"Thomas' body will be safe in the arboretum until we can figure out what to do with it," Leo said as he and Cole came back into the living room. "The question is, what are we going to do about it?"
"That's up to Percy," said Prue.
"I can't help you," said Percy.
"You damn well better help us," Prue said, her temper flaring. "It isn't just your life at stake here. It's ours. You obviously know something and I mean to know what it is. Damn your rules."
"I can tell you nothing," said Percy. "The knowledge is forbidden."
"Okay," said Prue, suddenly becoming very calm, "if you can't help us then we can't help you."
"Prue, you can't mean that," said Leo.
"I sure as hell mean it," said Prue. "Cole, when this Damonculous comes back, don't interfere. If he wants an Elder, let him have him."
"You can't," said Percy suddenly very afraid. "You're a Charmed One. Your job is to protect the innocent. Right now, I'm an innocent."
"What are you going to do?" Prue asked. "Strip me of my powers? It seems that's all ready happened. And without my powers I'm not a Charmed One any longer. I'm just a regular mortal like anyone else. And I'm sure as hell not going to risk my neck for someone who won't even help himself."
"Prue," Leo began.
"No, Leo, she's right," said Piper. "Ever since we got our powers we've done nothing but do as they say. And half the time they don't even tell us what's going on."
"I agree with them," said Phoebe. "Hell, just a few weeks ago we kept a warlock from killing all the Whitelighters. And this is how you are repay us? By telling us the knowledge is forbidden? Going up against demons is bad enough. But going up against a demon we know nothing about and without any powers is just plain suicide. Sorry, but that's not on my top ten list of things to do right now."
"Cole," said Percy, turning to Cole for assistance.
"Don't look at me," said Cole. "I'm a demon, remember? Not exactly any love lost between demons and Elders. I was protecting the girls when I stood up to this Damonculous. I'd do it again. For them."
"You must understand," began Percy.
"All I understand," said Prue, "is that you know something you won't tell us. We could die fighting this demon. I, for one, won't risk getting killed when there's someone who can give us information we need."
"Prue's right," said Piper. "Damonculous as much as said he wasn't interested in us. Just in an Elder. If you expect any help from us you have to give us something to work with."
"Percy," said Prue, "you said that all the other Elders were in the same boat we are. That none of their powers are working. With Cole here he might not risk another confrontation. He might decide to go after another Elder who is completely unprotected. You want to be the one responsible for getting another Elder killed? Or more. He might not stop with just one. He might kill them all. So whatever it is you aren't telling us, it's not just your life or ours you're risking. You're risking the lives of all the Elders. Do you want to be remembered as the Elder that got everyone else killed?"
"Leo, do something," said Percy. "You of all people should understand that there are some things that I'm just not at liberty to discuss. This is one of those times. They have no idea what they're asking."
"I'm sorry, Percy," said Leo. "These three are the most stubborn people I've ever met, when they want to be. And when all three have their minds set on something, I've learned that there's nothing that will change them. They won't even listen to me. There's nothing I can do. I'm sorry."
Percy looked at them. He was obviously torn about what to do. Even Leo was perplexed at his behavior. Elders had powers beyond those of a normal Whitelighter. Powers that would rival even the highest level demons. There wasn't much that frightened an Elder. But right now Percy was terrified. And Leo was very uneasy about why Percy refused to talk. Whatever it was must be extremely serious.
"Well?" questioned Prue. "You want our help or not?"
"You're a very strong willed woman," Percy said finally, a note of resignation in his voice. "Piper, could I bother you for some more tea? It's very good and what I have to say may take some time."
"Sure," said Piper, heading for the kitchen. "Just don't start without me. I want to hear everything."
"Not to worry," said Percy. "Actually, I have to decide where to begin anyway."
As Piper prepared the tea, Phoebe got a first aid kit and tended to Cole's wound. It didn't seem serious. Mostly a burn mark on his chest where the lightning had struck him. He said it wasn't very painful but Phoebe could tell he was being less than honest. Still, she was very proud of what he had done.
"Okay, you have your tea," said Prue. "Now, want to fill us in on what you know?"
"First," said Percy, "what I'm about to tell you must never be repeated to anyone. It is perhaps the most closely guarded secret the Elders have. Something known only to the Elders."
"Okay," said Piper. "We promise. We just need the information to prepare for when this Damonculous returns."
"It may not do any good," said Percy. "Damonculous is more powerful than you could possibly imagine. Even if you had your powers, I'm not sure they would do you any good."
"I seemed to have fared okay," said Cole. "I imagine with the Power of Three they'd do even better."
"You are only alive because Damonculous was not using his full power on you," said Percy. "If he had, you would not have survived."
"Just who is this Damonculous?" Phoebe asked.
"A power older than anything known to man," said Percy. "A power so great, that even the Elders would be hard pressed to deal with him."
"What kind of demon is it?" Prue asked. "He's not in the Book of Shadows and not even Cole has heard of him."
"He's not a demon," said Percy. "Not in the strictest sense of the word, anyway."
"Then what is he?" asked Piper.
"For all intents and purposes," said Percy deliberately, "Damonculous is as close to being a god as any creature can be."