Promises (6 page)

“
Do you always ask questions that you already know the answers to, Cheyenne?”

I didn’t let his cruel reply phase me. I’d been dealing with Callon for a while. “You can shape shift?”

Maes poked at the flames, and a loud snap caused me to jump.

His non-response told me his answer. I stared at the cave floor. Callon had never told me this. The Tresez were shape shifters—somehow, it didn’t surprise me.

“
You didn’t kill me in the forest, why?” I could barely get the words out, unsure what Maes’s plan was now. He said he wouldn’t harm me—was it the truth?

“
You’re different.”

“
Different? But I don’t understand. Callon told me that the Tresez would kill me, but you didn’t. I’ve had nine try already. One of them gave me the wound on my back.” I lifted my head, and his hard eyes met mine. His tanned face made him appear even more mysterious. “You knew that, didn’t you?”

Maes didn’t reply, but his attention returned to the flames.

“
Is that what stopped you?”

“
At first.”

“
There’s more?”

Maes pulled the fish from the rock and flipped it with his bare hands.

He didn’t answer my question.

“
What else stopped you?” I asked again.

“
Think about it Cheyenne,” Maes’s jaw twitched as he replied in annoyance. “What makes you different?”

“
Are you always this much of a jerk?” The words rolled from my tongue before I could stop them. Maes’s head turned and a slight smirk appeared…yup, he was a jerk. I turned away, processing his reply. What made me different? For one, I had the scar on my back—he’d smelled it and then he stopped on my rings…

“
You saw the rings on my fingers. That’s why you didn’t kill me.” I was thoroughly confused now.

He pointed his stick in my direction. “You wear two rings, Cheyenne. The Servak and Kvech.”

“
Yes, but I don’t understand how that stopped you.”

Maes turned, shoulders squaring, head lowering. “Do you know nothing?”

I blinked in surprise, but I recovered quickly. “I am a stupid helpless girl whose life has been hidden from her for my own protection.”

We stared each other down as I awaited his answer.

“
We are bound to you eternally,” Maes finally replied.

I glanced at my rings; the Servak with all the clover-like symbols, and the Kvech with its beautiful blue stone held together by an antique silver band.

“
But I thought the Sarac used the Tresez to help destroy children of the Timeless?
How can you be bound to me eternally?
”

“
Like I said, you’re different,” Maes replied, his eyes not leaving mine.

“
So not everyone has rings then?” I knew his answer even before the question left my lips. Colt and Daniel didn’t have rings, but Callon did, and now that I’d thought about it, Dex had a ring, but Lilly didn’t. Callon was the leader of the Consilador clan…so the rings marked who the leaders were.

I was the leader of two clans.

“
Why couldn’t these rings be fake?” I was so proud of myself for coming up with such a good reply that I couldn’t hide my smirk.

Maes rolled his eyes. “They’re not fake. I’d know the difference, for one thing. Second, I knew what the third Kvech ring looked like.”

“
But it was supposed to have been destroyed.”

He corked a brow.

“
So, they did tell you something after all.”

“
Even if it was real, I could be an imposter,” I snipped back and quickly realized that was something I should have kept to myself.

“
Unwise choice of words, Cheyenne,” he said coolly as he turned away. “But the blue stone wouldn’t give off that luminous glow if you weren’t a true heir.”

I looked down at my ring, trying to find the glow he talked about—it always sparkled.

I released a heavy sigh. “So you’re bound to me eternally.” Great, just what I needed, a Tresez stuck to me the rest of my life. I shook my head. “Will you quit playing games with me and just tell me why?”

“
Because you’re our only hope.”

“
Your only hope?” I repeated. I pushed my fingers to my forehead as I propped my elbows on my knees. Clearly he wasn’t going to answer me.

“
Your education on clan history is visibly lacking,
mon espoir
,” Maes words dripped with annoyance. “I’m disappointed.”

“
Tell me about it,” I murmured under my breath.

“
You must destroy Marcus,” he felt the need to add.

I began twisting my Servak ring on my index finger. Why was I the key to everyone’s survival? Why was I their only hope? Why did I have to destroy Marcus? I didn’t even know him. How did I truly know if he was as bad as they said? Had he really killed my parents, or was that a lie? What if this whole thing was reversed and I was on the side of evil instead of good? What if I was the one being manipulated? Was I the evil one? I could be dangerous if my powers fell into the wrong hands… Who was right and who was wrong? I’d been lied to all along—deceived. I had as much reason to trust them as I did Marcus…

Maes drew my attention back as he handed me a piece of trout.

“
Thank you.” I ate quietly, still deep in thought. I needed more answers, but first I needed to think this through more clearly.

“
Do you know where you need to head? Which direction Callon, Colt and Daniel will go to find you?”

I looked up in surprise. “You know them? Are they safe? You’ll help me?”

“
Yes,” Maes replied in aggravation as he muttered something in French.

Relief washed over me to find out my guardians were safe. But why was Maes so willing to help me? He said I was his only hope, but why take me to Callon if he was bound to me?

“
You want to help me?” I repeated to make sure I heard his answer clearly.

His eyes leveled with mine. “Are you deaf?”

Maes may have saved my life, but my irritation surfaced in an instant. “Listen, you mangy dog, I asked three questions, and you answered yes. Am I supposed to guess which one you were answering?”

“
I know who Callon, Colt and Daniel are, and they’re safe. I wouldn’t have dragged you out of the river if I wasn’t here to help.” His lip twitched. “Does that clarify it enough for you?”

A few moments passed as we stared each other down. I was tired of being spoken to like a child with Callon, and I sure wasn’t about to take it from Maes. I’d had enough. “They told me to head north and they’d find me, though I’m afraid I’m farther away than they expected. I’m not sure which direction to go to locate the truck again.”

“
Fine,” he replied in mild impatience. “I know where you came in and can take you there. It’s an easy run for me, but we could walk it in two days, unless…” he trailed off.

“
Unless what?” I pinched my brows tight.

“
Unless you don’t think you’re strong enough.”

“
I think I’ll be just fine.”

Maes reached over and pulled my long-sleeved shirt from the ground. “It seems dry now,” he said as he handed it to me.

I put it on.

“
Let’s go.”

He pulled me from the ground, kicked out the fire and headed to the cave opening. I hesitated, and he turned around. “Only one way down. Take my hand. I won’t let you fall.”

Maes liked being in control—he was good at it. Reluctantly, I took his hand as we began our descent. Loose rocks were everywhere; I was forced to keep my gaze on the path. A loud noise caught me off guard, and as I took another step, I slipped off the ledge. He grasped my arm firmly and yanked me back. My heart leapt.

“
You need to watch your step. The rocks are loose.”

I nodded wide-eyed from fright; it was a long drop to the bottom.

Maes watched me briefly, before he rolled his eyes and flipped me onto his back.

“
You need to hold on. It’ll be easier this way,” he said calmly.

I clung to him with a death grip, wrapping my legs around his waist and my arms around his neck. Though I knew next to nothing about him, I buried my head into his shoulder, and tried to ignore everything but the sound of my rapid heartbeat. Why did I have to be so afraid of heights?

Time crawled by, and then we were at the base of the cliff. Maes pried me off his back.

“
Sorry,” I said sheepishly.

“
If you need help, ask for it,” he said firmly. “I can’t read your mind…”

He said something more, but it was caught in the wind as he turned and walked away.

I paused for a moment and then had to hurry to catch up—his strides were long. We walked along the riverbank, eventually finding what he was searching for. A trail led up and out; however, it was on the other side.

He turned slightly and eyed me carefully. “Do you think you can swim the river?”

“
I think so,” I replied with all the confidence I could muster. The water was rough. I really wasn’t sure if I could or not. Maes took my arm, and we waded through the water—it was just as cold as the day before. The current was swift as it tugged at my legs…a few steps more, and it was over my head. He released his hold and began to swim, but I was no match for the undercurrent. I fought with everything I had to stay on course. Within moments, I lost the battle and was pulled downstream. Maes saw my wide eyes and caught me, swimming us both to shore. I crawled out of the water, and lay in the morning sun, catching my breath.

Maes stood towering over me with arms crossed. “The current’s dangerous. I was actually surprised yesterday. I didn’t expect to find you alive.”

I knew I wouldn’t have lived if Maes hadn’t come along. I was indebted to him—yet another I owed my life to. He extended his hand and pulled me from the ground.

“
This trail is easier. You should be fine.”

I examined the trail before us. It was wider; I’d be able to make the climb without assistance. After reaching the top of the ravine, I looked back. I knew I had covered a greater distance than the trio would have known. They wouldn’t have searched this far out. I wasn’t so sure I’d be able to find the truck again on my own. I had no idea which direction it was.

We began our descent down the mountain, heading southwest through the forest. I was achy, sore from being thrown around by the Trackers and thrashed by the water, and I had to jog to keep up with Maes. Hours passed, and I began falling further and further behind. Finally Maes stopped and waited until I caught up. I was breathless, exhausted.

Maes face flickered in a hint of sympathy.

“
Wait here,” he said. I watched him disappear briefly, only to return as a Tresez. I knew it was Maes, but I was still fearful. Something about his jade-circled eyes made me uneasy. I made my approach slowly, and he nudged his head against my hand, bending down at the same time. Reluctantly I climbed on, locking my fingers in his fur. Once I was on his back securely, he began to run. I had to concentrate; it was like riding Mandi bareback.

I rode like this for the remainder of the day and a portion of the night until we finally came to a stop. I dismounted, and Maes blended into the darkness then reappeared in his human form.

“
The truck is just on the other side of the ravine. I think it would be best if we walked from here. Stay close behind me at all times,” he commanded.

He moved at a slower pace this time so I could keep up. Moonlight trickled through the trees, illuminating the way. As we reached the top of the ravine, he paused. His eyes were searching the shadows; the truck and trailer were just ahead. I saw no movement, nothing to cause alarm. Yet we didn’t move. Instead he drew me closer to his back, blocking me from sight. His fingers tightened, and the muscles on his bare back tensed. Ever so slowly, he twisted around, wrapping his long arms around me and pushing my head into his steely chest as he stepped back, pressing me into the tree’s bark.

“
Stay very still,” Maes murmured. “Close your eyes.”

I remembered what happened the last time I didn’t listen about closing my eyes, how the Ghosters almost took me, and complied immediately. Footsteps neared, and I tensed as his fingers crept up over my mouth. I remained still. Only my shallow breaths echoed in my ears as my heart raced.

“
It’s clear. Let’s move on,” a husky voice growled in the distance.

“
They must have gone a different direction,” another replied.

“
Get the dogs to follow their scent. We have to find her before they do,” a third rugged voice called out.

I heard multiple footsteps; a large group was leaving—searching for me. Would Maes really protect me? What if they came back and found me? Maes’s grip loosened only slightly as we stayed motionless for a long time. I kept my eyes closed tight. Maes saved me for a reason. He wouldn’t just hand me over, or he’d have already done so. Eventually, he let me go.

“
Stay close,” Maes ordered.

We walked down the ravine to the truck, and I checked the doors—they were locked. I seriously considered leaving now, making my break for it, as I stared down the dirt road. However, I couldn’t leave without Callon, Colt, and Daniel knowing I was alive. I knew they’d be frantically searching, and deep down I needed to see them safe too. Maes told me they were okay, but I needed to see it for myself. Besides, I had no idea if Maes was truly trustworthy yet. I hesitated near the bed of the truck.