Awakening: A Timeless Series Novel, Book Four by Lisa Wiedmeier Page A

counter and began brushing through my blond locks, then pulling them into a braid. I wrapped a small band on the end. That was as good as it was going to get.
    The bathroom door opened, and Nakari stepped in, ignoring my presence. Nothing had changed, except the hatred she’d shown me before wasn’t as intense—nor was mine. She pressed the towel to her chest as she moved to the showers. We still hadn’t heard from Callon…and chances were I’d never hear from him again unless I regained his powers.
    I left the bathroom and trekked down the dreary hall. The lights were still flickering. I wanted to find light bulbs myself and fix them, but Colt had explained that wasn’t the problem. The generator was old, barely functioning, and the wiring was likely shot from rodents chewing on it in the walls.
    Colt was sitting on the stairs when I tried to pass.
    “Here,” he said, handing me a denim jacket. “I thought you might like to take a walk.” A hopeful smile rose.
    I’d been avoiding both Colt and Daniel for days. I’d been avoiding everyone for days. Not until I could understand why I’d had the vision, and why power shot from my hands without my permission.
    “I’m good,” I said, shaking him off.
    He followed behind me, the jacket in his hands.
    I made it to the landing when his large fingers wrapped around my forearm.
    “You don’t have a choice,” he said near my ear. “Besides, Brogan’s on a rampage again.”
    I knew why Brogan was on a rampage; he was frustrated that they hadn’t found a trace of Callon, and they hadn’t heard back from their spies yet about Marcus’s whereabouts. We weren’t doing anything, but I’d given them a solution and they’d rejected it. Without Callon’s leadership, we didn’t have a true leader—plenty of people had suggestions, but the others wouldn’t agree to follow any of them. I felt like a sitting duck.
    Colt led me out the steel doors , and I shivered as a cool wind raked over us. He helped me with the jacket, and we headed towards the back of the stone building, into the forest.
    A narrow deer trail emerge d from the surrounding trees. At least this quiet walk was better than the awkward silence I’d been receiving in our new home. I’d caught Nakari and Bree murmuring in the corner, but the moment I came into view, Nakari turned a cold shoulder and Bree produced an awkward stare. And they weren’t the only ones. At least I wouldn’t have to meet their eyes or hear their murmurs out here. We were surrounded by rocks, trees, grass, and brush, only interrupted by the occasional chirping of birds.
    Colt and I hiked further into the woods . It reminded me of all the times we’d hiked together before this whole mess started. Even while I was with Callon, Colt, and Daniel at the cabin, they always made time for me. It wasn’t only Colt who’d taken notice of the things I liked; Callon had too. He’d do little things, like bring me the guitar after I ran away, after I shunned him and hurt him again. But now he was gone.
    A sigh escaped me.
    Colt turned, a faint smile appearing.
    Our pace seemed slower than usual, but that was probably because he didn’t have his powers. He was weaker without them. We stopped to rest for a moment as he adjusted his flannel shirt, rolling up the sleeves. A bead of perspiration glistened off his temple, and he brushed it away with his forearm. His blond hair was longer now, more like Koda’s when I’d first met him. His cheeks were unshaven too, his whiskers getting longer, forming a darker blond beard. He scratched his chin and pointed ahead.
    “It’s not too much farther, just ahead.”
    I nodded and we continued hik ing. It wasn’t long before I heard the sound of cascading water. Colt had led us to a waterfall. Through the trees I could see that it didn’t have multiple levels, but the drop off was close to fifty feet. The crashing water caused a fine mist to rise up around the surface below. With the overcast