Dead Lord. I know how late this has been. Please understand that I didn't abandon this wonderful place. I was just too busy with college assignments. I know the frustration when you don't get to know about something you love. I will update chapters soon. Please have this for now.

THE TENTH PILLAR

A Great Deception

Carl was shaking with anger. He better explain this to me...

Cole was staring at his... son.

He took a deep breath and spoke, "I know how you're feeling right now. Believe me! I know what it is like to lose someone you love."

Carl was calm but his eyes still had rage in it. John was the one who raised him to be a fine man. John also told him on his 18th birthday that he was not his real father. Carl was not angry or dejected on learning this. Instead he was thankful and happy that John raised him without any bias. He however never expected or thought about his real parents. His onetime question '...then who are my real parents?' was returned with, you'll know when it's the right time.

Carl thought in his head, you have chosen a damn wrong time to tell me that you are my real father.

Cole looked down for a second and said, "I know this was not how I wanted to meet you. John was a good man and you can trust me, he is in a fine place. You can even say he is in heaven."

"Don't make fun of my father's death. You may be my real father but you're not my father. Who are you to say to me that he is heaven? Are you like angel or something?" Carl replied with sarcastic anger.

Cole smiled a bit and said, "Yes. I am an angel... sort of."

Carl was stunned.

Cole continued, "I know it would be hard for you to accept and you may never acknowledge but I'm happy that you got to know from John that I'm your real father."

He then told him the story of how he handed him to John.

Carl had this intense pain inside him. He was now feeling the dejection.

"So in other words you abandoned me. What? Is it forbidden for angels to have kids? Why did you give me for adoption? You should have left me to die if I was so much of a shame." Carl said with a bit gruff voice.

Cole was sad but he somehow had anticipated such questions. He quickly replied, "No son. I didn't abandon you. It was necessary for your protection. I named you CARL. It is a name and a protection spell. Caeca Amore Revera Largitus - Love that truly was bestowed. You were a gift from my love, my true love.

Back then I was a half demon. I fall for a woman who I was suppose to kill – your mother, a good witch. But since I was half demon, circumstances were so that we could never be one. I really loved her but I was not the right man for her. I was obsessive, impatient and then I was vanquished by your mother. I thought this time I will surely rot in hell. But high heavens had another plans. I was made the angel of guidance to atone for my evil deeds."

Carl remained silent. His adoptive father was dead. He hoped that now that his real father was back he would not be alone. That wish was quickly snuffed out.

Cole noticed Carl's agitation but chose to continue, "Your weird power which usually manifests itself as fire and electric balls are because you have one quarter demonic blood. That intense rage and violent urges are also because of that demonic nature."

Carl took a deep breath and spoke, "I never wanted these powers in the first place. Now you are telling me that I'm one quarter demon? Thanks a lot!"

"You were conceived when I was host to the source of all evil. You would've turned out to be full demon but I gained enough control over my mind to stage a large deception and swapped you out from your mother's womb. And I placed a demonic spawn in your place. It was destroyed later. Later I hired a surrogate until you were born."

"Wow, so my mother doesn't even know that I'm alive?" Carl was angry, sad and impatient. He then remembered, his unnecessary rage were because of the demonic blood. He doesn't want that. John wouldn't want that. His eyes were teary. He was not ready to take all of this, not when he is alone.

"It doesn't have to be that way, son! Things are changing. Your latent witch side is awakening. You'll have to meet with your mother. She will help you." Cole replied with hopeful voice.

Carl nodded, "No. I can't do that. What if she doesn't recognize me? I'm dead for her."

"You are underestimating the love of a mother son. You will see. You mother is special." Cole smiled.

"I have to go now. This is your mother's address. Go to her. Those demons that attacked here were sent because the spell to hide you is gone. You are traceable as a quarter demon. They will attack again. You are not safe alone. Please Carl, my son." Cole said and gave him a note.

And then Cole was gone. Carl was all alone.

A Mother always knows...

Scrying failed. Empathic bond failed. Sam's new found powers too failed.

No one in the Halliwell family was able to get any clue as to where the demons took Pauline.

Chris was frantically walking to and fro.

Phoebe was in a state of shock. Piper and Paige knew how hard it is for a mother to lose a child. Three of them were holding hands.

"This is not going anywhere. I'm going out. I'll find my sister by hook or by crook!" Chris shouted and orbed before anyone else had a chance to stop him.

It was one of many things that future Chris and this Chris shared unbeknownst to anyone. Chris frequently went undercover in underworld. He thought he could find some lead.

Piper looked at Wyatt with worry. Wyatt replied her, "Don't worry Mom! I'll go after him. I'll bring him back."

Leo said monotonously "It is times like this when I regret that I am not a white-lighter anymore."

Piper looked at him with sad eyes.

All of sudden Phoebe's heart skipped. She felt a strong maternal feeling rushing through her. She jumped from the couch holding her breast.

Pearl said, "Mom! What happened? Did you felt something?"

Everyone looked at Phoebe earnestly for any answer.

"No. No this is something different. It's like someone is feeling lonely and wants my love. I thought it was Pauline but for some reason I am remembering Cole!" Phoebe replied confusingly.

The very utterance of that name made every elder in the attic shift a little. Paige looked at Henry. Leo looked at Piper. Piper remembered that one time when she had met Cole in the void between life and death. Coop recalled Phoebe's block on heart. He embraced her with love.

The kids were confused. They had never heard of the name 'Cole'. Their parents chose to keep that dark secret... a secret.

Pearl asked her mother, "Who is Cole, mom?"

"He was you step father." Phoebe replied without hesitation. That past was dark but not worth keeping hiding anymore. After all she did loved Cole back then. Those maternal feelings were sure making it hard to keep quiet anymore.

"Phoebe..." Piper tried to intervene.

"No! Piper they need to know. He was the man I married before your father. Everything was fine except he was a demon and then I vanquished him." Phoebe spoke without a breath.

The kids were speechless. Pearl and Pristine were stunned and confused. They never knew their mother endured any such past.

Phoebe was teary. Coop held her tightly and comforted her.

Piper then told them about the time she met Cole. "May be he is around here."

"Why didn't you tell me earlier?" Phoebe demanded. "But it's different. I said I feel Cole but not him. It is more like when I feel about Coop when I see Pearl or Pristine or Pauli-Pauline"

They were all so confused.

Suddenly the door bell ranged.

Phoebe couldn't hold her feelings anymore. That strange longing was pulling her very hard. She ran down to get the door.

Everyone ran behind her.

Phoebe opened the door.

A tall young and handsome man was standing in front of her.

He had dark eyes just like Phoebe but his jaws were like...

"Cole?" Phoebe asked in confusion.

That stranger was confused too. He replied, "No I'm Carl, his son."

It was sudden and in the blink of an eye. Phoebe pulled that boy into her breast and embraced him.

Carl said, "Mom?"

Tears rolled from Carl and Phoebe's eyes.

The remaining family was in a state of shock.

They had lost a member and had gained another one. A tenth sibling, the tenth progeny! The tenth Pillar.

Next: Brothers & Sisters.