CHAPTER EIGHT
"What was with that look you were giving your sister when – Siobhan right? – mentioned Sandy?" Chris asked.
"Siobhan – yes. And it's Sadie, not Sandy. Geez, and you get upset with me for not knowing that evil guys name."
Chris groaned. "Either way, what was with that look?"
"Can you keep a secret?"
"It's my job," Chris said.
"Wow, you and Sadie are similar. Sadie never tells us anything about the future – consequences and all," Kailyn replied as she placed a sleepy Wyatt into his bed.
"Maybe you should try and see it from her point of view. There could be future consequences," Chris pointed out. Kailyn just rolled her eyes.
"Future people. Okay, you want to know Sadie's secret? She's my niece."
"Oh. So you haven't told Siobhan because you want to wait for Sadie to be conceived," Chris said with a knowing look.
"No, not exactly. Siobhan is pregnant. We just haven't gotten around to telling her yet. Not to mention she doesn't exactly like Sadie," Kailyn replied.
"Wouldn't she notice she was pregnant?" Chris asked, surprised by Kailyn's response.
Kailyn hesitated, and then sighed deeply. "Siobhan goes into denial mode when she's pregnant," She said. "Her first pregnancy – with Samuel – went well, except there were a few complications. She went into labor early – that sort of thing. Then a year later, she got pregnant again. But, she ended up having a miscarriage."
"Oh," Chris said.
"It doesn't end there. Three years ago she got pregnant again."
"But she had another miscarriage?" Chris guessed.
Kailyn shook her head. "No. The baby was born fine and healthy, but he was killed in a demon attack two weeks later." Chris stared at her in surprise. Kailyn took in a deep breath. "Going into denial about being pregnant makes it easier for Siobhan. That way she doesn't become too attached to the child. She doesn't want to end up getting hurt again. We haven't told her because we don't want her to worry. The time will come, just not yet," She explained.
Chris nodded. "It must have been difficult," He said.
"It was. Both Steve and Siobhan were so upset. It almost destroyed their marriage."
"How old is Sam?"
"He's five. He just started kindergarten," Kailyn said, smiling proudly of her nephew.
"So how do you feel about being an Aunt?" Chris asked.
Kailyn frowned. "If we don't stop Sam from being killed, I'll be the only Mother Sadie will know."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"You can't mention this to either Siobhan or Amanda. Sadie only told me. On the day that Sam was killed, so were Amanda and Siobhan. Amanda when Sam was first taken, and Siobhan trying to get him back a few hours later. If that's what your Mother and Aunts are meant to help us with, I hope they succeed. I can't stand to lose my sisters and nephew. We've lost enough already."
"I understand," Chris said. They started out of the nursery. "So I take it that Sam and the other two are the only nieces and nephews you've have?"
"No. Amanda had a miscarriage when she was twenty, before we met her," Kailyn said quietly.
"Hold on, before you met her?" He asked.
"Yeah. Amanda's our half sister. Didn't you get that from the different last names?"
"No. I thought it was marriage names," Chris admitted. Kailyn shook her head.
"Amanda and I have never gotten married. Amanda was close, though. When she was pregnant. She probably would have gotten married eventually, but then the miscarriage happened, and the Father just sort of … took off. It took a really long time for her to trust a guy again, and then …," Kailyn stopped, her voice trailing off.
"And you've never had any miscarriages? It seems to run in your family."
"I've never been pregnant," Kailyn said with a shrug. They approached the door to the attic, just as a crash came from inside.
Chris flung open the door to see five demons surrounding Siobhan and Amanda.
"Great timing," Amanda said as she blew one up. Kailyn ran in and kicked one in the head. She then squinted her eyes and sent three flying into the wall, one becoming impaled on a stray shard of glass and disappearing. She held them there and looked at Amanda.
"A little help?" She asked. Amanda blew the two up instantly. She turned to Siobhan who had just rammed an atham into the last one's stomach, sending him to ashes. She looked back at the others, brushing her hair out of her face.
"I don't want to be pushy, but how about we get rid of the threat so we can go back home?" She suggested. She went over to a sheet of paper and picked it up. Chris stepped out of the room, just in case. Her sisters joined her and they peered over her shoulder at the paper in her hand.
"Death to the good guy brings he,
But we need him now to get back home,
We summon near from where ever he roam,
A darklighter to destroy our hidden enemy."
Amanda glanced at Siobhan. "That's it?" She asked just as the darklighter black orbed in.
"Get the crystals!" Siobhan cried to Kailyn. But before she could move her arm the darklighter grabbed her, turning her as a shield.
"What do you want?" He sneered. Then he sniffed the air, and turned back to where Chris was.
Amanda started flicking wrists. "Damn it, don't these people ever freeze!" She exclaimed. The darklighter looked back at her, smiling.
"I have protection against your good magic," He said.
Chris leaned out and waved his wrist, moving the darklighters grip from Kailyn, so she stumbled out. Still trying to catch her breath, Chris was left to trap the darklighter in the cage. Once he was safe inside, Chris stepped back inside.
Siobhan narrowed her eyes. "Now how is the plan going to work?" She demanded.
"We still have the darklighter," Amanda said as Kailyn got up, blowing her breath upwards to get her hair out of her face.
"What's the darklighter going to do? He won't work for us," Kailyn snapped.
"Maybe he will," Chris said.
"You can't be serious," Siobhan said.
Chris met the darklighters eyes. "If he wants to live he will," He said.
The darklighter simply laughed. "I don't work for you," He replied.
"If you know what's best for you, you do," Kailyn replied. "I'm really good at brewing vanquishing potions."
"Yeah, and it doesn't even matter if you're protected against our magic or not," Amanda added.
"You can do that?" Chris asked, looking interested. Siobhan nodded.
"Why don't you get started on that potion, Kailyn," She instructed. The darklighter frowned.
"If I help you, you won't harm me?" He asked.
"Of course not," Siobhan said, secretly giving Kailyn knowing looks. The younger witch edged towards the door.
"What do you need me to do?" He asked.
"We need an elder dead," Amanda spoke up.
"An elder?" The darklighter asked with new interest. "The good guys going bad?"
"Only the elder, so don't get your hopes up," Siobhan replied. The darklighter turned to Chris.
"I recognize you as that Halliwell. Where are the Charmed Ones?" He asked.
"Out of town," Siobhan said quickly. He looked at her. "Oh, but don't worry. We're filling in for them while they're gone."
"I'm sure you are," The darklighter replied grimly. "I'll shoot the elder, but I need your word that I'll get out free."
"Since when do demons expect oaths?" Amanda asked.
He looked at her. "Since witches can't be trusted."
"You're a demon and you're telling us we can't be trusted?" Kailyn asked, looking amused.
"You have our word. Right girls?" Siobhan asked.
"Right," The two chorused. Siobhan met Kailyn's eyes.
"Why don't you and Chris go check on Wyatt," She suggested.
"Alright," She said. The two left the room, leaving Siobhan and Amanda alone with the demon.
Siobhan turned angrily to Amanda. "Now where was I before we got interrupted?" She asked.
"Yelling at me because I never mentioned I got a job?" Amanda said.
"That's right. WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?" Siobhan demanded.
Amanda rolled her eyes. "I was thinking of protecting your son. Besides, no one in the underworld even realized I was a Sacred One," She replied.
"You could end up getting yourself killed. I mean, working in a demonic bar?" Siobhan demanded.
"I like it. I have fun there. Besides, not all demons are that bad," Amanda said.
"I can agree to that," The darklighter spoke up.
Siobhan turned her menacing eyes on him. "You have no say in this conversation," She snapped. Then she looked back at Amanda. "What would we do if they did find out who you were and killed you?"
"Oh, well I'm sorry if I put your precious 'power of three' to risk by doing my job!"
"What's that supposed to mean?" Siobhan demanded.
"I think you know what it means," Amanda replied coldly.
"You're being ridiculous," Siobhan said dismissingly.
"Am I? The only reason you let me stay with you guys is because it's better for the power of three. Otherwise you couldn't stand me!" Amanda shouted back.
"That's not true," Siobhan said.
"Isn't it? You're always giving me the cold shoulder and pointing out how 'lazy' I am because I don't have a job. I tell you I have a job and all you do is flip out on me! No matter what I do I'm not good enough for you!" Amanda exclaimed.
"Amanda -."
"Just drop it, Siobhan. I'm going to go check on Kailyn and Chris," She said. With that she walked down the stairs. She had an idea where they were. She went downstairs to where the kitchen should be and looked in. There Kailyn was, just putting a pot on the stove. She looked up and smiled.
"Hey Manda. What's going on?" Kailyn asked.
"Nothing," Amanda replied bitterly, flopping down in a chair. Chris looked at her.
"Everything okay?" He asked.
"It's fine!" Amanda snapped. She looked at Kailyn. "Need any help?"
"Actually, yeah. Could you check this over and make sure I have all of the ingredients?" She asked hopefully.
"Sure," Amanda replied, taking the sheet of paper out of her hands.
Later
Kailyn tapped her foot nervously. "How long does it take to convince an elder to get his ass over here?" She demanded; irritated.
"Calm down!" Amanda cried. Seconds later there were voices on the stairway.
"Positions," Siobhan whispered.
"So do you think you could help?" They heard Chris ask.
"I'd like to try. I'm glad you came to me about this Chris. It means a lot," Gideon replied as he stepped into the attic. He looked around.
"Where are the sisters?" He asked.
"Now!" Siobhan cried. Amanda's hand shot out of hiding and froze Gideon. The girls quickly rushed out and went towards the cage.
"You're going to kill the elder," Siobhan instructed as Chris rushed to their side. Gideon began to fight the freeze.
Kailyn telekinetically dismantled the cage just as Gideon came out of it. He stared at them in surprise.
"Shoot him!" Siobhan cried. The darklighter brought his crossbow up, but spun around and aimed it at Chris.
Kailyn managed to move it away just in time.
"Sorry to break our little arrangement," He said. "Hope you understand." He took aim for Chris again.
"Don't worry. We didn't keep our side of the bargain, either," Siobhan replied. Chris pulled out a vile from his back pocket and threw it at the darklighter. The darklighter pulled the trigger and then jumped out of the way. He looked at Gideon and the two orbed out.
"Damn it!" Siobhan exclaimed furiously.
"Oh god," Amanda said. She and Kailyn moved to Chris's side.
"Get Wyatt," Chris murmured. Siobhan nodded and then ran down the stairs.
"You're losing blood so quickly," Amanda acknowledged. She looked at Kailyn, who bit her lip.
"Maybe we should call for his Dad," Kailyn said to Amanda.
"No!" Chris exclaimed. "Leo can't come."
"Chris, you're dying, and none of us can heal. If Gideon comes back -." Amanda held her breath, not wanting to finish the worried sentence.
Siobhan ran into the room with Wyatt in her arms. "What are we going to do?" She asked worriedly. They were all so focused on Chris, nobody noticed the figure materialize into the room. The figure looked down at herself with surprise.
"Get Wyatt out of here. Take him somewhere safe," Chris instructed.
"Where can we go? We don't know this world," Amanda said.
Arms reached out and took Wyatt. "Let me help," The woman said. Amanda and Kailyn stared at her in surprise.
"Sadie?" Kailyn gasped.
"I'll get him somewhere safe," She promised. Chris looked up at her. The infamous Sadie that everyone was mentioning had really long – almost to her waist – straight yellow-blond hair. She wore simple jeans, shoes, and a dark green tank top. It was rather obvious that like her Aunts, she was attractive.
"How did you get here, Sadie?" Siobhan demanded, starting to reach out for Wyatt again. Sadie stepped back and looked down at Chris.
"Somebody should call for your whitelighter," She acknowledged.
"He is the whitelighter," Amanda said.
"Oh. Don't you have a back up here or something?" Sadie asked. Then she looked around. "Where exactly is here?"
"We're in another world. Didn't you cast the spell to get here?" Kailyn asked, standing up. Sadie handed Wyatt to her and then leaned down next to Chris, as the sisters gathered around each other. She looked thoughtful.
No one expected her to reach over and jerk out the arrow. Chris cried out in pain and she tossed the arrow to the side. She looked up. "You aren't going to let him die, are you? Summon a whitelighter!"
Siobhan watched Sadie with some interest, and then looked at her sisters.
"Chris, call for your Father," Kailyn instructed.
"No!" Chris shouted back. He grimaced and then held his bleeding stomach.
"Kailyn, you're a nurse. Can't you do something?"
The Aunt took in the situation. "Alright, here's the low down. Sadie, take the baby, Wyatt, and set him up somewhere, blocking him from anyone but blood, okay? He needs to be protected from an evil elder guy," She said. Sadie stood and took Wyatt.
"Don't let her take him!" Siobhan cried.
Sadie looked her in the eye. "You're no one to discredit me. Especially when you're all too willing to disregard your own pregnancy. That's ignorance." And with that the two glimmered out.