Book of Ancients
Author's Note: Thank you guys for sticking with this story for so long and putting up with this long wait. Life has been crazy lately and I have just found no time to get this chapter done. Anyway, I got a question from a reviewer about how much longer this story is going to be. Well, I'm estimating two to three chapters, maybe four if these characters give me something interesting to write. This is all minus the epilogue, though. Yes, there will be a sequel to this story, but its still in the brainstorming stage so it may be a while before you guys can read it. Well, on with this chapter!
Kate felt like she had been asleep for a very long time. Blinking rapidly, she found her gaze resting on her friends surrounding her, all seeming to feel the same way. Sarah's eyes found hers, both questioning the sudden feeling of confusion. Kate could only shrug, not sure where the feeling came from or why it seemed to feel…..wrong.
"Where's Brooklyn?" Reid voiced. Everyone looked around, trying to see if there missing friend was somewhere in the lunchroom. No sight of her anywhere caused a stir amongst there group.
"Jayden's gone, too," Tyler added.
"She went to find Brooklyn," Caleb replied, remembering that the brunette past him in the hallway going to search for the raven-head. Sarah glanced to her boyfriend, about to say something when she felt her phone vibrate in her pocket. Looking down, she frowned as she pulled the small device out and stared at the number. It was a new number she hadn't seen before, but something told her to answer the call.
"Hang on a sec," the blonde said as she stood up from the table and made her way to a quiet corner. Placing the phone to her ear, she answered with a soft hello.
"Sarah, thank the goddess," Aunt Kat's voice came over the receiver.
"Aunt Kat, how did you get my number?" Sarah asked with confusion. She didn't remember giving her number to the kind woman the day the four girls left.
"I'm psychic honey," was all that was said. Sarah shook her head, finding it hard not to laugh at the way the elder woman said the words.
"Well, why are you calling me? Not that I'm angry that you did, just confused."
"It's about Jayden and Brooklyn," Aunt Kat replied with an undertone of worry in her voice. The blonde girl blinked, wondering what her two missing friends had to do with the call.
"What about 'em?"
"They're not who they appear to be." Sarah found her confusion growing at those words.
"Care to elaborate on that?" she asked.
"Not over the phone, I'm afraid someone might here. Come to my house and bring those Sons with you. I'll explain everything once you get here," Aunt Kat answered.
"What about Jayden and Brooklyn?"
"Don't tell them anything. Leave now and don't let that Reid boy try and get Brooklyn." The line went dead and Sarah was left standing there confused. Part of her wanted to just ignore what Aunt Kat said, but a bigger part of her knew that could end in disaster. With a sigh, the blonde made her way back to the table and her curious friends.
"That was Aunt Kat," Sarah said.
"What did she want?" Kate asked. Sarah cast a glance in the boys direction and saw all eyes were on her. Sighing, she found her frustration slowly growing. This was not how the day was suppose to go!
"Apparently we're suppose to meet her," the frustrated blonde replied. Looking to Kate, she saw surprise flicker in her eyes. As she turned to gauge the reactions of the boys, her blue eyes caught sight of Jayden and Brooklyn.
Something was definitely off.
The two seemed more…happier than before and Sarah swore she saw devilish smirks on their lips. Yet, something felt wrong about them, almost evil like. Those two weren't the same people she was best friends with.
"Come on," Sarah urged before the two girls spotted them.
Reid frowned. "What about Jayden and Brooklyn?"
"That's why we have to leave, now!" Sarah hissed as she grabbed Caleb and Reid by their arms and hauled them to their feet. Kate followed her friend's example and grabbed Tyler and Pogue, but still confused. Pushing the four protesting boys out of the lunchroom by the backdoor an into the night, Sarah began searching for Tyler's truck.
"Tyler, where's your truck?" she asked.
The brunette pulled out of Kate's grasp and glared at the blonde. "What the Hell is going on?"
"Not now," Sarah begged, her eyes trained on the door. If Aunt Kat was right, then those two may prove to be difficult to get away from. Yet, Tyler would be unmoved along with Reid it seemed.
"Spill," the blonde boy threatened and Sarah knew his eyes would darken at any moment. Just as she was about to reply, the sound of the door they had just existed crashing open caught their attention. In the doorway stood Jayden and Brooklyn, both glowing with dark auras.
"You weren't leaving, were you?" Brooklyn said. Sarah found her stomach churning uneasily and her breath seeming to catch in her throat. She didn't understand the feeling, but decided it was a sign that those two were not her friends.
"Jayden, what's going on?" Tyler questioned, glancing between the his girlfriend and his friends.
"That's not Jayden," Sarah whispered. Tyler shot her a perplexed look, but Brooklyn spoke before he did.
"Damn, those powers are developing faster than we expected." Sarah and Kate glanced at one another, unsure how to take that statement. Suddenly, everyone noticed a giant fireball in 'Jayden's' hand. Before anyone could react, the brunette shot it at the group, however it never made contact.
A thick wall of dirt was blocking them.
Sarah shot Kate a glance and found her friend was even shocked. Looking down at her hands, the mocha-skinned teen saw her fingers were glowing green. Suddenly, the wall disappeared back into the earth and settled itself evenly.
"Yes, those powers are developing faster than we expected," Lucas Collins commented once the wall disappeared. The façade of the girls washed away and the two boys were revealed for what they truly were. Tyler turned somewhat green as he remembered the kiss yesterday.
"Where are Jayden and Brooklyn!" Reid yelled, his eyes flashing.
"Hopefully being tortured by our brother," Blaine responded. The boys were confused, but Sarah and Kate paled.
"Just like we're about to do to you," Lucas chuckled. Sarah and Kate noticed the faint dark aura surrounding their enemies' hands and realized they were about to be attacked. Thinking on instinct, the blonde waved her hand and a wave of water appeared out of the air and crashed into the unsuspecting boys. Turning around quickly, both girls began pushing the shocked boys towards Tyler's truck. Cramming the four into the back, Sarah and Kate climbed into the front. Sarah started the truck and backed out of the parking lot, her eyes snapping to the rearview mirror. Blaine and Lucas were standing and were about to launch an attack.
"Get down!" Sarah yelled before sending another wave of water out of the back of Tyler's truck. Blaine and Lucas were prepared for the attack and jumped to avoid it. Taking her chance, the blonde pressed on the accelerator and dashed out of the parking lot.
Once the truck was on the road and far away from Spenser, Sarah eased up on the gas. Kate was so caught up in her thoughts about the fight, she jumped when a hand touched her shoulder.
"Mind telling us what's going on?" Pogue asked. Sarah glanced in Kate's direction and saw her friend's hesitation. Deciding to spare her the awkwardness, the blonde chose to speak.
"That was Lucas and Blaine Collins. They were the ones that helped Chase almost kill us with the wreck…….an other things," she said.
"Did you say Collins?" Tyler asked.
"Yeah. It turns out that those two were the biological parents of Chase's adoptive parents. When their parents died, they took their mother's maiden name and disappeared," Kate added.
Caleb shook his head. "Then how do they have power?"
"We don't know."
Jayden groaned as she returned to consciousness, pain shooting from her skull throughout her whole body. Blinking her eyes open slowly, she found she was back in the same room as before and still chained to the wall. Cursing under her breath as she slowly moved to an upright position, the brunette found her eyes landing on a figure across the room from her.
"Brooklyn?" At the sound of her name, Brooklyn began to stir and groan. Raising her head slowly, Jayden found it was indeed her friend and felt her stomach churn. She looked as bad as she felt, cuts marring her face and a bruise forming over her left eye.
"Jayden?" Brooklyn moaned as their eyes connected.
"What happened to you? How did you get here?" the brunette replied. Had Chase decided that for punishment he was going to torture one of her friends before her? Thinking of Chase also brought that kiss they shared to mind and the brunette grimaced. She still tasted hints of blood in her mouth.
"Lucas and Blaine. Blaine was disguised as you and Lucas somehow snuck into the school. Jayden…they stole the book." Brooklyn hissed as she moved to sit up straight, the tender flesh on her back protesting such an action. Jayden watched her friend helplessly, unable to help with the pain she was going through.
"It's alright, we'll get it back," she tried to reassure her raven-haired friend. Brooklyn could only nod as the pain was still somewhat intense. For a few moments, no words passed between the two. Both dealing with their separate pains and lost in their own thoughts. Then, Brooklyn remembered what she read and turned her attention to Jayden.
"They're controlling him." Jayden looked up at those words, confused at what they meant. Seeing her friend's confusion, the other teen began to elaborate.
"I was reading the book before they took it. Apparently, their ancestor Oliver Collins wanted power just like Blaine and Lucas do now. Well, he also had the power of manipulation and began turning John Putnam, Chase's ancestor, against the rest of the Covenant. The others didn't know John was being controlled and simply cast him out." Jayden blinked at those words, shock registering first then eagerness.
"Go on."
"The witch hunt soon came to Ipswich and Oliver was discovered to be a witch. However, he turned his power on John and that was how John was condemned. He swore vengeance on the Covenant because he believed they were the cause of all the problems. Oliver Collins disappeared soon after and then this whole thing with someone named Agnes Pope happened where she claimed John came to her in her dreams as an incubus."
Jayden grimaced. "Please don't describe anything related to that."
Brooklyn just shook her head. "Anyways, soon after Oliver learned Agnes was pregnant and instantly began training his own son- who had the same powers as his father- to help him search out the woman and the child he believed to be John Putnam's." However, before Brooklyn could continue, the sound of footsteps outside the door halted their conversation.
"They got away!"
"Their powers are developing faster than was expected."
"They are nothing but silly girls!"
"Really? I seem to recall you have a thing for one of these 'silly girls'." Brooklyn and Jayden cringed at the sound of a body smashing against the nearby wall- hard.
"Don't you dare speak to me that way."
"Brothers, if you are through acting like two year old, shall we see to our…guests?" Jayden looked to Brooklyn whose eyes were wide in fright.
"Pretend to be unconscious," the brunette hissed lowly as not to be heard by the three brothers outside. Brooklyn nodded before slumping forward in an obviously uncomfortable position along with Jayden.
Just after they began their act, the sound of the door opening and six pair of feet walking towards them had them tense. Then, Jayden felt a rough hand grab her jaw and yank it upward to where she would face the owner of the hand. The brunette fought hard against cursing at the person, but instead began acting as if she was waking from her unconscious state.
"Sleeping Beauty awakens," Chase Collins unmistakable voice rung in her ears. Jayden couldn't help the narrowing of her eyes and the growl that came from her throat.
"Get away from me," she hissed dangerously. Chase just found it amusing that she was threatening him when he was the one that had her chained to a wall.
"You're in no position to be making demands, sweetheart."
"It seems Spirit is awake, too," Lucas said. Jayden peered over Chase's shoulder to see Brooklyn giving the Collins boy one of her most deadliest glares.
"Now this should be interesting," Blaine commented.
Sarah spied the road that the four had taken only a few days ago that led to Aunt Kat's house. Glancing at Kate, she saw her best friend's worry seeming to lessen at the thought of reaching the older woman. Looking in the rearview mirror, she saw four faces in equal confusion. The blond wondered what exactly would happen once the four met Aunt Kat and learned of their…history with the Collins brothers.
"We're here," Kate whispered. Sarah looked back at the windshield and saw that they were indeed at Aunt Kat's place. Parking Tyler's truck, the six teens seemed hesitant to step out into the night. However, when the door opened and Aunt Kat stood out waving her hand for them to come inside, Sarah and Kate they wouldn't wait.
"Come on," Sarah said as she stepped out of the truck. Once she saw all they boys were out and Kate was beside her, the blonde made her way up towards the house. Once the group reached the porch, Aunt Kat rushed to hug both girls.
"Thank goodness that you made it here safely," she cried. When she spotted the four boys behind the girls, she smiled softly.
"Nice to finally meet you four." The four boys looked to each other, confused that this woman knew them. Sarah and Kate looked to one another before sighing.
"Maybe we should be inside when we begin this crazy tale," Kate suggested.
"Oh yes, please come in," Aunt Kat replied as she stepped inside to let the six teens inside. Once they were all inside, the older woman ushered the group into the living room. Kate and Sarah found it was still the same from their last adventure out to the woman's house.
After everyone got themselves situated on the couch or various chairs, Aunt Kat brought in a tray full of drinks. She smiled affectionately at the two girls to her right then turned her cool gaze to the boys. Reid seemed annoyed by the way she was looking at them. Tyler avoided her gaze while Pogue and Caleb held it steadily.
"Yes, these four will become legends," she said out of the blue. Sarah and Kate decided not to comment, knowing that Aunt Kat would reveal whatever she meant by the statement when she was ready.
"Aunt Kat, why are we here?" Sarah decided to get right to the point.
"To prepare you." Kate cast a glance in her blond-haired friend's direction before focusing on the other woman.
"For?" the mocha-skinned teen prompted.
"I'll explain that later, but first these four need to be informed. About everything," Aunt Kat said when she spotted the reluctance on the two girl's faces. Realizing there would be no dodging this topic, the two girls placed their drinks back on the tray and faced the four boys. Their eyes connected with their boyfriends, Caleb looking confused while trying to appear comforting. Pogue just gave Kate a soft smirk before nodding his head.
"We've known Lucas and Blaine Collins for years-" this statement was stopped by a loud crashing. All eyes fell on Reid who was standing to his full height with his eyes glowing black.
"You knew them and let them take Brooklyn and Jayden," he hissed. Sarah found her own anger growing at the other blonde's words.
She stood up, a fire blazing in her eyes. "Let me finish and you'll understand." The anger an authority in her voice caught everyone by surprise. Reid slowly sat back down, his eyes never leaving hers even after they returned to normal. Once everything was calm again, Sarah sat back down again.
"This whole thing started the night of Amanda's birthday…Brooklyn's sister." Kate watched as Reid suddenly became interested at the mention of his girlfriend's name. She had to admit, the blond seemed to have made a complete change after meeting the feisty raven-haired girl.
"We were upstairs in the attic, reading from this book we later learned was called the Book of Ancients. The four of us were pretending to have magical powers and fighting bad guys. Things seemed much simpler when you were thirteen. Anyway, Lucas and Blaine showed up at the party because they wanted the book for reasons unknown. They thought Amanda and three of her friends were the ones with the power. That night suddenly went from happy to complete massacre." Sarah stopped as images flooded her memory. Kate saw the pain her friend was in and slid her hand into hers.
Kate took up the story. "We came running downstairs after we heard screams. The house was on fire and we had somehow got separated. I was looking for Brooklyn and Sarah was looking for Jayden. I found Brooklyn after…she watched Amanda be murdered by Lucas. We were running throughout the house, searching for the other two because Lucas was right behind us. We found them buried under a pile of debris, but an explosion took place before we reached them."
Sarah jumped back in. "I woke up first followed by Brooklyn. Jayden came around the same time as Kate. As we were struggling to get out of the house, we realized that Lucas and Blaine were nearby, searching for us. We were badly injured, but by some miracle we managed to get out of the house. We headed here to Aunt Kat's. But that morning, everything was different. Kate and I were back in Boston and Jayden was with Brooklyn here, in Hillborne. Lucas and Blaine had cast a spell to erase all memories of that night from everyone's mind. They took it a step further with us an erased all memories of each other from our minds. Then, five years later we met in Spenser. Ironic, isn't it?"
Throughout the whole explanation, the boys had been quiet. But once Sarah had finished, the room seemed to erupt in chaos. Reid was yelling curses like they were the only words he knew, Tyler had stood up and walked to a nearby corner. They suspected he was crying over the fate the girls had to endure. Pogue and Caleb came over and wrapped their arms around their girlfriends, trying to give them comfort after telling about their ordeal.
"I'm afraid it doesn't end there," Aunt Kat whispered. Sarah and Kate clenched their eyes tight, but the others looked to the woman in confusion.
Jayden turned her attention away from her friend to Chase and sneered. The last Covenant member just chuckled before tracing a chilling finger down the brunette's cheek. Jayden turned her cheek and tried to bite his finger, but Chase pulled away with a laugh. Then, he reared back his hand and slapped the brunette hard across the cheek.
"Jayden!" Brooklyn cried, but she was struck by Lucas after her outburst. Both girls spit out a small amount of blood before turning their angry eyes on the boys.
"Now, we're going to play a little game," Chase said, staring straight into Jayden's eyes. Blue-green clashed with deep brown, fighting for dominance. He just smirked at the fire blazing behind those eyes, finding himself eager to capture that spirit held within the girl before him.
"Like?" she questioned between clenched teeth.
"You're going to tell us how to read the Book of Ancients and where your friends have gone. For every lie or sarcastic remark you make, Brooklyn over there endures some kind punishment. Lucas gets to choose, if that makes you feel any better. If she tries to but in, then you receive punishment then she does. Either way, you're going to watch her suffer. So, shall we begin?" Chase replied.
Jayden cast her gaze from the Collins in front of her to her friend. Brooklyn was giving her a calm expression, but the brunette could see the fear in her friend's eyes. Part of her wanted to just make a stupid remark to Chase's face, but the suspected that would earn Brooklyn some kind of punishment. The thought of hearing her friend scream and the watching her endure the pain sent chills down Jayden's spine. These three were malicious, sadistic, assholes.
Closing her eyes, she began to think of the options she was faced with and found the cons heavily outweighed the pros. There was hardly a chance either girl would make it out of this alive. Yet, Jayden had to have faith that they would. There was no way she just found Brooklyn, Sarah, and Kate for them to be suddenly ripped from her grasp just as quick.
She knew what she had to do.
Opening her eyes slowly, blue-green met with bright emerald. Brooklyn knew what her friend was doing and nodded slowly. There was no way around this game. Either play or die. The only thing was, would one of them die anyways?
Jayden stared hard into Chase's eyes and smirked. "Game on."