Promises (34 page)

“
He’s missed teasing you, Cheyenne.” Colt said as he swam closer. His eyes were filled with delight. “We all have.”

“
He’s going to pay for that one,” I huffed.

“
Come on. I’ll race you to the island,” Colt said as he took off swimming.

I dove under and pushed myself forward. I swam until I felt my lungs were going to burst. When I surfaced, Callon was beside me. “I’m impressed, Cheyenne. You held your breath for about five minutes.”

I nodded. I glanced towards the beach; I was only halfway there. I dove back under, determined to reach the shore on my own. I hadn’t gone as far as I would have liked when I surfaced. Callon was once again waiting. He saw my exhaustion and quickly wound his arm around my waist.

“
Let me help you.”

I didn’t argue.

I’d swum three-quarters of the way underwater; this definitely was an improvement from the last swim. Callon helped me ashore until my shaky legs gave way, and I dropped to the sandy beach. Breathlessly, I looked up.

“
That’s pretty amazing. Since when have you been able to swim like that?” Colt squatted beside me and pulled the wet hair from my eyes.

I simply shrugged, too starved for air to vocalize a response.

“
How far around the island did you make it?” Daniel’s eyes searched the landscape.

“
Just to the shore,” I panted. “Maes was kind of a jerk that day so I didn’t stick around.” I instantly cringed. I hadn’t meant to let that slip out. I held up my hand as three sets of anxious eyes stared at me. “It’s not worth explaining. Besides, he apologized, and it’s fine now.”

It was silent except for my heavy breathing while they talked it out in their heads, and I closed my eyes. Maes had a right to his own opinions about my mother; I just didn’t understand why he hated her. I also didn’t need to get my head clogged with these thoughts right now. I just wanted to enjoy my time with the trio this weekend. I’d been doing enough soul searching lately.

I sat up, still not recovered. I looked at Daniel and Colt. “Go ahead. Don’t wait on me. I’m just going to sit and rest before I move on.”

“
You sure you’re okay?” Colt asked.

“
I’ll be fine.”

They nodded and were off to explore the small island. I was positive Daniel would find something creepy and crawly to torture me with. I lay back again, purposely slowing my breathing to normal. Callon sat close. We didn’t say a word as I absorbed the warmth the sun brought. I closed my eyes again.

“
This Matt is a distraction for you, isn’t he? That’s why you asked us to visit,” Callon said calmly.

My hand curled into a fist. I knew it was only a matter of time before they probed further. “I asked you here because I missed you. If I hadn’t lost my phone, I would have called sooner.”

“
You’re not being completely honest with me.”

My eyes flew open, and I sat upright. “You don’t believe me?”

“
I believe you wanted us here because Matt was becoming too much of a distraction for you,” he said with a sharpness I’d never heard before. “I can’t say I blame anyone for not trying hard to get your attention.” His eyes narrowed. “I won’t allow it to happen. It’s hard enough to keep it under control with Colt.”

Anger burned in my veins.

“
How dare you accuse me of something you know nothing about!” I fought to control the fury that was building. “I told you Matt was nothing more than a friend!”

Callon stared back coldly. “I don’t think so, Cheyenne. You’re not being truthful with me.”

“
What?” I bolted to my feet. How dare he accuse me of being untruthful!

“
You are mine and only mine,” his low voice rumbled.

“
I am not a possession, Callon!” My arms began to shake. “I have feelings, and I thought I clearly expressed them this morning.”

“
I want all of you, not a part. You’ll be with me and only me.” His gaze was piercing. “You don’t realize how dangerous this world is for you. The only reason I allowed you to stay this long was because Maes was here. Even now, I’m starting to regret my decision.”

“
Why are you doing this to me?” My voice was blazing with rage. “One minute you say I can have all the time I need, and the next you treat me like I’m a treasure to be locked away!” My hands flew in the air. “You say I can stay and then you change your mind? Don’t you think I
can keep myself safe?” I shouted.

“
No,” he replied flatly. “Actually, I
know
you can’t.”

A deep growl rose in the back of my throat.

“
Let me show you what I can do, Callon. I don’t need you or anyone else to look after me anymore!”

I narrowed my eyes, and all my bitterness and fury began to build. My palms opened, and I concentrated on the air around me. The breeze began to pick up, building in intensity. I forced more out, made it stronger and thrust my hands outward. Water droplets stung my cheeks, and I knew I’d merged it with the winds. I twisted my hands around, like a conductor orchestrating a great symphony. The wet sand bit at my skin.

My arms flew to the right. The large boulder on the beach whizzed past, crashing into the water and sending spray everywhere. The earth trembled under my feet; the trees were shaken from their foundations, and they began flying into the open space around me. I twirled my hands, so I could hold them all together.

My fingers were tingling, and soon they were stiff with pain. Next my breathing became labored, and that dark feeling in the pit of my stomach rumbled to life. I opened my mouth to suck in air and couldn’t get enough. A faint voice was calling my name…

“
Cheyenne, stop!” Colt called out. I turned, and suddenly every ounce of energy left me. I collapsed to my knees and pressed my hands to my face. My head was aching.

Colt held me steady. “Sweetheart, are you okay?”

I struggled to catch my breath and began to shiver. What had I done?

Footsteps neared.

“
I wouldn’t have believed it myself if I hadn’t seen it firsthand, Maes,” Callon said. “You were right. She is pretty incredible.”

What was he talking about?

Maes’s voice echoed behind us. “She is incredible, and it’s obvious anger is a trigger. Did one of those trees hit you?”

I raised my head enough to see both Maes and Callon now standing in front of me.

“
You…You did that…to make me angry?” I shook my head. Why would they do such a thing?

Callon turned slightly, so he didn’t have to look me in the eye.

“
Yes. Maes and I talked about it this morning. He told me what happened with the bear and Tresez. We decided the only way for you to know your true strength was for you to produce it out of anger.” He stared out across the lake. “When you got so worked up, you were able to focus your thoughts and bring forth your power.”

Anger still pulsed through me. “So you didn’t mean what you said?”

Callon managed a half smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

I rested my head in my palms. They wanted me to learn out of anger…
why?
I thought they wanted to help me contain it because it was too powerful, not give it free reign.

Colt rubbed my back gently.

“
Are you okay?” he asked.

“
No,” I replied. Did Callon and Maes have any idea what they were asking? All of a sudden, the restless nights trying to push those unsettling feelings down came to the surface. They were probing deeper, trying to let it escape. But I was terrified of what lurked within. They couldn’t do this, they couldn’t…

Colt drew me close to his side. I let my head rest on his shoulder and kept my eyes closed. Callon and Maes walked away, retreating to the lake.

“
Is this why you were so quiet this morning?” I asked. “Did you know they were planning this?”

“
Yes,” Colt replied solemnly. “I didn’t like it, but Callon wouldn’t listen. I’d never want to anger you like that just to prove a point.” He let out a breath, ruffling my hair. “I just want to make you happy again.”

I sighed. Somehow, I had a feeling it would be a long time before his wish would be granted.

Colt helped me back to the dock. My head was hurting, similar to my transformation headaches, but not as intense. I was also completely exhausted, every ounce of energy drained, worse than when I had destroyed the trees the day before. Colt carried me on his back as we returned to the house. I barely held on.

I fell onto the couch and didn’t move. After Dr. Callon gave me medicine, he, Daniel and Maes sat outside on the deck, talking. I didn’t care what they were planning next; I was contemplating never speaking to Callon and Maes again.

I rolled over, my head resting on Colt’s lap, and stared up into his beautiful eyes. All he wanted to do was make me happy. And all I needed to be happy was to be with him…

Colt sighed.

“
You’re different, Cheyenne.” He brushed my hair aside. “It’s you, but something’s different.”

Could he see it?
Could he see what I’d been feeling inside, that thing I couldn’t describe? That fear of unleashing something terrible and hurting the ones I held dearest?

“
It’s as if you’ve lost that sparkle in your eyes. It’s been replaced with something else, but I don’t know what.”

“
It scares me, Colt.”

Colt blinked. He hadn’t been expecting me to answer. He stroked my forehead.

“
How long have you had this?” he asked.

“
Since my last episode, after I transformed. I just don’t know how to describe it. It’s like an overwhelming feeling of doom and despair.” It was as if I’d lost my humanity. Was this what being Timeless was like? I seemed human on the outside, but was something completely different hid within me?

“
What can I do to help?” Colt’s lips twisted in a frown.

I didn’t know what to say, caught by his handsome face. The sunlight reflecting off the grill shimmered in his eyes. He had always been my sunshine, the brightness in my darkest hours.

“
Be my light,” I whispered as tears began to stream down my cheek. “You’ve always been there for me when I needed you most. Bring me hope, Colt.”

His large hand cupped my cheek. “I’ll be your light, sweetheart, just as you’ve been mine. We’ll work through this together. I won’t ever leave you.”

“
Promise?”

“
I promise.”

I closed my eyes. If Colt was with me, I could face this. He’d give me strength when I’d spent my own.

We soaked up our quiet moment together. Eventually, I mustered enough strength to get up and join Maes, Callon and Daniel on the deck.

Dusk was approaching, and Maes was building a fire in the pit. I sat next to Colt again and leaned against his bulky arm. The flames began to take hold as Maes stoked the wood. I closed my eyes, lifted my fingers slightly, and pictured the surrounding air. Maes suddenly yelped, and I snapped my eyes open to see a bolt of flame scald the hairs on his arm. Colt started chuckling.

“
Cheyenne!” Maes growled. He muttered something in French, his jade-rimmed eyes narrowing at me.

I dusted my hands, before clasping them beneath my chin.

“
Maybe next time you shouldn’t try to make me angry to see how strong my powers are, Maes.” I glanced towards Callon. “You don’t know what you could unleash.”

“
I’ll take whatever you dish out, sweetheart,” Callon said with a confident smile. I looked away, scowling. Why did he always have to belittle me like that? I’d make him eat his words, one day. I’d prove my strength and show them all that I wasn’t a weak child.

Of course, I’d need a nap first. My little hurricane conjuring had taken more out of me than last time. I’d need to build up some endurance.

“
Cheyenne, do you want to go to bed?” Colt said sweetly. “You look exhausted.”

“
Only if you stay with me,” I replied. I knew I was being selfish, but I just needed him right now even if it caused a rift between him and Callon.

“
Of course I’ll stay.” He helped me up, and we departed for my room.

He left me at the bathroom door, and I went in. I was a complete mess. My hair was windblown and tangled, my cheeks were plastered with sand and dirt, and I didn’t even want to get started on my clothes.

Once I’d tidied myself up, I stepped outside, expecting Colt to be waiting. Instead, I saw Callon sitting on the bed. I hesitated.

“
Where’s Colt?”

“
I sent him out,” Callon replied.

“
Why?”

“
He’s been with you all afternoon and this evening. I wanted to talk with you.”

“
But I asked him to stay.” It suddenly became clear. “You can tell him to leave and he has to go?”

“
Yes.”

I frowned. I’d been right all along; Callon
did
have power over Daniel and Colt. Once again, it didn’t matter what I wanted. He was the leader of the Consilador clan, and his word was final. I stood in the doorway and shook my head.

“
Can’t it wait til morning? I’m really tired, and my head hurts.”