Patricia L. Bryans: I liked that exchange between Paige, Prue, and Piper. I thought that's how they would act around each other, even if they had just met. I tried to make it so that Paige fit in with her sisters and took a shine to them quickly. And, I love writing the spells. Often times I just write and they turn out ok. I never had to rewrite one. I just put in what I first come up with. Though, I was just writing something for later in the story and I have to revise it a bit. It kinda sucks……but thanks for reading still!

Oni-Gil: Thanks for pointing out my mistake. I did fix it. And, I guess that'll work with the picture and all. But you'd better do it!

chuckles1414: Thanks for your review! It makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside!

-17-

Lynxe stood beside the Source of All Evil as they watched the three Magicked Ones being bound by their hands to the stone wall with heavy chains. Her master had been eager to move the witches for some reason. It was no wonder he told her to agree with the Source's compromise, no matter what she felt about it, considering he was anxious to evacuate the witches. When they had arrived at the Source's cavern, Zoltof had instructed three of his lesser demons to remain in the cave where the Magicked Ones had been held, instructing them to stay and…do something. Lynxe did not know what he had told them, and apparently there was no reason for her to know, or he surely would have told her.

"Three."

Lynxe turned to face the Source but was suddenly grabbed roughly by the throat by a knarled claw. Instinctively her hands shot up, trying vainly to loosen the grip that the Source had.

"There are only THREE!"

The demonic woman was astounded at the Source's strength. Try as she might, her fingers could not pry his hands away from her neck and she began to see spots as he squeezed tighter on her airway. "Fourth…away…esc-" she choked as the Source's claw tightened even more, completely blocking air and he lifted her higher so that her feet were dangling inches off the ground.

The Source was beside himself with fury. "You never told me one had escaped! What use have I with three of the four? They are no good to me without their Power of Four!" He growled into Lynxe's purpling face, then threw her away from him. Lynxe flew eight feet through the air and dropped to the ground in a heap, coughing and spluttering, struggling to breathe.

"If you have a problem, demon, you shall take it up with me, and not my second-in-command!"

The Source spun around sharply as this new voice spoke and was faced with a sight far more terrifying than any he had seen before. A cloaked figure stood in front of him, but this was no demon. There was no way to tell what kind of creature stood before him. Try as he might, the Source could not focus on a solid form, because it seemed that this terror was an allusion, a mere tremor in the air that nevertheless revealed that there was, indeed, a meaning of fear. The Source enjoyed watching others cower in fear in front of him, and shivering at his name. But now, this new emotion rolled over him for the first time, and the Source regretted teaming with a more powerful being than himself for the first time in his existence.

A cold, hard chuckle omitted from the figure's throat, causing the Source to shiver uncontrollably as if doused with water. "I'm sure you've never seen anyone quite like me before, demon. Am I right?" The Source said nothing, fighting to gain back his dignity, but he was not succeeding very well. "To stem your anger, I shall tell you now that, yes indeed, there are only three Magicked Ones. Never fear. The remaining one shall be here soon. She shall come to us."

"She will come to us," hissed the Source, finding his voice. "You expect me to believe that the fourth witch will come to us…willingly?"

"Willingly." The figure repeated. "Searching for her sisters, of course. Her sisters: the bait. There is nothing more powerful than the love and the bond between sisters, and that is something you should know. Despite the danger she puts herself in, the witch will try to save them." He waved a claw at the three unconscious Millers as he spoke. "One, however, shall be the main bait, tortured until the youngest comes to save her. The other two shall watch, under an invisibility spell, in the same room. Watch as their sisters are painfully reunited. Then I…we…take their powers and destroy them. After the Magicked Ones, the Charmed Ones shall be easy. But we cannot kill the Magicked Ones until they are together, or their powers will bond together into one to become more powerful than the four combined. We must kill them all together, preferably slowly and most painfully. Only then can we succeed! Are you with me? Will you be loyal? You will be most rewarded."

The Source could hardly contain himself. The Magicked Ones' powers inside of him! Good destroyed forever! Evil would rule for eons! Forever! But most importantly, he could seek revenge on his enemies the Charmed Ones. No longer would he have to dodge their attacks, nor waste his good demons trying to destroy them himself. The opportunity was too good to miss.

"My demons are at your service. I'm with you," the Source said, keeping his voice steady and inclining his head slightly to show his agreement.

"Good. You will not be disappointed. Now, we must prepare for company, my friend. The Magicked One and the Charmed Ones will be arriving shortly." Zoltof turned to Lynxe and commanded, "Post sentries surrounding the cave, but leave the witches alone and unguarded. They are not to be harmed by anyone but yourself, and that is only when I say," he hissed, turning his head towards his second in command.

"I shall obey, Master," Lynxe murmured, bowing.

"Now. We need to use one of the witches as bait." Zoltof turned to the Source. "Which sister is the Stubborn One most attached to?"

The Source pondered the question. He knew about the Charmed Ones' intimate lives because he had been at constant war with them for the past two years. But the Magicked Ones were different. He didn't know much about them. However, he had encountered them twice, and knew a little. Besides, the Magicked Ones were not so much different from the Charmed Ones anyway. At least, not in a family sense. "The Responsible One, Heather. Being the eldest, she is the one everyone turns to when they are in need. Besides, Heather has raised Lucy since Lucy was quite young, so naturally they would be close."

A low chuckle issued again from Zoltof's throat. "Good. Good. I gathered that as well." He motioned towards the unconscious Millers on the ground. Heather's limp form was released from its chains, raised into the air as if being lifted by invisible arms, then floated to Zoltof. With his other hand the creature conjured a stone table into the cave and magically lay Heather upon it. Chords sprang up from under the table and threw themselves across Heather's chest, torso, and legs, strapping her tightly to the stone.

"Now, how to produce enough pain to attract her sister to her." Zoltof paced slightly, thinking. "I've used electrocution with the Compassionate One which is quite painful and was most enjoyable to watch. I liked watching the witch scream in pain, but gets dull after excessive use. And we've used forcible drowning with the Quiet One, pleasurable to watch, I must admit."

"Why not implant a premonition into the other witch's head?" The Source offered, slyly.

Lynxe laughed abruptly. "Only a witch with powers of premonition can see into the future."

But Zoltof pondered what the Source had said. "They haven't come across my power yet. I am strong enough to put a vision into her head, I'm sure of it. But what to send? Do I show her sister suddenly dying? Or a lengthy death? Do I show her other sisters screaming while they watch her cease to live? Do I press the action upon them in reality as well as in the vision?" He laughed suddenly, a sound that made the Source's stone heart shudder. "So many decisions are based on three pitiful witches. Why not just play with them before they die?" He crossed to Heather's form and ran a clawed hand down her front, savoring the feel of youthful femininity. Suddenly, he waved his hands and the woman's bonds disappeared. Another wave summoned a jet of water that splashed over Heather's face. He grinned as she moaned and moved slightly. "Wake them up!" He snapped at Lynxe, pointing to the remaining two Magicked Ones.

Going to the witches, Lynxe began slapping their faces to bring them around, and as they began to move, Zoltof turned to the Source. "We'll let this one go," he said, nodding toward Heather.

"What?" The Source was dumbfounded. "She is the most powerful. If you let her go-"

"-she will be more enjoyable to play with. She'll fight until her sister comes, yes, and suffer all the pain of my attacks. She is nothing compared to my powers. She will not go far. I'm becoming inpatient with the escaped witch. She is taking too long to come, and that is costing her sisters their lives. But just to make things interesting, I'll send her a premonition of her sister being tortured, beaten…raped…surely that will bring her faster. Who knows? Maybe her premonition will come true!" Zoltof began to laugh, stroking Heather's hair gently, ignoring her weak curses. His hysterical, uncontrolled laughter echoed around the cavern now and his eyes blazed with fire as he constructed a premonition to implant into Lucy's head. The witch would come! And when she did, she was as good as dead!