieces. I could relate to that, and it angered me even more.”

She swallowed
, and a tear trickled down her cheek. “I remembered all those yesterdays, knowing that I couldn’t ever touch or see him again. Memories that haunt you when you sleep and sometimes drive you to do things you know are wrong, regardless of the consequences. Grasping for just a small thread of hope.”

My heart ached in understanding as I listened.

“I wish I could turn back time and change everything for us.” She lowered her head, her auburn locks falling into her face. “I don’t deserve what I am going to ask of you…your forgiveness.”

My lower lip trembled. I knew what I needed to confess, to clear the air, but the words wouldn’t form.

Nakari turned and began to walk away.

No! I couldn’t keep pushing others aside, not after what she’d just told me.

“Nakari!” I called out. She halted. “If you’re asking for forgiveness, then I need to ask the same of you.” Her head turned slightly. “I was angry, but I was no better than you at one time. What I’ve done or thought about you was wrong. I accused you of betraying us—me. When you left me with Conall, I thought it was your way of ridding yourself of me.” I hesitated, but forced myself to go on. “What’s worse than what you did with Callon was my reaction to it. I—I took Maes power with the intent to cause you harm.”

Nakari gasped. Her eyes hardened.

“If Maes hadn’t stopped you…” she whispered.

“
Let’s just be thankful he did,” I said. “I’ve had a problem with anger management, if you haven’t noticed.”

Nakari clenched her
shaking fists.

“
I can’t believe you!” she hissed. “I might not have liked you but never to the point I’d want to
kill
…” She began shaking her head. “You really are a monster.”

I flinched. Her words hurt
, but I knew I deserved them.

She turned her back to me.
“Forget everything I said. You’re not deserving of my forgiveness.”

“Now wait a second!”
I protested. Andre emerged from where she’d been waiting, wearing a frown. She stormed forward, stepping between us.

“Nakari,
Cheyenne’s apologized. What more do you want from her?” she asked. “You can’t hold a grudge forever. You need to move on as well.”

Nakari sighed.
For a long while she just stood there, listening to the rain, when finally she spun around.

“Alright then.” She held out her hand. “Maybe we can make a truce.”

Bowing my head, I stepped forward and clasped her fingers.

“Truce,” I said. I might not have repaired the damage yet, but at least this was one step closer to it.

Nakari released my hand and quickly jumped into the shadows. I sighed. It would take a while to earn her trust. At least now we could tolerate each other, although the uncomfortable silences would probably linger.

Andre
sighed, slicking back her hair. “Well, a truce is better than nothing.”

I shrugged. “Whatever.”

This time I led the way back into the forest. I didn’t need Andre planning out any other surprises.

Our patrol turned up nothing, so
we circled back around to meet up with Koda, Skylar and Daniel. I hugged myself tighter. The wind was colder, and the rain wasn’t making it any better. I’d be glad to get back and warm up by the fire. Tonight was also our weekly meal. Having something hot inside would help fight the cold as well. As up-to-date as the manor was, it was still old and drafty. Even with the fire in my room, I’d wake up in the night shivering and have to search for extra blankets.