FOUR
Patricia screamed again as the warlock smiled an evil smile.
"Scream all you want," said the warlock. "It won't do either of you any good. I get the power of a witch and I have to take out a witness to boot. Not really a problem, though. It's not like it's the first time."
Suddenly Phoebe stepped into the kitchen. She struck out with her foot hitting the warlock on the wrist that held the dagger. The dagger was knocked from his hand and fell to the floor, sliding underneath the table. Phoebe immediately spun around kicking the warlock in the chest and knocking him back toward the back door.
"No ones' taking out anybody today," said Phoebe taking up a defensive stance between Piper and the warlock. "Patricia, go in the living room. I'll take care of this guy."
Piper was beginning to regain her feet as the warlock stood up in front of the back door. He just smiled at Phoebe as he simply held his hand up. The dagger suddenly vanished from underneath the table and reappeared in the warlocks' hand.
"I wouldn't count on that," said the warlock. "Your martial arts skill is not match for my power."
"Leave her alone," screamed Patricia. "She didn't do nothing to you."
"She's in my way," said the warlock advancing on Phoebe. "But I can remedy that very easily."
"No," screamed Patricia.
Phoebe tensed for the attack. In a moment Piper would be fully recovered. She would be able to use her power to stop the warlock. All Phoebe had to do was keep the warlock occupied long enough for her sister to act. That, and keep from getting killed in the process.
Before the warlock or either Piper or Phoebe could react, an invisible force suddenly cast the warlock back against the back door. The warlock struck the door with such force that it shattered under his weight, sending him sprawling into the backyard.
The dagger lay on the floor just inside the back door. Piper hurriedly snatched up the dagger as the warlock rose to his feet in the back yard, holding his left arm. Cursing Piper, the warlock suddenly blinked and vanished from the backyard.
"I'm sorry," Patricia pleaded. "It was an accident. I didn't mean to hurt him. Please don't punish me. I won't do it again, I promise. I'll be good."
Piper and Phoebe just stared at Patricia. The little girl seemed terrified of them both.
Paige collected her jacket, purse, and a stack of papers from her desk. She hadn't been able to find out a whole lot about Patricia Shelling. As with most adoptions, the records were sealed. But Paige had been able to find out some things.
Apparently, Patricia had been born in San Francisco on September 12, 1989. A couple from Washington State had adopted her almost immediately. And Patricia's name had not been changed during the adoption. So whoever her biological mother was, she had named Patricia.
Paige hadn't been able to discover the names of Patricia's biological parents because the records were sealed. But maybe with what she had discovered they'd be able to figure it out. Paige thought how much things had changed in such a short period of time. A year ago she was an only child with no relatives. Now, she had two sisters and possibly a niece. Smiling, Paige headed for her car.