"When magic stopped some of us got trapped topside, my lord." Said a white faced, black eyed, bald demon.
"Let's hope for their sakes they could pass for human," Phobos said with a look at the obviously demonic face speaking to him.
"Will they know? Will they realize that they can return home?"
"I'm sure they will. I'm sure living with humans for twenty years was a strain. They may need to release some stress and anger."
"How?" asked a three horned demon.
Phobos touched the demon, who incinerated at the touch.
"Any questions?" asked Phobos. He was tired of these irksome demons. Demons had backbones where he was from. He knew, first hand, he'd pulled quite a few out. Easy, really, grab at the neck and yank. He'd whip them into proper demonic shape, or he'd start a new collection of backbones here.
(X)
P3 was starting to wind down. The crowd was lessening and the brothers Halliwell were relieved. The crowd was great for business, but what a long day! Chris was finally getting a moment to sit and he chose the barstool nearest Wyatt.
"Pace seems to know his stuff." Chris stated. "Almost seems like he's worked here forever. Doesn't seem to have any trouble finding anything and he knows all the drinks. I'd say he's hired. What do you think?"
"Yeah. It'll be good if he works here. We can keep an eye on him better." Wyatt proclaimed.
"You think our new Mr. Bennett has some secrets?"
"You don't?" Wyatt asked in amazement.
"Easy, Wyatt, actually, I do. But, something tells me he's one of the good guys. I'm more concerned with Justin."
"Justin? At least he showed up a few days ago and not, coincidentally, on the day magic reappears. Wonder if the portals to the Underworld are open. I'm betting they are."
"I still think it's a coincidence Pace showing today. Justin, however, showed up the very day Jake didn't. I think that's more of a bad coincidence and something to watch for."
Just then, the brothers notice Inspector Darryl Morris entering the club. Darryl had once been like family to the Charmed Ones and had several narrow escapes due to the magic in their world. Darryl was still a friend but he preferred not to know anything about magic. It made him uneasy. Once he avoided the 'freaky cases' he could have been promoted, several times over, but he liked his job. He was good at it. He walked over to the brothers now, his stride purposeful.
"Sorry, boys," Darryl indicated the last few dozen partiers with an apologetic shrug, "Can we talk?" Wyatt and Chris nodded and led him to the office where they could carry on a conversation without shouting over the live band.
"What's up, Darryl?" Wyatt asked after they entered the office. He sat on the edge of the desk and faced the inspector expectantly.
"How long has your bartender, Jake, been missing?" Darryl opened.
"He stopped showing up three days ago. I've been leaving messages. Why?" Chris asked, a dreadful coldness seeping into his gut.
"We found him."
"Great!" Wyatt said.
"Dead. In an alley. It looks like a mugging." Darryl continued.
"Not great." Chris said, "'Looks like a mugging'?" He raised a quizzical brow.
"Yeah, well I've been around your family long enough to know that deaths connected in any way, shape or form to its members isn't always what it 'looks like'. Luckily, it looks routine enough. I just stopped to let you both know. I'm glad this isn't like the old days when I'd just KNOW it was a demon attack just because the victim knew the family." Seeing the looks on the brothers' faces, Darryl leveled his best 'cop stare' at the two and asked, "Is there something you two need to share?" He dreaded the answer.
"Well, Darryl," Chris started, "Magic is back and very possibly in full swing again."
"But that just started today." Wyatt insisted, unwilling to shatter Darryl's calm. "I'm sure that what happened to Jake has nothing to do with magic."
"Can you guarantee that?" Darryl asked stonily.
After Darryl left the room, the brothers remained in the office talking.
"See, Chris, I told you Pace was bad news." Wyatt turned to his brother.
"Think about it, Wyatt, Pace showed up TODAY, Jake has been m.i.a. for the last three. I still think we need to focus on Justin." Chris answered matter of fact.