Promises (4 page)

When we returned, I was surprised to see Callon and Colt had already broken camp. They really wanted to move fast. Maybe they were hoping that if they got me back to the cabin soon, I couldn’t run away. I headed for Mandi, but Daniel took my arm and tugged me toward Callon. As he let go, Callon took hold, and I glared at him.

“
You’re not riding by yourself today,” Callon said.

I furrowed my brow in my most impressive scowl. “Why not?”

“
I’m not taking any chances with you,” Callon answered. “You’re riding with me.”

“
Why? There’s nothing wrong with me. It was just a simple headache. I’m feeling better since I took the pills, anyway.”

Callon wasn’t listening. He seized my arm again, so tight it almost hurt.

“
We don’t have time to argue.”

I stared at him. He who must be obeyed was back in full swing. But there was something in his hazel eyes that hadn’t been there before.

“
There’s a good chance we’re being followed, Cheyenne.”

He was being honest with me, not withholding information for once.

“
A good chance? So you’re not sure?”

He didn’t reply, so it must not be too serious. Sighing, I shook my head. A little information was better than none at all.

“
Fine, but only for the morning. This afternoon I’ll ride alone.”

“
We’ll see,” Callon replied.

He led me over to Bo, lifted me into the saddle and swung himself up behind me. He reached under my arms and took hold of the reins. I remained rigid; I didn’t want to lean into him.

“
Relax, or I won’t let you ride by yourself later.” Callon gently pulled me back into his chest as we set off at a trot.

It was a faster ride this morning. I could tell that the trio were worried I was about to have another episode, another part of my transformation. The last one had been pretty bad; they wanted me home if it were to happen again. I knew
that
headache wasn’t coming; however, the nail wound above my shoulder was burning again. Mandi, too, was restless, and not just because I wasn’t riding her. She had only acted like this twice; when there was thunder, or when there were Tresez. And there wasn’t a cloud in the sky…

My eyes widened. I looked around, but no one else seemed to notice anything out of the ordinary. Callon said we
might
be followed. I sighed. Was I imagining things? My worries didn’t lessen, even when we stopped for lunch. All three hovered around me. For once I didn’t complain as I ate; something was definitely amiss. When I finished, Callon took hold of my elbow and led me to Bo. I dug my heels into the ground and yanked my arm free.

“
I said I’d ride with you this morning, but I’m riding by myself this afternoon.”

“
I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Callon replied. He was casting quick glances around us. Something was definitely amiss.

“
Look, my headache’s gone, and I ate lunch, too. You don’t have to baby me.” Riding so close to him again would drive me mad. Danger or not, I couldn’t stand it anymore.

Callon hesitated before answering. “You’ll tell me if something’s wrong?”

“
Yes, I promise.” I couldn’t be petty now; I needed to trust them.

Callon released his hold, and I went to Mandi. Colt was holding her as I prepared to mount. He ever so slyly placed a hand on my waist, pushing me into the saddle. I frowned at him for a few moments, then looked away, but not before I caught his solemn expression.

We trotted out once more, and Callon rode close behind me. A draft touched my neck, and the hairs stood on end.
An unusually warm breeze
. I’d felt it before…

Suddenly, Daniel disappeared from atop Charlie. Everyone stopped dead. Mandi became restless, prancing and snorting.

I stroked Mandi’s neck.

“
It’s okay. Stay calm, girl. Everything’s fine.” She stilled almost instantly. I saw the bemused glances from Callon and Colt and couldn’t help but feel a little smug. They’d made fun of me before—they didn’t believe I could communicate with her.

Daniel reappeared. He was uneasy.

“
There’s a large party following us, approaching from the south. They’ve broken into three smaller groups.” He looked to Callon. “They’ve sent the Trackers.”

My breath caught. Trackers! Callon was right about us being followed. The Sarac clan must have sent Trackers to kill me. I couldn’t believe it. This was exactly the situation I’d seen in my dream.

The brothers exchanged glances; a lengthy period of time passed without external communication. My heart pounded as I waited for directions. Callon moved closer and took my hand.

“
Cheyenne, go with Daniel. He’ll take you around the Tracking parties and get you to safety. If all else fails, you need to head north and hide. We’ll find you.” He paused and I saw the unease roll over his face. “You mustn’t let them see you, or they’ll kill you.” He squeezed my fingers. “Do you understand me?”

I nodded, as the details sunk in. Callon quickly removed his pack and tied it on Mandi’s back. “There’s enough food to last a couple of days. I know you’ll be resourceful if needed.” All of a sudden, I was reminded of my berry trick, and tears welled in my eyes. I didn’t want them to risk themselves for me.

Callon and Colt turned and began to ride off. I couldn’t stop myself.

“
Callon, Colt!” Both halted to look at me. I swallowed. “Don’t…don’t think this changes things. But don’t make it worse by not coming back. Promise me you’ll return!”

Callon said something, but it never reached my ears. The sound was drowned out in the rush of galloping hooves.

I watched Callon and Colt ride off, and that familiar dreadful chill raked my body. I gave Mandi a kick, and Daniel and I rode north rapidly. My heart was racing, every inch of me pulsing with alarm. I hadn’t seen this in my dream, the two of us running away, but I was sure the ones after us were the same men—the same Trackers.

Daniel and I rode side by side as the forest began to thin. He was silent; I was sure he was communicating with Colt and Callon. We came to an abrupt stop, and he swung Charlie around beside me, his knuckles white from holding the reins tightly.

“
Cheyenne, this isn’t working,” he said. “They’re following us instead of Colt and Callon. They’re going to try to split us up.” His jaw tightened. “If this happens, keep riding north until you hit the mountains, then head southeast. You’ll find some caverns you can hide in. Keep to the back of them, out of the light. Set Mandi free to roam. She’ll stay close by. We’ll find you, I promise.”

“
What about you? What about Colt and Callon?”

“
We’ll fight to steer them away from you. We’re Timeless, Cheyenne, you’re not.”

“
Can’t you just jump us to safety?”

“
There are too many of them, and when they’re on horses, it’s hard to judge where to land. I could be putting you right in the middle of danger.”

I grabbed his hand.

“
The same rule applies to you. You’d better come back. Promise me you’ll be safe!”

Daniel squeezed my fingers.

“
I will. I promise.”

Daniel slapped Mandi on the rump, and she bolted. We shot through the forest, the trees blurring past. I rode low in the saddle, close to Mandi’s neck, with Daniel on my right. A flash of black passed the corner of my eye—then two more. Tresez! Panic quickly set in—and the scar on my back burned. Mandi was fast. She could possibly outrun them, but it would be hopeless. They would eventually find my scent and locate me in the caverns. What was I going to do?

Mandi was pulling ahead of Charlie as Daniel waved me on. He shifted to our left, attempting to block my path from the Tresez. We were trying to keep north, but the Tresez forced us to change directions, driving us south. A brief glance back told me there were at least twenty on our heels, encircling us. They were forming a trap. My fear vanished, replaced by determination. I pushed my head forward and spoke to Mandi.

“
Mandi, keep me safe!”

Mandi snorted. She anticipated the Tresez’s moves as they jumped, pulling back or turning away to avoid contact. I let go of the reins and locked my fingers in her mane. With a quick glance to my left I saw Daniel and Charlie fall to the ground—they faded into the distance as a swarm of black blocked them out. A choked sob left my lips and was carried away on the wind. Daniel had fallen.

I fought to change course to help him but ended up winding through the trees; directly where the Tresez wanted me to go. I was playing right into their plan, and there was no one around to protect me. I was on my own once again.

It only took one direct hit, and Mandi and I both tumbled to the forest floor. I jerked my leg away before she could crush it, only to smash into a fallen tree and bounce to my stomach. Terrified, Mandi scrambled up and bolted. I was on the ground with a multitude of Tresez creeping closer. There was nothing more I could do, I had no weapon to use—I was completely defenseless.

I fought the urge to close my eyes. I didn’t want to see my own death coming…but I couldn’t. Painless and quick, that was what I was hoping for. There were loads of them; they would tear me apart in seconds. My heart was pounding in my chest. My mind was filled with guilt and anxiety. All the hope the three brothers had placed on me, the hope that I would be able to wipe out the one who now would destroy me…I’d failed them.

The Tresez crept closer, snapping and snarling at each other as they awaited their free meal. I flinched as one leapt directly in front, saliva dripping from its mouth, razor sharp fangs flashing. The odor was putrid—like dead rotting flesh. Each calculating step brought it closer—and along with it, my certain death. A warm nose touched my neck, its nostrils inhaling my scent. It stayed at my shoulder, near my wound. The wound where the Tresez nail had embedded itself in my back. The same spot where our blood mixed together.

A low growl rose from the lone Tresez, and soon the others joined in. It moved in front of me, and a wet nose touched my rings. I stared, caught between awe and fear. The lone Tresez’s eyes were rimmed with the deepest jade that I’d ever seen. It remained still for a long while then finally stepped back. The rumbling from the back of its throat began again, but its fangs were no longer exposed—none of them were. With trembling hands, I cautiously rose.

Why weren’t they attacking? I had no time to ponder this strange turn of events; I needed to take advantage of the situation before it all changed. I stepped forward, and the animals cleared a path. Each movement I took was slow and methodical. My dream was coming true right before my eyes. I fought the urge to run.

An opening in the trees appeared, and the valley lay spread before me. I stiffened, and held my breath. A battle was taking place. I took a few more steps, and I glanced back at the Tresez, seeking out the one with jade-rimmed eyes. The color was odd, something I’d not expected, as the other Tresez’s eyes were completely black.

They didn’t follow, but the pack remained standing at the edge of the forest. A connection I didn’t understand was there. It had to be—they should have already killed me.

“
Thank you,” I whispered.

I wasn’t sure, but the lone Tresez with the jade eyes seemed to understand. In the next second, they turned and disappeared amongst the trees.

I ran to the ravine’s edge to peer into the valley, unsure what to do. My guardians told me to hide, but I couldn’t let them die like this. I couldn’t let them die for me—I had to help somehow. But I was stuck up here; how could I reach them?

Colt fell, and I screamed. He wasn’t moving. My dream—no, my nightmare—was coming to life. They were all going to die…all because of me. No, this couldn’t be happening! I couldn’t allow this to happen!

A flurry of pounding hooves erupted behind me, and I spun around. Men on horseback were charging towards me. I recognized them at once; they were the ones in my dream—Trackers! I needed to escape…but where? I had nowhere to go. In a panic, I scanned the area and saw Mandi in the distance. I whistled as loud as I could. She snapped her head up and ran straight for me. Drive and determination pushed me forward. She barely stopped for me to mount. We departed in a burst of speed into the valley, towards my guardians.

Daniel’s gaze flashed my way. Relief and panic washed through me as I watched him disappear—but he missed and landed behind me. Just like he’d said would happen. Mandi was moving too quickly. Daniel reappeared next to Callon, his face fearful.

The Trackers were right behind me. I could only head straight for the trio. I surveyed the area, spying out a small army of men, but not all of them were fighting. Three were standing on a ridge, watching. A large river ran below them, cutting its way into the ravine between the mountains. As I rode closer to the trio, it wasn’t long until the other Trackers noticed me. Some were on foot. The ones on horseback were moving quickly, but Mandi was faster.

Relief washed over me as I saw Colt standing again. His eyes locked on mine as I closed in on my guardians. They created a circle of protection, and I rode in between them and dismounted. Mandi stayed near. My guardians remained focused, waiting for the Trackers’ next move. I could do nothing more than watch the nightmare evolve.