"It's going after his body," Manfred already had a plan. "We need to get to California but there is no way we're going to beat Pestilence there. What you need is to summon a guardian." He took Jake's hand, "Lucky for you, you have quite a few at your disposal." His eyes were closed in deep concentration as if he was reading through the browser history of Jake's life. "…the power of three- that's it!"
"Like that television show?" Jake asked.
"The premise of Charmed was founded in real magic," said Fiji. "Throughout the world, there are powerful Triads."
Jake realized what she was saying. "Are you talking about Charlotte King's daughters?" The strong powerful woman who ran the entire hospital became pregnant with triplets and nearly lost one. Jake was part of the team that saved the baby's life.
Fiji smiled, excitedly. "Do you know how rare it is for a woman to give birth to identical triplets- WITHOUT the use of invitro-fertilization. And it's no coincidence that the mother in question is a woman so powerful she runs your entire hospital."
Jake knew she had a point. In fact, after going into premature labor with her first daughter she was forced to lay on her back for months to prevent the loss of the other two babies. The entire time she still facilitated the hospital from the legal department, to payroll, all from her bed.
Manfred pulled a dusty book from his bag. "This book belonged to my grandmother. She was a powerful witch but not nearly as powerful as the Charlotte King's daughters. Here's what you do. First, either the mother or the father the babies have to be in the room. If the babies themselves are there- even better. You need to invoke the power of three; the trickster, the warrior and the mage. When the individual is in the room the exact working will come to you. But for right now, hold the stone and summon life."
Jake crossed himself. "Summon life."
Jake's eyes shot open, darting around the room. His body had contracted pneumonia to the point where even on the ventilator it was very painful for him to breathe. He moved his hand to signal whoever was in the room to his conscious state. That was when he saw her. "Charlotte." The tall blonde was holding his son in her arms.
"Jake," she rushed to his side. The baby started to cry. "It's ok Henry, your daddy is awake. He's going to pull through!"
She placed the baby in his arms, to wipe tears from her eyes. Henry rested his head on Jake's chest. The man took a deep breath focusing on the day he saved Charlotte's first baby. "Summon Georgia," he said only in his mind, "the warrior, the strong little angel who slipped from her mother's body four months too early. Against all odds, you survived. Please, I need your courage."
A tall female warrior appeared. The blonde woman wielded a sword and shield. "The demon is trying to kill you," she said looking around. "I need the help of my sisters."
The fact that he was able to summon one gave him hope. "I summon Rachel and Caroline, I trust in my heart you are heroes just like your mother."
A girl with a long blonde ponytail did a back flip from the ceiling. "Uncle Jake! It's me, Caroline!"
Another girl emerged from the floor. "The perimeter is secured." This girl wore a long robe like a wizard. "The demon is not getting anywhere near the building." She turned to Jake with tears in her eyes. Uncle Jake, my family owes you so much, allow me to heal you." The girl touched his chest immediately clearing his lungs. "I can clear your fever," she said touching her hand to his forehead. "You had better buy me a PS10 for my sixteenth birthday."
"If I survive this I promise you I will buy you diamonds…"
Rachel's hands moved to his throat. "Well diamonds will not allow me to finally play the reboot of Final Fantasy 11- It's going to be epic."
Jake was finally able to take a breath. "I promise I will spoil you rotten, and when the time comes, when your mother says you can't wear lipstick or a crop top I will always side with you."
"Why would I want to wear a crop top?" asked Rachel.
"He was just trying to be nice," answered Caroline. "You know our mother is a hard-ass." She kissed Henry's cheek. "Maybe one day one of us will date your beautiful son."
"Sorry," Rachel muttered, as she stroked Jake's face. "My sisters and I will protect you." She focused her powers but as she did she was forced backward. "No! I refuse to believe the demon is more powerful than me!"
Charlotte's phone rang, "Hello Miss Holly- Rachel has a fever?"
Jake panicked, "Please Rachel, I'm not worth it. I didn't summon you here to die."
"I'm not giving up on you, there's one last thing I can try- I can put all of the demon's curse onto your soul. When you wake up in Midnight your spirit form will be dying. And you will not be able to return to your body using magic. You will have 24 hours to make it back here or your soul will be destroyed."
Caroline did not fully agree with her sister's explanation. "Not actually destroyed, you'll go to heaven- you know what we mean. It would be one big f-you to Pestilence, but…"
Georgia finished her sister's thought. "He would likely take control of your body and start killing everyone you care about, including our parents."
"I'll make it back, I promise."
Rachel kissed his forehead. "I believe in you, Uncle Jake. You'll be by my side when I tell mom I don't want to go to medical school."
"Make sure I have a full set of body armor…"
Caroline laughed as she kissed his cheek. "Uncle Jake, please be safe. We all heard from our mother about what you did to Lily's drug dealer- you're a warrior. All of us, plus the creatures from Midnight- we can defeat Pestilence once and for all."
The three girls placed their hands upon his chest. "Be brave," Georgia said. "Summon death."
