FOUR

"Jorlan tells me everything went as planned," said Teltrick as Baldasor and the others shimmered into the Underworld chamber.

"Precision as clockwork, as my brother would say," said Baldasor. "He never suspected a thing. Frankly I'm amazed Jorlan was able to accomplish it so quickly. I would think that something like that would require a great deal of time and effort."

"Normally it would," said Jorlan, walking into the chamber. "It's one of the reasons my fee was so high. I only had one absorption crystal and you know how rare those are. It may be years or decades before I come across another one. I needed to be adequately compensated for using such a rare and valuable item. They can only be used once."

"We appreciate it," said Teltrick. "And once you prove it has done what you claim you will receive the rest of your payment."

Jorlan removed a large diamond from his pocket. The diamond had a red glow to it as if a red light was shining inside. He also removed a piece of paper from his pocket.

"All you have to do is recite the incantation," he said, handing the paper and diamond to Teltrick. "Once you do that, it will all be automatic."

"What about afterwards?" Baldasor asked. "When we've finished? How do we undo the magic?"

"There's only one way," said Jorlan. "You must destroy the gem. Once the gem is destroyed the magic will be undone and everything will return to normal."

"Go collect your payment," said Teltrick. "But know this, alchemist. If this does not work exactly as you've described we'll be back for the payment. And we do not take kindly to betrayal. Especially by a human."

"It will work," said Jorlan with a crooked smile. "You'll see. Just follow my instructions and you'll have no problems."

"Go," Teltrick commanded.

"What do we do now?" Baldasor asked.

"We finish what Belthazor was sent to do," said Teltrick. "We destroy the Charmed Ones. And we bring a brother back into the fold in the process."

"You two were gone long enough," said Piper as Phoebe and Cole shimmered into the manor.

"It took longer to pick out the outfit I wanted than I expected," said Phoebe. "Especially since I had to do it all by myself."

"She couldn't talk you into shopping with her?" Piper asked Cole.

"I just felt awkward in a women's store, that's all," said Cole. "It's not exactly what I would call a common occurrence in my life. I decided to do a little shopping of my own."

"And he helped a lost little girl in the process," said Phoebe. "My hero."

"It wasn't all that," said Cole. "Her mother showed up almost as soon as I found her. I really didn't do all that much."

"Well, she was lucky it was you who found her," said Leo. "There are some people out there who wouldn't have been so accommodating."

"I don't know why mothers can't keep track of their children," said Paige.

"Well, you get busy shopping and it only takes a moment for the kids to slip away," said Piper. "You can't keep your eyes on them all the time."

"It still shouldn't be such a big deal to keep one eye on your own kid," said Paige.

"Let's hear you say that when you have kids of your own," said Phoebe. "Personally I don't know how mothers do it. I mean, kids are a big responsibility. They're dependent on you for everything, especially when they're younger. I don't see how mothers can handle all that and everything else they have to handle, too."

"It's just like the three of you," said Leo. "Before you became witches you couldn't have dreamed how you'd handle demon attacks and still handle everything else you have to do. Now, it's second nature to you."

"Speak for yourself," said Paige. "I'm still learning."

"We all are, sweetie," said Piper. "And it has come with a cost. We don't exactly lead normal lives outside of the demon attacks."

"You do fine," said Leo. "It's just a matter of priorities."

"I think I'll get a glass of water," said Cole. "I'm suddenly very thirsty."

"Don't just leave it on the counter like you did the last time," said Piper as Cole headed for the kitchen. "Put it in the sink like everyone else."

"Yes, mother," snickered Cole.

Cole went into the kitchen and took a glass out of the cupboard. As he turned around he noticed a man standing only a few feet from him. The man was as tall as Cole but somewhat more muscular. He was holding an athame menacingly at him.

"Hello, Belthazor," said the man. "I knew if I bided my time I'd catch you alone. Now, if you'll just come quietly no one has to die. The Source's bounty on you is alive or dead. But the bounty for alive is much higher. I'd much rather collect the higher bounty but I won't hesitate to collect it off your dead body if necessary."

"Warrick," said Cole. "Still upset that I made it into the Brotherhood of the Thorn and you didn't, huh? It's not my fault you couldn't cut it. You just weren't up to their standards."

"So they said," said Warrick. "With my lineage I should have been an automatic induction. But they'd rather have a half human bastard like you instead. One little mistake and I loose my chance forever."

"You cheated," said Cole. "That alone proves you weren't Brotherhood material. You'd know that if you understood what the Brotherhood stood for. But you've always seen them as just another demonic order. Nothing could be further from the truth."

"We'll see, won't we," said Warrick. "Once I deliver you to the Source I'll prove I as good as any of them. They'll have to let me in then."

"You just don't get it, do you?" questioned Cole. "You only get one chance to prove you're Brotherhood material. You proved you weren't. Nothing will ever change that. You'll never belong to the Brotherhood."

"We'll just see about that," said Warrick. "Now, let's go back to the Underworld, shall we? Oh, and don't try any of your tricks with me I'm as good a mercenary as you ever were. And I have some friends standing by waiting in case I need some help. More than enough friends to take care of even you."

Cole eyed Warrick suspiciously. He was right about one thing. He was as good a mercenary as Cole had ever been. It was one of the reasons he had been invited to join the Brotherhood. But he was too impatient. He had tried to shorten his initiation. When he did their invitation for him to join had been revoked.

He knew if he went with Warrick that the mercenary would deliver him directly to the Source. He also knew that if he cried out Warrick would attack before the others had a chance to get into the kitchen. Cole put the glass on the countertop and turned away from Warrick as if he were submitting to him.

Suddenly Cole spun and kicked at one of the chairs around the table. The chair slid across the floor striking Warrick. Caught off balance, Warrick dropped the athame he was holding. Cole didn't wait. With Warrick temporarily off balance he had only once chance. He raised his arm and cast an energy ball directly at the demonic mercenary.

Except that no energy ball materialized. Cole stood looking at Warrick in complete surprise as the mercenary formed his own energy ball and prepared to cast it at Cole.