So you passed Sam’s first challenge, but now the stakes are higher. Sam is challenging you to get 125 likes and 7 shares on the Facebook posting. BTW, this would include all likes from your posts that you share…Facebook Pages is cool that way and lets me see them. So it’s an overall liking and sharing that will push you over the challenge, and allow Chapter 3 to be posted.So you’ve got until February 26th to get the likes and shares to gain access to Chapter 3. I’d say good luck, but my fans are awesome, and will far surpass Sam’s challenge once again! Here’s to Chapter 3!!
Again, just a reminder that this manuscript hasn’t been through the official copy edits, so you may find mistakes. But it’s okay, they’ll be taken care of later.
Copyright © 2011 by Lisa L. Wiedmeier
Chapter 2
I watched Brogan and Maes hurriedly climb the stairs to the
old building. The creaking of the metal doors caused me to cringe. Maes glanced
back as Brogan entered the dark building. He hesitated for a moment, as if
unsure he wanted me out of his sight, but then turned and entered.
My mind wandered back to our first meeting when he dragged me
out of the rushing water and saved my life. He wasn’t who I thought he was, he
was dark and mysterious, menacing and challenging. He was larger than life,
like Colt, but in a medieval way. His black hair, broad chest, his jade-rimmed
eyes, eyes that continually searched, and at times felt like they could see
into my soul.
He’d called me mon espoir,
his hope. He sought me out to help him break the curse over the Quaysaar clan,
the curse that made him shift into a Tresez. Tresez, the horrid creatures that
resembled a hideous mythical dog, grotesquely large, and whose fangs would rip you
apart in seconds. It was a curse cast over him by my grandfather because his
father chose the wrong side.
The curse was weakening, though. The stronger Tresez could shift
into their human form, but Maes had been without his clan ring for generations,
until I found it in the bottom of the lake in Ireland. He’d waited for such a
moment for so long, only for it to be destroyed the moment I married Marcus.
In his eyes I’d failed him, the once strong connection we had
severed forever. His anger, his despair—he didn’t need to say anything more, his
actions told me everything. He’d sided with Brogan, Callon and the others. They
all saw me as worthless—a failure—and a new threat. But I’d show them they were
wrong. I’d get the Consilador’s powers back and Callon would return.
Mandi’s blond mane nudged my back, followed by a whine. I
knew she was with us, I’d heard her several times. I didn’t turn around, but
instead stepped back and leaned into her neck. She’d missed me as I’d missed her,
but any joy in our reunion was whisked away by my current situation.
I felt Colt’s stare upon me, knew his uncertainty and that he
was full of questions. The warmth from his chest heated my arm, he was there
waiting in case I fell. Waiting to pick me up, dust me off and put me back up
on my feet…the same feet that had trampled over all of my family’s hearts.
I heard my family in the background, whispering, murmuring to
each other. They all stayed back, wary of what I might say or do. After all they’d
just witness a breakdown of sorts, a nightmare that I was sure they thought was
more than alarming. A nightmare they were sure was only the beginning.
Even Koda who’d defended me had doubts. He couldn’t quite put
his faith in me yet. He needed proof that the decision I made was in the best
interest of the clans, and he couldn’t see it. His trust was wavering,
weakening as each day passed.
“Cheyenne,” Colt said, “they’re ready.”
I looked up to see the others already heading towards the
building. I’d been wrapped up in my own thoughts to realize it, not that they
even wanted me here.
“Come on.” Colt lightly gripped my arm, tugging me forward.
Daniel trailed alongside as well, his eyes downcast. His powers were gone, no
more jumping, no more private conversations with his brothers; the things he
loved so much. I watched his footsteps out of the corner of my eye. From time
to time he’d come closer, then awkwardly move away. Was it because he’d lost
his powers? Did it make his steps unsteady? Or was it because of me, was he
fearful of getting too close?
We came to the stairs, and I looked up at the steel doors.
The metal had seen better days. The rusted hinges bled orange near the edges,
which reminded me of the bloodshed yet to come.
I looked back at the meadow. Mandi and the other horses were
grazing lazily. Thoughts of running to Mandi and riding off floated near the
surface. But where would I run? Marcus would find me right away. My only choice
was to stay here, or run back to him…
I took a step forward as the faint sunlight began to
illuminate the dark entry. A chill ran over my skin as I passed over the
threshold. Marcus had been here. I inhaled a shaky breath and steam poured from
my mouth, the chill was real.
Maes held a kerosene lantern as he walked ahead. He stopped
in the center of what looked like a large open space.
“What do we need to do, Maes?” Dex stepped out from a
darkened corner.
“The old mine has a generator, chances are it’s going to take
work to get it running again.” Maes glanced towards Colt. “I’m going to need
your help.”
Colt nodded.
Daniel inched closer, fiddling with his sleeve.
“As for the rest, once the generator is running we’ll have some
lighting. There are rooms upstairs that need to be sorted. Brogan and Koda, I
need you to work on the well pump outside.”
Colt squeezed my arm. “Daniel will stay with you.”
I watched Colt and Maes head down the dark hall, and with them
went the small amount of light. I followed Daniel and the rest toward the
sunlight streaming through the entry. Koda and Brogan brushed past, searching
for the well pump.
Lilly glanced at me as Nakari and Layla led her down the
stairs. Her mouth opened as if she wanted to speak, but she didn’t. Instead she
disappeared around the corner of the stone building.
I sat down on the wide stair entry, Daniel beside me. I
twisted and leaned my back against the cold wall, waiting for what I knew was
to come. Dark blue eyes met mine; a lock of his black hair fell into his eyes. He
sighed.
I examined his features, all that I’d missed about him. His
skin was darker than I remembered, most likely from his constant vigil over the
last three months. And his hair hadn’t been cut since before the almost wedding with Callon.
He reached out to grasp my hand, but pulled it back. It was
if he was afraid to even touch me now. Bree moved to sit in front him. She
tried to force a faint smile, but gave up. Instead she leaned on his leg,
resting her head there. Her long brown hair tumbled over his jeans and he
cupped her head tenderly as he moved his gaze down.
Clayton and Skylar gave a sidelong glance before moving down
further into the valley.
“They’re going to take care of the horses,” Andre said and
sat on the ledge behind me. Apparently she hadn’t deserted me yet. She played
with a piece of twine between her fingers, and brushed a stray black strand of
hair behind her ear. Her blue eyes met mine for a moment and then looked away.
“It’s not going to be easy around here, Cheyenne,” she said quietly.
“What you did…”
“Changed everything.” I finished her sentence.
“I just wish…”
“Wishing gets you nowhere, Andre. Reality is what brought me
to my decision.” I rubbed the frayed denim on my knee. I knew what reality I
was now in, it was going to be hell.
Her blue eyes met mine in frustration. “I just wish we could
have talked it out.”
“And what would that have done?” I shook my head and stood. “It
wouldn’t have changed a thing. It just would have cause more problems. Callon would
have never seen it my way, he’d have sent an army in and caused more
deaths—more pain—needless loss! As it is, you’ve changed everything! Marcus may
not be chasing us, but he’s coming for me and the biggest fear I have now is
losing everyone I love!”
Andre blinked.
I took the steps two at a time as hot tears brimmed near the
surface. The dry grasses crunched under my feet and I stopped beside an old
metal and wood outbuilding, leaning up against the side.
I’d never felt so lost, alone, and trapped all at the same
time. I picked a stray grass and played with it. My thoughts wandered to my
parents, Qaysean and Sahara.
I couldn’t completely blame them for what they’d done; it was
out of desperation, out of fear. I knew from my mom’s journals she felt trapped
and alone. Just as trapped an alone as I felt now.
“Timeless,” I snorted. I could still hear Callon telling me I
was different, and I still remembered the numbness I felt when I found out I’d
age one year for every one hundred years. And the fact that I’d have to
transform first. I snapped the grasses stem in half. The transformation hadn’t
been easy, either. It was misery ridden, unbearable and almost ended in death.
Not to mention that when my transformation was complete, I
was to marry my betrothed, Callon. Who would have imagined it turning out like
this? Who would have known Marcus would have fought so hard for me, would have seemingly
killed Colt only to have him bring me to his doorstep. Every step I thought I’d
taken myself had always been guided by someone else…
Warm fingers brushed hair from my neck as a bulky arm snaked
around my waist pulling me closer.
Colt leaned his head on mine. I closed my eyes, his touch was
different now. It was as if he was fearful of me.
“Will you tell me what happened earlier? Why you were
screaming?”
I exhaled a shaky breath, as flashbacks of the nightmare came
back. I stared out into the field. I didn’t want to talk about it.
“You can’t always keep everything bottled up. I just want to
help.”
“There’s nothing you can help me with, Colt. I made this bed
and I’ll lie in it.”
He turned me around, lifting my chin and forcing me to look
into his icy blue eyes.
“No, we’ve been through too much for you to push me away. I
won’t allow it. We’ll make it through this together, no matter the outcome.”
Tears beaded at the back of eyes and I fought to control them.
“But the outcome will be the death of everyone.”
“Then so be it. You made a choice and I’m standing behind it
no matter what.”
“So am I,” Daniel said as he stepped beside Colt. “We’re a
family, a family always stick together.”
“But I’m an outcast among my family, Daniel,” I replied.
“And we’re outcasts with you too, Cheyenne,” Colt said. “It’s
not like I got the warmest reception.”
He drew me into a hug, and gently rubbed my back.
“Callon left because of me.”
“He’s hurt. He’ll come back,” Daniel said.
I could only hope he’d come back. We needed him, I needed him.
“Come on, the lights are on. We’ve got cleaning to do before we
can rest,” Colt said.
I followed him and Daniel back to our new dwelling, stopping
in the stone floor entry. The smell of dirt and must hung in the air along with
hundreds of dust particles that danced before my eyes.
White sheets were draped around what appeared to be furniture
in the main room. A large fireplace that I could walk into took center stage. It
was flanked by enormous sandstones and a timber hearth.
The sound of curtains opening drew my attention to the right
side of the room. Layla and Brogan coughed as the cobwebs and dust filtered down.
Rays of sunlight streamed in.
I glanced down a long hallway leading past a large wooden
table and ending in a kitchen. Lilly moved in the opening, a broom in her hand.
Nakari began giving directions, making eye contact with
Daniel, but bypassing Colt and I. It didn’t matter, from what I could tell the
place was a decent size and there was plenty of room to spread out. Nakari and I
could stay as we’d always been, distant.
A large staircase was just behind us. Colt and I took the
creaky steps and headed to the second level. Dim lights flickered in the
hallway; there were no windows in the main hall. Colt stopped at the first door
on our right and opened it. The aroma of a rotting carcass hit my nose and Colt
closed it again.
We moved further down the hall and tried another door, this
time on the left. Again the scent of must and dust hit us, but this time there
were no rotting animals. Colt ran his hand across the wall in search of a light
switch. I heard the click, but it still remained dark.
“Hold on,” he said and disappeared into the dark room.
A moment later sunlight streaked through two large windows.
I pushed past a few cobwebs and took account of the room.
Four bunks lined the far wall, and what appeared to be a couch covered in a
dusty sheet sat before a stacked stone fireplace. Colt went to the fireplace
and dropped the damper. A pile of leaves, dirt and twigs dropped to the floor.
“I guess we can start in here,” he said.
It was as good a place as any.
I headed to some closet doors, hesitating for a moment.
Cobwebs meant spiders, and I hated spiders. I blew out a breath and opened the
doors, ready to jump back if needed. The closet was filled with stacked boxes, some
were labeled: sheets and blankets. I pulled a box down and blew off the layer
of grime before pulling away the tape. At least they were sealed, which meant
nothing could get in them unless it chewed through the cardboard.
Inside the boxes were sheets wrapped in plastic. I was able
to pull them out when I glanced at the bunks, they were missing mattresses. I frowned.
Sleeping on the wood base would be uncomfortable. Unless…
“Colt?” I turned to find that he was no longer in the room.
I made for the door and glanced both ways, he must have gone
to get cleaning supplies. I headed down the darkened hall. If someone had taken
the time to carefully pack linens away, chances were they’d stacked mattresses
or other things in another room.
I went for the first door on my right, opening it slowly. I
didn’t need another whiff of decay. Specks of light drifted through long heavy
curtains. I went straight for them and pulled what was left of them open.
A sneeze escaped me.
“Bless you,” Colt said, leaning in the doorway. “Got bored
cleaning the first room already?” He lifted a brow.
“I was looking for mattresses.”
I glanced around the room. It was like the first room; four
bunks without mattresses, a sofa covered in a sheet, and a fireplace. What was
this place?
Colt stepped inside.
“Maybe in here?” He stopped before closet doors.
I shrugged. Chances were it was just linens like the other
room.
He pulled open the door and I screamed as a fuzzy brown
animal leapt out at him. Colt jumped and cornered it quickly. Several heavy
footsteps pounded down the hall, but they weren’t all human.
Maes bolted around the corner in his Tresez form. I pointed
to Colt. Daniel, Brogan and Clayton burst in behind him.
Maes inched closer and a moment later a small squeak sounded.
He turned around and shifted.
“It was a squirrel, Cheyenne,” Irritation flared in his
voice.
“She didn’t know,” Colt said, “It scared her is all.”
At least I knew Maes would still come to help if
needed—maybe.
Maes eyed him for a moment. “What are you looking for anyway?”
“Mattresses,” I replied.
He pushed the others out of his way and I followed. Brogan
rolled his eyes as I passed. Four doors remained, three on the right and one on
the left, Maes went for the second door on his right.
“Here.” He pushed it open, and clicked on a light that revealed
wrapped and stacked mattresses. It was a storage closet of sorts.
Who did stuff like this, stacking mattresses with protective
wrappings? Did they plan on coming back here one day?
“Just what is this place?” I couldn’t hold back my curiosity
any longer.
“It was an old training facility. Marcus is particular about certain
things,” Maes answered. “It’s been abandoned for years, but I knew there would
be supplies here, and halfway decent housing.”
“And hidden,” I murmured.
He nodded for me to follow him, Colt and Daniel tagged along.
We stopped in the hall.
“A main bathroom is here.” He pointed to a door further down
on the right. He took a step across the hall opening another door and turning
on a light. “And this is where I think you need to stay, Cheyenne.”
A large bed took center stage with a gold chandelier hanging
over it. A marble fireplace was in front of it with chairs sitting around it
covered in cloths. I stepped over the threshold and my skin prickled. This was
Marcus’s room.
“No.” I shook my head and stepped back bumping into Brogan’s
chest. “I won’t stay in here, Maes. Give me a bunk.”
“So you can murder us in our sleep?” Brogan said coolly.
I turned to face irritated brown eyes.
“Well, you’re the ones who brought me here, so obviously I
can’t go anywhere.” I held my ground. Sleeping in the same bed or even staying
in the same room as Marcus had been wasn’t going to happen.
“It was a mistake,” he said, “just like putting our faith in you.”
Colt pulled me away from Brogan.
“And what are you going to do, Colt? You’re powerless thanks
to Cheyenne!” Brogan snapped. “Not that you had much in the first place…”
“Enough!” Maes shoved them apart. “Go make up the other
rooms, there’s plenty to do yet.”
Brogan hissed as he passed. Judge as he might, I was right in
the decision I made, regardless that I didn’t know how I was going to defeat
Marcus, they’d see it one day, but then it’d be too late.
Colt and Daniel pulled the mattresses from the storage room
and began stacking them as I went back to the room and dusted the bunks. Colt
had found a broom and cleaning supplies. Within hours we had the two rooms
cleaned and aired out.
Daniel disappeared to let them know of our progress while I
sat down on the red runner in the hall. I was getting tired again, and the ache
behind my eyes had returned. I leaned against the wall, my fingers rubbing my
temple.
“You’re tired, aren’t you?” Colt said as he squatted beside me.
He brushed a stray hair back.
“It’ll pass,” I replied trying to convince myself. I wasn’t
sure I wanted to sleep after my last dream.
“In time, but it’s already been five days since your
marriage.”
I stared at him blankly. I’d been awake for at least two of
those five days…
“You held me while I slept for three days?”
“Well, I couldn’t just lie you down and leave.” He gave a
faint smile that quickly faded. “I was more than willing to take care of you
after all I put you through.”
My mind whirled around the past events. All the cruel words he’d
spoken to me, all the torment I had to endure at his hands…but he was the one
who shoved me into the room that led me to find Sahara’s journals. And without
those journals I wouldn’t have found the truth.
“I almost killed you, Colt,” I whispered. “I wouldn’t have
been able to live with myself if I had.”
“But you didn’t, you stopped.” He lifted my hand and kissed my
knuckles. He glanced down the hall, soft footsteps pattered on the steps. “Why
don’t you go rest, I’ll take care of the other rooms.”
He helped me up and led me to a bunk, pulling down the
covers.
“I’ll come and check on you later. I’ll find out the bathing
arrangements and then you can get cleaned up.”
I crawled under the blankets and lay staring out the open
window. Birds were chirping and the sun’s last rays were filtering through the
space. At least we’d have more sunshine here than in Ireland, although my
sunshine was now still alive.
He leaned down and kissed my forehead before he disappeared
out the door.
Rest would help me regain my powers. It shouldn’t be too much
longer till they were restored, but then would come a whole new set of worries.
I’d be gaining Marcus’s powers too, and I didn’t know exactly what they were.
My eyes fluttered at the rain pattering against the
windowpane. I rolled over pulling the covers from my head. I’d not seen rain
clouds when I fell asleep. I drew the covers down and glanced around. It was dark,
but I was in the same room I went to sleep in.
I sat up on my elbows and waited a few moments for my eyes to
adjust to the darkness. Lightning flashed and lit up the room, the other bunks
were empty. Brogan had said no one wanted me here, but would they be that petty
and not sleep in the same room?
My thoughts drifted towards Nakari, chances were she’d
persuaded them otherwise. I sat up as irritation rose. Nakari blamed me for
stealing Callon’s heart and then crushing it into dust. She’d been against me
from the start with her cold glances and cruel words. She herself had even
tried to seduce Callon, forcing him to choose between her and his destiny.
Anger began to burn in my veins. Now she was turning everyone
against me, including Colt and Daniel? She was angry and wanted nothing to do
with me, wanted to ensure I was isolated and alone. She hadn’t made eye contact
in days; she hadn’t even acknowledged my presence.
I threw the covers aside. She and I were going to have it
out. She could ignore me, but she shouldn’t influence the others. They needed
to make their own choices. I’d show her what it meant to turn others against
me… I made for the door, opening it and listening for any sounds. It was
strangely quiet.
My anger simmered as I padded down the hall, stopping to open
the other bunkroom we’d cleaned out. At least three of the beds were filled
with large bodies. They must have made this the guy’s room.
I closed the door and continued on stopping at the top of the
stairs. A dim light was coming from the large room, and the sound of a fire
crackling. I grabbed the handrail as I made my way down. Nakari had to be down
here…
I rounded the corner; chairs had been pulled closer to the
fire with their backs facing me, and several heads protruded above the high
backs. What looked like Brogan and Layla lay snuggled together on the couch,
Layla’s shoulder resting on Brogan’s.
Nakari’s auburn locks tumbled off the side of a high back
chair. I clenched my fists. I didn’t care if everyone heard, this needed to stop.
“Nakari,” I called out and moved closer. She didn’t answer.
“Nakari!” I said again and stopped before the fireplace.
I stood motionless, my breath caught. Nakari’s head lay
slumped over the arm of the chair, blood pooling on the floor.
I flipped myself to face the others. Brogan sat unmoving; his
eyes open and mouth gaping. Burn marks laced his shirt. Layla’s head limply
rested on his shoulder, blood dripping off her chin.
I began to shake as I turned yet further and saw Skylar, his
body contorted in the chair, and what looked like bite marks riddled his body.
I opened my mouth to scream, but nothing came out. I pressed my
hand to my face when a sticky residue smeared across my cheek. I pulled them
away. They were covered in blood, their blood. But I hadn’t touched them…
I bolted from the room and headed for the stairs. Colt! He
had to be upstairs sleeping, he and the others had to be sleeping while this
attack took place!
I took the stairs two at a time, my chest pounding. I flew down
the hall and grasped the doorknob, throwing the door open.
“Colt!” I screamed, air finally hitting my lungs. “Colt! They’re
dead! We’re being attacked!”
No movement came from the room. I struggled to find the
switch and squinted when it lit up the room. My lower lip began to tremble,
blood was everywhere. Daniel laid a crumpled mess in the corner, Maes was
sprawled across the floor as a Tresez.
I searched franticly for Colt, my chest heaving. He sat completely
still on the couch, his back turned from me. I inched closer, my heart dreading
what my eyes would see, and I collapsed to the floor sobbing. A piece of broken
wood lay buried in his chest.
“No!!! No!!!”
“Cheyenne,” a voice I recognized called out. “This is all
your doing. You did this, my angel…”
I couldn’t catch my breath. My entire body began to shake uncontrollably.
Marcus was stealing everyone away from me! He was murdering my entire family!
“No!” A deep bellow came from the pit of my stomach and vile
rose in the back of my throat. My hands were blood stained. I’d done this…
My cheek stung and I grasped it as I rolled over. My chest
heaved and I blinked.
“Cheyenne! Stop, you’re having a nightmare!” Colt screamed.
“It’s not real, whatever it is, it’s not real!” Daniel
shouted as he stroked my head.
I blinked again. I was in my room and tears streamed down my
cheeks. I opened my mouth and gasped for air. Colt drew me into his arms,
cradling me.
“It was just a dream, sweetheart, just a dream.”
He began to stroke my back.
My fingers fisted into his shirt. He was alive.
“Everyone was dead,” I whispered. “Blood, it was on my
hands…” I sucked in a shaky breath.
“No one’s dead. We’re all here.”
I heard his words, felt his touch, but my mind still couldn’t
wrap around what was real and what was a dream. And just moments ago I’d been
consumed with anger aimed at Nakari, and then a sudden and overwhelming fear…
Cheyenne, Maes said
in my thoughts, What was your dream
about?
I didn’t move. Maes was speaking to me again in my thoughts?
Or was it because my powers were back or because he finally wanted to
communicate again? And how long was I out this time?
Cheyenne? You need to
tell me of your dream.
“I just told you, Maes,” I whispered, “everyone was dead.”
“Do you feel different?”
I didn’t reply immediately as I realized that my skin was
tingling, and my headache was gone.
“Yes,” I replied.
“Your powers are back,” Maes said.
I drew back and saw despairing jade-rimmed eyes.
“Don’t use them, it’ll draw him to you—to us.”
I stared up at Colt, icy blues full of worry. I couldn’t lose
him again; I couldn’t lose any of them…