A/N: I do not claim to own The Covenant or any of the related characters. I am just borrowing them for some good ol' fun! I DO however own my plot and OC's, so please ask before borrowing. I have worked rather hard on my story idea and would appreciate it if you, the readers, dropped me a review to let me know your thoughts.

Crossroads of Destiny

Chapter 5

"Stupid, stupid, stupid Máthair!" A raven-haired teen growled as she marched briskly down a deserted leaf laden street in the brisk October weather. Her blood burned with fury as she mentally cursed her lineage.

"Destiny is naught but a bitch!!" She yelled, her Irish brogue thick with her rage. The cawing of a raven from a nearby tree was the only reaction to her angry declaration.

"Why Máthair? Why did you betroth me to tha' mon!! Ye know he will be the death o'er me and the clan!" Despair overwhelmed the Daughter of Éire as she stumbled across the dying grass and over to a park bench. She sat, her grey eyes staring sightlessly into the cold waters of the rushing water of the brook in front of her.

What was she to do now? She couldn't return home now. As much as she absolutely hated to admit it, her Máthair was right. She was no match for Lord Jasper Hamilton or his coven, not alone and most certainly not while she still has to learn control. The Crón Draiocht would destroy her spirit and her body before taking her soul. She would not allow herself or her clan to suffer the horrors that surely awaited them at their enemy's hands.

Oh, she knew the Hamilton line was cursed with unrequited love for the daughters of the Turlough clan, no matter how much her Máthair tried to keep it from her. Aislinn had learned at a very young age to keep her eyes and ears open as she was starved for information from the outside world.

After Bridie had been murdered, she had gone into a deep depression and refused to speak to anyone for almost a year regardless of the amount of coaxing and attention that was lavished on her. While she had not seen her sister struck down, the body that was recovered had been brutalized beyond all recognition. If it wasn't for the fine emerald gemstone necklace found with the body, she would not have believed that her sister had been killed.

The Irish teen sighed heavily. She was worried about her clan and now she had even bigger things that demanded her attention. She recalled her vision of Caleb's "ghost" and shivered. While this Chase Collins was truly dead, his soul had been trapped in the nethers until the Crón Draiocht coven had called him forth. A different body housed the fifth son of Ipswich's soul and unfortunately she was unable to see past the dark fog that obscured his new form. She knew this did not bode well for her new friends and she was sorry that her clan's enemy decided to interfere in their lives.

She was sorry for a great many things. One being that she had not been completely honest with her cousins. She had not spoken to her cousin Alana about her growing awareness of her emphatic powers. While still uncontrolled, she was no longer unable to experience that particular ability. But her biggest regret was not confiding everything in Tyler.

"He must hate me." She said lowly, her eyes filling with tears.

"Who hates you?"

Stiffening, Aislinn wiped her eyes hastily as she warily turned towards the newcomer's voice.

"Pogue." She said quietly, her tone short.

Unperturbed at her clipped tone he seated himself next to her. They sat in uncomfortable silence for a few minutes.

"So who hates you?"

Startled, Aislinn flinched at hearing his deep voice. Embarrassed at her slight jump, she lashed out.

"Besides ye?"

Pogue snorted. "Besides me." His eyes narrowed as he turned to look at her. "Unless you were referring to me."

She scoffed. "Dunna be daft mon! I was not thinkin' about ye!"

He raised his brow at her vehement tone. "Alright chill. It was just a question."

The Irish teen blew out a breath as she felt her anger deflate. "You are right. I had no right to be harsh. I apologize."

Caught off guard at her soft tone he searched her features seeing open honesty there. Her fair skin was flushed and her eyes bright. She really was beautiful he thought absently.

"I was actually referring to Tyler. He's the one who must hate me."

"Why?"

"Why do ye think? I kept this from him, all o' this and he canna be happy wit' me for that." She waved her hand in an agitated manner.

Pogue shrugged. "I doubt he hates you. Baby Boy is too kind for actual hatred. True, he is probably very angry with you, and he has every right to be. In his eyes you betrayed his friendship by not telling him what's what. Frankly, if I was him, I wouldn't give you the time of day."

"You are na helpin' mon! Why are ye here anyway? Ye hate me, ye have made that clear many a' time."

"Who said I was here to help you? Besides, do you expect me to feel anything other than hostility towards you? You have recently come into our lives and now we have all sorts of problems. I find it hard not to hold you responsible. You may have the others fooled, but to me you are nothing but trouble!"

Aislinn surged to her feet, her anger boiling over. "That does it mon! I willna'stay and be treated this way by the likes of ye! Ye are rude and uncouth and ha'e na respect for me! On Éire ye would'a been arrested for speakin' ta me so!"

Pogue stood up and stepped towards her, his eyes blazing with fury. "Listen here Princess, we aren't on your island! I suggest you understand that right now! I am not one of your worshipers who will scrape and bow at your feet!"

Breathing heavily they stood there inches apart, glaring at each other. "I ne'er said ye were! Tis obvious ta me tha' ye despise the verra ground I walk on! So I repeat why are ye here!"

Pogue exploded. "I'm here to check up on you! Our fearless leader Caleb suggested I see how you were doing! Which is ridiculous considering I don't give a damn if you live or die! You mean nothing to me!"

Her face paled at his harsh words. He flinched inwardly at the look of pain that briefly flashed across her face before her expression became shuttered. Too late, he wished he could take back his angry words.

"I see. Well then Mr. Parry, as you can see I am fine. You may tell Caleb so, and I apologize for you feeling obligated to take up your precious time to check on me." Ice dripped from her polite words and her manner was stiff and unyielding. She turned away from him and made her way out of the park and towards Spenser.

He just stood there, feeling ten kinds of an asshole. He ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. Why couldn't he keep his trap shut around her? Sighing heavily, he trudged towards the school as well, along the way he rethought every word she had spoken to him attempting to rekindle his anger at her.

Hopefully then he could drown out the guilt he felt.

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"Tyler, man. Just chill." Reid said as he lazily tossed a baseball up in the air and catching it.

The dark haired man glared at his best friend before continuing his pacing. "It's been four hours since we last saw her!"

"I'm sure she's fine. Maybe she just needed some time to cool off." Kate offered from her position on the floor.

"Cool off? I'll give her something to cool off about! When I see her I am going to wring her neck!"

"Tyler? Do you want us to go look for her?" Sarah asked leaning against Caleb.

"Pogue already did. And he said she was fine, just taking a breather." Reid said glancing at his longhaired friend. "Right, Pogue?"

"Huh? Oh, yeah, sure. She's fine."

Caleb narrowed his eyes at his best friend. Pogue was lying and he wanted to know why.

"Dude, you lied to us!"

Heads swiveled around to face Reid who was staring rather shrewdly at his leather-clad friend.

"Whatever man."

"No, you did. I can read it on your face!"

Tyler stopped his pacing. "Is that true? Did you lie? Tell me what happened."

"Look I saw her, we talked, she told me to tell Caleb that she was fine and then I came back here. End of story!"

Kate spoke up suddenly. "That might be true, but there is something you are not telling us either."

Pogue fixed her with a glare. "How would you know? Were you there?"

"No, but I do know you and I know that something is bothering you and I think it happens to deal with Aislinn."

Pogue scoffed. "You know me huh? Then tell me this Kate, since you know me so well, what makes you think that I give a damn what you think?"

Taken aback, the pretty mocha skinned teen just stared at him.

"You know what, I can't do this anymore. I can't pretend that everything is Ok when it is not." He sent a piercing look at her. "This just isn't working for us."

"I know." She said softly in response surprising everyone in the room. "You're right. We can't keep deluding ourselves. What we had is gone. You know it and I know it. I still care about you, but I can't be with you. I am not what you need and you are not what I need."

Uncomfortable silence filled the room at her words. Everyone else had seen the axe fall on Pogue and Kate's relationship a few weeks ago. This just finalized it.

"What are you all doing in my room?"

"Aislinn!" Tyler rushed towards her and embraced the startled teen.

"Cousin, are you feeling well?" She asked awkwardly patting his back.

Pushing her away gently, he held her at arm's length. "I was worried! You were weak from healing Sarah and then the letter you read really angered you. You stormed out of there with a huge chip on your shoulder!"

"I had things I needed to think about. I am sorry I worried you cousin. I knew you were angry with me and I feared that you hated me."

Astonished, Tyler dropped his hands from her shoulders. "Why would you think that?"

Aislinn glanced around the room taking in all of the occupants. Sarah, seeing her friend's discomfort, took charge.

"Why don't we meet up with you guys later so we can talk. How about the auditorium in an hour?"

"Fine." Tyler said without taking his eyes off of his beautiful cousin. Sarah and Kate managed to usher the others out of the room, softly closing the door behind them. Left alone with her cousin, Aislinn fiddled with the hem of her shirt.

"Aislinn, why would you think that I hate you?"

Stepping back, she fixed her gaze on the floor. "I betrayed your friendship."

The youngest son of Ipswich felt like he had been punched in the gut at her forlorn voice.

"Betrayed my friendship? How?"

"I was na honest with ye Tyler! I kept these secrets from ye and ye are my family, my friend. I know ye were verra angry with me and I canna blame ye."

"Yes, you kept things from me, and yes I was very angry. Though in all honesty, I was hurt more than anything. I wanted you to feel like you could trust me. But, I understand as I have not been completely honest with you as well."

"What do you mean?"

Sighing, the blue-eyed man sat on the bed. "How much do you know about the Ipswich families?"

"Na much. Máthair just told me that ye were all part of a verra old and powerful coven. She didna go inta much detail. She told me that I would be well protected here. Until the time came for me ta return home."

"Well that is pretty much it, except for the part with Chase."

"Will you tell me what happened?"

"Chase was the fifth son of Ipswich from a bloodline we thought had long died out. We were wrong. He tried to kill several of us and wanted to steal our powers or trick us into gifting them to him. Collins had kidnapped Sarah and was planning on killing her on the night of Caleb's ascension. That night Caleb fought with Collins and killed him. He had no choice, as Chase was bound and determined to kill Caleb and suck his powers dry."

Aislinn held his hand gently having felt his inner turmoil. Smiling gratefully at her Tyler gave her hand a small squeeze before continuing.

"Pogue was laid up in the hospital for a while and Kate had her own ordeal to overcome. Things haven't been the same between them since. While he still seems like the partying playboy type, Reid has more depth to him than before and he is very protective of his friends. Caleb and Sarah are even closer than before and I have become more outspoken and confident. That's about it."

"And now Chase Collins is back." The Irish teen said softly.

Tyler blew out a breath. "Yeah. There's that."

"I did not get a clear look at him in the vision so I do not know what he looks like now."

"Wait, what do you mean now? Won't he look like he did?"

Aislinn shook her head. "Not unless Crón Draiocht had recovered his deceased body before calling his soul forth. Otherwise, his new form will be whatever corpse the coven had used."

"Okay, that just sounds like a bad B-rated zombie movie! I thought the dead couldn't be raised."

Waving her hand dismissively, Aislinn rose to her feet and started to pace. "Typically no. It takes the darkest of magiks to call forth the dead and a lot of power. Power that can only be obtained through blood and soul sacrifices and horrific deeds. Besides, no one will be able to tell that Chase is 'dead'. He will look, act and breath as a normal person would."

"What about voodoo priestesses? Can't they raise the dead? Though I imagine that if they do it would fit the whole 'Night of the Living Dead' stereotype. I must admit I find it hard to believe that Collins will be dead but not dead. Sounds pretty damned creepy!"

"It is a bit freaky, but that is the case. I don't know much regarding the practice of voodoo since their secrets are kept close. I have heard speculation and rumors supporting that, but unfortunately, I am the type of person who requires proof. I have proof with Crón Draiocht; or rather my clan annuals have the proof. I myself have never actually seen the ritual performed."

"So we have an unrecognizable dead Son of Ipswich after our asses, a coven of some pretty bad dudes after you and your clan, Pogue's ascension, and everyday teenage issues. That about cover it?"

"Yes, wait…what? Pogue's ascension? When is that?"

Tyler drew his brows together in confusion. "Next month, why?"

Aislinn shook her head. "Nothing really. A fleeting thought flew out of my head before I could grasp it."

"I hate it when that happens. Don't worry it'll come back to you."

Sighing, the Irish teen ran her hand through her hair. "You are probably right. Should we go meet the others?"

Tyler glanced at her bedside clock and was surprised that three quarters of an hour had already passed. "I guess we should. Are we good?"

Smiling brilliantly, his cousin nodded her head. "We are. I promise not to keep anything else from you."

Grinning the dark haired man stood and hugged her. "Me too."

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"I must say Mr. Wilkes, I do believe you will enjoy Spenser Academy immensely. There are many extra-curricular activities that I think you will find invigorating for a young man of your skills."

The blond teen smiled pleasantly at the Headmaster seated in front of him.

"Thank you sir. It will be a pleasure to attend your fine school. I am only sorry that my enrollment was delayed. I hope it did not cause you any problems."

"Not at all. We received your enrollment package at the beginning of the year, and reserved your spot until you could join us. I am sorry about the deaths of your parents Troy."

"Thank you sir. I appreciate you being able to take my brother Jacob as well. Since our parents died we have been pretty close. It would be painful to be separated now. I know he had planned to enter the Air Force like our Grandfather after he graduated from Public, but priorities had to be re-evaluated. I am sure you understand."

"Of course, of course. It is no trouble. Your room assignment is right here and you will be pleased to know that you and your brother are sharing a dorm room. As you know, term just ended so the students are on a week break before the start of the next term. I hope you take the time to get to know your peers."

"I will do that sir." The tall teen stood and shook hands with the Headmaster. "Once again thank you for your understanding."

The Headmaster waved his hand dismissively. "If you need anything, just let either me or the staff know. I assume you have a way to the train station to pick up your brother?"

"Actually, sir, he arrived early and has taken a taxi here. He is actually in the Entrance Hall waiting for me."

"Then I won't take up anymore of your time Mr. Wilkes."

The headmaster watched as the tanned man left his office. He shook his head sorrowfully. It would be an asset having the Wilkes brothers here. They came from a rather prestigious background, but the death of their parents hung like a dark cloud over the family.

He rubbed his eyes, muttering to himself. "Well murder is never a nice thing."

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A/N: And I will end it there. I am sorry for not updating sooner, but life happened! I have not abandoned this story, and I am continuing it. Hopefully, there are those of you who are still interested in my tale. Drop me a line and let me know you are there and reading!