Bonus: Awakening Chapter Four

I stared at my hands, at the wounds I’d received after
breaking Nakari’s bands. They were as blacked and crusted over as I wished my
heart would become. I needed to harden myself once again; I needed to focus on
finding a way to free us all. Lilly and the others weren’t going to understand.
I just needed to keep things to myself, like that recent vision I’d just had.
I’d been open and honest in Ireland, but could talk forever, and nothing was
going to change until I showed them something.

I flexed my fingers and watched in amazement as a blue hue
began to grow in my palms. Suddenly a burst of white light flew past my face; I
fell back and shoved my hands into the dirt. What was happening to me?

*****

Days had passed since the visions and incident with my hands,
since power had randomly blasted from my body…and I still hadn’t a clue on how
or why either of them occurred.

And days had passed with still no sign of Callon. Colt had
promised me he’d find him, had even offered to let me to come. But I held off
on accepting his offer until I could figure out what was happening to my
powers. It’d be safer this way.

I set my toothbrush down and spat into the sink, rinsing the
remaining toothpaste out. I looked in the mirror. I wasn’t the sweet innocent
girl I saw in my reflection any more—she had gone away forever.

My fingers traced the dark circles under my eyes. I was tired
but afraid to sleep. I didn’t want any more nightmares, reminding me of what
might come. I sighed. Being here every day and seeing my family alive and well only
brought me frustration because I knew they were in danger, even if they
couldn’t see it. But what discouraged me more was that I still wasn’t sure how
to take back the Consilador’s powers, and no one could help me.

I picked up the hairbrush from the counter and began brushing
through my blond locks, then pulling them into a braid. I wrapped a small band
on the end. That was as good as it was going to get.

The bathroom door opened, and Nakari stepped in, ignoring my
presence. Nothing had changed, except the hatred she’d shown me before wasn’t
as intense—nor was mine. She pressed the towel to her chest as she moved to the
showers. We still hadn’t heard from Callon…and chances were I’d never hear from
him again unless I regained his powers.

I left the bathroom and trekked down the dreary hall. The
lights were still flickering. I wanted to find light bulbs myself and fix them,
but Colt had explained that wasn’t the problem. The generator was old, barely
functioning, and the wiring was likely shot from rodents chewing on it in the
walls.

Colt was sitting on the stairs when I tried to pass.

“Here,” he said, handing me a denim jacket. “I thought you
might like to take a walk.” A hopeful smile rose.

I’d been avoiding both Colt and Daniel for days. I’d been
avoiding everyone for days. Not until I could understand why I’d had the
vision, and why power shot from my hands without my permission.

“I’m good,” I said, shaking him off.

He followed behind me, the jacket in his hands.

I made it to the landing when his large fingers wrapped
around my forearm.

“You don’t have a choice,” he said near my ear. “Besides,
Brogan’s on a rampage again.”

I knew why Brogan was on a rampage; he was frustrated that
they hadn’t found a trace of Callon, and they hadn’t heard back from their
spies yet about Marcus’s whereabouts. We weren’t doing anything, but I’d given
them a solution and they’d rejected it. Without Callon’s leadership, we didn’t
have a true leader—plenty of people had suggestions, but the others wouldn’t
agree to follow any of them. I felt like a sitting duck.

Colt led me out the steel doors, and I shivered as a cool
wind raked over us. He helped me with the jacket, and we headed towards the
back of the stone building, into the forest.

A narrow deer trail emerged from the surrounding trees. At
least this quiet walk was better than the awkward silence I’d been receiving in
our new home. I’d caught Nakari and Bree murmuring in the corner, but the
moment I came into view, Nakari turned a cold shoulder and Bree produced an
awkward stare. And they weren’t the only ones. At least I wouldn’t have to meet
their eyes or hear their murmurs out here. We were surrounded by rocks, trees,
grass, and brush, only interrupted by the occasional chirping of birds.

Colt and I hiked further into the woods. It reminded me of
all the times we’d hiked together before this whole mess started. Even while I
was with Callon, Colt, and Daniel at the cabin, they always made time for me.
It wasn’t only Colt who’d taken notice of the things I liked; Callon had too. He’d
do little things, like bring me the guitar after I ran away, after I shunned
him and hurt him again. Now he was gone, all because of me.

A sigh escaped me.

Colt turned, a faint smile appearing.

Our pace seemed slower than usual, but that was probably
because he didn’t have his powers. He was weaker without them. We stopped to
rest for a moment as he adjusted his flannel shirt, rolling up the sleeves. A
bead of perspiration glistened off his temple, and he brushed it away with his
forearm. His blond hair was longer now, more like Koda’s when I’d first met
him. His cheeks were unshaven too, his whiskers getting longer, forming a
darker blond beard. He scratched his chin and pointed ahead.

“It’s not too much farther, just ahead.”

I nodded and we continued hiking. It wasn’t long before I
heard the sound of cascading water. Colt had led us to a waterfall. Through the
trees I could see that it didn’t have multiple levels, but the drop off was
close to fifty feet. The crashing water caused a fine mist to rise up around
the surface below. With the overcast skies, it cast an eerie appearance.

Colt stood beside me, and we both admired the beauty before
us. He was always thoughtful this way, showing me the beauty of nature, and
revealing his inner beauty as well. For all his shortcomings, his heart was
always in the right place. He’d always promised to be there for me, to protect
me, but now he couldn’t. We no longer traveled down the same path.

“Clayton and Skylar are leaving tomorrow,” Colt said, “but I
won’t be going with them.”

I continued to stare out at the waterfall.

“To search for Callon?” I replied, a small amount of hope
rising in my heart.

“Yes.”

“But you’re not going?” I looked up, having a good idea why.

“No.”

“Why not?”

“Because I need to stay with you. You’ve been avoiding me and
Daniel for the last few days. Something’s going on that you don’t want me to
know about.”

I shouldn’t have been surprised that he could still read me
like a book. “Not yet,” I replied.

“But you will tell me?”

I knew I couldn’t answer him truthfully, so I didn’t reply.

The back of his fingers brushed my cheek and he cupped my
chin, turning it towards him. Such sadness lay beneath the surface, such
regret, and remorse. He dropped his head and placed a tender kiss on my lips.

There was a reason he’d brought me here besides telling me of
his search for Callon. He wanted me to remember him, his love, the love we
shared. He wanted me to remember the moment I knew I loved him, when I realized
that he’d always be my light.

I forced myself to feel nothing, to be numb to his touch. Until
Marcus was gone, Colt’s life would always be in danger. It’d be easier this
way. I pushed against his chest, and he moved back. Besides, what about Callon?
It’s not like my feelings had suddenly vanished, no, but it was Callon who had.

“Don’t. I’m married, Colt. You shouldn’t do this,” I
whispered, but it was more than that.

“But you didn’t marry the right man,” he replied, his fingers
lingering on my cheek.

“It doesn’t matter. You and I can never be.” I felt heat rise
in my cheeks and my throat tighten. I’d never wanted to say those words, not to
him—ever.

“You remember when you found me at the falls? When you told
me to kiss you to remember the love we once shared?” He stepped closer,
brushing back my stray hairs. “Do you know how hard it was not to kiss you? Do
you even understand the words I forced myself to hold back?” He lowered his
head again, and my heart fluttered. “I want you to remember me, the light I
provide for you. The love I have for you, our love for each other.”

“Colt—.”

My words were cut short as he pressed his lips against mine
again. I pushed on his chest, but his hold grew tighter. He began tenderly
caressing my lips, and I fought not to give in, not to allow myself to feel
anything, but this was Colt. My light. And I knew how deep my feelings ran for
him, so I had to stop him before it was too late.

My palms began to tingle on his chest, and I let loose a
small burst of air. Colt stumbled back, confused.

“No, Colt,” I said shaking my head. “We can’t.”

He stepped closer, his hand outstretched. “I know you still
remember. I know you still love me…”

My hands began to tingle again, a blue hue growing in the
palms, and I stretched them out, unsure what was going on.

“Chey…” Colt said warily.

Suddenly a burst of light shot from my palms, aimed at Colt.
A strangled cry left my lips as Colt jumped out of the way. The sound of a tree
cracking in the distance told me the burst had made contact.

I stared at him wide eyed. What happened?

“You didn’t have to go that far!” Colt said, shaking his
head.

“I didn’t! It happened on its own!”

“I just wanted you to remember…” He tore off down the path
leading back to the stone building. I’d hurt him, but at least he was still
alive.

A cold chill swept over me as I stood and stared at my hands,
turning them back and forth. It was like I had no control over it. The power had
exploded from me—with very little warning—again.

I sat on the large boulder beside the falls, allowing Colt to
create distance between us. I didn’t want this power surge to happen again. I
never wanted to hurt him. I just needed him to back off…but instead I’d nearly
injured him. I began twisting my Servak ring on my finger. Colt didn’t have
powers anymore; I could have killed him…twice now I could have ended his life.

“No,” I whispered. I wouldn’t allow this to happen again. I
needed to stay away from everyone—taking more precautions than I had been, at
least until I could control this thing
inside me. How much power did Marcus have?

Was that the problem? Was there too much power running
through my veins? Was this a release from a build up? Or was this something
else?

The patter of paws on the soft ground caused me to look up.
Maes emerged through the woods in his Tresez form, shifting before me.

“You shouldn’t be out here alone,” Maes said. He was already
annoyed. “I haven’t heard back from my contacts yet on Marcus’s whereabouts. It’s
not safe till I know what he’s up to.”

“I think I can handle myself,” I replied and looked out over
the falls.

Maes moved in front of me, blocking my view. He stood silent
for a few moments, then spun on his heels. He’d seen the damaged tree. It was
hard to miss with puffs of smoke still rising from it.

“I told you not to use your powers, Cheyenne.”

I clenched my jaw and refused to answer. He didn’t need to know
I couldn’t control the use of my powers. He’d see it as a weakness, another
reason to blame me.

“Why?” he crossed his arms.

“Why what?” I replied.

“Why did you marry him?”

I exhaled loudly. What was the point? “We’ve already gone
over this, Maes…”

“I’m asking you here and now, again. Why did you marry him?
We had a plan. We were going to get you out!” he snapped.

“Right, so you would’ve rescued me and then what? Marcus had
the braid!” I ground my teeth. “Even if we escaped, even if we managed to get
the braid back, Callon and I wouldn’t have been able to marry until fall
solstice! If we tried, I’d have killed him! Not to mention the fact that hiding
out at the estate didn’t work. They took me from my own wedding.” I jumped off
the rock, moving closer to him, poking him in the chest. “We tried everything
your way, yours and Callon’s. Marcus knew you’d lock me up, knew I’d go in
search of Colt. He knew I’d falter.”

His eyes darkened, and he towered over me.

“Well, you’re Marcus’s property now.” His accent thickened.

“Watch it, Maes,” I replied with a brutality that surprised even
me. “You’re treading on dangerous ground.”

“Why do you continue to blame me for your own mistakes? You
need to take responsibility for your ill-informed choices.”

Anger boiled in my veins. No matter how many times I repeated
this, they didn’t get it.

“I was created for this! My sole purpose in life was to
finish what my mother couldn’t! Why can’t you see this?”

He grabbed my arms as if he wanted to shake some sense into
me, but he was the one who needed it knocked into him. Not that I could give
him any clearer explanation. I was as clueless as the next how I would
accomplish this feat.

“You gave Marcus the Consilador’s powers. Our clans are on
the verge of destruction! You’d risk our lives like that without even asking?
Without even warning us?”

I shoved against his chest till he released me. He breathed
heavily, his eyes focused.

“And how would you have liked me to warn you? A carrier
pigeon? How the hell was I supposed to let you know when I only figured it out right
before the ceremony? How do you think it made me feel that I was right all along?
That I was created as nothing more than a weapon.”

He stepped back, his gaze lowering.

“You should’ve found another way before charging in without
thinking.”

“I didn’t charge in, but you refuse to see that.” I shook my
head. “I told you before, my destiny was planned out way before any of us knew
about it. It was thought out, and not just by you.”

Jade-rimmed eyes met mine.

“I want to trust what you’re saying, but I can’t.”

“Because betrayal runs deep. You have no more trust for me
because all I’ve ever done is let you down. I’m the one who can fix this whole
mess, so just leave me to it.” I pushed past him and headed down the deer trail.

“I—I don’t want to lose you,” he said quietly.

“You already lost me…”

My legs couldn’t take me fast enough away from him, and away
from the falls. I was tired of explaining myself. Tired of being reminded that
I was as unsure as they were how I’d accomplish this task. I was never going to
get their approval. What was done, was done. I needed to start concentrating on
how I was going to kill Marcus, how I was going to end it once and for all for
everyone.

Maes didn’t follow me. By the time I’d reached the
outbuildings again, a light drizzle had started. I headed for the shed I’d
cleared out. The door creaked as I opened it, and the gloominess outside
darkened the small space. I cranked open the potbelly stove and tossed a few
logs in. Reaching over to the workbench, I grabbed the matches and lit one. A
flicker began as I carefully lit the kindling. I blew on the flames, causing
them to grow. Closing the stove door, I pulled the rickety stool closer.

It was better this way. Maybe it’d be best if I slept out
here. It wasn’t like anybody would miss me. They’d probably be happy I was gone.

I rubbed my arms. The fire wasn’t warming up quickly enough
to chase out the chill in the room. But then again, more than the chill in the
air was bothering me.

How do you plot another’s demise knowing it could be your own?

I rubbed my temples. Maes was right. The clans were falling
apart, and it was because of me. Callon had always been the one who held them
together, and even when I said I’d step up, it was met with disbelief and
disapproval. But then again, I was never meant to lead. After all, I was the
weapon to destroy Marcus—would I even be around afterwards?

Callon should have been here to help me figure this out. Where
was he? Did anyone know? I couldn’t believe he would abandon his family like
this. Was he in contact with the others, but refused to show himself to me? Was
Colt’s promise just something to keep me busy? To keep my focus away from the
others who knew his whereabouts? Nakari had been distraught when he left and
now she focused all her anger on me. Had he been contacting her? Was he even
alive?

I shook my head. No, I refused to believe he was dead, but
Nakari had said he’d been through things before. My gut told me she’d been the
one to bring him out of the deep pit of despair. They had a connection, like
Colt and I did.

A bout of curses caught my attention. I stepped outside and
peered around the corner. Brogan was gutting a deer; droplets of blood were
spattered across his unshaven cheeks. Dex came up from behind him and they
began talking. Lilly must have sent Brogan out hunting. It was well beyond our
time to eat; yet I wasn’t hungry. Timeless could easily go several days to a
week without food.

“We need to go out tomorrow, Dex,” Brogan said. “I’m growing
tired of waiting for Maes’s contacts. You and I both know something is up. We
haven’t caught sight of any Trackers or Tresezes.” He shook his head. “It’s
like they’ve given up or something, which makes absolutely no sense.”

Dex scratched his chin. “I have to agree. In all the years of
battling Marcus, he’s never pulled back unless he has a trick up his sleeve.”

Their conversation continued, but the wind shifted so I
couldn’t hear any longer.

So they hadn’t seen anything of Marcus yet. Why? What was he
up to? I watched for a little while longer, trying to catch their words with no
success. I was scratching my brow when the familiar tingling began in my
fingers. My eyes grew wide when I saw the blue hue glowing in my palms.

“No!” I hissed and tried to slam my hands down. Without
warning, the bolt snapped to life before I’d reached the ground. What sounded
like a whip crackling echoed in my ears, and Brogan’s curses could’ve rivaled a
sailor’s.

I looked up, my palms firmly planted in the wet soil. The lightning
had struck his deer, exploding the carcass everywhere, including over him and
Dex.

His eyes met mine and then darkened. He rose, breathing heavy,
and stalked towards me. I scrambled to my feet and shoved my hands in my
pockets as I pushed up against the wooden structure. I had no idea if I was
going to explode again. This time it had come closer than the last.

“What the hell did you do that for?!” Brogan bellowed, blood
and chunks of deer dripping from him.

I didn’t reply as he towered over me.

“Cheyenne,” Dex said and pushed Brogan back. His hazel eyes
narrowed and then moved to my hands. “Why are your hands in your pocket?”

“They’re cold,” I said quickly. I needed to get away from
them before it happened again.

“Let me see them.”

“No.” I tried to inch further away.

“Cheyenne Alexis.” His lips straightened into a thin line,
and his fatherly tone had come out.

I tried to slide around the corner of the building when Dex
caught my arm.

“I didn’t mean to do it,” I protested. “It just happened.” I
gripped the inside of my pockets tightly. If something happened again, it would
hit me, not them.

“Sure, like we’re to believe anything you say, princess,” Brogan sneered.

Dex eyed me carefully. “Let me see.”

“I don’t want to hurt anyone.”

Dex looked over his shoulder. “Go get cleaned up, Brogan, and
then have Maes go with you to get another deer.”

“Have our princess go hunting.” He wiped the blood from his
mouth.

“Brogan, I’m not going to ask again,” Dex ordered.

Brogan’s upper lip bent in a snarl, but he turned and left
us.

“Tell me what’s going on, and don’t hold back, Cheyenne.” Dex
pointed towards my shed, and I led the way.

What was I going to tell him? I didn’t know what was
happening, and if the past weeks were any clue, he wouldn’t believe me.

I sat in the rickety chair near the stove while Dex leaned
against the workbench, his arms crossed.

“What do you mean it just
happened?” Dex questioned.

“I can’t explain it,” I replied.

He sighed and shook his head.

“You’re not sixteen anymore, Cheyenne. Explain ‘just happened’.”

I pulled my hands from my pockets and warmed them over the
stove. I might as well tell someone before this got out of control. At least
Dex was willing to listen, and he’d more than likely offer the best
explanation.

“A few days ago, I was sitting in the meadow when my palms
began to glow, and then without warning, power shot from them.” I hesitated,
unsure what he’d think. “Today while I was with Colt, power randomly shot from
me again, narrowly missing him.”

“And now with Brogan and me,” Dex finished for me.

“Yes. I can’t explain it. It’s like I have too much power
running through me, and it needs a release.” I looked up at him.

He frowned and rubbed his chin. He too had grown whiskers;
our supplies were limited.

“I’m not sure what to make of this…” he said. He began pacing
back and forth. “What happened before this power shot from you?” He paused a
moment, waiting for my reply.

“Nothing, just normal everyday stuff.” Except the vision I’d
had the other day…

He raised a brow. “You’ve never had normal everyday stuff,
Cheyenne.”

I rolled my eyes.

“Does something happen before it shoots from your palms?” He
went back to his pacing.

I decided to focus in on what I knew for sure, not the
unknown.

“My hands begin to tingle, and my palms get a bright blue hue
to them.”

He stopped again, but this time his eyes were distant, like
he was focusing in on a memory. He headed for the door.

“Stay here until I come back,” he said and nearly ran Daniel
over as he passed him. “Stay away from her, Daniel.”

Daniel stopped outside the doorway. His brow puckered and then
his eyes saddened. I turned away.

“Chey,” Daniel implored.

“Listen to Dex, Daniel, and stay away from me.”

I peeked over my shoulder. Daniel was slowly walking away.
Every time I saw him, he looked more and more fearful. I’d caught Bree and
Nakari’s worried stares. They wanted to help him, but were unsure what they
could do. His ever-present smile had disappeared. Even his touch, one that had
always brought me peace, now brought me uncertainty, fear, and regret. I
already had enough of that myself. I didn’t need to add to the growing pile.

I opened the stove and added another log. It was getting
warmer, but I’d made a poor choice in buildings. This was going to be a long,
cold, lonely winter…

The room darkened, and I glanced back to see Colt standing in
the doorway. I rubbed my hands over the fire again.

“Dex said you’re to stay away from me, Colt.”

He moved further in the shed, ducking to miss a beam. He
raised his arms and lifted down an old dusty chair from the rafters. He planted
it next to the stoveand sat beside me.

“I’m sorry,” he said quietly.

I didn’t reply, but instead focused on warming myself.

“I shouldn’t have done that to you. I shouldn’t have put you
in that position. And I should’ve believed you when you when you said it just
happened on its own.”

“You should stay away from me, Colt. I don’t know when or if
this will happen again.”

“I’m not leaving you ever again. I did it once, and it was
the biggest mistake of my life.”

It was the biggest mistake of his life…he’d delivered me to
Marcus. He’d tormented me, and he’d been the one who caused me to find my
mother’s journals. None of which could be taken back.

He reached over and grasped my hand before I had time to
react. I pulled back, but he refused to let go.

“Colt, please, I don’t want to hurt you,” I pleaded.

Determination set in the planes of his face. “You’re not
going to hurt me, and I’m not going to fear your powers. You can control this.
We’ll work on this together.”

“What if I can’t? What if I really cause harm?”

“Those were minor blasts compared to what I’ve seen you do
before. Yes, they’d be painful, but survivable.”

“You don’t have your powers anymore to defend yourself,” I
countered.

“No, but I am Timeless.” He tapped his chest and winked.
“Harder to kill. And I’m not as weak as you think I am.”

A damp blond lock fell into his eye. He wasn’t weak, just not
as strong as he had been, and it would hurt him in the end. I needed to figure
out a way to get the Consilador’s powers back. And I needed to do it now.

It couldn’t help but bring my thoughts back to Callon.

“Have you heard from him?” I asked quietly and twisted my
Servak ring on my index finger. I knew Skylar and Clayton were going to search,
like he’d said earlier, but I couldn’t help but wonder if he knew anything
else.

“No.”

My chest tightened, and I lowered my lids. It shouldn’t have
been this way. I shouldn’t have broken his heart like I had, but what was I to
do when the truth lay before me?

“Have you been using your powers outside of these outbursts,
Cheyenne?”

Colt and I turned. Dex was standing in the doorway. He
stepped inside, continuing. “Outside of what you did for Nakari?”

“Once,” I replied. Colt squeezed my fingers.

“When?”

I looked at Colt, his gaze steady.

“On my hike earlier.”

“Was it large or small?” Dex asked.

I hesitated a moment. Should I tell him about my vision in
the meadow? If anyone could help me figure out the meaning, it’d be Dex. But
then again, they’d told me not to try and regain the Consilador’s powers. So
was that what happened? Had I actually made a connection with Marcus?

“Small, but…”

He rubbed his whiskered chin and stepped closer.

“But what?”

I looked up at Colt’s reassuring eyes. Once I brought this
out to Dex, I was sure others would have their opinion as well.

“I had a vision the other day, the day I was out in the
meadow, right before Lilly came to me.”

He stilled, waiting for me to go on.

“It was odd. I was sitting there in the meadow, and then in
the next moment I was in what appeared to be memories.”

“What did these memories look like?” he asked.

“They were figures, misty figures using their powers.”

I held back the part where I’d heard Marcus’s voice. I wasn’t
sure if that had been real or a figment of my imagination.

Dex studied me for a few moments more and then shook his
head.

“I don’t understand it. For all my knowledge from Timeless
powers to medical treatments, this shouldn’t happen.”

He’d completely overlooked my vision.

He began pacing again. “If I had access to the O’Shea library
and if Callon were…” he trailed off.

He didn’t need to finish his sentence. I knew exactly what he
wanted to say.

“If Callon were here he’d know…if Callon were here the clans
wouldn’t be divided.” I stood, pulling away from Colt as they stared at me. “If
Callon were here, he’d make everything right, and if Callon were here, I’d be
banished.”

I made for the door. Callon wasn’t here because of me. I was
the cause of all these problems. I was their greatest failure, and I was
staring them in the face.