The Power of Three - Trinezia.
Hey Guys!
Welcome back to an all new Power of Three book! I'm so happy to be here with you all as we embark on this 4th adventure in the series. As with all of my stories I appreciate all kinds of feed back and it would be greatly appreciated. Also as we are at the beginning of the book if any of you have any ideas you'd like to see used in the story, please let me know.
Otherwise once again welcome back!
Enjoy…
Chapter One – Trials and Tribulations.
Philippe made his way down stairs smelling the blessed aroma that was coffee. He knew instantly that Selena was up and true to his thoughts he found her in the kitchen dishing up pancakes.
"Morning sweetie," Philippe smiled giving her a quick kiss on the cheek and heading over to the coffee pot.
"Someone's in a good mood," Selena chuckled.
"Why wouldn't I be?" Philippe retorted after taking a sip. "The sun is shining, we've saved countless innocents and we're all in love at the same time."
"I know," Selena coed. "It's nice isn't it?"
"Speaking of," Philippe continued taking a seat at the kitchen table. "How's Matt?"
Selena smiled recalling the night they'd had last night.
Matt was Selena's boyfriend who turned out to be a wolf. Any normal person would consider this potential obstacle to be a dampener on their relationship. But Selena was not normal. Together with her best friend Philippe and their new friend Karlia the pair formed what was known as The Power of Three, the most powerful witches this side of good had ever seen.
"He's doing well," she beamed. "He told me he'd tell Karlia to get her butt home once she gets up."
"How long has she been away for now?" Philippe asked, having lost track.
Karlia, though another member of the power of three who normally lived with them had been spending most of her time with her boyfriend Constant. Like Selena, Karlia's boyfriend was also of the supernatural variety. A vampire to be exact, who had met Karlia under the guise of being human with the name Alec. Thanks to Constant's family and Matt's pack being involved with a demon that the power of three were after the whole story had come out and once everyone had come to terms with the whole situation a fortuitous circumstance had occurred where the power of three and their white-lighter Leo had been able to hand over a mansion to both tribes provided they coexisted in the one place.
Being that Vampires and Wolves were neutral, meaning neither good nor evil, both species not only agreed but had gotten along rather famously. And Karlia had insisted on spending most of her time with her boyfriend at the mansion.
Their love, like Constant's age was timeless.
"Is that the paper?" Philippe asked, looking at the folded print that lie across the table.
"No," Selena replied sarcastically. "It's the burning bush."
Philippe rolled his eyes. Selena's sarcasm was, admittedly, something to get used to. However having known her since they were kids, Philippe was now more than used to it that it had become second nature. Often times, on the inside, he would even think things like walked right into that one, didn't I?
"I meant," Philippe went on. "Is it today's paper?"
Selena gave Philippe a smile, one that Philippe always knew meant another sarcastic swipe was coming.
"You know what?" he said quickly. "Never mind."
Grabbing the paper Philippe flicked it open to reveal that indeed it was today's paper.
"You're learning," Selena said with a tone that obviously came with a smile. "Why do you want the paper anyway?"
"I've been thinking this for a while," Philippe replied cautiously, folding the paper back up and setting it down onto the table. "Karlia's been working at POT since we became the Power of Three."
"Before then actually," Selena corrected. "She'd been there a year before she met us remember?"
"No," Philippe replied. "But honestly, it makes my point even more. Karlia's been the soul bread winner for all of us since we became the power of three and we haven't done anything. It's a lot of pressure to put on her."
"We were studying!" Selena spat back. "Remember?!"
"Yeah we were studying," Philippe agreed. "But we're not now. I say we look for work, even if it's part-time or casual. That way we're splitting the work-load evenly."
"Meh," Selena replied impressed. "Look at you Mr., acting all responsible."
"Well I have a man in my life now," Philippe replied. "So I gotta get a job."
"No white-lighter credit cards up there?" Selena laughed.
"No white-lighter anything," Philippe replied. "It's completely voluntary. Leo was telling me the other night. I told him to start a union and he was all what's that?"
As Selena laughed off Philippe's last she couldn't help but notice just how right he was. They couldn't just leave Karlia to be responsible for all the work. After all, it wasn't her fault that they suddenly wound up with a destiny that they had to fulfill.
As Philippe scoured the ads he noticed many jobs that wouldn't be suitable for either of them. That, or they needed a qualification that they simply didn't have.
"Listen to this!" Philippe started up enraged. "Cleaner required for secondary school working nights 7pm to 11pm. Sounds perfect, right?"
Selena nodded.
"Yeah…" she began. "So what's the problem?"
"Experience required," Philippe replied. "I mean it's just a stupid vicious cycle isn't it? How do they possibly expect us to have experience when everyone asks that you already have it?"
"Yeah that sucks," Selena agreed.
"And seriously," Philippe continued. "What more could there be to learn then what we already know. Spray…and wipe. Wah-lah."
"Morning!" came a call from the hall, saving Selena from adding anything else to the conversation.
"Karlia's home," Philippe said smiling as Selena got up to make another pot of coffee.
"So dish-dish!" Philippe said the moment Karlia walked into the room.
"Jeez Philippe," Karlia replied. "Give a woman a chance to sit down yeah?"
Philippe laughed heartedly as Karlia took a seat and gratefully accepted a fresh cup of coffee from Selena.
"OK," she began putting her cup down onto the table. "Now you can grill me."
However just then a flash of white and blue orbs could be seen, though they were shortly gone and replaced by their white-lighter holding a bunch of flowers.
"Leo?!" Philippe asked desperately. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing if he knows what's good for him," Selena snapped. "Leo, it's too early. So either take your man and…away, or just save the we must talk now thanks to 'them' speech for later."
Leo smiled tightly at Selena. He knew whether he began talking now or later, she would not welcome the discussion. Luckily for all of them, this was not a work call.
"As it so happens Selena," Leo began as Selena immaturely put her fingers in her ears and starting lah-lah-ahing out loud. "This is a social call. I came to see Philippe. Happy Sunday sweetie."
As Karlia attempted to take Selena's fingers out of her ears to stop the lah-lah-lahing Philippe beamed and stood up to accept the gift.
"Anemones!" Philippe beamed.
Leo had obviously recalled their trip to Bloodworth Mansion last week when Philippe began to admire the flowers in the meeting room. It was the same meeting room where things had started to turn for everyone involved in the power of three. It was there they had met the vampire queen Allyria, who had not only helped them as much as they'd helped her, but had also ensured a bond between the power of three, wolves and vampires. The latter two eventually moving into Bloodworth Mansion thanks to the elders being able to offer them the deed to the place.
"I spoke to Allyria this morning," Leo replied. "I asked her where the best place would be to find them. Turns out they're native to Greece.
"So you orbed to Greece?!" Philippe asked surprised, never having known anyone who would travel that far just to get flowers for the person they loved.
"With the queen," Leo corrected. "She knew the best place to go after all."
Philippe put the beautiful flowers into a vase filled with water and placed them into the middle of the kitchen table before giving his boyfriend a soft kiss on the lips.
"They're beautiful Leo," Philippe said after pulling back. "Thank you."
"Speaking of the queen," Selena piped-up, Karlia having succeeded in removing her fingers from her ears. "How're things going over there?"
"You haven't been back?" Leo asked.
As with Karlia's boyfriend Constant, Selena's boyfriend also lived in Bloodworth Mansion.
"No Matt prefers to come here," she replied. "I think I've been there twice since they all moved in."
"Well she's doing well," Karlia replied. "Oh by the way Philippe the trial starts tomorrow."
"Trial?" Leo and Selena asked at the same time.
The trial Karlia was referring to was between the queen and her sister Chessie who had betrayed her, preferring to work with a demon by the name of Katya. The pair had struck a deal with Katya telling Chessie she would acquire several of her lower-level demons if she could lead her to a diamond known as the emerald Jewel.
Chessie had more than succeeded in getting Katya to the Jewel and had even acquired the new minions. However it hadn't taken long for the castle she'd stolen from the queen to burn down, having somehow caught a light and leaving her all alone.
Seeking asylum Chessie located the queen at Bloodworth Mansion, with many including Constant not wanting her to be allowed any sort of pardon. But the queen had thought differently, choosing to allow Chessie access into the mansions dungeons until a time could be set for the trial of her heresy.
"Chessie's trial is tomorrow?!" Philippe demanded. "Has it been a fortnight already?"
"Yeah and no demon attacks since," Leo chimed in. "Nice huh?"
"Quiet you," Selena said, not needing any mention of the 'D' word this early in the morning. "Go on Karlia."
"Yeah," Karlia went on trying hard to ignore Selena and Leo and turning purposefully to face Philippe. "The queen has arranged everything, but she seeks an audience with you at ah, your earliest convenience."
"Oh," Philippe replied, standing up quickly. "Then I've not a moment to lose. Leo?"
Leo, who was involved in a muted argument with Selena didn't even hear Philippe.
"Leo!" Philippe barked.
"What?" Leo asked, surprised at the sharp tone of his boyfriend.
"A little orbing, a little orbing that's all!" Philippe snapped back.
"I don't understand," Leo replied. "Didn't we just establish that you guys have been…the D word…light these days?"
Philippe rolled his eyes at both Leo missing the conversation and his use of the letter D in place of demons.
"Just orb us to Bloodworth Mansion," he said quickly. "I'll explain on the way."
Without hesitating, Leo wrapped his arms around Philippe and together the pair orbed off to Bloodworth Mansion.
"*"
As their orbs disappeared Philippe looked up at the gorgeous Bloodworth Mansion exterior. As always this place seemed to scream regal. It's white outer edge with matching white Roman style pillars looked like something out of a fairy tale and so made absolute sense that the queen would reside here. It warmed Philippe's heart even more when he thought about the union between wolves and vampires that had been created out of the deal.
Steeping up to the door, Philippe knocked confidently.
"Yes?" began a woman with tied back long brown hair, a dark purple top and black dress.
"Parvati?" Philippe asked beaming.
"Philippe Thompson?" the woman replied embracing the man in a hug. "My god, how long has it been?"
"A couple of weeks," Philippe replied. "How's the pack?"
"Oh the pack's great," Parvati replied. "Ever since we all moved in here, everything's been running like clockwork. And thanks to the elder's protection wards we even get breaks if you can believe it. It's like being on holiday."
Parvati was part of Selena's boyfriend Matt's wolf pack. A pack led by their surprisingly warm-natured leader Randolph.
"That's wonderful!" Philippe exclaimed. "I'm so glad this has all worked out for you guys."
"Are you kidding me?" Parvati beamed, motioning for Leo to come in and closing the door behind them. "I have my own room, the queen has hired cooking staff. I hardly ever need to lift a finger anymore. It's been-"
But what exactly it had been Philippe never found out as the sound of another gentleman made his way to the entrance hall.
"Philippe Thompson?" the man asked in a rather professional no-nonsense tone.
He was dressed in the royal garb of dark blue and white robes, but his demeanor seemed quite serious.
Philippe had only just enough time to nod slightly before the guard went on.
"I am Bruckner, part of the Queens royal guard," Bruckner went on. "She's expecting you. This way please."
As Philippe began to walk with the man Parvati and Leo began to follow. But Bruckner was not about to allow this and with a sweep of his robes he turned back to face them.
"Ms Pallow?" he questioned. "And who is this…thing?"
"This Bruckner," Parvati began in a rather haughty tone. "Is Leo, Mr. Thompson's…ah…guard?"
To her words, Leo simply smiled. But Bruckner was not perturbed.
"Be that as it may," he went on. "The Queen has specific orders to see Mr. Thompson and Mr. Thompson alone. You sir, may wait in the informal meeting room."
With that, Bruckner turned back around so quickly that his robes swished about again and Philippe turned to Leo sadly.
"Don't worry Philippe," Parvati replied. "I'll stay with Leo till you're done. Besides I have so many questions Leo. Like where do you guys sleep at night? Is it on a cloud?"
Philippe laughed off Parvati's ignorance before racing to keep up with the guard who was now several paces ahead of him.
Rounding a corner Bruckner led Philippe down a very long hallway before stopping at a wall. As Philippe looked around nerves started to take hold. Looking to his left he saw nothing but a wall and the same could be seen on his right. Why had Bruckner lead him down here if this was a dead-end? It made no sense.
Is he going to try and kill me? Philippe wondered.
Thankful that he remembered he had the power to freeze, something which at times he had actually forgotten, Philippe readied himself for anything that was about to happen.
Instead Bruckner continued to focus on the wall itself.
"Seesum lacverde et consha delumous!" he whispered rather loudly.
Ok, now Philippe was really scared.
His fears were no less allayed as the wall seemed to dissolve and be replaced with what appeared to be a double set of mahogany doors offset by a golden border. No sooner had these doors appeared they had opened to reveal what seemed to Philippe to be a very elaborate elevator.
Bruckner motioned Philippe inside and joined him just as the doors began to close.
"Ah Bruckner?" he asked casually.
"Shhh!" Bruckner replied harshly.
The doors closed with a loud snap and suddenly a cool elevator voice illuminated the room.
"What is the name of the fourth born son, whom like his father before him lead the vampires to victory against the Shandas?" asked the voice.
"Constant Senior," Bruckner called out.
"That answer is correct," the voice replied. "Welcome to the underground travoloator, where would you like to go?"
"The underground court room," Bruckner replied.
"Now descending to the underground court room," the voice advised.
The elevator shook rather violently signaling that they were off.
"As you may have worked out Mr. Thompson," Bruckner said, finally addressing Philippe. "This is the Queen's private travoloator. It will take anyone who is worthy to wherever they'd like to go in the mansion."
"Ah worthy?" Philippe asked.
"Surely you noticed that I was asked a trivial question before we preceded Mr. Thompson?" Bruckner spat.
Philippe nodded.
"That is a safe-guard," Bruckner explained. "If anyone dares to enter the travoloator they must be prepared to face the consequences of their choices. Fortunately however, you are travelling with a man of much more than mortal intelligence and as you can see we have proceeded quite smoothly to our destination."
Philippe wanted to say something along the lines of their travel being anything but smooth. But somehow Bruckner did not seem like the sort of man who should be questioned.
A ding, very much like the sound of a standard elevator sounded.
"Underground court room, Judges Chambers and Legal Offices," said the cool voice as the doors opened to reveal an all-black area that looked rather professional.
Black tiled walls and framed pictures each containing a member of the royal family could be seen. Plant holders with tiny green ferns seemed very much to contrast with the look as the only non-black objects within the space.
Bruckner nodded to Philippe as though telling him to move and Philippe did so, stepping out of the elevator as Bruckner followed. The doors closed with a sharp and yet subdued snap and before they knew it, the travoloator doors had melted away to be replaced by another thick black tiled wall that seemed to fit the rest of the area.
Philippe looked around the room in awe. Everything about it screamed impressive importance. He walked up to the first frame which unsurprisingly was bordered black and featured the Queen herself. Below the portrait sat the words Queen Allyria – Justice will always prevail written in gold writing to elegantly offset the blackness.
"This way," Bruckner ordered, forcing Philippe to snap out of the momentary daze he had fallen into.
Following Bruckner, Philippe found himself being lead to another corridor, this one just as black, just as foreboding, just…as impressive at the others, when at long last they arrived outside a set of golden double-doors, each equipped with a black vampire-bat in place of the handle.
"Is this…is this the court room?" Philippe stuttered.
"Yes," Bruckner replied sharply. "And as always, once you step through these doors the rules are simple. Be quiet…and do not speak unless you are spoken to. Clear?"
Philippe nodded. It was all he could do as his mouth seemed to be momentarily closed owing to the sense of foreboding that had overcome him.
For a moment both he and Bruckner stood in front of the door in silence. Neither seeming to do anything but stare at the door itself, for Philippe in particular the black bats that replaced the handles.
"Well go in!" Bruckner spat. "Unless you want to waist more of the Queen's time."
Going in, was exactly what Philippe wanted to do, but the question was how to do it. The bats seemed rather ominous and though they were made of black stone Philippe had this sense that if he even touched them they would come alive.
He also knew that he would never know what would happen until he tried. Knowing that the Queen would be on the other side of the door seemed to be the only thing that helped him to pluck up the courage as he held out his hand and pushed on the bat covering the left door.
Instantly the door opened and Philippe gasped in shock.
"*"
So there you are, the first chapter of the 4th Power of Three book.
I know there wasn't much info but it was only the first chapter after all and I just wanted to get you all re-acquanited. What did you think?
Next time on an all new Power of Three…
When Philippe Thompson asked to see Chessie's trial…
(Karlia): "The trial's tomorrow."
There was no way he would have been expecting this…
(Allyria): "It is my wish that you lead the trial against my sister."
But when Selena and Karlia find out…
(Selena): "Philippe!"
(Karlia): "This trial could have serious ramifications if everything doesn't go a certain way."
And what has Leo enraged so early on?
(Leo): "Unbelievable! I may be your white lighter but I am not just going to switch off into business mode and find something to distract you guys! So you better fix this! God!"
And when Philippe decides to finally summon his Grams…
(Philippe): "Come to me..."
What he receives instead…
(Philippe): "I summon thee…"
Is nothing short of shocking!
BEAT-BEAT…. WHAT-HAPPENED?!
But this season, if you thought you seen it all…
(Selena): "Grimlock?"
(Karlia): "Katya."
(Philippe): "Natalie!"
You were DEAD-WRONG!
Because this time round…
Snippets from the future…
(Man): "Karlia Stappord? We need you to identify the body."
Will leave you wondering…
(Karlia gasps).
(Man): "I take it that's a positive identification?"
(Karlia): "Y-yes…it is."
BEAT-BEAT-BEAT-BEAT-BEAT….WHO-IS-DEAD-AND-WHY?!
It's a journey like you've never seen before…
All New Power of Three Next Monday.