(Sequel to the story "Legacy)
By Teri Thibeault a.k.a. Tessalynne and J. B. Tilton a.k.a. Centexmale emails:
Rating: G (for mild language)
Disclaimer: "Charmed" and all related characters and events are the property of the WB television network, except for those characters specifically created for this story. This is a work of fan fiction and no infringement of copyright is intended.
(Authors note: This story takes place between season 4 episodes "Lost and Bound" and "Charmed and Dangerous ".)
As Cole's son, Peter Coleson continues to ponder his quest of vengeance against his father, he gains some unexpected allies.
ONE
Peter Coleson sat in his office holding a large dagger. At three a.m. most people would be home sound asleep in their beds. But Peter was not most people. As an attorney he made more than a comfortable living. His clientele were very rich for the most part and could easily afford to pay the exorbitant fees he charged. But then, most of his clients weren't your usual run-of-the-mill defendants.
Peter Coleson represented demons. Being part demon himself made it easy for members of the underworld to call on him for his services. Like most magical beings, demons didn't want their "secret" becoming known to the entire mortal realm. On those occasions when a demon ran afoul of human authorities, it often became necessary to find a human solution. That's where Peter came in. He could represent them in a human court knowing their secret. A secret they couldn't tell to another attorney.
But this was also not the only unusual aspect of this particular attorney. The dagger he was holding was actually an athame. One of three he had recently acquired. Ones used by his father to kill witches. Before the love of a witch turned his father good.
Peter Coleson was actually the only son of the infamous demon, Belthazor, also known as Cole Turner. A son that, until recently, he hadn't even known existed. Peter was determined to make Cole pay for his past sins. Of marrying Peter's mother simply for one of his elaborate plans. For leaving the woman with no explanation. Leaving her to eventually die alone and wondering what it was she had done to push him away.
Peter had tried to kill Cole very recently. But three witches, the Charmed Ones, protected Cole. One of the witches was in love with him and in order to kill his father Peter would have had to kill the witches as well. That was not something he was prepared to do. He had sworn he would never have innocent blood on his hands. A vow that had prevented him from killing his father when he had the chance.
Now Peter sat in his office contemplating that failure. He wasn't sorry he had stopped fighting when the youngest sister had been accidentally injured by one of his energy balls. Her Whitelighter had been able to save her. Peter had lost his chance to kill his father, but he didn't have the sister's blood on his conscience. That, he decided, was an adequate trade for the moment.
Suddenly a pillar of flame erupted in one corner of his office. Peter casually looked up to see a young woman standing where the flames had appeared only moments before. It was not an uncommon occurrence. Demons usually flamed or shimmered or used whatever mode of transportation they had to appear in his office.
"What can I do for you?" Peter asked, laying the athame on his desk.
The woman appeared to be about twenty-five. She was wearing a one-piece suit that accentuated her figure and long blonde hair quite nicely. Still, she was a demon. Peter knew that. And arriving in his office as she had, that would make her a client as well.
"I understand you're Peter Coleson," said the woman. "I was told you handle special clients."
"You mean demons," said Peter. "Yes, when they need help with the human legal system. I assume you have a problem that needs my help."
"My name is Avina," said the woman sitting on the edge of her desk. Peter noticed that she was sticking her chest out more than was necessary. "And, yes, I need a good attorney. I hear you're the best."
"Save it, sister," said Peter. "Female demons don't interest me, no matter how attractive your human form. And I am the best. More importantly, I'm part demon myself so there's no need to keep anything from me. Now, what can I help you with?"
"It's my consort," said Avina, no longer attempting to entice Peter. "He tried to kill a witch last night. Only the police arrived before he could get away. Obviously he couldn't just shimmer out. That would have exposed him to mortals. So he allowed himself to be arrested. I need you to get him out of jail. And to make this nasty business go away."
"I can get him out of jail," said Peter. "As for making this go away, that might be possible. But I'm very expensive."
"That's okay," said Avina. "I'm not exactly poor. I'm sure your fee is quite reasonable."
"For what I do, yes," said Peter. "Now, for the ground rules. I operate strictly by the human laws. Which means I don't bribe people or make witnesses disappear. If you're going to hire me, you and your consort have to abide by those rules. I don't want the witch suddenly turning up dead or disappearing on me. That would complicate the case."
"Whatever you say," said the woman, looking down on Peter's desk. "Interesting athame. Those markings on it. Those are the markings of Belthazor."
"You know Belthazor?" questioned Peter.
"Oh, quite well," said Avina. "He belongs to the Brotherhood of the Thorn. The same brotherhood my consort belongs to. How did you get those?"
"Let's just say I have certain contacts," said Peter. "Actually, Belthazor is my father."
"Father?" questioned Avina. "I wasn't aware Belthazor had any children."
"Neither did he until just recently," said Peter. "But don't think that because he's my father we all father and sonny. I hate him. One day, I'm going to kill him. I had a chance recently but some witches interfered."
"The Charmed Ones," said Avina. "Yes, we know of them as well. The Brotherhood wants Belthazor dead but the witches protect him. No one can get close to him with them around."
"I will," said Peter. "I did once. I will again."
"Well, it seems we have something in common," said Avina. "We both want Belthazor vanquished. Maybe we could work out an arrangement. You help get my consort off the hook, so to speak, and the Brotherhood can help you get your revenge on Belthazor. And in so doing the Brotherhood gets its' revenge as well."
Peter became very interested. He had no idea how he was going to get to Cole with Phoebe and her sisters around. And if Cole had betrayed the Brotherhood, they would have their own reasons for wanting him vanquished. Perhaps an alliance would afford him the opportunity he needed. And having the Brotherhood of the Thorn owe him a favor couldn't hurt, either.
"What did you have in mind?" Peter asked.
Avina moved to one of the plush comfortable chairs in Peter's office. She sat down and smiled at Peter.