Chapter 2: Discovery in the Pen

"That was the big plan they had?" Sabrina asked. "Send a few demons in to attack us?"

"I think that was only part of it," Millie said.

"What are you two talking about?" David asked.

"Never you mind, not for now anyways. But I am advising each of you to carry a vanquishing potion with you." She walked back to the kitchen and took out six blue potions.

"Why?" Jordan asked. "Just because of one demon attack?"

"More could strike at anytime. I think this was the beginning of a large organization of demons getting together to destroy you." She handed a potion vial to each of them, including Sabrina and Robert. "These potions will kill any demon that isn't an upper level demon. It may stun a warlock, but probably won't kill it."

"What about a zombie?" David asked sarcastically.

"If you meet up with one of those, which you probably won't, there is no way to kill a zombie, for it is already dead. The only thing you can do, is stop it from coming at you. Cut off its legs."

"I was kidding," David said.

"I wasn't." She then went to a cabinet in the living room. She opened it, revealing a mass array of weapons.

"Whoa," David said. "No wonder you never wanted us to open that when we were younger." Millie ignored him and got out six athames.

"Each of you take one of these as well," she said.

"I can't," Robert said. "Whitelighters aren't allowed to bear weapons such as that. We aren't even allowed to get into a physical fight."

"Robert, I don't care. You're carrying one anyways. Whether you use it or not, I don't care." She stopped talking and stood before them. "You may think I'm overreacting, but I don't think so. If I am, I'll be the first to apologize."

"Why exactly are you reacting like this?" Charles asked.

"Because we haven't been attacked for over a month, and now all the sudden, five demons attack. That doesn't make sense. I think the demons are organizing. It may not even be under the control of the Guild. It is my guess that demons are sick of the Guild's slow movement and are taking matters in their own hand."

"Isn't that against the law or something for them?" Sabrina asked.

"As long as they don't get in the Guild's way, the demons will be allowed to do so."

"I'm gonna go check with the Elders," Robert said. "Maybe they can confirm your guesses." He orbed away.

"What now?" Jordan asked.

"Well, I'm not going to keep you all inside all day," Millie said. "But I do advise that you stay in pairs."

"We'll keep that in mind," Charles said. Charles and Jordan left to go the barn. David decided that he'd stay with Sabrina, whom he secretly had a crush on. Annie snuck off and went to the Altar Room.

"I was useless back there," she said out loud to nobody but herself. She walked over to the Book of Shadows and started flipping through the pages. She didn't know exactly what she was looking for, but kept turning pages. A few minutes later, Millie opened the door a crack.

"Annie, you really shouldn't be alone," she said.

"It's okay, Millie," she said. "I'm not going to leave the safety of this room for a little bit."

"Okay, dear." Millie closed the door.

"Not until I'm not defenseless anymore."

"So, Sabrina," David said. "What do you want to do?" They were walking around the farm.

"Please, David," she said to him. "I may be forced to 'baby sit' you, but I'm not going to do anything with you."

"Well, what do you want to do, sit around the whole time?" She stopped dead in her tracks.

"Ew," she suddenly said, covering her mouth with her hands.

"What?" David asked. She didn't say anything, but pointed at the pen where the sheep were kept. In the center was a dead one. The rest seemed scared and avoided the dead one.

"What happened to it?" David climbed over the gate to get a closer look. There were two punctures on its neck.

"It seems like its blood was sucked," he said.

"That's disgusting," Sabrina said.

"You're telling me. You're not the one who's going to have to get this thing out of the pen."

"Damn coyote. How the hell did it get in anyways?"

"Uh…coyote, Sabrina?"

"Yeah, what?"

"A coyote doesn't suck the blood out of sheep. In fact, no animals around here do that."

"This is so ridiculous," Jordan said. "I hate this."

"What, you don't want to be around me?" Charles asked, slightly offended.

"No, it's not that. It's just, I'm so sick of having to carry weapons around with me. And having to watch my back every minute of everyday, never knowing when a demon is going to shimmer in behind me and kill me."

"I'd have to say that I agree. I miss my old life."

"Well, I've always had this life, but I never had to worry about demons trying to kill me as much as I do now."

"I never had to worry about demons, period. I never had to worry about things flying around when I get mad. I never had to worry about seeing a vision of another person being killed. I didn't have to worry about saving someone's life." He paused and looked at the ground. "And I never had to kill anyone before." Jordan suddenly lost her bitterness and softened her voice.

"Demons aren't people. You shouldn't let it bother you when killing them."

"I know I shouldn't, but it still gets to me. I'm still killing, no matter how you look at it. I'm stooping to their level and doing what they do."

"What we're doing is good, don't question that. We kill when necessary, to save hundreds of others."

"Doesn't make me feel any differently about it."

"Give it time," Jordan said. "Give it time."

"Hmm…" Annie said, stopping on a page. "This looks good." She had stopped on a page with "Growing Stronger" on the top.

"Hello, Annie," Millie said, walking in. Annie quickly slammed the Book shut.

"Um…hello, Millie."

"What were you looking at?"

"Um…vampires. Yes, vampires."

"Nasty creatures," Millie said. "I've faced them a few times. Hard to kill too. You have to hit them directly in the heart with a stake."

"Really?" Annie asked, trying to sound interested.

"Yeah, but we won't talk about that now. I have different things I need to tend to." She started looking through the shelves of potion ingredients. "Ah, here it is. See you later."

"Bye." Annie opened the Book back up and started reading the spell and information on it. This spell may be used to advance powers or to make yours stronger. But, beware, bad effects can come from this spell being used. You may be given something you cannot control. The spell is easily reversed with the reversal spell below, but users may often become corrupted with the power they've gained. DO NOT USE FOR PERSONAL GAIN.

"Whatever," she said. She started to read the spell aloud.

When normal boundaries must be stretched,

Or foe that threatens has powers unmet,

Summon the power to give to the

Summon the power to settle in me