I know it's been ages everyone, and for that I am truly sorry, but here's
the thing. My computer is seriously trashed! I may even have to buy a new
one, (ouch!) which means having to save every single penny for the main
event! And it's almost Christmas!
Rest assured though that no matter how hectic life gets, no amount of broken computers, lack of money or time, will stand in my way of finishing this story. I love the characters too much for that!
Anyway, to make up for my long absence I have managed to write the longest chapter I have ever written (almost three times as long as my other ones!) for your pleasure.
And now, for the credits. . .
Talia: I wanna do them, I wanna do them. . .
Talia! Hasn't Cole taught you that it's rude to interrupt other people when they're talking?
Talia: But you always do them. . .
I said no.
Oh no!
Don't pout!
Don't you give me that look, young lady!
Ok, ok you can do the credits! Sheesh!
Talia *grins in triumph at having just won a battle of wills with her maker*: I'd like to thank everyone reading my story. . .
Ahem, don't you mean MY story?
Talia: No. It's not called Cinammon, is it? The title says Talia, doesn't it? Repeat after me, T-A-L-I-A. Get it?
Yeah, yeah, get on with it!
Talia: As I was saying before I was rudely interrupted. . .
Hrmf!
Talia: I'd like to thank everyone reading MY story with a special thank you to all the reviewers. Even more special thanks go to Chantedly, Mickis, Barb6, Prue101, Charmedfanatic3000, svata2004 and Sweetone41185!
Thank you.
Talia: You're welcome.
I hope this chapter meets with your approval everyone. It shows a darker Talia than it has before.
Don't forget to review!
Chapter 26: Early morning confessions
Talia didn't feel like celebrating with the rest of the cheerleaders and the football team. Her mind was in a whirl and she couldn't help thinking of what the two low level demons had told her, less than an hour ago.
If there was one thing that Talia was definitely not, it was naïve.
She knew the Underworld, and she knew how cruel and evil her father could be. She had recognized that very same darkness inside herself, long ago. Demons killed innocents. It was what they did. So why should she be surprised that her father had ordered the death of Josh, who was, after all, just another mortal to him?
Talia knew that she shouldn't be surprised. And she most definitely should not feel betrayed.
Talia prided herself on her logic. Her ability to see situations in the cold, harsh light of truth rather than in the heat of human emotions, had helped her in the past through many dangers. And so, she did the only thing she could think of. She tried to think this situation over in her mind, logically. Trying to organize her thoughts. Rationalize her father's actions.
Cole of course had no idea of her connection with Josh. He was only doing his job, cruel, gruesome and unusual as it was. No matter how much Talia disagreed with this, part of her found her father's deeds almost natural. It was simple really. He was the Source. And for some unknown reason, he wanted a mortal dead. And of course, he would send his demons after him.
Talia realised that she could understand. So why would the feelings of betrayal, disappointment and, yes, anger, completely illogical as they were, refuse to go away?
Talia was a witch now. And Josh was her innocent. She would do whatever she had to do to save him. Even if it meant fighting her own father. But she refused to let the Charmed Ones know. The Charmed ones' hatred for Cole Turner was legendary. The last thing she wanted was to involve them. She felt herself stealing with determination.
And that's when she felt someone watching her. She raised her eyes to meet Wyatt's concerned blue ones watching her from across the campfire the group of teenagers had gathered around.
Her nod to him was barely noticeable. Wyatt was a different story. If there was one person she trusted in this world, it was Wyatt. Yes, she decided. She would tell Wyatt. And together they would save Josh from the Source without involving the Charmed Ones.
***********
"That's good Wyatt. You're improving," said Talia to a panting Wyatt.
It was Saturday morning, the day after the football match and Talia's discovery. It was barely six thirty, but the two of them had already been training for almost an hour. Both Talia and Wyatt were drenched in sweat. They both took their training very seriously, and even though they had been out celebrating 'till late with their friends the night before, neither of them had even considered skipping their early morning training session. It meant getting barely any sleep but the training sessions had become deeply ingrained in them, and an essential part of their daily routine.
Talia hadn't found the time yet to tell Wyatt about her encounter with the two demons. He knew that her cousin had guessed that something had happened, but he was giving her time to tell him on her own terms. Understanding and patience were some of his most endearing qualities, decided Talia.
She had to tell him about her father or Josh. She'd already made up her mind to tell him, but she couldn't help but feel a wave of apprehension wash over her at the thought. It would be the first time Wyatt would learn something about her life before the Haliwells. About the world she had been brought up in. About the other part of her that she had kept hidden from all of them, in fear of rejection. Today she would come clean. She would tell the only person she trusted with her life, about more than the plot against Josh. She would tell him everything. Today Wyatt would see the true Talia, and Talia could only pray to any gods that would listen, that he wouldn't ran away screaming.
"Let's try something different today."
Talia's face wore a serious expression. Wyatt raised a single eyebrow as he watched his cousin pull two swords from where they had been hanging on the wall.
"Hand to hand combat is too safe," spoke Talia ignoring Wyatt's incredulous smile and the raising of a golden eyebrow. "Sword fighting teaches confidence, integrity."
Talia tossed one of the swords at Wyatt. He caught it deftly, but couldn't help but grimace at the unexpected weight of the thing.
"Ready?" snarled Talia as she held the sword in front of her crouching in a fighter's stance.
"Are you serious?" asked Wyatt.
Talia answered with a swing of her sword at him. Wyatt barely had time to dodge before the deadly blade swished past the spot he had only moments ago been.
Talia followed her swing with a quick thrust and once again Wyatt only barely managed to avoid serious injury.
His eyes had widened in surprise as he stared at the dark haired girl that attacked him once more without hesitation.
"Defend yourself," he heard her hiss at him. "Use your sword!"
Wyatt held the unfamiliar weapon in his hands and swung it clumsily at her in response. Talia dodged it easily and returned the favour with a thrust of her own.
This time Wyatt brought his own blade upwards to protect himself and the clung of metal on metal could be heard reverberating in the basement they had been using as a training room.
Talia spun in a whirl of dark hair before bringing her sword with a clang on Wyatt's own. Again and again Talia threw herself at Wyatt.
Her eyes flashed and sparkled in fury. Why her? She wondered angrily. How can the cruel Fates ask her to fight her own father? The only person who had ever cared for her from the moment she was born! The only person who dared look beyond the title, beyond the destiny her birthright had dealt her, who had dared to accept the real her. The person to whom her loyalties had lain but a few months ago, she finally admitted to herself.
"Talia!"
The desperate scream finally broke through the heavy veil of her thoughts.
That's when she realized that she had her blade at Wyatt's throat and was poised to strike.
"Talia, what the hell's the matter with you!"
Wyatt's voice brought Talia back to reality. Was that fear she detected in his wide-open eyes? Fear of her? The sword slipped from her hand and clattered loudly as it fell to the floor. What had she done?
There were a few moments of shocked silence as both tenagers seemed to take the time to process what had almost just happened.
Concern replaced the fear in Wyatt's eyes. Talia looked shocked and horrified at her own actions. She looked like a dear caught in a car's headlights, ready to run away, but Wyatt was damned if he was going to let her do that.
He grabbed her wrist as if to physically stop her from leaving. Determination came off him in waves. Something was wrong and Wyatt was hell- bent on finding out. His parents had taught him that family was more important than anything else, and, damn it, she was family!
He pulled her down on the basement staircase and forced her to sit next to him. She obliged without any protest.
"Speak to me Tal, what the hell happened yesterday?"
She didn't dare look at him, but she started her story.
"It wasn't just what happened yesterday, you know. There's a lot of things you don't know about me Wyatt. Things that I have consciously tried to hide from you and the others. Things about my past."
Wyatt watched his cousin swallow nervously, but did not interrupt. This was big, he decided. She needed to talk, and he needed to listen.
"You've heard how I was born, haven't you Wyatt?"
She didn't expect an answer as she stared into space, but he nodded anyway.
"The Crystal of Life brought me to this world, but it also gave me an unexpected gift. A power, if you like. One that I haven't used since I left the Underworld.
"The very symbol of life is the phoenix, the fire bird. It rises from it's own ashes you see. It is reborn, from it's own death. The crystal gave me the power to turn at will into a phoenix, a beautiful, yet terrible creature.
"I say terrible, because it holds incredible power. When attacking, the phoenix becomes pure fire. Nothing can stop an attacking phoenix. Its talons are poisonous and if scratched by them, a person dies. I know no cure for their poison. But, though a magical creature, a phoenix is not all bad of course. Its tears can heal almost all wounds. It is a magnificent bird.
"For the first six years of my life I didn't think much of this power. I felt towards it much as I felt about any other power I have. Like, throwing hellfire, telekinesis, or flaming, but soon I could ignore it no more.
"On my sixth birthday, my father asked me of a favour. He had uncovered a plot against him. Against us.
"There are those in the Underworld that don't think a half-demon should rule over pure-blooded demons. My father often had to face them in order to keep his throne. In this occasion the threat was a pure-blooded demon called Lynador, a very powerful upper level demon. My father had heard that he was gathering support against us. He was worried. Lynador planned to get rid of both my father and me. He thought of us as half-casts and therefore unworthy of the positions which we both held within the Underworld. Not an uncommon view.
"Lynador lived in a castle above ground in a remote area. The castle was protected by powerful magic and no demon, witch or warlock could enter the grounds without alerting Lynador himself and his co-conspirators. The Source needed Lynador out of the picture quickly, and he needed to seem unconnected with Lynador's . . . untimely exit from the scene. . . to maintain the peace in the Underworld.
"The wards protected Lynador from warlocks, witches and demons, but there was nothing against phoenixes. And that is where I came in."
"You killed him?" asked Wyatt in shock.
Talia nodded wordlessly all the while keeping her eyes in front. She didn't dare look at her cousin.
"But. . . you were only six!" he exclaimed.
"He was my first. The Source used me for other jobs after that.
"You might think him cruel, inhuman even, but you must remember, the Source is not human. The Source has a job to do and as incredulous as it may sound, that "job" includes harming, hurting and, yes, often, killing.
"I don't blame my father. He loves me more than any mortal father, more than any demon could ever love, and certainly more than the Source should be able to. His is my father. He is also the Source.
"But that doesn't change the past, or the choices I've made. I've been the Source's most prized assassin since the age of six. I have never failed. No one could ever escape the Phoenix, whether they were demon or mortal. Thankfully, father has never sent me against a witch. I think it was because of mother."
Both teenagers sat quietly pondering everything that had been said. Talia's expression had gone blank, her lips curved in a mirthless smile.
"Talia, I've never asked you this before, but why did you leave the Underworld? Why did you come to us? Surely you knew we existed before we'd ever met."
Talia's smile widened. It didn't reach her eyes. There was more pain in that smile than there ever was in any grimace.
"Just before I came to you, I was sent on a mission for the Source. My target was a mortal called Nicholas. He was a medical student in Cambridge in England. Top of his class. Brilliant prospects. A young man for whom the world was his for the taking. He was destined for greatness, one could easily see that.
"For what exact reason the Source wanted him dead, I cannot be sure. I never cared to ask.
"Although I still sometimes used my phoenix form on "assignments", I had come into my other powers by then, and when targeting humans, my human form obviously helped make me less conspicuous.
"I watched him for a few days before the hit, observing my target before striking, as was my custom. I thought I went by unnoticed. I was wrong. He must have caught me watching him, because one day, he walked towards me and greeted me. He introduced himself and asked me if I was a student at the university.
"I didn't expect that. I hadn't exactly had a decent conversation with one of my targets before.
"He was smart, and charming, witty and funny. I couldn't help but like him. I answered that I was a first year at the university. I've always looked older than my age so he bought it. We became friends. I used to meet him every day in a small café near the university for coffee or tea. We talked about everything, from literature to art, music, politics. I told myself that I was only studying my target, preparing for the hit, but I was deceiving myself.
"I'd never had a friend before. The sensation was a novelty and I loved the feeling of being just another student, instead of the Princess of the Underworld.
"That was. . . until the Evil Council demanded to know why the mortal was still alive. I knew then that we had both ran out of time. If I didn't kill him, another demon would be sent, and they wouldn't fail. He was a mortal after all. Easy prey.
"If I refused to kill him, the Council would want to know why. Somehow, I didn't think "he's my friend" would have cut it.
"There would be doubt as to my loyalties, and in the Underworld there is no room for doubt, even for the Princess of the Underworld. The fact the I'm half Charmed meant that I had enemies I'd never even heard of, ready to strike. I wasn't going to give them the chance.
"Nicholas and I went for a walk by the river the next day. I waited 'till there was no one around, and I stabbed him with an athame through the heart. He was dead before he hit the ground, but I'll never forget the look in his eyes just before he died. Surprise, horror, betrayal. . . Something broke inside me. For the very first time the Princess of the Underworld cried and I realized that I couldn't possibly continue doing what I was doing.
"I went to his funeral, you know. I had never been to a funeral before. Demons don't have them and of course I had never attended a mortal's funeral. There were so many people crying. People who had known and loved this brilliant young man that I had killed. That's when I made up my mind to leave the Underworld."
Wyatt was speechless.
"I'll understand if you want to tell your parents," continued Talia softly, still refusing to look her cousin in the eyes. "And I'll understand if they want me to leave this house. I won't go back to the Underworld, but I'll make it on my own above ground. I'd prepared for this, when I first left. I hadn't expected for you to take me in."
"Talia," started Wyatt, but soon ran out of words.
The second time Wyatt opened his mouth, the voice that came out was coloured with kindness and warmth. The very things that were the essence of the half witch, half-whitelighter that sat next to Talia.
"Look at me Talia," he said turning her shoulders gently to make her face him and raising her chin so he could look into her eyes.
"From the moment we met, you and I have hit it right off. For the past few months you've been like the older sister I never had.
"I'm sorry that you went through what you did, and I can't say that I understand, but you are here with us now. You've helped save so many innocents since you came to live with us. Yes, you've done things in the past that were wrong. But you regret them now. You've changed.
"If Nicholas can see you now, I'm sure that he'll be glad to know that he made such an impact on you. I'm not saying that what happened to him was right, but something good did come out of it. You found your way home, away from the Underworld and that took a lot of courage.
"I may not know the Talia you were, but I think I know the Talia you have become. You are brave, and kind, and loyal to those you care about, and the way to repent for what you've done in the past, is to live your life on the side of good in the future. Do exactly what you've been doing so far. Save innocents. Save lives rather than take them. That's why you, mum, aunt Paige, aunt Phoebe and I are here.
"I'm just really glad you felt you could confide in me. I don't hold anything you've told me here today, against you. I would never do that. And I won't tell all this to anyone, either, not even my parents if you don't want me to. What you've just told me stays between us."
Talia stared at her younger cousin in disbelief. He forgave her? How can anyone as fundamentally good as Wyatt ever forgive all the evil she had done! Did she dare believe it? But before Talia could react Wyatt had enveloped her in a huge bear hug. She held on to him for dear life. Wyatt knew about her past, and he didn't care! She felt an invisible burden lifted from her shoulders.
The euphoria however didn't last. There was still one last thing that needed to be said. Josh. She had to tell Wyatt about Josh.
Slowly she pulled away from Wyatt's embrace.
"I can't possibly tell you what this means to me Wyatt. I've never had a younger brother, but I can't imagine feeling closer to him if I did, than I feel to you right now."
Wyatt grinned. The boy had a heart of gold, and it had taken less than a few hours from the moment he met his cousin, to find a special place in it for her.
"I've told you all I have for a reason Wyatt. You were right. Something did happen yesterday that brought all this back."
Wyatt groaned. "Can't we leave it for tomorrow's training session. I don't think I can take any more confessions. Let's get back to sword practice, it's safer," he teased, lightening up the mood.
"I'm afraid we can't, "said Talia gravely. "During the game yesterday I spotted a couple of low-level demons watching the field."
"Not much to worry about if they were low-level demons then," said Wyatt confidently. "We can handle them."
"They weren't after us," said Talia shaking her head.
"Then who?"
"Josh."
"Josh? Why Josh?"
"Because my father ordered them."
Wyatt looked at Talia in surprise, his blue eyes almost popping out of his head. He groaned aloud again. It wasn't even eight o'clock in the morning yet!
"Ok, start from the beginning," said Wyatt.
Talia took a big breath before telling Wyatt exactly what had happened the day before at the football game.
Rest assured though that no matter how hectic life gets, no amount of broken computers, lack of money or time, will stand in my way of finishing this story. I love the characters too much for that!
Anyway, to make up for my long absence I have managed to write the longest chapter I have ever written (almost three times as long as my other ones!) for your pleasure.
And now, for the credits. . .
Talia: I wanna do them, I wanna do them. . .
Talia! Hasn't Cole taught you that it's rude to interrupt other people when they're talking?
Talia: But you always do them. . .
I said no.
Oh no!
Don't pout!
Don't you give me that look, young lady!
Ok, ok you can do the credits! Sheesh!
Talia *grins in triumph at having just won a battle of wills with her maker*: I'd like to thank everyone reading my story. . .
Ahem, don't you mean MY story?
Talia: No. It's not called Cinammon, is it? The title says Talia, doesn't it? Repeat after me, T-A-L-I-A. Get it?
Yeah, yeah, get on with it!
Talia: As I was saying before I was rudely interrupted. . .
Hrmf!
Talia: I'd like to thank everyone reading MY story with a special thank you to all the reviewers. Even more special thanks go to Chantedly, Mickis, Barb6, Prue101, Charmedfanatic3000, svata2004 and Sweetone41185!
Thank you.
Talia: You're welcome.
I hope this chapter meets with your approval everyone. It shows a darker Talia than it has before.
Don't forget to review!
Chapter 26: Early morning confessions
Talia didn't feel like celebrating with the rest of the cheerleaders and the football team. Her mind was in a whirl and she couldn't help thinking of what the two low level demons had told her, less than an hour ago.
If there was one thing that Talia was definitely not, it was naïve.
She knew the Underworld, and she knew how cruel and evil her father could be. She had recognized that very same darkness inside herself, long ago. Demons killed innocents. It was what they did. So why should she be surprised that her father had ordered the death of Josh, who was, after all, just another mortal to him?
Talia knew that she shouldn't be surprised. And she most definitely should not feel betrayed.
Talia prided herself on her logic. Her ability to see situations in the cold, harsh light of truth rather than in the heat of human emotions, had helped her in the past through many dangers. And so, she did the only thing she could think of. She tried to think this situation over in her mind, logically. Trying to organize her thoughts. Rationalize her father's actions.
Cole of course had no idea of her connection with Josh. He was only doing his job, cruel, gruesome and unusual as it was. No matter how much Talia disagreed with this, part of her found her father's deeds almost natural. It was simple really. He was the Source. And for some unknown reason, he wanted a mortal dead. And of course, he would send his demons after him.
Talia realised that she could understand. So why would the feelings of betrayal, disappointment and, yes, anger, completely illogical as they were, refuse to go away?
Talia was a witch now. And Josh was her innocent. She would do whatever she had to do to save him. Even if it meant fighting her own father. But she refused to let the Charmed Ones know. The Charmed ones' hatred for Cole Turner was legendary. The last thing she wanted was to involve them. She felt herself stealing with determination.
And that's when she felt someone watching her. She raised her eyes to meet Wyatt's concerned blue ones watching her from across the campfire the group of teenagers had gathered around.
Her nod to him was barely noticeable. Wyatt was a different story. If there was one person she trusted in this world, it was Wyatt. Yes, she decided. She would tell Wyatt. And together they would save Josh from the Source without involving the Charmed Ones.
***********
"That's good Wyatt. You're improving," said Talia to a panting Wyatt.
It was Saturday morning, the day after the football match and Talia's discovery. It was barely six thirty, but the two of them had already been training for almost an hour. Both Talia and Wyatt were drenched in sweat. They both took their training very seriously, and even though they had been out celebrating 'till late with their friends the night before, neither of them had even considered skipping their early morning training session. It meant getting barely any sleep but the training sessions had become deeply ingrained in them, and an essential part of their daily routine.
Talia hadn't found the time yet to tell Wyatt about her encounter with the two demons. He knew that her cousin had guessed that something had happened, but he was giving her time to tell him on her own terms. Understanding and patience were some of his most endearing qualities, decided Talia.
She had to tell him about her father or Josh. She'd already made up her mind to tell him, but she couldn't help but feel a wave of apprehension wash over her at the thought. It would be the first time Wyatt would learn something about her life before the Haliwells. About the world she had been brought up in. About the other part of her that she had kept hidden from all of them, in fear of rejection. Today she would come clean. She would tell the only person she trusted with her life, about more than the plot against Josh. She would tell him everything. Today Wyatt would see the true Talia, and Talia could only pray to any gods that would listen, that he wouldn't ran away screaming.
"Let's try something different today."
Talia's face wore a serious expression. Wyatt raised a single eyebrow as he watched his cousin pull two swords from where they had been hanging on the wall.
"Hand to hand combat is too safe," spoke Talia ignoring Wyatt's incredulous smile and the raising of a golden eyebrow. "Sword fighting teaches confidence, integrity."
Talia tossed one of the swords at Wyatt. He caught it deftly, but couldn't help but grimace at the unexpected weight of the thing.
"Ready?" snarled Talia as she held the sword in front of her crouching in a fighter's stance.
"Are you serious?" asked Wyatt.
Talia answered with a swing of her sword at him. Wyatt barely had time to dodge before the deadly blade swished past the spot he had only moments ago been.
Talia followed her swing with a quick thrust and once again Wyatt only barely managed to avoid serious injury.
His eyes had widened in surprise as he stared at the dark haired girl that attacked him once more without hesitation.
"Defend yourself," he heard her hiss at him. "Use your sword!"
Wyatt held the unfamiliar weapon in his hands and swung it clumsily at her in response. Talia dodged it easily and returned the favour with a thrust of her own.
This time Wyatt brought his own blade upwards to protect himself and the clung of metal on metal could be heard reverberating in the basement they had been using as a training room.
Talia spun in a whirl of dark hair before bringing her sword with a clang on Wyatt's own. Again and again Talia threw herself at Wyatt.
Her eyes flashed and sparkled in fury. Why her? She wondered angrily. How can the cruel Fates ask her to fight her own father? The only person who had ever cared for her from the moment she was born! The only person who dared look beyond the title, beyond the destiny her birthright had dealt her, who had dared to accept the real her. The person to whom her loyalties had lain but a few months ago, she finally admitted to herself.
"Talia!"
The desperate scream finally broke through the heavy veil of her thoughts.
That's when she realized that she had her blade at Wyatt's throat and was poised to strike.
"Talia, what the hell's the matter with you!"
Wyatt's voice brought Talia back to reality. Was that fear she detected in his wide-open eyes? Fear of her? The sword slipped from her hand and clattered loudly as it fell to the floor. What had she done?
There were a few moments of shocked silence as both tenagers seemed to take the time to process what had almost just happened.
Concern replaced the fear in Wyatt's eyes. Talia looked shocked and horrified at her own actions. She looked like a dear caught in a car's headlights, ready to run away, but Wyatt was damned if he was going to let her do that.
He grabbed her wrist as if to physically stop her from leaving. Determination came off him in waves. Something was wrong and Wyatt was hell- bent on finding out. His parents had taught him that family was more important than anything else, and, damn it, she was family!
He pulled her down on the basement staircase and forced her to sit next to him. She obliged without any protest.
"Speak to me Tal, what the hell happened yesterday?"
She didn't dare look at him, but she started her story.
"It wasn't just what happened yesterday, you know. There's a lot of things you don't know about me Wyatt. Things that I have consciously tried to hide from you and the others. Things about my past."
Wyatt watched his cousin swallow nervously, but did not interrupt. This was big, he decided. She needed to talk, and he needed to listen.
"You've heard how I was born, haven't you Wyatt?"
She didn't expect an answer as she stared into space, but he nodded anyway.
"The Crystal of Life brought me to this world, but it also gave me an unexpected gift. A power, if you like. One that I haven't used since I left the Underworld.
"The very symbol of life is the phoenix, the fire bird. It rises from it's own ashes you see. It is reborn, from it's own death. The crystal gave me the power to turn at will into a phoenix, a beautiful, yet terrible creature.
"I say terrible, because it holds incredible power. When attacking, the phoenix becomes pure fire. Nothing can stop an attacking phoenix. Its talons are poisonous and if scratched by them, a person dies. I know no cure for their poison. But, though a magical creature, a phoenix is not all bad of course. Its tears can heal almost all wounds. It is a magnificent bird.
"For the first six years of my life I didn't think much of this power. I felt towards it much as I felt about any other power I have. Like, throwing hellfire, telekinesis, or flaming, but soon I could ignore it no more.
"On my sixth birthday, my father asked me of a favour. He had uncovered a plot against him. Against us.
"There are those in the Underworld that don't think a half-demon should rule over pure-blooded demons. My father often had to face them in order to keep his throne. In this occasion the threat was a pure-blooded demon called Lynador, a very powerful upper level demon. My father had heard that he was gathering support against us. He was worried. Lynador planned to get rid of both my father and me. He thought of us as half-casts and therefore unworthy of the positions which we both held within the Underworld. Not an uncommon view.
"Lynador lived in a castle above ground in a remote area. The castle was protected by powerful magic and no demon, witch or warlock could enter the grounds without alerting Lynador himself and his co-conspirators. The Source needed Lynador out of the picture quickly, and he needed to seem unconnected with Lynador's . . . untimely exit from the scene. . . to maintain the peace in the Underworld.
"The wards protected Lynador from warlocks, witches and demons, but there was nothing against phoenixes. And that is where I came in."
"You killed him?" asked Wyatt in shock.
Talia nodded wordlessly all the while keeping her eyes in front. She didn't dare look at her cousin.
"But. . . you were only six!" he exclaimed.
"He was my first. The Source used me for other jobs after that.
"You might think him cruel, inhuman even, but you must remember, the Source is not human. The Source has a job to do and as incredulous as it may sound, that "job" includes harming, hurting and, yes, often, killing.
"I don't blame my father. He loves me more than any mortal father, more than any demon could ever love, and certainly more than the Source should be able to. His is my father. He is also the Source.
"But that doesn't change the past, or the choices I've made. I've been the Source's most prized assassin since the age of six. I have never failed. No one could ever escape the Phoenix, whether they were demon or mortal. Thankfully, father has never sent me against a witch. I think it was because of mother."
Both teenagers sat quietly pondering everything that had been said. Talia's expression had gone blank, her lips curved in a mirthless smile.
"Talia, I've never asked you this before, but why did you leave the Underworld? Why did you come to us? Surely you knew we existed before we'd ever met."
Talia's smile widened. It didn't reach her eyes. There was more pain in that smile than there ever was in any grimace.
"Just before I came to you, I was sent on a mission for the Source. My target was a mortal called Nicholas. He was a medical student in Cambridge in England. Top of his class. Brilliant prospects. A young man for whom the world was his for the taking. He was destined for greatness, one could easily see that.
"For what exact reason the Source wanted him dead, I cannot be sure. I never cared to ask.
"Although I still sometimes used my phoenix form on "assignments", I had come into my other powers by then, and when targeting humans, my human form obviously helped make me less conspicuous.
"I watched him for a few days before the hit, observing my target before striking, as was my custom. I thought I went by unnoticed. I was wrong. He must have caught me watching him, because one day, he walked towards me and greeted me. He introduced himself and asked me if I was a student at the university.
"I didn't expect that. I hadn't exactly had a decent conversation with one of my targets before.
"He was smart, and charming, witty and funny. I couldn't help but like him. I answered that I was a first year at the university. I've always looked older than my age so he bought it. We became friends. I used to meet him every day in a small café near the university for coffee or tea. We talked about everything, from literature to art, music, politics. I told myself that I was only studying my target, preparing for the hit, but I was deceiving myself.
"I'd never had a friend before. The sensation was a novelty and I loved the feeling of being just another student, instead of the Princess of the Underworld.
"That was. . . until the Evil Council demanded to know why the mortal was still alive. I knew then that we had both ran out of time. If I didn't kill him, another demon would be sent, and they wouldn't fail. He was a mortal after all. Easy prey.
"If I refused to kill him, the Council would want to know why. Somehow, I didn't think "he's my friend" would have cut it.
"There would be doubt as to my loyalties, and in the Underworld there is no room for doubt, even for the Princess of the Underworld. The fact the I'm half Charmed meant that I had enemies I'd never even heard of, ready to strike. I wasn't going to give them the chance.
"Nicholas and I went for a walk by the river the next day. I waited 'till there was no one around, and I stabbed him with an athame through the heart. He was dead before he hit the ground, but I'll never forget the look in his eyes just before he died. Surprise, horror, betrayal. . . Something broke inside me. For the very first time the Princess of the Underworld cried and I realized that I couldn't possibly continue doing what I was doing.
"I went to his funeral, you know. I had never been to a funeral before. Demons don't have them and of course I had never attended a mortal's funeral. There were so many people crying. People who had known and loved this brilliant young man that I had killed. That's when I made up my mind to leave the Underworld."
Wyatt was speechless.
"I'll understand if you want to tell your parents," continued Talia softly, still refusing to look her cousin in the eyes. "And I'll understand if they want me to leave this house. I won't go back to the Underworld, but I'll make it on my own above ground. I'd prepared for this, when I first left. I hadn't expected for you to take me in."
"Talia," started Wyatt, but soon ran out of words.
The second time Wyatt opened his mouth, the voice that came out was coloured with kindness and warmth. The very things that were the essence of the half witch, half-whitelighter that sat next to Talia.
"Look at me Talia," he said turning her shoulders gently to make her face him and raising her chin so he could look into her eyes.
"From the moment we met, you and I have hit it right off. For the past few months you've been like the older sister I never had.
"I'm sorry that you went through what you did, and I can't say that I understand, but you are here with us now. You've helped save so many innocents since you came to live with us. Yes, you've done things in the past that were wrong. But you regret them now. You've changed.
"If Nicholas can see you now, I'm sure that he'll be glad to know that he made such an impact on you. I'm not saying that what happened to him was right, but something good did come out of it. You found your way home, away from the Underworld and that took a lot of courage.
"I may not know the Talia you were, but I think I know the Talia you have become. You are brave, and kind, and loyal to those you care about, and the way to repent for what you've done in the past, is to live your life on the side of good in the future. Do exactly what you've been doing so far. Save innocents. Save lives rather than take them. That's why you, mum, aunt Paige, aunt Phoebe and I are here.
"I'm just really glad you felt you could confide in me. I don't hold anything you've told me here today, against you. I would never do that. And I won't tell all this to anyone, either, not even my parents if you don't want me to. What you've just told me stays between us."
Talia stared at her younger cousin in disbelief. He forgave her? How can anyone as fundamentally good as Wyatt ever forgive all the evil she had done! Did she dare believe it? But before Talia could react Wyatt had enveloped her in a huge bear hug. She held on to him for dear life. Wyatt knew about her past, and he didn't care! She felt an invisible burden lifted from her shoulders.
The euphoria however didn't last. There was still one last thing that needed to be said. Josh. She had to tell Wyatt about Josh.
Slowly she pulled away from Wyatt's embrace.
"I can't possibly tell you what this means to me Wyatt. I've never had a younger brother, but I can't imagine feeling closer to him if I did, than I feel to you right now."
Wyatt grinned. The boy had a heart of gold, and it had taken less than a few hours from the moment he met his cousin, to find a special place in it for her.
"I've told you all I have for a reason Wyatt. You were right. Something did happen yesterday that brought all this back."
Wyatt groaned. "Can't we leave it for tomorrow's training session. I don't think I can take any more confessions. Let's get back to sword practice, it's safer," he teased, lightening up the mood.
"I'm afraid we can't, "said Talia gravely. "During the game yesterday I spotted a couple of low-level demons watching the field."
"Not much to worry about if they were low-level demons then," said Wyatt confidently. "We can handle them."
"They weren't after us," said Talia shaking her head.
"Then who?"
"Josh."
"Josh? Why Josh?"
"Because my father ordered them."
Wyatt looked at Talia in surprise, his blue eyes almost popping out of his head. He groaned aloud again. It wasn't even eight o'clock in the morning yet!
"Ok, start from the beginning," said Wyatt.
Talia took a big breath before telling Wyatt exactly what had happened the day before at the football game.