TWO
Paige came in the manor and let the door close behind her. Only it didn't close completely and stayed open just a crack. Piper and Leo were in the living room talking and Phoebe was just coming down the stairs.
"Good afternoon, all," said Paige, a very light note in her voice. "Isn't it a beautiful day today?"
"If you say so," said Piper sarcastically. "It's been threatening rain all day. What's got you in such a good mood today?"
"I got a raise," said Paige. "My boss said I was doing such a good job that I had earned it."
"Well, good for you," said Phoebe, going into the living room with Piper and Leo. "You have been working extra hard lately. It's good to see your boss appreciates all your hard work."
"That's what I told him," said Paige. "And he said I could have the rest of the day off to celebrate. I thought maybe we'd all go out to dinner since I can now afford it."
"That sounds like a good idea," said Piper. "It means I don't have to cook for a change."
"I thought you might appreciate it," said Paige. "So, where are we going to go?"
"Oh, that's a hard one," said Leo. "There are any number of good restaurants we could go to."
"There's a new one that just opened up on Tyler Avenue," suggested Phoebe. "I've heard some good things about it."
"Sounds good to me," said Paige. "I'll get cleaned up and changed and we can all go over together."
As she turned to head for the stairs she noticed Cole standing half inside the front door.
"You really should keep this closed," he said. "There's no telling who might try to sneak in."
"What do you want?" Paige asked. "I thought you knew you weren't welcome here?"
"Well, now, that's a good question," said Cole. "Ordinarily I wouldn't bother you. But I got a message telling me to come right over. I kind of figured one of you had sent it."
"We have no reason to talk to you," said Piper. "And we certainly didn't send you any messages."
"Cole, if this is your way of trying to get back with me," began Phoebe.
"Honestly," said Cole, holding up his hands, "I got a message at my office telling me I needed to come right over. If you guys didn't send it, then who did?"
"I'm sure I don't know," said Piper in disgust. "But since we didn't send it there's no reason for you to hang around. So I suggest you go back to your office and just forget about it. I know I will."
"Why would someone have Cole come here?" asked Leo.
"Perhaps I could answer that," said a man standing on the front porch. "I sent the message to him. My instructions were to see all of you and I thought it was best if you were all together when I did."
"And just who the hell are you?" Phoebe asked.
"Kremlack?" questioned Cole. "What are you doing here? And why are you using the front door? Why didn't you just shimmer in if you had business here?"
"You mean he's a demon?" Piper asked as the girls all moved into a defensive posture.
"Please, I'm not here to cause any trouble," said the demon. "And I'm using the front door because we are no longer allowed to shimmer into a house unannounced."
"Excuse me?" Phoebe asked. "What do you mean you aren't allowed?"
"Just as I said," said Kremlack. "New rules from the new Source."
"New Source?" questioned Leo. "I hadn't heard anything about a new Source. The last I heard there were still several demons vying for the position but none had made a move yet."
"Cole, you know anything about a new Source?" Phoebe asked.
"Not a clue," said Cole. "The last I heard there wasn't a single demon powerful enough to ascend to the throne."
"Please, if I could just do this," said Kremlack. "This is embarrassing enough as it is without all the questions."
"What's embarrassing?" Phoebe asked.
"Being used as a messenger," said Kremlack. "I was once on the personal staff of the Triad. Now they have me delivering messages. It's really embarrassing."
"What message?" Cole asked.
Kremlack pulled out a rolled up parchment and cleared his throat. Then he read the parchment.
"His Eminence, the First Grand Emperor of Demondom, requests the presence of the Charmed Ones, Leo Wyatt, and Cole Turner, nee Belthazor, to attend this, Thursday next, the coronation of his ascension to the throne of Demondom. Dress is formal and there will be a reception to follow to celebrate a new era for all demons. Choice of chicken, beef, or vegetarian available for the reception. R.S.V.P is required."
Kremlack then rolled up the parchment and handed it to Piper.
"I was instructed to wait for your answer," he said.
Everyone just stared at Kremlack in total surprise.