Awakening: A Timeless Series Novel, Book Four Read Free Page A

joining of powers is going to be worse for you. We’re not going to stop, so close your eyes and rest. Marcus isn’t coming.”
    Marcus wasn’t coming…at least not now, but he would . It was only a matter of time.
    I didn’t want to listen to Colt’s advice, but as each hour passed, it was becoming harder and harder to keep my eyes open. Charlie snorted beside us and Daniel stretched out his arm, handing me a small blanket.
    “This will help keep you warm, Cheyenne.” The moonlight shone through the trees, letting me see his sad eyes. “I didn’t know how we’d find you. I—I wanted to bring you something that reminded you of home.”
    “Thank you,” I whispered, close to tears once again. Daniel, my brother, was always thinking of me. He didn’t care what the others would say.
    Colt helped drape the blanket over me, and I huddled into his chest. The rhythmic sounds of his breathing, bringing back memories of how it used to be before my life had been turned upside down, helped lull me to sleep.
    My hands drifted over the soft grass of the valley, which tickled my palms. A mountain lake lay ahead. The clear skies caused the sun’s rays to dance over the water as if it were glass. Not a ripple distorted the surface; it was perfect, just like this moment.
    A tall figure moved in the distance, but I wasn’t concerned. I knew who was coming toward me, Callon. His brown wavy hair framed his face perfectly. His white shirt was unbuttoned, exposing his brawny tanned chest. His khaki pants hugged his frame well. A smile emerged from his rugged features, his hazel eyes lit up as he neared, and he stretched out a hand for me to join him.
    I had no fears here. For once, my heart felt light and carefree. For once, my heart was singing with happiness. A small breeze drifted over us, and I inhaled the scent of wildflowers. I closed my eyes, wanting to lock this moment away, this perfect moment, this perfect place.
    Thunder suddenly rolled across the sky, and my eyes shot open to see lightning illuminating black clouds. A howling wind swept over the valley, knocking me to the ground. I fought to stand.
    I struggled to my feet as lightning-laden clouds dropped from the skies. The earth shook from the thunderous blasts, and Callon tumbled to the valley floor.
    “No!” I screamed as I ran towards him.
    A lightning bolt sizzled beside me, tossing me to the side. I crawled to my feet again as the raging storm heightened. A crack of lightning whipped its way across the sky and smacked into Callon. I lost my breath as I watched his body fly through the air. Another strip of lightning snapped at his chest, and then another and another.
    “No, Callon! No!” A gut -wrenching bellow came from within.
    I threw my hands out, summoning the winds and light, but nothing happened. I gritted my teeth and fought to pull out that crimson-eyed creature, but it remained dormant. Nothing came to life.
    Hands grabbed at me, strong hands that wanted to force me down, force me to submit.
    You have nothing, my angel, a voice whispered near my ear. What you have will be taken from you…they’ll die. You no longer have control, I do.
    That voice… Marcus!
    I struggled to turn and face him, to claw at his eyes, but with each movement I made, I was knocked back down to the valley floor.
    “Cheyenne!” a deep voice roared. “Cheyenne! Wake up!”
    “No !” I fought the arms that held me down. “I’ll kill you!”
    “Cheyenne.” A soft hand touched my cheek, stroking it. “Cheyenne, it’s okay. It was just a dream.”
    I blinked, my eyes focusing in on the faces around me, and my lower lip began to tremble. Lilly held my cheek, her blue eyes filled with tears. The hands that had me pinned down began to loosen. Koda and Brogan stood, their shoulders tense, ready to leap again if needed. Maes released my legs, his eyes narrowing as he studied me. Daniel and Colt knelt by my head, their eyes wide. Colt opened his mouth to speak and then