Promises (43 page)

Then there was Maes. The wildcard. Was he the man I’d gotten to know at the cabin, or was he truly Marcus’s loyal servant? Would he force me to stay with Marcus because I was his only hope? Was this the way he thought I could grant him freedom from his curse? Perhaps he’d made a bargain with Marcus; his master would get me, while he would get his curse broken. And then what? Would he discard me once my use was fulfilled?

Maybe he’d just been using me all along…

I pushed my hand to my forehead. I was completely lost once again. There really seemed to be no options left.

“
You’ve been very pleasant today,” Marcus said suddenly.

I didn’t reply. It would only take one word in the wrong place to set him off.

“
I’m sorry it has to be this way.” His arm tightened around my waist. “I wanted us to meet under different circumstances. You wouldn’t have felt so bitter towards me. You would’ve come to know me for who I am.”

“
Guess now we’ll never know,” I replied flatly.

He grew quiet. I sighed, absently running a finger over my chest burn, when suddenly a loud crash tore through the forest. On instinct, I jumped. Marcus’s hold tightened around me, and he began snapping orders in French. His army spread out, while Marcus turned towards the noise.

Nothing happened after that. An eerie silence covered the valley. My heart drummed in my ears. Something was out there. Even the horses began prancing, spooked by this unknown force. Their distress grew, their snorts turning to panicked neighs, and it was all their riders could do to stop them from bolting.

Marcus’s horse began to rear up on its hind legs. Thrown into Marcus’s chest, I grabbed its mane, running my fingers down its neck. It heard my calming words and slowly stilled. Behind me, Marcus murmured. He placed his right hand over mine, pushing it against the horse’s neck.

“
What did you do, Cheyenne?” he asked.

I didn’t reply. If Maes hadn’t told him about my ability to speak with animals, I sure wasn’t going to let him in on my little secret.

“
You’re full of all sorts of surprises, aren’t you?” His fingers laced through mine as I tried to pull back. “What else are you hiding from me?”

Our rings touched, and that familiar current sent a shiver through my spine. How could Callon and Marcus have the same power over me? How could the rings be so cruel?

Neither of them would let my heart choose who I wanted to be with…

“
I know you feel it, Cheyenne,” Marcus’s breath was warm against my neck. I clenched my teeth, fighting to stay in control. It wasn’t me wanting to give in to his touch. It was the rings, the rings!

“
It would be a lot easier if you admitted it.”

I inhaled a shaky breath. I’d never admit it to him.

I shook his hand off and drew it to my chest, staring at the rings. The blue Kvech stone I admired for its beauty, and the intricate weaves of the Servak one held an enchanting mystery. I should never have recovered the Kvech from the safety deposit box; both had brought me nothing but bad luck. An ill omen inherited from my parents…why had they done this to me?

“
It’ll be interesting to see which of your powers develop next.” He brushed his lips against my cheek. I wanted to throw up. “Only time will tell, but we’ll have all eternity to find out.”

All eternity?
My stomach
churned. Just the thought of being with him another day made me queasy. Spending eternity in his arms would drown me with despair.

Calming Marcus’s horse seemed to have an effect on the other mounts, who soon followed suit. Marcus barked an order, and we moved on. His army shifted, taking a more defensive position as they watched the forest. Were they expecting an ambush? But Callon commanded no army…

Curiosity got the better of me. “What’s out there?” I asked.

“
The men are a bit superstitious, but you don’t need to worry,” Marcus said. “You’re completely safe with me. It’ll pass soon.”

“
What will pass soon?”

His hand squeezed my hip. “You don’t want to know what the men think it is. Trust me.”

I knew I wouldn’t get any answers, so I didn’t question further. Marcus could be as evasive as Mr. Evasive himself sometimes. Although I couldn’t help but wonder what lurked in the leafy shadows. What could frighten an entire army like that? The memory of the Ghosters came to mind, and I shuddered. I’d have to keep on my guard.

For hours, the crackling and rustling accompanied us, sometimes slowing, only to come back just as loud. Whatever was following us wanted to make sure we were aware of its presence. I was becoming uneasy, and against my better judgment, I held on to Marcus’s arms tighter.

The mountain pass came into view. It was narrow and full of sharp rocks. Worse, the trail wound upwards as a steep path, and even from here, I could see chunks of broken stone from previous avalanches. Treacherous didn’t even come close to describing it…

Marcus raised his hand to my neck. He held it there for a few moments.

“
Why’s your heart racing?” he asked.

“
The pass.” I didn’t see the point in lying.

“
You’re afraid of heights?”

“
Sheer drops particularly.”

He chuckled. I frowned. What was funny about that?

“
Did you ever think that you could probably prevent the fall in the first place?” he said.

I glanced at him, confused.

“
You hold power over air, Cheyenne. Think about it…”

I turned around and realized I probably could save myself, but if I panicked, I’d surely die. “I don’t know if I’m ready to test my powers like that yet.”

Marcus smiled.

“
This is why you’re better off with me. I’ll teach you all the things that Callon has been neglecting.”

I didn’t acknowledge his comment, keeping my vision on the horizon. He was trying to stir my previous bitterness. I couldn’t let him turn my feelings against me.

We stopped just before the narrow trail leading up the pass. It would be our last chance to stop for a rest, so the men scattered, watering their horses by the small creek.

I searched for Maes. I hadn’t seen him since he’d departed. Not that it concerned me, but he’d been staying close by the previous days. Was he out there with the beast that was knocking down the trees? Or was he sniffing around for my guardians, trying to throw them off our trail…

Darrien, Jahlem and Ryder approached. Ryder’s nasty glare made me uneasy. They began speaking in French, and this time I managed to pick out a few words: dangerous, narrow and unsecured. They must be discussing the pass. Ryder’s eyes remained on me until Marcus suddenly growled. Ryder slowly snapped his attention back to Marcus as they continued their conversation. I looked away.

They finished their conversation. Marcus turned towards me. “Does Ryder frighten you, Cheyenne?” he said quietly next to my ear.

“
I’m not afraid of him, Marcus. I’m quite capable of defending myself.”

He gave a faint grin, but it quickly disappeared as he gave a warning. “Ryder will harm you if given the chance. Be wary with him. He never liked Sahara either.”

I blinked. He didn’t like my mother, just as Maes hadn’t. What was she truly like that caused people to hate her so?

“
They’ll be keeping a close eye on you. They’re my best warriors.”

I nodded and stared at the pass again. I didn’t like what I saw before me at all. Dark, uneven terrain with a narrow path that wound around the side of the mountain with sheer drops into the valley below.

“
Are we crossing the pass tonight?” I asked.

“
Yes. We’ll start off on horseback, but then we’ll have to move to foot. It’ll be better if you don’t see it in the daylight. Just keep your attention focused ahead, and you’ll be fine.”

“
Isn’t it more dangerous at night?” I looked up wide-eyed.

“
I won’t let you fall.”

“
Isn’t there another way around?”

“
This is the way we’re going.”

“
Then what after this?” I asked. “How much farther to wherever we’re heading in Canada?” Perhaps this would help me decipher my current location.

“
You don’t need to worry about that.”

I sighed. I’d have to be more subtle.

“
How long will it take to cross the pass?”

“
About two days. We’ll stop at the summit and rest before we continue down the back of the mountain.”

At least I knew we’d stop before continuing on, not that I knew what I could or would do other than what I’d been doing already—nothing. We’d be in the mountains, though. Perhaps I could fall down a ravine and find my way out…

I shook the idea away. Jumping waterfalls aside, the idea of falling into a pit of blackness terrified me. And I didn’t have the luxury of Colt’s arms this time, either. But it would be dark, and if I survived, there was a real chance I could escape. On the other hand, once I was gone, Marcus would just set his sights on Callon, Colt and Daniel and kill them all.

It was like trying to avoid air; Marcus was everywhere. And if not Marcus, then Maes; a second pair of eyes, spying on me…

Suddenly, a large tree crashed on our left. Marcus quickly grabbed hold of my arm, as the enormous pine thundered into the ground. The shockwave jarred my knees, and I had to hold on to Marcus for support. Marcus watched the fallen tree, muttering in French. Quickly, though, he waved at his Trackers. The horses were brought at once, and we were soon mounted and getting into a line to begin our climb. Marcus made sure we were placed in the middle.

I clasped the saddle horn nervously, while Marcus focused his attention on the path. I listened to the horses’ hooves clamoring on the rocky surface and looked towards my right. The ravine was widening.

The sun’s rays were fading, allowing dusk to take over. It wouldn’t be long until night fell proper on the mountain, made even darker by the thick tree cover. Masking the great drop below…

Marcus’s horse stumbled, and I flinched from the ledge, my heart racing. Marcus grunted and pushed me back. The thought of being so close to the edge was too much, and I leaned forward in the saddle, trying to bury my head in my arms.

“
Cheyenne,” Marcus said, “you’re making this more difficult than it needs to be. You’re not going to fall off, I promise.”

I could only nod weakly.

The night dragged on, and my back began to ache from holding myself so rigid. A horse suddenly whinnied in front of us, and his skittishness sent rocks tumbling into the abyss. I hissed through my teeth, shrinking back into Marcus’s chest. How far was it to the bottom now? A hundred feet, three hundred feet? Could a Timeless survive such a drop? If there was water below, maybe…but could I take that chance? My mind began whirling around different scenarios. What if Callon, Colt and Daniel attempted to free me again? If Colt saw me fall into the blackness…

Marcus placed the reins in one hand and rubbed my back. “Calm down.”

“
Put both your hands on the reins!” I screeched, burrowing a hand into the horse’s mane. My panic must have transmitted. In the same instant, our horse reared up on its hind legs, suddenly terrified. Marcus gasped as his arms fell away from me. A single thought blotted out my fear—
escape—
and at once I knew what I had to do. Channeling my thoughts, I focused everything on the horse. It dropped back to all fours, and I caught a flash of its memory; Marcus beating it with a whip. It didn’t like him anymore than I did. I teased out the animal’s rage, and it neighed, kicking out its hind legs. Marcus was totally unprepared. He lost his grip and yelped as he went flying to the rocks behind us.

Go! I shouted in my head.

We bolted off at an impossible speed. We clipped another rider, but my heart was dancing. I didn’t care about the drop; I just wanted to be free. Jostling, bumping and total chaos ensued as we drove past the other horses.

I laced my other hand into the horse’s mane, and whispered in its mind again.
Run like the wind and keep me safe.
I felt the creature answer and held tight. I didn’t need the reins; I had much more control this way. At last we came towards a break in the trees, hailed by a patch of moonlight. My hair flying, I glanced back to see how many were in pursuit. My breath caught when I spotted a shadowy creature in the trees. What was it?

Wild snorts from the strange beast made me crouch lower, urging the horse on faster. I couldn’t let it get hold of me!

However, the horse was tiring. We’d started on an incline, and already the snap of the wind in my face was dying. The roar of hooves against stone told me Marcus was closing in. I was trapped…

Another tree splintered and fell ahead of us. My horse stumbled, and then jerked. My fingers slipped from its mane and I slammed into the ground, catching my shoulder on a log. Dazed, I tried to stand, when shadows cloaked my vision. I was too late; the monster in the forest had come for me. It reached out a clawed hand, and I screamed, fighting to get away, but it was stronger and snatched my collar. Thrusting me into the air, it threw me onto its back, before cantering away.

Exhaustion was drawing near, but I wasn’t going to give up yet. I wasn’t going to let Callon, Colt and Daniel down. If I could escape Marcus, I could do anything. Growling, I started to writhe, kicking and punching the thing that held me. It flinched, before grabbing me by the back of my jacket and hauling me around so I could look in its face. I latched onto its neck, which was soft and velvety. It was too smooth to be fur. It was more like worn cotton…