"They've been gone a long time," said Phoebe, looking at her watch.
"Don't worry," said Baldasor. "Kempac and Nelsar are two of the oldest in the Brotherhood. And very powerful. If anything had gone wrong they would have shimmered here immediately."
"It's probably just taking longer than they expected," said Michael. "If they don't return soon Baldasor and the others can go looking for them."
"Still giving orders?" Baldasor asked Michael.
"I just thought it would be best if you went instead of one of us," said Michael. "You don't have to risk being attacked the moment you appear in the underworld."
"For the moment your secret is safe with the Brotherhood," said Baldasor. "Until we decide what to do with it none will reveal your dual identity."
"There's still the Seer to contend with," said Michael. "She knows my secret, too. And we have no way of knowing if she told anyone else."
"What will you do with the pages once you get them back?" Piper asked.
"They'll have to be locked away where no one can get at them," said Michael. "They're much too dangerous to allow anyone to use them."
"You seem to have decided you shall get them," said Baldasor. "Perhaps the Brotherhood should take them."
"Not likely," said Piper. "We aren't about to give power like that to any demons, I don't care what you say about your so-called 'code of honor'."
"Besides," said Peter, "we still have to wait until Cole returns with them."
"How did you get the Source to believe you?" Leo asked. "I wasn't at all convinced he would especially since you threatened to kill Cole the last time you were here."
"I'm very good at what I do," said Peter. "I just told him what he wanted to hear. That I wanted to kill Cole for what he had done to my mother. And I said I wanted to be the second highest demon in the underworld. I guess he just thought the demonic nature in me had finally won out."
"That's pretty smart," said Paige. "Still, it was a risk. If he hadn't believed you he might have killed you."
"I've dealt with demons long enough to understand them," said Peter. "They think that everyone secretly wants what they want. Vengeance, power, higher status. I just played up to that. I was pretty sure he'd go for it, which he did."
"What is this stuff?" Baldasor asked trying in vain for the third time to wipe the Dark Lighter poison off his chest.
"For the base I used dirty dish water," said Piper.
"Dish water?" Baldasor questioned.
"Yep," said Piper. "Plus a few other ingredients I have around the house. Some rubbing alcohol, some iodine, a little drain cleaner, and some other stuff I had in the kitchen. Leo helped me get the color and consistency to look like Dark Lighter poison. As for the smell I'm afraid I can't help that."
"I'll get you one of my clean shirts," said Leo, heading for the stairs.
"Helpful sort, isn't he?" Baldasor asked.
"He is a White Lighter," said Piper. "It's one of his more endearing traits."
"What happened to the other Brotherhood that were here?" Paige asked.
"They have returned to the underworld," said Baldasor. "If Kempac and Nelsar require assistance they stand ready to aid in any way they can."
"And you didn't tell us why?" Piper asked.
"I feel no need to discuss Brotherhood business with witches," said Baldasor. "Besides, I'm sure you feel more comfortable with them out of your home."
"You got that right," said Piper.
"How much longer are we going to wait?" Phoebe asked.
"A little longer," said Michael. "Relax, Phoebe. I'm sure Cole is fine. Trust me."
"I trust you," said Phoebe. "It's the underworld I don't trust."
Baldasor just chuckled as Leo came back down stairs and handed him a clean shirt.
"You have removed the pages, my Lord," said the Seer, seeing the pages in Coles' hands.
"Yes," said Cole. "We have a lot to prepare for. I'll need the pages to make future plans."
"Of course," said the Seer. She held out a potion vial to Cole. "I have the potion you asked for."
"Potion?" Cole questioned.
"The fertility potion you asked for," said the Seer. "For the witch. So that she can present you with an heir as quickly as possible."
"Oh, yes," said Cole taking the vial. "I've been so busy with other matters I guess it temporarily slipped my mind."
"I was going to give it to the witch myself," said the Seer. "She is not in her quarters."
"No," said Cole. "I've had her moved to a more secure location. She could be at risk. Until the Ascension Ceremony there may be some demons that will consider opposing me. She must be protected until then."
"Certainly," said the Seer. "Are you all right, my Lord? You seem not to be yourself."
"Are you questioning me?" Cole demanded, looking down at the Seer. "Who is the master here?"
"You are, my Liege," said the Seer. "My only concern is for your welfare, as usual."
"I'm fine," said Cole. "As you can see the Brotherhood is with me for protection."
"But you have no Vision demon with you," said the Seer. "Your orders were that at least one should be with you at all times."
"I have no need to explain myself to you or anyone else," demanded Cole. "I am the Source. Your job is to serve me, not question my motives or decisions. Is that understood?"
"Of course, my Lord," said the Seer. "Forgive me. I meant no disrespect. As I said, my only concern is for your welfare."
"Keep it that way," said Cole. "I'll brook no insolence even from you."
"The potion," said the Seer. "It is colorless and tasteless. Simply put it in something the witch eats. But once you use it do not wait long. Its affects will last only twenty-four hours. It is a difficult potion to make. If you miss your window of opportunity it will require several days to recreate it. It is why I have been unavailable recently."
"Don't worry," said Cole. "There won't be a need for another one."
"That is good, my Lord," said the Seer. "I understand preparations for the Ascension Ceremony are progressing nicely."
"Yes," said Cole. "I was just on my way to check on them. We will need the Grimoire for the ceremony."
"I have all ready made arrangements for that," said the Seer. "It will be ready when the ceremony takes place."
"Good," said Cole. "Now, I have many preparations to make. Once the Ascension Ceremony is complete there will be many tasks that will demand my attention."
"As you wish, my Lord," said the Seer.
"That was quick thinking," said Kempac as they walked away from the Seer. "You almost had me convinced you were the real Source."
"I've had a lot of practice," said Cole. "Now, let's get out of here before anyone else weigh lays us."
Together the three headed down the passageway to the alcove where they could shimmer out of the underworld from.