Prologue

"Don't tell me my sister is dying and I can't do anything about it!"

Piper Halliwell's piercing voice resonated around the Halliwell Manor. Paige sank into a nearby chair.

"We vanquished the demon Piper; it should have reversed the spell."

"And why the hell didn't it?" Piper's face contorted and tears had welled to the point where they would spill at any moment.

"I don't know" Leo meekly replied.

"Well you better get out of my face and not come back until you do know!"

If Leo hadn't known Piper he would have been incredibly hurt, but he knew by now that when a family member is in grave danger, Piper becomes unusually aggressive.

He glanced at Phoebe's lying form. She looked so sweet, so innocent. He would not only lose Phoebe, he would lose Piper. If Piper lost her last sister that she had grown up with, it would devastate her – she would self destruct. Paige would too.

He orbed without saying a word. He didn't believe in God though at that moment Leo prayed to whoever was in charge of this ever so complicated universe – that Phoebe would not die. He would shift heaven and hell to save his family. For his wife. For his sons. For Paige. For Phoebe. His family.

Cole Turner looked out at the marketplace. His head slightly turned to the left as he watched it. His hands behind his back, he stepped forward out of the shadows. He chuckled inwardly as the people about avoided him.

"Good day, Mr Turner."

Ah, the innocence of a child. Children are the only creatures that hold no fear.

"Hello Abbey, and how are you on this fine day?"

Abbey Straton smiled at him. He noticed Mystiqua Straton, the child's mother, rush forward.

"Abbey, I'm sure Mr Turner needs not be bothered today." She glanced up at Cole though quickly averted her eyes as he gazed into hers.

"How is Frey doing, Mystiq?"

"He's fine, sir, and thank you for asking." Mystiqua felt uncomfortable when he shortened her name, there were always whispers.

Abbey spoke up. "Daddy says that if he can't help with the harvest that we will go hungry."

"I will make sure that doesn't happen, Abbey. You have my word." Cole smiled at the young child. Her grin broadened.

"I won't keep you too long Mystiqua," he added. He didn't wait for an answer and walked past her. He glanced back and saw the mother scowling at her child. They quickly rushed off.

"Sir," a voice interrupted his thoughts.

Cole looked up to see a guard.

"Thomas," Cole acknowledged.

"There have been more reports of the Insolas Bandits killing villagers from Thornestra to Gregla. They grow closer."

Cole sighed. He hadn't used any powers in a long while though if any mortal threatened his world..

"They're barbarians with nothing but a weak cause," Cole reassured the guard.

"I suggest we send"

"You're suggestion falls upon deaf ears. If you want to be paid this month's wages then hold your tongue," Cole snapped. He uttered the last words strongly but slowly for dramatic effect.

Color drained from Thomas' face.

"Are we clear?"

"Yes, sir."

"How's your wife, Thomas?" Cole asked the guard.

Thomas seemed to sway side to side briefly. "She's fine, sir."

"That's good," Cole said, looking past him into the distance. "Let's hope nothing happens to her. I'm sure it won't, but you never know."

Cole paused. Thomas seemed to be petrified. Good.

"Patrol the east side of the gates. Now."

Cole looked again at the marketplace sprawling with people. They were all dirty and wearing rags. None of them knew what it was like to hold some power.

He then spotted a girl who wore clothes that were not rags. She looked beautiful. Her hair cascaded down to her lower back. He stepped behind her and grabbed her.

"Tie your hair up, Emily."

Cole was much taller then her meek figure so he had to lean over to be near her. He pushed her hair away from her neck and kissed it.

She turned around and hit him playfully.

"Not here, Cole!"

"Why?" he complained.

"This marketplace is crawling with people," she told him. The look on his face clearly showed he didn't care. He owned the village, no one would dare speak against him and they both knew it. So then added "Plus the children are over there"

Cole looked up and saw Jessica and Melina pointing and giggling. He smiled at his daughters. "So what are you doing in town?" he asked.

"Some errands."

"That's what the errand boy is for, my dear."

He held her close. She was so beautiful and sexy and he just wanted to take her home right now. Cole loved his wife.. well, sort of. The closest thing to love he'd felt since..

Melina was tugging at him. "Daddy, stop that, everyone's staring."

Cole threw his daughter in the air and she shrieked. He caught her only at the last moment.

"So let them stare," he said grinning. Something tugged at his heart as he looked at his daughter. His daughter. He had to repeat that several times a day. He actually had a family.

One day, it would happen. There would be a day, just one day, which he wouldn't think of her. He would be so happy with his new life that he wouldn't think of his old life for just 24 hours. Possible, right?

Cole felt something was wrong. Like she was calling for him. She was in trouble, she needed him. He dismissed it, he was imagining things.

The women he really loved, the women he had married and once was expecting a child with once now hated him. He wanted to hate her too. He muttered her name as if it would make her go away.

"Phoebe Halliwell," Cole said out loud.

"What?" Emily asked.

"Nothing," he said, smiling at his wife. "Absolutely nothing."

Emily smiled up at him.

"I love you, Cole."

"I love you too, Em."