Chapter 41

With a deep intake of breath, Chase felt his eyes slowly open. His– Caleb's– body felt groggy and stiff, almost like he'd be sleeping. That thought alone confused him, since he didn't have a physical body he didn't need sleep and he'd always leave Caleb's body for a few hours when the boy need rest.

Gingerly he sat up, feeling Caleb's shoulder pop from the movement and took a closer look at his surroundings. From what he could gather he assumed he was in the cabin of a vehicle and judging from the H2 emblem on the vehicle's steering wheel, it was Tyler's Hummer.

(How in the hell did I end up here?)

The sound of soft breathing grabbed his attention and Chase turned his head towards the back seat. Over the curve of the leather, he could see Tyler's unconscious form lying in the back seat. The boy's blue eyes were lightly closed, like he was sleeping. His soft, even breathing confirmed the fact and with a confused look, Chase turned his attention towards the nearest window.

His breath – or Caleb's for that matter– hitched when he caught sight of his surroundings; the car was parked less then a hundred feet away from the remains of Putnum barn. He had absolutely no idea how he ended up in this place and in a panic he tried to mentally retrace his steps. He remembered sneaking his way into the old colony house once again in search of Tyler but he was drawing a blank after that, almost like he blacked out.

(Oh fuck!)

He was losing track of time and blacking out, the same symptoms Caleb experienced when he first took him over. A part of him knew this wasn't a just coincidence.

(Shit.)

Not wanting to waist another moment that he was in control of, Chase inched himself towards the driver's side and unlatched the car door. The air outside was heavy and cold, meaning the sun was setting, bringing a full moon in it's absence; he didn't have much time left if he was going to do the ritual.

His feet hit the ground with a heavy thud; his body was still incredibly stiff and groggy. He must've been asleep for longer then he thought. With a yank, he pulled the passenger's side door open and hesitantly touched Tyler's shoulder. The younger boy didn't move or even make a sound from the touch, as a matter of a fact it was like the younger boy was still asleep. He moved his hand towards the younger boy's neck, sighing in relief when he felt a weak pulse; Tyler was defiantly sleeping.

Relived that no harm had come to his new source of power, Chase moved one of Caleb's strong hands under Tyler's shoulders and pulled the boy to his chest. Using his powers to enhance his physical strength, Chase then heaved Tyler's limp body over his shoulder and kicked the Hummer's door shut with his foot.

He nearly tripped several times as he stumbled through the wreckage of the barn. He reached the heavy double doors leading down to Putnum's greatest secret. They opened with a small wave of his free hand and he was greatly surprised to see that all of the torches lining the wall of the stairwell were lit.

Carefully he descended down them, gently securing Tyler's weight against his back. He was panting by the time he reached the large double doors at the end of the stone part of the tunnel and with a tired wave the twin doors opened.

The stone walled room was brightly lit from the hundreds of candles resting along its many surfaces; every single one of them was lit with a bright gold flame. Chase felt his eyes narrow at the sight of the tiny flames; he didn't remember lighting any of them before he left. He lowered Tyler to the floor in a clear area and cautiously scanned the length of the room. There was no sign of Pogue, meaning the empath hadn't yet left the room Chase sent him to and ruling out him as the source of the room's sudden change.

No, the person who went to the trouble of getting this place well prepared for him was much closer to him then Pogue. Too close for Chase's liking.

--

Chase is back

Pogue was startled out of his thoughts when he heard William's gruff voice inside his head.

(Shouldn't you leave or something?)

He won't know I'm here, trust me.

(You're sure?)

Yes, all he can feel at the moment is you.

(That's a small relief, thanks.)

Both covenant members drew silent as Chase's presence slowly filtered into the room. It was much stronger then anything else drifting around inside of the room, which disturbed both Pogue and William. A door suddenly appeared on Pogue's left and rattled loudly as it was slowly opened by the man on the other side.

Although Pogue already knew it was Chase on the other end that didn't stop the painful lurch his heart gave from the sight of that bastard being inside of his friend's body once again. Caleb's brown eyes slowly glanced around the room and halted when they spied the bloodied figure lying in the corner.

"What's wrong Pogue wasn't he satisfying enough for you?" Caleb's rough voice chuckled.

"Fuck you." Pogue spat.

In the depths of his mind Pogue could feel William rolling his eyes at the two of them. Were it not for the seriousness of the situation Pogue probably would've laughed at that.

"Nice to know you're in a good mood." Caleb hummed and eyed Pogue clearly. "We're going to do the ritual now. I'm not waiting any longer."

His statement took the empath by surprise. "What?"

"I'm not staying inside of Caleb any longer then I have too, and I expect you to remember our deal?" Caleb stated as he crossed his arms.

"Some fucking deal. You didn't even give me the real Caleb." Pogue spat.

"You didn't ask for the real Caleb." Caleb replied, completely mimicking Chase's attitude. "Now, are you going to cooperate or not?"

Pogue's answer came before he could stop it. "Hell no."

Caleb's eyes narrowed dangerously, making Pogue's skin crawl slightly. "Fine. Stand up."

A faint tremor accompanied both words and caused the small hairs on the back of Pogue's neck to stand up. The empath felt a strong twitch in his legs but he remained seated on the edge of the bed.

"I'm fine right here, thanks." Pogue mumbled, raising an eyebrow.

Confusion crossed Caleb's eyes and touched Pogue's mind but it was quickly stomped down before it grew too strong and tried again.

"Pogue, stand up."

This time a hot sensation traveled through Pogue's body and against his will he felt himself getting to his feet.

(What the fuck?)

William grew tense in the back of his mind. He's acquired a new gift apparently.

(A new– who the hell did it come from?)

I don't know. William growled darkly. But I have a pretty good guess. Only one person in the covenant's entire history had that gift.

Before Pogue could ask who, Caleb had opened his mouth again.

"Good. Now be a good boy and give me the pendant."

Hundreds of enraged remarks bit at Pogue's tongue but for some reason the empath found himself unable to speak. He was unable to do anything but raise his arm.

(Can't you do something!?)

I've been trying but there's nothing I can do. Find some way to fight it!

He tried, his fingers coiling tightly together in an effort to keep himself from obeying but no matter how hard he fought it, Pogue soon found himself reaching for his jacket and pulling the small gold pendant out of it's pocket. Caleb's eyes lit up as they witnessed the light in the room reflect on its smooth surface and the older boy greedily held his hand out. His smile grew even larger as Pogue's fingers released it into his palm.

"You cannot believe how much grief this little thing has caused me."

"I'm sure." Pogue mumbled, silently counting his teeth in order to keep anymore remarks silent; the last thing he needed was to give Chase any more reason to use his new gift.

Caleb's grin remained in place as he curled his fingers around the small gold trinket and he turned on his heel.

"Fallow me."

Automatically Pogue found his feet moving forwards.

(Dammit.)

The empath tried to counter Chase's new powers. Blocking his mind didn't work and neither did using his own powers to keep his feet in place. It was no use, Chase was much stronger then him at the moment. He passed through the now open door into the dark stone hallway. His ears picked up the sound of the door closing behind him and he turned just in time to see the door slowly fade into the stone, forming a dead end.

(This place is just full of surprises.)

William grunted in the back of his mind but otherwise remained silent. If it wasn't for the waves of frustration lightly touching the empath's mind Pogue wouldn't have even know he was there. He silently fallowed Caleb back out into the open room and his feet came to a rough halt when his eyes caught sight of the hundreds of candles adorning the room.

(Holy shit.)

His blue eyes scanned the entire length of the room, awed by the many small flames until they noticed that someone besides Caleb was in the room.

"Tyler?"

The younger boy was lying in the far corner of the room and before Chase could stop him, Pogue moved through the room and dropped near Tyler's side. His fingers moved down Tyler's arm to his wrist and the empath felt his throat loosen when they felt a pulse.

(What the hell is he doing here?)

Chase must've brought him. That solves the mystery of where he went earlier.

Pogue pushed on Tyler's shoulder in an attempt to waken the other teen but to no avail. He tried shaking him as well but Tyler's closed lids didn't even flutter.

"Don't bother; he won't be waking up anytime soon." Caleb retorted from across the room.

Pogue glared at him over his shoulder. "What the hell did you do to him?"

"Believe it or not, nothing." The older boy replied in a cold voice. "Now get over here."

More hot pins went through his legs and against his will, Pogue felt himself stand up and leave Tyler's side. He tried to fight the hold the entire time he strolled across the room but Caleb just voiced the command again he was rendered helpless. Eventually his feet came to a stop near the Nexus Stone; the dark blue table was the only thing in the room not covered with candles, not even one was placed on its smooth surface. The only things resting on it were the three small gold pendants Chase had collected over the past months and a knife about the length of his forearm.

Even from the distance, Pogue could clearly make out its design. The blade was silver and was split down the middle, giving it a serrated edge. The handle was made of pure iron and looked like it was carved by a very skilled hand. Several of the blue runes decorating the many walls behind him were etched into the handle as well, giving Pogue the impression that the blade was not as harmless as it looked.

"Hold out your hand."

The tremors rolled down Pogue's spine once again and he held out a shaking hand like he was ordered. The pendant was placed back in his hands a moment later.

"Put it with the others."

Pogue blinked and with a serious amount of willpower he managed to keep his arm still. The tremors of Caleb's voice still lingered inside of his head but he felt no desire or impulse to act on their orders.

(Yes!)

A cold feeling spread through his arm afterwards, aiding him and Pogue instantly knew it was William. His relief was short-lived however.

Caleb eyed the outstretched limb with disdain. "You don't give up, do you?"

"Fuck you!"

Caleb's eyes darkened and before Pogue could gain his resolve he saw the older boy's eyes turn black. Sharp, blinding pain tore through his entire body and the empath cried out and fell to his knees.

"Jesus Christ, you just love being a pain in the ass don't you?"

Caleb stopped the torture a long moment later, leaving the empath wheezing heavily on the floor.

"And here I thought you were gonna play nice for Caleb's sake. Honestly Pogue, can't you stop being selfish?"

"Look whose talking asshole." Pogue growled as he staggered to his feet. "I'm not going to let you kill Caleb."

A flicker of understanding showed in Caleb's tight shoulders but his eyes remained emotionless and black. "Alright, I'm done being nice. Get up!"

An invisible force seamed to grab his limbs and Pogue was hauled back to his knees a moment later. With a wave of his hand, Caleb pulled the empath fully to his feet and grasped something off the table's surface.

(William!)

Pogue tried reaching for the elder's presence but it was blocked by a heavy wall of Chase's power. He tried to frantically to break through it but all too soon he found himself standing at the table's flank. Caleb seized one of his hands and held it over the table roughly. His other hand held the knife that was sitting on the table's surface a few moments prior and the silver blade glistened with light as it's tip neared Pogue's palm.

"Fucker!" The empath hissed as the weapon pierced his skin, drawing a small dribble of blood.

Caleb merely grinned and roughly twisted his arm back towards the table. Pogue's bloody palm slammed heavily against the stone, causing the empath to emit a loud yelp of pain. A moment later the cut skin of his hand started to burn painfully, almost like the surface of the large blue stone was heating up.

Pogue squeezed his eyes shut as more pain traveled up the length of his arm. A long trail of emotions dug into the depths of his mind, tearing at his nerves and showing him countless flashes of images he didn't understand. In one blur he could see several people gathered around the same blue stone he had his hand pressed against, all of them dressed in black hoods. Another image wormed its way in its place; this one consisted of two people standing in front of the stone. They seamed t be arguing and Pogue could see one of them turn towards the Nexus Stone which cracked heavily a moment later.

The room shook slightly and as the images started to fade and Pogue could see the large crack in the stone suddenly disappear under his hand. Exhaustion took over his body and Pogue felt his legs give out under him. His knees hit the floor with a hard impact.

"I knew you were the one I needed." Caleb remarked a few short feet away. "But unfortunately, you've now outlived you're usefulness."

The air inside of his lungs grew heavy as the room seamed to grow colder. Out of the corner of his eye, Pogue saw Caleb raise his arm and will a powerful force of his powers towards him. The empath turned his eyes black in an attempt to shield himself from the impact but the wave was blocked even before it hit him.

My turn. William flared from the depths of Pogue's mind.

(What?)

Pogue repeated the question once more but got no answer from the elder Danvers other then William's enraged growl. A good portion of the small candle flames went out, encasing the room in a mild darkness. The empath's eyes moved back and forth in confusion and he reached for William's presence in his mind; he didn't know the elder was strong enough to do this. He found the elder's presence shortly afterwards but he couldn't wrap his mind around it, William slipped away from him.

You might want to cover your ears. The elder said as his presence completely detached it's self from the empath's mind.

Pogue didn't even have time to raise his hands before a loud, blood curling scream shot threw the stone room.

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you can see a picture of the knife on my bio page, I own it