Fated, A Timeless Series Novella (A Timeless Series Companion Novel) (9 page)

“You think it might be a sign
of her turning Timeless
?” I tapped my fingers on the table.

“I’d say it’s still too early,” Gene answered. “
Dex has
told me of
a few cases where the transformation happened a year before
it was meant to
, but it’s rare.
And I’m sure Cheyenne would have mentioned something, at least to us.”

I chewed my lip.
Callon would probably want to hear about this.

Alexis handed me a hot mug, and sat down again. Her face was creased with worry.

“I really wish she’d speak to us more,” she said, knotting her fingers together. “
I’m glad she seems to get
along
well with Colt, but she’s always keeping everything to herself.
” She slouched a little.
“
I suppose it’s our fault. If we hadn’t had to move around so much…”

“Alexis, enough,” Gene said, resting his hand on her wrist. “
We’re doing everything we can. Don’t forget, these
teenage
years are pretty testing even for a human family.
Once she turns eighteen, we can explain
the truth
, and there’ll be nothing to worry about.”

Suddenly I heard soft footsteps on the stairs.

“Hey Dad?”

My eyes widened;
it was
Cheyenne!
Before she reached the hallway,
I jumped to the sitting room.
Phew, that was close.
Then I realized I’d left m
y coat on the back of my chair in the kitchen.

Oh no!

“Hey, have you had company?” Cheyenne’s voice rang clear through the hall.
“I thought I heard voices.”
I swallowed.

“Oh, it was just one of my colleagues,” Gene said. He didn’t sound nervous at all. “
St
opped by to drop some papers
for tomorrow
.”

“I see,” Cheyenne said. “Is that his coat?”

There was a long silence.

“Yes,” Alexis said. S
he didn’t sound quite as confident as her husband. “Don’t worry, your father can give him it tomorrow.”

“He must’ve been in a hurry,” Cheyenne joked. “He didn’t even finish his hot chocolate
, and you make the best, Mom
.”

“
Ah, y
ou know these business types,” Gene said. “
Always in a rush.”

“Kinda like you, huh Dad?”

I heard them all laugh, and I breathed a sigh of relief.
I wasn’t out of hot water yet, though.
I’d better g
et going
before Cheyenne found me.
It wasn’t going to be pleasant
jumping
home without a coat, but Colt
could
get it back for me
tomorrow
.

I jumped out
side
again, and
into the heart of the storm.
I
n seconds my T-shirt was plastered to my skin
, and my hair was slick across my scalp
.
Grimacing, I shoved my hands in my pockets and quickly jumped off towards home.

I’d bring an umbrella next time.

“I think you forgot this yesterday.”

Colt threw my coat onto the couc
h beside me, his keys jangling in his other hand.
He must’ve just arrived home.
I sat up, turning the volume down on the television.

“Oh, thanks,” I said.
“Did you have a good day at school?”

Colt rolled his eyes.

“Yes, Dad, it was fun.” He plopped into the couch beside me and snatched the remote, flicking channels. “
You know how much I love
calculus
.” He put his feet up on the coffee table. “But I b
et you had fun on the way home last night
without a coat.
”

“
Yeah,
I did get a first-hand experience of what it’s like to be a fish,” I s
mile
d
.
I gave a long stretch.
“
Well, i
f you’re home
already
, guess it’s time for me to
head over to the Wilson’s
.”

Not today
you won’t
.

Both Colt and I spun around. Call
on was at the door, dressed in his
leather jacket
and boots
.
He had the keys to the motorcycle in his hand.

What’s up, Callon?
I asked.
Isn’t it me who watches Cheyenne in the evenings?

Callon
ran his hand through his hair
.

Yes,
usually,
but t
here’s something I need to confirm for myself
tonight
.

I stood up, grabbing my
newly-returned
coat.

Want me to
help?

No
,
Daniel,
Callon said.
I
’ve got to do this
alone. Don’t worry, you can have a night off before the weekend.

I frowned.

Don’t you trust me?

Callon’s jaw tightened.

Of course I do. I wouldn’t have called you here otherwise. No,
it’s just
Dex told me something this morning and I need to get into Cheyenne’s room
to check something
.

Colt’s brows shot up.

You’re going to break in
to their house
?
Why?

Callon rolled his eyes.

You guys ask too many questions. Don’t worry, she won’t know, and I’m not going to take anything.
I’m only going to look around.

Colt huffed.

It’s still an invasion of privacy, Callon. I don’t think you should go ahead with this.

At least tell us what you’re planning,
I added.

Callon sighed.

Alrig
ht. Well, you already know
there’
s a possibility
Cheyenne might be the last Kvech heir. Gene and Alexis keep denying it, but a few things don’t add up.
She just looks so much like Qaysean,
and the way her eyes change color like Sahara’s,
it can’t be coincidence.
I need to find out more about her real parents, or if
she has
anything
that
links her to the Kvech
clan
.

Doubt
you’ll find much
,
Colt broke in.
She’s told me she doesn’t have any photos of her birth parents, and no heirlooms, either. A
nyway, she wouldn’t have
stuff like that
lying around.

She might
if she d
id
n’t know
its
significance,
Callon countered.
Besides, you’ve already told me she wears a ring. I need to get a closer look
at that, at least
.

And how will you do that?
I asked.
Just walk up and ask her? Colt tried that and she got all defensive about it.

She won’t know I’m looking,
Callon said.
I’m going to wait until she’s asleep.

Colt stood up, the muscles in his arms tensing. He didn’t like this at all.

Why is it so important for you to know right now?
His eyes flared.
Can’
t you wait a little? She’s finally starting to accept me as her friend
.
I’m sure I could get a good look at her ring for you…

I can’t wait,
Callon said.
Marcus has sent Ghosters to this area, and I have to know Cheyenne’s true heritage
before they find her
.

Both Colt and I exchanged a horrified glance.

No…
Colt shook his head.
That
can’t be true!
He’s not sent them for years!

I’m afraid i
t is,
Callon said. His face had become ashen.
Now do you see? I don’t want to do this, but if Cheyenne is who we think she might be,
she can’t stay here
in Idaho
.
I’
m guessing Marcus
sent the
Ghosters
to investigate because we’ve killed several Tresez
nearby
.
He lea
nt against the wall, cursing.
I should’ve realized he would’ve
known
something
was up
once his foot
-
soldiers didn’t return with news.

But what are we going to do?
I asked.
Convince her that she’ll have to move again?
She’s only been
here a
few years
, the longest in one town—ever
…

We’ll have to,
Callon said.
The only place she’ll be safe enough is the
O’Shea
manor.

I raised an eyebrow.

You’ll take her back to Ireland?

Callon shrugged.

It’s the safest place,
Marcus can’t break the enchantments there.
Though it’
ll
be difficult to convince Cheyenne when she’s still got three years before she’ll transform.

Colt stepped forward.

You really are being serious,
he said.
I had to agree;
Callon had made a vow never to go home again after Dad died. If he was prepared to break that
promise
, then he was
really
really
worried.

Wait a minute
, I said.
You seem pretty convinced Cheyenne is Kvech. Wouldn’t that mean…you know?

I’m not going to think about that right now
, Callon replied curtly.
Our first prio
rity is to find out what we can and keep the Ghosters off the scent.

Colt reached for his coat.

I think w
e should go
check on her
together,
in case we run into trouble
, he said.

Callon shook his head.

No, we’ll attract too much attention
if we all go
.
And if the Ghosters learn of her location, it’ll take one look in a mirror and she’ll be lost to us forever.

I crossed over and stood by the
front
door, folding my arms.

So how do you plan to get into her bedroom?
I challenged.
I’m pretty sure knocking on her door won’t get you too far. And breaking her window is going to be a little noisy.

Callon sighed.

I have a plan
for that
.

When he didn’t elaborate,
Colt snarled.

I can’t believe you, Callon!
You weren’t thinking of
altering
her mem
ory, were you?
He clenched his fist.

I
’d have
no other choice,
Callon answered.
And I have to see the proof with my own eyes.
There’s no point getting you all dragged into this.

Colt gritted his teeth, so I quickly stepped between them.