Okay. I know it was a long time in coming but here it is… Chapter 11 :-) I would like to thank all of those wonderful readers who have given Muse some feedback with their reviews. I am glad that you are enjoying the story. I know that there is some dark material in this fic, as one reviewer pointed out (Jean :-) ) but I do promise a happy ending just in case some of you were beginning to worry.
Now on with the story :-)
Distribution: This story cannot in part or whole be sold or used for profit in any way. Copies may only be distributed with author's permission and must include all disclaimers.
Disclaimer: Cole Turner, Darryl Morris, Prue, Piper, Paige, and Phoebe Halliwell. Leo Wyatt, Jenna, and Andy Trudeau and all other characters that have appeared on the series "Charmed" as well as the concept of Charmed and all backstory are the copyright property of Aaron Spelling, E. Duke Vincent, and the WB Television Network. No copyright infringement was intended. All original characters as well as the story idea and the story itself are the sole property of the author.
Uncle D shimmered himself and his passengers to the address that Darryl had given him. As soon as he solidified his passengers jumped down and circled around to stand in front of him, their eyes and stance told him that they were upset.
"I know I can feel it too." There was a power, a darkness here, one that seeped into the shadows around them but there was also a power of light just under the surface as well. "It seems that both sides know about the coming of the Prophecy."
"And for once they seem to have put aside their differences to act together." Pee Wee didn't like this one little bit. If the powers of both sides targeted him and his companions then they must already know the secret cargo that they carried with them.
"They tried to destroy them. They haven't even begun and they have already tried to destroy them. We have to get back so we may pass our cargo on before anything happens to them." Bearlock was worried and it showed. If the sides of Light and Darkness were operating together then it would only be a matter of time before they tried to stop the ascension. That was bad enough but at least the boys were able to defend themselves and each other, their cargo couldn't even do that.
Snuggles watched as the others began to pace about but never moving far from each other or Uncle D. "You know what this means don't you?" He looked up to the Dragon's face as he spoke and he could tell that the Dragon did understand. "They are going to declare War and when they do they will upset the Balance themselves. They must be stopped before it gets that far. The boys are going to need time to adjust to their new lives and so will the Twins, especially after we deliver our cargo." He looked back to the house they were standing behind, his voice quiet yet deadly. "They sought to stop us from reaching our charges and tried to destroy our cargo. They must pay and we must send a message." Snuggles looked to his other furry companions as they all nodded their heads in agreement.
"Then a message we shall send." Uncle D was furious and only those that knew him would see that, those that didn't usually didn't live for very long.
The group moved silently up to the house and peered in though the window. What they saw surprised them though. Standing in the middle of the room was a creature known as a Soul Collector, this creature worked directly for the Source normally, as to whom it was working for now they didn't know but they would find out. Standing next to this creature was a Soul Seeker and this type of creature worked directly for the Elders. The fact that they were even in the same room with each other spoke of two things; one was that there was a new Source and they had to find out whom; and two was that the new Source had a direct line to the Elders whom he or she was apparently working with.
"This goes beyond bad guys and you know it. Uncle D are they ready for this?" Pandy had seen the creatures and like her companions she knew what they meant. Someone had already targeted not only the boys but also those yet to come which meant that they were very afraid. That kind of fear was dangerous unto itself, it could easily become undirected or misdirected and neither option was appealing at the moment. The boys already had so much to deal with and she was afraid that this could end up being too much for them. She looked to Uncle D as he was the only one that would be able to answer her question.
Uncle D understood the concern but he had the utmost faith in his nephew and Darryl, after all if his nephew could survive Phoebe Halliwell and the Charmed Ones then he could survive anything. As for Darryl, if he could survive the first Bond with his nephew then he too could also survive anything. The boys have come too far to let their destiny slip through their fingers now, after all if that happened then all of the pain and suffering would have meant nothing and Uncle D would be damned if that was going to happen.
"Oh they will be all right, don't worry about them not making it because they will." The conviction and the threat in his voice did not go unnoticed by the furry ones.
"And you will be there every step of the way making sure that they do." Bearlock had seen the look in the Dragon's eye and shuddered a little. Oh yes the boys and the Twins would make it and Gods help whoever gets in their way.
"Yes I will be and so will all of you." Uncle D knew that he and he alone would not be able to protect the boys from what was to come, but with the help of the furry ones and his niece Raven the boys would survive. There were many who would challenge the boys in the coming months, many who would seek to destroy them while they were still young in their new powers, but they wouldn't be alone. The Twins would be there for them as well; their love and support would be strong pillars of strength for the boys, pillars that no one would be able to destroy.
The furry ones looked to each other as the same thoughts ran through their minds. Their boys weren't alone and that would prove to be their saving grace. Many Chosen Ones didn't last long because they had no one, they were alone and it was that very loneliness that brought about their final end, but there in lay the difference for the boys. They had support, family that would be there for them no matter what and with that family they would survive.
"All right then, let's make some toast shall we?" Uncle D said as he gathered the small ones close before shimmering into the house.
"What?"
"What?"
Neither Soul creature made another sound as Uncle D demonstrated what fire could really do. As the two piles of ash settled on the floor Mr. Schmuck made the wrong choice and it proved fatal.
"What the hell is going on in here?" He shouted as he entered the room. He stopped dead in his tracks as he caught sight of the rooms occupants. "Oh shit!" He turned and tried to run but he didn't even get to the door before he felt the heat. It was too bad that he had chosen as he had but it had been his choice, freely made and now he paid.
"Have you ever heard the saying 'Do not meddle in the affairs of Dragons for you are crunchy and good with ketchup'? Have you?" Uncle D had grabbed the burning torch that had once been a man, turning his face towards himself so that he could see the human's eyes. He watched the fear turn to disbelief and then to comprehension as the human finally came to understand his own folly. "I see you understand now. Good. I want you to take a message to your bosses. I want you to tell them that they have failed and that the Chosen shall Ascend. The Prophecy has begun and there will be no stopping it. The Time of Change is upon us all and like a force of Nature it cannot be stopped. The Whirlwind is coming. I want you to tell them this. Goodbye." As the word echoed around him he snapped the human's neck with such force that the head came off in his claws. A moment of dead silence passed and then a column of darkness rose from the bloody neck, hovered for a brief moment and then vanished in white-hot flame.
Uncle D dropped the corpse, what was left of it and let it finish burning itself to ash. He looked to his furry companions and smiled. "Oh don't worry, he will deliver the message of that you can be certain."
The furry ones looked the Dragon in the eyes and knew that he spoke the undeniable truth. They looked to each other once before jumping on Uncle D's back for the ride home. As they shimmered out they couldn't help but smile.
After a quick pit stop they shimmered into the Manor and quickly checked on the boys. They found the boys and the Twins fast asleep on the pulled out couch in the living room.
"Darryl will keep Cole out here until Slater is captured, their bedroom has too many windows and will make Cole too good of a target for Darryl's liking." Uncle D explained when he saw the question in their eyes. Even though they had all of the memories it wasn't as if they had lived those memories, not like Cole and Darryl had when the first Bond had been formed. No, their memories were more like files of information that the furry ones could access when needed and over time they will begin to fully understand how their charges think but until then there will be small things that will confuse them.
"It's time." Was all Pee Wee had to say before he moved into position. The others quickly followed suit and got themselves into position as well.
Uncle D took his position at the foot of the bed whilst the furry ones each moved to the proper points. In short order they had themselves situated around the bed, forming a pentangle with each of the furry ones and Uncle D as playing its points. Bearlock and Pandy were on Darryl's side of the bed whilst Pee Wee and Snuggles were on Cole's side of the bed.
"Let it begin." All five said at once.
The minute the words were spoken a ring of pure power rose up around the sleeping lovers, a ring of power that reached out for the four of them, drawing each of the two men to their lover's arms. As their lips met their lover's a bright light rushed out of each of the four furry ones and began to dance around the circle of power.
All eyes turned to the new lights as they weaved in and around each other as if playing a game of tag. So mesmerized were they all by the lights that they never noticed the beds occupants losing various pieces of clothing. When they finally brought their eyes back to the bed they found a sight that would normally have made them all turn their eyes away out of respect. However they found that they couldn't, as if they had to bear witness so watch they did.
Both sets of lovers had their eyes closed as their hands roamed their mates' body, their movements so in sync it was as if one mind was controlling the movements of all four. Slowly a mist formed around each pair of lovers, it became less and less transparent as it spiraled up towards the still dancing lights and soon began to take shape; or rather four shapes.
Uncle D noted, with a slight smile, that the mist was forming into their soul-selves as it was called. The shape of your soul-self ultimately determined your place in the universe and this was especially so for Dragons. For a Dragon, your soul-self's shape would ultimately dictate your path in life. He was mildly amused to see the four shapes emerge from the mist.
The Dragon with an elongated tail was just what he had expected to see rise from his nephew, after all Cole was Raven's grandson so it was only natural that they would share their soul-self shape. Darryl's soul-self was a bit of a surprise though as it turned out to be a Dragon Gryffon, instead of having an upper part of the body that was a bird this one had the upper body of a Dragon. This was a powerful soul-self and having seen it rise from Darryl, Uncle D actually found himself relaxing a little. Yes Darryl was very powerful in his own right, very powerful indeed.
His eyes traveled to the images that were now forming from the Twins and this time he was surprised for their soul-self's were identical and that was very unusual. The choice of image was also very unique. As the mist coalesced if formed an identical pair of Dragon Centaurs, the bottom horse half of their bodies was in the form of strong, powerful horse legs while their upper bodies were also that of Dragons instead of the normal human type form that usually came with the Centaur image.
Quickly Uncle D turned his eyes back to the bed and was just in time to witness a startling event.
Suddenly all four of their eyes opened but instead of their normal coloring they were iridescent purple, the color of Raven's Dragon eyes and his own. They are all of our House. Their souls are all from House Amythdon of Dragonish. To say Uncle D was surprised was an understatement and that took some doing. He had known that they had old souls but to be old Dragon souls, well that was most unusual especially when they were not all from the same family. Just as he was making a mental note to speak to his niece about this turn of events the sound from the lovers began to rise snapping his eyes back to them where, briefly his eyes fell on the brand scar that was on his nephew's back. He had stopped using glamour to cover it when he had become friends with Darryl, who already knew about it anyway.
The five surrounding the bed could see the fine sheen of sweat that now covered the four lovers as their bodies joined in a dance that was older than all of them. Each pair of eyes seemed to look nowhere and everywhere at the same time, the pleasure contained within those eyes was plain for all to see. The sounds and movements reached a fevered pitch and almost faster than they could see the four bouncing lights shot towards the soul-self images. As each one was caught with in the mist of the image it had dove into the lovers on the bed cried out, a purple glow surrounding the four lovers bodies as their soul-selves returned to their rightful owners; bringing with it the special cargo that was being delivered.
As soon as the soul-self images, with the special cargo contained within them, returned to its rightful owner there was one last brief but bright flash of purple around the bed. When each of the five lowered their claws and or paws from shading their eyes they found the beds occupants already asleep once more.
"That was." Pandy had no words and neither did anyone of the others as they simply stared at the bed. The sounds of someone clearing their throat however had all of them turning to face the newcomer.
"I would suggest, strongly, that no one mention the audience to this little event." Benjamin Turner looked to each of the five guilty parties as he spoke. His son's exact reaction to the very idea that someone had watched was something that he'd rather not see. As his eyes went back to the bed he found a small smile coming to his lips as he watched his son curl up into a small ball and snuzzle up to Julianna's side. As his soon to be daughter-in-law wrapped her arms around the curled up form he could hear a soft purring begin to come from his son. Knowing that the boys and the Twins were going to need all of their sleep he quietly ushered Uncle D and Pee Wee to his room while dropping Pandy off to Piper as well. As he turned to move them down the hall he took one last look back. He quietly watched as Bearlock climbed up and planked himself down across Darryl's chest while Snuggles curled up on his son's hip. He knew that his son would be very safe for the night so he retired to his room.
As he lay in the darkness of his room he wondered what all of this would do to his son. He knew that Darryl took very good care of Cole but he couldn't help but wonder sometimes what their lives would have been like if he hadn't been a Chosen One. As his mind thought the idea through he realized that none of their lives would be the same and that was something he would definitely not like to think about. No, his son was a Chosen One and he was proud, so very proud; even with all that his boy had suffered during his life he could still find it in his heart to love and to trust. Granted it took time to earn his trust, but once it was earned it never wavered; it was that trust that had come to cost him so much with the Charmed Ones.
The Charmed Ones… even thinking about them and their Whitelighter made his blood begin to boil. The mere thought of that… that… person made him sorry that he was dead or he would gladly go up one side of her and down the other. The very thought of fulfilling that wish made him smile. He knew that one day she would learn the true error of her ways and he just hoped he was there to see it.
With thoughts of a certain Charmed One suffering agonizing pain, Benjamin Turner slipped into a very contented sleep.
The morning found Grams making her coffee while she waited for the children to get up. As she moved quietly around the kitchen the family began to file in one by one. Simmons and Cam were usually first up but this particular morning she found her son up first.
"Good morning Mom." Benjamin all but whispered as he sat at the table and gladly accepted the cup of coffee she offered him. "Don't ask." He had dark circles under his eyes, his sleep of the night before having been interrupted numerous times by nightmares all of which included his son being hurt or killed. His dreams had started out pleasant enough, with images of Phoebe Torture dancing in his head. Unfortunately his dreams had all too quickly become nightmares and he knew why. After all it was his own fault for thinking of Phoebe Torture. Thoughts of her always brought him nightmares as his mind would replay the pain his son suffered at her hands. She had said that she loved him and his son had loved her, trusted her in return yet she never even truly looked at Cole. In her eyes Cole's life started the moment she decided to love him, he had no past, no history that she cared to hear about. Benjamin was startled from his musings as his mother's arms wrapped themselves around his neck from behind, her chin resting on the top of his head.
"Let me guess. Phoebe Torture." She felt her son tense beneath her and knew that she had been right. "And that turned to nightmares about."
"Yes." Benjamin said quickly, cutting her off before she could say it. His shoulders slumped a little as the tension began to drain away a little; his mother's presence having the calming effect on him like always.
Grams knew that her son suffered from nightmares, nightmares that revolved around his son's tortured past. His nightmares were filled with images of his son being hurt, abused, tortured, and killed. Her little one had never and still doesn't know about the connection that his father has with him, a connection that the Source used to torture Benjamin with in the past. Her son had had to watch as his own son was abused emotionally, physically, and sexually before his little boy had even seen his first decade. He had to watch as his son fell in love for the very first time in his long life, had fallen in love and had been betrayed by that love and by the family that he had adopted and protected for almost two years even though they had never really let him in. He shook his head trying to dispel the horrid images that his memory kept showing him.
"I know it's hard my son but."
"I know. I know and I am trying but it is not easy with one of them under the same roof as him. Especially now!" Benjamin hadn't meant to raise his voice but his anger and lack of sleep got the better of him. He regretted it a second later as he heard small whimpers begin to come from his son's sleeping form. A small smile though made it's way to his lips a moment later as three things happened at once. Julianna's arms pulled Cole closer to her; Snuggles rubbed his snout against the bare upper arm that he was partially lying on; and Darryl rolled closer to Cole, lying his hand on the back of his son's neck. As quickly as the whimpers began they ceased, Cole snuzzling down against Julianna, though he never moved far enough away to lose the physical contact he had with Darryl.
"Sorry." Benjamin's apology to his mother was answered by more than one voice.
"Be careful." The voices said. Benjamin turned his head to the right in search of those who spoke. He found Cam and Simmons standing in the archway that lead to their wing of the Manor, whilst on the stairs coming from the second floor stood Prue and Uncle D; Piper was behind them with Tim on the stair directly above her. They were all looking at him save Piper whose eyes were fixed on his son's curled up and purring form. He watched as her hold on Pandy tightened, her face taking on a slightly strained and haunted look, but before he could question her Pee Wee decided to make his presence known as he suddenly jumped from Uncle D's back to the top of his scaly head, Uncle D's growl went ignored by the ball of fluff who had already turned his gaze to Grams.
Pee Wee had decided that it was time to get everyone moving, besides he was hungry himself. "All right guys I think it is time for breakfast because I for one am hungry."
"You're always hungry." Pandy retorted, rolling her eyes. She had hoped to elicit at least a smile from her charge but Piper's eyes were still fixed on the bed, or more specifically on a sleeping Cole. Pandy briefly felt a pang of sorrow for her because no matter what Piper did she would never truly understand the depths of pain that Cole has suffered during his life. Her charge has never truly been alone in her life, never suffered in total silence and loneliness as he has. No, Piper will try hard but it isn't something that one can simply imagine. Pandy only hoped that her charge didn't run in the face of the pain and suffering that she had helped to cause. If Piper could just face her own guilt by facing Cole then maybe she could begin to heal as well. Pandy's attention was drawn back to Pee Wee.
"Grams, when you make breakfast I strongly suggest that you make something very bland for the four of them." He couldn't help but smile as he sat atop Uncle D's head. It had begun and soon the happy couples would find out.
"Do I dare ask why you said that?" Grams wasn't sure what was happening but she was sure that no one was in immediate danger. "Okay then let's make breakfast shall we." She could tell by the look on the kitty kat's face that he wasn't going to tell her the secret, at least not yet anyway.
Prue and Tim both moved to sit next to Benjamin at the table while Simmons went out the front door after telling Grams that he had to check in with the new stakeout shift that was watching the Manor. Cam went to take a shower while Uncle D sat on his chair at the table with the others. His chair was larger than the others but then again so was he. Piper wasn't exactly sure what to do and probably wouldn't have moved if Grams hadn't called her over to help with breakfast preparations. Once again Pandy found herself sitting on the counter, close enough to Piper to be of comfort yet far enough away form the food so as not to bother it.
Grams and Piper had just finished preparing the food when everyone froze as a soft whimpering could be heard coming from the bed. All eyes turned to the new sound and simply watched afraid of upsetting the delicate balance that existed there.
Snuggles and Bearlock had both heard the sound and jumped towards the end of the bed, making sure that they were well out of the way.
Cole was caught in a whirlwind of pain as memories came to life all around him. Memories of when he was a child were mixing with memories of his time as the Source's prisoner and all he wanted to do was run and find a safe place to curl up in, but he couldn't find one and he was becoming more and more frightened as even more memories chased him. Suddenly he felt hands on him and he cried out, his fear getting the better of him. As he tried to push away from the hands he felt a pair of strong arms wrap around him from behind, trapping his hands tight against his chest. When he tried kicking out he found his legs trapped as well, something heavy was laying across them stopping all movement. It was becoming harder to breathe as his fear and terror closed in around him.
Suddenly he heard something, broken words coming from far away and in a language that was comforting. As he sought to figure out where the voice was coming from he felt a presence approaching him. His struggles stopped immediately when he realized who the presence was.
"Darryl?" His voice sounded tiny even to him but he didn't care, all he cared about was that he wasn't alone anymore, his friend had found him and he knew Darryl would never leave him alone.
"Yes my friend, it's me. You are not alone, I'm here." Darryl had known that this was going to happen, it always did when Cole got overtired. He also knew he'd have to take Cole back because he couldn't see the way back. Here in the 'Tween Place, that place that connected the Dreamscape to the Waking world his friend couldn't see; unfortunately the nightmares he could still see for those played within Cole's own mind as well as all around them for Darryl to see. Darryl quickly took Cole's hand in his own knowing the physical contact would help calm his friend down. The level of fear in his friend was easily gauged by the death grip he found his hand in.
"I want to go home." Cole's voice wasn't that much stronger than before but he felt his fear disappearing rapidly as he squeezed Darryl's hand tightly.
"Home it is then." Darryl didn't need to make sure he had a tight grip on his friend with the grip Cole had on him there was no way he was going to get lost on the way back. He pulled Cole close to him and started to lead him to the border that would take them to the Waking World. The trip was made as quickly as Darryl could manage, the memories still playing themselves out around him, which meant they were also still playing inside his friend's head and Darryl just simply wouldn't have it. Cole needed rest and he was going to get it if he had anything to say about it.
In the Waking World both Julianna and Anita waited for Darryl to return with Cole from the 'Tween Place. Their loves physical bodies were half sitting in the middle of the bed, Darryl's voice still speaking Dragonish softly into Cole's ear when Cole's body suddenly stopped struggling. They knew then that Darryl had found Cole now they just had to wait for him to return with Cole. The girls looked to the puppies at the foot of the bed, both furry ones were nervous and anxious as their eyes darted form one bed occupant to another.
"Don't worry Snuggles, Darryl will bring Cole back." Julianna said, trying to reassure the puppy.
"And don't you worry Bearlock, Darryl won't get lost either." Anita could see the worry in Bearlock's eyes as they kept darting back to her lover.
In the kitchen Piper was staring nervously at the bed and wondering what had happened to Cole now. Prue could easily read the look on her sister's face and decided to explain. "Piper, relax Cole will be alright." The look she got told her that her sister didn't quite believe her. "Okay look. What is happening is this. When Cole becomes overtired… or Darryl for that matter, they have a tendency to get stuck in the 'Tween Place."
"You mean like the fairies?" Piper asked not quite following her sister.
"No not that 'Tween Place." Prue chuckled as she wondered if Piper would survive seeing Cole arguing a case in the Faery Court, it wouldn't be the first time he worked there but she wasn't sure her sister was ready for that, especially with the look on Piper's face right now. "No this is a place between the Waking World and the Dreamscape."
Prue continued to explain about Cole and Darryl's tendency to get stuck there if either of them were overtired. Being magical creatures they moved between the planes in their sleep easily enough but if they were fatigued and whatnot then they ran the risk of getting stuck. Normally not a problem but since Cole couldn't see right now he couldn't find his way out so Darryl had gone to get him. She had just finished explaining when Cole's head shot up off Darryl's shoulder and Piper's eyes returned to the bed.
"Thanks." Cole's breathing was a little fast as his eyes opened to the darkness that he was still trapped in. It wasn't that he had to say it but he and Darryl had promised each other long ago that they would never take their friendship for granted.
"Don't mench." Darryl smiled as he released his hold on Cole just as Julianna reached forward taking Cole into her embrace and holding him tightly. Darryl felt Anita's arms wrap around him and he gratefully relaxed into them. He was tired, his Guardian instincts had been very active throughout the night and he wasn't sure exactly why; Cole's blindness was only but one reason and it couldn't account for the continued heightened awareness that he had suffered with all night. He looked down at his lap as he felt Bearlock crawl onto him, he big puppy eyes looking up at him with nothing but concern and love. As he placed his hand on the little guy he watched as Snuggles did the same to Cole.
"Guys we are alright."
"Listen to him Snuggles, the man is right, we are fine." Cole didn't need his eyes to feel the tension in the little furry body that was now sitting in his lap, well as close as he could get with Julianna in the way. His head went up a second later as he smelled breakfast. "Hmmm, food and I for one am hungry so up you go guys." He made shooing noises to get Julianna moving as he picked up Snuggles before standing himself.
"Hmmm, you can say that again. Come on Anita up you go as well." Darryl grabbed Bearlock off his lap so that he too could get up, his stomach grumbling almost as loud as Cole's. "Okay let's go get washed up so we can eat." Darryl said as he put his arm around Anita while Julianna did the same with Cole; each boy still had their puppy firmly in their grasp as they started on their way. A loud throat clearing stopped them in their tracks before they even got two feet.
"I so do not think so boys and girls. Julianna and Anita, you two just unwrap yourselves from the boys there and take yourselves upstairs. Boys, you take the downstairs." Grams rolled her eyes at the innocent looks they were attempting. "Oh please, like those looks are even halfway believable I think not. If you four disappear together right now we won't see any of you until lunchtime at the very least so just put them away." No one moved. "Do the children need a time out already today?" Grams barely had time to cross her arms and tap her foot once when said children scrambled to disappear. Darryl handed Anita to Julianna as he took Cole from her. As soon as he had a firm hold of Cole's elbow he quickly pulled him down the hallway that Cam and Simmons had come in from earlier while Anita pulled Julianna up the stairs.
The entire room snickered as the children disappeared from view, the entire room save Piper. Piper simply stood looking to the archway that the boys had moved through. Prue noticed her sister's stare and found she couldn't quite read it. Briefly she mourned that loss before pushing it to the back of her mind. Giving herself a little shake she called out to Piper.
"What's wrong sis?"
"Nothing." Piper didn't want to say anything for fear of upsetting anyone, especially herself. Unfortunately her sister wasn't buying.
"Piper, you obviously have a question to ask so just ask it. I promise you we won't get mad at you." Prue could at least read the uncertainty in her sister and tried to give her reassurance.
Piper picked up Pandy and moved to the vacant chair next to her sister. As she looked to the faces of the people seated around the table she tried to find the right words, the right way of asking but in the end she simply blurted out the question. "Where did he get the scar on his back, it wasn't there before?" Of all the answers she had thought up the one she got was not among them.
All eyes turned to Grams who in turn looked to each of them. She and Julianna knew the pain of the brand for they carried their own, well Darryl knew as well but neither he nor Julianna were there at the moment, only she was and she didn't want her Little One to hear the answer so she spoke quickly and directly.
"The Brand has always been there… well since he was eight years old anyway. It is the mark of the Source and he brands all of his most prized possessions in that manner." Grams could see that she had pole axed the girl and surprisingly enough she actually felt a little sorry for her; however the part of her that was still angry at the Charmed Ones couldn't help but dig the knife in just a little deeper. "You have never seen it before because he has always used glamour to cover it when around the Charmed Ones. He was afraid at first that the symbol of the Brand might have been in the Halliwell Book of Shadows."
"Why would he think that?" Piper really didn't understand and Cam, who had decided on just a change of clothes instead of a shower, was only too happy to set her straight as she moved to sit across from the Charmed One.
"Piper, have you ever wondered how the entries in your Book get there?" Cam could tell by the look on her face that she didn't so she decided to enlighten her. "Previous Halliwell's have put them there. Your ancestor Penelope Halliwell, the one that died in 1910, she is the one that put Belthazor's entry in your Book. She met Belthazor when he saved my life for the second time. He rescued me and gave me to my Nation parents who raised and loved me for almost nineteen years. I was an infant when he found me the first time. Nineteen years later he rescued me again, this time from Penelope Halliwell after she had killed my Mom and Dad and my ten-year-old baby sister. Penelope Halliwell then dedicated her life to finding out all she could about Uncle Cole and how to kill him since the Athame she left in his back when we escaped didn't kill him that is." Cam knew she had a cold look in her eyes but she found she just couldn't help herself, she loves her Uncle Cole and this person and her family has dedicated their lives to trying to destroy him. They have no idea how close they came to accomplishing their task either she thought to herself, in fact there are parts of Uncle Cole that they did manage to destroy and we can never get those pieces back. The more she thought about what the Charmed Ones had done to her Uncle the madder she became. Grams voice jarred her out of her thoughts a second later.
"Cam, why don't you head over to the Land and pick up what we are going to need." Grams knew that Cam was reaching her boiling point and she felt that it would be a better lesson for Piper to see Cam for who she was then for Cam to take out her rage on the lone Charmed One in the house. She gave Cam a stern look when her eyes landed on her, a look that broached no argument. Once she decided to go Grams could see the understanding begin to spread across the young one's face. Now all Grams had to do was sit back and watch.
Cam didn't get it at first but as soon as she did she felt a little better. "Okay Aunt Raven." Cam stood up and moved to the center of the kitchen floor. Slowly, so as not to disturb or scare Darryl's Guardian senses, she pulled upon her own power and let it flow over her, changing her into her true self. Her blonde hair grew long and flowed down to her waist, the tips of her ears stretched upwards forming two neat but fairly long points that rose out of her hair. As her skin took on a translucent quality, her eyes became twin pools of drowning blue while her shoulder blades grew to form her gauzy gossamer wings. Her body began to radiate a white light, the sign of a true Fey when she looked to Piper. The look she received was well worth the trip to the Fey Land, even if the items weren't needed till the Day of Ascension. "Is something wrong Piper?" she asked, her voice already taking on the lilting quality of the Fey.
Piper couldn't say anything; she could barely breath. "What are you?" she finally managed to get out.
"I'm a Fey/Demon half-blood. My birth mother was at war so to speak with another faction and her rival could only be killed using a certain potion, one of the main ingredients being Fey Blood. Our blood is powerful in it's own right but the potion she needed called for Fey Blood that was of her own Blood as well. To that end she kidnapped my father from the Fey Land; raped, and murdered him as soon as she conceived. I was to be bled seven hours after I was born but Uncle Cole had found out about me and rescued me. He was only twelve years old himself but he still rescued me and nine years later he rescued another Fey/Demon half-blood. Uncle Cole gave her to my mom and dad because he thought it would be nice for each of us to have another of our kind around. We are sensitives and to have another of our kind around was a joy, for both my sister and myself, it is also how I knew that something had happened to Rhi. Unfortunately I was too late; she and my mom and dad were dead when I arrived at the house. I would have died too if Uncle Cole hadn't come; with no offensive powers active yet there was nothing I could use to defend myself with. Uncle Cole came and grabbed me but before he could shimmer us away Penelope threw an Athame at me. I thought I was dead until Uncle Cole shimmered us back to the Nation Safe Zone. When we got there he collapsed and that's when I saw the Athame sticking out of his back; he had taken the blade for me. Fortunately Aunt Raven was there and was able to save him but he had almost died saving me. A Blood Debt was conceived that day, one that I still honor to this day, one that promises him my protection whenever, wherever, and from whomever he may need it." Cam made sure that she had Piper's full attention before she started speaking but when she spoke of the Blood Debt she looked Piper directly in the eyes. She had a need to make the witch understand what her Uncle Cole meant to her and how far she could and would go to protect him from any threat.
"She's not the only one that owes Cole a Blood Debt, there are quite a few of us around." Simmons had returned from checking in with the morning stakeout shift in time to hear Cam's speech. He could tell that Piper was stunned a little speechless and he couldn't help but smile a little at her discomfort.
"Cam you should go now." Grams didn't want Cole to know about what Cam had done and he would in a hot second if Darryl saw Cam in her alter form as Darryl always gave Cole information through the Bond when he couldn't see; fortunately for Grams Cam understood and quickly faded from view.
Pee Wee suddenly jumped down from Uncle D's back and raced up the stairs.
"Uhm Uncle D what's going on and where did the fur ball go so fast?" Simmons had moved to the bottom of the stairs as he spoke. He removed himself fairly quickly though a few minutes later when he heard a shout coming from that direction and another coming from the direction the boys had gone in.
"WHAT!"
The voices of the Twins came from the top of the stairs just as the boys' voices came from the hallway they had gone down earlier. The only other sound that could be heard was Uncle D snickering at the head of the kitchen table. All eyes turned to him and he simply smiled.
Okay… well I hoped you all enjoyed that part and please remember to review as Muse lives for reviews