ELEVEN
"You can't be serious," said Piper. "There's no way in hell we're going to have any demonic offspring."
"You don't really have much of a choice," said Talistar. "The binding bracers prevent you from using your powers. And you can't remove them yourselves. You would need someone who's not wearing one to do that. And trust me. No demon is going to remove them for you. If you refuse to cooperate Beelzbor will make it very uncomfortable for you. Eventually you'll submit."
He turned toward the opening to the chamber and called Pron inside. The demon walked in and stood next to Beelzbor.
"Pron, take Belthazor to the Source. He will be quite happy to see the traitor. And I'm sure his death will be quite entertaining. Collect the bounty on Belthazor. And you may keep half the bounty."
"That's very generous," said Pron.
"You'll find I can be quite generous with those who are faithful to me. This is only the first in what promises to be a long line of generosity you will receive from me. Take him to the Source immediately. He will be very pleased to have the traitor."
"Sorry, but I don't think so," said Pron.
"What?" Talistar shrieked, looking at his underling. "You dare disobey me? I do not tolerate insolence from underlings. You'll suffer much before you beg me to vanquish you."
"Hey, Talistar," said Piper. "Your dealings are with us not him."
"I will deal with whomever I choose, witch," said Talistar, looking back at Piper.
Piper raised her hands and Talistar's chest exploded. But being a senior level demon the attack was not as effective as it would have been normally. In addition Piper realized that the level of the attack was less than it was on the mortal realm. Being in the underworld had reduced her control over her power.
Talistar was knocked back from the attack and fell to the floor. Before he could rise, Cole moved over and snapped a bracer around his wrist. He stepped back standing next to the sisters. Talistar stood up and raised his hand toward the sisters.
"What's the matter?" Paige asked. "Can't get the fireballs up? Maybe that binding bracer Cole just put on you might have something to do with that."
"What's the meaning of this?" Talistar demanded.
"We have some questions," said Pron. The junior demon suddenly glamoured and Leo stood in its place. "I suggest you us what we want to know."
"This isn't possible," said Talistar, fear in his eyes. "You are bound by the bracers. You cannot have access to your powers."
"Yeah, well these are just regular bracers," said Piper, removing the bracer she was wearing. "Now, we know that Beelzbor has a human female captive. We want to know where he's keeping here."
"I don't know," said Talistar, moving back slightly. "He never revealed her location."
"I wouldn't lie to them if I were you," said Cole. "Piper especially has a tendency to get pretty ticked off when you lie to her."
"One more time," said Piper, raising her hands menacingly. "Tell me where Beelzbor has the woman. Or we can play a few rounds of exploding body parts instead."
"I don't know," said Talistar. "That's the truth. But he would be keeping her in the lower chambers. Directly below his main chamber. That's where he keeps special prisoners. And she's his most special one right now. That's all I know."
"I know where he's talking about," Cole said to Piper. "We should be able to get in there pretty easily. If she's been down here a while the security o her will have become lax by now. They won't be expecting her to try to escape."
"Fine," said Piper. "Let's get her and get out of here."
"Are you going to vanquish me?" Talistar asked.
"We thought about it," said Phoebe. "But we've gotten a better offer. It seems Malevant has plans for you. We sort of promised him he could have you."
Suddenly Leo orbed back into the chamber. Talistar had not even realized the White Lighter had left. Leo wasn't alone. With him was the primary advisor to the Source, Malevant.
"Malevant," Talistar gasped in fear.
"So, Talistar," said Malevant. "You conspire against me and the ruler of the underworld? You are a bigger fool than even I believed. Now not even the Source can dispute my right to vanquish you. But before I do you will tell me all the plans you and Beelzbor have made."
"We need to get that girl out of Beelzbor's domain," said Piper. "We've given you Talistar as we promised. I'll expect you to keep your part of the bargain and not interfere with us."
"I will not interfere," said Malevant. "But your protection is your own matter. I will not be connected with you in any way. I am primary advisor to the Source. I cannot have it getting out that I have conspired with our enemies."
"We understand," said Piper. "Come on, Cole. Let's go get that woman and get out of here. By now I'm sure she's probably lost all hope of ever being rescued."
Cole, the girls, and Leo orbed and shimmered out of the chamber as Malevant turned on Talistar. Smiling, Malevant moved toward his contemporary knowing that he would tell him everything he knew.