TEN
"Yeah, I wouldn't count on that if I were you," said Paige.
"Why?" Tazak laughed. "You can't vanquish me. I'm sure the two ambassadors have informed you that bureaucracy demons can't be vanquished. And at my level you can't hope to hide the book from me for long. Sooner or later I'll locate wherever you have hidden it. Probably sooner than later. And even if you try to mask it magically I'll find it. Let's face it. There really isn't much you can do about it."
"I wouldn't say that exactly," said Paige, pulling a piece of paper out of her pocket. "This might help." At the same time Piper and Phoebe also pulled pieces of paper out of their pockets.
"A spell?" questioned Tazak. "You must know that most spells simply have no affect on bureaucracy demons."
"Most offensive spells, yes," said Piper. "Only this isn't exactly an offensive spell. You might call it a binding spell. And since it's a Power of Three spell we're pretty certain it will work even against you."
"A binding spell?" Tazak asked. "What type of binding spell? I can assure you that you can't bind my powers if that's your plan."
"Oh we have no intention of binding your powers," said Phoebe. "That probably wouldn't work anyway. But like Piper says, we're pretty sure it will work. I was very careful in how I worded it."
"If you don't plan to bind my powers," Tazak inquired haughtily, "then just what kind of binding are you talking about?"
"Binding Elbert to you," said Paige.
"Hey, boss," said Elbert.
"W… what are you talking about?" stammered Tazak.
"Very simple," said Cole. "With that spell, the Charmed Ones will permanently bind you and Elbert together. You'll never be able to get rid of him. No matter where you go he'll be with you. For all eternity."
"You… you can't do that," stammered Tazak. "Ambassador Belthazor, you know what he's like. I only gave him the assignment to get rid of him. What you are proposing is inhuman. Not even the Source would be so cruel. You're supposed to be good. How can you even consider such an evil thing?"
"We've had years to learn," said Paige. "And just in case the spell doesn't work we have a backup plan. I'll just have a little chat with some friends of ours. Well, maybe not friends exactly. But I'm sure they'd love to be pointed in this direction."
"Friends"? Tazak croaked.
"Work Gnomes," said Paige. "We ran into them a while back. It seems they just love office settings to work in. I'm sure they'd love to come by and help make Bureaucracy Headquarters more efficient."
"You can't do that," said Tazak "Work Gnomes here? Have you any idea the type of disruption they could cause? How much trouble they could cause? Why, the thought alone is almost too horrible to contemplate. Even Malevant would not torture a creature so."
"Well here's the deal," said Piper. "You forget about the Book of Shadows. Now and in the future. You don't send anyone to get it ever. In return we'll leave you alone. But if you ever try to get the book again we'll come back here. And not only will we use the spell, I'll make sure there are enough Work Gnomes for every department you control."
"Yes, yes, anything, anything," said Tazak. "You have my word. I'll never come after it again. Please, don't bring the Work Gnomes here. We've gone to a great deal of trouble to shield this place from them. If they should ever learn where it is, why, I shudder to think of the consequences."
"Just make sure you remember that," said Paige. "We'll have the spell and I can always get hold of the Work Gnomes. Any bureaucracy demons show up looking for the Book of Shadows and we'll be back. With friends."
"You don't have to worry," said Tazak. "I'll initiate a rule immediately. Your Book of Shadows will be off limits to all bureaucracy demons. Just please don't let the Work Gnomes know where we are."
"You have a deal," said Piper. "But if any bureaucracy demon ever shows up looking for the book…."
"No, no," said Tazak. "That won't happen. You have my word."
"Fine," said Piper. "Come on. Let's get back home. I'm tired of dealing with this guy."
The group turned and left the office leaving Tazak and Elbert alone. As soon as they had left, Leo and Cole transported them back to the manor.