Daylight, a Timeless Series Novel (18 page)

I didn’t wait for him to finish. I brushed Maes’s hand, seizing his power. A moment later
, I shifted, becoming a Tresez. Almost at once, my head felt like it was going to explode.

“No!” Maes shouted.

I stumbled to my feet, the forest whirling before me. Patches of gray, black and red drifted past. It looked like another world. I opened my mouth to speak, but only a low whine came forth. Bile rose in my throat, and my legs gave out. My head hit the ground, and I began panting.

“Shift back, now!” Maes pulled my head up. “You shouldn’t have done that!”

A red aura glowed around his chest, while the rest of his body was shrouded in dark shadows. I turned to see Nakari and Callon had the same aura. Maes had heat vision.

My panting slowed as the dizziness subsided. Power, raw unleashed power
, trickled through my veins. It was different than what the crimson-eyed beast provided. This was pure animal strength, mightier than even Brogan’s.

I leapt to my feet, releasing a roar, and focused on Callon. He pushed Nakari behind him, and I opened my jaws. There’d be no summoning of the wind, only razor sharp teeth to leave a lasting impression.

Maes stormed in front of Callon. Pure rage radiated as his aura grew brighter.

“If you don’t change back now, I won’t hold back,” he threatened. I blinked. I’d never seen him so mad before, not even when I’d been moping around in the manor. I’d pushed him too far, but no farther than they’d pushed me.

I took a step back, my legs tightening, allowing me to spring forward. I cleared their heads and sprinted into the dense trees. Running was the safest option right now. If I didn’t leave, I’d do something I’d regret. I needed to control this rage.

My new instincts filled every pore, and I let them lead me back to the estate. Nightfall was coming. I didn’t have to play this stupid game anymore, didn’t have to deal with Callon’s lies.
Besides, I’d proven myself worthy. I’d evaded them all, and hadn’t let the beast get the better of me. It had been close, though. I still had a way to go.

Of course there would still be payment for Callon’s actions, but it would come from me, not the beast.

I jerked to a stop. A powerful scent had reached my nostrils. It was familiar. I lowered my head, following the trail. So this is what it was like to be Maes. The slightest change in the air, and I could taste the difference on my tongue.

My ears perked up. Rustling in the bush ahead caught my attention. I crept closer, watching for any sign of life. Something prickled across my back; my old Tresez nail wound.

Oh no!

Suddenly a small red glow began to emerge. A tiny drumbeat echoed in my ear.
No, not a drumbeat, a heartbeat. I slid closer to investigate, when a black rabbit bolted from the brush and took off into the forest. So that’s what rabbit smelled like to a dog…

Be careful
, you fool!

I snapped my head around. Who said that?

I caught a scent mixed with hers. She’s not alone.

Huh? Who was talking? Where were they? I crouched lower, my eyes searching the forest shadows. My nostrils flared
. It was the previous scent again. Not rabbit.

Circle to the right
. We have the advantage in the dark. Conall will have our heads if we come back empty handed.

Either way we’re doomed. If we meet up with Maes…

Tresez! I had to warn the others! Wait…
I
was a Tresez! I had Maes’s strength. I could dispose of these dogs myself.

If you want me, come and get me!
I screamed in my thoughts.

Glowing eyes met mine
, and I felt the hair rise on the back of my neck. A low rumble grew from within as I began circling the filth in front of me.

Maes?

I leapt, landing on its back and sinking my teeth into its thick fur. A moan rumbled against my lips as the creature began snarling. I shook my head, the smaller Tresez flopping around like a rag doll until I lost my hold and it broke free.

I was hit from the side, causing me to stumble when I caught sight of more glowing eyes moving through the forest. There were more than just two. I began moving back. I could take on one or two, but an army?

Well, what do we have here? Maes out on a patrol?
one growled.

My heart began racing as the monstrous Tresez neared. It was almost the same size as Maes…wait, of me now. I had Maes’s strength, but not his skills. The one before me was a seasoned warrior; I’d only be able to fight him with
my
powers.

Fangs nipped my hind leg, forcing me to change direction. They were creating a circle, entrapping me.

What? Cat got your tongue, Maes?

He was waiting for a reply. If I said anything, he’d know it wasn’t Maes.

He went on,
What’s that you say? Cheyenne’s got your tongue now because you only answer to her, traitor?

It moved closer, its nose in the air.

She’s never going to free you. The curse can’t be broken. All you’ve done is waste your time believing in fairy tales that will never come true.
A snarl escaped him and white fangs flashed.
Besides, Marcus only wants her powers. He’ll dispose of her after he takes them.

Fangs sunk into my neck
, and a yelp escaped me. I turned and snapped at the attacker. Another bit at my front leg while yet another got a hold of my tail. Crouching, I attempted to leap free, but was quickly knocked down by the large one.

Snapping jaws were everywhere as I was pinned to the ground. There were too many!

What’s this? The great and mighty Maes giving up so easily?

“If you want a fight, pick on someone your own size
, Conall!” Maes boomed.

Instantly the heads turned, and I bolted free.

“Run, Cheyenne, run!” Andre screamed.

Ear
-piercing howls broke through the air. I didn’t wait for an encore and ran through the forest. I just needed to get clear so I could shift into my human form. I needed to fight them with powers I knew how to use!

I see you, and I’m coming for you,
little one.

I slipped on the wet earth, and landed hard on my side. I regained my footing quickly, but not before teeth sunk into my shoulder
, and I was thrown through the air. I rolled to my side quickly, as yet another Tresez appeared. This one looked different, though. One of his front paws and a narrow strip extending from his eye to his snout were pure white, sticking out against his black fur.

Hello, Cheyenne. I don’t believe we’ve met before. My name is
Conall.

He began stalking me. Pain radiated across my shoulder blade. But I had no time to waste. This was my chance to shift. I closed my eyes and thought about shifting to my human form, but nothing happened. Maes had made it look so effortless!

Your time is running out, little one. Marcus is waiting for you.

The name sent white-hot flames through me.
Marcus…

I charged at Conall, taking him by surprise. I leapt and knocked him from his feet. With lightning speed
, I spun around and dung my fangs in deep between his shoulder blades. A deep rumble came from his chest as he suddenly rose up on his hind legs and smashed me into a tree.

Instant pain rippled up my spine
, and I collapsed in a heap. His hot breath poured over my face.

You’re not strong enough. You’re weak, just like your mother.

The crimson-eyed beast flared, flowing out through every pore. I rose, howling, as Conall backed away. My lips exposed the razor sharp fangs I was about to tear him apart with. I ran full speed when an explosion ripped through my body.

“No!” The words formed on my lips as I fell
—human—face first onto the wet earth. My time was up.

Fangs latched onto my arm
, and I was jerked to the right. My left shoulder made contact with a tree, and I screeched. A low rumble started from the back of his throat. It sounded like a hyena’s laugh. He was laughing at me!

I crawled to my feet, cradling my arm. I blinked, trying to clear the fogginess. The flash of a blue coat caught my eye. Nakari! She’d come to help after all. But while she did glance my way, a second later she was gone. My eyes scanned the forest, but she’d left me once again. Abandoned me like everyone else.

Conall shifted. He had a chiseled face, flecked with multiple scars, one running from his eye to his nose…just like the white streak when he was a Tresez. His lank hair dangled over his shoulders, and he wore a set of dog tags. His loud laughter filled the air. “Looks like you’re on your own there, little one. No one to swoop in and rescue you!”

I stood my ground, sliding my fingers closer to my wrist. It was going to be difficult using my left arm, but if I hit him just right I could do it.

“I don’t need anyone to rescue me.”

He laughed louder. “You’re a pathetic child. They’ve taught you nothing here
, and I’ve come to bring you to your proper home.”

“Ha!” I began circling him. “You said Marcus was going to take my powers and dispose of me.”

The dark figure followed me closely.

“All everyone wants me for is a weapon,” I went on. “Why don’t you fight your own battles, you coward?”

Conall snarled, and lunged for me. I pushed my hands out, hitting his chest with a surge of power. A howl erupted, but not before he latched his hands around my wrists. We both flew through the air and smacked into the forest floor.

I sucked in a breath, fighting back the pain, and squirmed to get away. Conall yanked me to my feet. His face was inches from mine as he pinned me to a tree. The battle wounds scar
red his face, and his black hair was filled with mud and leaves, making him look wild and dangerous.

“Did you think I didn’t know about your little tricks?” He released my wrist only to grab my throat. “Did you think I came totally unprepared?”

He pulled me away from the tree only to smash me into it again. I lost my breath. I wasn’t going to last much longer. His grip grew tighter, and I clawed at his arm.

“I have orders, foolish girl, and you’re coming with me.”

My knee flew into his ribs, but it had little effect. My air supply was running short, and his hold was only getting stronger.

“If you kill me,” I whispered, “then all is lost.”

A wicked grin grew. “I’m not going to kill you. I’m just waiting till you pass out.”

Dark patches floated before my eyes. It wouldn’t be long now
, and I’d have failed at yet another task. My whole life had been riddled with failures, defeats, and utter despair. Why would anything change now?

I grew still, my eyes rolling to the back of my head when total weightlessness took over. It was
as if I was floating.

A deafening roar burned my ears
, and my eyes shot open. Maes was in his Tresez form and was now looming over Conall. I lay there still for a few moments, listening to the battle. Once again, someone was fighting for me, once again I hadn’t held my own. All this power, and all I could do with it was hurt those closest to me…

Strength welled up inside me. No, I wasn’t going to sit here and watch! I was going to fight
, and I was going to defeat Conall! I wasn’t the weak link!

Maes turned and roared as he saw me approach. Conall’s gold-rimmed eyes locked on me. Sheer will and determination drove me on
, and I lifted my hands above my head, creating a whirlwind. Trees began cracking, and their splinters mixed in the air. I just had to get close enough to Conall and get Maes out of the way.

As if Maes heard my thoughts, he suddenly dove to the left. Like a conductor
, I scooped my hands, ripping a tree from its roots, before firing it like a torpedo at Conall. It grazed his side. He turned and began trailing me. I ripped another out and sent the missile towards him. Without warning, he leapt over it and knocked me to the ground. His teeth sunk hard into my shoulder, but not before one last tree found its mark, smashing straight into his face.

Cracking ribs and a wild howl shook my ears, before I watched Conall and Maes run off into the blackness. I rolled to my side, barely able to catch my breath. White-hot pain rippled down my side, the smell of blood and saliva mixing.

How had the Tresez gotten through the enchantment? Andre said they couldn’t, unless someone let them in…

Nakari.

She’d left me several times. It was obvious she didn’t care for me, but would she go as far as that? She wanted to prove her love to Callon, but was she capable of killing me?

Lightning lit up the night sky, and soon thunder echoed. The rainfall increased. I rolled to my belly and sat on my back legs.

“Colt,” I whispered, “I need you.” My tears mixed with the rain. I needed his strength, his love…I needed something to hold on to, to get me through this.

Squelching footsteps warned me someone was near, but I didn’t move. My head hung low. I couldn’t deal with Callon right now.