Disclaimer - I do not own The Covenant or anything related to it. I only own my original character Tahlia and anything else that seems out of place.

So here it is the long awaited sequel to Family Magic.

Over the next week several things happened. Caleb and Sarah became nigh inseparable, which was nothing any of them didn't expect.

Pouge had sat Kate down and told her everything, he felt it was her right to know. The rest of the Sons, plus Sarah and Tahlia were there to help Pouge no matter her decision. Which it turns out wasn't good. She blamed them all for what had happened, for the danger her life was put in, but she directed it mostly at Pouge. Even though Sarah told her it wasn't Pouge's fault and she didn't hold Caleb or any of them responsible, it didn't matter to Kate, she couldn't forget like Sarah had. She wasn't okay with any of it and in the end Tahlia had no choice but to make Kate forget everything that had happened. None of them wanted it to happen, but Kate was a danger to them all, she knew about them and could spill their secret at any moment. So Tahlia made her think that she had simply had an allergic reaction and had spent a few days in the hospital. And even though Pouge had begged her, Tahlia couldn't change Kate's mind about their relationship.

Matters of the heart was one thing no amount of magic could control.

As a result of Tahlia threatening Kate, she moved out of hers and Sarah's dorm. However it didn't bother Sarah as the two weren't that close to begin with and her new roommate was none other than Tahlia, who happily moved into the dorms. The two got along wonderfully and understood one another, it was like living with your sister.

The group had thought that the worst was over, however on the day Caleb and Tahlia laid their father to rest, they found out their problems were only just beginning. It was that night after dinner that Evelyn came clean about what Tahlia had found. In the comfort of their home and surrounded by the Sons and Sarah, their mother told them the story.

"The Book of Damnation had told of a prophecy. A way to take away the aging that comes with using, witches and warlocks would be free to use their magic with no fear of dying. The key to the ritual was the blood of a witch, one more powerful than any before her, one that had the ability to harness the four elements. She alone was the key."

"Me?" Tahlia was confused, "My blood is the key?"

"Yes my child, but it is not that simple. It is not merely a drop of your blood, but your life. Your blood is the key, but your life is the lock. And that is not all, the prophecy told that the woman would have to sacrifice herself. For her brother and the man she loved. Her love for them would be her end, but their love for her would bring her back."

"Why isn't any of this in the book?" Caleb asked, anger in his voice as he clenched his hands into fists in his lap.

"We had it removed, destroyed from all of the books in Ipswich, so that no one would ever find it or be able to use it."

"That's why there is nothing about me in the book, you had it hidden?"

"Tahlia, your father and I only wanted to protect you. You alone are the key, and there were people that would have killed to be free of this curse. You were created for this purpose."

"So even though no one knew exactly who the woman was and the pages were removed from all the books… You still sent her away to that monster!" Caleb stood now beyond angry at his mother as he paced the floor in front of her. "Do you have any idea what he was going to do to her? He was going to do the very thing you were trying to protect her of, he was going to kill her! He wanted free from the curse. If it were not for us she would have died."

"We didn't know. We were only doing what we thought was best for you Tahlia, for us all."

"What was best for her was to stay here where we could protect her." Pouge said now standing up next to Caleb, his brows furrowed, anger pouring off him in waves. "Which is exactly what we are going to do now."

Caleb nodded as he turned to look at the girls. "Sarah, I want you to move in here with me. If Tahlia is a target, than you will be in danger too."

Sarah nodded not at all worried, she knew Caleb would protect her and truthfully she was thrilled at the idea of living with her boyfriend.

"And Tahlia will come stay with me." Tahlia's head snapped up, her eyes meeting Pouge's. "If someone comes looking for her they will come here first. Only the people in this room know where I live, it will be safer for you at my place."

Tahlia nodded, the two men were right on all accounts, but she still couldn't process everything right now. She stood up slightly shaky, "I'm gonna take a walk out back." Without waiting for a response she walked quickly out of the back doors, the heavy wood swinging shut behind her.

Without a word Pouge stands up, heading out the way she went. He searches the entire backyard and doesn't find her. For a moment his heart catches in his throat thinking the worst, but it only takes him a minute to realize where she had went. He takes off down the path leading into the woods, he hadn't been out here since they were kids but he knew the way like the back of his hand.

After a short ten minute walk he came into a clearing, the long green grass blowing in the light breeze. In the center of the clearing sitting on an old log was Tahlia, her long hair down and shielding her face from his view. She was leaned over staring down into the water of the roughly 12 foot round pond. They had played many times in this pond, it held good memories, but now all Pouge heard was the soft sniffles coming from his best friend. That was something he had never witnessed before, Tahlia never cried, and if she did she never let anyone see her.

He slowly stepped up next to her, sitting down on the log beside her. She didn't so much as look at him or make a move to indicate she acknowledged his presence. So they sat there, silent, Pouge hoping she would want to speak to him.

"It's unwise to be in my presence right now, Cowboy." Her voice was raw and lined with tears.

"No one ever accused me of being wise." He leaned over tucking her hair behind her right ear, tossing the long dark locks over her shoulder. She lifted her head, when her eyes met his he felt his chest constrict. Her eyes were rimmed in red, her once bright blue eyes were dark, almost black, and lifeless. He saw no emotions in them. The white around her iris's was bloodshot. He ran his thumb over her cheek, wiping away the tears tracking down to her chin.

Tahlia looked into his eyes, the emotions he held for her at that moment sent a fresh trickle of tears down her face. "My life… My entire life has been a lie."

Her voice was no more than a whisper, Pouge had to strain to hear her. "No. The only lie was who your parents were. We have always considered you Caleb's sister, and regardless of everything we found out tonight, we care about you and we are going to stay by your side. We're family."

Tahlia gave a small smile as she laid her head on Pouge's shoulder. "Do you think people are going to come after me?"

Pouge put his arm around Tahlia's shoulders pulling her close to him. "I don't know. But if they do, they're fools." He tilted her chin up with his finger, "We will fight for you. We will die for you. I will die for you Lia." The words just rolled off his tongue so easily Pouge was surprised, but he was being honest, he would die for her.

"That's what I'm afraid of."

Pouge hugged her close, one hand holding hers rubbing circles on her palm and the other rubbing circles on her back. "It won't come to that. I promise Angel."

"Don't make promises you can't keep."

The two sat there together until the sun started to rise, they realized they had been gone all night and should get back. "I'm surprised my brother hasn't sent out a search party." Tahlia laughed as they walked back, Pouge still holding her hand.

"Tahlia! Pouge!"

The two looked at one another before they broke out in laughter. "I spoke too soon."

They came out of the woods into the backyard to find the other Sons calling for them, but they ceased as they saw the two come into view.

Caleb rushes over to his sister enveloping her in his arms. "Where were you guys? We were worried." He pulls back holding her at arms length. "I won't let anything happen to you Lia."

"I know Cal." She gives him a smile. "Let's just keep our fingers crossed that nothing will come of this."

The Sons nodded agreeing with her, the five of them heading back inside the house. Breakfast was served and they all sat down at the table where Evelyn and Sarah were conversing. The two women smiled as Tahlia walked in, Sarah standing up and hugging her tight. "I'm here if you need me TD." She whispered in her friend's ear.

Tahlia pulled back smiling at her friend, "Thanks SW." The two giggle. It was strange to them that they had only known one another for about three months, but they were as close as sisters.

The group sat down and enjoyed their breakfast, after which they decided it was time for some fun before they had to be back at school tomorrow.

First they headed to the school and within an hour Sarah was set up at the house with Caleb and Tahlia was moved into Pouge's apartment. Despite it being a little chilly outside with winter looming, the group headed to the park in town to play some football. What started out as a football game soon turned into a tackle and wrestling game on the ground. When they had enough of goofing around they separated, going back to their places to get ready for a night at Nicky's.