Chapter Seven- A Love To Beat All Loves

Almost a week had come and gone without incident. In fact it seemed as if the whole world was in favour of Laina and Reid's developing relationship. Damon enjoyed watching the way they interacted with each other. He'd figured out a couple of days a go that they had developed the gift of Bethinking each other. Something he was sure the Garwin family didn't naturally have. Ever.

Despite his need to protect his little sister's happiness, he knew that in order to do so he needed to know all the details. Including how Reid had mysteriously developed this ability. And so that was how he found himself in the basement at the Danvers old colonial house. He had sneaked past the Covenants Elder and was now trying to find the Garwin family history. And he wasn't having any luck.

"It won't be in there."

Damon spun at the gruff voice that spoke. His eyes were pitch black and a ball of molten energy was flying before he could comprehend who had spoken. He stared as the old man extinguished the energy and laughed. "You young people think you're so clever."

"Gorman." The young Half-Angel shook his head. "I'm so sorry for that. I'm a bit on edge."

"So I see. And this is why you sneaked down here?"

Damon nodded. "Reid and my sister have developed the ability to Bethink each other. I want to know how a Warlock could gain this ability."

"Because it means he has great power or because your sister is in deep with him?"

He laughed. "Both. I guess."

Gorman smiled before motioning for Damon to follow. "You certainly are a little brighter then the rest of them. But that information doesn't exist in the family history. Reid's ancestors never had the ability."

"So how do you suppose he got it?"

"I would suggest you look close at their necks. Near the ears. Perhaps the answer lies there."

Damon bowed as he moved to leave. "Thank you Gorman. I'm sure the Order miss having you there."

Gorman laughed. "Get going. Before I decide you shouldn't be meddling!"

Damon made his way into town. A few days ago Caleb had loaned him the use of a red BMW. He didn't know the model; he just knew he liked it. And it sure beat walking or teleporting. He found Reid and Laina exactly where he'd left them. The two had taken up temporary residency under a large Oak tree on Spencer grounds. Reid was leaning back against the trunk while Laina reclined against his chest. At the present time she was trying to get away and failing. He focused and caught the tail end of their mental conversation.

--think you're going anywhere darlin'. I plan on tying you up and stripping you down and--.

Shh. Someone's listening.

Um...how?

Laina looked up and gasped as she saw her brother smirking at her. "Damon!"

"What? I was just eavesdropping."

She glared at him before Reid pulled her back against him. She pouted and he had to laugh. She hadn't pouted since they were kids. "So what do you want?"

"I need to look at your necks."

Reid frowned. "Our necks? Do you have a fetish or something? Ain't no way I'm giving you any material!"

Laina snickered as Damon sighed. "No. I need to see if there are marks there. It's important."

Laina sighed before leaning back against Reid. "Fine. But I'm not moving."

"And it's not like I can move. Not that I would want to."

Damon shook his head and crouched down beside them. He moved Laina's cropped hair out of the way; a small black tattoo was the only thing on her neck. He squinted at it. It was some sort of pentagram. Obviously obtaining to Reid's witchy powers. He moved to Reid next, who grinned at him. A different tattoo sat in the same place on his neck, just behind his ear. Only this was a pair of black Angel wings. Obviously Laina's sign.

"Laina, have you gotten a tattoo?"

"No. Why?"

"The two of you have different tattoos just behind your ear."

"What?" she raised a hand and felt the slight bump, exactly where he said it was. "How did you know it was there?"

"Gorman hinted at it. He said that--."

"Gorman? As in the Higher Order Gorman?"

"One and only. He hasn't aged a day."

"No kidding. The guys immortal."

Reid blinked in confusion. "Hold on. You're talking about old grumpy Gorman?"

Laina laughed and kissed his lips. "Yep. Gorman is an immortal…mortal. He was a Warlock until he gave it up for love. The Higher Order decided to make him a sort of…well, ambassador."

"Gorman? Who would've thought."

"Anyway." Damon drew their attention back to him. "He said that this new ability of Reid's could be linked to this. You gave him a permanent link to you didn't you?"

Laina shrugged. "I wanted to protect him."

"And in the mean time the two of you have been Bethinking each other constantly. It explains the weird way the two of you have been acting."

"You are very nosey, brother of mine." She smiled at him and leaned forward to kiss him on the cheek. "But you don't need to worry."

"I'm not. I just don't want you hurt."

Reid wrapped his arms protectively around her. He looked Damon square in the eye as he spoke. "I don't intend on ever hurting Laina."

"I believe you. I'll see the two of you in History."

They watched as he walked away. She smiled back at Reid who struggled to silence his laughter. "That, was random."

That night, as they all were temporarily staying at Caleb's until Pogue ascended, Reid stretched out beside Laina on the King size bed she had chosen to sleep in. They weren't doing anything, just silently looking at each other.

"I love you."

"What?"

"I love you."

Laina smiled softly. "I love you too, Reid."

"Do you think it's too quick?"

"No. Love doesn't have a time. It just is."

He smiled, apparently very happy with her answer. "Can we get jiggy?"

Laina laughed as he pulled her to him. "Reid Garwin, are you trying to get into my pants?"

He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. "Would it bother you if I am?"

"Absolutely not." She smiled cheekily before climbing onto him, straddling his waist. She leaned down and whispered in his ear. "In fact, I think I might get into your pants first."

Reid hissed as her hands sneaked under his shirt. They were warm and pulsing with power. She grinned down at him and he felt, as well as heard, the shuffling of clothes. "Damn. I told you that would come in handy."

Laina laughed before leaning down. Her short hair brushed against his skin as she pressed a soft kiss to the middle of his chest. Reid watched her silently, his blue eyes had darkened to a stormy blue and she found she quite liked the colour. With a cheeky smiled she slid herself against him, loving the way his eyes closed for a brief moment.

"Damn you, Lai."

"Only if you follow."

"I am so never letting you go, love." He gripped her face in his hands and drew her down for a kiss.

Laina gasped at the intensity of it, revelling in the wonderful feeling settling in her stomach. A sigh escaped her lips and Reid breathed it in. She shifted against and him smiled as he groaned.

Minx. Reid grasped her waist and flipped them over. He grinned down at her and she let out a breathless moan as he captured a nipple between his lips.

Reid...

Yes, love?

You're a tease. He pulled back and pressed a kiss to her lips. Her legs moved and she wrapped them around his waist. Take me.

Reid raised himself up and looked down at her. The cropped raven strands of her hair were tousled and her eyes were a deep leafy green. They held more love and desire then he had ever seen before. Her lips were red and swollen from his kisses. He committed the image of her to memory before moving his hips forward. They gasped in unison as their bodies finally joined.

The movements were never awkward, never jerky. It was perfect in every way. Reid smiled against her neck as he struggled to contain himself. He didn't want to ruin it only a few minutes in.

Reid, please.

Hold on, love. He lifted his head and kissed her as passionately as he could, stoking the fire once more as he began to move. He captured every moan, every groan. He revelled in the fact that this was all him. That everything she felt was real, that nothing about her was synthetic. He could feel her passion as if it was his own and he was near bursting point.

Laina arched against him and bit her lip to keep from crying out. She felt as if millions of firecrackers were exploding inside of her and she couldn't tear her eyes from Reid's. He gasped as his body stiffened, his eyes darkening to an almost black colour before he collapsed.

Reid rolled to the side, keeping Laina close to him as he did. She mewled as she snuggled into him. He sighed, unable to find words that expressed the love he felt within him.

I know, Reid. I know.

The world faded as they slept. The protective grace of beings long lived watched over them, allowing them this moment of pure happiness. Never had they witnessed, in all their combined years of immortal existence, a love that even began to rival what they saw in the two they watched. They gave them great hope. And in return they blessed the two teens. A gift of love from the cosmos.

When Reid opened his eyes, the first thing he was aware of was the sleeping form of Laina snuggled against him. The very naked form of a sleeping Laina. He grinned as he remembered last night; a feeling of pure content wiggled its way through the drowsiness of sleep. His smile widened as the image of beauty stirred beside him, her eyes blinking in the bright morning sun.

Morning.

Morning, love.

Laina looked at Reid and her smile grew to match his own. You are a truly talented individual Mr. Garwin.

Reid laughed and kissed her softly. As are you my little minx.

Laina smiled before lowering her head back onto his chest. She began to absently draw images on his stomach as Reid smoothed her dishevelled hair. She could feel his happiness and her own. It was something she could barely remember feeling, and it was heightened by the deep love she could feel blooming within her. It was a feeling that came from loving and being loved.

As the two rested peacefully, the rest of the Danvers Mansion was in an uproar. The only thing stopping Laina and Reid from being aware was Damon and Sheiloh's determination to hide the problem that only continued to escalade.

"I want her out of my house Caleb!" Evelyn Danvers had managed to remain in her seriously drunk frame of mind, despite Sheiloh having watched the Covenant matriarch throughout the night. "And the other two. How dare you bring such beings into this home!"

Caleb sighed and shook his head. "You're never gonna get it are you mother? She is my sister. I can't deny her what is already hers! You know what father's will states."

Evelyn seethed inside. Her own son was turning against her. "You would support them? Despite the fact that they are bound to shed blood upon this Covenant? Do you have no pride Caleb?"

"I have pride mother. Enough to know when to trust." Caleb left the room in a huff, leaving the two Half-Angels to deal with his mother. "If you can convince her you're not going to murder her…hell I don't think it can be done."

Damon shook his head in wonder. "We can't let her say these things in front of Laina. She won't be able to handle it."

"You keep saying that, yet I don't believe Laina could take a life." Caleb cocked his head to the side. "Unless there's something I should know?"

Sheiloh laughed. "There's a lot you guys should know, but it's not necessary at this point in time. For now, we need to keep your mother in check." She stepped into the room and stopped. "Caleb? Where did she go?"

Reid smiled as Laina spelled out her name on his stomach. He was loving every minute of this. He cocked his head when he heard the heavy clomping of heels. They stopped at the closed door and he felt Laina tense.

Magic.

What? He looked down as she grabbed the sheet and swiftly covered the two of them.

Someone was using magic to hide something. And now someone stands at our door. I don't like their intent Reid.

He wrapped his arm tighter around her waist. Nothing will harm you. I swear it.

I know.

The door flew open as Evelyn successfully activated the magic held within the silver Danvers ring. She walked right up to the bed where a stunned Reid sat, his body blocking her sight of the creature she wished to harm. "Move, Reid. I don't want to harm you."

"Mrs Danvers, if you harm her you harm me. And I really don't like the look of the knife in your hand." He felt Laina curl tighter behind him.

"She doesn't belong in this world. She deserves to burn in hell!" Evelyn lunged onto the bed, knocking Reid aside, the knife plunging into the mattress behind him.

"NO!!" Reid lay on the floor. He felt like his heart should be breaking; yet Laina's presence was as strong as ever.

"Evelyn Danvers. You never learn do you?"

He turned to see Laina crouching on the other side of the room. White wings were spread, twelve feet in diameter. Black clothing contrasted strongly with the wings and the golden light that seemed to glow from within her. "You tried this before. When I came to visit only ten years ago. Even then I could move faster then you could think. You grew slower over the years."

"Lainese."

Laina laughed. The sound was strangely cold. "Correct. You always were the only person to bring out the Avenger in me. Put the knife down, or my hand will be forced." She still crouched, but a ball of pure white energy was gathered in her right hand.

Evelyn slid off of the bed and came to stand beside Reid's stunned form. "No." the matriarch grabbed onto Reid and put the knife against his throat. "I won't let you destroy this family!"

Laina shook her head and sighed before standing. Her form blurred and she was suddenly before them. "If that knife leaves just one mark I will make your soul pay for eternity. And trust me when I say I can do that."

"Mother!" Caleb ran into the room, sliding to a stop when he came into contact with a feathered wing.

Pain suddenly blurred Laina's vision and she frowned before she gasped. "Reid!"

Reid stared as she collapsed. He wrenched himself out of Evelyn's grasp and cradled Laina's head in his lap. Her eyes fluttered. He could feel her power humming through her body, yet it seemed drained, depleted. "What's wrong?"

"She summoned her counterpart." Damon stepped into the room. A pair of blood red wings were folded neatly on his back. "Until she ascends she can't do that. And she should have known better."

"Her counterpart?"

"A counterpart is the Angel of a sub-Order that resides within our souls. Her counterpart is called Lainese. She's an Avenger Angel. You don't need to know what they are." He waved off whatever Caleb had gone to say. "Get your mother out of here!"

Damon moved over and pushed Reid away. Laina's eyes had flashed black and her wings seemed to be seeping blood. She whimpered and tried to curl up. He forced her to stay lying down. She stared into his face; it was as if she wasn't seeing him. Flames leapt up around the room, yet nothing was burned. Screams filled the air and she gasped.

"I will find you little one. For all your trouble, you cannot hide Lainese. I will set you on those you hide among. Your little blonde friend will be the first you kill. And I will enjoy breaking your soul."

A hideous laughter filled the room. Damon's eyes flickered and his wings snapped open. The flames seemed drawn to him as his power suffused the room. Blood red feathers fluttered about as the flames died down. Damon sat back on his heels, his wings drooping. He raised a hand and the air about him and Laina shimmered, the wings disappearing from both of them.

Reid tried to force his way past where Caleb had ushered them all outside of the room, but the older boy was using to keep Reid rooted to the spot. He could only watch as Damon wrapped his arms around his trembling sister. He growled when Caleb pushed him back into the wall. His eyes flashed black and he was ready to fight.

"No. Reid don't."

Laina was leaning on her brother for support. She seemed weary, almost like she was ready to give up. But her eyes…they were bright and focused. Reid let the power slip away as he looked her in the eye. I couldn't protect you.

There was nothing you could do. Laina stumbled over to him, her cool hands extinguishing the fire raging inside of Reid's mind.

I failed, Lai. I'm so sorry.

She shook her head as he enveloped her in a tight hug. You're here for me now. And I need you Reid.

Reid closed his eyes and cringed when a sob wracked her body. He led her down the hall to the room he had chosen to sleep in. He laid her down on the bed, smoothing the sheets over her. A smile touched her lips when he kissed her cheek. He stood and watched over her until the calm of sleep took over her body. "I love you, Lai."

Caleb was pacing within the room Laina had left. He looked around, confused as to how there were no burn marks. Damon crouched on the ground beside the bed. Here was the only spot where there was any evidence of a fire. He ignored the feathers that littered the room. Red and white, like the blood that had appeared on her. He shook his head to rid himself of the memory. Reid entered the room and leaned against the doorframe.

"Who is Beltheir?"

Damon froze. "How do you know that name?"

Reid raised an eyebrow before answering, "Laina told me about her thirteenth birthday. I want to know who and what he is."

The Half-Angel rose, his eyes were blazing with fire. "It isn't any of your business."

Reid sighed. "I thought you might say that." A sudden blast of energy threw Damon across the room. "And I was prepared for it."

Damon gasped as pain shot through his body. He stood up in the middle of the wreckage, which had previously been a chair. "How the hell did you manage that?"

"I got secrets of my own. And right now I'm seriously inclined to torture it out of you."

"Fine. You want to know about Beltheir?" Reid nodded. "He was a Warlock. Just like you. But he hungered for something a little more, he was jealous of those around him who were given immortality by the Higher Order. For a hundred years he tracked down as many Half-Angels as he could. He took their power, giving himself just a little more life." Damon paused. "He finally decided that he would find the most powerful of us. He killed my mother. And he did it so that Laina would have that need in her."

"What need?" Caleb was standing quietly by the door.

"The need for vengeance. But she won't kill others. The only time she ever did…she couldn't have stopped it."

"Wait, Laina killed someone?" Caleb was confused. Laina seemed too delicate to have that power.

Reid groaned. "It explains why her birthday is such a big thing. I get the feeling that the part of her that's Angel…it's capable of it isn't it?"

Damon glared at Reid. "You don't even need to know any of this!" a blast of power hit Reid and he was thrown against the wall.

Reid laughed. "You know, I used to do this with Caleb." His eyes flashed black and Damon gasped as his throat constricted and he was thrown into the ceiling. "And I really hated pretending. I don't care much for the comfort of a secret anymore."

Damon struggled against the power holding me captive. He drew in a ragged breath as the constricting force lessened. "How-how do you have this much power?"

"Like I said, I have my own secrets. And I'm sick and tired of pretending that everyone else is more powerful. Sick of pretending that I could be addicted. I'm not. But I will do this all day if I need to."

"You don't need to! You're a liability. And she'll survive without you!"

"Yeah, well, I won't. I'm willing to die for her. And I'll be damned if I sit and twiddle my thumbs while she's torn up inside."

"You wouldn't know what she's feeling. And you never will."

Reid's face hardened and he used more power, gladly pushing the Half-Angels bones to breaking point. "I know. I feel it. She's lying in there, sleeping, and yet she's terrified of killing all of us. I swore to protect her. I failed once. I won't fail again."

"Oh, we're very sure of that."

Reid turned, his concentration lapsing for the brief second Damon needed to get loose. He dropped to the ground, rubbing his chest. Sheiloh smirked from where she stood beside a very shocked Caleb.

"Took you long enough sis." Damon stood and walked over to where she stood. "I was beginning to think you didn't care."

"Don't get me wrong, I do. I just wanted to see how strong this lot are. Besides, Pogue Parry is getting agitated. His Ascension's tonight and he wants to know where the safest place is."

Damon shook his head. "I don't have time for any of this stupid Ascension crap."

"Laina said she'd help. And she obviously can't help this very second. So you're going to." Caleb's voice was quiet but laced with contempt. His eyes shone with power, almost as if he was daring Damon to go back on an agreement.

"Fine. I'll help, Danvers. But I'll be damned if I hold his hand."

Caleb watched as the two Half-Angels left the room. He turned to where Reid leaned against the doorframe. "Don't use that much again. Go eat something, I need to see my sister."

For a moment it looked like Reid was going to argue but he seemed to rethink it. He shoved off from the doorframe and made his way downstairs. Caleb sighed and walked down the hallway. He stepped quietly into the room, surprised when he saw another Angel leaning over the sleeping form of Laina.

"She is so very lucky to have the love that Reid Garwin is freely giving her. He gives her something to fight for. And they give us a great deal of hope." The Angel looked up; clear grey eyes betrayed how old she really was. And how much she had witnessed. She was dressed in all black, her honey blonde hair was tied back away from her face and strapped to her thigh was a sinister looking blade. "Our kind never shares in love. We choose to run from pain by hunting down those who no longer deserve this existence. But she has a heart of gold; it's full of hope and pain. Half-Witch, Half-Angel. Never has one ever existed."

"What…who are you?"

"My name is Faiolin. My previous name was Fai." She looked back at Laina. "We can't let Beltheir touch her. A child will be born of their love before this is over. We have to protect that."

Caleb was stunned. "She's pregnant?"

Faiolin nodded. "She was the moment he touched her hand. The Higher Order works in mysterious ways." A light surrounded her and she sighed. "Duty calls. Protect her Caleb Danvers, but don't stop Reid Garwin from being allowed to protect her himself."

Caleb nodded, watching in silence as the Angel faded from sight. He moved forward, lying down beside his sleeping sister. "I won't let you be hurt, Laina. Not now, not ever."

Reid laughed as Pogue downed another shot of Vodka. He had chosen to get himself as drunk as possible before he ascended, but Sheiloh refused to give him anything but Vodka. And so he had taken to drinking whatever they gave him and pacing the small sitting room.

Tyler sighed. Reid was tipsy. Sheiloh and Damon had refused to let him go anywhere near Laina. They said he was only bound to hurt her. Which was, of course, bullshit.

The clock chimed. Pogue glanced nervously at the time. 10 pm. three more minutes before he ascended. They had decided it was best done in a sunroom adjacent to the one he stood in. He moved through the door, wavering as he stopped. There, in the middle of the room, sat Laina with Caleb by her side. She looked up and smiled softly. She was weak, he could sense it. And see it.

Laina sighed. She let her wings droop a little. She had wanted to hide them and wear Reid's jacket, but she couldn't summon enough energy to hide them. And so she had created an outfit herself. It was made up of the black knee-hi boots and black slacks that all Avenger Angels wore, the traditional dagger strapped to her thigh. But her top was different. She wore a forest green tank top that caused her eyes to light up.

"Thank you." Pogue hugged her as she stood. "Thank you for this."

Laina smiled and laid a hand on his cheek. He felt calm rush through him and he smiled back. "That's all I can do for you."

Reid moved forward and held her as they sat. Pogue looked at his phone. 10:02pm. Time for the world to stop. Everyone was silent as the seconds sped by. 10:03pm. Thunder rumbled and Pogue shivered in fear. Laina's spell kicked back in and he calmed down. A bolt of electricity shattered the glass before hitting him. He fell to his knees, his scream torn from his throat.

The second Ascension had begun.