"Baron."
"I know."
"They will be here soon. What do you wish me to do with the witch?"
"Leave her there. They will go to her, and we will be waiting."
"May I ask a favour Baron?"
"The answer is yes. Draylord. Once I have their powers she is yours." He said with no emotion. "Consider it my gift, for your continued loyalty."
"Thank you your excellence." He smiled evilly as he exited the throne room of the Baron of Darkness. As the door closed behind him his smile sneered. "I would have anyway Baron." He said as he left for another portion of the Barons lair.
Piper paced back and forth through the kitchen waiting for Prue to come back from the Wicca store. There were a few ingredients that they were missing in order for their spell to work. Grams had told them what to expect once they got down there, they both agreed that for Phoebe they would go through the Source himself if it meant getting her back.
Piper finally sat in the lounge chair in the solarium for she knew that if she kept pacing she would just make herself get further agitated. As she sat there she rested her head against the back and thought of the nightmare that she had also had that early morning. Right before Prue had woken her.
She remembered the screams coming from her sisters as Grams tried to get through the bedroom door. She recalled the fear in Prues voice when she screamed out Phoebes name. She remembered the loss she felt when Phoebe was gone. The fear of never getting her back. The scared look on Prues face when she tried to comfort her. She recalled how Phoebe looked when Grams finally brought her home. Phoebe was small for her age to begin with, but then, she looked so helpless with her clothes bagging around her, and her tears running down her dirty face. The fear in her eyes when Grams took her to her room. She wouldn't go in. She screamed so loud, Piper thought that the neighbours three blocks over could hear her, but somehow Prue and herself had convinced her that it was ok, she was safe.
"Don't worry Phoebe. Prue and I'll be right beside you. Nothing will ever hurt you again. I promise."
"Pwomise." Phoebe said with tears still running down her face.
Prue picked up Phoebe in her arms as Phoebe rested her head against her big sisters shoulder. "I promise my sweet girl. I'll never let anyone take you from me again." She told her sister as the three of them made their way slowly into Phoebes room.
Curling up together they eventually found themselves fast asleep.
Prue walked up the steps to the Manor carrying the last of the supplies that they would need to cast the spell that would take them to Phoebe and then return. As well as return those that were taken back home.
As she walked through to the back of the Manor she was curious to not find Piper waiting for her. Reaching the kitchen and finding no Piper she started to get worried. She turned to a soft cry coming from the solarium. Making her way quickly there she found Piper tossing in a fitful sleep, crying softly out for Phoebe.
Taking a deep breath Prue sat down beside her sister. Gently shaking her so not to startle her from the nightmare that Prue knew she must have been having. "Piper."
"No Phoebe. Its ok."
"Piper!" Prue said again trying to wake her sister
Opening her eyes slightly, Piper looked up at Prue through the tears that had started to well in her eyes. "Prue?" she said as she leaned into the open arms of her big sister. Relishing in the love that she found there.
"Piper it's ok. We'll get her back."
"She was so scared Prue."
Prue looked down at Piper somewhat confused.
"I saw her. I remembered what happened that night, and the night that Grams brought her back. She was so scared. You picked her up and promised that no one would ever take her away again. She looked into your eyes with such trust and love. We both promised her she would always be safe with us around. Oh god Prue we failed her."
Prue held her sister close to her as she tried her best to give her comfort "No Piper we didn't. We will get her back and we will vanquish this Nofastra. He won't hurt anymore children; the way he has hurt Phoebe."
As midnight drew nearer they prepared for what they had to do. Setting up the candles in a sacred circle they both sat in the middle holding hands. Placed between them was a picture of Phoebe.
Prue looked over at Piper and for a minute they locked eyes in understanding. Then they both closed their eyes and recited the spell that their Grams had written all those years before. Once again to save the youngest Warren witch.
"Through this moon we find a new.
A family affair, a bond we share.
Take us to the one we love.
And to those in the deepest despair."
The candles flared brighter as each word was spoken. Repeating it again the flames grew taller, brighter, but not hotter. Suddenly in a flash the two sisters found themselves in a dark tunnel, surrounded only by torches to light their way.
Prue quickly stepped forward and started down the dark passages of the prison. She could hear the sounds of children crying. As she approached one door she flung it open with her power to find a small girl inside. Curled up in the corner clutching her blanket. The image before her reminded her of Phoebe. The same brown curls and the same big brown eyes. The two strangers locked eyes as Prue approached her.
"Hi. What's your name?" Prue bent down to the little girl that curled up more in the corner. Prue could see that she was not really afraid of her and Piper.
"Alex." She said softly, as she pulled herself into the corner.
"Well, my names Prue and this is my sister Piper."
Alex turned to look past Prue and looked up at Piper. There was something about these two women that she found familiar. "Are you looking for Phoebe?"
Prue turned and looked up at Piper, before turning back to Alex. "Alex. How did you know we were looking for Phoebe?"
Alex stared up at her before reaching her small hand forward to her face. Touching it softly she ran her hand over Prues check. "You wook wike her." She said quietly
Prue took the girls small hand in hers and held it to her face.
"Alex do you know where Phoebe is?" Piper said from behind Prue.
"They took her away."
"Where?" Prue asked
"I'm not sure. He took her to another place, in the tunnels."
Prue stood up and shared a look with Piper behind her. "Piper take Alex and see how many of the children you can find."
"Prue where are you going?" Ppier asked her older sister not wanting to risk getting seperated
"I'm going to find our sister." Prue said as she stalked out to of the small cell.
"Prue." Piper called after her
Turning towards Piper Prue could almost see the fear in her eyes. "Piper we'll find her, I promise. Now go and help the other kids." Prue told her with love in her eyes. She didn't want the children to suffer because they came looking for Phoebe.
Sje looked down once again to the small child before her, "Alex, can you help Piper with the children?" Prue asked
Alex looked from Prue to Piper. then back to Prue again. "Yes."
"Ok sweetie. You go help Piper with the other children, " Prue looked at PIper, "and I'm going to look for Phoebe."
"I can help."
"No honey. I need you to help Piper." Prue said as she once again kneeled in front of the little girl.
Alex llooked at Prue with understanding beyond her years. She turned and took Piper by the hand and led her out of the cell.
Piper followed the small girl in front of her, as she led her down the dimly lit passage. Seeing where Alex was leading her Piper paused a minute when she noticed a door to her right slightly ajar. Taking a hesitant step towards the door, she then felt Alex pull her towards her. "Alex what?"
"You can't go in there." she spoke quietly
"Why not?"
"That belongs too him."
Piper looked at the small girl in front of her. "The Baron of Darkness?"
"Yes. That room is forbidden." She said in a hushed whisper, almost afraid if he heard her he would punish her.
Piper looked again at the door that was ajar. Taking her chances she once again stepped forward.
"Piper!" Alex called out softly.
"It's ok Alex. I have something special in mind for the Baron." She said winking at the small girl in front of her.
Piper stepped into the room and found it dark. She could feel the darkness in the air around her, but there was something else. Something was wrong. Scanning the room she soon found what she feared. Walking a bit further forward, she knelt down beside the ash. Running her fingers through it lightly she wondered what it was.
"The Baron."
Piper spun around at the sound of the small voice behind her.
"What?"
"The Baron. He had lots of bad people here."
"Alex are you saying that someone here killed him?" Piper asked the small child before her.
"I heard fighting from here."
"Alex. Where is Phoebe?"
"I don't know, but I saw her with him."
"Him? Who is him honey?" Piper almost pleaded.
"The Master."
"The Master?" Piper was now more confused. acording to Grams it was the Baron or Nofastra that was the leader.
"Yes. Master Garlock." She stated as she looked at Piper with new fear in her eyes.