"Leo," said Prue, "you need to get Jeffrey home. He's in too much danger here."
"Wait a minute," said Jeffrey. "Maybe I can help. You said you were looking for an ancient talisman. I am an antique dealer. Now, admittedly, most of the talismans I come into contact with are only decorative or ceremonial. But maybe I can help you find it."
"It's too dangerous," said Piper.
"Besides," said Leo, "it was destroyed. That's why they were trying to summon it from the past."
"And got me instead," said Jeffrey. "I do know enough about magic to know that you wouldn't have gotten me unless there was a reason for it. Maybe there's another one of these talismans out there somewhere. I specialize in strange and unusual items. It seems a shame not to use my expertise while I'm here."
"No, it's too dangerous," said Prue. "We can't put an innocent in danger even to save ourselves."
"All very commendable," said Jeffrey. "But you aren't. This is my choice. Besides, I'm really in no danger, am I? I'm not a witch, remember? If this thing is only interested in witches, then it won't be interested in me."
"He has a point," said Leo. "And you guys can use all the help you can get on this one."
"Okay," said Prue, "but if that thing comes back, you get him out of here, Leo. We aren't going to take any chances with an innocent. I don't want him getting hurt by accident."
"That sounds fair," said Jeffrey. "Now, why don't you tell me everything you know about this talisman? Including what it's supposed to be used for. The more I know, the better I can help you."
"Well," said Piper, "it's supposed to have the power to destroy something called a Banka demon."
Prue and Jeffrey seemed to have more in common than he had with any of the others. They were nearer the same age. And Prue's job at Bucklands gave them a closer professional tie. Not to mention that both seemed instantly attracted to each other.
"I've heard of Mr. Buckland, of course," said Jeffrey, as he and Prue sat at the kitchen table looking through books on religious artifacts. "Most antique dealers have. He's kind of a legend in antique circles. I never had the opportunity to meet him, though."
"And you're not likely to," said Prue. "He turned out to be a warlock. We vanquished him a few months ago."
"That would explain a lot," said Jeffrey. "He seemed to have more expertise than someone his age should have had."
"Well," said Prue, closing a book she had been looking through, "nothing in here about any talisman. I'm beginning to think we won't find out anything about it. As Piper told you, the witch didn't say anything about it to anyone."
"You did say he found it somewhere," said Jeffrey. "If it was found once, it can be found again."
"But he seemed to know more about the Banka than anyone else," said Prue. "What if it has to do with something only he knew? We might find what we're looking for and never know it."
"All talismans have similar things in common," said Jeffrey. "Well, almost all of them, anyway. I'm sure we'll find what we're looking for."
"So, are you married?" asked Prue.
"What?" asked Jeffrey. "Oh, no, I'm not. Just never found the right person, I guess. What about you?"
"I came close a couple of times," said Prue. "But being a witch can be very taxing on the social life."
"I can understand that," said Jeffrey. "Salado is kind of a small town. Not many options there. And I seem to spend all of my time working."
"Boy, do I know how that feels," said Prue. "Even before we vanquished Buckland, let me tell you . . ."
She was interrupted when the back door suddenly exploded, sending pieces flying all over the kitchen. Prue watched in horror as the Banka moved in through the doorway and turned to face her. She reached into her pocket and pulled out one of the vanquishing potions Piper had made.
She threw the vial at the Banka. The vial broke, spilling its contents on the demon. It smoked for only a moment and then went out. The demon howled in anger and advanced on Prue as she realized she was helpless against it.