We gaped at the two people in front of us. The reincarnations of Victor Bennett and Patricia Halliwell were posing as Holly's uncle and aunt. It was an awkward silence that Holly broke up,"I'm going to change," and ran up the stairs.
They offered us to sit on opposite couches. Jim and Fiona were whispering to each other about something. Then, he looked at us, "We were getting worried. The Institute can keep some odd hours."
I had to stop Phoebe from gawking, so I nudged her with my elbow, "HEY!"
Paige covered the spat with, "The Institute." She didn't state it as a question; she wanted more information.
"Ever since Holly found out that she was a witch, she's had a difficult time adjusting. It took a long time for my sister and me to hone ours."
My own eyes bugged out, "Da—Jim, you're a witch?"
"Not practicing since my twenties; however, I thought about it more as Holly gets older." It's ironic for the man who lost his wife to magic became a witch in this life.
Paige agreed, "It would be great for you to connect. It's hard being alone—learning how to be a witch." Paige was fond of Dad. He didn't blame her for her parentage, and he became Paige's children's godfather. Dad believed all of his girls needed a Dad, and Paige loved him deeply for it. In fact, after Dad past, Paige was the one who took it the hardest. In one life, she had lost three fathers.
"And you are a witch also?" Fiona asked.
"Yes, I am also a social worker to help kids with their problems." Silence. Nothing.
"We'll still need Holly a little longer," I added. "We wanted Holly to check in and get clean clothes."
Jim smiled, "Of course." Then I could tell he was reflecting on something. "Ever since my sister was killed, Holly has had all this anger. It reminds me of a fury I vanquished years ago" Paige, Phoebe, and I shared a snicker. That's Piper, except she was the fury.
Holly plopped down the stairs with a red t-shirt and blue jeans. "Ready?"
Phoebe looked at our mother, "We'll take care of her." Fiona and Jim just smiled and nodded. I desperately wanted to stay—to talk to them—be with them, but there was so much at stake. I know Phoebe and Paige had the same feeling.
Holly climbed on her motorcycle. Phoebe, just sacrificed her time with Mom and Dad, became pissed. "And where do you think you're going, sister?"
Holly started checking her console before starting the engine, " I have to finish the potion. I thank you for covering for me back there. I didn't need to hear the we're worried about you speech."
I walked over to the motorcycle and pulled the key out of the ignition. "HEY!"
"Hey, nothing, I haven't got $1,800 worth yet!" I retorted. "I used a good chunk of our savings to bail your ass out, so you going to help us!"
Holly stepped off the bike, "You can't make me! Give me my key!"
Paige stepped between us. "But, we can make one hell of an offer. Your potion, you're missing items…"
Holly spun around facing her, "How did you know?"
"I've made the same potion with…my sister." Paige made Cole's vanquishing potion in the alternate world with Piper. "You need mandrake root and demon blood or flesh to make the potion work."
Holly stormed away from us, "I'll get it somewhere."
Phoebe reached her, "Without being killed? " Phoebe stared into Holly's eyes, "My eldest sister didn't think of the consequences. She wanted to hunt demons and protect us. She was killed by the Source's assassin. She was thrown through the fricking wall with my other sister. She died instantly. Our whitelighter tried to bring her back, but it was too late. You can't do this fight alone, or you will suffer the same fate as my sister." It was odd having Phoebe talk about me in front of me. I didn't think of the consequences, because I had died before and was brought back. My own cockiness really killed me.
Paige tried to soften the mood,"Help us. It will take five minutes. Then, you can have the entire kitchen yourself. I bet Institute doesn't give that free range-I know Magic School doesn't. You can make your potion, and maybe, we'll help you vanquish your demon. Seems like a win-win situation, doesn't it?" As much as Piper and Paige fought in the beginning, they both knew they completed each other.
This stopped Holly. "Fine. I will help you, but after that I'm going to kill the bastard who killed my Mom."
"Kyle!" In moments after I yelled, a shower of orbs arrived. The five of us held hand, and Kyle orbed us back home. Grams was reading the Book, looked up and pressed her palms together as if she was going to clap.
"Okay," Phoebe held Holly's hand. We need you to touch that book over there."
"WHY?"
"We're hoping that the Book will recognize you."
"Just touch the book, right?"
I sprinted to the Book and began to flip pages. "This page, here." Holly hesitantly walked over to the Book. I joined Paige, Phoebe, and Grams behind Holly to catch her when the Book "shocked" her with her past life.
Holly reached the Book and placed her hand on the Book, and…Nothing. No shock. No reaction. Nothing.
Holly turned her head, "AND?"
Phoebe steadied her nerves taking deep breaths, "Try both hands."
Holly, annoyed, placed both hands on the prophecy page and the same result-nothing.
"Can I NOW make my potion?"
Paige in defeat whispered, "Go ahead. Let us know if you need anything." Holly exited quickly out of the attic and downstairs to the kitchen.
I grabbed my hair in bunches, "Now what do we do?"
