Daylight, a Timeless Series Novel (19 page)

“Chey, it’s me, Koda.”

I didn’t reply.

“Are you okay?”

I inhaled a shaky breath. I wasn’t okay
. I’d never be okay. I just had to survive.

I closed my eyes as he kneeled beside me, an arm coming around my shoulder
. I tried to push him away.

“It’s okay. You’re okay now.”

I fell into his chest as his arms cradled me. I didn’t want to accept his help, but I didn’t have any strength left. I just needed to be told everything was going to be okay, that I had friends who’d support me. I needed to know I could make it through another day. I needed to know I wasn’t alone.

Chapter 10

Koda helped me return to the estate, carrying me after I finally collapsed from exhaustion. He’d also stayed while Dex and Lilly tended to my injuries. It wasn’t the first, nor would it be the last time I’d take a beating from a Tresez. The evidence from the attack was clear
. My neck was changing from black to a greenish blue with streaks of red from broken blood vessels. Also, just about every muscle ached, but I’d been fortunate this time around, as my jacket had prevented any deep wounds.

My mind kept wandering over recent events, mostly what I’d seen Callon and Nakari do—they’d kissed. Betrayal, broken promises…all the words in the world couldn’t describe how I’d felt seeing her lean forward. He’d told me they were friends, that I had nothing to worry about, but obviously I was just being lulled into
a false sense of security.

But wors
e than that, what I’d done was wrong. I’d stolen Maes’s power out of rage, with the intent to harm Nakari. If Maes hadn’t stepped forward…I shook my head, trying to erase the memory.

I’d also put every one of our clan members at risk, all because I couldn’t control myself. I couldn’t
keep doing this anymore. I couldn’t become this
ugly monster
the beast wanted. I was heading down the wrong path, and I knew it. Maes had warned me it would be dark and dangerous, that I wouldn’t be able to crawl back out of this hellish pit unless I realized my mistakes. I had to change. I hated what I was becoming. And worst of all, Colt would’ve hated what I was becoming.

The fire snapped as I watched the sun rise from the sitting room. No one had returned yet, and it was probably for the best. I was positive they were hunting Tresezes; chances were that more than just the five had entered. I’d purposely kept my back to the terrace doors
. I didn’t want to see Callon’s face yet, or anyone else’s disappointment.

Dex clicked a small lamp on and pushed a chair closer as Lilly and Koda moved in
around me. Whatever was on their minds was sure to be on mine soon enough. I pulled my legs in closer and curled the blanket around me tightly. I was sure I wasn’t going to like it.

“We need to talk about what happened, Cheyenne,” Koda said
. “What happened with Nakari and Callon.”

I stared down at my blanket. Great, not that I didn’t expect them to find out, but so soon?

“Callon told me,” Koda added.

Lilly reached out to touch my hand, but I pulled it away. Hurt flashed through her eyes
, and I stilled. I was doing it again, pulling away and retreating into my dark hole. I pushed the blanket down and grasped her hand.

“I’m sorry, Lilly.”

She nodded and blinked away the moisture.

“What you saw and what happened were two different things.” Koda lowered his head
, trying to catch my eyes.

“I saw pretty clearly what took place, Koda. Callon and Nakari kissed.” My throat tightened. I was calm now, but for how much longer?

“Callon would never betray you like that, Cheyenne.” Lilly squeezed my hand. “He loves you very much.”

“He kissed her.” My jaw clenched.

“You ran away before he could explain what happened.” Dex moved closer. “You’ve got such a temper, sweetheart. Sometimes it blocks you from hearing what needs to be said.”

“I’ve only gotten a temper since all these responsibilities, this weight
that’s been thrust upon my shoulders!” I snapped.

“Do you think the rest of us don’t have responsibilities or weight thrust upon us?
” Koda replied. “Do you see us acting out against everyone that wants to help?”

“Cheyenne,
we know you’re stronger than this,” Lilly said. “You’re allowing your emotions to control you…”

I cut Lilly off. “Emotions are all I have left to feel alive.”

“You have the love and warmth from your family, from all of us here, if you’d just open up and let us in.”

Tears
grew in my eyes. “If I open myself up and lose another person I love, I won’t be able to make it.”

“So this is what it’s all about? Fear of losing us?”
Dex’s voice sombered. “What I think you need to realize, Cheyenne, is that our fear of losing you is greater.”

I looked up into
his warm brown eyes.

“You’re here with us, but we feel like we’re losing you and can’t stop it. Do you know what it’s like to sit and watch another
person destroy themselves, and feel utterly helpless to stop them? We’ve all had enough loss in our lifetimes to fill the largest of canyons, and there will be more, but what we have to do is move on for the sake of all the Timeless yet to come. We can’t allow Marcus to defeat us outside of battle. We must have inner strength as well if we’re to overcome.”

“But how?” I whispered
, near tears.

“We have to work together, rely on each other for strength when we need it most,” Lilly said.

“The strength of a family,” I barely uttered.

“The strength of
your
family,” Koda added. “You’ve got a large one right here ready and waiting.”

I’d been such a fool. I need
ed to make good use of the resources around me, starting right now. I pushed the blanket away and leaned into Dex and Lilly’s open arms.

Warmth, real warmth
, filled me for the first time since Colt’s death. They loved me, cared enough to help me realize my mistakes without condemning me for them.

“We love you like our own daughter,” Dex said.

Lilly kissed my head.

“I love you too,” I breathed and knew I truly meant it. I’d held back too long my words of love. To them, others and another…

“Cheyenne.” Callon’s gravely voice sent goosebumps down my spine. Dex and Lilly drew back, and I stood.

Dark circles etched Callon’s eyes, his face
was scratched, and his wet hair was coated in mud and leaves. His wet clothes clung to his frame and his hazel eyes held a mixture of sadness and exhaustion. He’d come straight to find me without getting cleaned up. He reached out to grasp my hands, and I flinched at the icy coldness.

“W
e need to talk. What you saw, what you thought, isn’t what happened.”

I remained completely still.
I didn’t want to give in to my anger, yet I had to give him the chance to explain. I owed him that much.

“Nakari was upset
, and yes, I tried to console her. She’s just as lonely and heartbroken as the rest of us and made a mistake. A mistake that shouldn’t be held against her.”

Not unlike the many mistakes I’d made since I’d met him. How many chances had I been given? Too many
, and he deserved so much more. It was time to let him know.

“I believe you.”

His eyes closed as he drew me into the full embrace of his arms, nestling his head on my shoulder.

“I would have never betrayed you like this. I love you, Cheyenne.”

My eyes watered, and my lips trembled with the words I knew I needed to say.

“I love you, Callon.”

He stilled, but his hold grew tighter.

“I should have told you sooner.”

“Now is perfect…” he whispered. He inhaled a shaky breath and suddenly the full weight of his body began to topple us over.

“Callon!”

We hit the floor with a loud thump, and I struggled to push him off me until multiple hands pulled him away. Dex was already checking his pulse.

“What’s happening?” I shook with panic. Callon was the strong one…

Brogan and Koda carried Callon away. I tried to follow, but Daniel appeared. He held my arm.

“Wait!
” I cried. “What’s going on? Where are they taking him?”

“It’s okay, Chey.” Daniel placed his hands on my shoulders. They disappeared into the hall, and heavy footsteps sounded on the stairs. “He had to make changes in the enchantment
. It always weakens him.”

“What? Make changes? Why?”

“Because the Tresez were allowed in.”

The little traitor…

“Nakari! She let them in!” I shoved Daniel away and pushed through the crowd of clan members. Nakari simply bowed her head as I approached, when Andre stepped in front of her.

“
Cheyenne, you need to calm down!” Andre said firmly. “She may have made a mistake, but she’s no traitor.”

“Then why did she leave me when I was fighting Conall? She could have helped me
!”

“I went to get Maes,” Nakari said.
Her voice was weak. “I didn’t want to leave you, but I didn’t have a choice. Conall is too strong to fight alone.”

I stood immobile
. Was she telling the truth? Or was this an excuse? Regardless, I knew what I wanted.

“I don’t want you here.”

Nakari’s green eyes flashed at me. She looked just as tattered as the others, and soaked to the bones. She turned away, but not before I saw the hurt she didn’t bother to hide.

“No,
Cheyenne. Marcus will kill her if she leaves,” Andre protested. “Besides, you haven’t exactly had a perfect record either, and no one’s asked you to leave.”

I blinked, caught off guard by Andre’s frankness.

Bree moved to stand beside Nakari, her arm looping in hers.

“
I
never tried kissing another woman’s betrothed,” I replied.

“But you kissed Colt
when you were betrothed to Callon,” Daniel said quietly.

I
froze. My anger, this stupid, reckless anger, was taking control again, clouding the truth before my eyes. I’d done no better than Nakari, and I couldn’t condemn another to death.

“
I’m sorry,” I said, feeling my face flame with regret once more. “You’re right. It’s not my place to judge.”

I headed towards the hall and ran up the stairs.
I just needed to get away from her right now. Besides, I needed to see how Callon was doing. I’d make sure he was all right, find out more about the enchantment, and then deal with Nakari.

My fingers brushed Callon’s forehead
, pushing the loose strands of his hair aside. Koda and Brogan had managed to help him clean up. He lay in his bed, motionless, just as he had been for hours.

Daniel said it had to do with the enchantment, that Callon had to make changes, but what changes? And why did it weaken him so much?

I traced the dark circles under his eyes. He was bearing the burden for everyone. It was time I stepped up. No more moping around for what should have been. I needed to look ahead for what would be.

Grabbing the extra blanket at the foot of the bed, I crawl
ed up beside Callon and lay down. My mind kept running over the scene with Nakari…I had to let it go. I believed Callon, but I didn’t trust Nakari. If I’d been weak too many times with Colt, then surely Nakari could weaken again. It was a chance I wasn’t willing to take.

I sighed, curling closer to Callon, my arm coming to rest over his chest. I smiled as I recalled our first encounter, the brick wall I’d run into at the cathedral. He’d been there looking out for me before I even knew he existed, before he even knew who I was. He
hadn’t once given up on me—ever. Even when I’d pushed him away, he waited. How he could have been so patient with me, I didn’t understand, but now, things were going to change.

He’d no longer bear th
e leadership of the Timeless race alone. It was going to be a partnership, and I was going to accept destiny and grow into the leader I needed to be. No more hiding, no more running.

My blinks grew heavier as the patter of rain hit the windowpane. It
s rhythm was soothing, and soon the weight of sleep pushed me under.