The Covenant - Uncovering Secrets -

Chapter Fourteen - Mirrors

I sighed pacing back and forth in the small bathroom tired and worn from spending the afternoon with Chase trying to teach me a little more about my magic, my magic although it still felt like his. I couldn't feel the magic like I did when I was with Chase. The connection, it felt more like it was connecting me to Chase's power not my own. Chase said I should feel my power, like he could feel his. I couldn't even feel a flicker of anything. I'm not sure I wanted to feel it either. The thought of what was possible; heck I didn't even know what was possible with my magic because I had nobody to ask about it, I was going on what Chase was telling me about his power and what it could do, what I'd seen and felt it do. Deflated I dropped down onto the edge of the bathtub turning off the water as I wished there was someone I could discuss this all with. Not Chase, I felt like he'd be disappointed if I revealed my power worries, most my worries made me feel like he'd be disappointed or hurt if I revealed them to him. I felt alone, more alone than even before I came to Ipswich and the only person I could think of seeking comfort from was Reid. He'd made me feel so at ease when we talked about things from the past. I never felt judged or on show with him. I wanted Reid, I wanted to be with him right now.

Letting out a heavy sigh I pushed off the bathtub and moved to stand in front of the oval mirror above the sink using my hand to wipe away the steam. I hadn't seen the sadness there within my blue eyes for such a long time, not as strong as it had been when I was a child. I remembered staring in a mirror quite like this only a few hours after being dragged away from Chase, I could remember the pain and sadness I'd felt knowing I might never see him again. But right now, the sadness swimming in my eyes wasn't for Chase. It was for Reid. I missed him and his easy-going nature.

"Belle?" I frowned turning from the mirror and unlocking the door expecting Chase telling me he was back as I pulled it open but as I glanced down either side of the hallway I still had no idea who'd called my name. I looked back into the hallway as a deep chuckle echoed around me sending a delicious curl of pleasure through my body. "Look in the mirror Belle." I turned surprised to see sharp blue eyes staring out from the mirror while a cheeky smirk pulled at his lips.

"Reid?"

"Who else would be trying to cop a peek at you in the bath?" I couldn't help but laugh at his cheekiness.

"How...how'd you get in the mirror?" I asked closing and locking the door behind me before crossing to stand at the sink.

"Technically I'm not in the mirror, I'm using the surface to contact you. I've been trying for hours to find you in something." I gripped the rim of the sink trying not to show how much knowing he was thinking of me affected me. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm okay. I'm sorry I left."

"You don't have anything to apologize for. My dad and Caleb's mum gave you a lot to absorb but you're sure you are okay? Chase hasn't hurt you?"

"No." I frowned unsure why he'd think Chase would harm me and a little peeved that he'd assume he would. "Of course he hasn't. You don't know Chase, I grew up with him. He'd never hurt me."

"Okay, we can talk about him in a minute, do you know where you are?"

"Chase's house." I whispered only now realising I'd never asked him where he'd taken me. I didn't even know if I was still in Ipswich. "I...I don't know where it is though. Why didn't I ask where we were? Why..."

"Belle, it's okay." Reid soothed calming and refocusing my attention to him. "Have you been outside? Do you recognise any of the surrounding streets?"

"No...Chase said not to go outside. That it was safer inside. He said..." I paused not wanting to insult or upset Reid in case he left.

"What else did he say Belle?"

"He...he said he was worried that you...you'd take advantage of me...of my powers."

"We'd never hurt you Belle. I would never hurt you."

"I...I know you wouldn't..." I sighed rolling my eyes as I looked away from him. I wasn't good at expressing my feelings, in the past when I'd shared my feelings it normally bit me in the ass and made me seriously regret ever sharing them in the first place.

"Belle, tell me what you're thinking. You know I wouldn't hurt you right?"

"Yes...I do. I don't know why I know but I do know you wouldn't hurt me." I let out a groan, resting my head down on the cool rim of the sink. "Okay I don't expect you to follow that. I...I'm not good at this...sharing feelings...why are you laughing?" My head shot up at his deep chuckle.

"It's just that is normally my line."

"Oh." I couldn't help returning the wide smile he gave me.

"How about since we are both not good at sharing feelings, we wait to talk about our feelings until we're face to face? I know I'd much rather tell you face to face, in person than over a mirrored surface."

"O...Okay. I...I'd like that too."

"Good." I stared back into the mirror waiting nervously as he fell silent.

"Reid, why did you attack Chase? Why did you think he was dangerous?"

"He is dangerous Belle. We know him. He came to Ipswich a little while back and...and was willing to kill us for our powers. He would have killed Caleb if his father hadn't willed him his power when he ascended."

"No...you're lying...Chase...Chase wouldn't do that."

"I know you don't believe me, that you want to believe he's whoever you remember when you were younger but he's not. The power we have...it can be addictive...it can change us, make us willing to hurt anyone or anything as long as we can have more. I don't want him to hurt you. He is the danger to you Belle. He might not seem like it now but at some point, he's going to want you to help him, to use your power to help him. He is who you have to worry about taking advantage."

"No...he's not like that...he wouldn't do that..."

"Belle, look at me...I promise you I will only ever tell you the truth, I promise." I crossed my arms under my chest trying to calm my panic, trying to keep myself together. I didn't know who to trust. Both contradicted each other in some why, one of them had to be lying but I didn't know who. "I know you don't know who to trust but promise me...promise me you'll ask him how he knows us...ask him if he tried to force Caleb to will him his power. Ask him why he won't let you leave, why we pose a danger to you. If you don't trust him, if you want me to come for you, you need to leave the house and call out to me. Promise me you do that."

"Okay." I whispered nodding even though I felt agitated and nervous about confronting him. "What if he gets angry?"

"He won't hurt you but he can spell you. Don't let him touch you. I'm going to spell the mirror to show you an image in the steam, I need you to draw it on you somewhere he won't see. It'll protect you from any new spells being cast on you."

"New spells? Are you saying he's done something to me already?"

"Maybe. We can't be sure until we can see you."

"Belle?" I jumped turning to the door as I heard Chase call out.

"He's home...I have to go."

"Promise me you'll do what I asked."

"I promise." Reid smiled warmly at me making me wish I could just fall through the mirror to him.