Peter shimmered into the underworld. He had been here only a few times before. For the most part he hadn't been welcomed. He was more human than demon. Even warlocks or White Lighters had been more welcome than he was.
Then Cole had become the Source of all Evil. When that had happened several demons began to court his attention. But he hadn't been fooled. He knew the only reason they were even talking to him was to try and curry favor with his father. He had made it quite clear to them that it would do them no good. He had no intention of "cashing in" on his biological relationship with his father.
When the Charmed Ones had vanquished Cole, most of the demons had stopped courting him. All but Malevant. For some reason this senior demon had taken Peter under his wing, so to speak. He never did understand why. But it had helped to prevent a couple of demons from coming after him to get revenge for what they perceived as wrongs done to them by Cole.
Then, just a few weeks ago, Peter had inadvertently encountered a demon. His name was Baldasor. Peter had learned then that Baldasor was Cole's brother. His uncle. And Baldasor had been able to fill Peter in on details of Cole's life he had never known before.
Now, because of Krembor, he had learned that Cole might have returned from the dead. Something Peter found incredible even for Cole. If it were true Peter had to find out. After his encounter with Baldasor Peter had begun wondering about Cole. Just what kind of a man, and demon, had Cole been?
Krembor didn't seem to know where Cole was. Peter thought if anyone would know where Cole is it would be Uncle Baldasor. While he might not be welcomed by the demonic population Baldasor was different. He was family. And even demons honored family.
Peter moved through the passages of the underworld. He had never been here before but he was pretty sure he knew where he was going. It was the only passage. There were no side passages to confuse him. And if his information was correct, it led to one place. The chamber for the Brotherhood of the Thorn. He came to a large entry and stopped. He took a deep breath and prepared to enter when suddenly two demons shimmered in before him.
"Who are you?" demanded one of the demons. "This chamber is only for the Brotherhood."
The demons were very similar. They were seven feet in height. One was black and the other was a dark green. They both had markings like the ones Belthazor, Peter's father, had worn. Markings similar to the ones Peter himself wore.
"My name is Peter Coleson. I came to see Baldasor. He's my uncle."
"Baldasor had only a single sibling," said the second demon. "Belthazor was vanquished. And I've never heard he had any offspring."
"It's not exactly common knowledge. He didn't even know about me until recently. Until just before he became the Source."
"As we said," the first demon spoke again, "this chamber is for the Brotherhood only. You are not allowed here."
"Wait," said a third demon that had suddenly appeared in the doorway to the chamber. "Are you truly the son of Belthazor?"
Peter suddenly changed to his demonic form. The three demons looked at him with no expression on their faces. They all recognized the form. It was virtually identical to the late Belthazor. Peter returned to his human form.
"You have the same markings," said the third demon. "How is that possible? You are not a brother."
"It's because my father was half human," said Peter. "My uncle said it must have been the elixir Belthazor was given after his initiation. It must have interacted with his human half creating a genetic anomaly that was passed on to me."
"You know of Belthazor's initiation?" questioned the third demon.
"Baldasor told me. He said I had the right to know since Cole, I mean Belthazor, was my father."
"I am Teltrick," said the third demon. "I am leader of the Brotherhood."
"I know," said Peter. "I heard about you taking over after Raynor was vanquished."
"Of course," said Teltrick. "Why do you seek Baldasor?"
"I heard my father has returned. I came to find out if it was true."
"Let him enter," Teltrick said to the other two demons. "He is the son of Belthazor. He is welcome with the Brotherhood."
The two demons stepped aside to allow Peter to enter. He followed Teltrick into the chamber. It was sparsely furnished. There were several doorways that presumably led to other chambers in the area. Teltrick and Peter took seats in the main chamber.
"Why do you seek your father? I understood you wished to vanquish him."
"Not any more. I made a promise to my mother. Whatever my personal feelings I plan to honor that promise."
"So much like your father."
"Baldasor said that. More than once. And from what he told me I guess there are some similarities."
"Yes," said Teltrick, smiling. "Belthazor was unique among demons. Not just because he had a soul. He was the only demon to ever resist one of Malevant's torture sessions. None before or since has ever come close. And Belthazor resisted to the end. He brought honor to the Brotherhood."
"That's what I understand. I heard he's back. Back from, what do you call it? The Wasteland? I figured if anyone knew about it Baldasor would."
"Baldasor is not here. He is off on an assignment. He did tell me of your meeting. Apparently you had some misconceptions regarding your father. Misconceptions, which Baldasor helped to correct."
"He didn't change my mind about him," said Peter uncomfortably. He was not at ease discussing his personal feelings with anyone, especially a demon. "But he did help to point out that perhaps there was more to my father than I had originally believed."
"Baldasor knew Belthazor better than any. Even those of the Brotherhood. If you wish to know about your father he is the best to seek out."
"There's someone else I can speak with. My father himself. If he's returned I can speak to him directly. But I don't know where he is. I thought Baldasor would know where he is."
"So, your motivation to find Belthazor is to speak with him?"
"Yes. I never got to know him while I was growing up. Baldasors story got me to thinking. I can never forgive him for what he did. But maybe I can understand it better. If I can understand who he is. Was. The only way for me to learn that is to talk with him."
"You believe he is in the underworld?"
"I'm not sure. He's a demon. And a member of the Brotherhood."
"He is also half human. I can tell you he is not in the underworld. I have heard rumors that he is working as a human attorney in a law firm somewhere in San Francisco. I do not know which one."
"If that's true I should be able to find him easily."
"Perhaps it would be best if you do not find him. I understand he is not the same as he was. His power is beyond belief. And it has been reported to us that he cannot be vanquished. Not even the Charmed Ones seem to have the power to vanquish him."
"As I told you," said Peter, standing up, "I have no interest in vanquishing him. I just want to talk with him."
"I only mention it because there are other changes as well. He is not the same Belthazor he once was."
"But you still consider him your brother."
"Once a brother…" Teltrick began the Brotherhood motto.
"Always a brother," Peter quoted the second half. "It won't change what I need to find out. Thanks for the information. You've been a big help to me."
"Coleson," said Teltrick standing up to face him. "If you wish to return you will be welcome. I shall tell all in the Brotherhood that you are to be given safe passage. You are the son of Belthazor. Perhaps one of the greatest that has ever served the Circle of the Black Thorn. While you are not a brother, there is a kinship between us. A kinship we will honor."
"Thank you, Teltrick. I know what that means. I appreciate it."
Teltrick simply bowed slightly to Peter. Without another word Peter shimmered out of the chamber returning to the mortal realm.