"You seem to have convinced them," said Malevant when they had returned to the seclusion of the Sources' personal chambers. "Vanquishing Kralor was a nice touch. He would have proven to be a nuisance anyway."
"I never cared much for him," said Cole. "He always coveted my power. Now I don't have to worry about that. Kralor is dead and the rest will follow me without question."
"My Lord," said the Seer, "we must make plans. If you are to use this spell against one of the witches me must see that there are no mistakes. It must be done before any can suspect what is happening."
"I've all ready thought of that," said Cole. "In a week Phoebe and I are going to take a vacation. We're going to drive up the coast to a small bed and breakfast away from the others. When I have her alone I can use the spell on her. That will strip them all of their powers. And since she won't be a witch any longer, not even Leo will be able to hear her if she calls for him."
"She will still betray you," said Malevant. "Even without her powers she will never follow you. Not when she learns you are the Source."
"That's taken care of, too," said Cole. "The Seer has provided me with another spell. Without her powers, she'll be nothing but another mortal. She won't have her magic to protect her. The spell the Seer has given me will mesmerize her into accepting me. We return I can use it on her sisters. Once I do that my plan will be completed."
"Are you sure the spell will work?" Malevant questioned. "Is it another power of the Ancients from one of the pages?"
"No," said Seer. "It is just a normal spell. But it will affect her as it would any mortal. And as he said, it will cause her to follow him without question. Not even their White Lighter will be able to do anything about that."
"Yes," said Malevant, "but he can report to their Elders. When they have learned you have stripped the Charmed Ones of their powers they will be prepared. There are other witches that pose a threat to us."
"Yes," said Cole. "Leo needs to be removed. Without him the Elders won't know what's going on until it's too late. There's only one way to stop a White Lighter. We will have need of a Dark Lighter."
"I shall attend to it," said Malevant. "He and my brother are good friends. Perhaps once I have killed the Charmed Ones White Lighter that will draw my brother out into the open. I might get my chance to rid myself of him permanently?"
"How?" the Seer asked. "You have always been too evenly matched. How will this time be any different?"
"Because of those pages," Malevant said. "Perhaps there is some power in there I could use to finally destroy my brother. If I knew what the powers were I might be able to utilize them against him."
"The Charmed Ones and the famed warrior White Lighter all in one day?" Cole asked smiling. "That would be a very good day indeed."
"And would solidify your position as the new Source," said Malevant. "When the hierarchy learns I destroyed my brother on your orders, they will not dare oppose you."
"If you destroy him," said the Seer.
"That is why I need to know what magic those pages hold," said Malevant. "It may require more than one of them used in concert."
"How will your brother know it was you who killed Leo?" Cole asked.
"I will taunt him with it," said Malevant. "I will boast that it was I who destroyed the White Lighter. And stripped the sisters of their powers. He will have to come after me. Not only to avenge the White Lighter but to stop me permanently. It will show him I am too much of a threat to be left alone any longer."
"It's a good plan," said the Seer. "But he will of course know that it is a trap."
"And I will give him that trap," said Malevant. "It may cost me some underlings but it will be worth it to finally be rid of him."
"Use any in the underworld you need to accomplish this," said Cole. "Michael is too great a prize for this to be left to chance. And we all know just how powerful he is. Make sure you have enough demons with you to finish him for good."
"Have no fear of that, my Lord," said Malevant. "This time my brother will not escape me. He has plagued me for far too long. Longer than the Charmed Ones have plagued you. When do you plan to use the spell on the witch?"
"Next weekend," said Cole. "Until then no demon is to go after the Charmed Ones. We can't risk them learning what we have planned. Our only option is to surprise them before they have a chance to prepare."
"Excellent," said Malevant. "Now, if you will show me the pages from the Tome of the Ancients that you have I can formulate the best way to kill my brother. Even the Elders will tremble in fear when they learn of what we have done."
"Seer," said Cole, "get the pages."
The Seer moved to a table at the rear of the chamber to get the pages from the Tome of the Ancients.
"You all ready know of the one that allowed me to possess Turner," said Cole. "And of the one that will strip the Charmed Ones of their powers forever. The rest are just as impressive. And I'm sure there will be something you can use to put and end to your brother. Now, here's what we have."
Malevant watched carefully as Cole took the pages from the Seer and began to explain in great detail the magnificent powers contained in those few pages.