Promises (23 page)

“
No!” I screeched, as Daniel jumped me outside next to Colt.

In a split second, I touched Daniel’s arm and took his powers. He didn’t have time to stop me. Surprise and shock filled Daniel’s face as Colt latched both his arms around me, pinning me down and breaking my hold on Daniel. Twisting, I attempted to take Colt’s powers, but he blocked it. I jumped us to the front of the car and tried to squirm my way out. Callon and Maes sprinted in our direction, but I jumped again as they neared.

Irritation and anger raged within. I’d allowed this to happen. How could I have been so foolish? I wasn’t going back!

“
Cheyenne! Stop! I don’t want to hurt you!” Colt growled as his hold tightened.

“
No!” I bellowed. “Let me go!”

Maes and Callon circled me again and I jumped once more as they made their approach. I couldn’t allow Maes and Callon to latch on—I could only move one person at a time. My mind was running wild. Colt and I were leaping so quickly, he began to lose his grip. I slid out from under his arms and jumped. As I vanished, his bulky fingers locked around my wrist, and I flew like a ragdoll into his chest as he yanked me back. Gasping, we jumped again—and I landed him into a large pine tree.

The branches crackled loudly…and so did his deep laughter.

“
Nice one,” his thunderous voice rang out. “But it’s going to take more than that to make me let go!” He lowered his head. “You’ve only got twenty-five minutes before you run out of time. I can hold on longer than that.”

“
We’ll see about that, Colt!” I spit through my teeth. I was not giving up. I couldn’t!

I squirmed free again, but his fingers kept hold of my wrist. He tried to pull me closer to get a better hold.

“
A little help here would be nice when you get a chance,” Colt said coolly. “Someone needs to grab her feet. I don’t want to hurt her.”

Callon and Maes almost made contact with us before I jumped again. I aimed for a large boulder; however, I hit it with Colt. Something snapped loudly, and I screamed. An excruciating pain ran up my left leg. Colt grabbed my free wrist, since I was distracted, and thrust it behind my back, pinning it there. He held tight.

“
Damn it, Cheyenne!” he growled in misery. “I didn’t want to hurt you! Why won’t you listen to me?”

Twisting, I watched Callon and Maes close in. Daniel was just a few paces behind. I jumped us again and smashed Colt into another tree. I wasn’t giving up. I clenched my jaw, suppressing the pain in my leg. I could feel sticky wetness trickling into my shoe; it must be bleeding badly.

“
Maes,” Callon shouted. “You need to phase and jump at her before she hurts herself more. Once you have a hold, it’ll be easier for Daniel and me to latch on. She can’t jump if all of us are on her. Daniel, get ready.”

Time was running out: I maybe had only ten minutes left. The pain in my leg was intensifying, but I couldn’t give up—I had to get away! I thought quickly and developed a plan. It would only be a matter of seconds before they realized all they needed to do was cover my eyes.

I jumped myself and Colt to an open area. He kept my arms pinned tight with one arm lifting me from the ground. His free hand was moving to my head…no, Daniel must have told him! Out of the corner of my eyes, I watched Maes leap. My heart was pounding. I had to get this right. I jumped us a few feet, turning slightly as Maes and Colt collided with each other. I was knocked free. I gritted my teeth and held back any sounds. In the split second they realized what had happened, I was gone. I landed next to the Camaro with agony spread across my face.

Callon sprinted. “Cheyenne!” he cried out. “Don’t move! Let me help you. You’re hurt! Please!”

“
No,” I said through clenched teeth. “Leave me be.” I jumped into the Camaro and started the engine—he was already at the window. Callon’s fist drew back—he was going to break the glass! I slammed my foot on the gas petal and sped away. He barely missed. I glanced back. Dirt was flying everywhere, but they were running now. I hit the pavement and left my lights off. The truck was parked further down the road as I flew by. How did they find me?

Four hundred and twenty-six horsepower was screaming down the highway in the dark with nothing to light the way—I quickly muttered a prayer that no other cars were on the road. I flicked on the GPS system. I needed to pull off; I needed to find a business loop or something…someplace I couldn’t get trapped. Groaning, I tried to keep my attention on the road—the truck was no longer in sight. As I turned off, I found a section of road I could use. I parked and waited in silence as beads of sweat dripped down my brow. I was trembling from pain—the adrenaline was gone, and I had no idea how much blood I’d lost.

I needed to push the bone back in place before it healed. I had hours or days, not weeks. The healing time depended on how bad the injury was. I groaned and stretched out my broken leg. Inhaling, I pushed my hand to my shin. With one good thrust, I shoved the bone back in. I screamed, throwing my head back into the seat. Tears dripped down my cheeks, and I fought to control my trembling. I forced myself to keep still and managed to control my breathing until I was able to tolerate the pain.

A soft knock on my window nearly sent me through the roof. I jerked my head up, and glanced in my rearview mirror; a state patrol car was parked behind me. I hadn’t heard him pull up. I swallowed and lowered my window.

“
Are you okay there, Miss?” The trooper was in his late thirties, with silver streaks through his dark hair. I knew he saw the tearstains, probably blood as well.

“
I’m fine, officer,” I said with as much composure I could muster. “Did I do something wrong?”

He stepped closer, flashing his light into the car. “You don’t look like you’re fine,” he said with fatherly concern.

“
No, it’s nothing, really.”

He concentrated on my face, and then gazed at my hands as he tilted his head so he could see beyond the steering wheel. He pointed the light on the floor, his demeanor remained calm, steady. “If you’re fine, then why’s your leg bleeding?” He lifted his head once more.

“
I fell earlier and cut it up. It’s not that bad.” If I could just touch him…

A few moments passed as he studied me further. “I have a first aid kit in my car. Would you mind if I take a look at it?”

I didn’t have a choice in the matter. “Okay,” I replied quietly.

I watched the trooper in my mirror. He returned quickly with a first-aid kit. I unlocked my door, and he opened it. I lifted my left leg out to the side. The lack of light had hidden the worst of the damage. I might not have been so brave if it had been the middle of the afternoon. His jaw tightened, as his fingers gently traced the wound. His flashlight highlighted it, and I fought not to flinch as the thick blood stuck to his fingers

“
You said you fell earlier?” His eyes locked on mine. “How much earlier?”

“
About half an hour ago.” Once again, I remained calm and steady, although my stomach was uneasy.

He opened his first aid kit and began cleaning the wound. I held completely still, gritting my teeth as the gauze ran across my leg.

“
What were you doing wandering around half an hour ago?” the trooper asked.

“
I was trying to find a bathroom and fell into some rocks.”

Each lie became easier. This would have to stop soon.

“
Nasty fall, I’d say.” He exhaled. “It almost looks like you snapped it in half, but I can see the bone is still attached.” He was moving his light back and forth, examining the wound further. “You should probably get some stitches, but I have a feeling you’re going to say no.” He tilted his head.

“
You’re correct.”

As he finished, my leg was actually starting to feel better. It was healing.

“
I guess that’s as good as I can get it.” A pile of bloody gauze lay to the side on the pavement. “You should really have it looked at. I can drive you into town if you’d like.” His hopeful gaze met mine.

“
No, I’ll be fine. I do appreciate you taking the time to help, officer.” I touched his arm. Finally; now I could get out of here.

He shook his head and rose, taking the first-aid kit along with the bloody gauze. “Are you planning on staying here for a while?” he asked.

“
No, I just pulled over to look at my GPS system.”

Hesitating, he replied, “All right then. You drive safe and please try to keep it under the speed limit.” A faint grin appeared. “I know a car like this can be tempting to drive fast.”

I situated myself behind the wheel with both legs in, and he closed the door. I watched again in the mirror as he got in his car, but he didn’t depart. I sighed heavily and realized he was waiting for me. Complying, I returned to the highway and turned left, away from where my guardians found me. Lights on, this time I had no planned stops—except gas.

The morning sun finally appeared, and I stretched my leg. It had repaired itself. The fuel gage was pointing to empty again—much sooner than it should have—so I found a small gas station.

I gasped when I opened the door and saw the interior of my new car—bloodstains.

“
Crap,” I muttered and looked around to ensure no one saw inside. I didn’t dare leave the car to get cleaning materials. I was on high alert after last night. It’d just be my luck that if I walked inside, my guardians would show up, and we’d have a showdown in the parking lot.

Wayward stares came my way, and I soon realized blood was smeared over my face and not just the interior of my car. Using the paper towels and bottle of water I had purchased earlier, I wiped it away as best I could. I caught the clerk inside watching intently. He was about to come out when I finished up and drove off. I crossed and recrossed my driving trail several times. I still hadn’t seen any sign of my guardians.

I was a mess.

I found a motel and paid for my lodgings. Parking in the rear, I determined the easiest escape route and studied it. I grabbed my bag and marked out how many paces it was to the motel door. If I had to get away, I needed to know the distance. Stepping inside, I tossed the pack to the bed as I bolted the door behind me. It was really pointless to lock it; it wouldn’t stop my guardians if they found me. Either Daniel would jump inside, Colt would kick it down, or maybe Callon would run through the door with all his pent-up anger.

The warm shower was refreshing, and I removed all the caked-on blood and dirt. Once I changed into clean clothes, I tossed my ruined ones in the trash. My shoes were loaded with blood, and I had no choice but to dump them as well. I dug through my pack and located a pair of flip-flops I’d thrown in. I’d have to stop and buy clothes tomorrow.

I sprawled out on my belly. The bed cushioned my sore muscles as I tried to relax. I was mentally and physically exhausted. Yet every creak and groan, every twitch of a hair brought my eyes searching…all day long. Eventually, I gave up and glanced at the clock. I’d slept a mere hour. I wasn’t completely refreshed, but it would have to do.

Picking up my pack and sliding my flip-flops on, I peered out the window through a crack in the curtains. It was still dark with no sign of danger.

I ran to my car, climbed in and locked the doors. I took one last glance around before driving out of the motel parking lot. A black Escalade was parked nearby, an SUV that was remarkably similar to Matt’s.

“
Seriously?” I muttered, but quickly decided to blow it off. It was just a coincidence, nothing more. I needed to focus on other things. Besides, there were loads of SUV’s around…nothing unusual at all. I was just paranoid after the day I’d had—that’s all.

I drove through a couple of smaller mountain towns and waited until I thought the coast was clear before finding a department store mid-morning. I wouldn’t put it past my guardians to ambush and drag me out a back door if they found me again. I’d have to be on my toes. They wouldn’t let me go this time, police involvement or not.

I found the women’s department and rushed through, grabbing things randomly from the racks. I couldn’t afford to be picky right now—I just needed clothing. I purchased new running shoes along with a jacket, jeans and a scarf. I was in and out of the store in less than an hour.

I studied every movement on the street as I neared the Camaro. I was thankful the sales woman had allowed me to put the running shoes on before departing. Once inside the car, I locked myself in and drove off.

I hadn’t plotted a course anywhere, but where I’d been would do. Hours passed before I came upon a sign with directions to a ski resort. It was the off-season, and it just might prove to be the best hiding spot yet.

The resort was located against the base of a mountain and was sprawling with large custom homes and condos. The main lodge and hotel were sitting on a ridge overlooking a golf course. There were running trails that wove in and out of the condos and up the mountainside—plenty of opportunities to escape my guardians. I found the property rental office and rented a house for a month. Chances were I’d have to leave soon, but it seemed right at the moment.

The rental office gave me directions to the house, and it was nestled into the hillside facing the nearby lake. From the drive, a large deck overlooked the valley and lake in the background. I parked in the three-car garage and was in awe of the enormous size of my new home.