The Three P's were as good as Piper had intimated. The club was packed even more than usual and Piper had to actually turn people away because there just wasn't enough room to hold everyone. She had been contemplating extending the group's engagement at the club but hadn't had a chance to speak to their manager yet. He seemed to be moving through the crowd gauging the reaction of the patrons to his band.
"Piper was right about the band," said Paige. "They're really good."
"Yeah, they are," said Phoebe. "She said something about trying to book them for a longer engagement. I'm sure they can use the exposure and the crowd really seems to like them."
"I hope she does," said Paige. "I wouldn't mind listening to them again tomorrow night."
"You seem to be in better spirits," said Leo.
"Well, Mr. Sutton was eighty seven," said Paige. "And I guess I just had to let it sink in that he's gone. Here's to Mr. Sutton."
She raised her glass in the air for a moment then took a drink from it. Phoebe and Leo did the same, celebrating Paige's toast. As they were drinking the manager of the band wandered over to their table.
"Excuse me," he said, looking at them, "someone told me you were the owner's sisters."
"That's right," said Phoebe. "And this is Leo, Piper's husband."
"Great, you're all here," said the manager. "I've been wanting to speak with the three of you and figured this would be the best place to do it."
"Oh, what about?" Paige asked.
"Actually, it's very important," said the man. "It would be best if we spoke all together. And in private."
"Why so secretive?" asked Phoebe. "If it's about letting the band play here longer I can tell you she's all ready decided she wants to extend their engagement. The two of you just need to get together and work out some of the minor details."
"It has nothing to do with the band," said the man. "They were just my way of getting in here without suspicion. And with so many innocents around you're not likely to do anything . . . drastic until I've had a chance to speak with you."
At the mention of the word "innocents" all three immediately became very interested. That was not a word that most people used about others.
"What do you mean 'innocents'?" Phoebe asked suspiciously.
The man looked around and then held his hand palm up against his body. Phoebe, Paige, and Leo watched as a small fireball suddenly formed in the man's palm then almost instantly went out.
"Your reputation is well known," said the man. "You can't afford to attack me with so many innocents around. Not if you want to protect your secret. I promise I am not a threat to you. I only need to speak with you. And it is very urgent."
"He's right about one thing," said Leo. "You can't vanquish him with so many witnesses around."
"I've never had a White Lighter vouch for me," said the man. "I feel honored."
"I wasn't vouching for you," said Leo. "I was protecting them."
"Which is what I want to do," said the man.
"So," said Phoebe, "if you're a demon does that mean the rest of the band..."
"Are quite human," said the man. "I needed a way to get in to see you and when I had learned you had booked them I substituted myself for their manager. Surely you are aware that many demons can alter their form?"
"Yes, we are," said Paige. "What happened to their real manager?"
"Indisposed, shall we say," said the demon. "That is of little consequence at the moment. What is of paramount importance at the moment is the danger you are currently in."
"Since when do demons protect witches?" Phoebe asked.
"When it also helps protect us," said the man. "Time is short. You must realize that by exposing myself as I have I have placed myself at your mercy. If I were a threat to you would I expose myself as I have? Or would I confront all three of you together? The Power of Three is also well known. I would be a fool to place myself in such a position without very good cause. And I can assure you I am no fool."
"He has a point," said Phoebe, looking at Paige and Leo. "Maybe we should hear him out."
"Just remember," said Paige. "You try anything funny and we'll vanquish you in less time than it takes to say it."
"I understand," said the man. "Now, if we may speak privately. As I said, time grows very short."
"I'll get Piper," said Leo. "We'll meet you in the office."
"I think we'll all go together," said Phoebe. "Just so demon boy here doesn't try anything funny."
"As you wish," said the man.
They all got up from the table and walked over to the bar where Piper was busy serving drinks. At first she said she was too busy to leave the bar. When Phoebe, Paige, and Leo all insisted they needed to speak with her, she told the bartender to do his best and followed everyone into the office.
"Okay," said Piper after they had closed the door to the office, "what's so all fired important that you have to pull me away from the bar on one of our busiest nights? It's a madhouse out there."
"I'm so all fired important," said the band's manager. "And I'm afraid what we have to discuss is more important than your paying customers."
"What?" Piper asked. "What's more important than the customers? They're the ones who are paying for your band tonight."
"Our friend here is a demon," said Paige. "And he says he has something very important to discuss with us."
"A demon?" questioned Piper, looking at the man. "What the hell is a demon doing in my club?"
"My name is Toushell," said the man. "And I came here because it was the best way to speak with you without risking being vanquished on sight."
"This had better be good," said Piper.
"I've never heard of you," said Leo.
"No reason you should have," said Toushell. "I'm an arbiter of sorts. I settle disputes between demons of the hierarchy."
"Settle disputes?" questioned Phoebe. "I thought demons just vanquished those they had problems with."
"Not always," said Toushell. "Sometimes it's better if they find a peaceful resolution to their problems. That's where I come in. It is one of the reasons I was chosen to speak with you."
"Chosen?" questioned Piper. "So you aren't here of your own accord?"
"No," said Toushell. "Many of the hierarchy were involved in this decision. Since the Source has been vanquished there are many disputes that remain unresolved. But as I said, this involves not only the underworld but the mortal realm as well."
"Okay, just what's so important that you'd risk being vanquished to come speak with us?" Leo asked.
"It involves an ancient evil," said Toushell. "One that may very soon be reborn. One that will seek to dominate not only the mortal realm but the underworld as well."
"Reborn?" Phoebe questioned. "What do you mean reborn?"
"The evil I speak of was vanquished centuries ago," said Toushell. "However, remnants of it have survived to this day. We never believed it would become a threat again but now it seems that someone is about to allow it to be reborn."
"Who?" Paige asked. "If this evil is so dangerous who would be crazy enough to allow it to be reborn?"
"You," said Toushell. "Because of your ignorance you are about to unleash an evil on the world that could destroy us all."