Disclaimer : My name’s not Aaron Spelling, so I don’t own them. But I really, really, really like to write about them.

This is a follow-up story to The Orion Factor and The Test. Reading them first isn’t necessary, but you may not understand some references made here.

Powers That Be
by Freaky Fan


Part 1 - Late Nights


Piper opened Phoebe’s door slowly, being careful not to squeak the hinges. Not that the noise would bother her sister. A marching band could come thundering down the hall playing a rousing round of John Jacob Jinglehymerschmidt and Phoebe wouldn’t budge. No, it was Cole she was trying not to disturb. Years of having to watch his back gave him an acute sense of hearing. He had caught her checking in the night before but hadn’t said a word. Just gave her an understanding nod and went back to sleep.

She wished she understood the overwhelming need to check on her family that had come over her the last three nights. Two weeks of blissful peace and quiet since their return from their doomed camping trip and now this. She would wake up in a cold sweat with a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach that didn’t go away until she was sure everyone was safe.

The sight of Phoebe with her head on Cole’s chest and his arms wrapped protectively around her made Piper smile. They made a handsome couple. And she had never seen Phoebe quite so happy. She just hoped Cole continued to play for the good guys and didn’t revert back to his old, demonic ways. It would be a shame to have to vanquish him.

She closed their door and crept down the hall to Prue’s room. She didn’t have to worry about hinges when it came to her older sister. Prue slept with her door wide open. She said it was to save time if there was trouble but Piper knew it was in case someone needed to crawl into bed with her. Being with Leo was phenomenal but there were times when nothing compared to the comfort of her big sister’s embrace. Tonight Prue was going solo, laying on her left side with her right arm stretched out over the empty portion of her bed. It hurt Piper to think of her sister being alone. Prue deserved the kind of happiness she and Phoebe had with Leo and Cole. She tip toed into the room and looked down at her sister, resisting the urge to climb in and cuddle as she pulled the sheet up to Prue’s shoulders. She kissed her gently on the cheek and left the room as quietly as she had come.

Two down. One to go. She headed downstairs, wondering for the thousandth time why Rion insisted on sleeping in the living room when Prue had offered to share her room. Why sleep on an uncomfortable couch when you could sleep in a bed? Of course Rion had always been a headstrong girl who hated to impose upon others. And she and Leo were remodeling the basement into a bedroom for her and a bigger dark room for Prue, so she would have a room of her own soon. Still, it bothered Piper that they were all upstairs while Rion was by herself downstairs.

She rounded the corner into the living room and found the couch a mess of blankets and pillows but no Rion. In the past her cousin not being where she was supposed to be might have bothered her, but not now. There was no question Rion was in their lives for good. There was only the question of where she was in the Manor and what she was doing up this time of night. Piper was about to head to the kitchen when she felt a cool breeze swirling around her feet. The front door was shut so that meant either Rion had opened a window or gone outside through the French doors in the solarium. She was laying odds on the later so she started in that direction. She found her in one of the deck chairs on the patio, hands behind her head as she looked up at the stars.

“Hey, Piper.”

She jumped, not expecting her cousin to know she was standing behind her. “How...”

Rion tilted her head back until she could see her and smiled. “I heard the pitter patter of little feet and figured it was you. No one else has been creeping around the house in the middle of the night making sure everyone was all right.”

Piper shook her head. “Sometimes I wonder if you’re not psychic.”

Rion chuckled. “Nope. I just know my cousins.”

“Scoot over.” She crammed herself into the chair, coming to rest with her head against Rion’s right shoulder.

“There’s another chair right over there, you know.”

“But you looked lonely.” Piper stifled a laugh when she heard Rion growl. “So, what are we doing?”

“Looking at the stars.” Rion pointed straight up. “That group in particular.”

“Why that group?”

“Because I was named after them. That’s Orion the hunter.”

Piper cocked her eyebrow. “Really?”

“Yeah. It was Mom’s favorite constellation. That and she loved the stories in mythology about the mortal Orion hunting with the goddess Artemis. She was convinced there was a hidden love story there. Since she was named after a Shakespearean lover, she had lovers on the brain when she was pregnant. Artemis didn’t fit with the family tradition of ‘o’ names, so she went with Orion instead. Pretty silly, huh?”

“Of course not. I think it’s kind of romantic. Besides, I couldn’t imagine you with a different name. Orion fits you to a tee.”

“That’s funny. I’ve always thought you would make a better Petunia than a Piper.”

Piper elbowed her in the side. “Cut it out. I’m trying to be serious.”

“So am I.”

“All right, brat, you asked for it.” Piper straddled her cousin, tickling her mercilessly.

“You win!” Rion could hardly breath for laughing, let alone speak.

“Oh, no. You’re not getting out of it that easily. Say the magic word.”

“No way.”

Piper intensified her tickling. “Say it!”

“OK!” Tears streamed down Rion’s face. “Uncle! Uncle!”

Piper resumed her original position next to Rion. “That’s what you get for messing with me.”

“Whatever. I could have snapped you like a twig and you know it.”

“Do you want to go for round two?”

“Maybe later.”

They grew silent, leaning against one another. Piper couldn’t get over the change in her cousin. Normally Rion freaked out over anyone trying to be what she called ‘touchy feely.’ She was sure holding hands would still be a sore spot but at least Rion hadn’t thrown her across the patio just now.

“Can I ask you something?”

Piper snorted. “Of course you can.”

“Well, you see. I’ve had this problem ever since we unbound my powers and I was hoping you could help me with it.”

“Problem?” Piper sat up so she could look at her cousin. “What kind of problem?”

Rion waved her off. “Take it easy, Ms. Overprotective. It’s nothing serious. I just have all this energy and not much to do with it and I was wondering if maybe I could help out at P3. Bartend. Serve drinks. Whatever you need me to do.”

“But I thought you were going to start helping Prue on her photo shoots.”

“I am. I’ll help Prue whenever she needs me in the daytime, finish up the basement with Leo and help you at night.”

Piper frowned. “Doing all that won’t make you too tired?”

“If it does, I’ll cut back. Right now I‘ve gotta find a way to rid of some of this extra go juice so I can sleep.”

“You promise you‘ll cut back if you get too tired?”

“Yes! Now will you give me a job or do I have to go offer my services to some other super popular night club?”

Piper narrowed her eyes as if she were considering her options. “Well...”

Rion smacked her on the arm. “Now who’s being a brat?”

“Ouch! Just for that you start tomorrow night.”

“Thanks.” Rion smiled. “You won’t regret it. I’m a really hard worker.”

Piper settled in next to Rion again, using her as a pillow. “You don’t have to sell yourself to me.” She stifled a yawn. “I’ve seen you working with Leo in the basement.”

“I wasn’t selling myself to you. And you should go back to bed before you get too comfortable on the worlds greatest human pillow.”

“Nah. It’s kind of nice out here. And I couldn’t ask for better company.”

Rion wrapped her arms around her cousin. “I love you.”

“Love you too. Now hold still. You’re the squirmiest human pillow I’ve ever used.”

Rion smiled as she felt Piper drifting off to sleep. She thought about carrying her back upstairs but gave in to the heaviness of her eyelids instead. The first real sleep she had had in three days claimed her as she gave in to the safety she felt, surrounded by the love of her cousin.

Rion opened her eyes to find herself nose to nose with a less than happy looking Phoebe, who had taken up residence on her lap.

“What are you doing?”

“Waiting for you to wake up.”

Rion recognized Phoebe’s baby voice and tried to get away but found herself pinned to the chair by Phoebe’s weight and a still sleeping Piper. The only thing to do was find out what was upsetting her cousin.

“OK, I’ll bite. Why are you waiting for me to wake up?”

“So I could get my fair share of cuddle time.”

“Huh?”

Phoebe put on her best pouty face as she pulled back so she could look at her cousin. “First you cuddle with Prue on our camping trip and then I come down here this morning to see if you want to go for a run with me and find you cuddling with Piper. That’s a whole lot of cuddling for someone who cringes every time I try to give you a hug.”

Rion chuckled. “You can’t be serious.”

“I most certainly am. I know I spend a lot of time with Cole, but I’m starting to think you don’t love me anymore.”

“You are serious, aren’t you?” Rion snaked her left arm around Phoebe’s waist. “Of course I love you. I love all three of you.”

Phoebe buried her head under Rion’s chin. “Really?”

“Yes. Now stop being such a big baby and get up.”

“And what’s going on out here?”

Rion gave Prue a ‘help me’ look as she came out onto the patio. “Just spending some of that recommended quality time with your sisters. One’s using me as a pillow and the other is pouting because she thinks I don’t love her anymore.”

Prue smiled as she sat in the other deck chair. “Welcome to my world.” She stared at them for a minute, her blue eyes sparkling in the bright morning sun. “Do you have any idea how cute the three of you look?”

Phoebe squeezed Rion’s arm. “See, she thinks we’re cute when we cuddle.”

Rion rolled her eyes. “Thanks for all the help, Prue.”

“Anytime, squirt.” Prue started to climb to her feet. “I think this is definitely a Kodak...”

The sound of a vortex opening behind Rion’s chair cut her off. She didn’t even have time to shout a warning before her sisters and cousin disappeared. She hurried toward the spot where they had been but the vortex was gone as quickly as it had come. Her heart hammered in her chest as she looked toward the heavens.

“LEO!!!!!!”

*************

He heard Prue’s scream as he was buttoning his shirt. He was used to Piper and Phoebe yelling for him, but Prue... Prue was one to try and handle things first and ask for his help later. A sinking feeling washed over him as he rushed down the stairs.

“Prue?!”

“On the patio!”

He sprinted through the manor, knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt that something had happened. Something bad. Something involving Piper. He found Prue in tears, staring off into the yard beyond the patio.

“What happened?”

“They’re gone.”

“Whose gone?”

“Them!” Prue pointed at the spot she was staring at. “Rion and Piper and Phoebe were right there in one of the deck chairs and a vortex opened behind them and then they were gone. Before I could move or speak or think, they were gone.”

Leo’s heart skipped a beat. Vortexes were never good. Especially ones that They didn’t warn him about. Of course it could have been sent by someone other than Them in which case things were worse than he thought.

“I...”

Prue waved him away. “Go. Find out what those bastards have done with my family this time.”

He would have to address the hatred in Prue’s voice later. Right now he needed answers.

*************

“We were expecting you.”

Leo looked upward since that’s where the disembodied voice seemed to originate. Now he knew something major was going on. The Elders hardly ever let anyone into their actual chambers. Most of the time They used a messenger or go between to handle all their dirty work.

A second voice joined in. “Yes, we knew you would have questions.”

A third piped in. “Many questions.”

Leo swallowed hard, afraid his voice wouldn’t fail when he spoke. “Can you begin by explaining the vortex?”

“A coven of witches in another realm is under attack by a group of demons and in need of the young healer’s touch. The Charmed Ones involvement was completely accidental.” The young one was meant to be alone on this assignment.”

“The young one was meant to be alone on this assignment.”

“We cannot open the portal again until the conflict is resolved.”

Conflict? They only used that word to describe one thing ... “War?”

“If that is what you wish to call it.”

“To us it is nothing more than an uprising. A disturbance created to try and show Shalaman’s strength as head of the underworld.”

“A disturbance that has escalated to the point that we felt the young one was needed.”

Leo let his anger get the best of him. “So you’re telling me that my wife and Phoebe and Rion were drug off to some war zone in another dimension?!”

“You would be wise to lower the volume of your voice.”

“We have been more than lenient in the past when you have chosen to ignore us.”

“And interference is strictly inhibited where they have been sent.”

Leo sighed. “But...”

“It is really none of your concern.”

“They knew the risks being a Charmed One carries and accepted the job.”

“Go now to the remaining one and keep her safe. She is vulnerable without her sisters around.”

Leo didn’t wait to be dismissed. He instantly orbed back to the Manor, thinking how hard it was going to be to explain everything to Prue.


Prue paced the living room, resisting the urge to fling a few things around to make herself feel better. Giving in to the overwhelming anger boiling up within her wouldn’t help her sisters or Rion. Neither would telling Them exactly what she thought of Their methods of dealing with people. It wasn’t like They gave a ... about what anyone thought anyway.

A familiar doubt settled into the back of her mind. Were their lives meant to be one continuous test? Was the greater good really worth facing the possibility of losing one or more of her family members day in and day out? Hadn’t she already lost enough? Her mother, Grams, Andy. They were questions she had asked herself a trillion times in the past but for some reason they seemed more important now. Maybe knowing she had actually been dead not long ago was making her reexamine her life. Protecting the innocent was an important aspect of her life, but so was the idea of growing old with her sisters and Rion.

Thoughts of her cousin made her stop pacing and flop down on the couch. The poor kid hadn’t even been back with them two months yet and was already falling victim to the Warren family’s cursed lifestyle. Of course the same lifestyle had been the cause of her missing out on ten years of the life she was meant to live. Yet another mess that could be traced back to Them. If only They had given Roderick time to resurface with Rion. But no, They had overreacted as usual and Rion ended up paying the price.

Them. For a group of higher beings with the responsibility of keeping the balance of good over evil, They sure had a way of screwing things up. It was hard to tell where her sisters and cousin were now. Or what they were going through. Perhaps the Book of Shadows held some answers. It couldn’t hurt to look while she was waiting for Leo to return.

“Prue?”

She screamed and jumped up off the couch, instantly spinning around and falling into a fighting stance. Cole held up his hands in a ‘don’t hurt me’ gesture.

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.”

Prue sighed. “It’s all right. I should have been paying more attention.”

Cole was struck by how out of sorts the eldest Halliwell seemed. Of all the sisters she was the one most likely to keep a cool head and hold the group together. The lost look in her eyes disturbed him. He thought about asking her what was the matter but quickly changed his mind. He didn’t like to get too involved with the inhabitants of the Manor. Not unless Phoebe asked him to.

“I was wondering if you had seen Phoebe. She’s usually back from her run by now.”

Leo orbed into the room, saving Prue from having to answer. He regarded her with a deadly serious expression. “It’s not good news.”

Cole frowned. Now he was really worried. Prue and Leo both acting so serious could only mean one thing. Something had happened. Something huge by the expressions they wore.

“What’s not good news?”

Leo looked at Prue. “You haven’t told him?”

“When did I have time? He just came into the room.” Prue turned to face Cole, arms crossed against her chest as if the weight of the world were on her shoulders. “Phoebe, Piper and Rion disappeared. They were sucked into a vortex on the patio this morning.”

“What?!” Cole looked from Prue to Leo and back again. “How did this happen?!”

“Apparently a coven of witches from another realm came under attack by a group of Shalaman’s demons. They felt the coven needed Rion’s healing ability, so They opened a portal to take her there. Phoebe and Piper were just in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

Prue threw her hands in air. “Well that makes it all better, doesn’t it? What’s a few more days away after a ten year absence?!”

Leo decided not to mention his suspicion of how serious the situation really was. It was hard to tell what Prue would do if she knew her sisters and Rion were in a war zone. He realized Cole had said something.

“Sorry, what?”

“I asked it They are going to let Phoebe and Piper come back since they’re not supposed to be there in the first place.”

Leo shook his head. “No. They won’t reopen the portal until Rion has completed her assignment.”

“Piper and Phoebe would never leave her behind anyway.” Prue tucked a lock of hair behind her right ear. “So I guess I’m supposed to sit around here and find some way not to worry until they get back, huh?”

Leo was about to answer when a familiar sound filled his senses. Prue recognized the look in his eye and waved him off for the second time that day.

“Go on. And tell Them I’m really pissed.”

Leo gave her a weak attempt at a sympathetic smile and said, “Keep an eye on her, Cole,” as he orbed out.

Prue turned to Cole. “Do you still have contacts in the underworld?”

“What?”

“Ones who might know something about what’s going on?”

Cole couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “I promised Phoebe I wouldn’t use my powers.”

“This is an emergency!” Prue took a deep breath, trying to calm down. “Leo wasn’t telling us everything, Cole. I have a really bad feeling about this.”

Prue might not have been his favorite person in the world, but he couldn’t stand to see the unshed tears in her eyes. “All right. I’ll go. But you stay out of trouble while I’m gone.”

Prue watched him shimmer away before gladly collapsing on the couch. She prayed she had done the right thing, sending the former demon back to his old stomping grounds. Phoebe would never forgive her if something happened to Cole. But she had a feeling she would never see her family again without his help.

*************

Cole shimmered into the shadows outside what had been Shalaman’s cell, knowing he would be along soon. From what the girls had said, he wouldn’t stray far from his master. As if on cue Tavian came around a bend in the corridor, completely oblivious to the fact he was being watched.

“Hi.” Cole smiled as Tavian nearly jumped out of his skin. “Long time no see.”

“Belthazor. You better hope no one sees you here. You’re a dead demon if they do.”

“No, you see, I would be a dead demon if the Source were still in charge. From what I hear, Shalaman has much bigger concerns than a renegade demon. Like attacking a certain coven of witches.”

Tavian’s mouth dropped open. “How did you know about the Devari coven?”

Cole grinned. “I didn’t until you just told me.” He grabbed the smaller demon by the throat. “Now tell me what Shalaman is up to.”

“He wanted to see if ... his demons could defeat ... a group like the Devari.” He struggled to free himself from Cole’s grip. “Especially since ... the Source’s army failed so ... miserably again ... the Charmed Ones.”

Cole released him. “Army? It wasn’t a simple attack?”

Tavian rubbed his neck. “No. The battle has been raging for days. The Devari are holed up in their ceremonial chambers. Rumor has it they’ve been able to hold their own so far, but Shalaman is sending more demons to end it.”

“And then he’ll go after the Charmed Ones?”

“That’s the plan.”

Cole decked Tavian for good measure before shimmering away.

*************

Prue flipped aimlessly through the pages of the Book of Shadows, knowing from her first canvas of the book that there was nothing there that could help her. It made her feel better to be doing something though. All that sitting around was driving her insane.

“Prue.”

She turned when she heard Cole’s voice. She knew from the look on his face that things were bad. “What did you find out?”

“They’re in trouble, Prue. The coven Rion was sent to help is under attack by Shalaman’s army.”

“Army? As in a war? They were sending Rion into a war?”

Cole nodded. “It appears so.”

Prue paced away from the Book of Shadows. “I can’t believe this. They were sending my little cousin off to a war zone. And now my sisters are there too.”

Cole saw the intent in her eye and backed away. “No, Prue. I won’t do it.”

“Cole, please. I have to get to them. And you’re the only one who can take me wherever it is they are. Leo wouldn’t take me there even if They said he could.”

“Neither will I.”

“Damn it, Cole!” Prue dropped her head into her hands. “You don’t know what it’s like. Piper and Phoebe and Rion are my world. Without them I’m nothing. If something happens to one of them and I’m not there...” Her shoulders shook as tears cascaded down her cheeks. “Please. Take me to my family.”

Cole tried not to listen, but it was no use. He was just as worried about Phoebe and the others as Prue. And he had already decided he was going to go to them. What harm could it do to take Prue with him?

“All right. I’ll take you.”

“No!” Leo orbed into the room. “Prue, you can’t go. The Power of Three is not meant to exist in that realm.”

Prue looked at her brother-in-law as she took Cole’s hand. “I’m sorry, Leo. I have to go.”

“Cole, don’t do this!”

Cole regarded the Whitelighter coolly. “Sorry. I don’t play by their rules.”

With those words they were gone.


Rion opened her eyes slowly, laying completely still to try and make the room stop spinning. The last thing she remembered was a look of shear terror on Prue’s face and then nothing. It suddenly occurred to her that Piper and Phoebe had both been in the deck chair with her. She bolted upright, concern for her cousins overriding the protests of her body.

“Whoa. You must be the healer.”

She found herself looking to the brown eyes of an attractive young man. “Who the hell are you?”

“And you’re feisty. I like that in a woman.” He extended his right hand. “I’m Elias, your contact while you’re here.”

Rion looked down at his hand and back up to him. “And where, exactly, is here?”

He threw his arms wide. “Why, the great city of Devari. I would give you the grand tour if I could, but we’re kind of trapped here in the ceremonial chambers for now, so you’ll have to wait until we get rid of the riff raff. Til then, I’m the man you come to if you need anything. Anything at all.”

“I need my cousins.”

“You mean the two rather attractive young ladies who came through with you?”

Rion grabbed him by the front of his shirt. “Where are my cousins?!”

Elias pointed to the right side of the room. “Over there.” He tried to straighten his shirt as she let go of it and went to the two prone forms. “I’m not the bad guy here, you know. I’m just trying to help.”

Rion ignored him as she knelt next down next to Piper. “Piper?” She tapped her cousin gentle on the cheek. “Can you hear me?” Realizing she wasn’t going to get a response she reached across Piper to Phoebe and gave her youngest cousin a gentle shake. “Phoebe?” She turned back to Elias. “What have you done to them?”

“I didn’t do anything. They did it.”

Rion frowned. “Who?”

“Them. You know, the Elders. They were only supposed to send you, but those two were with you, so...”

“What are you talking about?”

Elias sighed. “They didn’t tell you anything, did They? They just sent you here with no knowledge of what you were in for. That’s pretty low.” He saw the look of annoyance on Rion’s face. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to ramble. See, I’m a member of the coven of Devari. A couple of days ago a group of demons attacked our city, wiping out several members of our coven. Those who weren’t killed outright were brutalized. We managed to get back here to the ceremonial chambers and barricade ourselves in, but we don’t stand a chance of surviving if those who are hurt aren’t healed. That’s where you come in.”

“So you guys contacted Them and asked for a healer and They sent me.”

“Feisty and smart. I think I’m in love.”

Rion looked back down at her cousins. “And they’ll be all right?”

Elias nodded. “Yes. Just takes a little while for most people to come around after realm to realm travel. If they’re not a healer, that is.” He smiled. “Would you like to meet the others while you’re waiting for them to come around?”

“Sure.”

“Fellas!”

Two more young men came into the room and stopped next to Elias. “Lionel, Marcus, I’d like you to meet...” His voice trailed off. “I have absolutely no idea what your name is.”

Rion gave each of the newcomers the once over. “Rion. Rion Matthews.”

Elias gestured toward the two women on the floor. “And the sleeping beauties are...”

“Piper and Phoebe.”

“But you can meet them later. Now get back to your posts.”

Rion waited until they were alone again to speak. “That’s it? That’s everyone? I thought covens were usually made up of thirteen people.”

Elias looked at the floor. “There used to be thirteen of us. We were outside gathering herbs needed for spells when the demons arrived. They caught us completely off guard. Seven of my brothers fell. Three more were hurt too badly to make it back here with the rest of us.”

“So then who am I supposed to heal?”

“The three who were hurt. The demons have left them alive, knowing we would try to find a way to get to them. Come nightfall we’ll make a rescue attempt.”

Rion looked at him in disbelief. “Let me get this straight. You and I and those two guys who were just in here are going to go outside, where there are who knows how many demons to try and rescue your three hurt coven members. How do you even know they’re still alive?”

“We’re connected. I would know if they had died.” He shrugged. “And you wouldn’t be here if at least one of them weren’t still alive. They would have sent you back.”

“Do you really think the four of us will stand a chance against all those demons?”

“Five.”

Rion turned to see Phoebe struggling to her feet. “Pheebs.”

Phoebe grinned. “Count me in.”

“But...”

“Me too.” Piper sat up unsteadily.

“No way.” Rion shook her head. “You two aren’t even supposed to be here.”

“Don’t even try it.” Piper pointed at her cousin as she stood next to her sister. “We can’t let you go out there alone.”

Phoebe nodded. “Yeah. We heard the whole thing and you’re going to be way outnumbered. You need us.”

“They’re right.”

Rion glared at Elias. “You stay out of this. It’s my family we’re talking about.”

“And that’s my family out there waiting to be rescued.”

Rion growled as she stalked away from them.

“Rion.” Piper hurried after her. “Would you let me or Phoebe or Prue do something like this alone?” She waited for an answer but none came. “Of course not. Now stop being so stubborn and let us help you.”

Phoebe joined them. “Yeah. Maybe we weren’t supposed to be here, but we are. And we‘re every bit as stubborn as you. We‘re going out there whether you like it or not.”

“Fine. But if anything happens to either of you, you have to come back as a spirit and tell Prue I tried to stop you cause she’ll kill me.”

Piper chuckled. “Deal.”

“And I hope you both realize I’m never going to cuddle with you again.”

The sisters laughed as they pulled their cousin into a hug. Rion looked at Elias over their shoulders, sending him the silent message that if anything happened to either of them he was a dead man.

*************

Prue stumbled away from Cole as they shimmered back into existence. “That’s worse than orbing.”

“You get used to it.” Cole looked down the corridor they had appeared in. “Welcome to Devari.”

Prue looked down the corridor in both directions. “Where are they?”

Cole shrugged. “I don’t know. We’ll have to look for them.”

“Great. Let’s hope this isn’t some kind of maze.” She realized how she sounded and sighed. “I should just tattoo ‘sorry’ across my forehead. I haven’t been very good company.”

“It’s all right. I’m used to it by now.” Cole grinned. “Come on, we’ll...”

“Gotcha, Pheebs!”

“No fair! I think you were peeking.”

Prue looked up when she heard the familiar voices. “I’d say they’re that way.”

They hurried in the direction the voices were coming from.

“I did not. I could see your shoe. You never were very good at hide and seek.”

“No way, I was sitting on my feet. You cheated.”

Prue smiled when she saw Phoebe and Rion standing toe to toe. How many times had she seen the same scene when they were kids? “You two had better play nice or they’ll be no dessert for you tonight.”

“Prue?!” Phoebe turned to face her sister. “And Cole!” She ran to her lover, wrapping her arms around him in a quick hug before doing the same to her sister. “What are you doing here?”

Marcus picked that moment to come around a corner further up the corridor. “Intruders!” He raised the crossbow in his hands.

“No! Wait!” Rion stepped between him and the shocked group behind her.

Marcus never heard her. His finger squeezed the trigger and the bolt hurtled through the air, coming to rest in Rion’s right side. She looked down at the piece of wood sticking from her body in shock as her knees gave way.

“Rion!”

Prue and Phoebe ran to their cousin, barely catching her in time to keep her from hitting the floor. Piper, Elias and Lionel came rushing out of a nearby room.

“What the...” Piper’s voice trailed off when she saw the blood pouring down the front of Rion’s shirt. “Oh my God!”

Elias looked at Marcus. “Good job. You’ve shot the healer!”

“They were trying to take her and the other one. I was just trying to protect them.”

Elias looked at his new guests. “And who are you?”

Cole looked at him as if he were crazy. “Can’t the introductions wait until later? She’s hurt.”

“No, they can’t.” Elias raised his own crossbow, leveling it at Cole. “You’re a demon aren’t you?”

“A...reformed one.” Rion spoke through clenched teeth. “He’s...not a...threat.”

Elias nodded toward Prue. “And her?”

“She’s our sister.” Phoebe practically screamed at him. “Now help Rion. She can’t heal herself as long as that arrow’s in her side.”

“Then I suggest one of you pulls it out.” Elias raised his hands in self defense. “Only the family of a healer can help them heal themselves in this realm. That means one of you.”

The three sisters looked at each other. Which one of them would it be?


Rion looked up at the pale faces of her cousins and cursed her luck. First the stupid pothole on their camping trip and now this. She was supposed to be their protector, not the other way around. How could Elias expect one of them to pull the bolt out of her side?

“Not me.” Piper looked down at her cousin. “I love you, honey, but I’m not real good at the blood and guts thing.”

“I’ll do it.” Prue swallowed hard. “It was me she was protecting.”

Phoebe gripped Rion’s right hand. “She was protecting me too. And Cole. Maybe we should both do it.”

A searing wave of pain washed over Rion’s body, making her break out in beads of cold sweat. Something wasn’t right. Her heart was hammering out of her chest and it was getting harder to concentrate.

Prue nodded. “One of us can hold her down while the other pulls it out.”

Poison. There must have be poison on the bolt.

It was Phoebe’s turn to swallow hard. “Sounds like a plan to me.”

Rion reached for the shaft with her left hand.

Piper frowned when she saw what her cousin was doing. “Guys...” Her face became a mask of amazement as Rion pulled the offending wood from her side. “Guys!!”

“Oh!” Phoebe put her hands over the hole the bolt had left, trying to slow the river of blood flowing out.

“Rion!” Prue took the bolt from her cousin’s hand. “What are you doing?!”

Rion grinned weakly. “Saving...you...the...trouble...”

Phoebe breathed a sigh of relief as blue light started playing across Rion’s side. “She’s healing.”

Prue frowned as Rion went limp in her arms. “Then why did she just pass out?”

Piper put her hand on Rion’s cheek, instantly pulling it back. “She’s burning up!”

Elias slapped his forehead. “The poison! I should have known she wouldn’t be able to heal herself of its effects.”

“Poison?!” Piper was in his face before anyone could react. “You’ve poisoned her?!”

“Yes.” Elias put his free hand on her shoulder. “But there’s an antidote. And since Marcus,” he punctuated his fellow coven member’s name as he glared at him, “did this, he can go get it.”

“But...”

“No buts about it. You did the deed now you’ve got to face the consequences.”

Lionel spoke up for the first time. “He’ll be killed if he goes to the apothecary.”

Cole saw the fear and concern etched on the sisters’ faces. “Excuse us, Piper.” He shoved the three men further up the corridor. “What seems to be the problem here, gentlemen? You said you had the cure.”

“We do.” Marcus tightened his grip on his crossbow, frightened by the prospect of actually speaking to a demon. “But it’s in the apothecary.”

Cole looked annoyed. “And?”

“And these two are too scared to risk going because that part of the city is controlled by the demons.” Elias watched the sisters tending to the healer and made up his mind. “But I’m no coward. I can’t stand the thought of trying to live with her death on my conscience. I’ll go get it.”

“No.” Cole gripped Elias’ shoulder. “Tell me where this apothecary is and I’ll get it.” He saw the shocked expressions on the male witches’ faces. “She may as well be family. She was protecting me as much as her cousins.”

Elias nodded. “You’re a brave...” He hesitated, not sure of what to say. “Man. The apothecary is on the south wide of the city, near the great stone wall.”

“I’ll find it.” Cole looked over at Phoebe. “I’ll be right back, honey. I’ve gotta take care of something.”

Phoebe frowned at him. “What?”

Cole smiled. “You’ll see. Don’t worry, I’ll be back soon.” He returned his attention to the men beside him. “Take good care of them.”

“We will. You have about six hours before...” Elias pursed his lips. “Just hurry.”

Cole gave the women in his life one last glance before shimmering away.

“I hate when they do that.”

Elias glared at Marcus. “Shut up and get back to your post! Both of you!!” He took a few calming breaths before going over to the women. “She would be more comfortable in our mediation room. I...”

Prue scooped Rion up in her arms. “Lead the way.”

Elias did as he was told, impressed with the newcomer’s show of strength. The other two walked on either side of her, ready to help should she need it. The bond between the four was unlike anything he had ever seen. The closeness he felt toward his brothers in the coven paled in comparison to what they shared.

“Here we are.” He quickly moved their meditation rugs into a makeshift bed. “That should do.”

He backed away as the newcomer carefully laid the healer down, the other two going to the opposite side of the bed to make sure the healer was as comfortable as possible. It was obvious none of them had any intention of moving.

Prue finally gave in to her tears as she looked at Rion. “This is all my fault. If I had listened to Leo and stayed at the Manor, none of this would have happened.”

Phoebe reached over and squeezed Prue’s arm. “Don’t do the blame thing. It was my dumb idea to play hide and seek.”

“And I was too busy checking out the coven’s spell ingredients to stop them.” Piper looked at her sisters sadly. “This isn’t anyone’s fault.”

Elias slipped out of the room, knowing there were things outsiders were not meant to see when it came to sisters. The healer was obviously in good hands. He just hoped the demon didn’t run into any trouble.

*************

Cole shimmered to the south wall, being careful to stick to the shadows as a group of three demons passed by. He could feel the presence of hundreds more. Shalaman didn’t mess around when he formed an army.

He waited until he was sure the demons weren’t coming back and hurried toward a nearby stone structure. One look into its window told him it wasn’t what he was looking for. He moved silently from structure to structure, finding a couple of residences and what appeared to be some sort of library before finding the apothecary. He crept inside and looked at bottle after bottle until he finally came across several marked ‘antidote.’ He put one in his pocket and was about to add another to make sure he had enough when he felt a presence behind him.

“Belthazor. I thought I smelled something putrid.”

Cole turned to face the owner of the all too familiar voice. “Kazga. Imagine seeing you working for the other side.”

A huge, muscular black demon with small blue horns and fiery red eyes sneered at him. “I still play for the bad guys, just obey a different master’s orders. What’s your excuse?” He noticed the bottle in Cole’s hand. “You don’t appear to have any injuries, Belthazor. What could you want with the witches antidote?”

“Just covering all my bases. I hear these Devari are the type to shoot first and ask questions later.”

“Well I hear wherever you are, the Charmed Ones can’t be far behind. Rumor has it the Devari called for a healer to restore what’s left of their coven. Isn’t that little witch who’s been hanging out with your girlfriend and her sisters a healer?” He smiled as he motioned for two more demons to take their prisoner. “No need to answer.” He turned to another demon just outside the door. “Give the order to kill the witches. We have a much more valuable bargaining chip now.”

*************

Two hours later Elias came back into the meditation room with a fresh pitcher of water to find the sisters curled together in sleep on the left side of the healer.

“Shh. Realm to realm jet lag.”

He looked into the healer’s feverish eyes and smiled. “I wondered how long they would last.” He knelt down on the right hand side of the bed, pulling a cool cloth from the pitcher and placing it on the healer’s brow before sitting the pitcher on the floor. “So, how are you feeling?”

The healer closed her eyes as the heat of her body drew the dampness from the cloth. “Like crap.”