Hi guys, look! I'm updating! Yay me! The fact I have a long weekend definitely helped this one along, and the many wonderful reviews. Thanks so much, and keep them coming!

Let me know what you think of the different approach to formatting the story. I personally much prefer it when the text is formatted like that in books (as the previous chapters kind of have been) but it just takes too long to edit to being like that once it's been uploaded. And I'm lazy..... yeah.

Disclaimer – I don't own the characters or story of the movie The Covenant. I don't even have the DVD. It's all quite depressing really. So I'll just borrow the characters for a bit and make 'em dance!

Chapter 10: Introductions

I found it difficult to pay any attention whatsoever to the gorgeous scenery flashing past the windows of the car as Caleb drove us on our "errand".

The sight of Caleb alone was endlessly distracting and then you also had to factor in the subtle scent of his skin in the enclosed space, and the deep timbre of his voice as he narrated our journey down a winding road and past the old Putnam barn.

The boy was one big distraction and I was fascinated and mortified in turn by my inability to stop staring at him. By the time we were five minutes into our trip my face felt so hot from the continuous blush his presence elicited that I was convinced it would glow in the dark like embers.

We pulled up outside a dilapidated mansion and Caleb turned off the engine.

"I'll just go and check something first, OK?" he asked, chemists bag in hand.

I nodded and watched as he slipped out of the car and took two steps towards the old manor house.

One of the curtains twitched on the upper floor of the house and there was the bang of a gun shot.

I startled hugely, ducking my head down and "eeping" quietly.

"It's alright" Caleb reassured me quickly before turning to the house and yelling
"Gorman! It's just me!" before heading off towards the house.

"Caleb? Are you sure that's a good idea?" I queried out the window nervously. He flashed me a quick smile

"It's fine, Gorman's a friend. He's just territorial" He explained.

I can't even begin to say how little that reassured me.

I watched nervously as Caleb disappeared into the house, expecting to hear another gunshot at any minute, or... I don't know... screams.

Instead Caleb sauntered out the front door after about 5 minutes and waved me over. I reluctantly left the car and walked to his side. He laughed at the look on my fact and gave me a quick hug.

"Don't worry Jade, everything's fine. Come and meet my dad" he invited, entwining my fingers with his and tugging me after him through the door.

He introduced me to the skulking figure just inside the door

"Jade, this is Gorman, Gorman, Jade."

I tried to smile, but I suspect it came out as more of a grimace.

"Gorman looks after my father" he explained. I frowned slightly – why did his father need looking after? Was he unwell?

Caleb caught the look and answered my unspoken question.

"Dad didn't have the best control with his power. He used too much and aged... a lot".

Caleb spoke steadily, but you could tell it hurt him to talk about it. It was a feeling I knew well, having experienced it just the day before when I'd had to fill everyone in on my parents. I squeezed his hand, offering him my support.

He smiled. Gorman didn't seem appreciative of his levity.

"You are endangering us all by bringing an outsider here!" He growled menacingly. I flinched at the unwelcome shouting from his voice.

Caleb glared at Gorman and growled

"Jade knows what we are. We have no secrets from her and she is as much a part of this all as you are."

Gorman meerly peeled his upper lip back from his teeth and sneered at us.

Somehow I got the impression he didn't like me.

Caleb lead me upstairs into a large lounge lined with books. There was a fireplace blazing on one wall and a large armchair facing it.

"Dad?" he queried quietly. "I've brought Jade to meet you"

Caleb lead me around to face the chair and I got my first look at the devastating effects of the magical gifts Caleb had inherited.

My mind struggled to accept the fact that this man could be Caleb's father. He looked to be in his 90s at least, his skin tissue paper thin, his face drawn. I tried my best to not let any of my thoughts show on my face, schooling my features into a smile and letting out a quick

"Nice to meet you Mr Danvers".

He nodded slightly, the oxygen lines leading to his nose bobbing slightly.

"Dad can't speak very easily" Caleb explained, his voice tinged with regret.

I didn't know what to say in response to that so I just squeezed his hand and said nothing.

Caleb quickly filled his father in on the events of the night before. I swear I saw an extra twinkle in his eye when he described the car shooting off the cliff and being magically supported by the four of them back to earth.

I couldn't help the look of shock that crossed my face. Somehow "we got away" as a descriptor didn't usually encompass "We made the 2 tonne jeep fly off a cliff" in my normal lingo. Caleb chuckled a little at my face.

"What?" he queried, mock innocently.

I rolled my eyes before replying

"you....cliff...insane!"

Totally understandable of course.

Caleb chuckled again.

"It was fine. We knew it would work"he stated with supreme confidence.

I let out a small huff.

"I glad. After all we wouldn't want to do anything reckless." I stated, my voice lousy with sarcasm.

Mr Danvers let out a wheezy chuckle.

"See Dad, I told you she was cool" he exclaimed.

Oh great, and now I was blushing again.

Eventually we both said goodbye to Mr Danvers and Gorman and headed back to the car.

It was reasonably late in the day thanks to the fact Kate and I had slept in quite a lot after the dramas of the night before, so I wasn't really sure what to expect as we got back into the car and headed back towards town.

"Any more errands?" I asked, not above hinting to secure more time in his presence.

"Nope, just Nicky's" Caleb replied, a smile twitching the corner of his mouth upwards.

"Who's Nicky?" I asked, trying to remember if I'd met anyone with that name yet. I wasn't too great with names but I didn't think I had...

"Nicky's is a bar. It's where we go to hang out. You keen?" he asked. I smiled and nodded keenly.

"Can I change first?" I asked. He grinned.

"Sure. I can give you an hour"he shot me a sideways glance as he maneuvered the twisty roads like a pro. "You think that's enough?" he asked with a teasing lilt to his voice.

I rolled my eyes.

"Depends if Kate uses me as a life size barbie doll again!" He chuckled.

"If you end up in anything like those black pants I'm hardly going to complain" was his comment. I couldn't help the smile that enveloped my face.

"You liked those huh?" I teased.

It was then Caleb's turn to smile.