"In that case, take us," Piper stood up, approaching Maxepo.
"Go. You'll be fine. He can't kill you as long as all three of you are there," Cole assured a reluctantly rising Phoebe.
"But you…"
"Sooner you go, the better…"
Tbc
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Chapter 6: Down Under Again
"What does the white lighter do here?" The Source, in demonic form, asked, referring to Leo, who orbed after them, standing outside of the circle of black roses that made the witches individual powers useless.
"He's here to orb us out at the end. He has no powers that would be harmful to you. He's our insurance, we won't say one rhyme without him," Piper held.
"Very well," the Source picked up and threw a big book in front of them, opened at a page with a long incantation, then continued with throwing black sand all around them, "don't try to steal the manuscript. You can't. Start chanting right away."
The sisters stooped down next to it, so they can take out the words, "hear these words, hear the rhyme
Evil from all space and time
with this sand that's sprinkled about
We call all negative spirits out
within these walls you must stop
We ask you now to find the host
Who called with the sand…" They continued, but their voices were imperceptible with the howling of shadows that started to surround the Source, who swayed and fell onto his knees as more and more shadows jumped into him.
Maxepo raised a hand, and a sharp ice lance materialised in it, that he sent flying through the Source's torso. The leader of the underworld looked up, tearing the weapon out of himself. However, the ice broke, leaving the bit that was inside his chest the way it was. He growled, the shadows stopped circling him and slowly started towards Maxepo, who welcomed them by lifting some of the black sand off the floor, having not intention of setting an eye towards the charmed ones just yet.
Leo held out a hand to Paige, and orbed her outside the circle of black roses. "All the potions existing in the manor…Maxepo!" She nodded, hoping it will help with the effectiveness of her powers. They could've escaped right away, with both demons busy, but they had to at least give it a try at vanquishing them when they had the chance.
A myriad of vials, bottles, pots and various bowls fell on the top of the demons' heads, the Source exploded, not being able to take the double assail, while the shadows shrieked and flew out the way they came. Maxepo fell onto the ground, panting.
"Let's go!" Leo urged, taking the sister's hands, "you can't kill him just now that he has some of the Source's powers."
"No," Phoebe let go, "we need to find the antidote."
"He will raise soon, Phoebe," Paige garbled, "and we don't have anymore potions up there to orb, even if it would be another shot in the dark."
"You know there's another way," Piper reminded her, "besides, honey, look around. Do you see any intact vials and even if you did, how would you know it was the right one? Let's just go see Cole. And we better replenish our potion supply too."
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Cole glanced at the sleeping Phoebe next to him and thought about the way she had gazed at him the day before when he drunk the red wine like concoction that they gave him. In his feverish haze, he didn't ask a thing, it would've taken too much energy out of him, besides, he assumed they would do him no harm. And so they took all his demonic powers away and saved his life. Or half of his life, as it felt to him. Remembering that she'd given him one of those infrequently seen special smiles when he sat up, not experiencing any cramps anymore, it wasn't so bad loosing his powers after all. She was so beautiful, caring and she was his...he fell asleep with her lovely face in his mind. Less than an hour later, he woke up from the middle of a nightmare. Sweating, crying and trembling, all he wanted to do was to stop the images playing all over in his head, but they kept repeating themselves even when he was awake. The dream had started out pleasant. He and Phoebe had gone for a picnic at the French Riviera, where he took her before. At first, his dream didn't take into account that he couldn't shimmer anymore, the same way as blinded people can still see in their dreams. It was a lovely afternoon and she had a sweet little summer dress on. Then some demons appeared, setting Phoebe on fire and he could do nothing to stop them, not even shimmer her away for Leo to heal her. They were fighting demons day by day, but he had always believed that he could somehow make a difference defending her. The nightmare had seemed so real. He had to set his mind at rest that it was simply a nightmare. A dizzying experience, fast acting images, every detail in place, still, it must have been a nightmare. Reaching across the bed, he leaned his head across Phoebe's shoulder, the air coming out from her lungs slightly drying his sticky hair on his forehead. Gentle as he was, he still managed to disturb her.
Phoebe didn't sound the slightest bit annoyed when he woke her up, not like a few nights before. She was worried instead, "something the matter? You feeling well?" Although Cole has seemed to make a complete recovery in a space of a few minutes after becoming human, her nervousness over loosing him remained.
He shrugged apologetically, "nightmare. And I can't shimmer away to keep my gloom to myself."
"Honey, it's okay. You don't have to. Do you want to tell me about what's bothering you?"
"It wouldn't be pleasant for you to hear."
"You must be mourning your sister. I would never ask you not to. Although I'd like to hear a bit more about her, and your past."
"No you don't. Trust me."
Phoebe sighed, and got up, "want something to drink?"
"Yes. That would be good. Thanks Phoebe."
"I'll be right back."
Cole almost told her he would come back quicker, but then he remembered that wasn't such a sure thing. So he sat up, switched on the light instead and pondered about where on earth could he have put his shirt. At least most chances it was still on earth, and not on some other levels of creation.
Phoebe had a couple of glasses filled with milk in her hands on her return. She sipped some of hers, let him do the same, then sat the glasses on dresser, plonked herself down next to him and leaned onto his side, "I know how you feel", she told him, "exactly. It wasn't so long ago, loosing Prue…"
"I'm not thinking about Meera…I mean right just now."
"Come on, what's the big secret now?" She felt him stiffen, so she added, "I love you. No matter what."
Cole looked at Phoebe diffidently again, "it's not like that. I just rather not go over the images in my head again.
"Okay," she yawned, "so why don't we lie down and I'll cuddle you. It might help."
tbc
