TEN

"Where did he go?" Phoebe asked. "He said he was going to lie down because he was tired."

"Obviously he was lying about that," said Prue. "And I'll bet it has something to do with that phone call he got. So where did he go and how did he get out of the manor without us noticing it?"

"I don't know about where," said Leo, " but as for how it might be one of his rings. Some form of movement power is usually incorporated into rings like that. Teleportation, blinking, even orbing has been known to be incorporated into those rings."

"Orbing?" questioned Piper. "They can duplicate White Lighter powers?"

"An experienced enough alchemist can duplicate almost any power," said Leo. "But incorporating them into a ring is extremely difficult. I would imagine those two rings Van White has were very expensive if they have even only one power each."

"They can put more than one power in a ring?" Prue asked.

"Up to three can be put into a single ring," said Leo. "Depending on the powers. The more powerful a power is the fewer powers can be put into the rings. So it's possible that besides his immortality Van White has up to six additional powers at his disposal."

"They can't be very powerful," said Piper. "If they were Van White wouldn't need our help with his demon."

"Not necessarily," said Leo. "It could be that the powers in the rings aren't enough or the right type to battle the demon. You know as well as I do that not all powers work on all demons. Some demons are immune to certain powers."

"Okay, our first order of business is to figure out where Van White went," said Prue. "And it seems to me a good place to start would be his hotel suite. There might be something there that could give us an idea who – and what – he really is. He's staying in suite 1214 at the Regency Hotel."

"I can orb you there," said Leo.

"Let's get going," said Piper. "I don't feel right with him on the loose not knowing what's going on."

They all linked arms and Leo orbed them immediately to Van White's suite. As they orbed in they found him sitting at the desk working on his computer. He looked up in surprise at the four standing in front of him.

"You didn't say goodbye," said Prue. "That was very naughty of you."

"I had some business to take care of," said Van White nonchalantly.

"Except you didn't leave by the front door," said Piper. "That's very odd. Especially since you claim a demon is after you."

"Yes, that's true," said Van White. "I hadn't planned to be gone long. I was hoping to be back before you noticed I was missing."

"Well, it's the way you left that interests us," said Phoebe. "Apparently your rings are something more than just heirlooms."

"So you've discovered my secret," said Van White. "So I guess that would mean that Leo is one of these White Lighters I've heard about. It would also explain how you got here. Just what type of transportation is that anyway?"

"We're asking the questions here," said Prue. "How did you get out of the manor?"

"With this," said Van White, holding up his right hand and exhibiting the ring he wore on it. "I'm not exactly sure what it's called but it allows me to move from one place to another undetected. It comes in quite handy."

"I can imagine," said Piper. "What other little surprises do your rings hold?"

"That's unimportant at the moment," said Van White. "What is important is that just before you appeared here I got a call from my head of security. It appears that a blonde gentleman is making his way to my suite as we speak. And apparently none of my security personnel are equipped to deal with him."

"Blonde?" questioned Phoebe. "The demon."

"Obviously," said Van White. "And I would estimate that he should arrive here right . . ."

Suddenly the door burst open. The hinges from the door gave way and the door slid across the floor. Everyone turned to face the door.

". . . about now," Van White finished.

Standing in the doorway was a man about thirty-five years old. His clean-shaven face a stark contrast to the shaggy blonde hair swinging freely around his shoulders. In one hand he held a small stone that was glowing a purplish color. In the other hand he held an athame that was serrated on both edges.

"Damn," swore the man. "He was supposed to be alone." He had a strange accent that neither the girls nor Leo could place.

"Sorry to disappoint you," said Prue. "But he's under our protection. I don't know what you want with him but you'll have to go through us to get him."

"I do not fear witches," said the man. "I fear nothing. And he will be mine. I'll have what I came for and none of you will stop me."

"Leo, get him out of here," said Piper. "We'll handle our friend here."

Leo stepped over and took Van White's arm. As he orbed them both out of the room the girls took up defensive stances. Prue raised her hands and the demon was knocked back into the hallway. He was instantly on his feet and charged into the room holding the athame menacingly.

Piper raised her hands and the demon instantly froze in place. Prue raised her hand again and the athame the demon was holding was suddenly wrenched from his grasp. It flew across the room and landed hilt first in her hand. Suddenly the demon broke free of Piper's freeze. He stopped his forward movement and stood staring at the girls.

"You have no idea who you're protecting," said the demon. "It is my understanding that it is your job to protect the innocent. The one you protect is far from innocent."

"That has yet to be seen," said Prue. "But we've vanquished enough of your kind to know how to deal with you. As long as he's under our protection you aren't going to get anywhere near him. We know what you're after and we aren't going to let you have it."

"You're all fools," said the demon. "You can't stop me. You have no power over me. Neither you nor anyone else will stop me from having what I want. Be warned. I have no interest or quarrel with you. But oppose me again and I will not be so tolerant."

Without warning the demon turned and ran from the room. The girls gave chase but he was incredibly fast and he disappeared down the stairs before they could reach him. As they reached the stairway they saw a door closing several floors below. They realized their prey had escaped.

"Leo," Prue called into the air. Immediately Leo orbed into the hallway next to them, Van White in tow. "The demon got away. But he as much as said he was coming back again. We need to get back to the manor so we can prepare for him."

Leo orbed them all back to the manor. As they appeared in the living room, Cole came walking out of the kitchen.

"Well," said Cole, "I was wondering where everyone was."

"Cole," Phoebe squealed as she ran over to hug him. "When did you get back?"

"Just now," said Cole, glancing at Van White suspiciously. "I see we have company."

"Yeah," said Prue. "It seems he has a demon after him."

"Really?" Cole questioned flatly. "Well, that hardly seems likely."

"I beg your pardon," Van White seemed genuinely puzzled. "Have we met?"

"Once," Cole said shortly. "It was a very long time ago."

"Cole?" Phoebe was getting nervous at the tenseness she sensed in Cole. " I don't understand. Do you know Mr. Van White?"

"Van White?" Cole questioned with a snort. "Is that the name you're going by now?"

"Certainly," said Van White. "It is my name, after all."

"Oh, but it's not the name you were born with," said Cole. "Granted I was very young at the time. But I still remember when we met. Of course, you didn't go by the name Van White then. As I recall, your name was Gray. Dorian Gray."

"Belthazor," gasped Van White.