"So this something is what will potentially turn the Great War in either side's favor," Lila concluded. "But what does that have to do with Melinda or the others?"

Sandra looked to Melinda, who remained plastered on the wall in the far corner of the room. "As the offspring of the Charmed Ones – the world's most powerful witches – they all possess great potential. Even though the Twice-Blessed prophecy has long been erased," she looked to Melinda's mom and aunts, "your children's makings of angels and witches still make them unique."

Melinda's mom blinked. "Unique? What do you mean by that?"

"Angels are pure benevolent beings. Goodness fuels their power and protects them from evil influences as long as they don't allow negative thoughts to affect their morality. Your daughters are part angel, which makes them not only powerful as witches, but share the same abilities. But since witches are mortals, and your daughters are part mortal, their resistance is not as strong as a full Whitelighter's."

Aunt Phoebe crossed her arms around her chest. "Are you saying our children have stronger resistances to corruptive entities? Like, if one of those demonic vapors were to possess them, they could actually fight back?"

Sandra nodded. "At the very least they will have a chance at resisting the possession."

Melinda opened her mouth, but the intense thoughts rummaging through her brain drowned out the words before she could say them. So my part angelic heritage makes me special? She had talked with friends about the mythologies on angels (of course, she never revealed she was one), but this totally went off the roof of expectation. So this is why we were chosen. Because we have the power to do this. She only allowed herself to revel in the idea for a second.

"So what you're saying is we, my cousins and I, have to go over to that world, find this something before evil does and protect it," she concluded. Simple enough.

"It's not that simple," her mom interrupted. "If it's hidden, it won't be easy to find. We don't even know what it is."

Melinda glared at her.

She had just about had enough of her mom's pessimistic attitude. What the hell's wrong with you? You just keep making it difficult. Obviously there wasn't much of a choice, but she was too stubborn to see it.

"Don't look at me like that, young lady." She pointed with a finger with a stern look that demanded respect.

But Melinda wasn't about to give in. "Maybe you're right. Maybe it won't be easy to find it, whatever it is. But if no one goes looking for it, it will never be found–" Her tone grew louder as she spoke, but she couldn't stop. "–and if that happens, evil will eventually get their hands on it. From what I'm seeing, they're gaining the upper hand as we speak. It's obvious that I had those visions for a reason. And now we know why. It's because PJ, Kat and I might be the chance to help win this war."

"So you're just going to decide for us, is that it?" a new voice joined the conversation. And it wasn't a pleasant tone.

Everyone turned to the doorway. Kat and PJ, along with Tamora, Wyatt and Chris, stood right outside. Her brothers and cousins had looks of concern on their faces, like they were frightened by what they'd just heard. Kat, on the other hand, looked angry.

"We haven't even had time to discuss it and you're already making that decision?" Kat said loudly, taking one step inside the door.

Aunt Paige went to her daughter and wrapped her arm around her comfortably. "Honey, we haven't decided on anything yet. This is just a discussion."

Kat shook off her mom's hand. "I know what it is, Mom. But from what I heard, Melinda doesn't seem to consider that she might be the only one who wants to go on the mission. Did you even think about asking PJ and me about it? We haven't even considered anything yet. But clearly, you already want to go, so you just automatically assumed we would want the same thing. Well, perhaps it's time to speak up. Honestly, I haven't even had time to think about it. And right now, the idea is less than appealing in my head. Maybe you want to go on this insane mission, but I don't think I want to." She turned and left without another world. Aunt Paige and Tamora immediately gave chase, while the rest of them followed with their eyes.

Melinda was struck to the core. It was true; she was the only one who spoke about this whole interdimensional travel business. She was the one who received the premonition about this mysterious parallel world, the one who came up with the idea about traversing there on a mission that was potentially dangerous. She hadn't taken the consideration that though her cousins were part of the vision, they may not actually want to do this as much as she did. And now that Kat's harsh words reached her head, she realized they actually didn't want to go at all. It was all her idea.

"I'm sorry." Everyone turned back to her. "She's right. I shouldn't have been so selfish to involve the two of you without consulting you guys first. It was foolish to assume you would want to go on this mission just because I feel the need to." The words were like sharp knives to her throat, "I guess there's no point in continuing this conversation anymore."

With one last glance at her family, she orbed out of the room without another word.

Kat kept running down the hall despite her sister and mother's protests. Swirls of blue lights cut off her path as they materialized in front of her. She was tempted to orb out of the hall, but figured they could follow with ease. Being half Whitelighters, they all possessed the same teleportation power and the innate ability to sense anyone they wanted to find. Unless they were in the Underworld or magically cloaked.

"Sweetheart, please stop running," her mom said.

Being a naturally obedient person, she heeded her plea to stop running. Tam looked at her with concern. Being twins, they sometimes felt each other's feelings. Right now, Kat was overcome by anguish, and she could guess that Tam felt it from her.

As if to prove her point, Tam said, "Why are you anguished?"

Kat sighed.

Her mom went to stand beside her and placed a soothing hand on her shoulders. "C'mon, sweetie. Talk to us. What's wrong? I know you don't like the idea, but for you to lash out at Melinda like that, it didn't seem to be the kinda thing you'd do."

Inhaling deeply, Kat managed to calm her nerves. Tamora pointed to a bench pressed against a wall. They settled down, and waited patiently for Kat to open up.

Since when am I an open book? She figured there would be no point to ask that question. Her mom always said that her feelings were so obvious that it looked like she was wearing them on her face.

"Come on, little sister, talk to us," Tam encouraged. "Is there something more to it?"

After a long moment, Kat finally spoke her mind, "I don't know. These past few days had been so pressing. First Henry goes to police academy, then we get attacked by demonic alien parasites. I haven't even had time to study for my midterm yet, and suddenly it seemed like Melinda was deciding everything for us like our opinions didn't matter. I mean, I know she thinks it's necessary, but she pulled me and PJ in without even discussing it with us. I suddenly felt like an underdog."

"Don't say that. No one is forcing you.

Tam rubbed a thumb on her hand. Their mutual love for her washed over her in an instant. Tears fell down her cheeks and it was all she could do to breathe steadily to keep from sobbing.

"Honey, do you not want to go because you think the whole idea is crazy or is it because you're scared of leaving us?" Her mom's question was unexpected.

Could that be it? Am I scared? She hadn't even considered it. Everything was still happening so fast.

She decided to give the acceptable answer, "Maybe."

Tam snorted. "Or maybe you just enjoy living in my shadow as the twin who picks up my lunches."

Kat mock punched her arm. "I haven't done that since high school, and you were afraid of getting in touch with the mean lunch lady at the time."

Tam laughed, and punched back. "Says the girl who almost turned the whole cafeteria into a circus because she didn't read a spell properly. I think Chuck Allen is still recovering from those furballs that somehow wound up in his throat."

Kat laughed despite her brooding mood. Soon, they were all laughing together. After a moment, she became serious again. "I guess I'm afraid because we're talking about facing the unknown. I've never gone anywhere without you guys before, and now we're talking about going to a place where you don't exist. And we don't know anything about it.

"Melinda had a point about one thing though. This is a hard situation. It may be our only option."

Her mom and sister's embrace washed over her with relief, and their smiles gave much-needed comfort that chased away her anguish. But deep down in her heart, she knew it would a time when she needed to be without it. Those demons were agents of a war. And if they wanted to win, strategy was necessary. Since they had no way of knowing how to fight something powerful enough to breach through a wall, the trip was probably inevitable.

PJ leaned against a window in the far corner as the meeting continued. An emergency call had come almost right after Melinda and the others took off. While Chris and Wyatt dispatched with some other agents to deal with the call, Parker and Peyton went home with their father while she decided to stay for the rest of the meeting. If things were as bad as everyone said it was, then she would like to be prepared, whether for battle or going along with Melinda's idea. Her mom stole a glance at her.

Damn it. She realized in that moment how annoying it was to have someone with empathy power read your emotions. Talk about invasion of privacy. Her mom developed that power five years after becoming a witch, and four years later learned how to reflect someone's emotions back at them. It was both a dangerous and helpful gift once she learned to harness it properly. As half Cupids, her father said that she and her sisters may develop similar powers someday. For once, she was glad she didn't have it. If being read was annoying enough, imagine how she'd feel if she were the one reading someone else.

Lila's question drew away her mom's attention. "So this Custos Ephrem told you that this spell was enough to seal us off from the invasions?"

She nodded and explained further, "He said that if we combine the Power of Three with the angelic powers of the Elders, the spell would be powerful enough to form an unbreakable force field that will cover the entire world. Nothing will be able to get in or out," She sighed and looked down on the table. "But given what Melinda told us, it's only a temporary solution."

"Right now, it's the only solid solution we got," said Aunt Piper with a heavy tone. "It seems Melinda's idea might really be our best shot at getting out of this."

Mel would love to hear that from Aunt Piper, PJ mused herself, though only momentarily.

The fact that they had such few options was troubling. Other than what the Elder told them, they knew practically nothing: if they decided to venture off to this unfamiliar realm, they would have no idea what waited on the other side.

Heck, they don't even have a clue what they were looking for.

PJ met her mom's eyes again and mentally told herself to breathe evenly to calm herself. The last thing they needed was someone having a panic attack in the middle of a strategy meeting.

She waited a moment before turning back to the others. "So I'm guessing this means the council will have to send out agents to find this awakening power."

Lila considered the suggestion. "It's safe to assume this will be the best strategy. Although–" She cut her focus to Aunt Piper, "since Melinda is the one who got the premonition, I'm not sure it's best to not include her on this quest."

Aunt Piper covered her face and sighed deeply. It would seem she was beginning to lose the debate.

PJ held her breath while keeping herself from going there.

The moment weighed heavily. Aunt Piper finally dropped her hands in defeat, "I'll tell her afterward."

It was official then, PJ thought. Things really were as bad as they said it was.