SEVENTEEN

"Well," said Phoebe, "this is the best I could come up with. If it works it should remove your immortality without causing you any physical harm. Once that happens you should live a normal lifespan."

"Whatever that is," said McDonald. "I was just a baby when my mother bestowed my immortality on me. And in my day if you lived to be thirty you were considered old. So I wonder what a normal lifespan for me would be."

"Well you do have to consider that in those days they didn't have the medical advancements they have today," said Leo. "Not to mention that a lot of people died in wars, from disease, all sorts of maladies. Many of which aren't even a problem today. Eighty or so is not unusual these days."

"Speaking of which," said Prue, "if this does work you might want to see about getting a doctors' appointment. To make sure you have all the immunities and antibodies you need. Being immortal you probably haven't had any need for them. It wouldn't be very productive if we cure your immortality just to have you die from the chicken pox or something."

"That's a good idea," said Cole.

"I just want to say thank you again for all your help," said McDonald. "Even if it doesn't work at least I have some hope."

"It will work," said Phoebe. "I can feel it. Now, unless there's anything else I guess we should cast the spell."

"Sounds good to me," said Prue.

Phoebe held out the piece of paper she had written the spell on. The girls looked it over for a moment to become familiar with it. Then they recited the spell in unison.

"Imbued with life immortal, from the waters of the River Styx.

"Return now to the underworld, this mortal's unnatural gift."

The magic from the spell enveloped McDonald for several moments. It swirled around him flashing different colors. After a few minutes the magic simply faded away as if it had never existed.

"How do you feel?" Prue asked.

"About the same," said McDonald.

"Do you think it worked?" Piper asked.

"One way to find out," said McDonald.

He reached behind him and pulled an athame out of his belt behind him. He held the athame in his right hand and extended his left hand. He looked at the girls and then drew the blade of the athame across the palm of his hand. He held up his hand. There was no blood and not even a hint of a cut.

"It didn't work," said McDonald. "My immortality is still intact. The blade won't pierce my skin."

"We're sorry," said Prue. "I guess there are some things that not even the Power of Three can overcome."

"It is the most powerful magic in history," said Leo. "But it's not all powerful."

"I was really hoping it would work," said McDonald.

"Well there might be another way," said Cole. He handed a piece of paper to McDonald. "Here's someone who might be able to help."

"Who is it?" asked McDonald, looking at the paper.

"He's an alchemist," said Cole. "He might be able to find a way undo the magic that the water from the River Styx did on you. I can't guarantee anything but at least it's a possibility."

"It won't work," said McDonald. "I've consulted alchemists before. They all say the same thing. There's no way to undo what's been done."

"That may be true," said Cole. "But why not give him a chance anyway? He might just surprise you."

"What's so special about this particular alchemist?" McDonald asked.

"It just happens to be the same alchemist my mother made the deal with to enhance my powers," said Cole. "The same one that my mother put in touch with Gray so he could test his experiment to make himself immortal."

"Which means he may know of a way to undo the immortality," said Phoebe.

"Exactly," said Cole. "He moves around a lot. Like Gray he doesn't want his identity to become known. But you should be able to find him easy enough. He sticks to very large cities where he can blend in. He also has a thing for old movies. The really old black and white ones. And from what I understand he still likes to dabble in alchemy using the old methods."

"Thanks," said McDonald. "I appreciate it. At least there's a possibility I can still get this curse lifted."

"Last I heard he was in Chicago," said Cole. "That was about six years ago. It should be easy enough for someone with your experience to pick up his trail."

"That it should," said McDonald. He turned to the girls. "Thank you for everything. I know you did your best. It's more than I could have asked for."

"We're just sorry it didn't work," said Piper. "But maybe this alchemist will be able to help you."

"I'm certainly going to find out," said McDonald. "I'd better get going. It's a long way to Chicago from San Francisco. And the longer I wait the colder the alchemist's trail will get."

"Let us know what happens," said Phoebe. "And if we come across anything that we think might help we'll let you know. Which reminds me. How do we get hold of you?"

"I'll call from time to time," said McDonald. "I'm usually on the move so it's hard to get hold of me. But I can call you every couple of weeks from wherever I am."

"Good," said Prue. "Good luck. I hope you find what you're looking for."

"Thank you," said McDonald. "So do I."

McDonald moved out of the living room and exited the front door. As he did he passed Victor just coming up the steps. He said a quick hello to Victor then continued on his way. Victor came up the stairs and walked in the front door.

"Who was that?" he asked.

"Just a friend," said Prue.

"Okay," said Victor. "Oh, I came by to let you know I have some information on Steffan Van White. Something I think you might find very interesting."

"Way ahead of you, dad," said Prue. "We all ready know everything we need to know about Mr. Van White. But you can fill us in anyway. It might help us track him down."

Confused, Victor took a seat on the sofa.

The End

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