When Leo returned to the manor he told them that the Elders weren't pleased that granny had told them about the amulet. No one was supposed to know where it was. The fewer people who knew where it was the less likely it was that the demons would discover it. But with the cat out of the bag, so to speak, they had little choice in the matter.
At first, granny was adamant that the letter signed by George Washington did not leave the manor. It was their most treasured family heirloom, she insisted, and she didn't want to risk it being lost or damaged. But Cletus brought up the same point that Cole had. That it was possible it wasn't Washington's signature. Granny thought on it for a while and eventually agreed to let Phoebe take it to get it authenticated.
"You takes it to the people what can say it's genuine and then right back here," said granny. "I ain't comfortable letting it out of my sight. But I reckon you gots a point. Best if'n we knows fer shore."
"I'll take care of it as if it was my own," promised Phoebe. "It won't be more than a couple of hours. And I promise to bring it straight back."
The next morning Cole and Phoebe left the manor. Piper, granny, and Maribelle spent most of the morning in the kitchen. Piper taught them how to make some of her most powerful potions. In return, granny gave Piper some recipes that she said were her best. Piper couldn't wait to try them out.
It was just past noon when the demon attacked. It shimmered into the kitchen and attacked Piper before anyone knew it was there. It struck Piper with the back of its hand sending her flying across the room. Granny reached for one of the explosive potions she kept handy but the demon was too fast. It struck her sending her flying to the other side of the kitchen. Maribelle ran into the living room to get Leo, Paige, Cletus, and Angus Todd.
When they returned to the kitchen the sight that greeted them shocked them all. The demon had granny's' satchel open and was just then pulling the amulet out of the satchel. It stood looking at the satchel and then turned to the four standing in the kitchen doorway.
The demon was as tall as Leo but much more muscular. Its yellow skin make it appear as if it had some form of skin condition. Jagged teeth filled its mouth and it had pointed ears. It smiled wickedly at the four.
"It's mine," gloated the demon. "After all these centuries I will now command the underworld. With this amulet no demon will be able to stand against me. And no witch will be able to oppose me."
"I don't think so," said Paige. She held out her hand. "Amulet."
The amulet glowed for a moment but did not orb to Paige. She looked at the demon in shock.
"Your power is insignificant when compared to the power this amulet possesses," howled the demon. "First I will destroy all of you. Then I will return to the underworld and take what is mine. Not even the Source will be able to resist the power I now possess. I am invulnerable. No one can oppose me."
The demon reached out its hand and formed a fireball. It drew back intent on casting the fireball at the party standing in the doorway. There was nothing any of them could do. Suddenly the demon stiffened and howled in pain. Then, it exploded into flames and vanished from the kitchen. The amulet dropped to the floor.
Behind the demon Cole stood with a poker from the fireplace. It was obvious what had happened. He had come in the back door and run the demon through with the poker, vanquishing it where it stood. Piper and granny got up off the floor as the other hurried in to make sure they were okay.
"He forgot to watch his back," said Cole, laying the poker on the table.
He looked down at the amulet lying on the floor.
"Someone want to get that?" he asked. "I don't think I want to touch it. I might not be able to resist its power."
Granny reached down and picked up the amulet and eyed Cole.
"Where'd you come from?" Paige asked.
"We got home just a minute ago," said Phoebe coming in from the living room. "We saw the demon in the kitchen and Cole grabbed the poker and ran out the front door. I wasn't sure what to do until he vanquished it."
"Well now," said granny. "Seems you be telling us the truth. Looks like you ain't no demon no more. I reckon we owes you a debt. Seein's how you done saved us and all."
"No, you don't," said Cole. "I only did the same thing any of you would have done."
"Granny's right," said Cletus. "That there demon was about to use its magic on us. And they wasn't nothing we could do 'bout it. You saved our lives and we owes you fer it."
"Fair enough," said Cole. "If you feel you have to repay me than all I ask is that you trust me. Don't think about me as a former demon. Just think of me as Phoebe's boyfriend. And a friend of the family."
"I reckon we can do that," said granny. "Ain't never seed no demon kill one of its own to protect a witch afore. I reckon you earned it."
"Thank you," said Cole as Phoebe moved over to him. "Are you two okay?"
"Yeah," said Piper. "That thing popped in so fast we didn't have time to react. Lucky for us you got home when you did."
"Oh, you would have figured out something," said Cole. "Still, I'm glad I had the chance to vanquish him. Philbig and I never did get along. That's one demon I'm not sorry was vanquished."
"You knew it?" asked Paige.
"Yes," said Cole. "He was an assistant to the Triad. He used to gloat that he was an assistant while I was just an underling. I always did want to wipe that smirk off his face."
"Well, looks like the demons know the amulet is here," said Leo. "It knew exactly what it was after and where it was. It's more important now that we figure out a way to hide it from them. Eventually they're going to figure out that coming here one at a time isn't going to work. Then they'll start showing up in groups."
"Well," said Cole, "I need to run an errand right now. I don't have any powers so I won't be much help around here for a while. I'm sure you guys will think of a way. I shouldn't be gone long."
"Want me to go with you?" Phoebe asked.
"No," said Cole. "You need to stay here in case another demon attacks."
"Okay," said Phoebe.
"Thanks again, Cole," said Paige. "I wasn't sure I was going to be able to orb everyone out in time."
"My pleasure," said Cole.
"What's he so mysterious about?" Piper asked Phoebe after Cole had left.
"I honestly don't know," said Phoebe. "After we left the authenticators he made a photocopy of the letter. He's probably going to see if he can find someone interested in buying it. Come on, everyone. I have some good news. Let's all go into the living room."