[Sorry it has been forever since my last published chapter, life got in the way. I have now returned to finish of this story as it is one of my favourites. I hope also that there is a possibility of a sequel that focuses not just of Georgina, but we will see! I hope you will stick with me through to the end!]

Chapter 22

The boys pulled up outside Eleanor's house to see the usual cars outside. As the weeks got closer to Georgina's ascension certain people within the family began pitching in to help. Gregory was here since the beginning, even took a break from work, and grew increasingly irate with people if they interrupted his reading. About two weeks into this his wife Daphne conceded to help around the house and by making food runs. But she refused to research into the Pendle Family, maintaining her belief that nothing good came from that family, a belief that bought more tension between Tyler's parents.

Tyler himself didn't like seeing his parents behave this way, but he also refused to believe that Georgina was the same as her family. He just didn't see it in her. So he also began to read the library of books within the Ipswich cellar, a job willingly shared by all the boys. But none more especially than Reid. He read more in those subsequent weeks than he has ever done. Learning more about his ancestors and his history than he ever was previously interested in.

"I don't think I can read another page."

They looked up to see Sarah lay down the old musty book she had been reading. Since the heart to heart she and Caleb had in the boat house, things were pretty good between them. He let her in a bit more and she shared whatever fears she had. Turns out she was just more curious than she showed. And letting her in on reading the books not only helped them get through them faster, but it also showed her that Caleb trusted her.

"My eyes gave up ages ago," Tyler yawned from the sofa, his book laying discarded in the seat next to him.

"I think it's time for a break," Caleb nodded, throwing his pen down on the table.

Pogue who was sleeping with his head on the desk, looked up quickly when his phone in his pocket went off.

"Hello?" he slurred

Sarah leaned into Caleb's shoulder and Tyler rubbed his face. Only Reid continued reading, slowly turning the page as he went.

"Uh, I'm sorry. We lost track of time…Yeah we can be there in 20… No we -…Yes, she's here but-…Alright…Bye."

They looked up to the stressed Pogue as he closed his phone.

"Kate's pissed. We missed the study session," Tyler said.

"I totally forgot," Sarah winced.

"I said we'll meet her at Nicky's," Pogue replied. "She's not liking being left out of the loop like this and I'm running out of excuses as to why we're all here and she's not."

"You could just tell her, man," Caleb said with a shrug.

Tyler slowly shook his head.

"Why not," Sarah said gently. "I mean I was told."

"You found out," Tyler answered. "Caleb confirmed. But flat out telling someone is a whole different ballgame. Beside's I'm not sure I want her to know."

No one really knew what to say about this, so they stayed out and got ready to leave.

"You coming?"

Tyler asked Reid, his car keys ready in his hand.

"I'll pass. I want to finish this."

The others looked to each other.

"Reid, I get you want to help her and everything. But we also have finals and the occasional need to eat," Caleb said lightening the mood.

Reid looked over the book he was reading and simply said, "I'm good, man."

Caleb nodded to himself and shrugged to the others.

"Alright. Ring if you want us to bring back anything."

Reid barely paid attention as they left the room. The car kicked up gravel in the driveway and there was silence in the house again.

"They're right you know," Eleanor said. "You need to take a break once in a while."

Reid looked up to see her carrying two mugs of hot chocolate. She placed one in front of him and took the chair opposite him in the table.

"No," Reid shook his head as he picked up his book again. "There is still so much to read. I mean we could be staring at the answer, we just haven't found it yet."

"Is this just about Georgina," Eleanor asked taking a sip of her cocoa. "I mean I love your enthusiasm. But I can't help but to think there is more to it than what they are all seeing."

"And what is everyone seeing?"

"Someone who has feelings for another. Perhaps more feelings than they are willing to admit."

Reid put the book down and leaned on his elbows. He place a hand on his head, flattening his blonde hair.

"I get why everyone is afraid of these people," Reid said softly. "I do. Whatever they did must have been unforgivable to break the Covenant. But why are they not helping her. They saw her fear. It even surpassed their own and yet they hide behind their laws and their rules."

"People do strange things when they are afraid," Eleanor replied.

"Yeah."

They sat in a heavy silence as Reid pressed his hands around the warm mug.

"Chase Collins nearly destroyed Caleb for more power. He was an Ipswich legacy, can you imagine if he had heard of this. A way of unlimited power, regardless of the consequence. My own father died within years of ascending. I don't have any memories of him because he couldn't stop using long enough to see me grow up. And I feel it. I feel the rush every time. And I enjoy it. I don't think I can stop myself. I never had Tyler's father to keep me sane. And Pogue and Caleb had their fathers, for a while at least. They don't feel the need like I do and I haven't even ascended yet."

"Are you worried you will become your father?"

"I'm worried I will be worse than my father," Reid said. "I'm afraid that I will not last long after the ascension-"

"Don't say things like that Garwin," Eleanor warned.

"It's okay. It's something I have thought for a while. Even if it doesn't, the need will always be there. I don't know how Gregory or that old man from the council has done it because, honestly, I don't know if I would even want to. Finals and college applications…why would I want to waste my remaining time worrying about insignificant things like that."

Reid could tell he was upsetting Eleanor, who thought of all the boys as her grandchildren. But he had to let someone know his feelings. Even if it wasn't what they wanted to hear.

"But, what I can do, while I still have use left to me is help Georgina. I will not sit by and let an innocent girl be tortured to death while I still have to power to help her. Even if the council disapproves."

Eleanor stared at her chilled cocoa, having lost the appetite to drink it. She got up out of the chair and walked over to Reid. She stroked his face tenderly.

"Thank you for telling me how you truly feel," she said sadly. "But you should know, that I will not give up on any of you, not without a fight."

Reid smiled lightly into her palm as she kissed his forehead. She picked up her mug and made her way to the stairs. She looked back to see Reid once again pick up his book. Walking upstairs she made her way to the office currently occupied by Gregory. He had become obsessive in finding anything that could help. She peaked her head around the door and saw him asleep on the table, his lamp shinning light upon the stacks of books surrounding the desk. She closed the door quietly and stepped back into the hallway. As much pain and suffering being a member of the Ipswich family has caused her, she has always been proud of her blood. Never more so than now.

As she steps into her room, the repaired wall looked like nothing had ever happened. She almost wished there was something crooked or different, if only to remind her that Georgina was here. But the only things she has left to remind her of her goddaughter was the handwritten note she left and the photo that Caleb found in the boat house. She sat down heavily on her bed and picked up the ripped square photo. Georgina looked so happy. And her mother was the image of Margaret, Georgina's paternal grandmother, an old friend of Eleanor's.

Taking out a box of old photographs from her beside table she rifled gently through the yellowed and faded black and white photographs till she found the one she was looking for. She smiled and ran her fingers tenderly over the photo. Tears welled up in her eyes as she looked at the two young girls happily holding each other in the field of barley. Eleanor's parents had sent her to the same boarding school as Margaret. And she witnessed first hand at the abuse Margaret suffered from her family. To the verbal and then physical. Her time at the school was the only time she was free, and then when the power seizures began, it became harder for her to stay. She dropped out when she was 16.

Eleanor remembered when she visited during the holidays before her 18th. The family manor, that once could have been grand was rotten and derelict. And when she saw Margaret, part of her died. She was emaciated and dead in the eyes. Holding on to a baby, as she herself was from herself was weeks away from ascension. That night, Eleanor stole back into the house and managed to get Margaret out. Margaret held no love for the child she bore by force, for he was a boy. And she knew that there was no saving him from the same fate that befell all the male lines of Pendle. Unfortunately as sick as Margaret was, she never made it to her 18th birthday. And Eleanor swore as the church buried her dear friend, that she would stop it from happening again. She listened out to any rumours and marriages concerning the Pendle's. When a woman came forward 18 year ago saying her daughter had been taken by the father, Eleanor devoted her time in helping her to find the child.

Eleanor placed the old photo against her lamp and put the small square next to it. The smiling faces of the three generations stared back at her and she wept into her pillow.

The atmosphere at Nicky's wasn't much better. The place was jammed as always but the three Ipswich boys and Sarah were quiet as they each disappeared into their own thoughts.

"All right," Kate said sharply as she approached with drinks. "What is going on with you all? You all look like you've come from a funeral. Even Nicky has noticed your faces."

"It's -" said Pogue.

"Don't tell me it's nothing. You've been like this for weeks."

"The finals are just -," started Sarah.

"It's not stress either," flushed Kate, her anger getting the better of her. "I know you are all hiding something from me."

Kate stared at each of them in turn. They all looked to Pogue who stared into his drink.

"You know what," Kate nodded, dejectedly. "Forget it."

Kate grabbed her purse from the table and got up to go.

"Kate don't go," Sarah pleaded.

"Clearly it's something that I'm not allowed to know, so you can keep your secrets. Because I'm done," Kate sniffed.

Though she didn't say it, she was offended that Sarah, who hasn't even been part of the circle for that long, was already in on the secret. She thought her relationship with Pogue meant more to him than that.

"Kate, wait," Pogue said, finally speaking up.

Kate flipped her hair over her shoulder and raised her eyebrow expectantly.

Pogue took a breath and said, "It's Georgina."

Kate crossed her arms and turned to him, "Who the hell's Georgina?"

"The girl from the other week. The one who played pool with Reid. Turns out she's my grandmothers goddaughter," Caleb answered.

Kate slowly unfolded her arms, "Oh. Well, what about her?"

They looked at Pogue expectantly. His mouth opened but he frowned and sat back.

"She's sick," Tyler said.

"Sick?" Kate frowned.

"Yeah," Caleb said, giving Pogue a look. "Really sick. They don't think she will last the next week."

"My god," Kate said softly.

"Eleanor's pretty cut up about it, that's where we have all been lately," Tyler said.

Kate sat back down.

"I've really only been with them because I've been helping Caleb look after his grandmother while these guys help with everything else," Sarah said, seeing it placate her best friend slightly.

"Great," Kate said, putting her purse back down. "Now I feel like an asshole."

They smiled at her as Pogue put his arm around her shoulder. She leaned into him and crossed her arms.

"Sorry I didn't tell you earlier. I just didn't want to bring you down near finals and everything," Pogue said.

Kate kissed him and leant her head into his neck. They all glanced at Pogue who averted his eyes from them all. He wasn't sure why he kept his secret from her. He just knew he didn't want to tell her.

The noise around them continued one as the solemn group continued there silent vigil of lost thoughts.