FOURTEEN

"You're a very good cook," said McDonald as they ate. "Most of my meals consist of some diner or a restaurant in the seedier parts of town. Rarely anything this good."

"Piper's a chef," said Prue. "She wants to own her own restaurant one day."

"I have no doubt it will be a fine one," said McDonald.

"That rock you have," Leo asked. "Is it a tracking stone?"

"Yes, it is," said McDonald. "I came across it just before the turn of the twentieth century. The man I got it from called himself an alchemist. It's how I'm able to track Gray wherever he goes."

"That's why we came to get you," said Prue. "Gray is extremely rich. He can disappear and we'd have a hard time finding him again. We figured if we could use that stone we could find him without much trouble."

"I see," said McDonald. "I can't allow you to harm him. Not before I've had a chance to discover how he became immortal and the possibility of reversing my immortality. I've searched too long to be sidetracked now."

"We understand that," said Piper. "Maybe we can help. You didn't recognize the Charmed Ones. That's what we are. Supposedly we're the most powerful witches in history. Maybe we can help find a way to reverse your immortality for you."

"Unlikely," said McDonald. "I've consulted witches before. They all say the same thing. There's nothing that they can do to change the way I am."

"He's right about that," said Cole. "If he really was dipped in the River Styx, then it's unlikely that even the Power of Three could reverse it."

"There really is a River Styx?" Phoebe asked. "I thought that was only in old legends and myths?"

"Oh, it exists all right," said McDonald. "Although the historical accuracy of it is very much in question today. So much information has changed or been corrupted over the years very little of the truth remains. In my day only a select few even knew where it was. My mother knew because an evil wizard owed her a favor. His payment to her was the knowledge of where the river was so she could dip me in it."

"Speaking of Gray," said Leo, "you need to decide what you're going to do about him."

"That's a good question," said Prue. "Even if he is evil, we can't just kill him. That would be murder. But we have to figure out a way to put a stop to him."

"Cole," said Phoebe, "what can you tell us about how he gained his immortality?"

"Not much more than I've all ready told you," said Cole. "Like I said, I was only about three at the time. I do know it included something to do with a portrait he had painted of himself."

"In the book," said Phoebe, "Gray was killed when he stabbed the painting. Maybe if we destroy the painting it will destroy his immortality."

"And kill him in the process," said Leo. "That would be the equivalent of murdering him."

"Well we have to do something," said Prue. "There's no question he's evil and conventional authorities aren't going to be able to deal with him. Besides, I doubt if it would be as simple as destroying the painting. I doubt that even drunk Gray would reveal the secret to undoing his immortality."

"But it does make sense," said McDonald. "You no doubt have seen the many portraits which were painted over the centuries. Portraits of rich or famous people. Of dignitaries and heads of state."

"Of course," said Prue. "I used to work at a museum and I've seen dozens of them."

"Paintings weren't always just items of vanity," said McDonald. "At one time it was believed that if a painter could accurately paint a persons' portrait – if it was good enough – it could capture the person's soul. A form of immortality."

"Some primitive tribes believed that about a camera," said Phoebe. "That if you took their picture you were stealing their soul."

"What if there's something to it?" McDonald asked. "What if – under the right circumstances or conditions – it is possible to actually transfer someone's soul into a painting or photograph?"

"Soul transmigration," said Leo. "It happens all the time. When a person dies their soul moves from the body onto the afterlife."

"But it can happen other times, too," said Piper. "We've seen it happen. In fact, isn't that exactly what happens when Prue astral projects? Doesn't her soul move out of her body?"

"Technically, yes, I suppose it does," said Leo.

"So what's to keep someone from transferring someone's soul into a painting?" asked Phoebe. "There's no telling what the effects would be from something like that."

"Immortality," said McDonald. "And the ability to recover from virtually any injury or damage. Which means if the painting is destroyed, his soul would be returned to his body where it belongs."

"As would all the effects of the painting," said Cole. "It would be nearly an instant death sentence."

"But it couldn't be called murder," said Prue. "It would simply be restoring the natural balance."

"I think you're rationalizing," said Leo.

"Maybe," said Prue, "but it seems to be our only hope of stopping Gray."

"Which doesn't help me much," said McDonald. "My soul isn't inside a painting."

"But you did learn what you were searching for," said Phoebe. "The secret to Gray's immortality."

"I suppose so," said McDonald.

"Look, we'll make a deal with you," said Prue. "You help us find Gray and stop him and we'll do everything we can to help remove your immortality. It is possible that with a Power of Three spell we can reverse your immortality and make you fully human again."

"And if you fail?" McDonald asked.

"We'll do everything we can," said Prue. "I won't lie to you. There aren't any guarantees. But we'll do everything in our power to help. And since you now know what you were after, there's no reason for you not to help us."

"You're right," said McDonald. "I was looking for the secret to Gray's immortality. Thanks to you I have that. I'm not sure what good it will do me but I have what I came for. Very well. I'll help you locate Gray. With my tracking stone and Leo's orbing it should be very easy to get to him. My main problem in the past is having to travel great distances to catch up with him. Since he can orb us there it won't take nearly as long to get to him."

"Let's get going," said Prue. "He's sure to suspect we're coming after him. The sooner we get to him the sooner we can stop him. Here." She handed the athame to McDonald. "You might have need of this."

Using the tracking stone the group orbed and shimmered out of the manor to confront their adversary.