Chapter 8
Sloan closed his cell phone, opening it right away again, hitting 2 on his speed dial.
"Hello?"
"Mom Michael's been hurt. There taking him to the hospital." He said hating to have to make this phone call.
"What?" His mother asked frantically. She'd already lost one son, she couldn't lose another.
"Sloan? What's going on?" His father asked getting on the phone.
"Michael's been hurt. Ryder said someone used on him, he's hurt pretty bad." Sloan said almost not making it through a yellow light.
"Damn!" He muttered as his tires squealed.
"Slow down Sloan. We don't need you getting hurt also. You're mother and I are on our way." His father said hanging up.
Sloan slowed down a little. He pulled up to the hospital just as the ambulance was pulling in and his friends behind it. He parked his car running up to the emergency door.
Matthew was climbing out of the ambulance covered in blood, and white as a sheet. Sloan stopped seeing them pull Michael out of the back of the ambulance. He was covered in blood also. There was so much blood. They hurried him into the building. Sloan turned to Matthew, who was standing beside the building throwing up. He hurried over to him, pulling him into his arms when he was finished and holding him. He looked up to see the others standing around them.
Chandler watched his friend being held by his older brother. Matthew was now sobbing. His heart went out to him. He felt a little sick seeing all the blood himself. He walked a little ways away, pulling out his cell phone as he went. He hit 3 on the caller id.
Trey glared at his phone as it rang. He and Storm were watching a good movie, and it was at a good part. He looked at the caller id, seeing it was Chandler, and thought about letting his voice mail pick it up, but a look from Storm made him answer it.
"Hey Chandler what's up?" He said in a tone that hopefully told Chandler he was busy.
Chandler's voice broke a little as he started to talk. "Michael's been hurt." He tried to hold the tears back, but he couldn't, knowing how serious he was hurt. 'All that blood.' He thought. "Someone used on him, he was sitting with us. He never knew what hit him."
Trey dropped the beer he was drinking. "Are you all right Chandler?" He asked catching Storm's attention. "Where are you?"
"I'm fine." Chandler said trying to stop the tears. "There was so much blood though Trey. Sloan's with Matthew. We're at the hospital."
"Storm and I are on our way." Trey said. "Do the Downing's know?"
"Ryder and Rayne are here. I don't think they've called anyone though. Well Ryder did call Sloan, but...please just hurry and get here." He said his voice breaking again and he hung up, not liking letting his brother hear him that way.
"What the hell is going on?" Storm asked as Trey closed his phone without saying goodbye. He'd heard Chandler's voice breaking on the phone though so he was worried.
Trey looked at Storm worried as hell. "Someone used on Michael tonight. Chandler said there was a lot of blood, so I'm pretty sure he's hurt bad. He didn't say for sure though. There at the hospital. I told Chandler we we're on our way, he's pretty shook up, he's crying."
Trey got up grabbing his coat, and heading toward the door, and he heard Storm grab his coat also, following him.
Rowan was sitting with his wife watching TV, when he felt someone using. He always felt when someone from their covenant was using. This time it was different though. He'd felt it twice today. It was like someone was using through someone else. He put his hand on his wife's belly and was rewarded with a kick from his first heir. He smiled a little.
Something else hit him full force then. Someone in the covenant was hurt, and bad. He shivered a little. He'd also had a feeling something was wrong with one of his siblings today. He may have handed down de facto leader, but the curse that went with it stayed with him, and would till he died, and passed on to the next true de facto leader.
He knew what he had to do, and that was take back control of the covenant. They we're lost without him. Chaos had ensued for the last five years, and he'd let it happen, cause he felt like he had failed Roman and Raven. Raven was still alive though, and he owed it to her to be there for her, and the others. He sighed.
"It's time to go back." He said. "Time for me to take back control."
Corinne cuddled closer to her husband.
"I knew the time was coming. I expected it a long time ago." She said smiling. "I'm ready to go back to Ipswich."
She pulled her husband's hand back on her stomach, letting him feel the baby kick again.
He kissed her. "I need to go make some phone calls. Something's going on, in more places than one, and I need to find out what's going on."
He got up going into his den to make some phone calls. His first call was to Rory, who had felt someone using, but had no idea what was going on. He hadn't heard from any of their younger siblings, but Ryder for a couple of days. He told him to call Rafe and tell him to come home.
He called Storm next.
Storm and Trey we're on their way to the hospital. His phone rang and he picked it up seeing it was Rowan calling. He sighed looking at Trey.
"Ready to give up de facto leader little brother? The original one is calling." He said.
"Hello?" He said answering his phone.
"Any idea what's going on? Someone is hurt bad, and I want to know who it is. I know it's not one of my siblings, cause I feel the pain when there hurt physically." Rowan got right to the point.
"It's Michael. Chandler called Trey and told him. There at the hospital, you're brothers Ryder and Rayne are there, but there fine as far as I know. Someone used on him, but none of them know who did." Storm said. "I take it you're back Rowan?"
"I'm back, and there's going to be hell to pay! I'm on my way!" Rowan said hanging up the phone.
Storm smiled a little as he hung up the phone. He knew Trey hated leading the covenant along with Sloan.
"Rowan's on his way. He's taking control again. Though he never really did leave I don't think. You can breath easy again little brother." He told Trey as they pulled into the hospital parking lot.
He looked to see Chandler heading their way, and he hurriedly got out of the car meeting him halfway and pulling him into his arms.
Trey was relieved more than his brother knew. He got out of the car after parking it and watched Storm hurry over to Chandler. He could hear his younger brother's sobs from here, and he walked toward them. He joined the hug, them holding Chandler between them.
He used his power calming Chandler, and pulled back. Storm let him go a few moments later.
"What happened?" He asked Chandler.
"We we're just sitting around the table having fun at Nicky's. Next thing we know Michael's chair is flying backwards. He didn't have time to catch himself, and he landed on the back of his head splitting it open, there was so much blood." He said turning white again. "Someone used on him, and it wasn't any of us. Ryder said he couldn't figure out who done it. Aaron Abbot and his friends we're the only ones in that direction, and none of them have the power."
Chandler felt better with his brothers here. He was worried about Michael, and Matthew who was taking it really hard. He'd been right there and couldn't do anything to protect his own brother. He shivered a little, and Storm put his arm around him, leading him back toward the hospital.
Jade was getting pissed. She didn't like the girl Charity Collins or Pope whatever she wanted to be called. She was tied up and locked in the gold room. Jade had bound her power, and the girl had screamed in fury forever. Why the boys brought her here she didn't know. It was unforgivable what she had done to Raven. She started feeling someone using. She heard the phone ring a few minutes later, and heard Rade answer the phone. Thank god Riley was asleep, she didn't think she could take much more today. She had planned on telling Rory tonight he was going to be a father again, but she didn't think that was going to happen tonight.
"All right Rowan. I'll call Rafe. You be careful. Bye." She heard him say.
She walked into the living room where he was sitting. She could tell he was pissed off, and she wondered what was going on.
"What's up?" She asked him just as he picked up his cell phone.
"That was Rowan. He's taking back de facto leader, and he and Corinne are coming back here. Michael Archer was taken to the hospital. Someone used on him, and he's hurt pretty bad I guess. Ryder and Rayne are with them." He sighed. "I need to call Rafe and tell him to come home." He explained to her.
"Rayne and Ryder are all right aren't they?" She asked worriedly. She was happy to hear that Corinne would be back in the house, she had missed her. She didn't care that Corinne would be the mistress of the house then, being the eldest son's wife. She would be ready to welcome it.
"As far as I know they are. Have you heard from Raven or Rade for awhile?" He asked a little worried about them
"No I haven't. Not since Michael erased Raven's memory of the rape." She sighed. "You want me to call and check on them?"
"No. Let them be for now." He said hoping he wouldn't regret it later. "I better call Rafe."
He picked up his cell phone again, and hit 3 on the speed dial.
Rowan was heading out of his den when his phone rang. He went back and answered it.
"Hello?" He said.
"Is this Rowan Downing?" A man asked.
"Yes." He replied.
"You're Raven Downing's guardian?"
"Yes, I'm her eldest brother." Rowan said sitting down worried.
"This is Dr Klein here at Spenser's. You're sister was brought in earlier not feeling good. Fortunately it's only morning sickness, and she needed vitamins for her pregnancy. We've sedated her for the night, and are keeping her tonight for observation. Would you like for us to send her back to the dorms in the morning, or would you rather pick her up?" Dr Klein asked.
Rowan was so shocked he didn't answer for a few moments. His baby sister pregnant? For god sakes she was only sixteen. Soon to be seventeen, but that didn't matter. His blood ran cold, and he was pissed. He knew no good would come from her being with a Son of Ipswich!
"I'll pick her up yet tonight. I'm on my way to Ipswich. I will take her home. Is she there by herself?" He asked.
"No there are four boys and a girl here with her." Dr Klein answered.
"Is one of them my brother Rade?" He asked.
"I think so." Dr Klein asked hearing a commotion out in the waiting room. "I must go; there is a commotion in the waiting room."
"Thank you for calling Dr Klein. Tell Rade not to leave Raven's side. I will pick them both up within the hour. Goodbye." He hung up the phone.
He got up and went into talk to Corinne. He explained to her what was going on, and kissed her and left. She'd be joining him in Ipswich tomorrow after she made arrangements.
Rayne sat in the waiting room worried about Michael. Yea he had been pissed when he found out that Michael had erased some of his sister's memories, but he'd been protecting her from Shane. They'd been friends since birth though, and he'd forgiven him, after a talk from Marcus. A shiver ran through him as he thought about Shane. At least he was dead and he didn't have to worry about him anymore. If he'd of known what had been going on when they'd been dating he'd of stepped in. He couldn't turn back time though. He sighed.
He looked up to see The Knights walking in. He nodded at Storm who looked at him and Ryder. He watched as Storm walked up to Mr. Archer speaking to him. His eyes strayed to Sloan and Matthew. Sloan was pacing the floor, and Matthew sat in a seat by his mother staring into space.
He looked at Marcus beside him when he heard him cuss. Damien and Ryder sat across from them. He was trying to call someone and must not be having any luck.
"No answer?"
"I've been trying to call Vin for the last half hour, and he won't answer. Try calling Rade will ya?" He said worried about his younger brother.
Michael had been attacked right in front of them, and he was worried something might happen to Vincent. He looked at Damien who had been listening.
"I hope he's all right." He said to his brother.
"Vin and Rade are probably out having fun. Don't worry about him. They do need to be warned though." Damien said trying with his own cell phone.
Rayne pulled out his phone and tried calling Rade, but he got his voice mail. The same happened when he called Raven. He caught Ryder's eye.
"Neither Rade nor Raven are answering." He told him.
Ryder tried calling them also, and got their voice mail. He looked at Damien who shook his head that he wasn't getting Vincent either.
Rowan was starting to get agitated. There was a wreck up ahead, and traffic was stalled cause of it. He felt pain then in his stomach. Fear went through him, as he felt someone using, and he concentrated on the pain, feeling it come from Raven.
He grabbed his cell phone calling Storm.
Storm sat in the waiting room listening to the others. He was glad his own brothers were here and he didn't have to be worrying about them. He was worried about the twins and Vincent also. He hoped they we're all right.
His phone rang, and he frowned seeing it was Rowan, who should have been here by now.
"Hello?" He answered. "Where are you?"
"I need you to do something for me Storm..." He gasped a little feeling the pain getting worse. "You need to hurry. Take Trey, Damien, and Ryder and get to Spenser's Infirmary. Raven, Rade, and Vincent they need help. Raven she's in pain. Someone is using on her. Can you feel it? Use to bind Rayne. Don't let him go with you. You hear me?"
The pain blinded him then, and he cursed.
Storm tensed hearing the pain Rowan was in. He felt it then someone using. He shot to his feet.
"Yea I feel it. I hear you. Where the hell are you?" He said his voice raising.
"There was an accident up ahead on the road." He hissed in pain. "I'm stuck in traffic. She's pregnant...Raven is...I just found out. Hurry there killing her." He said passing out.
"She's what?" He exploded. "ROWAN!" The phone went dead in his hand.
"Shit! Trey, Damien, Ryder, Come with me now!" He said heading toward the door, before remembering what else Rowan had asked him to do.
He looked back seeing Rayne standing by his chair, watching them leave. He waved his hand, and Rayne fell back in the seat, and ropes coming out of nowhere bound him to the chair.
He turned toward Chandler. "You stay here, Don't let him go!"
"What the hell did you do that for?" Ryder cried heading toward his brother, only to be stopped by Storm. "What is going on?"
"Rowan asked me to. Get to Trey's car now! We've got to hurry, don't you feel someone using?"
If he didn't have everyone's attention before he did now. Others were using now, and he was itching to use himself.
"Yea I feel it." He said torn between Rayne and going with Storm. "Where's Rowan?"
"He's on his way, but he's stuck in traffic. Look Ryder, it's Raven that someone is using on." He hated telling him, especially in front of the others, but he had to.
Sloan had only been half paying attention to the other masters of Ipswich, but when he heard Storm tell Ryder about Raven he had all of his attention. He met Trey's eye, and he knew he couldn't stay here; whoever was using on Raven had probably been the one who hurt his own brother. Hell Raven was just like his little sister.
"I'm going also." He said stepping forward.
He saw Matthew get up. "No you stay here. I want to know at least one of my brothers is safe at the moment."
He hated leaving, but his dad could use if needed. Marcus and Chandler we're going to be here also. His eyes turned black from the anger coursing through him.
Storm watched Ryder storm out of the hospital.
"Well whoever is going let's go now!" He said following after Ryder.
Rayne fought the ropes on his arms. 'Raven!' He thought. 'Damn you Rowan!' He couldn't believe he was being left behind when his little sister was in trouble. He struggled feeling the ropes burn his arms. He could feel his friend's eyes on him, but they'd been warned not to let him go, and he knew they wouldn't. Especially when the order came from Rowan. His eyes burned with unshed tears.
His phone started to ring, and he cursed letting the tears fall. He hung his head so the others wouldn't see.
Marcus hated seeing Rayne like this, and he knew he was crying. He wanted to untie him so bad, but he wouldn't go against Rowan's orders. He also knew that where ever Raven was so we're Vincent and Rade. He figured it was Rowan's orders also who went, except for Sloan, who Rowan figured wouldn't want to leave the hospital. He heard Rayne's phone ring, and he reached over taking it out of his jacket pocket and looked to see who was calling. Caleb Danvers.
"Hello?" He answered.
"Marcus?" Caleb asked wondering why Rayne didn't answer. "Where's Rayne?"
"Uh, he's a little tied up at the moment." He said.
"Do you guys feel someone using?" Caleb asked.
"Yea."
"It's Aaron Abbot." Caleb said. "Reid saw his eyes go black earlier today."
"What?" Marcus asked incredously. "How in the hell would he have power?"
"That's what we want to know. Hey I can't get a hold of Reid or Tyler right now." Caleb said worried.
"Raven's the one being hurt." Marcus said under his breath.
"WHAT?" Caleb exclaimed looking at Jerelyn who was with him. "How do you know?"
"Storm told us, he was on the phone with Rowan, and he told him. Storm, Ryder, Damien, and Trey are on their way to Spenser's now. The rest of us are at the hospital."
"What happened?"
"Someone used on Michael earlier and hurt him pretty bad. We've been here an hour or so, and we're still waiting to hear."
"I'm going to take Jerelyn to her brothers, then Pogue and I are going to look for Tyler and Reid. Bye." He said.
"Bye." Marcus said hanging up Rayne's phone.
He looked at the others left there. Matthew, Chandler, and Rayne.
"That was Caleb Danvers. He said it's Aaron Abbot using. Reid saw him use earlier today."
"How the hell did he get power?" Chandler asked angrily.
"He didn't. Don't you recognize it? The power being used, we've all felt it numerous times. Used along with us most of the time." He hung his head. "He's being controlled. A spirit has taken control of him. It's Shane!"
He got up hitting the wall with his fist. Pain flowed through him as he felt a couple of his fingers break. He hadn't realized he was using when he hit the wall. How had he not recognized it earlier? His own brother, hurting his own blood. Brother against brother. How had it gotten this far? They shouldn't even be going through this. Shane was dead. He wondered if god was angry with them.
"MATTHEW!" He heard his mother cry out.
He walked away from his parents, and his friends. He needed some air.
Rayne looked up watching Matthew hit the wall, and he flinched, watching as he walked away.
"That means it was Shane who took those pictures of Raven, not Aaron Abbot." He said. "He's going to kill Raven to have her in the after life."
He used trying to get untied, but it was no use, Storm had done something so only he could probably undo them. He struggled more against the ropes ignoring the pain.
Chandler felt his blood run cold when Rayne said that. He got up and ran after Matthew. In the condition he was in, he might hurt himself some more.
'Storm.' He projected.
'Yea?' Storm answered.
'It's Shane. He's inhibited Aaron's body. Matt figured it out!'
'Shit.' Storm said breaking the connection.
He found his friend around the corner outside sitting on the curb. He sat down beside him. Matthew was sobbing, so he pulled him into his arms and held him. He covered Matthew's hand and healed it.
"It's going to be all right." Chandler said. "Michael will be fine!"
"Stop it Rayne!" Marcus said. "You're hurting yourself!" He put his hand on Rayne healing his arms. They'll get there in time!"
Marcus wished he could say more to Rayne, but he didn't know what to say. He just hoped they would get there in time.
Storm closed the connection with his youngest brother. He looked in the rear view mirror at Sloan sitting between Ryder and Damien. He saw Sloan's face, and knew he was figuring it out.
"Sloan." He said watching Sloan's eyes turn black.
"Shit!" He muttered.
He saw the others turn to toward Sloan.
Sloan could kick himself for not figuring it out earlier. How had he let this happen? He'd felt it earlier today, and recognized it in a way. Why hadn't he put two and two together? Michael wouldn't be in the hospital right now, and Raven would be fine.
He'd been the oldest he should have noticed when Shane turned. This was his fault! All those times he'd tried to talk to him, and Shane had turned on him. If it weren't for Trey he'd of been dead a long time ago, by his own brother's hand. Shane had laughed at him.
He looked at Trey. "He's back. It's Raven he's after."
He hit the back of the seat in front of him.
"He took over Aaron's body, to kill Raven and take her with him to the after life. If there even is one."
"What the fuck are you talking about?" Ryder asked glaring at Sloan. "Nobody's taking my little sister anywhere!"
"He's talking about Shane, Ryder." Trey said. "He obviously didn't move on. He had unfinished business and that is Raven."
Hell wasn't it enough with Roman, now she had to go through it with Shane. His blood boiled thinking about it.
Ryder had never been so scared in his life. He wasn't going to make it to Raven in time. His heart was breaking.
Storm looked in the rearview mirror again at Ryder.
"She's pregnant Ryder." He wanted to give him something to think about besides losing his sister. "Rowan told me when he called."
Ryder looked up at Storm. He couldn't believe it and he was suddenly pissed. He started thinking of ways to kill Simms. Though he never would really kill him, cause of Raven.
"That little bastard is going to pay!" Ryder said through clenched teeth.
"If Rade and Vin haven't got to him first." Damien said.
He hadn't seen Vincent for a few days, and he never thought once about him. He had been too busy with work, and his own life, to think about his baby brother. He wished Storm would drive faster so he could get to Vincent.