Free Daylight, a Timeless Series Novel by Lisa L Wiedmeier Page A

myself up and into the bathroom, stopping before the mirror. My reflection told me what I already knew. I was no longer me anymore. The Cheyenne that had been so naïve was gone, replaced with another. One who would be stronger, and wiser—no longer feeble. They wanted me to move on…I would.
    As I exited the bathroom, I found the terrace doors open and Callon standing near the rail. He’d left me last night when he could have turned the tide, could have talked me out if it, prevented this hostile takeover. All I’d gotten was please forgive me . Why should I pay the price for his mistakes?
    I’d tossed and turned all night. The crimson eyes were no longer looking up at me, but staring right through me. It scared me, but I’d reached out and taken the beast’s hand, inviting it in. I had no other choice. There was no turning back now. It had taken my emotions and buried them in the fires, along with any dreams of happiness I might have had.
    I straightened and moved towards Callon. He turned and again we stood in silence. He was searching for the right words to say, words I couldn’t give him.
    He moved closer and brushed a stray hair behind my ear before his hand came to rest on my shoulder.
    “Where are you, Cheyenne?” he whispered. “Why are you leaving me again when all I want to do is help?”
    I looked away. “I haven’t gone anywhere.”
    “You keep running.”
    I met his hazel eyes. “I’m right here.”
    “No, it’s your body, but it’s not you.” His free hand came to rest on my waist and he gently tugged me closer. “I want you , love, the you that you’re hiding from everyone else, but I don’t know how to bring you back.”
    Bring me back ? The only way to bring me back would be to turn back time or erase my memory. Make me forget all the awful moments that constantly flashed before my eyes. Make me forget the guilt for all my mistakes. Force me to forget what my heart felt for Colt.
    “I want to forget…” I whispered , and the beast moved inside.
    Callon hesitated, but I didn’t. My mouth was suddenly hovering above his. I pressed closer, and my eyes shut.
    I could feel my breath hitch as I neared the corner of his mouth. Slowly and deliberately, my lips touched the corner of his mouth and glided across his. It was like the softest of whispers. His warm tongue jolted my senses as it ran over my lower lip, and soon my mouth was covered in his gentle caress.
    My hands moved over his chest , slowly making their way to his neck. They slid higher, the texture of his rough cheeks under my fingertips. I pushed them further into his dark wavy locks. I knew exactly what I was doing.
    He pulled back for a moment, his hot lips pressing against my neck.
    “I want to forget everything,” I said breathlessly. I knew he wanted this, but…
    His arms wrapped around me tightly as my assault moved back to his mouth. My assault only intensified as we moved back into the room.
    He hadn’t used the rings to manipulate me. Instead, this time I was turning the tables. My back hit the bed, and in a swift movement, without missing a beat, he pulled me up, the heavy weight of his form pressing into mine.
    Nothing else mattered right now . I finally felt alive. This beast was taking control, and the raw power surging through my veins was almost overwhelming.
    No…
    I pushed Callon back. He hovered above me, confused, just as confused as I was. This wasn’t right. It was the beast taking control. No matter what he’d done to me, he didn’t deserve to be treated like this—ever.
    “I’m sorry,” I whispered. “I can’t do this.”
    “Do what?”
    My eyes wandered to the terrace doors. Why couldn’t I banish my heartache out those doors forever? Why did I allow this beast control?
    “Cheyenne?” a mumbled voice called from behind my bedroom door.
    We stilled. Callon slowly looked at my door. He sat up and moved away, standing with his back towards me.
    I lay still for a few moments, reminding