Chapter 3:

"Its hopeless, you're never gonna get it open," Desiree told Julia for the tenth time, trying to sound braver and more sure of herself than she felt. Julia was twisting and turning the door handle, but the attic door wouldn't budge. Wyatt was directly behind her holding the flashlight and Desiree was standing several steps down, a safe distance from whatever might come through the door, if Julia ever opened it.

Wyatt leaned easily against the door and grinned smugly at Julia. "See Desiree," he called down without looking at her, "its just some dumb joke, there's nothing to worry about!"

But Desiree wasn't convinced, she stayed hovering halfway up the steps. "Come on Des," Wyatt called, now looking at her, "there's nothing to be afraid of!" Then Wyatt, knowing Desiree, began to bait her. He flapped his arms like wings and made clucking noises. "Stop!" she screamed, "I am not afraid!" Wyatt grinned impishly, high on the rush of being the first to figure out Julia's plot.

Desiree sighed, then marched up the stairs. "See," she said, "not afraid. Now lets go back downstairs," she turned to leave.

"No," came a firm voice behind her, "we are not leaving until I get this door open! Now will the two of you come and help me!"

"No way!" said Desiree, "I'm going back downstairs!"

Wyatt grinned evilly again, "you're afraid!" he teased.

Desiree scowled at him, furious, "am not!" she screamed.

"Rrrrrrrr!" Julia yelled, "you're acting like a bunch of five year olds! Now get over here and help me get this door open!"

"What's the matter Jules?" he asked in mock concern, "are we ruining your prank?"

Julia took a deep slow breath, obviously enraged beyond comprehension. "For the last time you idiotic whitelighter, I am not playing a joke!"

Wyatt and Desiree both stared at her. "What did you call me?" Wyatt said at last.

Julia looked at him, then at the floor. She ran her fingers through her hair, then looked up again. She seemed just as confused as they were. "I don't know..." she whispered slowly, "the word just seemed so...familiar. Like from a dream," she looked at him questioningly, "have you ever heard it?"

Wyatt looked at her, then bit his lip, "I don't know," he said softly, unsure. Julia was right, it did sound familiar, he just couldn't remember when he'd heard it.

"This is getting way too weird," Desiree's voice sounded shaky and scared. Julia reached out a hand to grasp her shoulder. As they connected both girls felt a tingle, like static electricity, but stronger. Desiree gasped...and the door swung open. Julia' heart began to pound. She suddenly wished it were all her joke, that this was just a trick. She glanced back at her cousin. Desiree had gone milk white, her bottom lip trembling. Julia knew that if she was scared, Desiree had to be on the brink of a heart attack. She glanced at Wyatt. The grin had vanished from his face, leaving a look of mild terror. So, she thought viciously, you finally get that I'm not just kidding around! They stood there for several moments, none of them moving, speaking or even daring to breath, just staring silently into the dimly lit attic.

It was Julia who moved first. Slowly, cautiously, she slid her feet across the wood floor. Wyatt went next, his eyes darting this way and that, looking to see who. . .or what, might come out of the shadows. Desiree brought up the rear, following Wyatt tentatively, whimpering softly. Julia walked across the dusty floor, taking in the musty smell of ancient things, long forgotten, yearning to be found. The room was dark and bleak, most of the light coming from the large window, and they could hardly see. In the dim light was visible scattered broken furniture, boxes of assorted junk, and tables and shelves of jars full of liquids, powders and other odd looking things. But by the window, silhouetted against the full, silver moon, was a pedestal similar to a music stand, but steadier and made of wood .It was facing them, and on it lay an ancient, leather bound book .On the cover, Julia's heart skipped a beat, was the triquetra! Both girls grasped instantly for their lockets, running their fingers over the familiar symbol. Julia now stood directly in front of the pedestal. She reached out a had to open the book, but at that moment Desiree cried out breathlessly, "no, don't touch it!"

Julia jerked her fingers back in surprise, then whirled to glare at Desiree. "Jesus Christ Des!" she whispered furiously, "are you trying to give me a heart attack!"

Desiree looked at the floor. She knew Julia was just nervous, they all were, but her tone still stung. Julia sighed, "sorry, it just..." she trailed off, unable to find the words.

Next to them Wyatt was having nothing short of a nervous breakdown. "See," he said in quavering voice, failing miserably to sound calmer than he felt, "its nothing. Its just an old book. Go ahead Julia pick it up, you'll see." Julia placed a shaky hand on the cover. Nothing happened. She flipped the book open to the first yellowed page. "The Book of Shadows," she read aloud.

"See," said Wyatt again, louder but no less frightened, "its just a silly old book. The door just happened to pop open . The board was just Julia's joke." He seemed more to be talking to himself then either of them.

Julia turned to another page in the book. This one was covered in writing. It seemed to be some kind of poem or, upon further inspection, Julia thought it sounded more like an oath or chant to some kind of ritual. She noticed that one of the word had been scratched out and replaced .Instead of saying 'sisters', it said 'witches'. Without meaning to or even having to think about it, she began to read aloud. "Hear now the words of the witches, the secrets we hid in the night. The oldest of gods are invoked here, the great work of magic is sought. In this night and in this hour, I call upon the ancient power. Bring your powers to we witches three. Give us the power. We want the power."

Instantly Julia felt her stomach lurch. Fire raced through her veins sending violent shivers up and down her spine. Her heart pounded, her head ached, her legs turned to water and she collapsed on the floor, weak with shock and unable to move. She felt herself slipping into unconsciousness, and the last thing she saw before she passed out was Desiree and Wyatt, both falling to the floor beside her, faces contorted with pain. She closed her eyes and fainted.

Author's Note: I am a young and insecure writer, please review, it realy helps me self confidence. Thank you Phantasie and Erica for your reviews. I will be sending thank you's to anyone who reviews. Also, you may have recognized the spell from the first episode of charmed, 'something wicca this way comes.' A special thanks to the talented writers who contributed to the pilot episode of charmed.