"Excellent as always," said Michael as they ate dinner. "And your vegetarian lasagna is even better than I remember it, Piper."
"Well, thank you, Michael," said Piper. "It's nice to know at least someone appreciates all the effort I put into it."
"Hey, we appreciate it, too," said Paige.
"Well, you could say so once in a while," said Piper. "Usually you scarf it down and run out somewhere."
"Okay, maybe we don't say it enough," said Phoebe. "But we do appreciate all the effort you put into the meals. And Michael is right. This is better than usual."
"She knows you appreciate it," said Leo. "But it is good to hear you say so once in a while."
"We'll try to remember that in the future," said Paige.
"So, where's Cole?" Michael asked. "I assumed he'd be here for dinner."
"Working late," said Phoebe. "He's got this big case he's been working on lately. He said something about a really big inheritance. There are a thousand little details he has to work out before the will can be probated or something."
"Inheritance," said Michael, remembering his conversation with the Seer. "Did he happen to mention who the client was?"
"No, not really," said Phoebe. "Just that it was someone very rich who died suddenly very recently. And that an unknown heir has suddenly surfaced and apparently everything goes to this heir. He really didn't say much about it. Something about attorney-client confidentiality or something."
"I see," said Michael.
"Why the interest in Cole?" Piper asked.
"Oh, nothing special," said Michael. "I was just kind of wondering how he's been adjust without having his demonic powers, that's all. It can't be easy for him, I'm sure."
"It's not," said Phoebe. "But he was able to get on at a local law firm. They seemed happy to get a former ADA on their staff. But he's adjusting."
"That's good," said Michael. "There have been some rumors circulating around the underworld. Several of the higher-level demons have been making overtures about becoming the next Source. Nothing definite but I thought you should know about them. Just so you can be prepared."
"Rumors?" Leo questioned. "The Elders haven't said anything about any rumors."
"I haven't told them yet," said Michael. "There are always rumors in the underworld. More so now that the top position is vacant. I'll let them know when I have something more concrete."
"Any idea who might be making a bid?" Paige asked.
"Like I said, just rumors right now," said Michael. "A couple have even approached Malevant about throwing his support behind them. But for now I'm just going to bide my time. As long as I don't make any public announcements about a particular demon they'll all think they will have a chance at my support."
"Just be careful," said Piper. "That's sounds like it could be dangerous."
"Just being down there is dangerous," said Michael. "Luckily most of them have a healthy fear of the former advisor to the Source. And my 'domain' makes most of them nervous. I don't think I'll have any problems out of any of them."
"Well, if you need any help, you know where to find us," said Piper. "After vanquishing the Source I'm sure most of them will think twice about going up against us."
"I hope so," said Michael. "But if a demon can kill even one of you it will go a long way to solidifying their claim to be the new Source. That's why I told you about the rumors. You need to be extra careful for a while."
"We appreciate the warning," said Paige.
"My pleasure," said Michael. "Now, if it's not too much bother, I wouldn't mind another piece of lasagna."
"At least the turmoil in the underworld hasn't hurt your appetite," laughed Piper.
Cole sat in his office flipping through papers without much enthusiasm. He would have liked to be at home with Phoebe tonight. But when they told him Michael was coming for dinner he thought it best if he stayed away. He wasn't sure if Michael would be able to sense the power in him. That would upset his plans.
Suddenly two figures flamed into his office. He looked up to see the two demons approach him. He recognized both of them. Shelack and Quintor. Mercenaries Belthazor had worked with on occasion. He had never cared much for them but they had been useful at the time.
"Well, well," said Cole standing up from his desk, "to what do I owe the honor of this visit?"
"Business," said Shelack. "It seems you've become a problem to some in the hierarchy. We've been hired to remove that problem."
"Someone put a contract out on me?" Cole questioned. "Why would they do that? It must be common knowledge that I'm not longer Belthazor. His power is gone forever, or hadn't you heard?"
"We know," said Quintor. "But you know the drill, Cole. It's nothing personal. Like you always said, business is business."
"Of course," said Cole. "So, who is it? Which of the hierarchy feels that I'm a threat to them?"
"You know we aren't going to tell you that," said Shelack. "But he did say that we should make it quick and relatively painless. A former demon of Belthazor's status deserves at least that."
"Aren't you worried about the Brotherhood?" Cole asked. "They won't look kindly on the two of you killing me. You know the code. Once a brother, always a brother. You're risking their anger even attempting this."
"Well, now," said Quintor, "that's not going to be much of a problem."
Quintor raised his hand and the window to Cole's right shattered.
"As far as anyone will know," said Shelack, "you'll just be another human who inexplicably took his own life. I'm sure most demons will figure it was because you've had your demonic half stripped from you. That you were unable to adjust adequately to living as a mortal and decided to end it all. The Brotherhood won't be looking for us if they don't know we're involved."
"Suicide?" questioned Cole. "Anyone who knows me isn't going to buy that. Especially those of the Brotherhood."
"Well," said Quinton, forming an energy ball, "with nothing to connect us to this, they won't have anything to go on. Now, we can do this the easy way or the hard way. It really doesn't matter to us. Any damage caused by the energy ball will all but be obliterated when your body falls twenty-seven stories to the street below. But one way or another you're going out that window. And as a pathetic human there is no way for you to stop it."
"I suppose you're right," said Cole.
Suddenly Cole formed a fireball and cast it directly at Quinton. The demons was vanquished before it could raise its' hand to defend itself.
"If I were a pathetic human," Cole said to Shelack, Cole's eyes flashing. "But as you can see, I'm not exactly the pathetic human you've assumed I am. Now, shall we have a little chat? Oh, and trust me. If you even attempt to flame out of here you won't live long enough to reach your destination."
Shelack just stared at Cole, a look of abject fear on his face.