A/N: Well, we're finally at their senior year. This is the fourth installment in my Covenant fanfic series and we're finally at their senior year. I've paraphrased the actions and abridged some of the dialogue from the movie because I'm pretty sure we all know what they've said and done. I don't plan on deviating too much from the movie's premise, but since Rowan is the Keeper of the Covenant some aspects will have a different view. I hope you all enjoy! :)

Disclaimer: I own nothing from "The Covenant"

*Mild sexual references herein

I. Magic Mayhem

Double, double toil and trouble;
Fire burn, and cauldron bubble.
-Macbeth

Senior Year

"This one's for turning vampires back into humans," Hunter said.

"I've only ever heard of that," Rowan said. She left her book on the table and went to stand by Hunter who was scanning the Book of Deliverance.

The two of them were in Lucius' old cottage, a place he had built which was protected by magic for Keepers of the Covenant. Hunter and Rowan had been scouring the many books and papers for weeks now since Rowan had taken Hunter here.

"It can only be done if the person has been a vampire for a year or less otherwise it probably won't work or it could kill you," Rowan paraphrased. "Hmm."

It was a thick book and they still hadn't gone through all of it. On the shelves were other texts about various beings – evil, neutral, and good. How to vanquish them, how to undo or cast spells. A few months ago when Rowan had been transported back to the seventeenth century, there weren't nearly as many books as there were now. Keepers had added their experiences and finds as the centuries passed.

"So," Hunter hedged as they continued to read, "how was it?"

"How was what?" she asked.

He chuckled. "I hope you were safe." When she didn't answer right away, Hunter stared at her with borderline shock. "You didn't use a condom, Row?"

She pursed her lips, and blushed deeply. She and Reid had made love for the first time about a month and a half ago, sans condom at Rowan's insistence. "We haven't made love since those…two times," Rowan trailed off. "And obviously I'm not knocked up or I'd know by now."

"It was just those two times then?"

Rowan nodded. "Don't look at me like that."

He snorted. Hunter Mercer was her closest friend, and her Shepherd. Shepherds were an old sect of supernatural bodyguards. Hunter came from a long line of telekinetics; his strength and reflexes were slightly faster than the average human. He was about six-three with olive skin, black hair, and jade green eyes that popped like the finest gems. He was also a black belt to some nth degree and wasn't to be messed with.

"Are you going to the Dells tonight?" Rowan changed the subject.

He shrugged. "If you want."

"Eh. They never last long with the police always breaking it up." Not to mention the crowds got her. She was still healing from her time in the past. Being locked in that dungeon for a week, beaten, whipped, forced to watch her mentor and friend Lucius burned at the stake. Sometimes she couldn't believe that she'd gotten back alive. If alive was what you could call it.

And losing Nana was still a sharp pain in her heart. Rowan missed her everyday.

When their eyes began to hurt they called it quits at seven-thirty. They left the magic area, then made way to Rowan's jeep which was parked at the bottom of a small hill. Hunter was driving so when Rowan's cell phone rang she picked up.

"You just get off work?" she asked Reid.

"Yup. I am free for the night."

Rowan heard him open his car door and shut it.

"I'm hanging up if you're going to be driving," Rowan warned him. She didn't approve of driving and talking on cell phones at the same time.

Reid laughed familiarly. "Where are you?"

"With Hunter."

"You going to the party?"

"No, I think I'll pass for tonight."

Reid made a sound of disappointment, but he wouldn't push her on this. By the time he got there it would be broken up in less than an hour anyway.

"I take it you're going then?" she asked.

"Yeah. But it's early, and I'm starving."

"Row's making chili," Hunter said loud enough so Reid could hear.

"Sweet!"

----

Two hours later it was just Reid and Rowan in her sanctum sanctorum. Hunter had a date with Gabriel, Tyler was with Dizzy right, and Pogue was having dinner with his family. Reid watched his girlfriend as she prepared an assortment of candles and incenses.

"What's this for?" he asked. His appetite was quite sated from Rowan's homemade chili, and he was glad to be off work with tomorrow off.

"Caleb's Ascension," she answered.

Rowan was utilizing what she had learned from Lucius. Keepers were supposed to be there for every one of the Covenant's Ascensions at the age of eighteen. A week prior, it was important for the Son to have the right implements in aiding the process. Ascending was a painful experience, mind and body.

Three different candles were placed before her on the counter, each with runes carved into them by her own hand, and charmed. A peach candle for restoration and rejuvenation. A black candle to dissolve negative energies, they were also used for hex-breaking, repelling or banishing evil. And a white candle, for cleansing and spiritual enlightenment. They were to be lit before the Son went to bed every night for seven days prior to his birthday.

"Am I going to get a goody-bag, too?" Reid asked.

Rowan's smile was tight. She knew Reid was joking but she was trying to do her best as a Keeper. She didn't go through hell for nothing. She had always done her best to take care of Reid and her brothers as she knew how ever since she was a little kid. Rowan loved them, wanted them to be safe and happy.

Reid knew he had touched a nerve. "I'm sorry, Row."

"It's okay," she said, meaning it.

He walked around the counter and embraced her from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder. She had the scent of lavender on her today.

"Really, what is all this?" he asked, wanting to know. He was Ascending at the end of October; he might as well know what the deal was.

She hesitated, turned to look him in the eye to see if he really wanted to know or if he was humoring her. Seeing he was sincere, she explained the meaning of the candles. "The runes etched in will enhance their efficacy. The incense," – there were seven sticks of white incense – "will do something to the same effect. I have to put some charms in Caleb's room, too. And an hour before he Ascends he needs to take a vial of potion to make him feel relaxed."

It all sounded more complicated than what Reid had expected. His father didn't really talk about how he felt when he Ascended. Maybe Reid would get something out of him before it was his turn.

"What does the potion taste like?"

"Rat piss," Rowan answered.

Reid's face scrunched in disgust. "I hope you're kidding."

Rowan smiled. "Maybe. I don't know of any potions that actually taste good."

"I'll pass then."

"If Caleb and Pogue are doing this, you have to, too."

"I'm not drinking something that tastes like piss."

"I was kidding. I don't know what it really tastes like."

"All the same."

Rowan sighed. "If it'll help you, why not? Before you Ascend you're going to go through some hormonal changes. You'll be moody, achy, feel dehydrated - Oh! I forgot."

"What?"

"There's a tea that needs to be drunk at least once a day because of the dehydration. I'll have Cay take some when he gets home."

"So…basically I'll feel like I'm PMSing."

Rowan rolled her eyes. "Might be worse. Lucius said the strength varies from person to person."

Reid continued to watch her work. He liked to, she was beautiful in her concentration. Well, she was beautiful no matter what with her long wavy black hair, light brown complexion that was flawless, thick lashes rimmed her eyes making the irises stand out.

Her irises tended to change brown hues. He called them autumn eyes. Her lips were full shaped and cherry-toned, smooth and soft. Rowan was short, barely topping five-two, but her body was trim, waist curved just so, and Reid thought she had the best ass ever. He would know because he'd run his hands over it more than once.

It made him think of the night when they made love for the first time. Damn, his body still reacted to even the thought of it. She had been nervous, and in truth, so had he. It was the first time sex had meant something to him. Afterwards he'd held her in his arms. He liked feeling her bare body next to his. Then they'd made love a second time.

That was about a month and a half ago, and they had not made love since, but Reid was okay with that. Not that he wouldn't mind doing it again…and again… And shit, he'd just gotten his body in a state that wouldn't ebb without a cold shower.

"Reid, why are you looking at me like that?" she asked lightly with a sly smile.

"Nothing," he said innocently, his intense blue eyes belying whatever innocence he had tried conjuring up.

Rowan wiped her hands on a cloth, and declared herself done. She wrapped her arms around his waist; the top of her head barely reached his shoulders.

"I was thinking," she said quietly.

"Hmm?"

Rowan looked up at him, hesitant and a little shy. "Want to go upstairs?"

----

Reid and Rowan were laying together, limbs relaxingly entwined after making love. Her head was on his chest; his hand was running through her hair, the other stroking her upper arm. He liked the feel of her plush breasts pressed against him, and her bare thigh over his waist.

"I think I might just skip the party," Reid said with a lopsided grin.

Rowan chuckled. "You go." She looked at the clock. It was almost ten. "I didn't know it was that late."

"You have a lot of stamina," Reid said.

Rowan blushed. "Me? That's you."

"Do I have to recap what we just did, Row?" He smiled devilishly at her. "Or should I show you?"

"No," she mumbled, still embarrassed. She wiggled away from him and out of bed with a sheet wrapped around her.

"Why do you take the sheet?" he asked, trying to tug it away from her.

"Let me retain some modesty!" she said with mock indignation.

Reid laughed. He knew she wrapped herself in the sheet because she was self-conscious about her scars. When they were in bed it was okay, but walking around like it was nothing was difficult for her. Adding to the scars from the car accident three years ago were the five lashes Augustus Putnam had given her back in the seventeenth century. They were thin and slightly raised, but still visible.

He got out of bed and followed her into the bathroom where she was adjusting the nozzles on the shower.

"That's the idea," he said.

"I don't think so," she responded. "My skin would be pruned by the time we get out." And she didn't fail to notice that Reid was unabashedly naked. His body was lean and toned like the swimmer he was, his blond hair was askew, blue eyes bright.

Reid's smile grew even wider when he saw Rowan steal a brief glance below his waist. Ah, she'll get used to it, he told himself. He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her until her resolve almost slipped.

"Hey," he said when a guilty veil fell over her face, "I'm not going to get mad if you don't ever want to." He made her eyes meet his. "Okay?"

"I'm just…" She cleared her throat uncomfortably. "Kind of…" – she mumbled – "sore."

"What?"

"Sore," she blurted again.

"Oh." He nodded. "All right." He checked the temperature of the water before getting in with her. "I'll make it better." And when they were soaked from the waterfall of the shower, he went down on his knees in front of her.

----

"Call me tomorrow," Caleb said goodbye to Pogue. He walked through the tall iron gates to the Danvers mansion.

It was quiet when he got in. Ernie was waiting by the bottom of the stairs like a sentry with his tail wagging.

"Hey, boy," Caleb said, scratching the German shepherd behind his ears.

He took off his coat and was about to walk upstairs when his mother called from the sitting room.

"You're home early."

She was sitting cross-legged on a plush chair near the fireplace. A lit cigarette was between two manicured fingers and a shot glass of amber liquid was half-drunk in her other hand.

"It's passed midnight, what are you doing up?" he asked, not walking all the way in.

She was in a maudlin, nostalgic state of mind, Caleb could see. He had encountered it more than enough times since his mom had succumbed to alcoholism over five years ago. It was something Caleb had tried to shield his little sister from, but Rowan had been aware, even helped Caleb put their mother, Evelyn, to bed sometimes when she was too drunk to do it herself.

"Just thinking about my baby turning eighteen this week," Evelyn lamented, her voice wispy and stained with bitterness.

Not this again, he thought wearily.

Caleb could only stand there while Evelyn told him once again how she had met his father, William Danvers III. How handsome he had been, the most handsome man she had ever met.

Evelyn's eyes beseeched her son from across the room. "I'm so afraid I'll lose you like I did him."

Caleb sighed. "You won't."

Her scoff of disbelief was sharp and low. Her glass hit the silver platter with a heavy clang. "You know these powers you and your friends developed…"

He knew all this. He'd known it all his life and it was crammed into his brain when he turned thirteen, and his mother never let up on him after his dad had "died." She was convinced he would succumb to the allure of the Power, become an addict like his father.

"I won't," he insisted.

"That's the same thing he said about his father," Evelyn discounted. She sniffed. Some of her ire was dissipating. Her head lolled against the back of the chair. "This magic has broken my daughter…I can't lose you both."

He didn't say anything for a moment. "Rowan's not broken, Mother."

She closed her eyes heavily, making a motion with her head that indicated she disagreed. "I won't survive it."

When she turned away from him Caleb knew that was it. He walked out of the room, his head slightly hung. He was surprised to see his little sister sitting halfway up on the stairs. He hoped she hadn't heard what their mom had said about her being broken. By the expression on her face he gathered she hadn't and breathed an inner sigh of relief.

"What are you doing up, Lil Bit?" he asked, grinning.

She rolled her eyes. She was wearing her PJs, fluffy slippers, drawstring pants and a tee-shirt. "Waiting for you, big brother." Rowan stood up. "I have a surprise for you."

Ernie loped after them to his room. Caleb peered at the candles and incense lit, the talisman hung above his bed's headboard. "What's all this?"

"As the Keeper, I am exercising my duty to make sure all of your Ascensions go accordingly," Rowan replied didactically.

He half-smiled. "With colorful candles."

"No, silly, not just any candles." She explained it to her brother the same way she had Reid.

"Mood swings, huh?"

She shrugged. "It varies like Lucius said. But there are instructions. Do not use your powers to light the candles or the incense. It has to be done manually."

He nodded.

"And every day for the next week you have to drink this 'augury of libation' tea. I didn't make that name up," she added. "I might change it." She handed him the hot mug of tea. "Every day."

He sniffed it suspiciously. Took a sip. "It's fruity."

"Is it?" Rowan asked. "I didn't taste it. That's good. Because the potion you have to drink an hour before you Ascend probably won't taste that great."

"Potion?"

Rowan shrugged. "I've never heard of a potion that's tasted good."

"Me neither," he said. He was about to sit down on his bed when a loud dook sounded underneath his butt. "Jesus!" he exclaimed, popping back up on his feet.

Bruce Lee the ferret's body could be seen running underneath Caleb's bedcovers. His furry head peeked out from the top. Bubbe pounced on the ferret playfully.

Caleb rolled his eyes and sat back down.

"So, have fun at the party?" Rowan asked, sitting cross-legged on his bed, fists under her chin.

"It was okay," he said. The pretty blond girl he had met popped in his mind. Sarah, that was her name.

"Who's the girl?" Rowan's head tipped to the side inquisitively.

"Your psychometry is getting too strong," he said dryly.

Rowan smiled. "It's not. You were just thinking about her really clearly."

He drank some more of his tea.

"Well?" his sister prodded.

He grinned, shook his head. "She's Kate's new roommate. Sarah."

"Hmm. She nice?"

"I didn't get to talk to her much."

Rowan's eyes gleamed at him humorously. The corners of her mouth were curled upwards in a faint Cheshire cat grin. "You have this goofy look on your face, Cay."

He snorted. "No, I don't."

"Are thy smitten with the new girl?" she asked in mock jest.

"Smitten?"

"The smitten kitten," she said.

Caleb threw a pillow at her.

----

He woke up with a jolt at two in the morning. He was covered in cold sweat. Less than a second later he felt something watching him. Out of the corner of his eye he saw movement. Caleb shot up in bed and nearly banged his head on the wall trying to retreat from the Darkling lingering in front of him. Before he could take two breaths the specter disappeared in a vacuum.

He waited until his heart began to beat at a normal pace before getting out of bed. Caleb left his room and padded down the hallway to his sister's. He opened the door quietly. She was asleep.

Bruce Lee was completely out in his ferret hammock, but Bubbe and Ernie's eyes popped open when he entered.

Rowan was curled up into a tight ball with her fists tucked under her chin. Caleb had found her asleep like this more than once. It was remnants from being locked up in a dungeon for a week without food or water. Row said she would curl up into herself trying to get warm sometimes.

His mother was wrong. Caleb would never believe his sister was broken. She was the strongest person he knew; even after all she'd been through. Caleb didn't know anyone who had come out of situations his sister had been subjected to and still been able to laugh and reach out to people like she did.

His sister shivered and a screen of discontent contorted her face for a moment like something in her mind was putting her ill at ease. Caleb gently put his hand on her head and stroked back her hair. Her face relaxed. His eyes scanned the room to see if anything was amiss, when he was sure it was okay he checked his sister one last time before going back to his room.

Hope that was an okay start.

As always reviews are welcome, love to know what you think. :D