The Second Covenant

By the time we got to the colony house, a silence had settled among us. A very uncomfortable one. We stopped on the hill looking down and I knew our fathers were waiting. I could feel their agitation, knowing that the four of us had misbehaved in a big way. “Have you always been this powerful?” Tristan asked quietly. I nodded and looked at my hands. “Yeah. I just didn’t want to feel any different from all of you.” Peyton gave a harsh laugh. “You mean you didn’t want to hurt our feelings because you’re a girl and you’re more powerful than all three of us put together.”
I sighed. “That too.”
Peyton reached over and took my hand in his, the warmth between our palms was like that of an electric blanket. It made me feel safe, loved, and it was there in his eyes when he looked at me. “You shouldn’t use so much.” He murmured and I squeezed his hand. “Neither should you. Thank you, all of you for helping me tonight. I could have done it alone. But I needed you there.”

Tristan touched my shoulder and Riley touched Peyton’s, connecting us all. “We wouldn’t have been anywhere else.” Tristan told me. “Besides,” Riley said cheerfully, to cheerfully. “We get to blame this one all on you. I, for once, didn’t start the misbehaving.”
I laughed, feeling a bit lighter of heart. “It was for a good cause. Hopefully those other girls will get some closure, something.” Peyton caught me with his amber eyes, looking deep. “What did you get?” I didn’t answer for a moment, wondering whether or not he would understand. “I got the look of terror on his face, the same one he gave me.” He nodded once. “And Druex, what about him?”

I feigned innocence and batted my lashes. “What about him?” Peyton glowered. “Who is he? Where did you meet him and why was he all over you like that?” I hummed, held up three fingers and ticked off the questions tartly. “My friend. At the Pharmacy, he saved me from kicking Taylor ’s ass. And I hope because he likes me.”
Peyton was still glaring. “Do you trust him?” What kind of question was that? He almost sounded jealous. I looked at Peyton solemnly. “I don’t know, I only met him three days ago.”

The dads met us in the front courtyard, furious looks on their faces, arms crossed. “Busted.” Riley said under his breath and Uncle Reid’s mask slipped, I saw the grudging pride behind the anger. But not from anyone else, my father looked disappointed, and angry. “What the hell did you four do?” I got off my horse and faced my father. “It was mostly me.” His nostrils flared and he got this look in his eyes like he was going to blow something up. “I thought I said, specifically, no magic in public.” I nodded. “And we didn’t do any, in public. It was a private showing. I will explain, there is a very good reason. But we all need to talk, after I Ascend and in case the cops show up tomorrow.”

“WHAT!” Four grown male voices bellowed. I didn’t flinch away from their fury. “You risked our secret for a prank, and now the cops are involved? What the hell are you thinking Cherish? I expect this of Riley, but not from you.” Riley gave a weak grin and I inhaled slowly. “Daddy, I will explain. Let’s just get the circle up, this whole thing done with and then you can yell all you want.”

“It was a risk that needed to be taken Uncle Caleb. I wouldn’t have gone along if it wasn’t worth it.” Peyton said and the fury focused on him.
“None of us would have.” Tristan said and all three of them moved behind me, showing their unified support for me. Peyton took my hand again and Riley and Tristan stood to my left, hands on both my shoulders. We were doing a lot of touching tonight.

My father pinched the bridge of his nose, like he did when he was trying not to over react. “Alright, tie up the horses and lets go. But when we get home, you are going to have some serious explaining to do. ” He bit out. We went. They would drop this for now, but after my Ascension, there would be hell to pay. Worth it, but…ugh. I hate lectures. And I hated what I would have to explain.