"Have you lost your mind?" Phoebe demanded, pulling Cole away from Justin. "He doesn't know anything about us. You're making things worse."
"No, I'm not," said Cole, extinguishing the fireball. He turned to Justin. "What's your name? Kabrack? Deloran? Jesluwon? Or maybe you're one I've never dealt with before. Before I vanquish you, I'd like to know who I'm vanquishing."
"Those are demonic names," Leo said to the girls.
"Yes," Cole said. "But no ordinary demons. Contention demons. Very low level. Their only ability, aside from shimmering, is causing contention among humans. They take what are usually minor annoyances that you'd forget about after just a few minutes and keep them enflamed. Making them into near hatred."
Justin stood up and looked at Cole.
"Belthazor," he gasped. "The Source wants you dead. I didn't think you'd dare show your face around here again. Not so soon, anyway."
"So, you know who I am," Cole said. "All the better. Then you know my reputation. What's your goal here? Are you after the Nexus?"
"Yes," said the demon nervously.
"You mean he is a demon?" Prue asked.
"Tallarick," the demon said, bowing slightly. "I thought if I could get control of the Nexus, I could use its power. It would have worked, too. If Belthazor hadn't recognized me."
"You're going to undo everything you've done here," Cole demanded. "You couldn't handle the Nexus anyway. It's much too powerful for the likes of you. It would destroy you the instant you tried to use it."
"Okay, okay," said Tallarick. "I know when I'm outmatched. Hey, like the humans say, you win a few, you loose a few. Guess I lost this one."
"Good," Cole said. "And I don't ever want to see you or one of your kind here again."
"Don't worry," Tallarick said, "none of us wants to go up against you. We'll steer clear of these three. You have my word."
"Fine," Cole said. "Now, you'll go back to the 'committee' and the rest of the neighbors you've enflamed and make sure they forget this nonsense about suing them. Then I want you gone from here for good."
"Consider it done," Tallarick said.
"Oh, and one more thing," Cole said, his eyes flashing. "If the Source or any other upper level demon learns that I've been back here, I'm going to come looking for you. And it won't be pleasant when I find you. Got it?"
"Got it," Tallarick said. "Besides, you know they don't listen to us. We aren't important or powerful enough for them to listen to. They won't hear about it from me."
"Just see that they don't," Cole said.
Tallarick suddenly shimmered and was gone.