Chapter 24

Tyler moaned coming to. He went to raise his hands to his head, but to his horror they were tied down. He opened his eyes and looked around. Everything was blurry. He blinked a few times fighting the pain in his head. He finally saw he was in a cave like room tied to a stone slab. This was a ceremonial chamber he realized. Where the hell was he? Fear claimed him as he remembered where he had been, and who had probably taken him. Adam.

"Baby boy has finally awoke!" Said a voice he had hoped never to hear again.

Tyler fought against the ropes. Adam stood beside him sneering down at him. Adam reached down and unbuttoned Tyler's jeans, unzipped them, and pulled them down.

"Please don't!" Tyler sobbed.

He felt Adam take him in his hands and start to rub up and down it. Tyler felt his body responding against his will. Adam laughed and kissed Tyler who gagged at the tongue forced down his throat. He heard Adam's pants unzip. He was then on top of him. Adam ripped his short exposing him more. Tyler tried to block out what was happening as Adam's body came down on top of him grinding against him.

"Oh baby boy were going to have so much fun!" Adam said before claiming Tyler's mouth again.

He felt Adam's hand between them, and Tyler fought against his betraying body. Adam pushed Tyler's legs apart and positioned himself to take him. Tyler felt him trying to gain entry to his body and cried out.

"NO!" Tyler screamed closing his eyes against the horror.

Suddenly Adam was gone. He heard him hit the chamber wall with a snap. His eyes flew open and he saw Adam laying by the wall out cold. His arms were cut free. He turned to find the Archer boys Sloan, Matthew, and Michael standing there. He looked at them in fear wondering if they were going to hurt him also. He saw Sloan reaching for him and he flinched. Sloan stopped seeing Tyler's fear.

"We're not going to hurt you Tyler were here to help you!" Sloan explained. "I'm just going to pull your jeans up and then we'll help you up!" He said as if talking to a wounded animal.

Tyler relaxed. His fear starting to go away and he felt himself go limp much to his relief and embarrassment. Sloan pulled his jeans up, and the other two helped him sit up. He stood up only to fall back on the slab as dizziness struck him. He felt Matthew's hands touch his shoulders and the pain went away as he was healed. They helped him up again, and he pulled his jeans up the rest of the way fastening them himself.

"He's dead. His neck must have snapped when he hit the wall." Sloan grimaced. "We best get out of here!"

Tyler started to follow the three Archer brothers, but Sloan suddenly turned though raising his hand. Everything went black.

Matthew caught him as he fell and threw him over his shoulder. Michael frowned following his brothers out of the covenant for the last time.

"Raven!"

Raven heard someone cry out her name. She was still trying to gain control of her power.

"Raven listen to me! You're going to kill yourself! Now breathe slowing and concentrate!"

"I can't!" Raven sobbed.

"Yes you can! Tyler is fine! You two have a destiny together. You have your whole life ahead of you with him. Now listen to me! Adam is dead. Tyler will be here before you know it!"

Raven fought her powers draining even more of herself. Something warm and airy suddenly touched her giving her strength. She opened her eyes and was staring into the eyes of her mother.

"Mama!" She cried.

Ryder was pacing the floor outside the room. Caleb had finally felt too awkward to stand there with him anymore and went back to the others. A bright light caught his eye. The door to the sanctuary was bathed in an unearthly white glow. He ran to the door and pounded on it.

"Raven!" He cried.

He heard footsteps behind him and knew the others were there. He heard Raven cry out for their mother. He froze. He felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned and saw Rayne staring at the door also. Rade caught his eye. He pushed pass Rayne and caught Rade as he fainted.

Lizette stood back behind holding Reid's hand. Suddenly she let go of it stepping toward the door feeling drawn to it. The door opened for her and she saw Raven kneeling on the floor and her mother standing before her with her hands on Raven's shoulders. She caught her breathe. Meredith Downing looked just like a golden angel, her long blond hair flowing behind her. Meredith beckoned her forward, and she walked into the room. She heard Reid cry out her name behind her.

"BECKY!" Reid cried out in fear seeing his girlfriend walk right through the closed door. He turned on the Downings. "What's going on?"

Pogue grabbed him as he started toward the Downings. Ryder Downing's words stopped him in his tracks though.

"Our mothers is here."

Reid looked at Ryder who was sitting on the floor holding Rade in his arms. Rayne was on his knees not to far away. Fear went through Reid.

"Your mother's dead though! She's not taking Becky from me!" Reid cried trying to get away from Pogue. Caleb grabbed his other arm though holding him back also.

The glow from the room was suddenly gone. Lizette did as she was told and sent her healing power into Raven. She backed away as Raven regained control of her power. She watched as mother and daughter embraced.

"Remember your destiny my daughter!" Meredith said before turning to Lizette. "Your destiny awaits you also Lizzie, as does Jerelyns. Through you the son's of Ipswich will never face their greatest fear!"

She looked too the door and motioned Pogue in. Pogue saw the door open to him and the angel beckon him toward her. He let go of Reid and walked into the room hearing his brothers cry out to him. She motioned for him to stand between the girls in front of her.

She handed Raven a locket with her birthstone on it. Then one to Lizette and one to Pogue. "This one is for Jerelyn! You must wear them at all times!" She handed Jerelyns to Raven.

Pogue looked at the angel in bewilderment.

"You are the descendents of four best friends! Cousins! Blood! As your mothers and I were also. You are known as the power of four! Usually only girls are in this secret coven, but seeing as Shaina had to have a beautiful son as you are gifted Pogue! You look like your mother!"

Pogue felt the warmth as she touched his cheek. She smiled at him, then turned to Raven and hugged her.

"I love you Ravie!" She said disappearing.

Pogue looked at the two girls before him wondering who the fourth was.

"Who's the fourth?" He asked.

Raven and Lizette looked at one another smiling. "What?" Pogue asked leery.

"Jerelyn." Raven answered looking at Lizette pondering what her mother had told them. Raven knew what was going to happen, but she could tell Lizette didn't yet. She'd let her figure it out on her own though.

"Oh man!" Pogue moaned. "Not the three of you put together! I remember stuff from childhood that isn't too good. Usually me getting into trouble!"

"We have a party to plan now Lizzie!" Raven said.

"What?" The other two both said.

"Well it is Pogue's birthday!" She said.

The other two looked at one another in shock. "Have you forgotten Tyler?" Pogue asked a little angry.

"No! He's fine! Adam's dead and Tyler's on his way now!"

"I think she's finally lost it Pogue!" Lizette said concerned.

Raven sighed. "My mother told me ok!"

The doorbell rang then and Raven sensed Michael Archer. Her eyes turned black as she stormed out of the room. Her brothers looking at her as if she'd gone mad as she went right on by them heading to the door which Caleb was answering.