Fated, A Timeless Series Novella (A Timeless Series Companion Novel) (10 page)

Wait Callon, w
hy
don’t you
just let me jump you in?
I asked.
We’d be out of there before Cheyenne would even realize some
one
was in her room. And if the Ghosters turned up, we could
track
them down.
That’ll make them think twice about approaching her again.

A tense silence followed. Callon was thinking things over. Colt looked ready to punch something.
It was kinda weird.
I’d never seen Colt act like this before.

At last, Callon nodded.

Alright
, fine
.
It might make it easier for the Tresez to smell us, but I don’t want Cheyenne to come to any harm.

Colt
stiffened—I could tell he wanted to come, too. Eventually though he relaxed and bowed his head.

Okay,
I’ll leave it to you guys
. Just t
ake care of her, yeah?

Callon walked towards him and gripped his shoulder.

I promise.

The rain lashed down in thick sheets as we headed over to the Wilson’s house.
I’d convinced
Callon not to take the motorcycle
, as it would leave an obvious trail. The Tresez would smell the gas fumes and come chasing after us. Instead I jumped us through
the
forest
,
avoiding the trail,
and
taking cover between the trees and
shrubs
.
The
cloud cover helped, as it was too dark to see properly
and the cold and wind kept
our scent hidden for the most part
.

A
black
cat scrambled past as we re-appeared behind
Cheyenne’s
jeep.
My foot caught the end of its tail, so when I jumped again onto the Wilson’s lawn
,
Callon and I crashed into the grass.

Nice landing
, Callon said, helping me up.
Which one is her room?

Wiping the mud from my cheek, I pointed to the upper left window.

She’ll still be awake now
, I said.
She usually goes to bed around ten
.

Right
, Callon said.

We made our way to the side of the house.
I checked my watch
. It was only six-thirty
.
We had a long wait on our hands.

We should wait around the back
, I said.
Less likely
we’ll be spotted
there.

Sure.

I led Callon towards the tree-cover. There, we sat under the dripping branches, protected from the wind by a series of bushes and shrubs.
I leant against a trunk, adjusting my hood to keep out the cold.

What’s her room like?
Callon asked, resting his hands on the damp ground.
His jacket didn’t have a hood, but he seemed quite content to sit there and get
drenched
.

I picked up a stick and began to doodle in the mud.

This is the door to the landing,
I said, sketching it out,
and her desk is here. She’s got a bookshelf here and here, and her bed is on this side.
Between that is her wardrobe
, and she’s got a small dresser, too
.

Okay,
Callon said.
We won’t have long to look around, but I’d guess h
er wardrobe or h
er dresser would
be where she keeps
her jewelry
.
You can search
there
while I try and get a look at the ring she wears.

My face flushed.

I-I can’t do that!
The thought of going through Cheyenne’s clothes made my skin crawl.
I can’t go through a girl’s stuff!

Callon rolled his eyes.

Oh, man up,
he said.
You’re not supposed to be inventorying her possessions. Just find a jewelry box or something.

I managed a weak nod.
This was going to be so
humiliating! I wasn’t some common
thief
out for a quick buck
.
Oh Cheyenne, I hope you’ll forgive us if you ever find out.

As the evening became night, the rain stopped.
The clouds started to drift, and eventually a sliver of moonlight poked through.
By now I’d stopped looking at my watch, as every time I did only a few minutes passed.
Callon was patient, not making an effort for conversation.
I could tell he was bothered, though, because he kept fiddling with his
clan
ring.

Callon
, I started tentatively.
About what I said
before
…

I know
, Callon answered.
It will change everything
.

I sighed.

I wasn’t trying to hurt you
, I said.
I know how much she means to you.
I was just…

Please don’t talk about her now,
Callon
interrupted
.
His face was hard.
I’
ll have to make that
choice when the time comes.
Either way,
I have to do what’s best for the clans. My own feelings don’t come into it.

My gaze softened.
As much as I’d grown attached to Cheyenne, I fervently prayed that Callon’s hunch was wrong, that she wasn’t Kvech, just an ordinary Timeless.
It had taken Callon so long to recover from Dad’s death, and I didn’t know how he’d handle
being forced to leave the one who helped him through his grief.
I never, ever wanted to go back to those days, where he’d not sleep or eat, and just stare out of the library window
in the estate
.

Callon abruptly stood up, dusting his knees.

It’s half ten now. Let’s see if she’s asleep.

We wandered back to the side of the house. Cheyenne’s curtains were drawn, and the light was out.

No guarantee she’s asleep yet
, I said.

I’ll know,
Callon answered.
Can you get me closer to her window?

Nodding, I grabbed his arm and jumped us into the tall
pine
.
Callon crouched on the branch, and closed his eyes. For a long while there was nothing but the faint cry of the wind, and I swallowed, alert for movement.

Finally, Callon opened his eyes.

She’s asleep. Jump us into her room.

I let out a long breath. I didn’t quite know how Callon did it, but this wasn’t the time to question him.
Jumping into a specific area without overshooting would take some concentration. I didn’t want to knock anything over and wake her
up
.

Alright, give me a sec
.
I closed my eyes, picturing the room I’d spent so many hours watching.
I visualized the desk, the laptop, the bed, the bookshelves full of story books, her bedside table with her lamp and water glass, the poster of some pop star I didn’t recognize
, and the patch of floor between the door and her bed. That was my target.

Here we go.

Grabbing o
nto Callon’s shoulder, I jumped into the room.

It was a shock to go from the icy cold to the pleasant warmth, and I almost stumbled.
Fortunat
ely my aim was spot on, and we
appeared on the clear patch of floor. Soft breathing came from the bed—Cheyenne was buried under the
comforter
, pretty much invisible.
Callon checked the bedside table, but aside from her hair clips and water glass, there was no sign of her ring. She
must really wear it everywhere.

Check the drawers,
Callon said.
Hopefully she’
ll move and I can get a look at her hand.

My heart sank. So much for trying to avoid the inevitable.
I swallowed back the horrible wrenching feeling in my stomach, then crept to the dresser. I was in luck; a small jewelry box was sitting on it.
Phew, I wouldn’t have to look through her clothes.
I reached for the catch, slipping it gently open, and lifted the lid.

A
soft tinkling
sound escaped, and I snapped it shut instantly.
Heart in my throat, I looked to Cheyenne. Her breathing went on, undisturbed.

What the hell are you doing?
Though Callon was standing so very still, I could feel his eyes on me.

I didn’t mean it,
I said.
It’s a musical jewelry box.

Take it outside and check it
, Callon said.
Come back when you’re done.

Carefully, I memorized the position of the box, then lifted it up.
Seconds later I was outside in the freezing air
, my breath rising in damp vapo
rs.
My hands were shaking.
Come on, get a grip Daniel!

I opened the box again, this time letting the melody play.
It was soft and sweet.
However, the box was pretty empty, and there were definitely no rings in it.
Though this wasn’t quite exact proof, my heart filled with relief.
Cheyenne had enough going on without dealing with being the lost clan’s heir.
She didn’t need to be dragged into our war with Marcus.

And she didn’t need to be forced into a betrothal with
…

Daniel!
Callon’s voice rang in my head.
Where are you?

Sorry!
I quickly jumped to the tree, and after a brief pause jumped into Cheyenne’s bedroom.
There’s nothing in the box, it’s empty.

That’s f
ine,
Callon said.
We can leave now.

Did you get a look at her ring?

Callon
hesitated
.

Not really, and I don’t want to disturb her,
he said.
I’ll ask Colt if he can get a better look later.

I frowned
, putting the jewelry box back on the dresser
. He wasn’t telling the
whole
truth.

Callon?

Daniel, let’s just go home
.

Knowing he wasn’t in a mood to share, I took his arm and jumped us back outside.
He said nothing more as we headed home, holding a guarded expression.
He was better at opening up to us than before, and I knew he’d eventually spill his heart, but his evasiveness
made m
e uncomfortable
.

H
e’d found out
something, alright
.