" Book," called Philomela. The book shimmered into her hand. " This is so cool!" She straightened her face, trying to look cool.

" It's OK," Paige told her. " You can get excited. Even witches." Philomela blushed under her pale face powder. Paige smiled.

There was an explosion in the next room. " What's that?" wondered Philomela. Both women walked into the parlor where a man dressed in black stood.

" You must be the demon-witch," the warlock remarked. " My mistress will be quite pleased." He tossed a ball of green fire over Philomela, encasing her in green ice. Paige was infuriated.

Before she could say anything, the ice melted and Philomela was free. " Whoa," she commented. Black fire began to build in her hands, and she hurled it at the warlock. He blinked away before it could hit him.

" I'm getting out of here," he told them as he blinked away. Philomela looked at her hand, then at her mother. " Who was that?"

" A warlock," Paige said, biting her lip.

" He was trying to, you know, capture me, right? For his mistress?" Philomela looked distressed.

" Yeah," Paige agreed. But who? she thought.

***********************

The warlock shimmered into the Seer's chambers. " The girl," he breathed heavily. " She is too strong." The Seer scowled.

" You have failed me," she said angrily. With a snap of her fingers the warlock was engulfed in flames.

They are on to me, thought the Seer. But the 48-hour window is still open. How will I get the child? Another vision began then, and she smiled.

***********************

Byron looked up from his homework. " You all right, Mel?" She wasn't doing hers; instead, she nibbled the top of her pen.

" Not really," she admitted to her boyfriend. " I'm worried about Philomela."

" She'll adjust to her powers," he told her. " It'll be OK. You and I did."

" I know. But we aren't half demon," she reminded him.

" True, true," he remarked. " She'll be fine. Mel, no offense, but you're a bit of a worrier."

She shot him a look. " I'm NOT supposed to be offended?"

" Chill out," he said. He slid his chair closer to her. " Worrying is natural. You look cute when you worry."

" Really?" She looked at him mischievously. " Do I look cute now?"

" Of course," he grinned as he leaned in and kissed her. All her worries disappeared.

***********************

Philomela crept into bed. Well, today's been an exciting day, she thought as laid her head down. Getting powers, killing demons- bunches of fun. Slowly the girl fell asleep.

Suddenly she was in a deep dark cave. " Well, this is a fun dream," she quipped. "Where am I, hell?"

" Welcome, Philomela," a voice said. The girl turned around and saw a dark-skinned woman approaching her.

" Who are you?" asked Philomela. The woman smiled, sending chills up Philomela's spine.

" I will explain," the woman said. " Look before you." Philomela turned around and saw her mother, but not really. She had white hair, sharp fangs, and blood red eyes. Beside her was a tall demon, with the same physical characteristics. Together they sat in tall golden thrones.

" What are they doing?" Philomela asked the woman.

" Your father is the Source of Evil, and your mother is his Evil Queen." Philomela looked at the woman. " You're joking."

" I am not," the woman stated. A little girl entered the picture. She had long white hair and eyes the color of rubies. She smiled a pointy- toothed smiled at her mother, who smiled back and patted the child's head.

" Is that me?" asked Philomela. The woman nodded. " This was to be the future: your parents the rulers, you next in line for the throne." The picture faded and another appeared.

There was a bed, and Paige sat there, looking normal. Piper and Phoebe surrounded her. The Incubus was on fire, screaming in pain.

" But your mother vanquished your father," whispered the woman. " She did not want you to have your powers." The picture went black. Philomela faced the woman. "But you are destined for these powers. You are the product of both good and evil. You must bring balance. This is your destiny."