"I don't know why it didn't work," said Phoebe. "It should have transferred the spell from Paige to Leo."
"I think I know," said Leo. "A lot of the power Paige is getting is offensive in nature. As a Whitelighter I'm basically a pacifist. A non-combatant. I guess I just can't take on that kind of magic."
"That's it then," said Piper. "That was our last hope to save her. There's nothing else we can do."
"Don't worry too much about it," said a voice from the entryway. "I'll see to it that the three of you are reunited very soon.
Piper, Phoebe, and Leo turned to see a warlock standing there. He looked at them smiling.
"I'm not sure what's wrong with you sister," said the warlock, "but without her there's no Power of Three. That suits me just fine."
"Get out of here while you still can," said Piper deliberately.
"Oh, I can't do that," said the warlock. "Whoever kills the Charmed Ones gets to rule the underworld. Warlocks will finally take their rightful place as the upper echelon of that domain. With me as the leader. With one of you down, all I have to do is kill her to end your power forever. Then I can take out the two of you. All so very simple."
Piper started to explode the warlock but before she could bring her power to bear he blinked out.
"Leo, he's after Paige," screamed Piper.
Leo orbed to Paige's room while Piper headed for the stairs. She was halfway up the stairs before she realized Phoebe wasn't behind her. She couldn't worry about that just now. Paige was in danger and she had to get to her sister in time. Suddenly a blood-curdling scream shattered the air. It was coming from Paige's room. Fearing the worst, Piper rushed to the door.
She raced to the room to find Paige still unconscious on the bed. Leo stood next to her. The warlock lay on the floor writhing in agony. Piper watched in fascination as Phoebe stepped up beside her. Everyone watched as the warlock thrashed around on the floor. Suddenly, flames erupted around the warlock and several seconds later went out. All that remained was a singed spot on the carpet.
"What happened?" Paige asked, sitting up on the bed.
"Paige, you're awake," said Piper, rushing to her sister.
Paige's fever had broken. She was drenched in sweat but otherwise appeared fine. She looked around the room confused.
"Looks like it," said Paige, looking at the charred mark on the floor. "What happened here?"
"I'd like to know the answer to that myself," said Piper, looking at Leo.
"Don't look at me," said Leo. "I had just orbed in when he suddenly fell down screaming in pain."
"Guess he couldn't take the Transference spell," said Phoebe coyly. "Leo said he couldn't take the spell because he was a non-combatant. Well, a warlock is certainly a combatant. I just used it on him instead of Leo. It transferred Paige's original spell from her to him. I figured the warlock couldn't take all that power being transferred all at once."
"So you defeat a warlock and cure Paige all at the same time," said Leo. "That was quick thinking."
"Mess with my sister, you mess with me," said Phoebe.
"What's going on?" Paige asked. "The last thing I remember was vanquishing a demon in the living room."
"Just lay back and rest," said Piper. "I'll make you some soup and we'll explain everything. And you can explain why you would do something as dangerous as casting that spell of yours."
"Okay," said Paige. "I don't know why, but I'm exhausted."
"That was a big chance you too," Leo said to Phoebe. "How did you know it would affect him that way?"
"I didn't," said Phoebe. "But you said Paige's Whitelighter half helped her withstand the magic better than a full human would have. Paige was gaining her powers relatively slowly over several hours. And she was dying from it. I just figured that on the warlock, who was fully human, the affects would be multiplied since he'd be getting the power all at one time."
"It appears you were right," said Piper. "Leo's right. That was quick thinking."
"Well, with the warlock vanquished, the spell should be ended," said Phoebe. "I think the worst is over."
"Once she's feeling better, Paige and I are going to have a nice long chat," said Piper. "Being curious is one thing. But she went too far this time. It seems she still has some things to learn about her responsibilities as a witch."
"Just don't be too hard on her," said Leo. "I'm sure she didn't mean any harm."
"I know," said Piper. "I'm just glad she's okay. Now, I better get started on that soup."
