Ok, here's chapter 11 as promised!!! Actually, I had planned to update on Thursday since it was my birthday then, but due to time constraints, I could not do so on that day. Same old disclaimer, everyone knows, and enjoy!
"You have answered my call, young one."
Chase glared savagely at the ghost-man who floated in front of him. As frail as his ghostly body looked, Chase knew that John Putnam was strong and capable of great Using. He had had seven times the Power than normal, which was as much Power as the rest of the current Covenant had combined.
"I came here to tell you that I'm not going to be your slave anymore. You used me in your quest for revenge. But not any longer," Chase said coldly.
"Are you sure, child? That is a decision which you are about to regret," Putnam said with a loud chuckle, his eyes flashing fire.
Chase suddenly felt himself weakened as he felt a little of his life being drained away from him. He gasped breathlessly, and with effort, looked at Putnam who seemed extremely pleased with himself.
"Why are you doing this to me? You tricked me with lies and I fell for it. And I nearly ruined the Covenant, in my clouded state of mind. I only believed you because I was in distress over my true identity, my true family history. Why?" Chase asked hoarsely.
"Lies, you say? Lies? Was it not true that I was banished from the Covenant? Was it not true that I was beaten to death?" Putnam responded, his ire rising.
"True... but you deserved it. You said that you wanted to help the Covenant, which you claimed to betray you. Instead you nearly destroyed them. You wanted to expose them but be blameless and then gain more power. You said that you were beaten for crimes you did not commit. But you did. Agnes Pope did no wrong by reporting you," replied Chase, his voice becoming stronger.
"No wrong? Why, you do not know the situation. But then, you are but an eighteen-year-old..." responded Putnam, a touch of hysteria in his voice.
"You said it yourself, I'm only eighteen. So release me from the the curse you put on me," Chase smirked.
"I bound you with magic that day so you would remain loyal. Every time you choose to defy me will be considered Using, for you are acting against the Power as I am what I am only through Using. Why should I release you from your binds? I would still need your service," Putnam laughed cruelly.
"Given a choice, I would much rather not have the Power. I would rather be a Collins all my life... even if I grew up not knowing what the Power truly was," Chase said, looking away from Putnam.
"Really? If you did not have the Power, if you were not a Son of Ipswich, if you were just an ordinary boy, your beloved Icera Williams would have died a long time ago," Putnam said coolly.
Realization struck Chase like a bolt of lightning - it was true. He and Icera often went out to the forest and sometimes they would have accidents, and the worst was when Icera had nearly drowned in a lake in the forest. They had also gotten into some road accidents before, and every time they sustained only minor injuries at most due to Chase's Using. He had no idea what would happen if he did not have the Power, which undoubtedly made life a lot safer and easier for him.
"So? Do you still want the Power?" asked Putnam.
Chase nodded slowly as he stared down at the ground. He couldn't lie when it came to this matter, even though he knew that Putnam had, in death, almost lost the ability of telepathy completely. He was able to talk to someone mentally if he really needed, or wanted, to. However, he was totally unable to read minds and detect lies unless one openly showed deceit. Yet, he could Use freely in death without the complications of Using in life after Ascension.
Chase was stuck between the choice of remaining as a slave of Putnam's, only to die later and be hated by all, or be free but to die too soon to enjoy life unbound to Putnam's curse. He searched for a way to be 'in between', and he found it faster than he expected. However, he would have to lie to both the Covenant, which had completely accepted him as a member of the Covenant, and Putnam. He decided to simply taunt Putnam and see how it went.
"Speak, child! Why do you stay silent?" Putnam demanded.
Plastering on a smirk, he said, "Kill me if you wish. It's not going to benefit you anyway."
"Why would that be so?" hissed Putnam.
"I don't have a son yet. By killing me, the Pope bloodline will be forever banished. And the rest of the Covenant have more Power than you can imagine. This generation's Sons of Ipswich are stronger than ever before. They could defeat you in a heartbeat," Chase responded, half-lying.
"I know you deceive me by the look on your face... but I can feel their strength, even now. They do not have as much Power as me, but you could come in handy. And I'd rather that you have a son so I can have the revenge I've been waiting for," Putnam said, hitching the smile back on his scarred face.
Chase gave a small smile. Putnam had fallen for his trick. That was only the first step of his plan - stay alive. His plan was to save the rest and redeem himself. His fate - and the others ' - would depend on if his plan succeeded in full. Right now, he wanted to turn back and go, but the problem was that there was an invisible barrier constructed by Putnam preventing him from leaving the barn until Putnam removed it.
"Do you remember our first meeting, child?" Putnam asked suddenly.
Chase gave a curt nod. He could remember it as though it were yesterday. He had just discovered his real identity - he was a Pope, not a Collins - and was angry and distressed. He had been extremely confused over who he really was and he wanted to know if being a Pope had, somehow, anything to do with his Power. He had run out to the forest in order to calm himself, but there was a storm. The nearest shelter happened to be the Putnam barn and he had sought shelter in it - which was where Putnam first appeared to him. He had been so frightened that he wanted to run out, but Putnam calmed him with soothing lies. He had answered some of Chase's questions and told him to seek his father. Then, before he left, he had bound Chase with his spell. It was then Chase changed for worse.
"You made me cruel and unfeeling, but Icera changed me. She changed me for the better. I had been a slave of yours that blindly did your bidding. Meeting Icera again opened my eyes. Now you don't truly control me. I am my own master," smiled Chase, savouring the words in his mouth. Now Putnam would know how he truly felt - deceit was not an option.
"How dare you! You are a fool to oppose me like this. Death will come soon for all of you. That you can be assured of," snarled Putnam.
"I thought you said that you would rather I continue the bloodline," Chase said, trapping Putnam in his own argument.
"That... that is... of little consequence," Putnam said, tongue-tied.
"If you kill me anyway, I'll die as a true Son of Ipswich. You can't control me. You contradict yourself. First you say you wouldn't want me to die without a heir. Then you say you wish me to die," Chase continued.
Heat emanated from Putnam's shostly body as he summoned Power. His translucent eyes became totally black and opaque, and he loosed Power strong enough to fling Chase into the wall. Putnam looked self-satisfied. Chase's own eyes flashed black as he stood up a little shakily. Putnam let out a cry as his body dissipated, though the fragments gathered again to become one whole.
"Begone with you. I will deal with you another time," Putnam panted, vanishing completely.
Chase dropped to his knees, wanting to shout out all his fear, sorrow and rage. He had put on a brave front when it came to Putnam, but now he felt weak and defenseless. He could not delude himself that everything would be alright. A single tear rolled down his cheek as he felt lost and alone. Just then, however, a voice spoke. When Chase turned back, he let out a gasp. The figure, who stood silhouetted against the lightning of the storm, gave a half-smile.
"You're not alone."
Right, a little short but I promise the next chapter will be good. I have it all planned out. And please review!!! Could be my birthday present. XD I'll update as soon as possible!
