Chapter 1
It was a fine Sunday morning at the Halliwell Manor and things weren't going so well for Piper and Leo.
"Leo, I just don't want to talk about this right now. Look honey, I get that this is a really hard time for you right now, and that you're having difficulty adjusting to being a human, but this is not the right time for me to talk about this. I'm sorry. Piper sighed as she turned and walked away into the kitchen to make herself her morning cup of coffee. Leo followed her, annoyed that his wife simply did not seem to understand his situation. Then when will it be the right time to talk about it Piper, said Leo, now sounding rather agitated. Look at us, a relationship is built on two people understanding each other and talking about their problems, but you never seem to want to talk about me becoming human. Okay then Leo, we will talk about this just not right now. How about this, next weekend, we leave the boys with Paige and Phoebe and we go away for a while to somewhere isolated where we can talk in peace. I could get Paige to orb us there. How does a tropical island sound to you? I know Paige and Phoebe have both had more than their fair share of time off from Charmed Ones duties lately, said Piper in a rather suggestive tone of voice. Okay, that sounds great, said Leo, sound much calmer and somewhat relieved that he at last knew that his wife was prepared to listen to him and would not avoid him. Finally satisfied, Leo went off to play with the Wyatt and Chris in the attic.
Hi you guys, what's happening, enquired Paige casually, as she walked into the kitchen, fully dressed and with her hair and makeup perfect. You would never know she had only been up for 15 minutes thought Piper as she gazed up at Paige over her morning cup of coffee. Hey have you seen Phoebe, I haven't seen her since she went to bed last night and I'm starting to get a bit worried. Oh yeah, she came into my room this morning looking for her sweater. She said something about an emergency at the office, apparently there was a disagreement about her column. That's odd thought Piper; usually it's a problem with someone else's column. Well I hope she gets home soon. There hasn't been a demon attack all week, and it just doesn't feel right, said Piper, sounding slightly on edge. I've got to agree that it is a bit odd. I mean usually we are warding off demons by the time you've had your morning cup of coffee, said Paige.
Well, I'm off to work. Sighed Paige. What, you're working? On a Sunday? But you promised you would come shopping with me for potions ingredients at the markets. Anyway, you never work on a Sunday whined Piper sounding rather exasperated. I know Piper and I really am sorry but there is this abuse and neglect case I have been working on and I really want t o close the case as soon as possible because my boss has been hinting to me that if I am successful with this case, then there might be a promotion for me. And you know Piper that we could really use the extra money for when demons come in and destroy our belongings. Well I suppose that I could do the shopping on my own sighed Piper. Thanks Piper I really...
Paige's voice was drowned out by the sound of the doorbell. Do you want me to get that yelled Leo? No, replied Paige, I'll get it. I really need to go now Piper. Okay, Paige as soon as you answer the door, hinted Piper. Oh, right said Paige. Paige opened the door to find a young woman, no more that about twenty-nine standing in the doorway. Excuse me but, do we know you. The woman seemed to snap back to reality as if she had been daydreaming. No, but I know you. She hesitated; you are one of the Charmed Ones, aren't you? The woman took a deep breath, she seems distressed thought Paige. My name is Kiriana Harper and I need your help. Umm okay, why don't you come in, said Paige as she gestured towards the empty hall. I really need to get to work you know but I suppose I could wait a few more minutes and listen to your story. Piper, she called out, there's someone here who said she needs the help of the Charmed Ones. Okay, show her to the lounge room.
Paige showed Kiriana to the lounge room. Just as Piper entered the room, a demon shimmered in. Watch out! Yelled Piper, as the demon hurled an energy ball. Paige threw herself against Kiriana as she fell to the ground. Just in the nick of time, Piper blew up the energy ball. The demon quickly hurled another energy ball at Piper. Piper ducked the energy ball and it missed, slamming into a photo of Wyatt, Chris and Piper.
That's it said Piper, now I really am mad. Is there something going on in there said Leo. No honey, replied Piper. Just stay in the kitchen. As the demon hurled a final energy ball, Paige called for it. "Energy ball," cried Paige. The glowing orb of blue energy orbed into Paige's waiting hand, and she threw it at the demon. Just as the energy ball hit the demon, Piper attempted to blow him up, but it was no use, this demon was just too powerful. He's hurt, thought Piper as the demon blinked. In a flash, he shimmered out as quickly as he had come.
Is everybody okay? Leo had entered the room and from the look on his face, he seemed to know exactly what had gone on. Leo looked over at Paige to see a young woman getting up. Would anybody care to introduce us, said Piper. Oh right said Paige. Piper, this is Kiriana, Kiriana this is my sister Piper. Paige gestured towards Piper and Piper nodded in acknowledgement. Kiriana, this is Leo, said Paige as Leo walked over to the three girls, who were now all standing in the corner next to the broken photo. Leo is an ex-whitelighter, it's a long story but that's all you need to know. Our other sister Phoebe is at work right now but I am sure we can help you with whatever it is you need help with on our own until she gets home. Why don't you sit down and tell us what we can do said Piper as she led the girl to one of the lounges. Piper and Paige sat down on either side of the girl and Leo perched himself casually on the arm of the chair. Kiriana opened her mouth as if to say something, but then decided against it. Its okay, said Leo we only want to help you.
The girl took a deep breath and then asked, have you ever lost someone, someone really close to you. The girls nodded, we lost our sister, said Paige. Well a couple of months ago, my sister Leana and I were in a terrible fight with a demon named Salin and his brother Ramna that has fought with our family for generations. The wars lasted for so long that now, or at least until recently there was only my sister Leana and I left. Many generations ago my family destroyed the demon Ramna and because demons aren't known to care about their brothers as much as killing witches and making themselves known with the source, we didn't think much of the demons last which were, and I quote "My brother will avenge my death. He shall not rest until your family is destroyed." Sounds almost as if he was binding his brother to earth until his death was avenged, commented Leo. When my sister died she told me that Salin had a special amulet that used to belong to the women in our family and that as long as he had it, he could never be defeated. So you have come to us to help you retrieve this amulet and defeat Salin once and for all, said Piper as if to summarise. Umm, there is one more thing you should know about Salin. He is no ordinary demon. He was created to be the ultimate demon. He has even greater powers than his own creator and master. His master was the source and his assistant the seer. So basically, you're saying that we need to find him and get that amulet.
I think we'll need the power of three for this. I'll go bring Phoebe home, said Paige, and with that, Paige orbed out in a swirl of shimmering blue lights.