"I still can't believe we let Cartrack get away with the boy," said Piper at breakfast the next morning. "We should have realized he'd shimmer away with Spenser."
"Don't beat yourself up over it," said Cole. "You had no way of knowing Cartrack would betray us like that. I should have realized he was going to do it. I know Cartrack pretty well. I just figured he'd be grateful you helped out."
"It's no ones' fault," said Leo. "Like the girls are always saying, you can't trust demons. Present company excepted, of course."
"Former demon," Cole corrected. "For what it's worth, I don't think Carson is in any danger. With his power he'll be treated like royalty. He's going to be a very important commodity in the underworld."
"That's a lot of comfort," said Paige. "Once he learns how to use his power he may be coming after us. I don't relish having some demon, even a demonic child, stealing my powers from me."
"May I interrupt for a moment," said a voice from the doorway.
They all turned to see Cartrack standing just outside the kitchen. He had a white handkerchief in one hand and was waving it back and forth.
"At one time," said Cartrack, "a white flag indicated a desire for a temporary truce so that two opposing sides could talk without danger of reprisal. I'm hoping to revive that little tradition, if you're agreeable."
"You have a lot of nerve," Phoebe said as everyone stood up from the table.
"Easy, honey," said Cole. He turned to Cartrack. "I think you're okay at least for the moment. You're little betrayal yesterday notwithstanding."
"I am sorry that was necessary," said Cartrack. "But I'm sure you understand, Cole. If our roles were reversed I have no doubt you would have done exactly the same thing."
"You said you wanted to talk," said Piper. "So talk all ready. We're not exactly crazy about you at the moment."
"I believe you would want to know that young Biltok is no longer in my care," said Cartrack.
"What happened?" asked Paige. "Momma not happy with your little excursion yesterday?"
"Actually," said Cartrack, "young Biltok is a very quick study. We hadn't been back in the underworld very long when he used his power again. It seems he stole the powers of one of the caretakers. He shimmered away before anyone knew what had happened."
"Caretakers?" questioned Piper.
"Very minor demons," said Cole. "Not many powers. But they do have the power to shimmer. Where is Carson now?"
"I have no idea," said Cartrack. "I've checked all the places he was likely to have gone but it doesn't seem to have gone there. To be honest, I'm at a loss. I don't know where he's gone."
"And you want us to help you find him again?" Piper asked.
"That won't be necessary," said Cartrack. "It's not like the last time. This time I'm not the one to blame. I'm confident we'll find him eventually."
"Is that all you wanted?" Cole asked. "To let us know he'd gotten away from you?"
"Pretty much," said Cartrack. "I could tell you were concerned for the young boy. I thought you might like to know he's once again on his own."
"That's awful accommodating for a demon," said Piper.
"Cartrack is not like most demons," said Cole. "He often gets quite attached to his young charges. He considers them as much his own children as the demons who bear them."
"Quite true," said Cartrack. "A failing I've developed over the centuries, I'm afraid. And these half human children only seem to strengthen that weakness."
"Is he dangerous?" Leo asked. "You said he absorbed the powers of one of the caretakers."
"He won't be very dangerous," said Cole. "Caretakers don't have any offensive powers. That's why they're used as caretakers. What I don't understand is why Carson seemed to idolize me so much."
"My doing, I'm afraid," said Cartrack. "As I told you when I first came here, the Source was very pleased with your progress. And as one of my best students I used to use you to inspire my young students to emulate you. Sort of hold you up as the example they should strive for."
"But wouldn't that have changed?" Phoebe asked. "Once Cole betrayed the Source and vanquished the Triad I'd think that would have showed he wasn't the shining example you'd been holding him out to be."
"My doing again, I'm afraid," said Cartrack. "The young demons haven't been told about Belthazor's betrayal. They are quite impressionable. I felt it best if we withheld that little bit of information until they were old enough to understand what had actually happened."
"So he still thinks I'm the great Belthazor?" asked Cole.
"For the moment," said Cartrack. "Many of my students might decide to follow your example and convert to good if they knew the truth. As I said, many of them idolize Belthazor. You're like they are. Half human. A kindred spirit, if you will. I thought it best not to risk it until we could be assured that they would remain loyal to the underworld."
"Thanks for the heads up," said Piper. "We can start looking for Spenser right away. With a little luck we should be able to find him soon. Then we can make sure he gets to a proper home."
"Good luck with that," said Cartrack. "You know of course we'll be looking for him as well."
"Then heaven help any demons that cross our path," said Paige.
"Of course," said Cartrack. "Well, I think I should be on my way before I out outstay my welcome."
"You did that the first time you showed up here," said Piper.
Cartrack didn't respond. He simply shimmered and vanished from the manor.
"What do we do now?" Phoebe asked. "Any ideas where to look for Spenser?"
"Not a clue," said Cole. "He's a very resourceful young man. And he's been living in the underworld his entire life. Finding him might prove problematical."
"I'll let the Elders know what's going on," Leo said. "They might have better luck tracking him down. Someone with his power would be a very useful ally to whichever side he decides to serve."
"That was pretty smart of you," Cole said to Phoebe, "thinking of that letter."
"He's just a scared kid," said Phoebe. "He was probably confused about a lot of things especially after he took Cartrack's powers. He just needed someone to explain them to him. Or at least let him know he wasn't alone."
"Where do you think he went?" Paige asked.
"That's hard to say," said Cole. "Presumably, Cartrack only brought him to San Francisco when they came to the mortal plane. He might stay around familiar surroundings. Or he might decide to see what else is out there. Places he's sure to have heard of but has never been to. And with his new ability to shimmer, he could go just about anywhere he wants."
"Well," said Piper, "without some place to start there's not a whole lot we can do about it right now. If the Elders come up with anything we can try to locate him. Until then I guess all we can do is wait and see if he turns up again."
"That could be a long wait," said Cole. "He may not turn up for weeks or even months."
"Well, if you have a better idea I'd be glad to listen to it," said Piper.
"No, I guess not," said Cole. "Just don't get your hopes up."
"I won't," said Piper. "I guess I should start lunch. All that hopping around town has left me famished."
"Me, too," said Paige. "Leo was right. Orbing really burns the calories. I feel like I could eat a horse."
"I think we can come up with something a bit more appetizing," said Piper, heading for the kitchen.