Granny began to remove items from the satchel. There was the oversized Bible she had Angus Todd write in earlier. There was also what looked to be a handwritten letter in a picture frame. She also removed an antique silver locket on a silver chain. And there was a matched set of rings that looked like a wedding and engagement ring..
Finally granny removed a large cloth that seemed to be wrapped around something. She laid it on the kitchen table and carefully began to unwrap it. When she was finished, everyone sat staring at a large necklace. It appeared to be made of gold. There was a five-pointed star with a different colored gem set in each corner. In the very center of the star was the largest diamond any of them had ever seen. The diamond seemed to be glowing slightly. There was a gold chain attached to the star.
"This here's been in our family fer generations," said granny. "It's a powerful magic what any demon would do anythin' they kin to git they hands on it. We's be guardin' it sos they don't git it."
"Is that what I think it is?" questioned Cole looking nearly mesmerized by the item.
"Well now," said Cletus. "That depends on what you be thinking it is."
"It looks like the Amulet of Thalasis," said Cole.
"Well, seems you heered of it afore," said granny.
"Of course," said Cole. "Every . . . I mean, it's a legend. It's been lost for uncounted centuries. There are many who believe it won't ever be found."
"What's this Amulet of Thalasis?" questioned Paige.
"Only the most powerful magic fer a demon they is," said granny. "That's why we's be guarding it. Cain't let them get their slimey paws on this here."
"The Amulet of Thalasis," said Cole, "is a very power, very ancient artifact. It was created thousands of years ago when demons freely walked the Earth. Hundreds of demons infused it with their essence. It literally contains every demonic power and ability there is. With this, not even the Source could stand up to the lowest level demon."
"That's what my ma tole me," said granny. "She was tole by her ma, who was tole by her ma, way back fer as many generations what anyone can amember. If'n a demon was to git his mitts on this here amulet, why every demon in the underworld would do whatever he was to tell them. He'd be so powerful they wouldn't be no one, witch or mortal, what could stand up to them."
"Whoa," said Phoebe. "I didn't know there was such a powerful amulet like that. What about us? Could one of us use it? With this we could get rid of the Source and solve a whole lot of our problems."
"It ain't that easy," said Maribelle. "Granny's ma tole us that ain't no one but a demon can use this here amulet. That's why we's be the ones to guard it. We cain't use it but we's supposed to not let them demons get ahold of it, neither."
"She's right," said Cole. "According to legend, the demonic power it contains can't be tapped into but someone of demonic heritage."
"Okay," said Piper, "so why not just destroy it? That would prevent a demon from ever getting hold of it."
"Caint do that," said Angus Todd. "It done got so much power ain't nothing can destroy it. Some of our ancestors tried a few generations back. They was destroyed by its power. Ever since we's just guarding it and making sure no demons could get to it."
"My whole farm was enchanted to hide it," said Cletus. "Charms and enchantments around the whole place. Made it danged near impossible fer demons to even know we had it. But it be such a powerful magic nothing kin hide it completely. Demons would come to find out what was so all-powerful there. That's why granny makes her elixirs. Sos we kin stop 'em afore they kin get to it."
"And without those enchantments and charms," began Phoebe.
"Them demons are going to learn we gots it," said Maribelle. "Then they's gonna be comin' fer it. I reckon we should make up another batch of your elixir, granny. We's gonna need when them demons show up."
"It's too late," said granny. "They done showed up."
"Hey, we vanquished that one," said Paige. "Well, Piper did anyway. When another one shows up we'll do the same thing to him."
"Then you best be getting to vanquishing," said granny pulling out another bottle of her explosive elixir. "We's got us a demon right here."
"Where?" questioned Paige.
"Right here," said granny looking at Cole. "Maribelle. You amember what I telled you about that big diamond in the center of this here amulet?"
"Gosh, granny, I shore do," said Maribelle, suddenly looking at Cole. "It only glows when a demon shows up. It's all that power in the amulet what found one of it's own."
"That's right," said granny. "Now, I knowed it ain't none of us. And seein's how these three here all be witches, it cain't be none of them. That leaves this here young feller. I reckon that explains how he knowed so much about demons and all. Cause he be one of them."
She raised the explosive elixir and held it threateningly at Cole. The girls just stared at granny realizing she had discovered his secret.
SEVEN
"Let's all calm down," said Piper. "Cole is not a threat to anyone."
"Well now," said Cletus, "I reckon that ain't exactly true. Granny's right. That there diamond only glows when they be a demon nearby. So lesson one of you's is a demon, I reckon granny is right. This here young feller must be a demon."
"Granny," said Phoebe fearfully, "please, put the elixir down. Piper's right. Cole isn't a threat to you. Please, just give us a chance to explain. I guess we have one more secret we need to tell you."
"Well," said granny, pulling the amulet close to her, "I reckon we kin listen. But I'm warning you, young feller. You try getting this here amulet and I'll send you right back to hell where you belong."
"I have no intentions of trying to get the amulet," said Cole.
"Okay, first of all," said Phoebe, "it is true that Cole used to be a demon. Well, half demon, anyway. His mother was a demon but his father was human."
"I ain't never heered of that afore," said Maribelle. "Can they be such a thing?"
"My granny tole me they be some," said granny. "Only it been a long time since one was seed."
"It's true," said Cole. "My mother was a demon. And I worked directly for the Source of all Evil. I was sent to kill the sisters."
"Ain't that curious," said Cletus. "Apparently you didn't . What happened?"
"I did," said Phoebe. "Cole and I fell in love. And that love changed him to good. And a few weeks ago we stripped his demonic half from him. He's just another innocent now. Just like the four of you."
"That cain't be," said granny. "If'n you was to destroy his demon half, this here amulet wouldn't have glowed like it does. It only does that when they's a demon around, just like I telled you."
"Well," offered Cole, "I suppose technically I still have demonic genes in me. It's part of who I am. But like they told you, I'm trying to be good now. I vanquished the Triad because I couldn't kill Phoebe. They've been helping me change. Honestly, I'm not a threat."
"Genes?" questioned Angus Todd. "I learned about them in school. We's all made up of these here genes. They's what makes us what we are. I cain't say I understand it all but I knowed what he's talking about."
"That's right," said Piper. "Our genes determine a lot about us. The color of our eyes, the color of our hair, whether we're male or female, a whole lot of stuff. But we choose to be good or evil. Cole's chosen to be good. And he's been a big help in out fight against the demons. Granny, as a witch you know I would never side with a demon. But Cole's changed. He's not the evil he once was. Please, just give us the chance to prove it to you."
"Well," said granny, lowering the elixir, "I reckon if'n you be vouching for him they must be something to what you be saying. But I don't want him near this here amulet. It's a might too powerful to be trusting even to a former demon. You just keep your distant."
"I will," promised Cole. "Besides, it won't do me any good. It has to be freely given if the demon is to use its power. If I take it by force or steal it, I wouldn't even be able to access its power. And I have no wish to see what it might do to me if I could. Controlling my demonic half is hard enough without the added power that thing would give me."
"You're a right smart young feller," said Cletus. "Granny, I reckon les'n he tries something we kin take their word on it. Like I said, they is kin. And witches."
"Well," said granny, "I reckon that do count fer something. I ain't sayin' I trust you, mind you. But Cletus is right. Their word's got to mean something. I ain't never heered of a witch what sided with a demon. So I reckon we can give you the benefit of the doubt fer now."
"Thank you," said Cole. "You'll see. I'm not the demon I used to be."
Suddenly Leo orbed into the kitchen.
"The Elders still won't say anything," said Leo. "But they insist you still have to help them any way you can. I don't understand the secrecy."
"We do now," said Paige. "It seems they're the guardians for a pretty powerful demonic artifact."
Granny held up the amulet and showed it to Leo.
"Is that what I think it is?" he questioned.
"It sure is," said Cole. "Which explains why that Korbash demon attacked. And why the amulet has never been found in all these millennia. No one would expect someone like granny and her family to be holding the most powerful demonic artifact in the underworld."
"Now we gots a problem, though," said granny. "Without the pertecshun of the charms and spells on the farm most demons is going to know where it is. They's be coming fer it shore enough."
"That may take a while," said Cole. "I realize it's a powerful artifact but as long as it's in the manor the girls' magic will mask it some. So will the power of the nexus. Lower level demons aren't going to be able to recognize the change in the level of magic added by the amulet.
"But granny is right. Higher level demons are eventually going to notice the power level here has increased. And some of them are eventually going to figure out why that level has increased. Then this place is going to be swamped with high level demons bent on getting the amulet so they can replace the Source."
"Oh, that's just great," said Piper. "As if we didn't have enough problems with demons as it is. Now we have to expect even more demon attacks because of that thing."
"What about a Power of Three spell to mask the magic?" Phoebe questioned. "Maybe that would hide it from the demons."
"Only for a while," said Leo. "And the most powerful demons would still be able to sense its power. Which means we have a serious problem. If enough high level demons attack all at the same time not even the three of you will be able to fight them off for long. And that means that not only is there the danger that the demons might get hold of that amulet, one or more of you could die trying to protect it. Which means that would end the Power of Three forever."
Piper, Phoebe, and Paige just looked at each other wondering what they could do about the situation.