“
Cheyenne,” Lilly’s soft voice said. “It’s okay, they’re gone.”
I stared at her blankly for a second, trying to get my bearings straight. “You scared me. Where did you come from? Are you okay?” She was so small and seemed so helpless against these creatures.
“
I’m just fine, my dear. Dex and I took care of a couple further out before they got here.”
“
There were so many…”
“
Yes,” she replied as she drew her arm around my shoulder. “They travel in packs, mostly threes, but tonight there were more.”
“
What are they?”
“
They are called Tresez. They’re very dangerous creatures, especially at night. With their black eyes and fur, they’re difficult to see. The mist here made it even more challenging.”
I glanced around through the misty darkness as I heard crackling of branches in the distance. “Do they roam the mountains here?” I said, panicking.
“
No,” she replied. “They were out on a hunt.”
“
Out on a hunt?” If they were out on a hunt, and they didn’t roam the mountains here, then they were searching for something very specific. “What were they hunting, Lilly?” I said slowly, already guessing her answer.
Concern grew in her eyes. She hesitated. “You, Cheyenne. They were hunting you.”
“
But Colt said we’d be safe…” I trailed off looking at the embers in the fire. My mind repeated Lilly’s words. “Because of who I am?” my voice cracked.
“
No, because of what you are. They know you’re going to be Timeless, but they don’t know who you are.”
“
Who are they?”
“
The Sarac are the ones who sent the Tresez.” She threaded her arm through mine. “The Tresez are weapons the Sarac use. They send them out randomly to hunt down and destroy the children of the Timeless because you’re still human, an easy target. If the Sarac knew who you were, the stronger ones would be here instead.”
“
They sent weaker ones? They will find out someday, won’t they? And then we’ll have to face even stronger beasts,” I worried. “How did they find us?”
“
Yes, I am afraid they will discover the truth someday. As far as finding us, they must have been tracking you and the boys without them knowing. We will be ready if they send more. Of course, there are no guarantees. We can only do our best and pray we overcome.”
It hit me at once; I was the cause of all of this. They came because of me. How many other times while I was at my home in Idaho did they come for me? “I’m so sorry,” I said in realization. “I didn’t mean to drag you, Dex, or anybody into this mess. They’re after me, not you.”
“
Cheyenne, look at me, honey.” Lilly’s blue eyes were so soft and caring. “You didn’t drag anyone into this. We came willingly. There is a greater purpose to all of this than just who you are. We know what you’re capable of, we know what your heritage is, and we know what you will become someday. You have something so great deep inside of you, and one day you will understand. We are here because we love you. Each one of us would give our lives for you.”
Her words were filled with such compassion and love. I wanted to believe her.
She loved me? Already?
She drew me into her arms in a hug, and I realized just how much I missed my mom. It was so comforting to have Lilly near, even though I had only known her a short time. There was a deeper connection I didn’t understand, didn’t know how to explain. A tear rolled down my cheek. How did I get so lucky to have people like them around me? People who I hardly knew, but still loved me.
“
Thank you, Lilly. I would give my life for you as well.” And somehow I knew in my heart I would. We held our hug until we heard footsteps nearing. I turned to have Colt pull me away. My feet left the ground as his massive arms surrounded me. He hastily kissed me.
“
Cheyenne, are you okay?” his voice was filled with deep concern.
“
I’m fine, Colt.” I quivered slightly. “I’m fine because everyone was here for me.”
“
We will always be here for you, always,” he said passionately as his lips touched mine again softly. He gave me a squeeze and set me to the ground as we went back to the fire. Daniel was adding more wood as we sat.
“
Thanks, Daniel,” I said. His boyish face glowed in the firelight.
“
Anything for my favorite horse whisperer,” he replied with a faint grin.
Callon and Dex returned to the fire and sat with the rest of us.
“
Thanks, Dex,” I said softly.
“
You’re welcome, sweetheart. Can’t say things aren’t exciting when you’re around.” He winked as a smile creased his weathered cheeks.
I took Callon’s hand in mine, trying to express my true gratitude, my trust. “Thank you. You’ve done so much for me, and I don’t know if I’ve ever really showed you how much I appreciate it.” I paused. “Without you, Colt, and Daniel, I wouldn’t be alive today.” I leaned closer, and hugged him. His warm embrace meant something more now, a connection that I hadn’t felt before. His lips touched my ear and goose bumps rose.
“
You’re welcome,” he whispered.
I sighed and slowly drew back, snuggling up under Colt’s arm. It felt strange now when Callon touched me. It was more than just a touch. It went deeper. I didn’t understand how it had changed.
We sat by the fire quietly, as they were still on guard. Each sound in the forest was carefully evaluated. I replayed what had taken place, and knew I would not sleep again tonight. I always knew Colt was strong, but to see him break the neck of the massive Tresez caused me to shiver. Callon’s strength was different—but both were equally strong. I was very well protected, and loved—and grateful.
Chapter 22
For safety reasons, we waited until dawn before we broke camp. Tension was in the air from the night before; I knew it was going to be a long ride back to the cabin. I insisted I could ride on my own, and Lilly finally helped me convince the boys I was fine.
We rode in a tight formation; Daniel led, with Callon and Colt flanking me. Dex and Lilly were close behind. The sun was shining for the moment, but we could see the dark storm clouds on the horizon. The clouds billowed in the distance and turned the sky a grayish black. It seemed a severe storm was on its way, and we were directly in its path. Anxious, Mandi trotted with wild snorts. We all knew the last lightning storm caused her to run; I wasn’t sure how she would react this time. I was with her, but did that make a difference?
We were still two to three hours away when the storm hit. The winds began their assault first, blowing dirt and dust high into the air, making visibility low. It came in sudden bursts, screeching, reaching, trying to grasp out in anger, whipping and slapping at us angrily. Even my jeans did nothing to stop the cold and the stinging dirt particles.
The winds continued, and then the torrential rains began. The water pounded against us, cutting as it cuffed our exposed skin. I lowered myself and buried my face closer to Mandi’s mane. It did little good, and the driving rain continued its relentless battering. She was becoming restless, prancing her hooves into the ground. Callon attempted to grab her bridle when lightning struck with such magnitude that it shook the earth around us. Mandi reared up on her hind legs and bolted, with me still attached.
The reins fell from my fingers. I thrust myself forward to latch on to her mane. I knew I couldn’t control her. I followed her rhythm while she ran. This was the second time I had been on a runaway horse; this time, however, I had a better idea of what to expect and how to react. I could barely make out the sound of pounding hooves behind us over the rushing wind and rain. Mandi was too fast for them to catch her. Rapidly I began to realize I was on my own.
As unpredictable as she had started, Mandi suddenly came to an abrupt halt. I scrambled to right myself quickly so I wasn’t tossed from the saddle. Her head flashed from side to side and then she let out a wild series of snorts. The sound made my skin crawl. Something wasn’t right. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught sight of what had caused her to halt; three Tresezes were crouched in the deep grasses. I realized she had gained too much distance from the rest. It would take several minutes for them to arrive—minutes I didn’t have.
I lunged forward and grabbed the reins. I had no idea what I was about to do, but at least I would have a little more control. I spoke to Mandi while I held her steady; I could only pray she understood.
“
You’re going to have to help me, Mandi,” I said somewhat calmly, trying to prevent them from jumping. “We need to run fast, very fast. I need you to keep me safe. You’re the only one who can help me now.” As soon as the words were off my lips, she bolted again, and I leaned forward. Something brushed across my back as she took off in a gallop. I didn’t dare look back. I knew what had touched me—a Tresez.
Mandi ran like a thoroughbred racehorse, faster than anything I had ever experienced. We were barreling across the valley at such a rapid pace that I had the sensation I was flying. We were one, moving in unison, our bodies twined together in a single motion. The gully we crossed the day before lay ahead. It was wide enough to ride down, but today, we didn’t have that luxury. I glanced back; the three creatures were running full speed, each flanking the other. Callon and Colt were in close pursuit. We had no choice; we had to jump the gully, all fifteen to twenty feet.
My heart leaped into my throat. I touched Mandi’s neck and tried to reassure her. “We have to jump this, girl. We don’t have any other options. You can do this. I believe in you, Mandi.”
She showed no hesitation as we leaped out over the gully, landing safely on the other side, with me still in the saddle. My pulse was racing, blood surging through my veins. Rain was pelting my face; each drop that hit stung. I twisted again to locate the creatures, and watched Colt leap from his horse as one ran towards him. Callon was chasing down the second.
My heart skipped a beat. The third remained in pursuit; it had jumped the gully also. It was faster and stronger than the others; and quickly gaining ground. I could barely see Daniel, Dex, and Lilly coming from behind; the blinding storm was too strong. Mandi jumped, and I lost my balance. I tumbled to the ground and rolled to my side, springing to my feet. I had no explanation how I was able to do this so gracefully, other than adrenaline.
My eyes flashed wildly, trying to take in the layout of the land. I spotted a sturdy branch and grabbed it. I swiftly readied myself as I planted my feet. As the creature came into clear view, it slowed its approach. It began stalking, circling, and slowly creeping closer.
It was becoming harder to see. The wind and driving rain were coming down with such force that it was difficult to stand upright. With eyes as black as midnight, only the Tresez’s yellow fangs and pink gums had any coloring to them. As it rushed towards me, I gathered enough momentum in my swing to hit it on the skull, causing it to stumble. It only took a few steps and turned quickly again. Panic rose in my chest. This beast seemed larger than the others and had every intention of ending my life.
Its lips rose in a deep rumbling growl. It began circling, looking for my weakness. My fingers ached as I held the wood tightly waiting for the Tresez to make its next move. My breaths came in short, hard bursts, and my eyes blurred as the rain almost blinded me. The creature lunged in a burst of speed, and I rolled to the side, barely escaping as my make-shift weapon once again came down on its skull. A yelp escaped its mouth, and its black eyes focused in on me with death.
I barely had time to scramble to my feet before it attacked again. Anger rose to the surface. I was not going to let this creature get the best of me. He was hunting me, but I would win in the end. It leaped, and I pushed the branch into the ground so it was upright, holding it with all my might. It fell upon the branch, and the end pierced its body. We tumbled to the ground. There was no struggle—the branch had killed my foe.
The weight of the repulsive creature had me pinned to the ground. Its grisly teeth were next to my face, and its hot saliva was running down my neck. It was becoming difficult to breathe with the dead weight upon me. Its smell was horrid, rancid—unlike anything I have ever smelled previously. It was becoming almost impossible to bear its weight.
Daniel’s desperate words reached my ears, “Cheyenne! No, Cheyenne!”
He pushed the creature off and pulled me into an upright position. My limbs came back to life with a painful tingle as the blood returned. Breathlessly I replied, “What took you so long?” I paused, waiting for the oxygen to reach my brain. “Do I have to do everything on my own here?”
I attempted to open my eyes, but the pounding rain impaired my vision. Nervously Daniel chuckled as he drew me up into his arms, “Glad I could come and help a little.”
“
Is everyone okay? Are the remaining Tresez dead?”
“
We’re just fine. They’re gone now. Mandi is fast and covered a lot of ground. The rest will be here soon.”
“
Where’s Mandi?” I asked in a panic. “Is she alright? She’s the reason I’m still alive. She protected me like I asked her.”
“
She’s close; she’s fine.”
“
Cheyenne!” Callon’s anxious voice called out.
Daniel turned slightly as he replied, “She’s fine, Callon. The Tresez fell on her when she killed it.” He smiled. “She just needs to catch her breath.” Callon kneeled next to us, and began wiping the mud and blood from my face.