TWO

"You're lying," said Peter. "Cole had no siblings."

"Interesting. You call him Cole and not father."

"I hated him," said Peter. "My only regret is that I wasn't the one that was able to kill him. But I made a promise to my mother. My name is Peter Coleson."

"Coleson? Not Turner?"

"I changed my name. To remind me of how much I hated him."

"I see," said Baldasor. "Well, you're wrong, Peter Coleson. I am indeed Belthazor's brother. His older brother, to be sure. I've heard of you. You used to represent demons in the human court system."

"I don't do that anymore. Now I represent people who really need my help."

"Yes," said Baldasor. "I can see Belthazor in you. And you are very much like him."

"Shut up." Peters' temper flared. "I'm nothing like him. He was a cowardly demon that used people for his own ends. Like he used my mother. Then discarded her like she was so much trash."

"Belthazor was many things, but a coward was not one of them. He was one of the bravest demons I ever knew. And one of the cleverest. He was a great demon."

"I wouldn't brag about it," said Peter, noticing that the human victim had long since left the alley. "I seem to have accomplished what I set out to do. You missed your mark."

"No matter. I'll find him again. I'm very good at what I do."

"And I might be there to stop you again. You may be Cole's brother but like I said, I'm not one of you. You may be many things, but you aren't my uncle."

"There's a lot of anger in you. Just like Belthazor when he was younger."

"Stop saying that. I told you, I'm nothing like him. I don't have innocent blood on my hands. I never will. That's the difference between you and me."

"So arrogant. So sure of yourself. It's possible the underworld has misjudged you. You might make a fine demon."

"Not interested," said Peter, retrieving his briefcase. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to be getting home. Under the circumstances don't take any offense if I say I hope I never see you again."

Peter didn't wait for a response. He turned and headed up the alley away from Baldasor. As he did, Baldasor watched him leave. He reminded Baldasor so much of a younger Cole. And he was blood. To most demons that wouldn't mean a great deal. But to the Brotherhood it was everything.

Peter opened a beer and took a long drink. He had wanted nothing more than to come home and relax. Free of any worries of the day. Instead, he had discovered a long lost uncle. An uncle he would just as soon have never known about.

Still it did remind Peter of thoughts he had tried his entire life to repress. His hatred of Cole was genuine. And he had wanted to kill Cole. But at the same time there was a part of him that wanted to know more about his biological father. Like most orphans he had wondered about his father. Who was he, what were his likes and dislikes, would he have stayed if he had known about Peter? These and a thousand other questions he had never spoken aloud haunted him.

But Cole was dead now. Vanquished by the very sisters that had once protected him. His mother had told him precious little when he was growing up. He had considered asking Phoebe and her sisters but discounted that. Now he had an uncle who might be able to tell him some small part of what he wanted to know. But that was out of the question. He wasn't even sure he could trust a demon.

"Nice place you have here," said a voice from the darkness.

Peter was on his feet in an instant. He turned to see Baldasor standing across the room. The demon was smiling at him.

"What do you want?" Peter demanded.

"You're my nephew. I think we should get to know each other. We are family."

"We aren't family. I'm nothing like you or Cole. We have nothing in common."

"We are demons. You can lie to yourself and hide among these humans but you are still demon. And there is much of Belthazor in you. Not only in your looks and mannerisms. In your convictions. The motivations may be different but the results are the same. You're more like him than you know."

"Shut up," said Peter. "Just shut up. You have no idea what you're talking about. I'm nothing like any of you."

"That's it, isn't it?" Baldasor questioned. "That's what you're afraid of. That you are like us. You're afraid that even with all your posturing and denials that you're nothing more than just another demon."

Peter stared at Baldasor. Everyone has secret fears. Private demons, if you will, that haunted them. Even the most self-assured and confident person has their own personal demons. Few people ever spoke about those demons openly.

"You don't know what you're talking about," said Peter. "I know I'm human."

"You're a poor liar, boy," said Baldasor. "Belthazor was the same way. Always harbored the fear that he was not truly demon. His human half always concerned him. He was different. And he harbored a fear that that human half would make him somehow less demon."

"I'd say he didn't have much to worry about. He proved he was a demon. He married my mother just for one of his plans. When that plan was finished he left her. He didn't even know she was pregnant and I doubt he would have cared had he known. She was just a means to an end."

"That is what made him so efficient," said Baldasor. "He never let minor complications distract him from completing an assignment. However, if he had known of you that might have made a difference. My brother understood blood."

"My mother was not a minor complication. She was a flesh and blood woman. And he treated her like she was nothing more than a tool."

"That's what she was. A tool for one of his missions. He was demon after all. He was able to keep his human half under control."

"I guess that changed," said Peter. "He certainly showed what he really is. Just another demon with no concept of loyalty or honor."

"You really think that's how Belthazor was?" Baldasor laughed. "Boy, you are so sadly mistaken. Belthazor had the highest sense of loyalty and honor. Deep down you know that I think. That's why you admire him. That's why you secretly wish you could be like him."

Peter stared at Baldasor as if he had lost his mind.