Love Connections
Chapter six
Matthew was walking back and forth, thinking hard.
"Maybe I should have stayed away," he worried.
"But how could I have," he continued. "She's so precious…"
Suddenly, a chill interrupted his train of thoughts, as he turned around to face the newcomer.
"What are you doing here?"
The Darklighter raised his bow, threatening but not firing.
"Don't try anything foolish, brother…"
Leo woke up from a troubled sleep. It was still dark and he realized that he had not slept more than an hour since he had sensed the darklighter. In his dream, one had materialized in their room and without wait, sent his arrow at him…
He somehow knew that it had to have been more than a nightmare. The signs had been there and he had ignored them… Leo debated whether to wait, but there was no point in delaying… Who knew if his dream might not become reality in the next few minutes? He turned to Piper and even if it pained him to disturb her now, he shook her awake.
"What is it?" she asked sleepily.
"I have to go and I would prefer that you went to Phoebe's…"
Now wide awake, Piper stood on one elbow.
"Why?"
"As a matter of fact," Leo continued instead, "I'll go with you and have a talk with Cole…"
"Hey don't leave me in the dark…What the hell's happening?"
"I felt a darklighter earlier, and at first it was so quick that I believed I imagined it… but I don't think that anymore…"
"Ok, that is disturbing, but what does it have to do with Cole?"
"Remember a few weeks ago? Coleridge was almost killed by a darklighter and we never found him…"
"And you think that he's back?"
"Possibly, and with all the trouble that they've gone to the last time, I'm worried that we are all in for more if we don't act now."
Without asking anymore questions, Piper got out of bed. She was just as anxious as Leo to take care of the situation. Piper couldn't forget that the first attack had also almost cost her life, and she was certain that Leo thought of the same thing at the moment. Very soon they were both out of the manor, walking nervously toward the Turners. They half expected to see the darklighter at any time…
Phoebe and Cole had fallen asleep when the knock on the door had them jumping.
"Who the hell is this?" Cole uttered with irritation.
He still got up and put on a robe, as Phoebe was questioning herself as well and got up to follow him.
They were surprised to find Leo and Piper there with grim expressions.
"What is it?" Phoebe asked anxiously. She knew that her sister wouldn't be coming here at this hour if there weren't a good reason.
"I think that we might have a problem…"
Cole looked at him derisively.
"Other than the fact you're coming here in the middle of the night?"
"Cole I'm serious…"
"So was I…"
Phoebe put a hand on Cole's arm and he sighed in resignation, before letting them in.
The baby cried upstairs, disturbed by the new arrivals and Phoebe headed toward the stairs while the others settled in the living room. She only went halfway up however before Paige came toward her with Jason in her arms. Obviously everyone was awake by then and Phoebe thought that it had been the shortest night in a long time.
"Who is it?" Paige asked with a little point of anxiety as well.
Phoebe told her while taking the baby.
"It's just as well that you are awake. Leo thinks that we might've a problem, and I suppose that it concerns all of us…"
Paige didn't like the sound of it. The last problem they had faced was still giving her pause when she thought about it…
They entered the living room where the conversation had already started.
"You felt a darklighter and just like that assumed that it had to be related?" He was asking incredulously.
"I've got to trust my instincts, and they're telling me to be cautious, that's all…"
Cole was about to reply when Phoebe again stopped him.
"What exactly is it that you fear Leo?"
Leo turned to her.
"As you know, when we found Gandel, we realized that his partner had vanquished him, and we also were convinced at the time that it had to be the darklighter that attacked Coleridge who did it…"
"Yes?"
"Well tonight I felt another one, very close to our house. I can't help but think that the darklighter might be back for more…"
Piper now questioned.
"For what purpose? Is it to get to you?"
"Maybe but I doubt it," Leo answered. "I'm starting to think there might be much more to all of this than just a warlock wanting to get to Paige… What if the darklighter had his own motivations for his actions?"
"And those would be?"
Leo shrugged, irritated.
"I don't know but…"
"How are you going to know?"
"I thought we should go to the elders and consult with them…"
"What's with the "we" business?"
"You and your father were also attacked by this darklighter, and if we're going to find out more about all this, we may need to go after him… You could be of help in that eventuality…"
"Hum… You know, what comes to mind is a very different scenario… This darklighter of yours may have figured that we are surrounded by whitelighters here and that it's an all-you-can-eat buffet…"
"Cole…" Phoebe uttered somewhat warningly.
"Alright…But I still think that it's stupid for me to go when you suspect that trouble might be coming this way…"
Piper intervened.
"We'll be just fine. And frankly, "she added with a little hint of irritation of her own, "we managed without you for a long time…I think that we can still manage, since we have the power of three again…"
Paige was a little uncomfortable with Piper's assurances, but she kept quiet…
Cole stared at her with raised eyebrows, telling her silently but eloquently that he was not very impressed by her outburst. That made Piper even more irritated and she shrugged angrily. However, he turned to Phoebe and asked:
"What do you think?"
"I think Piper is right… we're gonna be just fine on our own and if Leo thinks that you could be of help, then you should go…"
"You're sure?"
She smiled.
"Yes, I'm sure."
Cole then addressed Leo directly.
"Ok then, let's go. The sooner we do this, the sooner we'll be back…"
"Don't you wanna change?"
"Hum, you're right…"
He immediately changed to the archangel form, to which Leo shrugged…"
As they were flashing and orbing, Cole uttered an amused:
"What?"
The girls stayed silent for a while as Paige came to take a seat.
Now used to the agitation, the baby had fallen back to sleep.
Phoebe finally broke the silence.
"Hey, either one of you sleepy?"
"Not really… as a matter of fact, I don't think that I'll be able to sleep tonight…"
"Me neither…" Paige added.
"Why don't we make it a sort of slumber party then… Give us a chance to know each other better," she said, smiling at Paige.
This one responded in kind, the tension almost leaving her at her sister's good mood.
"Let me put the little one back to bed and then we can tell each other stories… As a matter of fact, I got one that would fit the bill just fine and it's also a little about you Paige…"
Paige looked up in surprise.
"About me?"
Phoebe grinned and got up to bring the baby back upstairs without answering.
Paige turned askance to Piper.
"Hey don't ask me… I have no idea what she's talking about, but if I know Phoebe that should be interesting…Besides, it's better than biting our nails while waiting."
"Yeah…"
Phoebe soon returned with some snacks that she grabbed from the kitchen on her way back.
"What would be a party without some munchies," she said before sitting on the couch and folding her legs up.
When her sisters said nothing, she continued.
"So…ready for some stories?"
"You first, by all means," Piper answered, smiling at her sister's enthusiasm.
"Yes, you got me curious there…" Paige insisted.
"Here goes…"
'The mansion was whitewashed and imposing. Built by their grand-father some sixty years earlier, on the ruins of an old farm… Since then, he had used his considerable fortune to buy some of the surrounding land and start a very prosperous plantation. Their father inherited the whole thing and was now administrating the family holdings. However, the war had them all anxious as to what the future held…
Piper and Paige were lounging on their patio, which was located on their perfectly manicured lawn. The place looked so peaceful that for a moment, Piper imagined that nothing would ever come to destroy their tranquil lives. It didn't last though as she heard yet again the sound of canons in the distance. It made her shiver, as the war seemed to be coming closer every day. She prayed non-stop for the war to pass them by, even if she knew that many other plantations had already been victims of it.
It had been the first time today, but she knew from experience that it would not be the last. Paige was looking toward the horizon as well, and Piper could tell that the same somber thoughts occupied her mind.
"Sister," Piper called softly to Paige.
Paige turned reluctantly toward her.
"I know… But I can't help being afraid…"
Piper was about to try reassuring her younger sister, when their attention was caught by another sound, this one much closer.
A horse carriage was coming up the road, and they recognized it immediately. Piper showed signs of irritation.
"Why does he persist coming here? Father will never agree to sell the plantation to his client…"
"Maybe he should…"
"Paige," Piper exclaimed.
"Piper, you know that they're coming…If we could cut our losses maybe it would be the best solution."
"Father will never see it that way. He's never going to sell his father's land. And certainly not to some investor from the north…"
The carriage was already coming to a stop and one of the oldest slaves, Samuel, opened the door for the visitor.
On a lighter note, Paige added.
"You know, I think that there might be another reason for his frequent visits…"
"You mean Cousin Phoebe?" Piper replied irritably.
"He may have his views on her, but he has no chance in hell…"
Paige didn't let her cousin bad dispositions get to her as they were watching the lawyer coming out of the carriage.
"I've seen the way she looked at him the first time…"
"She's changed her mind since. His ideas are all contrary to her ideals, and even if I disagree with some of it, I still respect the way she holds on to her principles. She would never go out with a man who has no other interest but his own…"
Even as she observed Paige, Piper saw a sudden change in her attitude. Paige was smiling brightly and even before Piper looked back toward the carriage she knew why.
Indeed two other men, identical twins, were coming out of the conveyance. The only things those two had in commons besides their striking resemblance, was the fact that they both worked as clerks for Cole and they both were very much interested in Paige… For Piper, their line of work would have been enough to disqualify them as gentlemen. On the other hand, her sister didn't have any qualm with lawyers or men from the north for that matter. Although this bothered Piper some, what really worried her, was the attitude that she had with the both of them. Paige didn't seem to be able to make up her mind on one. This had been the subject of more than one discussion between the two sisters on the long evenings since Leo had gone to the war. Thinking of her husband made it all come back to her, and for a moment she even forgot about the visitors and Paige's problem. She longed for his return and for everything to be back to normal. "Will that ever happen?" She wondered…
The lawyer brought her back to reality abruptly with his greetings.
"Good day, ladies. Isn't it a beautiful day indeed?"
Piper pinched her lips while answering.
"Yes, a beautiful day," she said flatly.
Cole noticed the disdain in her attitude, but he chose to ignore it.
"Is your father around? I really would like to have another talk with him…"
"He'll never sell the plantation. And certainly not to you or your clients," she spat.
This time, in spite of his resolve, the lawyer flinched at the obvious insult. However he quickly got back his cool, as he replied calmly.
"I prefer discussing this directly with your father if you don't mind."
Piper watched him for a long moment, challenging him. However, when she saw that he wouldn't be provoked, she turned to Samuel, who had followed silently.
"Samuel, would you please accompany this…gentleman inside the house and announce him?"
The black man nodded in acquiescence and turned immediately toward the house.
The lawyer seemed to hesitate a moment, and then he asked:
"Is your delightful Cousin home as well?"
"I don't think that she'll be very thrilled to see you…"
"This is my concern," Cole replied finally letting some of his irritation showing through.
Then, he simply turned around and followed Samuel.
Meanwhile, Paige had been totally oblivious to the conversation, as she grinned toward the two men who had followed the lawyer, but stayed at a distance. Piper noticed how the both of them were staring at her in a less than gentlemanly fashion, which didn't surprise her in the least.
The two men were whispering to each other at the same time as gazing toward Paige with big grins. She surmised that they must be debating on which one of them she was truly interested in. Reluctantly, the two men waved goodbye to Paige before following the lawyer inside. Piper turned to her sister with renewed worry and irritation.
"Paige, I can't believe you!"
Her sister turned to her, puzzled.
"What?"
"You know what I'm talking about. Those two boys are equally interested in you and you're playing a dangerous game with them…"
Paige sighed.
"Piper… I told you, I can't decide. They're both so gorgeous and interesting..."
"They are both going to be lawyers, not gentlemen…"
Paige exclaimed irritably.
"Piper!"
However, Piper lifted a hand to stop her protestations.
"If it was only this, maybe I could understand. However, the game that you're playing can only end in serious trouble for them and you…"
Paige looked away from her sister and shrugged Piper's concerns away. Or at least that is how it appeared to Piper. Inside Paige was not as confident as she was letting out. She knew how dangerous it was to play with men's feelings but she couldn't help it. Both of them were so different and yet so attractive in their own ways. Matthew was as sweet as pie, calm and always helpful. Even with the competition that they were having over her, he never raised his voice or started a fight. This was not to say he didn't react when his brother tried to goad him into one. Nicholas was so different. Passionate and she knew, dangerous… Until they had met Paige, they got along fine. In some ways, they completed each other perfectly. Nicholas was the protector, even if sometimes a little too enthusiastic about it, while Matthew was the voice of reason, who kept his brother in line.
Ever since they met Paige however, things had gone from bad to worse, with their bond as brothers breaking apart slowly but surely. This, in time would have disastrous results…
*************
Paige interrupted Phoebe with an exclamation of surprise.
"Matthew? You included my boyfriend in your story?"
Phoebe took a moment to collect her thoughts as she had been concentrating on remembering the dream.
"Actually, those are not just stories… They're premonitions that came to me in a dream…"
Even Piper was surprised by this.
"What do you mean?"
"Well I'm not sure, but I think that my power has grown somehow and now I can see our previous lives; at least in dreams."
"Really?"
"But why do we have the same names?"
"Oh that, well I was just using our names for clarity. Obviously, those people had different names and appearances. But in the dreams, we appear exactly the same as we are now. I heard once that it has to do with us recognizing each other's souls…"
"Oh! Well sorry for the interruption, but still, you mean that Matthew was in my past as well?"
"At least I think he was, because of the description you gave me… By the way, I heard him in here tonight. When are we going to meet him officially?"
Paige seemed a little embarrassed but she still said:
"Soon I hope. The occasion didn't present itself just yet but I will see to it that you meet him soon. I hope that we didn't disturb you last night by the way?"
Phoebe smiled.
"Not at all," she lied. She wasn't about to make her sister more uncomfortable than she already was.
In the apartment, the two brothers were facing each other down.
Nicholas started:
"It's been a long time brother…What was it, one hundred years?"
"No matter, it wasn't long enough."
Matthew was now worried sick not for himself, but for Paige…
Chapter six
Matthew was walking back and forth, thinking hard.
"Maybe I should have stayed away," he worried.
"But how could I have," he continued. "She's so precious…"
Suddenly, a chill interrupted his train of thoughts, as he turned around to face the newcomer.
"What are you doing here?"
The Darklighter raised his bow, threatening but not firing.
"Don't try anything foolish, brother…"
Leo woke up from a troubled sleep. It was still dark and he realized that he had not slept more than an hour since he had sensed the darklighter. In his dream, one had materialized in their room and without wait, sent his arrow at him…
He somehow knew that it had to have been more than a nightmare. The signs had been there and he had ignored them… Leo debated whether to wait, but there was no point in delaying… Who knew if his dream might not become reality in the next few minutes? He turned to Piper and even if it pained him to disturb her now, he shook her awake.
"What is it?" she asked sleepily.
"I have to go and I would prefer that you went to Phoebe's…"
Now wide awake, Piper stood on one elbow.
"Why?"
"As a matter of fact," Leo continued instead, "I'll go with you and have a talk with Cole…"
"Hey don't leave me in the dark…What the hell's happening?"
"I felt a darklighter earlier, and at first it was so quick that I believed I imagined it… but I don't think that anymore…"
"Ok, that is disturbing, but what does it have to do with Cole?"
"Remember a few weeks ago? Coleridge was almost killed by a darklighter and we never found him…"
"And you think that he's back?"
"Possibly, and with all the trouble that they've gone to the last time, I'm worried that we are all in for more if we don't act now."
Without asking anymore questions, Piper got out of bed. She was just as anxious as Leo to take care of the situation. Piper couldn't forget that the first attack had also almost cost her life, and she was certain that Leo thought of the same thing at the moment. Very soon they were both out of the manor, walking nervously toward the Turners. They half expected to see the darklighter at any time…
Phoebe and Cole had fallen asleep when the knock on the door had them jumping.
"Who the hell is this?" Cole uttered with irritation.
He still got up and put on a robe, as Phoebe was questioning herself as well and got up to follow him.
They were surprised to find Leo and Piper there with grim expressions.
"What is it?" Phoebe asked anxiously. She knew that her sister wouldn't be coming here at this hour if there weren't a good reason.
"I think that we might have a problem…"
Cole looked at him derisively.
"Other than the fact you're coming here in the middle of the night?"
"Cole I'm serious…"
"So was I…"
Phoebe put a hand on Cole's arm and he sighed in resignation, before letting them in.
The baby cried upstairs, disturbed by the new arrivals and Phoebe headed toward the stairs while the others settled in the living room. She only went halfway up however before Paige came toward her with Jason in her arms. Obviously everyone was awake by then and Phoebe thought that it had been the shortest night in a long time.
"Who is it?" Paige asked with a little point of anxiety as well.
Phoebe told her while taking the baby.
"It's just as well that you are awake. Leo thinks that we might've a problem, and I suppose that it concerns all of us…"
Paige didn't like the sound of it. The last problem they had faced was still giving her pause when she thought about it…
They entered the living room where the conversation had already started.
"You felt a darklighter and just like that assumed that it had to be related?" He was asking incredulously.
"I've got to trust my instincts, and they're telling me to be cautious, that's all…"
Cole was about to reply when Phoebe again stopped him.
"What exactly is it that you fear Leo?"
Leo turned to her.
"As you know, when we found Gandel, we realized that his partner had vanquished him, and we also were convinced at the time that it had to be the darklighter that attacked Coleridge who did it…"
"Yes?"
"Well tonight I felt another one, very close to our house. I can't help but think that the darklighter might be back for more…"
Piper now questioned.
"For what purpose? Is it to get to you?"
"Maybe but I doubt it," Leo answered. "I'm starting to think there might be much more to all of this than just a warlock wanting to get to Paige… What if the darklighter had his own motivations for his actions?"
"And those would be?"
Leo shrugged, irritated.
"I don't know but…"
"How are you going to know?"
"I thought we should go to the elders and consult with them…"
"What's with the "we" business?"
"You and your father were also attacked by this darklighter, and if we're going to find out more about all this, we may need to go after him… You could be of help in that eventuality…"
"Hum… You know, what comes to mind is a very different scenario… This darklighter of yours may have figured that we are surrounded by whitelighters here and that it's an all-you-can-eat buffet…"
"Cole…" Phoebe uttered somewhat warningly.
"Alright…But I still think that it's stupid for me to go when you suspect that trouble might be coming this way…"
Piper intervened.
"We'll be just fine. And frankly, "she added with a little hint of irritation of her own, "we managed without you for a long time…I think that we can still manage, since we have the power of three again…"
Paige was a little uncomfortable with Piper's assurances, but she kept quiet…
Cole stared at her with raised eyebrows, telling her silently but eloquently that he was not very impressed by her outburst. That made Piper even more irritated and she shrugged angrily. However, he turned to Phoebe and asked:
"What do you think?"
"I think Piper is right… we're gonna be just fine on our own and if Leo thinks that you could be of help, then you should go…"
"You're sure?"
She smiled.
"Yes, I'm sure."
Cole then addressed Leo directly.
"Ok then, let's go. The sooner we do this, the sooner we'll be back…"
"Don't you wanna change?"
"Hum, you're right…"
He immediately changed to the archangel form, to which Leo shrugged…"
As they were flashing and orbing, Cole uttered an amused:
"What?"
The girls stayed silent for a while as Paige came to take a seat.
Now used to the agitation, the baby had fallen back to sleep.
Phoebe finally broke the silence.
"Hey, either one of you sleepy?"
"Not really… as a matter of fact, I don't think that I'll be able to sleep tonight…"
"Me neither…" Paige added.
"Why don't we make it a sort of slumber party then… Give us a chance to know each other better," she said, smiling at Paige.
This one responded in kind, the tension almost leaving her at her sister's good mood.
"Let me put the little one back to bed and then we can tell each other stories… As a matter of fact, I got one that would fit the bill just fine and it's also a little about you Paige…"
Paige looked up in surprise.
"About me?"
Phoebe grinned and got up to bring the baby back upstairs without answering.
Paige turned askance to Piper.
"Hey don't ask me… I have no idea what she's talking about, but if I know Phoebe that should be interesting…Besides, it's better than biting our nails while waiting."
"Yeah…"
Phoebe soon returned with some snacks that she grabbed from the kitchen on her way back.
"What would be a party without some munchies," she said before sitting on the couch and folding her legs up.
When her sisters said nothing, she continued.
"So…ready for some stories?"
"You first, by all means," Piper answered, smiling at her sister's enthusiasm.
"Yes, you got me curious there…" Paige insisted.
"Here goes…"
'The mansion was whitewashed and imposing. Built by their grand-father some sixty years earlier, on the ruins of an old farm… Since then, he had used his considerable fortune to buy some of the surrounding land and start a very prosperous plantation. Their father inherited the whole thing and was now administrating the family holdings. However, the war had them all anxious as to what the future held…
Piper and Paige were lounging on their patio, which was located on their perfectly manicured lawn. The place looked so peaceful that for a moment, Piper imagined that nothing would ever come to destroy their tranquil lives. It didn't last though as she heard yet again the sound of canons in the distance. It made her shiver, as the war seemed to be coming closer every day. She prayed non-stop for the war to pass them by, even if she knew that many other plantations had already been victims of it.
It had been the first time today, but she knew from experience that it would not be the last. Paige was looking toward the horizon as well, and Piper could tell that the same somber thoughts occupied her mind.
"Sister," Piper called softly to Paige.
Paige turned reluctantly toward her.
"I know… But I can't help being afraid…"
Piper was about to try reassuring her younger sister, when their attention was caught by another sound, this one much closer.
A horse carriage was coming up the road, and they recognized it immediately. Piper showed signs of irritation.
"Why does he persist coming here? Father will never agree to sell the plantation to his client…"
"Maybe he should…"
"Paige," Piper exclaimed.
"Piper, you know that they're coming…If we could cut our losses maybe it would be the best solution."
"Father will never see it that way. He's never going to sell his father's land. And certainly not to some investor from the north…"
The carriage was already coming to a stop and one of the oldest slaves, Samuel, opened the door for the visitor.
On a lighter note, Paige added.
"You know, I think that there might be another reason for his frequent visits…"
"You mean Cousin Phoebe?" Piper replied irritably.
"He may have his views on her, but he has no chance in hell…"
Paige didn't let her cousin bad dispositions get to her as they were watching the lawyer coming out of the carriage.
"I've seen the way she looked at him the first time…"
"She's changed her mind since. His ideas are all contrary to her ideals, and even if I disagree with some of it, I still respect the way she holds on to her principles. She would never go out with a man who has no other interest but his own…"
Even as she observed Paige, Piper saw a sudden change in her attitude. Paige was smiling brightly and even before Piper looked back toward the carriage she knew why.
Indeed two other men, identical twins, were coming out of the conveyance. The only things those two had in commons besides their striking resemblance, was the fact that they both worked as clerks for Cole and they both were very much interested in Paige… For Piper, their line of work would have been enough to disqualify them as gentlemen. On the other hand, her sister didn't have any qualm with lawyers or men from the north for that matter. Although this bothered Piper some, what really worried her, was the attitude that she had with the both of them. Paige didn't seem to be able to make up her mind on one. This had been the subject of more than one discussion between the two sisters on the long evenings since Leo had gone to the war. Thinking of her husband made it all come back to her, and for a moment she even forgot about the visitors and Paige's problem. She longed for his return and for everything to be back to normal. "Will that ever happen?" She wondered…
The lawyer brought her back to reality abruptly with his greetings.
"Good day, ladies. Isn't it a beautiful day indeed?"
Piper pinched her lips while answering.
"Yes, a beautiful day," she said flatly.
Cole noticed the disdain in her attitude, but he chose to ignore it.
"Is your father around? I really would like to have another talk with him…"
"He'll never sell the plantation. And certainly not to you or your clients," she spat.
This time, in spite of his resolve, the lawyer flinched at the obvious insult. However he quickly got back his cool, as he replied calmly.
"I prefer discussing this directly with your father if you don't mind."
Piper watched him for a long moment, challenging him. However, when she saw that he wouldn't be provoked, she turned to Samuel, who had followed silently.
"Samuel, would you please accompany this…gentleman inside the house and announce him?"
The black man nodded in acquiescence and turned immediately toward the house.
The lawyer seemed to hesitate a moment, and then he asked:
"Is your delightful Cousin home as well?"
"I don't think that she'll be very thrilled to see you…"
"This is my concern," Cole replied finally letting some of his irritation showing through.
Then, he simply turned around and followed Samuel.
Meanwhile, Paige had been totally oblivious to the conversation, as she grinned toward the two men who had followed the lawyer, but stayed at a distance. Piper noticed how the both of them were staring at her in a less than gentlemanly fashion, which didn't surprise her in the least.
The two men were whispering to each other at the same time as gazing toward Paige with big grins. She surmised that they must be debating on which one of them she was truly interested in. Reluctantly, the two men waved goodbye to Paige before following the lawyer inside. Piper turned to her sister with renewed worry and irritation.
"Paige, I can't believe you!"
Her sister turned to her, puzzled.
"What?"
"You know what I'm talking about. Those two boys are equally interested in you and you're playing a dangerous game with them…"
Paige sighed.
"Piper… I told you, I can't decide. They're both so gorgeous and interesting..."
"They are both going to be lawyers, not gentlemen…"
Paige exclaimed irritably.
"Piper!"
However, Piper lifted a hand to stop her protestations.
"If it was only this, maybe I could understand. However, the game that you're playing can only end in serious trouble for them and you…"
Paige looked away from her sister and shrugged Piper's concerns away. Or at least that is how it appeared to Piper. Inside Paige was not as confident as she was letting out. She knew how dangerous it was to play with men's feelings but she couldn't help it. Both of them were so different and yet so attractive in their own ways. Matthew was as sweet as pie, calm and always helpful. Even with the competition that they were having over her, he never raised his voice or started a fight. This was not to say he didn't react when his brother tried to goad him into one. Nicholas was so different. Passionate and she knew, dangerous… Until they had met Paige, they got along fine. In some ways, they completed each other perfectly. Nicholas was the protector, even if sometimes a little too enthusiastic about it, while Matthew was the voice of reason, who kept his brother in line.
Ever since they met Paige however, things had gone from bad to worse, with their bond as brothers breaking apart slowly but surely. This, in time would have disastrous results…
*************
Paige interrupted Phoebe with an exclamation of surprise.
"Matthew? You included my boyfriend in your story?"
Phoebe took a moment to collect her thoughts as she had been concentrating on remembering the dream.
"Actually, those are not just stories… They're premonitions that came to me in a dream…"
Even Piper was surprised by this.
"What do you mean?"
"Well I'm not sure, but I think that my power has grown somehow and now I can see our previous lives; at least in dreams."
"Really?"
"But why do we have the same names?"
"Oh that, well I was just using our names for clarity. Obviously, those people had different names and appearances. But in the dreams, we appear exactly the same as we are now. I heard once that it has to do with us recognizing each other's souls…"
"Oh! Well sorry for the interruption, but still, you mean that Matthew was in my past as well?"
"At least I think he was, because of the description you gave me… By the way, I heard him in here tonight. When are we going to meet him officially?"
Paige seemed a little embarrassed but she still said:
"Soon I hope. The occasion didn't present itself just yet but I will see to it that you meet him soon. I hope that we didn't disturb you last night by the way?"
Phoebe smiled.
"Not at all," she lied. She wasn't about to make her sister more uncomfortable than she already was.
In the apartment, the two brothers were facing each other down.
Nicholas started:
"It's been a long time brother…What was it, one hundred years?"
"No matter, it wasn't long enough."
Matthew was now worried sick not for himself, but for Paige…