Under Attack

Attic. Early Morning.

Cole was sound asleep. Since his demonic senses were blocked he didn't wake up as a small green figure shimmered into the attic. The small demon looked around the attic warily. He didn't want to run into the infamous sisters. He spotted the man on the couch and waddled towards him. He looked down on him with his cat-like eyes and shook his head in disbelief.

He murmured, "Who would believe you have been the Source. What a shame. Such a powerless creature to rule us all."

Cole awoke from the sneering sound of a voice, opened his eyes and staredat the demon in front of him. Then he sat up with one swift motion, startling the demon, which jumped back some meters. He knew this kind of demon, it was a lower level one, obviously working for some upper level demon.

"Whom are you working for", Cole demanded hostile.

"That's none of your business," the demon snarled back.

He was angry that the pathetic half-demon had startled him. He strolled over to the Book of Shadows reaching for it. The Book didn't resist.

"I wouldn't talk so bold, if I were the one tied up", the demon taunted, holding the Book tightly, almost reverent.

Cole watched the demon, inside freaking out, that evil was able to touch the book. It meant that the Charmed Ones really had turned evil. That was very bad news for him in his current helpless state.

"You are very smart, I have to admit", he flattered the demon. All demons were arrogant and proud of their deeds, so maybe it worked.

The small green demon turned around to him. "At least you can admit your defeat", he said smugly.

"How did you manage it? Great demons have failed at this task, even I," he went on ranting.

"I'll tell you," the demon coaxed. He was used to being bashed around by other demons and here the infamous Belthazor recognized his deed.

He decided to adorn himself with borrowed plumes about the plan of his master. He would kill the traitor afterwards, so that he couldn't divulge anything. But it would give him some minutes of sheer pleasure.

"It's simple, take some objects that are dear to the victim and then tap into their dark desires – voila," the small green demon bragged.

"Simply but effective", Cole had to admire the demons handiwork. He was sure the demon was not the originator of the plan. He just wasn't slick enough for that.

"Now I kill you", the demon informed Cole and summoned energy in his hand.

A small lightning was forming in his palm. Cole looked at him evaluating. He didn't know if he could withstand the attack with his powers bound.

"Demon," he shouted at the top of his lungs.

He had to alert the sisters, since he couldn't defend himself, this was the only way. Even if he didn't want them to come back. Especially Piper.

He heard footsteps on the stairs but they wouldn't be in time. The demon threw the lightning at Cole and it hit him directly in the chest. Cole was thrown back as far as the handcuffs allowed. Blue flashes of crackling electricity ran over his body sending him into spasms. When the electricity vanished Cole hung motionless at the verge of the couch.

The demon snickered and rejoiced in the sight in front of him. He a low level demon had finally killed the great traitor, the former Source. This would raise his reputation in the underworld enormously. He wouldn't have to serve scum like Kiwik anymore. He got lost in the anticipation of his glory.

But his musing was his downfall. Piper bolted through the door in her nightgown and blew the demon up on the spot. The book fell to the ground untouched. She went towards it, picked it up and put it back on its altar. By then Paige and Phoebe arrived at the attic panting.

"What happened?" Paige asked out of breath. She wore her Duffy Duck pajamas.

"Some slimy green demon tried to steal the Book", Piper informed them. "Cole was so kind to alert us".

She looked at Cole and saw his unmoving form. "Too bad he didn't make it," Piper said evenly.

"Piper!" Phoebe cried out, "That's not fair, just because you already got what you wanted, you don't care about him anymore."

Piper just shrugged, "so what?"

Phoebe stormed over to Cole's side and pulled his body back on the couch and put his head in her lap, caressing his haggard face. For a moment she wondered about the strange situation at the attic. Why was Cole in handcuffs? Naked? This didn't make sense at all. Her heart beat rapidly.

"Please, don't let him be gone," she pleaded silently to whatever higher power. She felt his pulse nervously. He was still alive. That becalmed her and as soon as her fear disappeared the evil overpowered her again.

"Paige, I need some potion, quickly", Phoebe ordered her sister.

"Sorry, I don't do healing potions", Paige said icily, "but you could slip off his handcuffs shortly, I thought he was self healing."

Phoebe glowered at her sisters but did as Paige told her. She opened the handcuffs, prepared to snap them close again as soon as Cole started moving. She didn't need to wait long. Cole's breathing became steady again and he started moving. The moment he opened his eyes, she closed the handcuffs.

"That was close", he murmured faintly but stayed down in Phoebe's lap.

It felt good to touch her, have her near, even when she was evil. He looked hopeful into her eyes. But there was no concern, just complacency.

"Since I'm already out of bed, I can as well stay here", Paige decided. "You know I go second in having fun with our special guest," she said pointing at Cole.

"Whatever you say Paige," Piper yawned, "I go back to bed". She left the attic.

Phoebe glanced from Cole to Paige. "Promise you don't hurt him. I need him whole and strong." To herself she murmured, "It sucks being the last one." She shoved Cole's head from her lap and got up.

"I promise he will be fit enough to be of use to you," Paige answered with an evil smile but crossed her fingers behind her back.

Phoebe was satisfied with this answer. "Be sure to have completed your potion experiments when I get back from work today," she reminded Paige and left, closing the door behind her.

--------------------------------------------------

It gets worse

Attic. Morning.

Paige scrutinized Cole critically. He looked a little bit worn out. He had only the scorched blanket around his waist. Nevertheless he starred back at her defiantly. She went to the cupboard and got herself some little bottles and an Athame. With that in her hand she turned back to Cole.

"So what is your desire?" Cole asked her. The small green demon had given him some valuable hints. He had to work with them to confirm their truth.

"Surely not jumping between the sheets with you", Paige said icily. Cole exhaled relieved.

She pulled herself a stool nearer and sat down on it. She put all bottles except for one on the ground.

"I'm thriving to make the most powerful potions of all," she told him, "and I figured some of your blood would definitely be a very powerful ingredient."

Cole looked at her uneasily. He didn't like the direction this was going with Paige.

Paige and he had never seen eye-to-eye. There was a lot unfinished business between them. She had been his preferred target when he had been the Source and she had already hated him when he had been Belthazor. He braced himself for a cruel payback of his deeds. Paige grabbed his hand and cut deep into his palm. Deeper than necessary to draw just blood. She looked chirpy as she did it.

Cole didn't even shudder. As a demon he was used to torturing. It couldn't intimidate him. He didn't think that Paige could be any crueler than the servants of the Source who had once punished him for disobedience. But then he had been Belthazor. Which he was not anymore. As the blood trickled down to the ground she took the bottle and filled it up with his blood. He just sat there watching her.

"I guessed you like to take part in my achievements", Paige smirked as she corked the bottle.

She hated Cole for what he had done to her in the past. He had messed with her mind, alienated her from her sisters and had tried to kill her repeatedly. Now he was going to pay for it. She took the Athame again and ran it slowly across his chest and down to his stomach, drawing bloody lines on it. She enjoyed watching his face as she did it.

Cole tried hard to not show any pain at all, to not give her the satisfaction off hurting him, but she could see him flinch slightly every time she started a new line. His blood was running down his chest in small streams and soaking the blanket. To occupy his mind and withdraw his attention from the stabbing pain Cole asked, "What was in the potion Piper gave to me?"

Paige laughed evilly and asked, "Didn't you like it? I thought you were glad to get a little assistance in the lower section."

"It wasn't the pure pleasure," Cole understated.

"It wasn't intended to be for you", Paige disclosed.

She had stopped cutting his chest and stared transfixed at the bloody mess his chest was now. She thought about the part of his body to ravage on next, playing with the Athame in her hand.

"I made it for Piper." Paige looked at him. "She was the one who was supposed to feel indulgence. You know the old problem with men?"

Cole shook his head. He had no idea what problems Paige or women in general had with men. But everything that kept Paige from slashing him was welcome.

"They come too quickly," Paige informed him.

"So my potion took care of that. You had to wait for Piper to experience pleasure before your pain would go away. That was a good one, wasn't it?" Paige praised herself.

"But there was more to it", Cole hinted. The exhaustion he had felt hadn't been normal.

"Always the smart one", Paige taunted. "I guess it doesn't hurt I tell you. In addition the potion consumes your life energy. I thought you would be dead after she was finished with you. Looks like my handcuff-potion didn't bind your powers completely. I have to improve on that."

She looked straight at him. Hate burning in her eyes.

"You wanted to kill me?" he asked incredulously. He hadn't known that Paige loathed him that deeply.

"What's with the acting surprised Cole, let's make it a real one", Paige said coldly.

She moved quickly and slashed him badly in his upper arm. His elbow buckled, and he fell back on his back. Apparently she had cut the sinew. It hurt Cole like hell and he let out a small groan. He couldn't move his lower right arm anymore.

Still he looked unwaveringly at her. He had enough pride in him to not beg her for his life. She wouldn't hear another sign of pain from his lips. But he couldn't help his heart beating rapidly and his breath coming in fits and starts.

"Let's finish this," Paige said changing her position.

She sat herself at his side, grabbed his head and pulled it back hard so he bared his unprotected throat to her. She moved the blade of the Athame close to his jugular vain following it with the tip of it.

"How does it feel Cole, to be powerless, helpless, reliant on the mercy of someone who hasn't any?" she asked bitterly.

"Paige," he choked, "you are no killer. You are a good witch, a White lighter. You help people, don't hurt them. Don't throw away your good heritage for revenge. You are better than that. You're better than me."

He had never felt so helpless in his whole life. It was a sarcastic joke that one of the witches he had refused to kill was now about to kill him. Paige listened to him, her ear at his mouth. She hesitated shortly, but then straightened up.

"Sorry to dash your hope". Paige's voice sounded final and ice cold.

Cole closed his eyes as he felt the blade cut into his skin. That was it. After years fighting witches, demons and all kind of creatures, he was going to die by the hand of his ex-sister in law, a white lighter. It was ironic. Just when he had tried so hard to be good, evil got to him.

tbc

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