FIVE
At eight o'clock the next morning the girls and Cole were at the warehouse where Talistar had told them to meet him. It looked like any other warehouse in the district. Except one of the doors to this warehouse was partially opened.
Cautiously they entered the warehouse. It was stacked nearly to the ceiling with crates of various sizes. However, in the center of the building was an area that had obviously been cleared recently. As they approached the area they saw a single figure standing in the center of the cleared area.
The figure was a man just under six feet tall. He had brownish colored hair and a couple of days growth of beard. He was dressed in jeans and a T-shirt. He was smiling at the group as they walked up to him.
"Adasar," said Cole. "He's Talistar's chief lieutenant," he explained to the others. "Where's Talistar? We understood he was supposed to be here?"
"Yes, that's what you were supposed to believe," said Adasar. "He knew you would prepare some kind of defense against him. They are the Charmed Ones, after all. So he sent me in his place. So whatever you have planned isn't going to be nearly as affective."
He was right about that. A Power of Three spell was written for a specific situation and could only be used in that situation. Phoebe had written a spell to be used against Talistar. Since he wasn't there the spell was now useless.
"Now then," continued Adasar, "you probably have one of your Power of Three spells with you. Let's just dispose of that little problem shall we?"
"Not so fast," said Piper. "Where's our father?"
"First things first," said Adasar. "The first thing is to make sure you aren't a threat to Talistar. Once we've done that your father will be returned unharmed."
"That's not going to happen," said Phoebe. "We aren't doing anything until we're sure he's safe."
"You're not in any position to be making demands," said Adasar. "You don't know where he is. And unless you do exactly as I say you're never going to see him again. Not in one piece, anyway."
Piper and Phoebe looked at each other. It took them only a moment to make their decisions. They each pulled the paper with the spell written on it out of their pockets and handed them to Adasar. Reluctantly Paige did the same.
"Okay, you have the spell," said Piper. "Now, where's our father?"
"Just one more thing," said Adasar.
Suddenly half a dozen more demons shimmered into the warehouse. The sisters and Cole were surrounded. Four of the demons stepped forward and held out what looked like large bracelets.
"Put these on," said Adasar. "Then you can have your father back."
"They're binding bracers," said Cole. "The enchantment on them prevents the creature that's wearing them from using any of their powers. We'll be just as helpless as any mortal."
"Just a little precaution," said Adasar. "Put them on and the human will be returned as I said. Refuse… well, I'm sure you understand the consequences."
Piper reached out and took one of the bracers without taking her eyes off of Adasar. Without hesitation she snapped the bracer on her wrist. Phoebe, Paige, and Cole all followed suit. Within moments they all wore the bracers that effectively bound their powers.
"Now," said Piper, "we've done what you asked. Where's our father?"
Another demon suddenly shimmered in. With him was Victor who was bound and gagged. The demon reached up and removed the gag from Victor's mouth.
"You okay, dad?" Phoebe asked.
"They haven't hurt me," said Victor. "They said they didn't want me. You're the one they're after."
"Release him," Adasar commanded the demon.
The demon untied Victor and he hurried over to his daughters.
"You have to do something," said Victor.
"Don't worry dad," said Piper, hugging her father. "We'll be okay. You just get out of here. We'll deal with our hosts."
"Just be careful," said Victor. "I got the impression they're planning something. And I'm sure you aren't going to like it."
"It will be fine," said Piper. "Just go home. You'll be okay there. Like you said, it's us they want."
"I love you, honey," said Victor. "You, too, Phoebe."
"We love you, too, dad," said Phoebe. "You just get out of here. We can take care of ourselves."
"They'll be fine, Victor," said Cole. "Just remember what I told you the first time we talked. I'll look out for them."
"Yeah, right," said Victor getting a perplexed look on his face.
Piper pulled a set of keys out of her pocket and handed them to Victor.
"My car is outside," she said. "You can take it back to the manor."
"Just be careful," said Victor. "I want you back. All of you."
"I'm afraid that's not going to happen," said Adasar. "Now leave here, human. Before I forget Talistar's promise not to harm you."
Victor didn't need to be told twice. As much as the demons frightened him he was more frightened for his daughters. Without their powers they were vulnerable against the demons. As he rushed to the car he worried that he would ever see them again. Adasar walked over and opened the bracer that Cole was wearing. Three of the demons took up stances around him.
"Assume your demonic form," said Adasar. "It wouldn't do to present you to Malevant in your human form. He might vanquish you the moment he sees you."
Cole looked uneasily at the sisters for a moment. Then he concentrated for a moment and suddenly changed form. Belthazor stood in Cole's place. No sooner had he changed form than Adasar snapped the bracelet back on his wrist.
"Now we're ready," said Adasar. "And as long as you are wearing those bracers you're no threat to any of us. Once in the underworld, your days of vanquishing demons will be finished."
Smiling, Adasar shimmered out of the warehouse. The demons stepped up and took each of the sisters and Cole by the arm and shimmered out of the warehouse as well, leaving it completely deserted.