Hello everyone, I have another littler update to this story. I hope you will like it.

Thank you all for reading and reviewing. It really makes me very happy.

Also (as always) thanks to my beta reading for investing the time to find my mistakes :-)

Chapter 20

The next morning, when Wyatt came into the kitchen, Brandon was already there reading the news on his iPad.

Wyatt served himself coffee. He hadn't slept long but he still felt refreshed and well rested.

"When do you have to go?" he asked Brandon.

The other man shrugged. "Whenever you are ready. It doesn't really matter."

Wyatt raised his eyebrows. "What kind of job is that?"

"One I'm speculating my boss will fire me from eventually."

Before Wyatt could reply, the phone rang and he answered. It was his Aunt Phoebe who asked him to come to her house for "leftover" brunch.

"I can't, Aunt Phoebe, sorry," he said evasively. "I'm on my way to the restaurant. I have to discuss some business matters with Noelle. I don't know how long it will take. I'll probably have no time before we'll be with dad for lunch, and afterwards I'm invited at my friends. But we could all meet tomorrow."

"Prue will leave today. She and Drew are catching a flight at 4 pm," Phoebe explained.

Wyatt sighed. "Actually, Aunt Phoebe, honestly, if it were for someone else, I'd try to make time but after what happened yesterday, I have no interest to spend time with Prue or her boyfriend. I'm sorry to sound so harsh, but I'm still angry at her for putting me into this position yesterday. I will speak to her in a few days, when we have calmed down. I really don't want to make things worse or even re-animate our argument. Considering I'm very busy today, I think it'll be best I'll stay away. But wish her a safe flight from me, okay?"

Phoebe stayed silent on the other end of the phone. Wyatt heard her taking in a deep breath.

"Don't worry, Aunt Phoebe," he went on. "We'll work it out; just not today. I don't want to ruin your precious time with her by saying something I'll regret or by acting strange around them."

His aunt still didn't say something. Wyatt looked up when his brother entered the kitchen. The younger of them seemed barely awaken and Wyatt wondered, why he hadn't slept in.

As if Phoebe had noticed Chris' arrival, she finally spoke up: "I see, Wyatt. I really hope you don't forget your words and make up with Prue. I don't want the family fighting. What about Chris? Does he want to join us?"

"I can ask, he just got up. Looks like he's still asleep though," he replied with a smile watching his little brother taking a sip of coffee dozily.

Wyatt passed on his aunt's message to which Chris shook his head. "I have work to do."

Wyatt put his hand over the speaker as he asked: "What work for heaven's sake? Open the club early?"

Chris rolled his eyes. "I have deadlines, you know. I don't have time. I have to be in P3 later, to set for the DJ and tonight for that matter…" he trailed off.

Phoebe who had heard them talking, but hadn't understood a word, asked: "Now, what, Wyatt?"

Wyatt motioned his brother to take the phone and talk to their aunt, but Chris simply shook his head and left the kitchen to go to the conservatory.

The older brother sighed. "Sorry, Aunt Phoebe. I don't think he will drop by. He doesn't feel well and I advised he goes back to bed."

Wyatt ended the call promising to get in touch to discuss a possible meeting the next day.

"I'm not your secretary. And I don't want to make excuses for you," Wyatt said to Chris who sat in one of the cane chairs with a book. "Did you hear me? Call Aunt Phoebe, tell her whatever. Prue will leave in the afternoon, so maybe you want at least to say goodbye."

Chris didn't look up but shrugged.

Wyatt sighed frustrated. "I'll go to the restaurant. Don't be late for lunch."

Brandon turned off his computer. "Sometimes, I'm rather glad I have no family," he said and emptied his cup before putting it in the dishwasher.

Wyatt didn't reply and left the kitchen.

Brandon shook his head. He closed the door of the dishwasher and turned around.

Through the breakthrough of the kitchen to the conservatory, he saw Chris sitting on the chair with his feet popped up on a second chair. Behind him stood a pale skinned demon that must have shimmered in right after Wyatt had left, and Brandon had focused on cleaning his breakfast utensils.

Apparently, the demon hadn't noticed him in the kitchen.

Brandon wondered, if Chris was too deep sunk in the story he was reading, so he had not realized the demon's appearance or if it was a trick to attack suddenly, surprising the demon. Brandon decided to not draw attention on himself to be a greater support during the vanquish. Therefore, he also decided against calling for Wyatt. Instead he moved quietly to open the drawer of one of the kitchen closets to check for a useful potion (he had stored various potions everywhere around the house).

The longer Chris didn't react and showed not the slightest hint that he was ready to fight, Brandon became sure, the young man was really oblivious to the imminent danger.

To his luck the demon was also confused and hadn't made up his mind yet to attack.

Meanwhile, Brandon had chosen a vial. There was not much time. The demon had conjured a fireball ready to throw it at Chris.

Brandon rounded the kitchen counter soundlessly. The moment the demon sent his magical weapon flying, he threw the vial and called for his housemate to watch out. The vial hit the fireball and broke without getting close its aim; the liquid dripped on the floor. Chris jumped from his seat, finally, reacting to the danger on hand. He and the demon stared at each other a second surprised. The demon caught himself a moment quicker, and before the witch could even try to defend himself, Chris was thrown backwards into the kitchen hitting the kitchen counter hard with the back of his head, falling against Brandon making them both fall to the ground.

Brandon gathered himself quick enough to hide himself and Chris behind the counter, when another fireball came flying towards them. He realized Chris was hurt seriously; a wound on the back of his head was bleeding heavily, leaving stains on Brandon's shirt.

The demon came closer into the kitchen.

"Chris, we should get out. Can you orb?" he asked shaking the other witch lightly but his eyes were barely open as he began to lose consciousness.

Chris collected his last strength and managed a small movement of his hand which should probably have done something to the demon, but only made some items on the kitchen counter fall on the floor.

Brandon understood, they couldn't defend themselves. He decided to call for Wyatt when the demon screamed in agony as he was vanquished.

Wyatt ran from the conservatory into the kitchen and dropped on the floor next to Chris and Brandon. He held his hand above his brother's head and through the golden glow the blood in his hair disappeared as the wound healed.

"You okay?" Wyatt asked Brandon with a look at the blood on his shirt.

"I'm alright."

Chris sat up slowly rubbing the back of his head. He felt a bit nauseous, but after a while, it vanished and he stood up completely with Wyatt's support, leaning against the kitchen counter.

His brother studied him carefully. "Are you feeling alright?"

Chris took a deep breath. "Yes, I'm fine."

Wyatt sighed. "No shit," he mumbled. Usually, when Chris referred to his feeling as 'fine' something was wrong.

Brandon asked with a frown: "Didn't you see him? He was right behind you at least three minutes doing nothing. I wasn't sure, you were trying to trick him."

The 22 year old shrugged. "I was in thoughts."

Wyatt looked back and forth between them.

"What?" Brandon queried confused. "You were reading. How exciting can a story be? I mean you must have almost felt his breath. Seriously…"He stopped gazing at the clock. "I have to go to work." He looked down his shirt. "After I changed." He went upstairs.

Chris bent down to collect the items on the floor, putting them back on the counter.

"Go to dad right now," Wyatt ordered.

"No. I can't. Remember, I have deadlines," Chris denied.

"Take your work with you."

"I have everything here. I don't pack all my stuff. Why should I go there now, anyway? I thought we'll meet for lunch later."

"We will. But you'll be safer there. And no demons that distract you from your work."

"Come on, you don't think any other demon will attack just now? No, I'll stay here. I'm always here; demons or no demons."

"I know. I don't say you can't defend yourself, but I feel you are not in such a good shape this morning. I'd be calmer, if I knew you were somewhere else but here by yourself. So take you pen and paper and get out."

"I feel fine, Wyatt. Really, stop mothering me."

"Yes, well, I don't care. Do what I tell you. I'm going to call dad to check, if you are there."

"You are crazy. Seriously, what is this sudden worry? You don't seem so worried back in New York."

Wyatt rolled his eyes. He didn't want to argue about that again. "How do you know, what I worry about in New York? Moreover, I wasn't here when the demon attacked, but came back immediately without anyone calling for me when I felt something was wrong, whereas you didn't realize a demon was standing right behind you."

"Don't believe everything, Brandon says. Maybe it was a tactic pretending I was oblivious to the demon's presence."

"Was it?" Wyatt asked: The look on his brother's face told him no. He sighed. Before he could say anything else, Brandon appeared in the door, asking if Wyatt had moved the car.

"I'm leaving, too. I'll be outside in a sec," he replied and turned to Chris. "Please, be reasonable. Whatever happened, it put you in danger. So, grab your stuff and go over to dad, okay? I'll meet you there at 12:30."

Chris sighed irritated emphasizing his point of view but nodded unwillingly, eventually.

At least, that's how it seemed.

The truth was, he didn't like to stay in the house by himself today. He never liked it, actually, but he was used to it and didn't care too much. He had hoped, that he and Wyatt could have breakfast together before the older brother went to the restaurant. That was the only reason, why he got up already, instead of sleeping until it was time to get ready for lunch. But now that Wyatt was leaving, there was no reason to stick around.

Moreover, he hadn't noticed the demon, although, he used to feel magic around him, especially evil magic. It was not a really a certain feeling of knowing but like a vibe, something changing around him. And it worried him.

Brandon collected some trash in the inside of his car while waiting for Wyatt: Some parking permits and even more parking tickets as well as three empty plastic bottles and take-away boxes.

He threw everything in the trashcan. He just went back to his car, when Wyatt finally came from the house.

"Is everything okay?" Brandon asked him.

"I guess so," Wyatt stopped next to the other man. He looked at him intensely for a moment. "Lucky, that you weren't hurt, too."

"Yes. That demon was obviously not after me and didn't think anyone was close," Brandon shrugged. He began to feel anxious under Wyatt's stare. "But actually, demons are barely after me, when they come to the Manor. They are always aiming for Chris. Even though, I'm sure they know by now that I'm on your side."

Wyatt nodded. He looked away for a moment and had the feeling that the dark haired man relaxed again. "Are you?" he asked suddenly and turned back to Brandon.

A cloud, that had covered the sun, had moved and Wyatt had to shade his eyes with his hand.

"Of course, I am," Brandon insisted at once. Then he sighed. "Don't tell me, you are doubting me, too, now? I thought I proved that I changed."

"You did, but…see, this happened the second time. I barely left the room, leaving Chris alone and almost instantly my brother is attacked. Can this be a coincidence? I don't believe in coincidences when demons are involved."

"Okay," Brandon said wondering. "But how could the demon know that a) you left the house and b) that your brother was an easy target for whatever reason? I mean, demons do know that they are vanquished by him just as much as by you."

"Those are good questions…"

"Maybe you are watched somehow?"

"Maybe there is a spy?"

Brandon sighed again and shook his head. He let his shoulders hang defeated. "Seriously? You really assume, it is me?"

"I don't know," Wyatt replied honestly. "I wonder, what is going on. I mean, there's this demon, that didn't notice you and Chris doesn't notice the demon and in the end he is hurt while you didn't catch a scratch. To me that sounds very strange."

"Yes, well, it also seems strange to me. How could he not be aware of that demon right next to him, whereas he insists he felt your cousin being attacked miles away a few days ago? I don't know, maybe there's something wrong with his powers."

Wyatt frowned. He didn't know about any of his cousins being attacked. He thought about Brandon's words. Perhaps there was really a problem with Chris' powers. The way they had reacted to all the emotional stress lately was unusual, too. However, it had been a nerve wrecking time lately. And so far, he only had Brandon's version of the earlier events. How could he be sure, that there was not magic involved to make his brother oblivious to the demon? Anyone's magic for that matter.

He looked at Brandon again. For a moment, he was sorry for his accusation, looking at the other man, disappointment written all over his face. But he shouldn't let himself be fooled. It had happened before. And even though, deep down Wyatt knew that Brandon was not the one to blame, he thought it was better to emphasize his point of view.

"I'm sorry," he said with a shrug. "I tend to become very emotional, when it comes to my family."

"Intimidating, is the word you are searching."

"Okay, intimidating," Wyatt agreed. "I feel responsible for them, especially for my brother. They all are in a way affected because of my "status". Not that I give much for it. They had to look after me so much, when I was little, making sure no demon succeeded killing me. So, I'm looking out for them now. Anyway, just let me say, if something happens to my family and I shall learn that you have anything to do with it – you won't want me as an enemy. You couldn't get away from me. I'd be after you…" Wyatt trailed off standing straight his eyes fixed on Brandon's. He saw that the other man became stiff and obviously did not doubt the threat. He swallowed and contained himself. "You said so before but still I have nothing to do with it. After all, I have no active powers, if Chris' aren't working, I'm in danger too. Believe me, I know I owe you. If you and Holly hadn't guaranteed for me, the Elder's would have at least stripped my powers. I'm not against any of you."

Wyatt believed him. He nodded slowly. "Actually, I think, there are troubles with Chris' powers, indeed. Although I'm afraid, it is not caused by magic but by very human issues, which will make it even harder to find a solution."

"Yes, good luck convincing him." Brandon took a deep breath. "I really need to go to work now."

Wyatt nodded. "Sure, see you later." He went to his car and when he climbed behind the wheel, Brandon started the engine and they both drove off in separate directions.