-8-

The demon Justain, who Sam had almost met her death to, cowered in the attic of the Miller Mansion, shivering uncontrollably as the demonic female who had attacked the Magicked Ones stared haughtily at him from across the room. Her yellowed pupils radiated power and strength into his watery, black eyes. Unable to not look to the door of the attic, Justain tried to gather his failing demeanor and straighten his shoulders in front of his superior. Shakily, nervously, he knelt and spoke, relaying his message from the Source while maintaining cordial respect for this power.

"Milady, Lynxe. I bring thee a message from my master, the Source of All Evil. Thy permission to speak further?" He kept his head low and his eyes down, holding his breath. Oh, why had the Source sent him to do this? Even Justain knew that he was a low-level demon and that his master had many other more powerful and impressive demons waiting to obey him.

After a few seconds, a cold voice slid around the room, answering respectfully, as was the tradition between negotiating demons. "Pray thee, speak."

Justain contained a sigh of relief, but did not look up. "My thanks to thee, lady. My master understands thou hast defeated the Magicked Ones and now hast them in thy possession. He congratulates thee for thy triumph. He sends thee a proposal: a council with thee and thy master to discuss the witches' fate and thou master's plan to defeat the Charmed Ones. Please, forgive this unworthy creature and pray answer, so I might return to my master."

Silence enveloped the room as Justain waited again. The demon Lynxe pondered the offer carefully but quickly. She suspected the the Source would want to join the war to finish Good and gain profit from it. Scum! Her master would see right through him. He had more power than the Source would ever have. What was the harm in amusing this demon with a council?

Justain jumped as the smooth, poisonous voice slipped around him like a noose. "Inform thy master that we will hold council with him. Though my master will not show himself, he will be present. Tell the Source to come with a second-in-command in two moons down in the meeting cave. The third hour past sundown. Pray, thank thy master on our behalf. Rise and leave now." Justain obeyed, knowing that his time with Lynxe was over. He rose, bowed low, and shimmered out.

Lynxe immediately dropped the traditional air and turned to face a podium that held an old, leather-bound book; the Miller's Book of Shadows. Squinting her eyes slightly in concentration, Lynxe slowly reached out a hand towards the Book, intending to open it, but as soon as her hand was three inches away, the Book suddenly glowed and magically flew off the podium to land with a dull thunk on the floor. The power of the witches that surrounded the manor was strong, or Lynxe would have been able to touch the Book. Curses. Well, not to worry. They would weaken, but not until Lynxe had all four. A smile playing across her lips, Lynxe shouted into the quiet air: "Xeda! Show yourself!" The words lashed out of her mouth and quickly brought around the shimmer of a huge, murderous-looking demon with sickly green hands and a face of what looked like folded-up skin. The demon knelt and touched his forehead to Lynxe's foot respectfully, but did not speak.

"Rise, Xeda." Lynxe cooed, almost lovingly. The demon obeyed before Lynxe began her interrogation. "Were you, or were you not part of the seizing and capturing of the Magicked Ones?"

The demon bowed clumsily while replying in a hoarse voice. "Yes, lady."

"And did you or did you not realize that one of the Magicked Ones escaped?"

"Lady, I had already shimmered to the Underworld with the one they call the Quiet One and I did not see what became of the other three. With all due respect, my orders were to capture a Magicked One and take her to the lair. I did my job." He replied, bowing again.

Lynxe nodded, understanding. "Yes, you did well. I have one more question before you return to the three witches."

"Anything, lady." Xeda mumbled.

Lynxe turned away from her servant. "Have you any idea of the other three demons in charge of the witches' capture?"

Again, the demon bowed. "I do, lady."

"Pray, tell me."

"My brother, Xantu, and the demons Marksas and Baz."

A harsh chuckle escaped from Lynxe's throat. "Never in a rush to defend kin are we, Xeda?" The demon made no reply. Lynxe dismissed him with a careless wave of her hand. "You are free to go. Remember, keep the prisoners alive. I need them to tell me where their sister is. They will be dead once I find her, you can be assured. Go."

Xeda bowed and shimmered away.

Lynxe stood alone in the Miller's attic, contemplating her next move carefully. Planning. Ever planning...