Promises (30 page)

Finally, there was the whole royalty thing, since I was the last remaining Kvech. The Kvech were the ruling clan, and I was supposed to lead the rest of the Timeless clans, when I couldn’t even lead myself. What did this role consist of anyway? Did it mean I would tell people what to do? Or was I somehow to direct them in their path as a Timeless? What the heck did that mean? Why did my parents leave me with such responsibility and yet hide me from the Timeless people? Wouldn’t it have been better to have had someone raise me knowing what I was to become? Someone who would have taught me the Timeless ways?
Were
there Timeless ways at all?

Or was it that I was just merely a weapon? Maybe I wasn’t supposed to lead; I was just the tool by which Marcus would fall. Called upon for battles and destruction…but with no will of my own…

I pushed my fingers to my temples and rubbed them. I was getting a headache, but I was sure it was from all the stress I was putting myself through. Still, my thoughts wouldn’t stop tumbling. Maes had been keeping a low profile. I knew he was there, as he’d promise to watch out for me. I couldn’t see him abandoning me when he was so concerned about me trusting him.

It was probably a good thing he hadn’t been around. I would have wanted to talk with him, ask questions, and that could’ve been disastrous. I’d have opened myself up to another Timeless’s influence, and one whose allegiance remained ambiguous.

I sighed. No; this was something I had to work out on my own. Only I could come to the answer I needed. I just needed more time.

I rose and headed for the back door. Dark rain clouds were in the distance, and I needed to get to the store. For some odd reason, the headache didn’t want to flee. I frowned. How easy it had been to take Callon’s medical expertise for granted. I could’ve called him, but I hesitated. What I’d done was unforgiveable regardless of how they’d treated me.

Besides, I was probably overreacting. A little aspirin would sort me out.

Grabbing my jacket from the kitchen chair, I headed for the front door. Stepping out onto the front porch, I surveyed my surroundings. It was odd. I’d been alone for a while now and nothing had happened. No attacks, nothing to make me uneasy, and no one saying I was their only hope…I smirked…and my guardians said I couldn’t take care of myself.

I stepped off the porch and began my leisurely stroll to the grocery store, opting for the wooded path rather than the paved road. The trail would cut off the time it would take. I would also be able to avoid Matt. I hesitated for a moment, knowing it would be safer on the main road, but shook off the anxiety. I’d run on the trails before without any signs of Tresezes, besides, I had Maes.

The trail wound around the back of the resort, giving me a glimpse of small meadows and the white bark of aspens. It was unusually peaceful; even the wind had died down.

My eyes caught sight of red poppies, and I couldn’t help myself. I veered off the trail towards them. Poppies were some of my mom’s favorite wildflowers. I just needed to smell them. A little bit of home would help out greatly.

I sat on my knees, lowering my head and taking in the fragrance.

The sound of crackling branches echoed off the trees. I sighed. I was sure it was just Maes keeping tabs on me.

As the sound moved closer, I realized it was different. The scar on my back suddenly began to pulse as a warning…this wasn’t Maes!

I shot to my feet, my heart pounding and my eyes searching. Dark shadows moved in the forest, and fear swept over me. I’d assumed it was Maes, but now I wasn’t so sure.

I’d fought the Tresez before as a human, but I’d had back-ups. I was Timeless now, but still vulnerable.

I was alone.

Black eyes met mine as a lone Tresez emerged between the trees and began to circle me. I search for anything, a branch, rock…nothing lay in the meadow except the red poppies.

My body shook with the unknown. After all I’d fought for, I finally had my freedom and this was how it would end? My blood mixing with the crimson of the poppies…

My mouth wouldn’t move to call out for help…not that anyone would come.

The black hair rose on the Tresez’s back, rolling with each growl that emerged from its mouth. Glistening white fangs dripped with saliva, anticipating the taste of fresh meat.

I inhaled a shaky breath and made a rash decision. I’d run for it. The Tresez was faster, but Maes had said they wouldn’t show themselves in public. The main road couldn’t be that far away. Maybe I had a fighting chance after all.

My legs took over without another thought, and I found myself running through the trees, weaving in and out in a desperate attempt to avoid the Tresez’s sharp claws.

I dunked under a branch and heard it snap as the Tresez hit it. Seconds later, I was tumbling down a ravine, colliding with black fur as the Tresez lost its footing. We separated at the bottom, only to leave me more vulnerable than ever…I was flat on my back.

The Tresez was quick and already on its feet. Within the blink of an eye, it crouched and launched itself towards me. My only reaction was to throw my hands out and pinch my eyes closed as I waited for impact.

A gush of air left me, and I suddenly grew weak. My head had begun to pound. My eyes shot open. There was no Tresez atop me.

I blinked.

I propped myself on my elbows and looked around. The Tresez lay unmoving next to a pine tree. What had just happened?

“
Having fun, are we?” Maes asked, and I screamed in fright.

“
Where have you been?” I bellowed, barely able to catch my breath. “I thought you were supposed to protect me!”

His eyes grew dark, and he moved towards the limp Tresez, yanking it from the ground with one hand. A split second later, a snap echoed, and he dropped the dead Tresez to the ground.

“
There, you’re protected now,” he growled. “Now get up.”

I stared at him blankly. With just the flick of his wrist, he’d killed the Tresez…

He stalked towards me.

“
Get up.”

Every inch of me trembled.

“
I can’t.”

He stared at me.

“
Why?”

“
I—I feel weak.”

His head tilted, and then he reached down and pulled me up. I stumbled and leaned against a tree for support.

What was going on? One moment, the Tresez was about to take a bite out of me, and the next moment, it was lying next to the tree. Maes had come up from behind me. There was no way he could have thrown the Tresez off. What was the gush of air?

“
Interesting,” Maes murmured.

“
You have no idea,” I mumbled.

“
Why were you walking off the trail?” he asked.

I pressed my fingers to my temples, trying to rub away the pain. “I was taking a shortcut to the store. I was hungry.”

“
Well, then get on with it.” He took hold of my arm and helped me up the ravine to the trail. “Just ahead is another trail to your left that will lead you to the main road. Take it.”

I nodded and turned back to find him gone. I forced myself to go on; I was in no condition to fight another Tresez.

With each step, I managed to calm my nerves. I’d grown cocky thinking Marcus and his army would somehow leave me alone. A mistake that almost cost me my life, but somehow I had been able to protect myself. I didn't know how or why, but one thing was for sure. I couldn’t afford to be over confident. I was still weak in Timeless terms—I needed to be careful.

Rounding the corner, I was surprised to see Matt near the edge of the road. I hesitated and brushed off my jacket. He had his cell phone to his ear and seemed to be in a deep conversation. His grey eyes locked with mine, and he smiled. Too late to turn around now. I nodded in acknowledgement as I neared him.

“
Hey, Cheyenne,” he said as he finished his call. “Out for a walk?”

I nodded and kept walking as he moved alongside me. I hoped I didn’t have twigs stuck in my hair. There was no way I could explain what had just happened…
I didn’t know what had happened.

Matt had been nothing but nice to me since that day in the diner, the day I exploded on him because of my own failures. Over the past weeks, if he’d see me out he’d been sure to start a conversation, but he never pushed anything.

“
Mind if I join you?”

“
Sure,” I replied, and internally warned myself not to talk about anything beyond mere pleasantries. I couldn’t afford to mess up a human life.

“
Looks like rain is brewing.” He glanced up at the dark clouds in the distance. “I’m surprised you’d chance a walk now.”

I looked up. “I think it’ll be fine. I’m just going to the grocery store.”

“
Dinner?”

“
If I find something I like.”

“
Maybe I can help,” he replied as he kicked a loose stone.

“
Maybe.”

We fell silent, the rocks crunching beneath our shoes on the path.

“
You walk really fast for a woman,” Matt chuckled.

“
Glad I could amuse you, Matt,” I replied and glanced his way. He had no idea why I was walking so quickly, and I had to keep it that way.

“
It’s just that you’re so tiny in comparison to me. It’s a bit of a surprise.”

I eyed him. He was large compared to me. I hadn’t paid close attention as I’d been trying to avoid him. He was definitely over six foot, close to Callon’s size.

“
Yeah, well, you look like an oaf if you ask me,” I smiled, happy to distract myself from the thoughts whirling through my head.

He stopped in his tracks and crossed his arms, tilting his head. “Are you teasing me?”

I gave a sly smirk and kept walking. I missed Colt’s teasing.

He quickly caught up. “So, are you finally taking a liking to me, then?”

Prickly warning signs in the form of goosebumps ran down my neck.
Careful, Cheyenne, he’s human, and this will only cause you trouble.
I shrugged a reply.

We arrived at the grocery store. As I was about to pick up a small hand basket, Matt grabbed one first. “Let me,” he said. I had no choice but to allow him.

I headed for the medicine aisle first in search of aspirin. Matt stood beside me with a puzzled expression.

“
I’ve got a headache,” I explained. He didn’t need to know anything more.

He reached above me, handing me a small blue box. “This should work.”

I turned and looked up into sympathetic eyes.

“
I had a friend who used to get a lot of headaches. She told me this worked the best for her.”

“
Oh.” Surprised, I took the box from his hands and began to study it. Now was when I wished I had the doctor’s advice. I wasn’t even sure how much I should take. It’s not like I was human anymore. Would I double the dose, or take it like I would have when I was human? I sighed. I’d have to figure it out later. No need to have Matt questioning me.

I dropped the package in the basket and headed towards the deli.

“
Do you like pasta?” Matt asked as we rounded the corner to the bakery.

“
Yeah.”

“
Will you let me make you dinner tonight?”

I stopped dead in my tracks and turned to face him. I was in no condition to have company, not after what had just happened on the trail.

“
Just dinner,” he added. “No strings attached. I’ll do all the work, and you can just watch. We can even do it at your house.” He smiled hopefully and grabbed a baguette.

He didn’t allow me to answer as he headed to the pasta aisle, and I spun on my heels to keep up.

“
Dinner? Seriously?” I asked, trying to buy time.

“
Yeah, dinner with a friend.”

“
Matt,” I protested, and he suddenly turned to face me.

“
You owe me for jumping down my throat the last time we dined together,” he reminded me slyly.

I cringed. Nothing like guilting me into it.

“
Fine,” I huffed. “But you leave right afterwards, got it?”

“
Sure.” He agreed, and I struggled to keep pace.

We arrived at my house just before the rain began. I flicked on the kitchen light as black clouds blocked out the remaining sunlight. Matt began unloading the bags, and when I attempted to help, he moved me aside, handing me the medicine bottle.

“
I said I would take care of dinner. Go take this so your head feels better.”

“
But…” I tried to protest.

“
Nope, you agreed to this.” He gently pushed me toward the great room. “I’ll bring you some water in a minute.”

I headed towards the couch in defeat. How’d I get myself into this mess? Plopping into the corner, I ripped open the package and dumped two pills in my hand as I contemplated how many to take.

He set a glass of water in front of me. “Take three, it should help.”

I dropped another tablet in my palm and tossed them into my mouth, followed by a drink of water. I turned to watch Matt as he began destroying my kitchen.

I smiled as he hummed, but I couldn’t help my thoughts as they drifted to my guardians. I missed them. I missed Colt. I crossed my arms on the back of the couch and rested my head on them. The pelting rain on the deck was comforting. I closed my eyes as the spices from the spaghetti dinner began drifting throughout the house, and I reminisced about my trio. I could almost hear Daniel’s laughter, as he and Colt would joke around. I could picture Callon holding back his smile as he sat in the other room watching them. It was like he wouldn’t allow himself to join in the fun. It would’ve been too irresponsible for him.