Paige walked into the living room, trying to assess the damage. It would take time to clean up, but it wasn't as bad as it had initially appeared. The only real damage to the house was the hole in the wall where Jill had landed.
She looked down, and saw a newspaper lying on the floor near an overturned end table. Paige picked up the paper, and noticed the large photo of a battleship on the front. She was
disturbed by the headline, which said 'China Threatens US Shipping.'
Paige started to read the article, but she looked up as Phoebe and Prue came down the stairs.
"Paige, where's Piper?" Phoebe asked.
"In the kitchen with Maggie," Paige said.
The two sisters had nearly reached the kitchen when Wyatt came through the door above them.
"Phoebe, can you help me with something?" Wyatt asked.
"I really have to talk to Piper," Phoebe said. "Can it wait?"
"No, it can't," Wyatt said.
"What is it?" Prue asked, concerned.
"Don't worry, we just have to take care of something at P3. We'll be right back."
"All right," Phoebe said. "What do you need?"
"What about the premonition?" Prue asked.
"I don't think it's urgent," Phoebe said.
"Paige, where's Maggie?" Wyatt asked.
"She's in the kitchen," Paige said. "Will somebody tell me what's going on?"
"Phoebe had a premonition," Prue said. "Something about Piper."
"Is it bad?" Paige asked.
"No." Phoebe paused. "Probably not."
"Come on." Wyatt put up his force field, then headed into the kitchen. Phoebe followed him.
Maggie and Piper were both standing over the oven when they arrived. The two of them were arguing about the contents of the large pot sitting on the stove.
"No, it does not need green pepper," Piper said.
"Ha," Maggie said. "I've been cooking since I was tall enough to reach the sink. Let me take care of the food."
"Hey, I'm a professional. I've worked in restaurants, clubs-"
"City food," Maggie said, sounding disgusted. She picked up a green pepper from the counter.
"Maggie," Wyatt said, putting himself between her and Piper.
"Wyatt, get outta the way," Maggie said. "I am trying to cook."
"That's a laugh," Piper said.
"Ugh, too many cooks," Phoebe said, putting up her hands.
"Maggie, I need you to come P3 with us," Wyatt said.
"What for?" Maggie asked.
"I'll explain on the way," Wyatt said. "But it's important that we go right now."
"Wyatt, why do you have your shield up?" Piper asked.
"Because P3 probably isn't protected anymore, and I don't want to be caught by surprise," Wyatt said.
"Piper, I need to talk to you when we get back," Phoebe said.
"Sure, why?" Piper said.
"I'll tell you later," Phoebe said.
"Can we go?" Wyatt asked.
"Yeah, fine," Maggie said, setting the pepper back down on the counter. "Just don't blame me if our dinner is bland."
"We won't," Piper said with an edge of sarcasm.
Wyatt, Maggie, and Phoebe quickly walked out of the manor. It was early in the afternoon. It was cold, even for January, and the sky was overcast.
"Okay," Phoebe said, walking down the stairs next to Wyatt. "Can you tell us what's going on?"
"Not just yet," Wyatt said. "I don't want anyone to overhear."
"Overhear what?" Phoebe asked.
"Something that I want to keep between the three of us… at least until I know exactly what's going on."
"Wyatt, you know I can't read you with your shield up," Maggie said.
"I know," Wyatt answered. "Don't worry. I just need to clear something up."
"But you can't tell us anything?" Phoebe asked.
"I will, as soon as the house is out of sight," Wyatt said. He looked down at the sidewalk for a moment as they walked toward the end of the block, heading in the general direction of P3. "Phoebe, can you force a premonition? If you focus on something, can you get a vision from it?"
"I can try," Phoebe said, "But it doesn't always work."
"Wyatt, you're starting to worry me," Maggie said.
"We're both worried," Phoebe added.
"Well," Wyatt said. "That makes three of us."
Wyatt put a hand in one of the deep pockets of his coat, and made a fist. After a moment, the three of them went around the corner of a tall, brick building.
"Phoebe," Wyatt said. "I-"
Before he could finish, fire leapt from the ground next to them. A demon took shape from the miniature inferno.
"Hold that thought," Cole said. "Phoebe, we have to talk."
"No, you have to leave," Phoebe said. "Or we're going to vanquish you again. And we'll keep killing you until we find a way to make sure you don't back."
"Good luck," Cole said.
"We vanquished you," Wyatt said. "I saw you explode."
"I got better," Cole said.
Wyatt started to raise his force field over Phoebe, but Cole pulled her away before it could cover her.
"Not this time." Cole flamed out, and took Phoebe with him.
"No, Phoebe…" Wyatt said, staring at the ground that she had been standing on a moment ago.
"We have to get back," Maggie said, turning towards the manor.
Wyatt's attention snapped to her. "No."
"What? You've lost your mind," Maggie said.
Wyatt grabbed Maggie's arm, and pulled her back into the shadow of the building. "We have to take care of something first."
"That demon just kidnapped Phoebe. Now let go of me."
"Maggie, do you know how a demon was able to find us so quickly?"
"How should I know?"
"Maybe you can explain something else for me." Wyatt's grip tightened around the handle of the dagger hidden in his coat. "I was looking through the Book of Shadows, and I found a high-level demon with telepathic
powers. That demon looked just like you."
