CHAPTER ONE

Henry was in his office, totally frantic. He had been phoning for what seemed like hours, but hadn't been able to get a hold of Paige. For the he-wasn't-sure-how-manyth time, he tried calling the Manor--again he got the "Not in service" signal. Now he was in full panic, not sure what he should do, unsure what if anything, he could do.

Suddenly the phone rang and he grabbed it. "Paige?"

A sobbing barely recognizable voice answered him. "It's me-- Victor. The police just called."

"Police!" Henry gasped. "What about?"

Victor started crying, unable to tell him. "Just turn on the TV. Channel 9. They're showing it right now."." Henry grabbed his remote and hit the power button. He stared as the screen showed the remains of the Manor, surrounded by yellow tape, the police going through the mess. Henry gasped as he read the caption: "GAS EXPLOSION ON PRESCOTT STREET--FOUR BODIES FOUND."

Even as he watched, a police officer announced, "We have identified two of the bodies as Piper Halliwell, who resided at this address, and her sister, Phoebe Halliwell, of 1234 California Street. The other two bodies remain unidentified. We are asking the public for help in identifying the other two bodies, so relatives may be notified."

Even as he spoke, four black-and-white photos of the dead women were shown--Piper, Phoebe, Billie and Christy. Like Victor, Henry went into shock, mourning the deaths of Piper and Phoebe, but cried out what Victor was also wondering, "Where is Paige?"
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Meanwhile, in the black room at Magic School, Dumain approached the melted platform where the Charmed Ones had vanquished the Triad, not sure what to do or where to go.

Suddenly Paige black-orbed in. "Where are the demons?" she demanded. "Tell me before I drain your powers and vanquish you!"

Dumain stared at her in shock. "What happened?" he asked. "Where's Billie and Christy?"

"Dead," Paige told him, her voice totally emotionless. "Just like my sisters. Evil killed my sisters and now I'm going to kill everyone else! Now where are the other demons?"

"You can't drain their powers unless they use their powers on you!" Dumain protested.

Paige smiled, the cold smile of someone preparing to tear off the wings of a fly. "That is for an ordinary being. I am no ordinary being. I was half-whitelighter before I took in the Hollow and when my sisters and the Jenkinses died, I took in their portions of the Hollow, too. Now I'm a darklighter who can take in any power or any life force! Now tell me where those other demons are before I drain your life force!"

In a total panic, Dumain smoked out. Paige screamed in frustration and black-orbed out herself. If she couldn't get the demons, she'd save her nephews!

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Meanwhile, Victor was still talking with Henry, the television on in the background. Suddenly Paige black-orbed in.

"Paige!" cried Victor as he heard Henry's happy cry from the phone. "You're alive!" He moved to hug her, but her black eyes stopped him. "What happened?"

"Where are my nephews?" Paige demanded, her voice cold as death.

"Why do you want them?" Victor asked in fear.

"Evil took my sisters--I won't let them take my nephews! I'm taking them instead!" and she began to walk towards the back room.

"No!" and Victor tried to stop her.

Paige held out her hands. "Victor!" In a flurry of black orbs, Victor flew towards Paige, and she ricocheted him into the wall. As he sank to the floor, unconscious, Paige turned towards the guest room.

There she could see a youth bed where Wyatt was peacefully sleeping, and a crib holding a peacefully-sleeping Chris. Paige walked into the room, looking at her nephews, insanely muttering, "Don't worry, it will all be over soon. Aunt Paige has always protected you. Now she will be sure that evil will never touch either of you again. Don't worry, it will be over soon and you'll be safely with your mother again!"