Dear all, here is the next chapter. Hope you'll enjoy it and as usual
please let me know what you think. Really appreciate your reviews. Helps me
to keep writing.
Chapter 3
"You're lying!" Leo yelled and jumped on the woman who stood in front of him. Cole, who had half expected such reaction, stepped forward shielding Nicole from the angry whitelighter. The latter tried to punch him again and the half demon had nothing left but to grab him by the shoulders.
"She's not lying," Cole stated in a calm tone. "The imbalance of powers in the magic world would cause your son to turn evil. You know better than anybody that your son is going to be extremely powerful. It's always dangerous. And in the chaos, which is going to break in the magic world in the next few years it would be very easy for him to slip."
"I don't believe you," Leo yelled trying to free himself from Cole's grip. "It's you, you who'll turn him evil."
Cole let go of the whitelighter and had to gather all his self control to stop himself from sending Leo flying across the room. Nicole decided that it was time to interfere. "Leo, it's no ones fault. You and Piper can be great parents, me and Cole can disappear from the face of the Earth, but your son will still be evil. But it does not have to be like that. We have time to prevent this from happening. To restore the balance of forces. If the good and the evil conclude an armistice then your son will grow up in a completely different environment and his powers will be in equilibrium. But in order for this to happen, you need to help us and help us now, when it's not too late."
The whitelighter just looked at her with wild eyes. Then he sank into his chair wishing that all of this would be just a horrible nightmare and he would wake up in his bed with Piper breathing next to him. He sat for a few minutes hoping against hope that he would be awakened any minute. But deep in his heart he knew it was not a nightmare, it was a horrible, cruel reality.
Cole and Nicole stayed quiet giving him an opportunity to collect his thoughts. A long time passed before Leo looked at them again. This man and this woman had just destroyed his dreams. They showed him his future or better said that he had no future. And now he had to decide if he was going to trust them and help them in the hope that it would change his own future. He did not know what they would ask him to do, but he was convinced that if he said "yes" to this strange couple, there would be no way back and his life would change forever. He searched there faces trying to penetrate their thoughts, to see the proof that they were telling the truth.
They stood next to each other, he slightly in front as if ready to shield her from anything coming her way. Her eyes showed compassion and at the same time determination and Leo knew that she was totally committed to her mission and nothing would stop her from achieving this goal. The whitelighter turned his gaze on his ex brother-in-law. He used to fight next to this man, used to sit around one table with him. He healed him and helped to kill him, he hated him and relied on him, but he never accepted him and never trusted him completely. Now in a strange clarity of the mind, Leo realized that he always feared the inner strength Cole Turner possessed and always envied his ability to make decisions and stick to them to the end. This moment Leo knew they were telling the truth. Cole Turner could be a heartless demon, he could kill without a moment of regret but he was never going to get as low as to use such twisted emotional torture.
Leo took a deep breath and got up facing both Cole and Nicole, "What do I have to do?"
When they got back to the Penthouse Nicole plopped on the sofa leaning back on the comfortable cushions. She felt exhausted and could still see Leo's pale, strained face in front of her. She felt a warm hand touching her shoulder and opened her eyes. Cole was standing in front of her holding a glass of martini which he handed to her and then sat on the coach. She smiled and snuggled to him.
"It was rough," she whispered.
He nodded and kissed her hair pulling her closer.
"I never thought receiving and projecting premonitions could be that tiring," she said slowly, enjoying the warmth of his body, "with you it never takes so much energy.
He smiled, "It's probably the whole Chosen Two thing," he murmured. "Makes life a lot easier."
She did not answer her thoughts drifting back to their meeting with Leo. Nicole did not particular like the whitelighter. His hatred to Cole was so blinding and for her it was completely incompatible with his role of the guardian angel. It also meant that they were forever on opposite sides. But this did not stop her from feeling sorry for him today.
"I felt really sorry for Leo today," she repeated aloud. "No man deserves to watch his son destroying his family."
He nodded silently, his eyes focusing on some far away point that only he could see. "At least Leo has a chance to prevent it from happening," he whispered quietly, "to save his family and his son. It's more than most people get."
She felt the hidden pain in his words and turned around to face him. His gaze was distant but his hand tightened around her waist.
"It was not your fault, Cole," she said quietly, "you did everything you could."
His lips twisted into a sad smile, "Did I?" he asked thoughtfully.
"Yes, you did," she touched his face forcing him to look at her. "It was not your fault that things turned the way they did. You risked your life trying to protect your family. You fought the Source all on your own and you prevented him from harming the Charmed Ones. I doubt that anybody else would be able to achieve what you did."
He smiled at her, his eyes lightening up. "It all was absolutely worth it," he whispered looking at her intensely, "otherwise I would never have ended up in the Wasteland and would never have met you." Their lips were just a millimetre apart, and her hands wrapped around his neck. "And I would not have it for the world," he finished pulling her closer.
Green eyes smiled at him, "Neither would I," she murmured.
The two of them were lost in a kiss and for now all magic troubles of the past, present and future were left behind giving space for the simple magic between a man and a woman.
When Leo got home, he was relieved to find out that all three sisters were have already gone to bed and that Piper was asleep. She did not wake up when he carefully slipped under the sheet. He pulled her closer, enjoying feeling her warm body next to him. He wished the time would just stop and this night when him and Piper are safely together would not end. But it was not meant to be.
From tomorrow morning his life would change. He would be playing a dangerous game of being a double agent, trying to find out, which whitelighters were the most likely to support the peace deal and who among the Elders were the most likely to vote against the ceasefire. And when he identified the most aggressive Elder, it would be up to Cole and Nicole to arrange the replacement of this Elder with Leo. And then the real work would begin. The whitelighter did not care how they would arrange it, he did not want to know. They said that the Elder would not die and that was enough. A voice at the back of his head told him, that even if they were lying about it or would not be able to keep their promise, it would not matter to him. This voice made Leo shiver and he pushed his thoughts out of his head. He had enough to worry about without it. He knew that if he made a mistake and was found out, nobody would be able to save him. Cole and Nicole promised him all the help and protection Lugels could give. But his own safety meant little to him, the only thing he cared for was to stop this premonition coming true. And if it cost him his life, well, let it be so. But he could not die before fulfilling his mission. He may not be able to witness his son being born. He might burn in hell forever for going against the Elders but if it kept Piper and his son safe from harm and evil then it all was worth it.
Two days later Cole and Nicole just got home when his mother shimmered in. "We need to talk," she said categorically.
The young Lugels exchanged questioning looks and he nodded, "Sure, what is it?"
The demoness gave him a disapproving look, "Not here," she said curtly, "We'll go to my apartment." She waved her hand and three long black robes appeared in front of them. "Put those on," Elizabeth commanded, "no need for anybody to see us and this will give you a chance to be yourself," she turned to Nicole. "I hated how my dress looked on you when you shape shifted."
Nicole gave the older woman an annoyed look but decided to leave her comment unanswered. She put on the robe, covered her face with a hood and the three of them shimmered out. They reappeared in a massive cavern which was completely empty except for a wide arch in the middle of it.
"Is it your place?" Nicole asked surprised turning to Elizabeth.
The demoness gave the young woman a slightly puzzled look and then turned to Cole. "Belthazor, are you telling me that you have never taken your girlfriend to your Underworld apartment and generally to the living quarters?"
The half demon shot Nicole apologetic look and turned to his mother. "It never came to it," he said uncomfortably shrugging his shoulders. "I have not been here myself for a very long time. So it never came up."
His mother snorted and then turned to Nicole. "This is the entrance into the demonic living quarters of the Underworld. Nobody if they don't have demonic blood in them can go through this gate. It was created thousands of years ago in order to separate different fractions of the Underworld and prevent them from mixing. In the living quarter in-fighting is forbidden. It does happen but usually without the fatal results. Plus no warlock, darklighter or vampire can enter. So it's purely demonic."
"So how do we get thought this gate?" Nicole asked acknowledging that she understood what Elizabeth told her.
The demoness turned to the gate, "It's simple, you just have to step under the arch and it will take you to the other side." She followed her words with actions and the moment latter she disappeared out of sight.
Nicole and Cole were left alone. "Why did not you tell me?" the young woman glared at the half demon. I felt like a complete fool."
"Sorry," Cole said. "I did not think about it. I have not been there for the last three years since," he sighed, "since I have been sent by the Triad after the Charmed Ones."
"Even when you were the Source?" she asked.
"Yes, I was worried that Phoebe would somehow find out and start asking questions."
"You mean, you never even told Phoebe about it?" Nicole was even more surprised.
Cole shook his head impatiently, "Of course, not. She was a witch. I know I betrayed the Underworld but I would never do that." He noticed Nicole's confused look and explained, "This is the place where demons are born and demonic babies are being nurtured. Phoebe and her sisters thought that the ice cream track was a good thing! I could not tell them about the living quarters. She would not be able to go in anyway since she was not a demon, but I did not want to risk."
Nicole remembered the ice cream track and shivered. From Cole's memories she knew how he had troubles resisting the call of this music. They both stayed quiet for a few moments and then Nicole said, "We should probably go, your mother is waiting."
He nodded and they both proceeded under the arch. They reappeared on the sunny beach, which had the same type of arch. Nicole could not hide her surprise. "Are we still in the Underworld?" she asked.
"Of course," the half demon said.
"But I thought," Nicole looked around. "I thought the Underworld was always dark and the sun was a benefit of the mortal realm."
Cole smiled, "This is what demons like the world to believe. The caverns, flames and darkness are the business, ceremonial quarters of the Underworld. Like the City in the mortals realm. The living quarters are the part where schools, universities, shops are based." His smile grew wider and he said teasingly. "How do you think demons cope with the sun in the mortal realm? If we were never exposed to it, we would be completely blinded by its brightness, and I am not even talking about sunburns."
The young woman shot him a mockery smile, "Of course, sunburns, would not want to spoil that sensitive skin of yours."
Before he could retort she continued, "We should go anyway, your mother does not strike me as the patient type."
"You have no idea how right you are," he confirmed and they both shimmered out.
They found themselves in a luxurious apartment. Elizabeth was already waiting for them. She did not say anything, but the look she gave them was more explicit than the words. Elizabeth Turner did not like to wait.
"So what do you want to talk about?" Cole sat in the chair opposite his mother.
"I wanted to update you on my progress," she replied. "I have been very active for the past two weeks and with the help of my allies, I now completely understand the situation. We have a lot of support around the demonic circles so we are pretty much ready to proceed and within a month I can become the new Source."
The Lugels exchanged surprised looks and Cole expressed the thoughts both of them had, "That's the great news mother. I have to say I am very impressed how fast you were able to pull it of."
Elizabeth smiled at them triumphantly, "Well, I think the Underworld is more ready for a new leader than you thought," she said contently. Her smile quickly disappeared and she said in a serious voice. "There is, however, one condition to all of this going ahead."
"What is it?" Cole asked curiously.
"Your marriage to a powerful warlock." Elizabeth answered calmly.
His face stiffened and Nicole paled, "I told you I am not doing that," Cole's voice was as hard as rock.
"You don' have a choice," the demoness stated as sternly. "It's either that or a long bloody battle for the Source's throne with the uncertain outcome."
"Well, then it will have to be the latter," he shot adamantly. "I am not marrying the warlock, end of discussion."
"Why not?" Elizabeth waved her hand impatiently. "You told me yourself that you don't want to fall in love ever again. But you need an heir Belthazor. I thought you would appreciate the opportunity." Cole was about to object but his mother did not let him. "Listen to me, Belthzor, this is not just about you. If the Lugels want this peace to last we need this marriage. I told you that the Underworld is ready for the new leader but it is still to be decided who this leader will be. In recent years the demonic fraction has suffered the biggest blow. And a lot of it was your doing, Belthazor and your Charmed Ones destroyed the Triad, the Brotherhood of the Thorne and the Source's Council. Though the demons are generally more powerful than warlocks but now we are greatly outnumbered! The warlocks are much better than us in working together and building coalitions and they always do it through marriages and family ties. And we have to use the same tactic in order to win. If we don't get warlocks on our side it will take a long time and a lot of blood to get the throne and after that it would take even more blood to keep it."
Nicole was ready to throw up. She felt as if the wound, which just started to heal, had been opened again and this time the knife kept twisting inside her. She had to use all her will power to hold back a cry. Now when her and Cole were so happy together, when they fought through all the fears and pain, he became the centre point of her life. His marriage, even if it was arranged and not based on love, would destroy her.
Nicole had learnt a lot about demonic marriages. Based on convenience they were usually arranged in order to move up the demonic hierarchy and produce a suitable offspring. Everything was done by mutual agreement and both sides stuck to the deal. During the first phase of marriage when the couple was trying to conceive infidelity was not tolerated. And demonic justice was swift and ruthless. Then the couple usually moved on in their own directions. Nicole knew Cole well enough to understand that he would always be loyal to the mother of his child. Even if with time he regained a relative freedom to seek love outside his marriage, it would be too late for them, too late for her.
What she also knew was that Elizabeth was right, the marriage between the son of the Source and the warlock from a powerful clan would stabilize the Underworld, prevent the bloodshed and as a Chosen Two they sworn to do everything possible to achieve that goal.
The young woman lifted her eyes to look at Cole and immediately regretted it. She could see in his eyes that he had the same thoughts. The marriage was a necessary step to fulfil their destiny as the Chosen Two and Cole knew it. They have signed up to this deal and had to see it through no matter what it cost them.
The only thought torn his heart apart. Finally he was happy, what was more important he knew that Nicole was happy with him. And he knew that his marriage would destroy her. His mind was desperately searching for the way out but he knew enough about the Underworld politics and rules to understand that there was no alternative.
Elizabeth observed the two of them, her eyes particularly concentrating on Nicole and smiled. Now she was satisfied.
The half demon turned away from Nicole. He could not bear to see her face while doing what he was about to do. "So whom do you want me to marry?"
Elizabeth stared at him for a moment, "I think that the best candidate is here," she pointed at Nicole.
The silence, which followed her words, was so complete that if the demoness did not know better she would have thought she'd gone deaf.
"This is not time for jokes, Mother," Cole's voice was so full of fury that Elizabeth inwardly shuddered.
"I am not joking, Belthazor," she answered calmly.
"But I am not a warlock." Nicole, who finally found her tongue, exclaimed.
"But who needs to know this?" the demoness smiled mischievously. "Look, I don't want you to marry some powerful warlock woman. What good will this do? She will bring your children, who will have your powers, faithful to some warlock's coven? Or even worth make them doubt where their loyalties lie? That could bring nothing but troubles. But if she," Elizabeth pointed at Nicole, "becomes a member of the powerful warlock coven, this can help us. She would be able to steer them in the directions which are convenient for us. She'll be an insider and will be able to spot the troubles and let us know."
"We have just one problem," Cole remarked sarcastically, "Nicole is not a warlock."
"And you think that even for their great mission the Lugels won't be able to introduce her as one to the warlocks? I know about Lugels, they have all the powers in the world. Don't tell me that they can't make Nicole blink."
The feeling of sickness in Nicole's stomach was replaced by a spinning head. She looked at Cole and found him already staring at her. His eyes were a mixture of emotions and she thought were probably a mirror image of her own. But this was a chance and she was going to use it.
"We will need to discuss it with the Lugels," she said.
"By all means," Elizabeth nodded. "But do it fast because we need to move fast."
The two young Lugels nodded and shimmered out.
Chapter 3
"You're lying!" Leo yelled and jumped on the woman who stood in front of him. Cole, who had half expected such reaction, stepped forward shielding Nicole from the angry whitelighter. The latter tried to punch him again and the half demon had nothing left but to grab him by the shoulders.
"She's not lying," Cole stated in a calm tone. "The imbalance of powers in the magic world would cause your son to turn evil. You know better than anybody that your son is going to be extremely powerful. It's always dangerous. And in the chaos, which is going to break in the magic world in the next few years it would be very easy for him to slip."
"I don't believe you," Leo yelled trying to free himself from Cole's grip. "It's you, you who'll turn him evil."
Cole let go of the whitelighter and had to gather all his self control to stop himself from sending Leo flying across the room. Nicole decided that it was time to interfere. "Leo, it's no ones fault. You and Piper can be great parents, me and Cole can disappear from the face of the Earth, but your son will still be evil. But it does not have to be like that. We have time to prevent this from happening. To restore the balance of forces. If the good and the evil conclude an armistice then your son will grow up in a completely different environment and his powers will be in equilibrium. But in order for this to happen, you need to help us and help us now, when it's not too late."
The whitelighter just looked at her with wild eyes. Then he sank into his chair wishing that all of this would be just a horrible nightmare and he would wake up in his bed with Piper breathing next to him. He sat for a few minutes hoping against hope that he would be awakened any minute. But deep in his heart he knew it was not a nightmare, it was a horrible, cruel reality.
Cole and Nicole stayed quiet giving him an opportunity to collect his thoughts. A long time passed before Leo looked at them again. This man and this woman had just destroyed his dreams. They showed him his future or better said that he had no future. And now he had to decide if he was going to trust them and help them in the hope that it would change his own future. He did not know what they would ask him to do, but he was convinced that if he said "yes" to this strange couple, there would be no way back and his life would change forever. He searched there faces trying to penetrate their thoughts, to see the proof that they were telling the truth.
They stood next to each other, he slightly in front as if ready to shield her from anything coming her way. Her eyes showed compassion and at the same time determination and Leo knew that she was totally committed to her mission and nothing would stop her from achieving this goal. The whitelighter turned his gaze on his ex brother-in-law. He used to fight next to this man, used to sit around one table with him. He healed him and helped to kill him, he hated him and relied on him, but he never accepted him and never trusted him completely. Now in a strange clarity of the mind, Leo realized that he always feared the inner strength Cole Turner possessed and always envied his ability to make decisions and stick to them to the end. This moment Leo knew they were telling the truth. Cole Turner could be a heartless demon, he could kill without a moment of regret but he was never going to get as low as to use such twisted emotional torture.
Leo took a deep breath and got up facing both Cole and Nicole, "What do I have to do?"
When they got back to the Penthouse Nicole plopped on the sofa leaning back on the comfortable cushions. She felt exhausted and could still see Leo's pale, strained face in front of her. She felt a warm hand touching her shoulder and opened her eyes. Cole was standing in front of her holding a glass of martini which he handed to her and then sat on the coach. She smiled and snuggled to him.
"It was rough," she whispered.
He nodded and kissed her hair pulling her closer.
"I never thought receiving and projecting premonitions could be that tiring," she said slowly, enjoying the warmth of his body, "with you it never takes so much energy.
He smiled, "It's probably the whole Chosen Two thing," he murmured. "Makes life a lot easier."
She did not answer her thoughts drifting back to their meeting with Leo. Nicole did not particular like the whitelighter. His hatred to Cole was so blinding and for her it was completely incompatible with his role of the guardian angel. It also meant that they were forever on opposite sides. But this did not stop her from feeling sorry for him today.
"I felt really sorry for Leo today," she repeated aloud. "No man deserves to watch his son destroying his family."
He nodded silently, his eyes focusing on some far away point that only he could see. "At least Leo has a chance to prevent it from happening," he whispered quietly, "to save his family and his son. It's more than most people get."
She felt the hidden pain in his words and turned around to face him. His gaze was distant but his hand tightened around her waist.
"It was not your fault, Cole," she said quietly, "you did everything you could."
His lips twisted into a sad smile, "Did I?" he asked thoughtfully.
"Yes, you did," she touched his face forcing him to look at her. "It was not your fault that things turned the way they did. You risked your life trying to protect your family. You fought the Source all on your own and you prevented him from harming the Charmed Ones. I doubt that anybody else would be able to achieve what you did."
He smiled at her, his eyes lightening up. "It all was absolutely worth it," he whispered looking at her intensely, "otherwise I would never have ended up in the Wasteland and would never have met you." Their lips were just a millimetre apart, and her hands wrapped around his neck. "And I would not have it for the world," he finished pulling her closer.
Green eyes smiled at him, "Neither would I," she murmured.
The two of them were lost in a kiss and for now all magic troubles of the past, present and future were left behind giving space for the simple magic between a man and a woman.
When Leo got home, he was relieved to find out that all three sisters were have already gone to bed and that Piper was asleep. She did not wake up when he carefully slipped under the sheet. He pulled her closer, enjoying feeling her warm body next to him. He wished the time would just stop and this night when him and Piper are safely together would not end. But it was not meant to be.
From tomorrow morning his life would change. He would be playing a dangerous game of being a double agent, trying to find out, which whitelighters were the most likely to support the peace deal and who among the Elders were the most likely to vote against the ceasefire. And when he identified the most aggressive Elder, it would be up to Cole and Nicole to arrange the replacement of this Elder with Leo. And then the real work would begin. The whitelighter did not care how they would arrange it, he did not want to know. They said that the Elder would not die and that was enough. A voice at the back of his head told him, that even if they were lying about it or would not be able to keep their promise, it would not matter to him. This voice made Leo shiver and he pushed his thoughts out of his head. He had enough to worry about without it. He knew that if he made a mistake and was found out, nobody would be able to save him. Cole and Nicole promised him all the help and protection Lugels could give. But his own safety meant little to him, the only thing he cared for was to stop this premonition coming true. And if it cost him his life, well, let it be so. But he could not die before fulfilling his mission. He may not be able to witness his son being born. He might burn in hell forever for going against the Elders but if it kept Piper and his son safe from harm and evil then it all was worth it.
Two days later Cole and Nicole just got home when his mother shimmered in. "We need to talk," she said categorically.
The young Lugels exchanged questioning looks and he nodded, "Sure, what is it?"
The demoness gave him a disapproving look, "Not here," she said curtly, "We'll go to my apartment." She waved her hand and three long black robes appeared in front of them. "Put those on," Elizabeth commanded, "no need for anybody to see us and this will give you a chance to be yourself," she turned to Nicole. "I hated how my dress looked on you when you shape shifted."
Nicole gave the older woman an annoyed look but decided to leave her comment unanswered. She put on the robe, covered her face with a hood and the three of them shimmered out. They reappeared in a massive cavern which was completely empty except for a wide arch in the middle of it.
"Is it your place?" Nicole asked surprised turning to Elizabeth.
The demoness gave the young woman a slightly puzzled look and then turned to Cole. "Belthazor, are you telling me that you have never taken your girlfriend to your Underworld apartment and generally to the living quarters?"
The half demon shot Nicole apologetic look and turned to his mother. "It never came to it," he said uncomfortably shrugging his shoulders. "I have not been here myself for a very long time. So it never came up."
His mother snorted and then turned to Nicole. "This is the entrance into the demonic living quarters of the Underworld. Nobody if they don't have demonic blood in them can go through this gate. It was created thousands of years ago in order to separate different fractions of the Underworld and prevent them from mixing. In the living quarter in-fighting is forbidden. It does happen but usually without the fatal results. Plus no warlock, darklighter or vampire can enter. So it's purely demonic."
"So how do we get thought this gate?" Nicole asked acknowledging that she understood what Elizabeth told her.
The demoness turned to the gate, "It's simple, you just have to step under the arch and it will take you to the other side." She followed her words with actions and the moment latter she disappeared out of sight.
Nicole and Cole were left alone. "Why did not you tell me?" the young woman glared at the half demon. I felt like a complete fool."
"Sorry," Cole said. "I did not think about it. I have not been there for the last three years since," he sighed, "since I have been sent by the Triad after the Charmed Ones."
"Even when you were the Source?" she asked.
"Yes, I was worried that Phoebe would somehow find out and start asking questions."
"You mean, you never even told Phoebe about it?" Nicole was even more surprised.
Cole shook his head impatiently, "Of course, not. She was a witch. I know I betrayed the Underworld but I would never do that." He noticed Nicole's confused look and explained, "This is the place where demons are born and demonic babies are being nurtured. Phoebe and her sisters thought that the ice cream track was a good thing! I could not tell them about the living quarters. She would not be able to go in anyway since she was not a demon, but I did not want to risk."
Nicole remembered the ice cream track and shivered. From Cole's memories she knew how he had troubles resisting the call of this music. They both stayed quiet for a few moments and then Nicole said, "We should probably go, your mother is waiting."
He nodded and they both proceeded under the arch. They reappeared on the sunny beach, which had the same type of arch. Nicole could not hide her surprise. "Are we still in the Underworld?" she asked.
"Of course," the half demon said.
"But I thought," Nicole looked around. "I thought the Underworld was always dark and the sun was a benefit of the mortal realm."
Cole smiled, "This is what demons like the world to believe. The caverns, flames and darkness are the business, ceremonial quarters of the Underworld. Like the City in the mortals realm. The living quarters are the part where schools, universities, shops are based." His smile grew wider and he said teasingly. "How do you think demons cope with the sun in the mortal realm? If we were never exposed to it, we would be completely blinded by its brightness, and I am not even talking about sunburns."
The young woman shot him a mockery smile, "Of course, sunburns, would not want to spoil that sensitive skin of yours."
Before he could retort she continued, "We should go anyway, your mother does not strike me as the patient type."
"You have no idea how right you are," he confirmed and they both shimmered out.
They found themselves in a luxurious apartment. Elizabeth was already waiting for them. She did not say anything, but the look she gave them was more explicit than the words. Elizabeth Turner did not like to wait.
"So what do you want to talk about?" Cole sat in the chair opposite his mother.
"I wanted to update you on my progress," she replied. "I have been very active for the past two weeks and with the help of my allies, I now completely understand the situation. We have a lot of support around the demonic circles so we are pretty much ready to proceed and within a month I can become the new Source."
The Lugels exchanged surprised looks and Cole expressed the thoughts both of them had, "That's the great news mother. I have to say I am very impressed how fast you were able to pull it of."
Elizabeth smiled at them triumphantly, "Well, I think the Underworld is more ready for a new leader than you thought," she said contently. Her smile quickly disappeared and she said in a serious voice. "There is, however, one condition to all of this going ahead."
"What is it?" Cole asked curiously.
"Your marriage to a powerful warlock." Elizabeth answered calmly.
His face stiffened and Nicole paled, "I told you I am not doing that," Cole's voice was as hard as rock.
"You don' have a choice," the demoness stated as sternly. "It's either that or a long bloody battle for the Source's throne with the uncertain outcome."
"Well, then it will have to be the latter," he shot adamantly. "I am not marrying the warlock, end of discussion."
"Why not?" Elizabeth waved her hand impatiently. "You told me yourself that you don't want to fall in love ever again. But you need an heir Belthazor. I thought you would appreciate the opportunity." Cole was about to object but his mother did not let him. "Listen to me, Belthzor, this is not just about you. If the Lugels want this peace to last we need this marriage. I told you that the Underworld is ready for the new leader but it is still to be decided who this leader will be. In recent years the demonic fraction has suffered the biggest blow. And a lot of it was your doing, Belthazor and your Charmed Ones destroyed the Triad, the Brotherhood of the Thorne and the Source's Council. Though the demons are generally more powerful than warlocks but now we are greatly outnumbered! The warlocks are much better than us in working together and building coalitions and they always do it through marriages and family ties. And we have to use the same tactic in order to win. If we don't get warlocks on our side it will take a long time and a lot of blood to get the throne and after that it would take even more blood to keep it."
Nicole was ready to throw up. She felt as if the wound, which just started to heal, had been opened again and this time the knife kept twisting inside her. She had to use all her will power to hold back a cry. Now when her and Cole were so happy together, when they fought through all the fears and pain, he became the centre point of her life. His marriage, even if it was arranged and not based on love, would destroy her.
Nicole had learnt a lot about demonic marriages. Based on convenience they were usually arranged in order to move up the demonic hierarchy and produce a suitable offspring. Everything was done by mutual agreement and both sides stuck to the deal. During the first phase of marriage when the couple was trying to conceive infidelity was not tolerated. And demonic justice was swift and ruthless. Then the couple usually moved on in their own directions. Nicole knew Cole well enough to understand that he would always be loyal to the mother of his child. Even if with time he regained a relative freedom to seek love outside his marriage, it would be too late for them, too late for her.
What she also knew was that Elizabeth was right, the marriage between the son of the Source and the warlock from a powerful clan would stabilize the Underworld, prevent the bloodshed and as a Chosen Two they sworn to do everything possible to achieve that goal.
The young woman lifted her eyes to look at Cole and immediately regretted it. She could see in his eyes that he had the same thoughts. The marriage was a necessary step to fulfil their destiny as the Chosen Two and Cole knew it. They have signed up to this deal and had to see it through no matter what it cost them.
The only thought torn his heart apart. Finally he was happy, what was more important he knew that Nicole was happy with him. And he knew that his marriage would destroy her. His mind was desperately searching for the way out but he knew enough about the Underworld politics and rules to understand that there was no alternative.
Elizabeth observed the two of them, her eyes particularly concentrating on Nicole and smiled. Now she was satisfied.
The half demon turned away from Nicole. He could not bear to see her face while doing what he was about to do. "So whom do you want me to marry?"
Elizabeth stared at him for a moment, "I think that the best candidate is here," she pointed at Nicole.
The silence, which followed her words, was so complete that if the demoness did not know better she would have thought she'd gone deaf.
"This is not time for jokes, Mother," Cole's voice was so full of fury that Elizabeth inwardly shuddered.
"I am not joking, Belthazor," she answered calmly.
"But I am not a warlock." Nicole, who finally found her tongue, exclaimed.
"But who needs to know this?" the demoness smiled mischievously. "Look, I don't want you to marry some powerful warlock woman. What good will this do? She will bring your children, who will have your powers, faithful to some warlock's coven? Or even worth make them doubt where their loyalties lie? That could bring nothing but troubles. But if she," Elizabeth pointed at Nicole, "becomes a member of the powerful warlock coven, this can help us. She would be able to steer them in the directions which are convenient for us. She'll be an insider and will be able to spot the troubles and let us know."
"We have just one problem," Cole remarked sarcastically, "Nicole is not a warlock."
"And you think that even for their great mission the Lugels won't be able to introduce her as one to the warlocks? I know about Lugels, they have all the powers in the world. Don't tell me that they can't make Nicole blink."
The feeling of sickness in Nicole's stomach was replaced by a spinning head. She looked at Cole and found him already staring at her. His eyes were a mixture of emotions and she thought were probably a mirror image of her own. But this was a chance and she was going to use it.
"We will need to discuss it with the Lugels," she said.
"By all means," Elizabeth nodded. "But do it fast because we need to move fast."
The two young Lugels nodded and shimmered out.