ELEVEN
"Now," said Rowe, forming an energy ball. "It's time to put an end to this. To make you pay for your interference. And for you to pay for what you did to my sons."
"No."
They all looked at the front door to the house. Brendan was standing in the open doorway. He was still wearing his priests' collar. Casually he walked into the house and took up a position between Rowe and the sisters.
"Hello dad," said Brendan.
"Brendan," said Rowe, extinguishing the energy ball. "I thought you said you would never set foot in this house again."
"I guess I was wrong," said Brendan. "What you're doing is wrong. You're holding the wrong people responsible for what happened to Greg and Paul. It wasn't their doing. I killed Greg and Paul. If you want to hold someone responsible for their deaths you have to hold me."
"You wouldn't have without their interference," said Rowe. "Your brothers would have brought you back if not for them. And the three of you would now be the most powerful force on the mortal plane. They have to pay for what they did. I see that even if you don't."
"No," said Brendan. "What I did I chose to do. They had nothing to do with it. I decided long before I even met them that I would never be part of your coven. I would never hurt innocent people for my own ends. That's why I became a priest. So I could help people. Mom understood that. But you never did."
"We're warlocks," said Rowe. "It's not our destiny to help people. It's our destiny to rule them. We're more powerful than they are. That makes us above them. It makes us above everything."
"You're wrong, dad," said Brendan. "It's because we're more powerful that we have to be more accountable for what we do. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required. We're responsible for what we do with the power we have."
"That's your mother talking," said Rowe. "She never understood it either. It's not too late, Brendan. Help me kill them and you can have the power you were destined to be. Think of the prophecy. The Royal Rowe Coven. The most powerful force for evil in the history of the world. Nothing will be able to stop us. I can have Kumak give you the same powers I have. No one will be able to stand against us."
"You still don't get it," said Brendan. "That's not who I am. I'll never be the warlock you want me to be. I'll never be a warlock again. That's why I'm a priest. So I never have to worry about my heritage again. I'm going to help people. That's my destiny."
"You're weak," said Rowe. "You always were. Just like your mother. But that won't stop me from doing what I have to do. Maybe you don't want the power but I do. And there's no one to stop me from finishing what I started all those years ago."
Rowe formed another energy ball.
"It's time," he said. "It's time to put an end to the famed Charmed Ones forever."
"I was afraid you'd feel that way," said Brendan. "I was hoping you'd listen to reason for a change. But I can see you aren't going to listen to me. You never did. You would never listen to anyone. It always had to be your way. I'm sorry to hear that. I truly am."
"Stop your whining," said Rowe. "You always were a whiner. Just like your mother. Now get out of my way while I finish what you don't have the stomach for."
"I'll do what I have to," said Brendan. "You've left me with no choice."
Suddenly Brendan reached into his coat and pulled out an athame. Before any of them could move he drove the athame into his father's chest. The energy ball Rowe was holding suddenly evaporated as he stared down at the hilt of the knife sticking out of his chest. He dropped to his knees and looked up at his son in astonishment.
"You couldn't let it go," said Brendan. "I can't let you go on killing people for your own selfish purposes. Killing those who displease you. I should have put an end to you after you murdered my mother. But I was weak. Now it's over. You'll never hurt anyone else again."
Rowe started to say something but all that came out was a gurgling sound. Suddenly he fell over on the floor dead. Brendan turned to the sisters.
"I knew you would never be able to stop him," he said. "The warlocks in our family have always had an advantage over their foes because they can't be vanquished. Only one of the same bloodline can vanquish them. I'm not sure even the Power of Three would be enough to overcome that."
"Brendan, I'm so sorry," said Phoebe. "I know how hard that must have been for you."
"Not as hard as you think," said Brendan, looking down at the lifeless body of his father. "He murdered my mother when I was young because she kept telling me how I was supposed to help people with my powers. My father expected me to be part of the Royal Rowe Coven. I was too young to do anything about it then. I've been able to correct that now."
"But isn't murder a mortal sin in the Catholic church?" Paige asked.
"Murder is, yes," said Brendan. "But this wasn't murder. He would have killed you. And the only way to stop him was to kill him. After he finished with you he would have gone after other witches. He was right about one thing. With your power added to his he would have been invincible. I couldn't let him go through with that. Besides, when I get back to the church I'll go to confession. I really am sorry I had to do it. Father Austin will absolve me. And, Lord willing, it will be the last time I ever have to do anything like that again."
"I thought he all ready had our powers," said Piper. "He said Kumak was able to use our blood to give him our powers like he gave them to the doppelgangers."
"Only a part of them," said Brendan. "Once he killed you he would have been able to take all of your power. Then he would have had them at full strength."
"Okay, one thing I don't understand," said Paige. "Whenever we've vanquished a demon or warlock in the past they've evaporated. Why didn't he evaporate when you killed him with that athame?"
"It's a special athame," said Brendan. "It will keep his body from evaporating until I remove it."
"Why would you want to do that?" Piper asked.
Brendan reached into his pocket and removed a stole, a small book, and a small bottle filled with a clear liquid.
"I have one more task to complete before this is finished," he said, kneeling down to his father's body.
"You're going to give him the last rites," said Phoebe. "Somehow it seems strange giving last rites to a warlock."
"It's something I have to do," said Brendan. "I am a priest, after all. No matter what he may have done in life I still have to give his soul a chance for redemption. It may not do any good but I have to at least give him the chance. It's what I've devoted my life to."
"You're a good priest, Brendan," said Piper. "And a good man. I'm glad we were able to help you seven years ago. You're going to do a lot of good for people."
"Maybe I can make up for some of the evil my father and brothers did," said Brendan. "At least we don't have to worry about them spreading their evil any longer. You three had better get going. I'll finish up here and then head back to the church. I have a lot to talk over with Father Austin."
"Stop by the manor some time," said Phoebe. "Let us know you're doing okay."
"I will," promised Brendan.
As Paige orbed the sisters back to the manor Brendan began performing the last rites of the Catholic Church on his father.