Six months later spring had come. The flowering trees were in bloom and 415
magazine had taken advantage of the beauty and was doing a spread on the
interracial beauty of the city. Women from cultures spanning the globe had
assembly in the latest summer fashions and Prue was in her favorite place,
in command of the entire affair.
"That's great. Oh, yes. Now smile. Think of something nice. Turn to the left. Look up. To the right. Great. Tank you. Now Ms. Woo. Over by the Dogwood tree. Very nice. Fit her shawl. Fine. Now look over my left shoulder. Good. Right shoulder. Great. A serious expression. No not dowdy. Fine. Smile again. Look at the bridge. Beautiful. That's fine. Now one step this way. Ok. Look down. Wave to your right. Now look at something far away. Look at my feet. Great. Thank you." Prue put her camera down as she grabbed her water bottle.
"Ms. Halliwell. This color is just not right. The stands will clash with the bathing suits and that tie the carnival barker is wearing will disappear in the sunlight," said a harried set designer.
"No problem. Move up the shorts sets over to the carnival display and we'll shoot the swimwear in front of the bridge. And the barker can go tie-less. No, find him a scarf," explained Prue.
"Genius, just pure genius" the designer said, running off.
"Yea, right. Just common sense, " Prue said to herself. "Now where did the Brazilian twins get? Paul, Paul,"
"Yes, Prue," said her assistant.
"Where's the Brazilian, couple. I need them next,"
"Uh, I think they're still in make up. I'll move them up, boss." He said, scampering off.
"Prue, not boss." Oh well, at least he's good. thought Prue as she went to her camera gear.
"Some set up you have here!" said a familiar voice behind her. Prue swung around and saw Darryl standing there with a big grin. "Hello, Prue."
Prue's face lit up and she hugged him hard. "Oh Darryl. It's good to see an old friend."
"You haven't been in circulation much among them lately," said Darryl looking over the thin Prue. "I know. I'm sorry. Just been working too much lately. "
"Trying to work or just forget?" asked Daryl.
Prue shot him a quick startled glance. "No, just building a new life. Or more continuing the one I started out with before Phoebe came back from New York. That seems safely in the past. I hope."
Well, then you're not going to want to hear about this. I need a little help of your kind. Prue," said Darryl shaking his head.
Prue took a moment. "What he hell, but not here. Compared to my sudden disappearances from Buckland's, here I'm considered pretty normal. Tonight after ten. Meet me at the Manor. I'm not going to finish here much before then. OK. Darryl?" smiled Prue a little nervously.
"Fine. I'll be there. And take care of yourself, Prue. I really worry about you," he said calling back to her.
"Sure. See you then. Bye. PAUL, where are those twins?" Prue called out turning away from Darryl.
Darryl shook his head and then walked back to his car.
*
Later that night Prue sat down a kitchen table with Darryl. He was dressed down after having gone home and eaten. Everything looked pretty good around the Manor. Little had changed though the Manor had a little more of Prue's touch now.
"..and after only talking to a few people, in walks Piper's first assistant, Amanda Landers. She was looking for a job and I brought her back that weekend. Now the place is really hopping and I gave her a 25% stake in P3. She really took off after that," said Prue excitedly. She hadn't had company or even a date in three months.
"Planning on expanding? Piper was looking into a restaurant addition" Darryl reminded Prue.
"I don't know. Not unless the right person comes along. I don't really have the time to break in someone new. And I hate to pull Amanda from the great job she's doing. If we do anything, it might be open another club. Someday," said Prue sipping her coffee again.
"And how's that photo bit?" asked Darryl.
"Fine. The mag is keeping me busy, but I'm taking on some spec jobs too. I may have to get an office in town. The little room is the basement is just too small and I'm not turning this place into a photo studio. This is my home," said Prue raising her voice a bit.
"Good touch. I know about you busy-ness. I've tried getting you on the answering machine and hadn't heard from you," complained Darryl
"Damn, have I not checked that again? I'll give you my beeper number. Without many contacts with friends, that old thing has been gathering dust" smiled Prue.
"So how are you really holding up, Prue? You look like hell if you don't mind me saying so," said Darryl.
"Trying to sweet talk me? No, being busy keeps my mind off of it. I'm not going to fold up and die because of it. Though I haven't had any witchy problems in weeks. I'm even doing my own fetching now. I haven't levitated anything in a long time. You know it gives you a great a sense of accomplishment doing everything the mortal way. I did it for 27 years. Not that I don't miss and still love my sisters, I'm just not going to turn this house into a mausoleum and my life into one long memorial service. Now what brings you back to the magical halls of Halliwell Manor?" asked Prue interested in a new challenge.
"A mystery," said Darryl flatly.
Prue smiled. "That was always our specialty. Can you elaborate?"
"For about three weeks we've had some break-ins accompanied by murders. There's been no apparent robbery and all the women were living alone. Nothing too unusual though they did seem to own a wide collection of candles," explained Darryl. He spoke in a monotone as if he had rehearsed the facts or gone over them in his head again and again.
"And what made you thing of us? The women could have been aroma or incense practitioners or survivalists. Just because they're living alone doesn't make them witches, um.. though they seem to fit that category. There must be something they had in common," Prue said quietly.
"Yes, Prue. We always found one of these at the scene of the crime." Darryl reached in his pocket and pull out a token with a six sided figure made of trapezoids not unlike the figure on their own book. It appeared to be made of gold and the symbol had been engraved on it a very long time ago.
"It's lovely. Some kind of token or calling card I would suspect. Or maybe some kind of magical significance. Off hand it doesn't remind me of anything. Let's check this thing out. Come on," said Prue patting his hand
"You want me to come up there?" asked Darryl a little nervously. He had never been in their coven place.
Prue wrinkled her nose. "Come on, I won't bite and I won't turn you into a toad. Besides I really would like the company since I haven't done this since before the funeral. OK?" asked Prue, smiling peacefully.
"All right. Let's go do some magic," exclaimed Darryl who couldn't believe what he was saying.
Prue shook her head. "Not really. Just research. I'll check out my black hat later."
Up in the attic Prue opened the door for the first time in months. The attic smelled mustier than usual.
Snapping on the light Darryl looked disappointed. "Where's your altar and cauldron?" he asked.
"I'm pretty modern here. We still need the herbs and hocus-pocus words, but I don't think Grams ever owned an ugly big black pot"' said Prue as she went over to the trunk. She opened up the lid and thought she saw the book glowing a bit.
"Lonely in there? Get used to it. This is an emergency!"
"Your book talks to you?" asked Darryl getting more confused by the minute.
Prue smiled to herself. Amateurs. "No, Darryl. Just scaring away a few of my own demons. You see I'm really a reformed witch, but as a favor to an old friend let's see what the book says." Prue propped the book up on the ancient bookstand. "Tokens, tokens, tokens," she hummed to herself. "Hmmm. I'm a little rusty at this. Phoebe was the expert. Huumm. Here you are. The Medallion of Lyonheart. It's really a transport device that materializes before the warlock appears and then remains after he leaves. It belongs to the Delton Ghouls. How appropriate. They are a coven of warlocks that use the powers of good to their own advantage. Interesting. Umm. It says that they present themselves as good witches and then scheme to get what they want. That's it?" said Prue closing the Book of Shadows. She furled her brow in heavy thought.
"What's wrong Prue? Doesn't that help?" asked Darryl wondering what was bothering his friend.
"No, that's only half the answer. It gives us a name and a modus operandi but not what they are really after. What they want must be extremely important if they risk killing for it. How many murders have their been?" asked Prue looking for other clues.
"Six, but there may have been those we never heard about if the murderers covered their tracks," said Darryl drumming his fingers on the bookstand.
"Maybe, but probably not. I never knew of demons or warlocks that were particularly neat with their crimes. Give me a list of their names. There's another source I've used before and I'll do some checking tomorrow, Darryl. There has got to be more to this puzzle," said Prue.
"I just happen to have it here. Let me know the first thing, Prue. And you be careful out there, you hear?" said Darryl. "I'm worried about you out there alone."
"No problem. Alone is now my specialty!" said Prue taking his hand and smiling.
*
Faking a sick day, Prue was up early heading to the west side of town. Her blood was racing as it hadn't since her last demonic encounter. As much as she had sworn off the whole witchcraft world, she still remembered the rush that she and her sisters got going after supernatural thingies and impossible odds. Those rushes of adrenalin had gotten quite addictive.
Reaching an obscure Wicca shop along a formerly trendy street Prue walked in as an off-key bell announced her arrival. A middle-aged woman who held her looks and figure well with blonde hair and blue eyes lit up when she saw her.
"Prue! Blessed be. What a pleasure. It's been much too long," she called out with sincere appreciation.
"Sabrina. It is so good to see you. How is everything with you?" said Prue smiling broadly and offering her her hand. Of all the true practicing good witches they had met, she was they only one who hadn't crossed their paths due to demons or trouble. Sabrina ran the Wicca Envy Shop and had often offered keen insight and advice to them in their novice witch days
"Nothing ever changes here. Business is good especially with the millennium grabbing everyone's attention. I'm so sorry about your sisters. They were such kind and caring souls. And as witches. Lord o'mercy. They lived up to every expectation of the fabled Charmed Ones," Sabrina said sorrowfully. Seldom had her shop had such distinguished customers as them.
"Thank you Sabrina. It was a rough time, but I have some other strange business here today," said Prue solemnly.
"Relate your tale, my dear," said Sabrina. "I'm searching for a link between these six witches who were recently killed by the Detnal Ghouls. Can you help me out? Our book could not pin down the exact reason for the murders," explained Prue handing her the list.
"Let me see, dearie. Hmm. A couple of the names sound familiar. Let me check my grandmother's notes. This shop has been in my family since the first war," she said proudly.
Sabrina went through some lace curtains into he back. "I've got it," she called out.
Bringing out what looked like an old diary she placed the volume before Prue. "We Farrell's have kept a good handle on the witch community here for a number of years. It's good business. Now Margaret Winslow was the great grandmother of this Miss Franker. And this Miss Russell was the great granddaughter of Roberta Roseman. Constance Berger was he great grandmother of this Miss Wilson. And the same goes for Mrs. Wendell Summerset and Miss Eva Silverstein. And Miss Josephine Gale and Mrs. Laura Nicholson. They were all members of the same coven here in San Francisco in late nineteenth century. Each of these good witches held a piece of the Giza Obelisk. My grandmother is very clear about that. And our genealogical tables trace them to these six witches, Prue," she said tapping her book to make a point.
Prue looked intrigued. "And what is that? It sounds interesting." Prue never lost her antique gene.
"Oh, it's nothing you want them to get a hold of. A hundred plus years ago a ship came to San Francisco. One of the sailors had an Egyptian artifact stolen from the tomb of some Pharaoh. It was held in the temple of the God Ra and protected there from all forms of evil. This human did not know what he had," Sabrina said mysteriously.
"And it was???" asked Prue anxiously. "A key to a doorway. A doorway that could unleash all the evil from the bowels of Hell onto this world. Some demon tried to steal it, but the human outfoxed him. He hid it on his passage to San Francisco with the intent of selling it. He sold it to a coven of witches who broke it up into seven pieces and passed down though the witches' families. If what you say is true they have six of the seven pieces," warned Sabrina.
"Why didn't they just destroy it? " asked Prue.
"They tried, but it was formed by powerful magic and their attempts only broke it into the seven pieces. So instead of risking it being found, they separated them and guarded it well for at these the last 120 years. Their descendents must have given their lives for it. May they all find peace," Sabrina said bowing her head.
"Hmm. I'm surprised that haven't tried getting the obelisk before this. OK, then who is the seventh witch?" asked Prue taking out a paper and pencil.
Sabrina replied "Desire Witcomb. She lives in New York City and I take it that she is alive because no harm has befallen the world. Yet. Do you think you're up to it, Prue?"
"I guess I have to be. SO if I can destroy this final piece.." continued Prue.
"The key will be useless to the coven of Ghouls. But be warned. Others may be helping them for all of evil will benefit from the success of their mission," Sabrina said mysteriously.
"Whoa. Nothing like jumping back in the pool full of ice water. Thank you Sabrina. You have been very helpful and it looks like I'm off onto a plane. Maybe Clay can give me a place to stay?" Prue mumble to herself.
"Farewell. My dear. Success and happiness," Sabrina said as Prue left with very determined look on her face.
***
The ground came rushing up to Prue as she looked through the plane window landing at Newark International Airport. From her vantage point she outraced the cars on the New Jersey Turnpike as the towers of lower Manhattan loomed in the background. First the back wheels hit the ground jostling the plane followed by the front wheel that gently rocked the passengers and the plane taxied to the terminal. Prue held on tight as she wished this day were over. All her fears of the last six months came rushing at her at once.The loss of her sisters, re-entering the magical world of demon fighting, going up against an unknown adversary without the aid of the three Charmed Ones, the apparent fate of the whole world in the balance and her own faith in her ability to deal with everything.
Her greatest fear was the loss of faith in herself. Up until this very moment she had kept so busy as to not to deal with her losses, but now she had to. And the very worst part for her was she was going forward completely out of control. Having no control over the situation was her worst fear.
"Miss, Miss," came a voice that startled Prue enough to make her jump. "Miss, you can disembark now. Welcome to New Jersey!"
"Oh, yes. Thank you. I was just lost in thought. Thank you." said Prue not actually smiling. She picked up her overnight bag and her camera bag.
"Big appointment? Business or pleasures?" asked the stewardess trying to calm Prue.
"Definitely business. Excuse me," Prue said running off the plane.
Entering the main terminal she saw the car rental signs pointing to the monorail. Climbing the steps she nervously waited for the monorail and took an empty car all by herself. Curling up in the corner clutching her travel bag; Prue felt a little extra comfort.
*
Turning onto the New Jersey Turnpike Prue drove her Ford Taurus toward the Staten Island exit. She found that Desire Witcomb lived on Staten Island with her husband and two children. It was strange being back on the East coast. She had made one brief visit to New York City when she was eighteen, a graduation gift from Grams. She so much wanted to go to school in the East, but Grams had talked her out of it. At the time Prue thought that she was just being overprotective, but now she realized that Grams wanted to keep the Charmed Ones together at all costs.
The witch Witcomb lived in a modest two-story bi-level on a typical 1960's subdivision street. Children played all around as Prue parked on the street and went up to the door.
"Here goes nothing," sighed Prue as she rang the doorbell. A little six- year old girl answered the door.
"Hi! My, you're pretty. Can I speak with your mommy?" Prue asked very cheerfully. The girl looked a little like Piper had at that age.
"OK," she said quietly and ran off. Two minutes later a 35-year-old women in slacks and a sweatshirt came to the door. "Yes, can I help you?" she asked smiling.
"This may sound strange, but may I come in talk to you. I'm think you're in danger and I am here you help you," said Prue. "Can I come.."
The woman's face became a mask of fright and she slammed the door in Prue's face. Prue knocked again pleading with her to open the door. She could hear scurrying around while children's names were being called. "Please open up. This is very important!" After another minute the garage door opened and the family van came racing out of the garage. Though at first startled Prue thought that she had to do something drastic. Concentrating on the car both of the tires on her side of the car, they blew out simultaneously. The car quickly dragged to a stop.
The woman's scared eyes went ballistic as Prue approached the car. All of the car doors locked and the woman appeared to be praying or chanting. Suspicious Prue looked around as several garden tools came flying out of the garage toward her She held up her hand to deflect them, but they immediately burst into flame.
"What in the hell was that?" she said out loud.
The woman began to chant again as Prue concentrated and made the door fly open. The woman backed away from her protecting her children. "Mrs. Witcomb. I came a very long way to help you. You could at least hear me out!" said Prue quietly and patiently.
"That's what I expect you warlocks to say. Then you want to destroy my family and me. Go away. Umm la fa ma, no stogata.." she began to chant.
"Look I am one of the good guys. I know the modus operandi of the Ghouls of Detnal. I know what they've been trying to collect. I'm here to stop them. There's more at stake here than just your lives. The whole world depends upon it," warned Prue patiently.
As a garden hose raced up to strangle Prue, she concentrated on it and it melted to nothing. "I have got to check on my powers," she thought. Not using them did not allow her to keep up with their development. :"My name is Prue Halliwell and I'm a good witch form San Francisco," explained Prue reaching out her hand.
"Ha, I caught you in a lie. The Charmed Ones are all dead. My mother wrote me about that!" said Desire still protecting her kids that were near frantic by now.
"You've been misinformed. Actually my..um two sisters were killed. I'm solving this mystery on my own. If we could go inside, maybe we can help each other out. Please?' asked Prue smiling. It was difficult dealing with a nervous anxious mother.
"If you aren't one of them how did you find me?" she hissed.
"I contacted Sabrina Gatherers, a Wiccan apothecary we've dealt with over the years. She knew where to find you,"
"You know Aunt Sabrina?" Desire said letting part of he guard down.
Bingo, thought Prue. She coaxed Mrs. Witcomb from the car though she did send her kids to a neighbor's house. There were things she didn't want her children to hear about. Though they knew about their heritage she hadn't described the true dangers that could come being from a line of witches.
"My mother gave me the artifact to guard just a couple of years ago. It had been passed down from mother to daughter. Um.. I had heard of the loss of the other witches through by aunt and my mother. You can imagined how terrified I was knowing that I was the sole surviving holder of the secret," said Desire quietly.
"Did you know what would happen if all the pieces were reassembled?" asked Prue.
"Yes, I do know of the legend. I never took much stock in it until recently after the murders. I just don't want anything to happen to my children. They're my most precious things," admitted Desire.
"Well. We'll make sure that nothing does happen," smiled Prue.
"Can I see the remnant of the obelisk?" asked Prue.
"No. I'm not still fully convinced that you are the real Charmed One. If I should that would be violating a family oath that goes back four generations. It would mean Armageddon. Or worse. And with my kids. I'm their sole protector and with all those evil things out there I feel like I'm the only one who can do it successfully. I just don't want to fail at that. Can you understand that, Prue?" asked Desire.
"Boy, do I ever," smiled Prue. "Not only did I feel the same way about my sisters, but you know when they died I really felt like I let them down. We always said we'd be there for each other, but when that last battle came I FAILED THEM. OH GOD!" cried Prue in Desire's arms. "They needed me and I just messed the whole thing up. I'm here alive and their lying in some cold grave. Alone. All gone!" she balled. "
That's not entirely correct," said a familiar voice. Prue stopped to listen.
"Get off your sorry butt there, sister," said another. Now Prue sat up tears streaming down her face, but now fully paying attention.
"Piper!" she called out.
"Present!" Piper said cutely.
"Hi, Prue," said Phoebe waving to Prue. Both of their imagines glowed there in Desire's living room.
"Good heavens, ghosts!" Desire exclaimed looking shocked.
"Not an uncommon occasion in my life. Piper, Phoebe. What brought you back?" asked Prue now fixing herself up.
"Oh, just trying to help you out. You looked like you could use a pep talk. Kind of backwards the way things used to be," said Phoebe.
"We never been far, but you didn't need much help with your job. Then you seemed to get back in the saddle, but it looked like you fell off the horse there," said Piper looking cute.
"So you three are the Charmed Ones?' asked Desire quietly.
"'Were' is the operative word," said Phoebe. "We lost the last big one."
"And Prue that was not your fault. Stop taking the world on your shoulders. That was one of your most lovable faults. You still have a life to live. Ours is over," lamented Piper.
"I just can't help feeling that I failed you somehow," said Prue walking over to her sister's apparitions.
"Prue, we were ambushed. Someone had us rescuing that Indian witch and they overwhelmed us. If anyone should have seen it, it should have been the little sister with the hint of the future. We lost, Prue. Don't grieve over us. Dead is not so bad once you get used to it," Phoebe reassured Prue.
"And we'll always be near you. Pheebs and I kind of took over for Mom and Grams. SO if you see the pages of the Book of Shadows flipping, think of us," said Piper.
"I put it away. I don't plan on using it again," said Prue. "My days of being a witch are over."
"We have a little problem with that, Prue. That's one book you can't return to the library. If you aren't careful we'll be seeing you sooner than you think," said Phoebe.
"Yep. You can't run away from your destiny. That's one thing we can see from here. We'll help you when we can, but we're ghosts not fortunetellers. And be careful of these Ghouls. They are very tricky. Very tricky. And there are a lot of them. So watch your back, big sister. Gotta go," said Piper waving.
"Yea, we stayed as long as we can. Good luck, Prue. I still love you," said Phoebe as they both vanished.
"Guys, wait! Oh bosh. I LOVE YOU TWO, TOO! I can't believe it. I have ghosts for sisters. Incredible," said Prue sitting down hard on the couch.
"And loving ones too," said Desire.
"Yea. Well, now do you believe me?" asked Prue looking totally raw by now.
"Yes, Miss Halliwell. We can go get the artifact. I feel much safer now," replied Desire
"And call me Prue. Please," requested the surviving Halliwell.
*
In the local bank vault Prue and Desire pulled out a safety deposit box that had not been used for some time. Inside Prue found a small box tied shut decades ago.
"Oh, I love mysteries. May I?" asked Prue excited.
"Go ahead," said Desire not interested in the curse on her family.
Grinning from ear to ear, Prue cut the ancient brown string and lifted the box top. Inside was a small velvet pouch discolored from age. Opening the pouch she found a broken piece of a stone figure.
"Definitely old though broken recently. Chiseled letters, maybe Egyptian hieroglyphics. I can't make out the figures, but it has something to do with magic. Fascinating. If his wasn't so deadly. It might be worth something," said Prue.
"One little rock that can cause all of this trouble? Let's go take care of it, Prue. The sooner the better," said Desire.
"Agreed."
Prue and Desire walked from the vault and handed the safety deposit box back to the back employee. "Thank you," said Desire.
"You're welcome," the woman said as she turned into a white-faced warlock with horns.
"Oh, God! This is not good," said Prue as she sent the demon flying backwards.
As they ran from the bank Desire mumbled an incantation and the whole bank froze.
"Neat trick," said Prue as she ran through the parking lot and into the car.
Putting the car in gear, she saw two more warlocks appear behind them. Prue backed the car into them knocking them down and she headed down the main street.
"We have to get out in the open," said Desire "or it might get messy."
"Agreed" said Prue as he gunned her car staring out the rear view mirror.
"Head for the Goethals Bridge. We'll be safe in Jersey!" suggested Desire.
They drove across the bridge onto the New Jersey Turnpike heading north. Coming to Interstate 80 they headed west.
"How far do we have to drive to get out of this urban sprawl?" asked Prue. There were still plenty of nearby hills one could get lost in around the San Francisco area.
"Almost to Pennsylvania I dare say. Unless you want to drive clear up into New York State," explained Desire.
"Let's stick to the highway. I just hope those demons aren't following us in cars," worried Prue. Twin lights of a state police car ran up behind them.
"LIKE That ONE!" As Prue served to the right hand lane. The police car sped past them with its siren wailing.
"That was close!" said Desire
. Prue shook her head. "Maybe too close. They could have something waiting for us up ahead. I think they know our every move and can wait till we're most vulnerable. We best keep up our guard."
"Agreed," said Desire.
"So tell me, what's the basis of your magic? I've only seen you chanting something. Do you have any special powers?" asked Prue.
"No. My ancestors were Celts. And we handed the secrets of ancient Celtic magic through scores of generations. I cast spells, as I need them. Nothing too elaborate, but if you need something frozen or levitated or the like, I can do it," said Desire still anxiously looking out the back window.
"Any good at foretelling the future?" wondered Prue.
"No. Second sight is not among my talents," said Desiree sadly.
"Hadn't you ever tried to destroy the stone before this? " asked Prue.
"Like I said earlier, I really didn't believe in all that legend. None of the pieces have been touched the whole of the twentieth century. The demons had never tried to go after it. Now I'm afraid we witches have waited too long," lamented Desire.
"Then it's up to us. I know we can do it. It's not the first time we went up against the powers of Armageddon," said Prue defiantly as she sped down the highway through northern New Jersey.
*
Driving stiffly, ready for almost anything, nothing was in front of Prue until a string of white-aced warlocks appeared across the road. Prue gasped and swerved onto an exit ramp.
"You should have run them down!" said Desire. "They probably wanted us to go this way. "
"I know. But at least we're heading away from them," replied Prue.
But Prue's certainty was short lived. The demons purposely drove them off the next exit, through the small town of Sparta and down a two- lane road.
"Do you have any idea where we are?" Prue asked Desire.
"No. At least there are plenty of people around here," Desire observed. But again her confidence was shattered. The houses disappeared and woods on one side and a swampy area on the other surrounded her. Prue slammed on the breaks as a line of demons formed of in front of her. After stopping, they were surrounded. Prue grabbed Desire's hand and they headed for the swampy marshy areas. Throwing her hand toward the two demons in front of them they fell back, but the other demons only seemed to smile.
"Quick, over here," shouted Desire pointing to the far woods.
"No, it will be faster heading down the creek," cried Prue running as fast as she could through the heavy grasses. Just as they got out of sight of the car, a warlock appeared in front of them. Turning around another one appeared behind them. Then two more and two more and finally a total of eight.
"Give us what we want, witch!" cried a very demonic baritone voice reaching out toward Prue.
"Only on a cold day in hell," shouted Prue.
"We'll never let you have it. Not like the others," cried Desiree.
"They were of no consequence just as you are not," he creaked and threw a lightning bolt at Prue who deflected it.
"It's either the world or us Desire," whispered Prue.
Desire replied weeping, "I know that now, we'll just have to..."
"Quick, give me the piece of the Obelisk, I think I can do what your great- grandmothers, coven couldn't," said Prue.
"Witch give it up or DIE!" shouted the same demonic figure.
Desiree pulled the fragment of Obelisk from her coat and dumped it on the ground. Two more fireballs were hurled at the two witches which Prue took care of.
"I haven't had much practice lately, but I think I can give this thing a greater jolt than I used to," explained Prue. She concentrated intensely and the stone glowed for a moment. It became redder and redder and then exploded.
"No!" shouted the warlock. "This is not happening. You infidels. We can take out you. You're no match for us just like your sisters weren't."
Prue's face flushed purple. "It was you?" she shouted with all the hatred at her command. "Down," she said to Desire.
"What's that?" she asked.
"GET DOWN!" yelled Prue.
All the warlocks started throwing fireballs at Prue. Eight different warlocks from eight different directions. Left and right she deflected them using her hands and her eyes. They flew back toward the warlocks, two of whom burst into flames themselves. Then Prue stopped for a moment, her chest heaving in anger, breathing heavily. Her hands started to glow and she spun a round faster and faster sending out dozens of the same fire bolts.
Whole patches of the marsh caught fire as do each of the warlocks. They let out unearthly screams and vanish in a ball of flame. In just under a minute Prue had destroyed them all. Only the smell of scorched marsh grass remained.
Desire stood up. "Remind me not to get mad at you!"
"I always seem to surprise myself when I get really angry. Not a bad thing when you're in a spot like that. You all right, Desire?" asked Prue.
"I don't think I'll be bothered again. And the other pieces are useless without that one which is gone for good. Thanks Prue," she said hugging her.
"My pleasure," she said helping her back to the car.
"Care for a good meal?" Desiree said smiling.
"Absolutely," replied Prue starting the car and heading towards Desire's home.
"That's great. Oh, yes. Now smile. Think of something nice. Turn to the left. Look up. To the right. Great. Tank you. Now Ms. Woo. Over by the Dogwood tree. Very nice. Fit her shawl. Fine. Now look over my left shoulder. Good. Right shoulder. Great. A serious expression. No not dowdy. Fine. Smile again. Look at the bridge. Beautiful. That's fine. Now one step this way. Ok. Look down. Wave to your right. Now look at something far away. Look at my feet. Great. Thank you." Prue put her camera down as she grabbed her water bottle.
"Ms. Halliwell. This color is just not right. The stands will clash with the bathing suits and that tie the carnival barker is wearing will disappear in the sunlight," said a harried set designer.
"No problem. Move up the shorts sets over to the carnival display and we'll shoot the swimwear in front of the bridge. And the barker can go tie-less. No, find him a scarf," explained Prue.
"Genius, just pure genius" the designer said, running off.
"Yea, right. Just common sense, " Prue said to herself. "Now where did the Brazilian twins get? Paul, Paul,"
"Yes, Prue," said her assistant.
"Where's the Brazilian, couple. I need them next,"
"Uh, I think they're still in make up. I'll move them up, boss." He said, scampering off.
"Prue, not boss." Oh well, at least he's good. thought Prue as she went to her camera gear.
"Some set up you have here!" said a familiar voice behind her. Prue swung around and saw Darryl standing there with a big grin. "Hello, Prue."
Prue's face lit up and she hugged him hard. "Oh Darryl. It's good to see an old friend."
"You haven't been in circulation much among them lately," said Darryl looking over the thin Prue. "I know. I'm sorry. Just been working too much lately. "
"Trying to work or just forget?" asked Daryl.
Prue shot him a quick startled glance. "No, just building a new life. Or more continuing the one I started out with before Phoebe came back from New York. That seems safely in the past. I hope."
Well, then you're not going to want to hear about this. I need a little help of your kind. Prue," said Darryl shaking his head.
Prue took a moment. "What he hell, but not here. Compared to my sudden disappearances from Buckland's, here I'm considered pretty normal. Tonight after ten. Meet me at the Manor. I'm not going to finish here much before then. OK. Darryl?" smiled Prue a little nervously.
"Fine. I'll be there. And take care of yourself, Prue. I really worry about you," he said calling back to her.
"Sure. See you then. Bye. PAUL, where are those twins?" Prue called out turning away from Darryl.
Darryl shook his head and then walked back to his car.
*
Later that night Prue sat down a kitchen table with Darryl. He was dressed down after having gone home and eaten. Everything looked pretty good around the Manor. Little had changed though the Manor had a little more of Prue's touch now.
"..and after only talking to a few people, in walks Piper's first assistant, Amanda Landers. She was looking for a job and I brought her back that weekend. Now the place is really hopping and I gave her a 25% stake in P3. She really took off after that," said Prue excitedly. She hadn't had company or even a date in three months.
"Planning on expanding? Piper was looking into a restaurant addition" Darryl reminded Prue.
"I don't know. Not unless the right person comes along. I don't really have the time to break in someone new. And I hate to pull Amanda from the great job she's doing. If we do anything, it might be open another club. Someday," said Prue sipping her coffee again.
"And how's that photo bit?" asked Darryl.
"Fine. The mag is keeping me busy, but I'm taking on some spec jobs too. I may have to get an office in town. The little room is the basement is just too small and I'm not turning this place into a photo studio. This is my home," said Prue raising her voice a bit.
"Good touch. I know about you busy-ness. I've tried getting you on the answering machine and hadn't heard from you," complained Darryl
"Damn, have I not checked that again? I'll give you my beeper number. Without many contacts with friends, that old thing has been gathering dust" smiled Prue.
"So how are you really holding up, Prue? You look like hell if you don't mind me saying so," said Darryl.
"Trying to sweet talk me? No, being busy keeps my mind off of it. I'm not going to fold up and die because of it. Though I haven't had any witchy problems in weeks. I'm even doing my own fetching now. I haven't levitated anything in a long time. You know it gives you a great a sense of accomplishment doing everything the mortal way. I did it for 27 years. Not that I don't miss and still love my sisters, I'm just not going to turn this house into a mausoleum and my life into one long memorial service. Now what brings you back to the magical halls of Halliwell Manor?" asked Prue interested in a new challenge.
"A mystery," said Darryl flatly.
Prue smiled. "That was always our specialty. Can you elaborate?"
"For about three weeks we've had some break-ins accompanied by murders. There's been no apparent robbery and all the women were living alone. Nothing too unusual though they did seem to own a wide collection of candles," explained Darryl. He spoke in a monotone as if he had rehearsed the facts or gone over them in his head again and again.
"And what made you thing of us? The women could have been aroma or incense practitioners or survivalists. Just because they're living alone doesn't make them witches, um.. though they seem to fit that category. There must be something they had in common," Prue said quietly.
"Yes, Prue. We always found one of these at the scene of the crime." Darryl reached in his pocket and pull out a token with a six sided figure made of trapezoids not unlike the figure on their own book. It appeared to be made of gold and the symbol had been engraved on it a very long time ago.
"It's lovely. Some kind of token or calling card I would suspect. Or maybe some kind of magical significance. Off hand it doesn't remind me of anything. Let's check this thing out. Come on," said Prue patting his hand
"You want me to come up there?" asked Darryl a little nervously. He had never been in their coven place.
Prue wrinkled her nose. "Come on, I won't bite and I won't turn you into a toad. Besides I really would like the company since I haven't done this since before the funeral. OK?" asked Prue, smiling peacefully.
"All right. Let's go do some magic," exclaimed Darryl who couldn't believe what he was saying.
Prue shook her head. "Not really. Just research. I'll check out my black hat later."
Up in the attic Prue opened the door for the first time in months. The attic smelled mustier than usual.
Snapping on the light Darryl looked disappointed. "Where's your altar and cauldron?" he asked.
"I'm pretty modern here. We still need the herbs and hocus-pocus words, but I don't think Grams ever owned an ugly big black pot"' said Prue as she went over to the trunk. She opened up the lid and thought she saw the book glowing a bit.
"Lonely in there? Get used to it. This is an emergency!"
"Your book talks to you?" asked Darryl getting more confused by the minute.
Prue smiled to herself. Amateurs. "No, Darryl. Just scaring away a few of my own demons. You see I'm really a reformed witch, but as a favor to an old friend let's see what the book says." Prue propped the book up on the ancient bookstand. "Tokens, tokens, tokens," she hummed to herself. "Hmmm. I'm a little rusty at this. Phoebe was the expert. Huumm. Here you are. The Medallion of Lyonheart. It's really a transport device that materializes before the warlock appears and then remains after he leaves. It belongs to the Delton Ghouls. How appropriate. They are a coven of warlocks that use the powers of good to their own advantage. Interesting. Umm. It says that they present themselves as good witches and then scheme to get what they want. That's it?" said Prue closing the Book of Shadows. She furled her brow in heavy thought.
"What's wrong Prue? Doesn't that help?" asked Darryl wondering what was bothering his friend.
"No, that's only half the answer. It gives us a name and a modus operandi but not what they are really after. What they want must be extremely important if they risk killing for it. How many murders have their been?" asked Prue looking for other clues.
"Six, but there may have been those we never heard about if the murderers covered their tracks," said Darryl drumming his fingers on the bookstand.
"Maybe, but probably not. I never knew of demons or warlocks that were particularly neat with their crimes. Give me a list of their names. There's another source I've used before and I'll do some checking tomorrow, Darryl. There has got to be more to this puzzle," said Prue.
"I just happen to have it here. Let me know the first thing, Prue. And you be careful out there, you hear?" said Darryl. "I'm worried about you out there alone."
"No problem. Alone is now my specialty!" said Prue taking his hand and smiling.
*
Faking a sick day, Prue was up early heading to the west side of town. Her blood was racing as it hadn't since her last demonic encounter. As much as she had sworn off the whole witchcraft world, she still remembered the rush that she and her sisters got going after supernatural thingies and impossible odds. Those rushes of adrenalin had gotten quite addictive.
Reaching an obscure Wicca shop along a formerly trendy street Prue walked in as an off-key bell announced her arrival. A middle-aged woman who held her looks and figure well with blonde hair and blue eyes lit up when she saw her.
"Prue! Blessed be. What a pleasure. It's been much too long," she called out with sincere appreciation.
"Sabrina. It is so good to see you. How is everything with you?" said Prue smiling broadly and offering her her hand. Of all the true practicing good witches they had met, she was they only one who hadn't crossed their paths due to demons or trouble. Sabrina ran the Wicca Envy Shop and had often offered keen insight and advice to them in their novice witch days
"Nothing ever changes here. Business is good especially with the millennium grabbing everyone's attention. I'm so sorry about your sisters. They were such kind and caring souls. And as witches. Lord o'mercy. They lived up to every expectation of the fabled Charmed Ones," Sabrina said sorrowfully. Seldom had her shop had such distinguished customers as them.
"Thank you Sabrina. It was a rough time, but I have some other strange business here today," said Prue solemnly.
"Relate your tale, my dear," said Sabrina. "I'm searching for a link between these six witches who were recently killed by the Detnal Ghouls. Can you help me out? Our book could not pin down the exact reason for the murders," explained Prue handing her the list.
"Let me see, dearie. Hmm. A couple of the names sound familiar. Let me check my grandmother's notes. This shop has been in my family since the first war," she said proudly.
Sabrina went through some lace curtains into he back. "I've got it," she called out.
Bringing out what looked like an old diary she placed the volume before Prue. "We Farrell's have kept a good handle on the witch community here for a number of years. It's good business. Now Margaret Winslow was the great grandmother of this Miss Franker. And this Miss Russell was the great granddaughter of Roberta Roseman. Constance Berger was he great grandmother of this Miss Wilson. And the same goes for Mrs. Wendell Summerset and Miss Eva Silverstein. And Miss Josephine Gale and Mrs. Laura Nicholson. They were all members of the same coven here in San Francisco in late nineteenth century. Each of these good witches held a piece of the Giza Obelisk. My grandmother is very clear about that. And our genealogical tables trace them to these six witches, Prue," she said tapping her book to make a point.
Prue looked intrigued. "And what is that? It sounds interesting." Prue never lost her antique gene.
"Oh, it's nothing you want them to get a hold of. A hundred plus years ago a ship came to San Francisco. One of the sailors had an Egyptian artifact stolen from the tomb of some Pharaoh. It was held in the temple of the God Ra and protected there from all forms of evil. This human did not know what he had," Sabrina said mysteriously.
"And it was???" asked Prue anxiously. "A key to a doorway. A doorway that could unleash all the evil from the bowels of Hell onto this world. Some demon tried to steal it, but the human outfoxed him. He hid it on his passage to San Francisco with the intent of selling it. He sold it to a coven of witches who broke it up into seven pieces and passed down though the witches' families. If what you say is true they have six of the seven pieces," warned Sabrina.
"Why didn't they just destroy it? " asked Prue.
"They tried, but it was formed by powerful magic and their attempts only broke it into the seven pieces. So instead of risking it being found, they separated them and guarded it well for at these the last 120 years. Their descendents must have given their lives for it. May they all find peace," Sabrina said bowing her head.
"Hmm. I'm surprised that haven't tried getting the obelisk before this. OK, then who is the seventh witch?" asked Prue taking out a paper and pencil.
Sabrina replied "Desire Witcomb. She lives in New York City and I take it that she is alive because no harm has befallen the world. Yet. Do you think you're up to it, Prue?"
"I guess I have to be. SO if I can destroy this final piece.." continued Prue.
"The key will be useless to the coven of Ghouls. But be warned. Others may be helping them for all of evil will benefit from the success of their mission," Sabrina said mysteriously.
"Whoa. Nothing like jumping back in the pool full of ice water. Thank you Sabrina. You have been very helpful and it looks like I'm off onto a plane. Maybe Clay can give me a place to stay?" Prue mumble to herself.
"Farewell. My dear. Success and happiness," Sabrina said as Prue left with very determined look on her face.
***
The ground came rushing up to Prue as she looked through the plane window landing at Newark International Airport. From her vantage point she outraced the cars on the New Jersey Turnpike as the towers of lower Manhattan loomed in the background. First the back wheels hit the ground jostling the plane followed by the front wheel that gently rocked the passengers and the plane taxied to the terminal. Prue held on tight as she wished this day were over. All her fears of the last six months came rushing at her at once.The loss of her sisters, re-entering the magical world of demon fighting, going up against an unknown adversary without the aid of the three Charmed Ones, the apparent fate of the whole world in the balance and her own faith in her ability to deal with everything.
Her greatest fear was the loss of faith in herself. Up until this very moment she had kept so busy as to not to deal with her losses, but now she had to. And the very worst part for her was she was going forward completely out of control. Having no control over the situation was her worst fear.
"Miss, Miss," came a voice that startled Prue enough to make her jump. "Miss, you can disembark now. Welcome to New Jersey!"
"Oh, yes. Thank you. I was just lost in thought. Thank you." said Prue not actually smiling. She picked up her overnight bag and her camera bag.
"Big appointment? Business or pleasures?" asked the stewardess trying to calm Prue.
"Definitely business. Excuse me," Prue said running off the plane.
Entering the main terminal she saw the car rental signs pointing to the monorail. Climbing the steps she nervously waited for the monorail and took an empty car all by herself. Curling up in the corner clutching her travel bag; Prue felt a little extra comfort.
*
Turning onto the New Jersey Turnpike Prue drove her Ford Taurus toward the Staten Island exit. She found that Desire Witcomb lived on Staten Island with her husband and two children. It was strange being back on the East coast. She had made one brief visit to New York City when she was eighteen, a graduation gift from Grams. She so much wanted to go to school in the East, but Grams had talked her out of it. At the time Prue thought that she was just being overprotective, but now she realized that Grams wanted to keep the Charmed Ones together at all costs.
The witch Witcomb lived in a modest two-story bi-level on a typical 1960's subdivision street. Children played all around as Prue parked on the street and went up to the door.
"Here goes nothing," sighed Prue as she rang the doorbell. A little six- year old girl answered the door.
"Hi! My, you're pretty. Can I speak with your mommy?" Prue asked very cheerfully. The girl looked a little like Piper had at that age.
"OK," she said quietly and ran off. Two minutes later a 35-year-old women in slacks and a sweatshirt came to the door. "Yes, can I help you?" she asked smiling.
"This may sound strange, but may I come in talk to you. I'm think you're in danger and I am here you help you," said Prue. "Can I come.."
The woman's face became a mask of fright and she slammed the door in Prue's face. Prue knocked again pleading with her to open the door. She could hear scurrying around while children's names were being called. "Please open up. This is very important!" After another minute the garage door opened and the family van came racing out of the garage. Though at first startled Prue thought that she had to do something drastic. Concentrating on the car both of the tires on her side of the car, they blew out simultaneously. The car quickly dragged to a stop.
The woman's scared eyes went ballistic as Prue approached the car. All of the car doors locked and the woman appeared to be praying or chanting. Suspicious Prue looked around as several garden tools came flying out of the garage toward her She held up her hand to deflect them, but they immediately burst into flame.
"What in the hell was that?" she said out loud.
The woman began to chant again as Prue concentrated and made the door fly open. The woman backed away from her protecting her children. "Mrs. Witcomb. I came a very long way to help you. You could at least hear me out!" said Prue quietly and patiently.
"That's what I expect you warlocks to say. Then you want to destroy my family and me. Go away. Umm la fa ma, no stogata.." she began to chant.
"Look I am one of the good guys. I know the modus operandi of the Ghouls of Detnal. I know what they've been trying to collect. I'm here to stop them. There's more at stake here than just your lives. The whole world depends upon it," warned Prue patiently.
As a garden hose raced up to strangle Prue, she concentrated on it and it melted to nothing. "I have got to check on my powers," she thought. Not using them did not allow her to keep up with their development. :"My name is Prue Halliwell and I'm a good witch form San Francisco," explained Prue reaching out her hand.
"Ha, I caught you in a lie. The Charmed Ones are all dead. My mother wrote me about that!" said Desire still protecting her kids that were near frantic by now.
"You've been misinformed. Actually my..um two sisters were killed. I'm solving this mystery on my own. If we could go inside, maybe we can help each other out. Please?' asked Prue smiling. It was difficult dealing with a nervous anxious mother.
"If you aren't one of them how did you find me?" she hissed.
"I contacted Sabrina Gatherers, a Wiccan apothecary we've dealt with over the years. She knew where to find you,"
"You know Aunt Sabrina?" Desire said letting part of he guard down.
Bingo, thought Prue. She coaxed Mrs. Witcomb from the car though she did send her kids to a neighbor's house. There were things she didn't want her children to hear about. Though they knew about their heritage she hadn't described the true dangers that could come being from a line of witches.
"My mother gave me the artifact to guard just a couple of years ago. It had been passed down from mother to daughter. Um.. I had heard of the loss of the other witches through by aunt and my mother. You can imagined how terrified I was knowing that I was the sole surviving holder of the secret," said Desire quietly.
"Did you know what would happen if all the pieces were reassembled?" asked Prue.
"Yes, I do know of the legend. I never took much stock in it until recently after the murders. I just don't want anything to happen to my children. They're my most precious things," admitted Desire.
"Well. We'll make sure that nothing does happen," smiled Prue.
"Can I see the remnant of the obelisk?" asked Prue.
"No. I'm not still fully convinced that you are the real Charmed One. If I should that would be violating a family oath that goes back four generations. It would mean Armageddon. Or worse. And with my kids. I'm their sole protector and with all those evil things out there I feel like I'm the only one who can do it successfully. I just don't want to fail at that. Can you understand that, Prue?" asked Desire.
"Boy, do I ever," smiled Prue. "Not only did I feel the same way about my sisters, but you know when they died I really felt like I let them down. We always said we'd be there for each other, but when that last battle came I FAILED THEM. OH GOD!" cried Prue in Desire's arms. "They needed me and I just messed the whole thing up. I'm here alive and their lying in some cold grave. Alone. All gone!" she balled. "
That's not entirely correct," said a familiar voice. Prue stopped to listen.
"Get off your sorry butt there, sister," said another. Now Prue sat up tears streaming down her face, but now fully paying attention.
"Piper!" she called out.
"Present!" Piper said cutely.
"Hi, Prue," said Phoebe waving to Prue. Both of their imagines glowed there in Desire's living room.
"Good heavens, ghosts!" Desire exclaimed looking shocked.
"Not an uncommon occasion in my life. Piper, Phoebe. What brought you back?" asked Prue now fixing herself up.
"Oh, just trying to help you out. You looked like you could use a pep talk. Kind of backwards the way things used to be," said Phoebe.
"We never been far, but you didn't need much help with your job. Then you seemed to get back in the saddle, but it looked like you fell off the horse there," said Piper looking cute.
"So you three are the Charmed Ones?' asked Desire quietly.
"'Were' is the operative word," said Phoebe. "We lost the last big one."
"And Prue that was not your fault. Stop taking the world on your shoulders. That was one of your most lovable faults. You still have a life to live. Ours is over," lamented Piper.
"I just can't help feeling that I failed you somehow," said Prue walking over to her sister's apparitions.
"Prue, we were ambushed. Someone had us rescuing that Indian witch and they overwhelmed us. If anyone should have seen it, it should have been the little sister with the hint of the future. We lost, Prue. Don't grieve over us. Dead is not so bad once you get used to it," Phoebe reassured Prue.
"And we'll always be near you. Pheebs and I kind of took over for Mom and Grams. SO if you see the pages of the Book of Shadows flipping, think of us," said Piper.
"I put it away. I don't plan on using it again," said Prue. "My days of being a witch are over."
"We have a little problem with that, Prue. That's one book you can't return to the library. If you aren't careful we'll be seeing you sooner than you think," said Phoebe.
"Yep. You can't run away from your destiny. That's one thing we can see from here. We'll help you when we can, but we're ghosts not fortunetellers. And be careful of these Ghouls. They are very tricky. Very tricky. And there are a lot of them. So watch your back, big sister. Gotta go," said Piper waving.
"Yea, we stayed as long as we can. Good luck, Prue. I still love you," said Phoebe as they both vanished.
"Guys, wait! Oh bosh. I LOVE YOU TWO, TOO! I can't believe it. I have ghosts for sisters. Incredible," said Prue sitting down hard on the couch.
"And loving ones too," said Desire.
"Yea. Well, now do you believe me?" asked Prue looking totally raw by now.
"Yes, Miss Halliwell. We can go get the artifact. I feel much safer now," replied Desire
"And call me Prue. Please," requested the surviving Halliwell.
*
In the local bank vault Prue and Desire pulled out a safety deposit box that had not been used for some time. Inside Prue found a small box tied shut decades ago.
"Oh, I love mysteries. May I?" asked Prue excited.
"Go ahead," said Desire not interested in the curse on her family.
Grinning from ear to ear, Prue cut the ancient brown string and lifted the box top. Inside was a small velvet pouch discolored from age. Opening the pouch she found a broken piece of a stone figure.
"Definitely old though broken recently. Chiseled letters, maybe Egyptian hieroglyphics. I can't make out the figures, but it has something to do with magic. Fascinating. If his wasn't so deadly. It might be worth something," said Prue.
"One little rock that can cause all of this trouble? Let's go take care of it, Prue. The sooner the better," said Desire.
"Agreed."
Prue and Desire walked from the vault and handed the safety deposit box back to the back employee. "Thank you," said Desire.
"You're welcome," the woman said as she turned into a white-faced warlock with horns.
"Oh, God! This is not good," said Prue as she sent the demon flying backwards.
As they ran from the bank Desire mumbled an incantation and the whole bank froze.
"Neat trick," said Prue as she ran through the parking lot and into the car.
Putting the car in gear, she saw two more warlocks appear behind them. Prue backed the car into them knocking them down and she headed down the main street.
"We have to get out in the open," said Desire "or it might get messy."
"Agreed" said Prue as he gunned her car staring out the rear view mirror.
"Head for the Goethals Bridge. We'll be safe in Jersey!" suggested Desire.
They drove across the bridge onto the New Jersey Turnpike heading north. Coming to Interstate 80 they headed west.
"How far do we have to drive to get out of this urban sprawl?" asked Prue. There were still plenty of nearby hills one could get lost in around the San Francisco area.
"Almost to Pennsylvania I dare say. Unless you want to drive clear up into New York State," explained Desire.
"Let's stick to the highway. I just hope those demons aren't following us in cars," worried Prue. Twin lights of a state police car ran up behind them.
"LIKE That ONE!" As Prue served to the right hand lane. The police car sped past them with its siren wailing.
"That was close!" said Desire
. Prue shook her head. "Maybe too close. They could have something waiting for us up ahead. I think they know our every move and can wait till we're most vulnerable. We best keep up our guard."
"Agreed," said Desire.
"So tell me, what's the basis of your magic? I've only seen you chanting something. Do you have any special powers?" asked Prue.
"No. My ancestors were Celts. And we handed the secrets of ancient Celtic magic through scores of generations. I cast spells, as I need them. Nothing too elaborate, but if you need something frozen or levitated or the like, I can do it," said Desire still anxiously looking out the back window.
"Any good at foretelling the future?" wondered Prue.
"No. Second sight is not among my talents," said Desiree sadly.
"Hadn't you ever tried to destroy the stone before this? " asked Prue.
"Like I said earlier, I really didn't believe in all that legend. None of the pieces have been touched the whole of the twentieth century. The demons had never tried to go after it. Now I'm afraid we witches have waited too long," lamented Desire.
"Then it's up to us. I know we can do it. It's not the first time we went up against the powers of Armageddon," said Prue defiantly as she sped down the highway through northern New Jersey.
*
Driving stiffly, ready for almost anything, nothing was in front of Prue until a string of white-aced warlocks appeared across the road. Prue gasped and swerved onto an exit ramp.
"You should have run them down!" said Desire. "They probably wanted us to go this way. "
"I know. But at least we're heading away from them," replied Prue.
But Prue's certainty was short lived. The demons purposely drove them off the next exit, through the small town of Sparta and down a two- lane road.
"Do you have any idea where we are?" Prue asked Desire.
"No. At least there are plenty of people around here," Desire observed. But again her confidence was shattered. The houses disappeared and woods on one side and a swampy area on the other surrounded her. Prue slammed on the breaks as a line of demons formed of in front of her. After stopping, they were surrounded. Prue grabbed Desire's hand and they headed for the swampy marshy areas. Throwing her hand toward the two demons in front of them they fell back, but the other demons only seemed to smile.
"Quick, over here," shouted Desire pointing to the far woods.
"No, it will be faster heading down the creek," cried Prue running as fast as she could through the heavy grasses. Just as they got out of sight of the car, a warlock appeared in front of them. Turning around another one appeared behind them. Then two more and two more and finally a total of eight.
"Give us what we want, witch!" cried a very demonic baritone voice reaching out toward Prue.
"Only on a cold day in hell," shouted Prue.
"We'll never let you have it. Not like the others," cried Desiree.
"They were of no consequence just as you are not," he creaked and threw a lightning bolt at Prue who deflected it.
"It's either the world or us Desire," whispered Prue.
Desire replied weeping, "I know that now, we'll just have to..."
"Quick, give me the piece of the Obelisk, I think I can do what your great- grandmothers, coven couldn't," said Prue.
"Witch give it up or DIE!" shouted the same demonic figure.
Desiree pulled the fragment of Obelisk from her coat and dumped it on the ground. Two more fireballs were hurled at the two witches which Prue took care of.
"I haven't had much practice lately, but I think I can give this thing a greater jolt than I used to," explained Prue. She concentrated intensely and the stone glowed for a moment. It became redder and redder and then exploded.
"No!" shouted the warlock. "This is not happening. You infidels. We can take out you. You're no match for us just like your sisters weren't."
Prue's face flushed purple. "It was you?" she shouted with all the hatred at her command. "Down," she said to Desire.
"What's that?" she asked.
"GET DOWN!" yelled Prue.
All the warlocks started throwing fireballs at Prue. Eight different warlocks from eight different directions. Left and right she deflected them using her hands and her eyes. They flew back toward the warlocks, two of whom burst into flames themselves. Then Prue stopped for a moment, her chest heaving in anger, breathing heavily. Her hands started to glow and she spun a round faster and faster sending out dozens of the same fire bolts.
Whole patches of the marsh caught fire as do each of the warlocks. They let out unearthly screams and vanish in a ball of flame. In just under a minute Prue had destroyed them all. Only the smell of scorched marsh grass remained.
Desire stood up. "Remind me not to get mad at you!"
"I always seem to surprise myself when I get really angry. Not a bad thing when you're in a spot like that. You all right, Desire?" asked Prue.
"I don't think I'll be bothered again. And the other pieces are useless without that one which is gone for good. Thanks Prue," she said hugging her.
"My pleasure," she said helping her back to the car.
"Care for a good meal?" Desiree said smiling.
"Absolutely," replied Prue starting the car and heading towards Desire's home.