Hey all!
Thanks for continuing to read, review and follow! I really hope you guys are enjoying! I decided to cut this chapter in two.
Anything you recognize, I don't own!
-K
xx
When Chase left, Alyssa turned her head to look at her father. He was sleeping in her computer chair and she considered not waking him, but she knew he'd lose his mind on her if she didn't.
"Dad." She said gently. He didn't stir even a little. "Dad" She said louder that time, but still, he slept.
"DAD" She yelled, shaking him at the same time.
Victor leapt up from the chair, ready to investigate whatever had woken up. Looking down into the eyes of his daughter, he felt all of the air leave his lungs.
"Aly.." He choked, and picked her up into a bear hug.
"Air is necessary." Alyssa sputtered.
Victor loosened his grip, and put her feet back on the ground but he never let go. "How are you awake, Caleb said Chase was the only one who could lift the trance?"
"He did lift it, he was here a second ago.." She began, weary her father would be angry for not waking him up. She quickly added, "And he told me he's the fifth Son."
Victor sighed, they had a long night of explaining ahead of them. Fear ate away at him that Chase had been in the room without him realizing, but was quickly wiped away with the relief that he felt that his daughter was awake.
"There's so much to explain, Alyssa. You'd better sit down."
Alyssa took in her father's serious expression and moved the bed, sitting onto the edge.
"To explain we need to go back to the beginning of The Covenant, when The First agreed to a Silencing. During the Salem Trials, the five families agreed that a silent pact would save their families from being found during the hunt in Salem; William "Charles" Danver, Alban Garwin, Archibald Simms, and Johnathan Putnam agreed that forming the Covenant of Silence was for the best, and agreed on a set of governing laws, which we know now as The Order. For as many years as the Covenant has survived, the Larose family has acted as supporter and ally. Tasked with the role of Scribe to the Covenant. Each generation, the eldest male is chosen to intern under their father, learning their history by studying the Book of Damnation. Adding to it, once their study ends, tasked with outlining that generation's lives. Searching for information on The Power, and archiving only the truth of each generation. The Elders consist of the oldest generation of the Sons who are alive, they ensure The Order is followed while keeping watch over the Covenant. They reserve the remainder of their power to preserve their lives, and in the case of conflict, they've sworn to will their powers to their descendants should the need arise."
"Scribe? Charles Danvers…He was in my dream. In the trance that Chase put me in." Alyssa revealed.
"That's not shocking, all Scribes are slowly introduced to their responsibilities. Eventually The First come to us in dreams, to help ease us into our roles. You've always used your drawings to express emotions. Each drawing represents how you feel. That was the first taste of your gift. The Dream came late for you, I expect they respected our decision to wait." Victor allowed a pause for more questions.
"Why did you keep this from me? You said eldest male, which makes no sense?"
"You're our only child Alyssa, naturally it fell to you instead. Scribes cannot die out, the Covenant is secret and has few supporters. They cannot afford to lose one so important over such trivial matters. Your mother and I felt it best to wait. Allow you to live a somewhat normal childhood alongside the Sons. To form bonds, and allow your first years to be carefree. There was never any rush, and we thought that keeping you close to the Covenant would keep you protected, and make the transition easier once you knew. For our support, each of the Larose bloodline has been Gifted by The Elders. No magic may be used to harm us, only power with beneficent-intent will affect us. Neutral intent as well I suppose, as Chase's spell was successful. There are loopholes in every contract."
Alyssa interrupted. "But in my dream, I was bitten by a snake sent by The First. If this dream was one given to me, why do I still have the scar?"
"Charles' familiar. I'll admit, it's a bit dated. Most of the Covenants have left the days of familiars behind, but Charles' serpent is important. Its bite mark is unique, with more fangs than other snakes, its scar is proof that we serve our Covenant. The Elders prohibit those without it from the archives which hold the grimoires, spells and history. The Sons may not enter, too much information all at once can be a terrible curse. The temptation to practice spells can become too great. We all know the effect that type of abuse incurs." Victor explained. "This is a lot to take in, why don't you get some rest? We can finish this tomorrow."
"What happens if I say no?" Alyssa asked. "What if I refused to be Scribe?"
Victor considered her words carefully.
"There are repercussions to denying the Covenant. If you truly do not wish for this, then I would spend my days looking for a way to absolve you of them. I won't force this on you, Alyssa."
"You're right. This is a lot to take in." Alyssa huffed, all colour had drained from her face long ago.
Victor kissed his daughters head, "go to bed, Aly." Then walked back over to the chair he'd slept in before.
"Dad… You need to go to bed too."
"I'm not letting you out of my sight ever again, Kiddo."
Alyssa took a white and red quilt from her bed, and a pillow. "At least be comfortable."
After showing her father how to recline the chair, she laid down. Allowing sleep to take her once more but this time it was dreamless.
She woke with a start on Saturday, brown eyes opening slowly. Her father was typing away at her computer. He had work to complete for Monday, but refused to leave her side. Alyssa took her time, stretching each limb slowly. She awoke before the sun rose, signifying that she really hadn't slept much as she'd originally thought. Reid had placed her bag next to the bed, and she reached for her phone which needed to be plugged in to charge.
"It's not working." Victor said, as he turned to face her, still wrapped in his blanket cocoon. "Chase broke it, I think. I don't know. It isn't receiving calls or texts."
"Oh…" Her heart ached to think of Chase. "I think he's just confused. I don't know if he's an evil person."
"No I don't believe he is. He's misguided, but we can't help him if we won't let us. Don't take that guilt upon yourself Alyssa." Victor knew his daughter, knew her emotions and the way she thought.
"What's todays plan?"
"Caleb and I talked briefly when I woke up. He wants everyone at the house early this afternoon – he's called on you to help protect Sarah, and plans to keep you close to Reid and Tyler. He thinks you'll be safest together at the dance." Victor grinded his jaw, this was obviously a discussion for later.
"Can you cut the umbilical cord long enough for me to shower?"
Victor wrapped the blankets closer to his shoulders and saved his document to her desktop for later. He snaked a hand out of the blankets and made a scissor-snipping motion with his fingers. "I'll make breakfast. Yell if you need anything."
He walked to Alyssa and hissed her forehead, then walked out of the door. Blanket-cape trailing behind him.
Alyssa went to her closet to grab a black Spenser pull-over sweater, and black leggings. She took her house coat from the hook on the back of her door and went to shower. As the water fell upon her, she let her mind replay the dream she'd had and the meaning it held.
Snakes; though she now realized the one that bit her was significantly larger than the others, the meaning probably didn't change.
Magnifying glass; analyzing one's own abilities, and their power within a situation.
Disembodied voices; an unfavorable foreboding. She shuddered to think about this evening, hopefully the dreams weren't relating this to Caleb. Or to Chase, she decided as an afterthought.
Field of grass; in direct contradiction to the voices, the field could mean great abundance and happiness. Maybe that meant Chase could be saved, he would join the Covenant. Her heart jumped at the thought, she pushed the emotion down like an overly-excited toddler.
Burning forest; fires could signify a new beginning, envy, and passion. She tried her best not to relate all of these to Chase, but it fit him so well. Though he was passionate, she feared that what she felt towards him was mirrored inside her dream as well. He danced in her thoughts so frequently she worried for her sanity. Forests and trees can symbolize new stages and growth in your life, the roots could represent family. She felt this tied in with her families ties to the Covenant, maybe the fire was Chase's anger directed onto her family and friends. Maybe it meant the effect he had on her. Dreams were all about perception.
Spiders; Spiders are creators, in nature; self-sufficient. To dream of them could signify their web of life, and how they weave their own destiny. The spiders didn't harm her, though the boy seemed afraid. Maybe her father's support for her making her own decision on joining the Covenant manifested this way.
She pondered the Mark of the Covenant, it's intricately woven details. She knew that runes were engraved into the center of the circle but she didn't know them well enough to make a guess. She would research it later, if that's what she chose. Now that she knew he families past, it all made sense.
She wouldn't dwell on the drawings of the boy or the demon just yet. Deciding to trust her instincts, she felt they weren't the most important.
Once she'd finished her shower, and had dried her hair to a soft and shinning straight style she pulled on her comfy outfit and applied some mascara.
She thought over her future, as a young girl she'd felt she would always be there for the Sons. They were her best friends. As she grew older, as most girls do, she thought about marrying Pogue. Being a wife to a Son would mean direct involvement. When that fell through her fingers she distanced herself but she always felt her heart belonged in Ipswich. One way or another, she knew she'd support the Covenant. Her dad giving her a choice meant the world to her, but she knew what she needed to do.
That wasn't to say she didn't want a life of her own, if they would allow it. She'd enjoy this school year, and summer, if all went well tonight. Her eighteenth birthday was in October the following year, she would ask if she could begin her teachings then. She doubted the Covenant would force her to take up her role before the boys were made to, but she would talk to her father.
She put her headphones in her ears as she took a moment to collect her thoughts, Cyndi Lauper's unique voice drifted through the wires as Time after Time began to play. She remembered a time where her mother had been listening to it when she came home from school. Lyra grabbed her daughters hand and twirled her around. The two sang the song at the top of their lungs, as Victor used a camera to record the moment. Her eyes began to water as she looked out the window. She missed her mother, and knew that if she were alive she would hold Alyssa as she let her daughter cry out her emotions. Her fear of the future, and her conflicting feelings for the fifth Son.
Alyssa looked out the window and waited for the song ended, the smell of coffee was soon floating through her room. Her dad's signature way of calling her downstairs, where there was coffee there was an Alyssa.
She walked to the kitchen and looked to her father who was busying himself with scrambled eggs.
"Okay." She said.
"Okay?" He asked, turning to look at her. Confusion on his face.
"I'll do it. I'll act as Scribe for the Covenant but when the times right. I'd like to wait until I'm eighteen, like everyone else." Alyssa reasoned.
"I'm sure they'd agree to that, but I'll talk to The Elders." Victor nodded, "I'll do it today. Are you sure, baby? You don't need to do this. I'd find a way to have you pardoned."
"No, I always knew I'd be involved with the Sons. This makes sense."
"Okay." Victor echoed the beginning of the conversation.
He picked up the plates and placed them on the wooden table where Alyssa sat. Squeezing her shoulder when his hands became free once more.
They ate breakfast discussing everything but the Sons and the Covenant. They joked about Alyssa's aunt, and considered the idea of getting a dog. The house was quiet, and Alyssa had always wanted one. She teased that a guard dog may be the only way she could get Victor to leave her alone now that he decided he'd never leave her by herself again.
As time ticked by, and Alyssa worked on more sketches beside Victor who was talking to Mr. Abbott. Discuss her wellbeing, assignments and deadlines to be met next week, and she realized it was time to go.
"We should get to the Danvers." She said before she finished her coffee. Tidying her papers into a neat pile on the table.
"You're right" Victor said as he ended his call, and put away the dried dishes. "Let me grab my keys and we'll head out."
"I control the radio!"
"Does anyone else ever get a turn?" Victor scoffed.
"Not when I have the best taste in music. We'd only listen to ABBA if you had your way." Alyssa teased.
"Their music is a treasure, a gift to the world. No more sass will leave you mouth today, young lady." Victor's straight face wavered.
When they were both seated in the Jeep that Reid drove over before going home the night before, he turned on the radio and handed her the Aux cord. He took a moment to observe her, happy that she seemed to be relatively upbeat for the situation. Smiles reached her eyes, and still as outgoing as ever.
"I'm in an eighties mood, Whitesnake it is."
"Oh good." Victor rolled his eyes and chuckled.
Alyssa sang all the words to Here I Go Again, looking so much like Lyra with each animated movement as she interpreted the lyrics to spastic dance moves in her seat. When the drumbeat kicked in he still worried for Caleb, but he allowed himself to be lost in her youthful foolishness. He knew she was pretending that today wasn't Caleb's birthday, and that maybe pretending wasn't healthy. But he didn't want to see her smile fade away, ever. Not when hours ago he was scared he'd never see it again.
"I showed you this song," He joked "Better taste in music, my ass."
"Dad! Language!" She laughed, and jumped right back into the chorus. She could tell Victor was on edge, driving slower than usual so that they had more time together. She decided to do what she always did to take his mind off of things. He liked seeing her happy, and she was in that moment.
By the time two more songs ended, they came to Caleb's house. Tyler's Hummer was parked beside Caleb's Mustang and Victor pulled the Jeep up to the other side. They made their way into the Danvers home and met everyone in the living room. A blonde that Alyssa guessed to be Sarah was sitting beside Evelyn.
"Hey, my names Alyssa." She didn't wait to be introduced, too excited to meet her.
"Sarah Wenham." The girl laughed, extending her hand which Alyssa shook.
"Alyssa." Evelyn rose to hug her. "I've missed you."
Caleb waited for everyone to greet one another and find seats. Alyssa sat between Tyler and Reid, Victor found a chair in the corner.
"Tonight I will be meeting Chase, he wants my powers. He can't have them. Victor and Evelyn will be safest here, he doesn't seem to have any interest in them. They have no powers, making them irrelevant to his plans. I need Reid and Tyler to protect Sarah and Alyssa, I think the safest place for them is at the dance. He hasn't been brazen enough to act out in public view. The crowded dance should be enough to deter him." Caleb explained his plan to those who hadn't been told of it yet. Victor's fingers tightened around the arm of the chair, Evelyn audibly gasped, and Alyssa shifted to look questioningly at Tyler who took her hand into his own to reassure her that he'd keep her safe. She looked to her father after, 'he wants to separate us? He needs the Covenant. My dad won't ever agree to this, not after last night."
"Caleb, that's beyond dangerous." Evelyn began, looking to Victor.
Victors face was a picture of fear and anger, "You said Evelyn and I would chaperone. That we'd take the girls to the dance. You never said you intended to fight alone.""
"It's the only way to make sure everyone's safe. The more spread out we are, the harder it'll be for him to attack. He can't expend enough energy to be able to attack multiple places."
Victor shook his head, "I'm calling The Elders."
He shot a look at Alyssa, and quickly left the room.
"That went well." Alyssa said lamely.