Watchers were the most reliable source of news and information about the happenings in the supernatural world. They keep tight watch on everything magical- from the birth of a centaur to the coronation of a new Coven leader- they knew everything. However, they were very private beings, preferring to keep to their own. They disclose information only to high-ranking officials of the magical world, such as Coven leaders and Elders, and high-ranking demons such as Dark Priests and Overlords. As such, they chose to remain neutral, not really choosing a side, and opted to relay coveted information to the highest bidder. The price for their help? Magic itself.
Piper and Phoebe had never had any contact with Watchers, but they had heard Leo mention their kind once or twice in the past, warning them about the ramifications of working with the hard bargains that these Watchers strike for the information they possessed. According to Leo, there had been one case of an amateur witch who was foolish enough to summon a Watcher and tried to barter with it for its information. She got the information that she looked for all right, but with the absence of the required payment, the Watcher nonchalantly drained the witch of all her magic, leaving her catatonic and empty.
After weighing the consequences of summoning a Watcher, Piper and Phoebe both agreed that the need was far too great that they were ready to risk their lives and their magic.
Resolution unwavering, Piper and Phoebe began to cast the summoning spell. After chanting the incantation for the third time, Phoebe clapped and a swirl of purple light showered down into the living room from the ceiling. In a heartbeat, a woman in a purple robe materialized in front of the two Charmed Ones.
"Blessed Be," the woman said in a strong voice, and pulled back the hood of her robe, revealing a set of three eyes. Two were located where one would normally expect to find eyes, and one was situated in the center of her forehead. All three of her eyes studied Piper, then Phoebe. "Ah, the Charmed Ones."
Piper nodded in response. "My sister and I are in desperate need of some information, Watcher. And we were hoping that you could help us with that."
"Of course," the Watcher said, then fixed her gaze on Piper, "You do know the price that we seek in exchange for that you seek."
"Yes," Phoebe answered, "A portion of our magic in exchange for the answers that we need."
"That is correct."
"Watcher," Piper said, her tone urgent, eager to find her youngest sister and solve the mystery of Melissa's true identity. "We don't have much time, if you don't mind, I'm going straight to the point."
The Watcher simply nodded. "All right."
"Good. A warlock attacked us earlier, one who could both astral project and orb. Have there been any attacks on astral-project…"
Before Piper could ask the rest of her question, the Watcher's eyes glossed over, and turned white- all three of them, as she searched in her mind for the information that Piper sought. After a couple of seconds, she opened her eyes and shook her head. "No; there have been no news about astral-projecting witches in danger. However, there have been reports of the disappearance of a telekinetic witch three days ago. Beyond that, there have been no other reports regarding witches in danger. And no, there have been no attacks against Whitelighters lately as well."
Piper's mouth dropped. Wow, they really do know everything, Piper thought, awed.
"However, there is something," the Watcher's eyes riveted to Piper, and fixed her with a stare. She did not continue further, and instead, continued to look at Piper intently.
"What?" Phoebe studied the Watcher's face. She could see that she was torn between telling and not telling them something. And from the look in her eyes, she knew that this "something" affected the Charmed Ones in a huge way, most especially Piper. What could it be? "What are you not telling us?"
Silence.
"Well?" Piper looked curiously at the Watcher. "What is it?"
"The answers you seek have already been provided to you," the Watcher said, "Through her." She pointed at Phoebe. "You only need to look deeper to find them."
"Me?" Phoebe blinked, and remembered her premonition. "Oh, you mean my premonition. But it didn't tell me much." She looked disappointed as she remembered the small flashes that she saw from her premonition.
"What else did you see, Phoebe?" Piper looked at her sister, "Besides Melissa's real identity."
Phoebe closed her eyes and told Piper what she saw- Paige, the circle of flames, Melissa, and the number 17. "I figured that Melissa held Paige hostage, but I couldn't really see where, all I had was this number 17, which really doesn't fit in."
"Maybe it's a hotel room?" Piper said hopefully. "Or an apartment number."
"Possible," Phoebe agreed. "But which one? There are at least twenty hotels all over the area, and I don't know where to begin." Phoebe sighed exasperatedly. "And we don't have anything to scry with!"
The Watcher walked forward, and took Phoebe's hand in hers. "The way is lost to those who have given up hope. The answer does not lie in desperation. Look deeper, Charmed One, and you shall find the answers." The Watcher sang a spell, and almost immediately, Phoebe gasped and blacked out once more, completely overwhelmed by another premonition.
"Phoebe!" Before she fell to the ground, Piper reached forward and grabbed her sister. She held Phoebe and watched as her younger sister's eyelids flutter rapidly under the strain of the new premonition. "What did you do to her?" Piper demanded, glaring at the Watcher.
"Watch." She simply said, without further explanation.
Piper did, and was surprised to see Phoebe's lips moving, as if she were talking with someone else. She couldn't understand what Phoebe was saying, her words inaudible whispers to the wind. But Piper caught one word, that one single word that caught her breath.
"Paige."