Disclaimer: This story is based on the Spelling Television/WB Television Network series 'Charmed'. All characters belong to their original owners. The story is meant for entertainment purposes only and no copyright infringement was intended.
Author's notes: This story is set some time during season 3. When I wrote it, 'Coyote Piper' was the last episode I had seen. I used the various online episode guides for descriptions of canon further down in the season. The last one I read about was 'Sin Francisco'. Anything that happens afterward was not known to me at the time of writing and thus not used in this story. Hopefully, the story still fits at the end of the season. However, chances are it does not.
LOVER'S LEAP
Prologue
"Get out!" The imp shook with fear at the display of anger before it. It cowered on its belly and crawled backward, yet the Source barely noted its terror. Instead, hot, burning fury raced through his veins. "By the Horns of Shaitan, do I have to do everything myself?" He threw up his hands and fiery flames licked at the ceiling. The messenger blubbered a frightened apology. "GET OUT!" the Source roared. The walls shook; small rocks came loose and clattered down. The small demon reached the entrance of the chamber and hastened to pick itself up and scurry away to safety.
The Source didn't see it go. He paced back and forth with large, irate strides and cursed the foulest curses he knew. Another of his soldiers gone. And still the traitor Belthazor was alive. The Charmed Ones protected him. Those three sisters that should have been dead and gone a long time ago. Oh, if only he could leave this underworld and take matters into his own hands. Yet he was stuck here, in this realm, in this cave. And he was running out of options. Belthazor had been one of his most powerful servants; together with the witches they were an almost unbeatable team. Everyone he sent to destroy them was vanquished. Krell, the Seekers, now Xeltar.
"You are going about this the wrong way." A female voice broke the red haze of anger and the Source whirled around. Fire leapt from his hands.
"Hey!" she cried. She raised her hands to deflect the bolt. "That's not the way to greet an old friend!"
His unexpected visitor was in her human form. A beautiful female, with large innocent eyes and long, curling dark hair that provided the frame for a perfect face. He recognized her at once and retracted the next fireball before it could strike.
"Elz'pax," he said, his voice cold. "So nice of you to come see me. You should know better than sneak up on me like that. Where have you been?"
"Oh, here and there," she said with a shrug. She lowered her hands. "I've been busy. It looks like you could do with my advice though."
The Source raised his brow. "Really?" he asked. His voice dripped with sarcasm. "You were wrong about Belthazor before."
Elz'pax shook her head. "I don't think I was. He served you faithfully for a long time, didn't he? As I promised he would. Until the Triad sent him after the Charmed Ones." She barked a laugh. "They sure charmed him. It was a shock to see he rediscovered his human side; I thought I'd managed to stamp it out a long time ago. I admit I was wrong about that. Still, I know Belthazor best. His humanity is your best weapon against him."
She had managed to pique the Source's interest and he calmed down. If anyone could help him get rid of Belthazor, it was this succubus. "I'm listening," he said.
TBC