SIX
Piper tried to steady her nerves as she poured herself a cup of coffee. After the realization of what Elbert was she hadn't said a word. She had simply stood up and went into the kitchen where she made a pot of coffee.
"Are you okay?" Leo asked sticking his head in the door.
"Oh, I'm just peachy." Her voice trembled slightly from the anger she was feeling. "I just found out bureaucracy demons are after the Book of Shadows. And from what you and Cole have said about them in the past we can't vanquish them. Which means we have no way to protect the book from them. And Elbert in there has all ready proven he can pick it up and move it whenever he wants. What could possibly be wrong?"
"I don't think it's that bad," said Leo. "Cole doesn't seem all that concerned."
"He's a demon, for crying out loud."
"Come on. Let's hear him out. There's probably a lot he hasn't told us. Let's find out what he has to say."
Piper put her cup down and followed Leo into the living room. She noticed that Elbert was nowhere to be seen.
"Where is he?" demanded Piper.
"Right here," said Elbert, shimmering in onto the sofa.
"He kind of shimmers in and out when he's frightened," said Cole.
"Are you going to blow me up?" Elbert asked Piper looking at her timidly.
"I haven't decided," said Piper.
"Oh, my goodness," said Elbert as he shimmered out again.
"Elbert, she isn't going to hurt you," said Cole.
"You promise?" Elbert asked, shimmering back in.
"Yes, I promise," said Cole, glancing at Piper.
"Not that it would do much good," said Piper.
"Piper, I know how you feel," said Cole. "But trust me it's not as bad as it sounds."
"Not as bad as it sounds? Demons are after the Book of Shadows and we can't protect the book or vanquish the demons. I can't really see how it could be much worse."
"Oh, Pudge, I mean, Cole, is right," said Elbert. "Most of the demons Tazak approached about getting the book turned him down flat. They said something about not wanting to go up against the witches to get it. He finally agreed to let me get it for him. Only he didn't say it was the Charmed Ones' book I was going after just a book belonging to some witches."
"What do you mean 'when he finally agreed'?" asked Cole.
"Well, I did have to ask him a few times before he said yes," said Elbert. "At first he said no. But I finally won him over."
"You mean you pestered him about it until he finally said yes just to get rid of you," said Paige.
"I wouldn't put it exactly that way," said Elbert. "Even most bureaucracy demons weren't interested."
"The reward must not be worth much if so many demons turned it down," said Leo.
"On the contrary," said Elbert, beginning to remove items from his pockets. "Let's see, I have that paper in here somewhere. It's the promotion Tazak promised me."
Everyone just stared in amazement as he removed many items from his pockets. Many of the items appeared to be too large to get in the pockets. There were several books, a variety of photos and scraps of paper and what appeared to be a coffeepot and dinner service. There was also a partially eaten ham sandwich and several packages of mini donuts.
At one point he removed a large, round fishbowl that was filled with water and contained a very large bloated fish. Its black body was covered in red tinged spiky protrusions resembling tiny horns and its blood red eyes seemed to regard the group suspiciously.
"Necromancer?" Cole questioned, looking at the fish in disbelieving wonder. "Elbert, what are you doing with Necromancer? I thought my mother set him loose in one of the underworld ponds?"
"Necromancer? Phoebe asked. "Cole, didn't you tell me that Necromancer was a demonic goldfish you had as a child. You said he would…. Oh, no. Piper, move away from him quick."
Before Piper could move the fish suddenly lifted half of its body out of the fishbowl. It angled itself toward Piper who was the one closest to Elbert. Suddenly a green liquid shot out of the fish's mouth covering the front of Piper's blouse.
"Elbert!" Piper said, glaring at the little demon.