A/N: Thanks to all you who keep on reviewing and putting the story on alert. An email full of FanFiction review and story alerts makes me a happy person. This chapter not much to explain until the end just because some of this is historical but twisted a little for the story.
Disclaimer: I don't own the Covenant, "Lords of Salem" by Rob Zombie, or any historical details (though they should be public domain).
Chapter 10: Lords of Salem
Cybele's POV
First day of school. Another boring day at another boring school. Although, maybe it's not entirely boring. The boys were at least a sight to see. Watching them would be my excitement for the day with the exception of that messed up dream. I wanted be all gung-ho about it, but I really didn't want to go delving into the messy history especially considering this town and its surroundings. Some things were just better left buried in the past, but I should at least do something. I didn't have anything to do this Saturday, so off to the library, I would go.
I looked around the classroom at its occupants. Getting to class early definitely had its benefits. I had snagged a spot in the back corner of the room. Due to the auditorium seating style of the classroom, it definitely had one of the best views. Leona, who had gotten to class early for the first time in her life, was sitting in the seat next to me, but her mood wasn't exactly pleasant. Through the entire class, she glared at Caleb who was sitting in the center of the room with Sarah. Poor Leona. She must have it bad.
"Lee, you know he likes you," I whispered in her ear.
"I don't give a damn," she replied, her voice hollow and unyielding.
"You don't mean that," I responded, visibly shocked by her answer.
"Yeah, actually I do. That bitch is a different brand of trouble. It ain't my job to save Golden Boy from his problems," she argued.
She bent down and grabbed her iPod out of her bookbag and jammed an earplug in her right ear. A chunk of her auburn hair hid the ear plug from view. She scrolled through her songs rapidly, and "Save Yourself" by Stabbing Westward began blaring. I hated when she shut down like this. The girl had enough to deal with and boy troubles were the least of them. An uncontrollable element living in you and an overprotective mother were a little more important. She never opened up when things were bothering her. One of the few traits she had inherited from her mother. When the rest of us realized we were "special," our mothers had explained what was going on and encouraged us to practice, but Leona's mother had been a different story. She told Lee the bare minimum and forbid her from practicing. It wasn't that she was a bad mother just too frightened and overprotective. It would be better to leave her alone now.
I glanced around the room again. Alena and Reid were sitting behind Caleb and Sarah. Reid had his arm wrapped possessively around Al. Aw, he was claiming her, but I couldn't help but laugh. Reid seemed like a player, and judging by the angry stares directed in Al's direction, I was right. Alena was really shy, and in relationships, she moved at a glacial pace. Their relationship would be fun to watch. Although at this moment, Tyler was more fun to observe. Ondine had sat with Pogue today, and poor Tyler was sitting a few rows behind them pouting. Typical irrational Di. Di was probably trying to make him jealous, but it seemed to be working. I had to admit I was jealous Di was the one talking to him, but I just didn't see what we really had in common. That was the problem we didn't have anything. We weren't similar or even polar opposites, just two people left standing outside in the cold.
People suddenly began to get up and leave. I had seriously just daydreamed through the entire class. Way to go, me. Of course, this was going to be a daily occurrence.
Our first week at Spencer had passed, and nothing really changed. Reid and Al, attached at the hip, still were not a couple. What the hell was wrong with those two? Tyler had yet to do the same with Ondine, so of course, she had stopped talking to him. Thus, more moping on his part. Leona had taken to not leaving her room except for class. This wasn't like her, but she wouldn't speak even to any of us. On the plus side, her grades so far had been superior. Pogue and me. Nothing still. I hadn't even talked to him since the night at Nicky's. I should have after all the boy had carried me all the way up to my room, but I didn't.
Today, I was going to go to the library. I highly doubted they would have anything, but it was worth a shot. Besides, Spencer's library was supposed to be impressive. I was glad to know that wasn't false as I walked into the room. It was lined with rows upon rows of bookshelves, stuffed to bursting with thousands of books. Now, this was sweet. The question was where to start. All I knew was her name and not even a full name at that. Sarah Wenham. That's all I had to go on. I guess I better start with the Internet then. I sat down at one of the computer's and opened up Google's search engine. I typed in the name. Articles about random Sarah Wenhams, none of them important. I scrolled further down the page looking for something. It just wasn't what I expected, an article with the title "Wenham Estate Purchases Putnam House." Interesting. The article described how the estate of the late Parker Wenham had bought the property and several other adjacent ones from the Danvers, Massachusetts Historical Society at an exorbitant price and under great protest. First off, that's strange. Secondly, why the hell does Caleb have a town named after his family?
"Hey stranger."
I jumped clear out of my chair. I turned around to see Pogue, laughing hysterically at me. He thought that was funny. Let's see how funny he thinks me backhanding him is. I swung my arm and slapped my hand hard against his arm, but I forgot that I would hit pure muscle. Ouch. He laughed at me again and plopped himself in the open chair next to me.
"I think you're just as bad as Reid," I replied with a satisfied smirk on my face.
"Nah, he's worse," he responded, his face dead serious until he couldn't contain the laughter.
"So what are you researching?" he questioned.
"I'm supposed to be working on the blatantly redundant project on the Salem Witch Trials, but I decided to do some snooping for Lee," I answered, staring at those gorgeous green eyes.
"I haven't seen her lately. Reid's disappointed to be missing a partner in crime who actually keeps Caleb at bay. How's she doing actually?" he asked, sincerely wondering.
I shuffled my papers trying to stall for time. I couldn't just say Lee has absolutely the biggest crush on Caleb, but he was a dumbass and let his girlfriend meet her. Now, even if he begged and pleaded, she'd rather be alone. That answer wouldn't quite work. I guess a massively watered down version would have to work.
"Okay, I guess. She's still hung up on Caleb, so breaking your own heart isn't exactly fun. She just wants to be left alone," I spilled. That was too much information. I felt my face flush an unnatural shade of red.
"Don't worry. I'll trade. Caleb's been kind of distant, too. I think he really might like her, too, but I don't know what he would do about Sarah. They've been through a lot together, and it's not like him to just dump his girlfriend for another girl. I'll admit I'm not exactly fond of her right now, but she is the one that helped convince Kate to take the Princeton offer. I'm a little biased," he admitted, his eyes glazing with a thin layer of sadness.
"Hey Pogue, I'm really sorry," I started.
"Don't worry. Hey I'll deal. So need some help?" he offered.
"I don't know. You're more familiar with the area than me, but isn't it odd for someone to purchase property in Salem like this?" I asked gesturing towards the article.
Pogue glanced over it quickly. His face didn't look very promising.
"No, it's not. Actually, this has never happened. I mean our families own like two properties, and that's because it has been passed down every generation. I didn't think Sarah's family was wealthy though. She transferred in from public on scholarship. Why would her family even want this property?" he asked confused.
"Let's see," I responded.
I typed in Putnam House. The house was known for belonging to Joseph Putnam. He was uncle to one of the bewitched children Ann Putnam, Jr., daughter of Thomas Putman, and brother of John Putnam, one of those accused of witchcraft. A family plagued. It seemed that Thomas Putnam's house had been destroyed after being struck by lightning and razed to the ground by an unexplainable earthquake. John Putnam's house was ceded to an Ipswich family prior to his death.
"What family owns John Putnam's house," I questioned Pogue.
"Caleb's," he admitted.
"What?" I asked stunned.
"The Danvers, Parrys, Simms, and Garwins helped to found the colony along with Putnam. It came to be known as a place where miraculous healing occurred. As it grew, Putnam began to thirst for too much power, but he was accused of witchcraft by Agnes Goodwin-Pope before he could cause any damage. He transferred all his property and possessions to the rest of the founding families. That's about it," he answered solemnly, but his face betrayed another emotion. Fear.
"I remember Ann Putnam, but I can't remember why," I groaned frustrated at my strained brain.
I searched her name this time. All I found was her apology, the only one from any of the accusers.
...it was a great delusion of Satan that deceived me in that sad time, whereby I justly fear I have been instrumental, with others, though ignorantly and unwittingly, to bring myself and this land the guilt of innocent blood; though what was said or done by me against any person I can truly and uprightly say, before God and man, I did not out of any anger, malice, or ill-will to any person, for I had no such thing against one of them; but what I did was ignorantly, being deluded by Satan...
"It seems so weird. She apologized admitting her wrongness in the whole part, but none of the others do," I pondered.
"I couldn't tell you," he responded staring blankly at the apology.
A little further down my list of search hits I found John Putnam's last words.
God hates the Lords of Salem.
No one can ever save them.
God hates the Lords of Salem.
No one can destroy them.
"Well that's just pleasant," I remarked.
"Putnam was a crazy bastard," he added, anger brimming in his voice.
We sat there staring at the screen for a little while. I pondered the name Ann Putnam in my head over and over, but nothing seemed to form. The name seemed so familiar, but why? Wait, Putnam, Parris, Walcott, Hubbard, and Williams all accusers during the Salem Witchcraft Trials. Alena was descended from Mary Walcott, Ondine from Elizabeth Hubbard, Leona from Abigail Williams, and I was from Betty Parris. Shit. Ann Putnam. The missing element. She was Spirit, but her line died out as far as I knew. Ann Putnam never had children, and every one of us was glad for that. Spirit was dangerous and deadly.
"Hey I gotta go to swim practice, so I'll see you a little later," he told me as he got up from his chair.
He pulled out his cellphone and began to call someone, but I couldn't see who. He thought he was out of range before he started talking, but he wasn't.
"Caleb, he's not dead," he spoke into the phone.
Something wicked was definitely descending on Ipswich.
A/N: Okay this chapter I have to say last chapter was easy research compared to this one. Danvers, Massachusetts is seriously a real place. No joke. Ann Putnam, Jr. was the only one to apologize and that is what she said. Putnam House does exist so did Thomas and Joseph Putnam. Sorry, this one is kind of history lesson, but I like this chapter because you now know some of the girls' history. I also seriously recommend listening to "Save Yourself" by Stabbing Westward if you haven't it's a good song and it fits Leona's mood. Alright so next chapter is Ondine's POV and based off of "Cross the Line" by Superchick. Please read and review, making me a very happy writer.