Chapter 2: Witch World Now?

Phoebe settled down on the sofa with her double peach snaps, her other comforter in a life off track. She was a quick drinker, and she waved so the servant would bring her another one, when Kumaradeevan shimmered down in front of her for a millisecond. He couldn't disregard his duties longer than that, but it was enough to give Phoebe the thumbs up. Nevertheless, his efforts were pointless, because Phoebe could see the Seer descending the stairs right into her direction.

"Excuse me, my lady," she approached her, confirming Phoebe's suspicions that there was something dreadfully wrong, as they usually steered away from each other, never hiding their hate and distrust, "I need to talk to you right now," she touched her arm and shimmered her into Prue's old room, now a black magic room, protected, so nobody could hear them.

"What is it?" Phoebe asked angrily, shaking her hand off, but worried nevertheless.

"Forgive me for my bluntness, my lady, but you know my loyalty to Cole."

"Do I? I didn't think demons were supposed to have that trait. Watch out, they might endanger yourself with it," Phoebe frowned.

"Whether you believe it or not, I'm trying to keep you husband out of trouble. The old Source is just that, not getting any younger, and Cole would make a fine replacement. I believe we agree on that?" As Phoebe didn't differ, she continued, "may I remind you that you have no chance turning this world round the way you want it to be? May I remind you if it wasn't for Cole's direct orders, your sister wouldn't be alive? May I remind you have no chance without the power of three?"

"Whatever," Phoebe turned away irritably, starting to walk idly around the room, "get to the point."

"I've given Cole the orders of the Source, but he seems more preoccupied with these witches. All in all, he doesn't seem to be well today. He's confused, shaking at times. I fear his physical and mental state will hinder his performance on the job."

"What job?"

"That's between the Source and Cole."

Phoebe shook her head. Of course she wasn't meant to know what it was, it probably entailed killing humans.

"We can't help him if he's not willing to tell us what's wrong," the Seer continued.

"What makes you think he will tell anything to me?"

"We possess similar powers, my lady. Seeing the future. But I tend to see a far away future, while you, closer to present times. Go to your husband for once and try to get a premonition dear."

Long way for a shortcut, Phoebe rolled her eyes and stepped out to do what she was intending to all along. Cole was sitting in an armchair in the corner, holding a whisky glass with his unharmed hand, while the other was bandaged. Phoebe scrutinised him from the doorframe as he stared at his hands lethargically, not even noticing her. This was so atypical of her husband from just a day ago who confidently ordered his minions around, taking into account four different operations at the same time, still having time for a round with Darla. She shut the door behind her to receive yet another shock. As Cole glanced up at the noise she could see him crying. She took a few steps towards him unbelieving, so she can convince herself from closer that what she saw was true. What could have happened to upset the powerful commander-in-chief of the executive legions of hell that much? She could ask, but he would probably not talk to her, they haven't had one constructive conversation in the last six month. She decided to take her chances and touch him to see if she could get a premonition, "Seer told me you were not well. Let me refill your glass," she lifted the bottle from the dresser, hoping he will not accuse her again of trying to poison him.

"Is there any way I can make it up to you?" He asked, ignoring her question.

"You suddenly wanna make it up to me? What big favour you need? You want me to use the Book of Shadows to help one of your demons infiltrate the White House? Don't worry, I heard about the plans already. Remember I do sleep with demons, even if it's not you."

Cole sprung to his feet, shook his head and snatched the bottle from her hand without actual skin contact, not bothering with glasses anymore as he raised it to his lips. Of course, one of the reasons he didn't sleep with her was to shield himself from her premonitions. Seeing those images sickened her and she would sometimes even recoil herself from touching him. Cole walked towards the window, and sighed, "who cares about the White House?"

"You, apparently. You could perfectly direct the world above from the most influential chair if you gather all the information for successfully imitating the president."

"What a childish plan."

"It's your plan. I didn't think myself it will succeed, but…"

"I don't want to talk about my plans. I wanna talk about us."

"Us? There is no us. And I wanna know why is it you are keeping me here. Because it's certainly not your magical child. I will never conceive if you don't touch me."

"Why don't you understand that I still love you?"

"You love me or you find it dangerously fascinating to have a witch serve you in front of your people? Cause if you did love me, you wouldn't technically keep me a prisoner, you wouldn't release new viruses on humans, you wouldn't let experiments done on witches' bodies and you wouldn't completely ignore every aspiration and principle I might have…"

"Phoebe, I haven't done any of these things. Maybe circumstances led me to do that in this reality."

"What are you talking about? What's wrong with you today?"

"Ah, it doesn't matter. They can vanquish me here. Or I can die shimmering to Venus to retrieve the Avestan texts as the Source wishes. I don't care. Without you it all means nothing," he turned away from her, facing the window, "I need you. I don't see how I could go on without you."

"Huh? That whore Darla must have put a love spell on you and it must have backfired at me. So why don't you give me a kiss so I can get a premonition?"

"A kiss? You hate me but you wanna kiss me?"

"Well, why, isn't that the only thing between us that is still pleasing, whenever you finally get round to it now and then amongst your demanding prime minister or whatever your current title is duties?"

Cole turned to her, encouraged by the one thing he didn't take into account. Phoebe was always a bit of a nymphomaniac and in evil circumstances she would've got out her way to take pleasure from her fascination. Even if this would've been some meaningless, emotionless, mechanical amusement in her irk life as the lady commander chief, he saw something in it that he could turn to his advantage. As he imagined his evil self in this reality would have, he grabbed Phoebe forcefully.

She gave a small gasp as he captured her lips in an intense kiss. She returned it with similar fervour as his hands feverishly wandered all over her. As she received no premonitions yet, she undone his trousers and gave him a little push towards the bed. She was already more aroused than she would have thought was possible, given that her mind told her that this man was the right hand of evil itself, but her senses could never resist him when every touch of his mouth on her shoulders was causing more warm moisture at a certain part of her anatomy. His fingers caressed the sensitive insides of her thighs, going up to the wetness between her legs, and she squeezed her pelvic floor muscles and propelled her hips towards his with force. She was beyond reasoning, there was no guilt over the fate of the world as she was inundated by luscious vibrations, not caring about any premonitions anymore. God, she missed him, she missed his expert touch. There was no man, demon or anything else in the world that could cause her to experience that pleasure, it always has been like that. All the other demons were just replacements. Her mouth rounded into a smile as he pulled her down with him onto the bed and continued with the caressing. She lost the ability to form any words, she could hardly think out the words yes, yes! It was then when a premonition hit her. The light above her that signified the reinstatement of the power of three and herself throwing the potion venomously to vanquish Cole…

Tbc