The Covenant - Uncovering Secrets -

Chapter Twelve - Spells, Oh How They Complicate Things!

I snatched my hand from Chase as I turned to him suddenly unsure who I should trust. He looked taken aback by my sudden fright of him. Frowning he stepped toward me reaching out to brush back a wet curl only to stop as I stepped back.

"Belle, I'm not going to hurt you. I would never hurt you."

"Is she telling the truth? Is your father John Putnam?" Chase sighed before dropping his hand and turning from me. "Chase! Tell me." I followed him into the living room ignoring him as he patted the couch to sit next to him.

"Yes my father is John Putnam, what else did they tell you?" I stood there dumbstruck as I contemplated the fact we really were siblings and how un-fazed he seemed to be. "Belle, tell me what else they told you so I can explain the truth to you." I hesitated as he held his hand out to me before slowly lowering onto the couch next to him trying to remind myself he'd been truthful with me in the end and hadn't hurt me so far, and he'd certainly had many chances to do so.

"They...they told me about the covenant of silence, about John Putnam's ancestors, that they abused their power and was cast out from the covenant and punished for their crimes. They told me about my mother...my real mother." My head felt like it was ready to explode with the wealth of knowledge and information forced on it tonight. "This can't be happening." I cried finally overwhelmed with everything unable to keep my emotions under control as I struggled to piece everything together. "It's too much."

"It's okay." Chase whispered pulling me against him as I fell to pieces. "I'm going to look after you."

"How...how do they know you?" I asked pulling back from him a moment later.

"We've met briefly." Chase's dark eyes met mine and I knew he wasn't telling me everything, he was hiding something. "Let me show you something. Give me your hand." I frowned annoyed briefly that he'd changed subjects before I nodded slowly letting him take my hand in his unsure why I wasn't pressing him for more information. "Focus on the fire place, on the logs. See a fire coming to life around them, the flames flickering and crackling as they burn stronger and brighter. Feel the warmth of the flames heating the room, your skin. Watch it come to life in your mind." I closed my eyes letting his words build the picture in my mind, seeing it come into focus as he spoke. I could feel my skin prickle slightly as warmth suddenly washed over me, my ears picking up the sound of the flames crackling and the subtle hint of burning wood reached my nose but it was the feel of something shimmering under my skin, just out of reach, the slightest of sensations that drew my attention. "Look." I opened my eyes surprised to see a fire burning bright and warm in the once empty fireplace. "You did that."

"No."

"Yes." Chase chuckled as I shook my head, glancing at the fire again.

"No...I..."

"You've magic, just like me." He paused for a moment before adding. "Although somewhat different to me."

"But...how...why didn't I know before?"

"I'm not sure why it didn't come out earlier, maybe it did in little ways."

"What do you mean? I don't remember doing anything magical. Don't laugh!" I pulled my hand from his as he chuckled at my remark, crossing my arms as I felt anger seep into my mood. I jumped as the fire grew suddenly almost as if it was jumping towards us.

"In little ways." Chase smiled, his eyes indicating the fire as it returned back to normal again. "Magic doesn't always have to look magical."

"I still don't understand. I felt...something when we...we created that. I haven't felt something like that before." Chase sat back his eyebrows knitting together as if he was thinking over what I was trying to tell him.