I wish I actually owned it because then I wouldn't need to work. Anyhow, don't own it and review if you want. Thanks to everyone who has reviewed or looked at it; I like knowing that at least a few people at least somewhat like what I write. Why else would you read it? If anyone was curious, I think this story is about half done. I'm currently finishing up chapter 8 and if I follow my plan, there should be about 4 more chapters after that. I'm kind of losing interest but I will finish. I swear!! And I'll try to write so that it doesn't seem like I'm trying to finish it as quickly as possible. Like usual, I'll try to update as fast as possible but I like to update when I'm two chapters ahead and they're coming slower because I'm back in school and working. Also, my chapters so far have been around 4 pages typed and this one is like 12 or something so the chapters are getting longer. Now, on to the story, which is what you actually want!
Chapter 6: The Power Revealed
Mel, Tyler, Reid, Caleb, and Pogue spilled out of the time passage into a small wooden cabin. The light pouring in through the small windows was dim, like it was close to twilight. A young girl stared at them wide eyed and started to scream. Mel rushed over to her and tried to calm her down. "Shh, shh, it's okay. We're not going to hurt you. We're friends. It's alright, it's okay, sweetie." The young girl, Mel estimated her at about four years old, swallowed her tears, calmed by Mel's soothing voice. She smiled at the little blond girl. "There you go. See, it's okay. Is this your dolly?" The girl nodded and held the cloth doll up for Mel's inspection. Mel held it gently and said, "It's a very pretty dolly." She handed it back to the young girl who held it close to her chest.
Mel stood back up and went over to where the Sons were still standing. Slipping a hand in Tyler's, she looked around the cabin. There was one bed made up neatly with a bright red quilt over it. Mel figured there was probably a trundle bed or something under it for the girl. There was a door that looked like it led to a small room. She thought it might be this century's version of a bathroom. Tyler squeezed her hand. "Are we in the right place? The right time?"
"Yeah, I think so. Look, laurel leaves, lavender, rosemary, sage, and thyme. There's a lot of other stuff too."
Reid pointed out what he felt was the flaw in Mel's reasoning. "All of that stuff you just said are pretty common items."
"With magical properties. Plus, there's just this sort of feeling in the air. This is the right place." Mel knelt next to the girl who was playing with her doll, making it skip around on the floor. "Sweetie, can you tell me your name?"
"I'm Laura Warren and I'm this many years old," she said, flashing five fingers. "Who are you?"
"I'm Melinda Halliwell and these are my friends. And I'm this many years old," Mel said putting up ten fingers then another seven.
"Gosh, you're old."
Mel stood up. "Well that's something every girl loves to hear."
"Your name is Melinda too?" the little girl asked."That's my mommy's name!"
Tyler shot a look at his blonde friend and shrugged. "She said we were in the right place." He went to kneel next to Melinda by the little girl but another door swung open, interrupting him.
A blonde woman was in the doorway, wearing an old fashioned dress, the kind Melinda had only seen before when reading about the Salem Witch Trials and that time era. She carried more herbs in her arms and around her neck was a newer looking version of the same locket Mel was wearing. "Can I help you?" she asked, putting down the herbs on a nearby table.
"Umm, I'm Melinda. Melinda Halliwell?" Mel knew the name Halliwell might be familiar to her. It just depended on if she and the Sons had arrived after the time Melinda Warren had gone to the future to help the Charmed Ones trap Matthew Tate a second time. It would actually have to be before Melinda Warren went to the future because otherwise she would be dead right now. Shortly after trapping the warlock the first time Melinda had been burned at the stake but sometimes time travelers retained their memories. Melinda was hoping that her namesake had memories from visiting the future, even though it hadn't really happened yet. Like they said, time travel was incredibly confusing.
"Halliwell. Yes, I know that name. Piper?"
"Is my mother. Well, I'm glad you remember helping my mother and aunts out because at least you know of us."
"You wear my locket too." Both reached for their respective lockets at the same time with their right hands. "Well, my locket from your time period. Has Matthew Tate been released again?"
"Well, technically he hasn't been released at all in this time period because you haven't even trapped him the first time yet, but no. I'm actually here for an entirely different reason."
Pogue muttered something that sounded vaguely like time travel is so confusing. Melinda Warren turned and scrutinized him and the three other boys standing by him. Seemingly satisfied with whatever she seemed to see in them, she turned her attention back to the young girl who shared her name and smiled. "You share my name too, although we have different last names. I am Melinda Warren. If it is not to capture Tate again, why then are you here? What can I help do to help you, my daughter?" Her eyes clouded over with a glazed look and she seemed to be looking at something that wasn't there. "Or, perhaps I'm not the only one you came back to see? You wish to speak to five others; their forefathers and the missing Son's forefather," she said motioning to the Sons. "You search for the truth of your power, do you not?"
The Sons looked at each other, not really sure what to say. Pogue nudged Caleb forward, indicating Caleb should speak. He was, after all, the oldest besides Chase. "Yes. We do want to know where our Power came from. And if there is any way to break the curse and stop us from aging."
"I will summon your fathers; we are friends, of sorts. I shall also tell them to bring spare clothes for you to change into. You will not blend in with the strange clothes you are wearing. And this is not the time where it is alright for one to stand out; to be different is to be labeled a madman or worse. My daughter, you may wear one of my spare dresses." She went to a chest and pulled out a folded dress. Mel took it. "There is a lavatory of sorts behind that door. You can change there and we can keep your clothes in this chest for when you are ready to go back to your own time."
Mel grimaced. "Goody, a dress." She took the dress into the room behind the door and was in there for a few minutes before she came back out. The dress was an off-white color with blue trimmings and was lower cut than Mel was used to although it wasn't immodest. Mel put her clothes in the trunk and turned back toward the table the Sons were sitting at. Smoothing her hands down the front, Mel sat down in a vacant chair. "You guys get to stay in pants, why do I have to wear a dress? This is so unfair. Go ahead; laugh. I know I must look ridiculous."
"Actually, Mel, you look…nice," Tyler finished a little lamely.
"Uh, huh," Mel said doubtfully. "Late 1600 fashions aside, what's going on? Where did Melinda go?"
"She's getting our ancestors and took her daughter with her," Pogue said. "She said she'd be back in a few minutes and to make ourselves at home."
Caleb gestured to the table they were sitting around. "She gave us plenty of food, so dig in."
Mel scrunched her nose. "Not really hungry right now. Even seeing all this and talking to Melinda Warren, it's still hard for me to believe that we're in the past. My brothers have both traveled but this is my first time and I have to say, it's pretty cool. Well, except for the clothes."
"A virgin, huh?" Reid smirked. He shot a mock leer at Tyler and Mel. Since she was next to him, Mel smacked him on the arm. Pretending it hurt a lot more than it actually did, Reid rubbed the spot she had it. "I was talking about time travel," he said while pouting.
"Yeah, right," Mel said. "And I'm the queen of England." The five teenagers laughed at their conversation. A few more minutes had passed when the door swung open. Figures were outlined in the sunlight, one small figure belonging to Laura, another to Melinda's slender frame, and four tall figures towering over Melinda's. The five teenagers stood up. Laura broke free of her mother's hand and plopped down by one of the walls to play with her doll again.
"Here they are. The children of our lines, needing our help," Melinda told the four figures standing behind her. The four men walked into the cabin and the available space seemed to shrink. The boys nudged each other; they could easily tell which man was their specific ancestor because the four men looked eerily similar to their descendants.
"There are only four of you," the man who looked like Reid stated.
Caleb countered with, "There's only four of you."
"Circumstances have…changed. Are you the eldest?" the blonde man asked.
"Of us four. Are you?"
"Yes."
"Alright, Garwin. Let's stop acting like this is the most serious situation we've ever encountered. It is alright to have fun once in awhile. It won't kill you."
Caleb noted in some surprise that the one who just talked looked like him. He was expecting that he and his ancestor would be similar in personalities. It's not that Caleb didn't know how to have fun; he just knew that there was a time and a place and that this probably wasn't the best time to be goofing off. I guess, in this generation, Reid and I switched positions. Garwin is the leader while Danvers seems to be the goof-off. That's odd, he thought to himself.
"William, John has the same attitude as you do and it eventually flooded over to his usage of Power."
Mel addressed Reid's ancestor. "You know, maybe as the leader of your generation, you should introduce everyone. William is easy enough to understand; he looks exactly like Caleb. I'm assuming you're Reid's ancestor," and Mel gestured to the other two men in turn, "and you must be Tyler's ancestor and you, Pogue's. But who the hell is John? Or your names? You're being kind of rude."
"Mel, you really shouldn't talk to them like that."
"Oh, who cares Tyler? My ancestor introduced herself; yours should have the decency to do the same."
"She really is your descendant, Melinda. She has the same habit of speaking out of turn and when it is better for one to keep silent."
Mel didn't normally get this mad. But this man, Reid's ancestor, was irritating the hell out of her. She didn't care what century it was; manners are manners and this man wasn't showing them. Her parents had raised her and her brothers to be polite and this Garwin was not polite. "Yeah, well I come from the 21st century, where women are EQUAL in power," she said, emphasizing the equal. "I'll speak when I want to and I will call some one out when I think they are being rude. I'll ask again, who are you? I'm Melinda Halliwell." She gave a small, tight smile. "See how that works?"
"Call some one out? Whatever that means, I suppose you are right. I am James Garwin. This is William Danvers, Anthony Simms, and Andrew Parry. John Putnam is our missing brother, the ancestor of your missing brother."
"Chase has never been our brother; he's tried to kill us since the first time we met him. Every time one of us ascended, Chase tried to get us to will him our powers. We barely survived him. If it comes down to another fight, I'm afraid that we will become addicted to the Power while fighting him. We're already dangerously close," Caleb said.
"There's another problem caused by Chase Collins, one that could directly affect the Warren line and the magical community as we know it. My mom and aunts believe that Chase is attempting to reunite the Underworld and become the new Source." Mel looked at Melinda. "The Elders are also worried about this."
Melinda's face had paled. Yes, she knew all about the Source. She had seen the demon in her visions and she had seen the Charmed Ones facing him and dying, too often for her liking. "Melinda, are you alright?" asked Anthony. He reached out for her but she held up her hand to stall him.
"I'll be fine. It's just that I know this evil and if what Mel says is true, the future of magic could be in trouble. If the Charmed Ones and the Elders are worried, we should be also." She sent a small smile in Anthony's direction, trying to reassure him that she would be, in fact, okay.
"Our brother John has recently changed," said Andrew. He brushed his long hair out of his eyes, an action that Caleb, Tyler, and Reid had seen Pogue do many times. "He has been abusing the Power and he has risked exposing us and Melinda. The witch," he used the term affectionately, looking at Melinda Warren, "has told us the future. We decided we can not change what is to be; Putnam will betray us, we will banish him, and his sons will continue to hate and fear the Power."
"Fear?" asked Tyler.
This time it was Caleb's ancestor who answered. He nodded. "Yes, fear. He fears, as he desires the Power. He fears us because we four could defeat him, if we needed to. As you four can do with Chase Collins. After all, he should be getting older from Using too much."
"That's the thing," Mel said. "He somehow lifted the curse from himself and he doesn't age anymore from Using. Do you know any way he could have done it?" Mel asked of Melinda.
"No, but it would probably have to have been some type of black magic. A potion of some sort, perhaps. We can research it together while the Sons learn about the Power from their ancestors."
"First things first, however," James said. "You boys should change. I'm sure Melinda has told you that it is wise to fit in. We will tell people that you four are nephews of ours. Mel, you could either be a niece of one of us or stay with Melinda."
"I'll stay with Melinda. I think I can learn a lot and it will be easier to research how Chase broke the curse if we stay together." The boys took turns to changing in the bathroom. Since they had refrained from laughing at her in the dress, she held in her laughter after seeing them in their goofy clothes. Tyler shot a look at her like he knew what she was doing.
"We should go. It's getting dark and it wouldn't do for four married men to be leaving the cabin belonging to a woman, even one as respected as Melinda, after dark," James said. The four men walked out, Tyler and his friends starting to follow him.
"You'll be okay, Mel?" Tyler asked.
"Yeah, I'm as safe here as if we were home. It's okay," she smiled at him and he gave her an answering smile.
"Wait a minute," Pogue said. "Before we left your attic, you said that we would be back for dinner. It's dark now; we left your home sometime in the afternoon. How exactly are we supposed to be back in time for dinner?"
"Time travel. So long as we concentrate on getting back to the time just after we left, we should be able to get there. In time for dinner."
Pogue thought about that and then shook his head. "I still don't get it." He walked out of the cabin, followed by his brothers. Mel gave a small laugh and shook her head. She turned to Melinda.
"It's good to see our future children," Melinda said. "Tomorrow, I will start teaching you magics that aren't common in your time. We will find a way to break the Sons' curse and a way to defeat this Chase Collins before he can become the Source."
The morning dawned bright and clear, the sunlight streaming in to wake Mel. She stirred in the makeshift bed Melinda had made for her the night before and sat up. She saw that the cabin was empty, Melinda's bed neatly made. Standing up, Mel smoothed some of the wrinkles out of the dress. Spotting some twine, Mel twisted her hair into a braid and tied it off. She stepped outside and followed the noises she was hearing to the back of the small house.
Melinda was weeding in her garden. "I guess people do get up really early in this time."
"Good morning, Mel. Yes, we do rise very early since there is so much for us to do. I thought we'd try to get all of the chores done in the morning that way we could spend most of the day figuring out how Chase broke the curse for himself. We will meet with the Sons later to discuss anything we've learned."
"Alright then, let's get to work. Wait…umm, where's Laura?"
"Oh, she's with the other children in the village at the church. She's learning about the Bible, and then I tell her stories about witchcraft. She hasn't been learning much since she is still very young, but I've been slowly teaching her." Mel nodded. It was sort of the same thing with her; she went to high school like any other teenager but she also went to Magic School, just like her brothers did and her cousins were doing.
The two relatives weeded together for a good part of the morning. Mel learned that Melinda was going to move from Ipswich to Salem within a couple of years. She was struck by the elder witch's determination to allow the future to stay on course. Mel asked Melinda why she would move to Salem when she knew she was going to die in the Witch Trials. Melinda thought about it for a little bit.
"No, I don't wish to die. But if I don't fulfill my destiny, then our line will never continue to increase in power and the Charmed Ones won't be born. Which means you wouldn't have been born. Then, your friends wouldn't have the chance to win against Chase Collins. If I don't die, the world will never know the good magic your family and the Sons will do. And I won't let the future miss out on that. That is why I will move to Salem and not fight my death. I could easily escape, if I wished. But I will let them label me as a witch for that is who I am and I am so proud of it. The only thing I am concerned about is that Laura is taken care of after my death. I pray every night to any deity that exists that some good soul will take my daughter in and raise her as their own."
"You're braver than I am. I don't know if I would be able to make that move, even if I know it is the right thing to do."
"I have every faith that you would. It's another Warren trait. The magic, the great cheekbones, and the determination to do what is right for the greater good."
"Even if doing that screws us over. And don't forget two more traits we have: the rotten luck we have with men and losing our mothers at an early age."
"You didn't lose your mother. Nor have your cousins."
"No, I guess not. Okay, so just the rotten luck we have with men."
Melinda smiled. "Maybe we do have rotten luck with men. But once we find the one we're supposed to be with, our soul mate, we will do anything to stay with them. They, in turn, will move heaven and earth to stay with us. It's the best type of love one could help for."
"You're telling me. Mom and Dad went through so much in order to be together. Then, Aunt Paige and Uncle Henry fought constantly at the beginning of their marriage. Finally, Aunt Phoebe and Uncle Coop who, at first, thought they were forbidden to be together but finally made it." There was silence for a moment or so while they continued pulling weeds. Mel spoke up again. "Have you found your soul mate? Was it Laura's father?"
"I loved Laura's father dearly. I thought he was the one I was meant to be with. Everything was perfect with him."
"But?"
"After his death, I moved Laura and myself here." Melinda's eyes got a far away look in them and Mel could tell she was getting lost in her memories. "There was another man. He was good and kind. Intelligent, handsome; he made me feel very safe with him and he was so good to Laura. We fell quickly in love. But he was betrothed to another and couldn't let his family down. He had-has-an obligation to his Power, just as I have to my magic."
Mel thought about it. She reviewed the actions she had seen last night between Melinda and the Sons' ancestors and one man stood out to her. Someone who was more attentive to Melinda; who could tell she was worried about something without asking. "You're in love with Anthony Simms. History does repeat itself," Melinda mused.
"You are in love with the youngest? Tyler?"
"No, at least not yet. I've only known him for a little over a day and this is not going to be a Romeo and Juliet thing where they fall in love with each other in like an hour." At Melinda's look of confusion, Mel said "Never mind. But, for only knowing him a day, I'm surprised at how much I do like him already. I'm pretty sure he's one guy I won't let my brothers run off without fighting with them. And I've become friends with his brothers too." Mel fell silent and Melinda let her think.
They finished weeding and doing other small chores in the afternoon and went back into the cabin. Melinda reached into the exposed rafters and brought down her Book of Shadows. She handed it to Mel and the younger girl took it. "As I understand it, your version of the book is much bigger but I think we can find an answer to our question in here. If you flip toward the back, there is a section on curses. I haven't come across anything like what we are dealing with now but maybe there will be something similar."
"I was thinking about that. What if he somehow got a hold of whitelighter blood? They can heal others and their power is in their blood."
"I suppose that could work. He'd have to be drinking the blood often though, I would think."
"Eww. It's like he's becoming a vampire." Mel, who had been flipping through the Book, stopped on a page. "What's this?" She showed Melinda the page.
Reading out loud, Melinda said, "To slow aging. Crush herbs that promote longevity and protection. Mix in with the blood of an angel and powerful good witch. Let it be blessed by a high priestess. The more powerful the angel, witch, and high priestess, the less often one must take the potion. This will not stop normal aging but increase youthfulness."
"That sounds like it would be for a normal person, except that it requires the blood of an angel and witch. Obviously, not everyone can get that. But it doesn't seem like it would help out Chase. His Power is his life-force; that's why the Sons age when they Use. They're using their life-force. Wouldn't he need something more permanent?"
"Well, perhaps he's mixing something else in the potion. But I feel this might be the answer. Let's see, what else could he be adding? Maybe the powder of a stone. Stones are a part of the earth and are permanent in a way plants and people aren't. Here, let me see the Book." Mel handed the Book back to Melinda and she flipped through some more pages. "I have a list of stones and their properties in here. Hmmm… ah! Red coral is good for increasing longevity. If you ground some of it, that should do the trick or one could wear it. He's probably doing both. I have here that it is uncommon now but perhaps that has changed in your time. Will you let the boys in please?"
"What?" Mel asked. Someone knocked on the door to the cabin. "Oh." She walked to the door and opened it. Tyler and his friends were standing outside the door. "Hey, so what did you guys do today?"
"A lot actually," Tyler said. But we're not really here for that. Reid's "uncle" is having a dinner party. And, as he put it, you are cordially invited to attend a dinner at the Garwin home this eve at five o'clock. That's exactly how he worded it."
"Well, we'll be there. Fill you in on the details later, but I think we found out how Chase stopped aging. It's extremely gross and I'm sure painful for the victims, but it would stop his aging, if he's doing what we think he is."
Reid broke in. "Would love to stay and chat but we have more chores we have to do. So, we'll see you tonight at dinner."
Mel laughed. "Sorry, wish I could help."
"It's okay. It's hard work anyway. Not suitable for girls. Or Baby Boy."
Caleb was the one who hit Reid this time. "Stop complaining."
"I should probably go tell Melinda about dinner. Takes a lot longer to get ready here than it does at home and she'll probably want to bring something to dinner. I'll see you later."
"Bye, Mel," Tyler said. The boys left and Mel went back in the house to let Melinda know. As she thought, Melinda wanted to take something so she threw an apple pie together as quick as she could, aided with magic.
"This is the Garwin house? It's huge!" Mel exclaimed.
"The Garwins, Putnams, Parrys, Danvers, and Simms are the richest families in the Massachusetts area." Melinda knocked on the front door. "As often as Mr. Garwin has invited Laura over here with me, I fear to bring her. I would hate it if she were to break something which is why I leave her with Goody Thomson, in exchange for doing chores around her house. The door swung open, revealing the Garwin house-servant.
"Hello Misses Warren and Halliwell. Come right in. Master Garwin has been expecting you. I'll take your things. This way, if you could follow me please." Melinda and Mel followed the woman into a sitting room. The Sons all stood up when they entered and Mel and Melinda moved to one side as the elder Sons' wives entered after them. Everyone settled down after introductions were made. The adults chatted about nothing as Mel and the Sons sat in uncomfortable silence next to each other.
"I think the children may be more comfortable in another room where they can talk freely amongst themselves," said Andrew, Pogue's ancestor.
"Reid, you and your friends may go into the back sitting room. We will call you when dinner is ready," said Mrs. Garwin. The teenagers stood up and nodded to the adults. Reid led them out of the room and through the house to another room in the back that wasn't as nicely furnished as the other one but was still fancier than anything in the Halliwell Manor. They all sat down; Pogue and Caleb sitting in chairs, Mel, Tyler, and Reid sitting on the same couch, Mel sitting between the two boys.
"Well that was comfortable," commented Caleb.
"Note the heavy sarcasm," Mel shot back. Caleb grinned at her. "So, boys and, well boys," Mel said in her best teacher voice, "what did you learn today?" Then, in her normal voice, "Anything about your powers?"
The Sons nodded. "They taught us some more techniques to help with the urge to Use and some herbs we can make into tea that might help too. They didn't really say anything about where the Power originated, though," said Caleb. "What about you?"
"Melinda taught me the use of herbs I didn't know about and we looked in her Book of Shadows. There's a potion in there that can be used to increase longevity; we think Chase might be doing a variation of the potion that could affect your aging. Maybe even stop you from aging when you Use. You crush herbs meant to increase youthfulness, mix equal parts of blood from an angel and a powerful good witch, and then have it blessed by a high priestess. We think that Chase is putting red coral dust in it too and maybe wearing some because that also can affect aging. Which, if it works, we can actually do for you guys too."
"Okay, I get the blood of a witch and I'm sure you could find a high priestess somewhere, but where the heck can someone get angel blood? Angels don't exist," Reid said.
Mel looked at him confusion. "Uh, hello? Whitelighters, aka guardian ANGELS, aka Wyatt, Chris, and my Aunt Paige, not to mention Elder Almira and any of the other numerous whitelighters and Elders. Not to mention the guardian angels each person has, but I don't think it's them because it's incredibly hard to see them. The blood from any of those people would work but Wyatt would probably be best. He's twice blessed, after all."
As Caleb was about to ask what "twice blessed" meant and Tyler was going to ask about what herbs they would use for that potion, they were called to dinner. They went into the dining room and were motioned to sit down. They feasted on venison, potatoes, different types of vegetables, and then had dessert. Because of all the different courses, their dinner party took about two hours, during which the adults talked about village news while the teenagers had their own conversation about their time era, getting to know each other better.
They finished dinner and James Garwin stood up, his brothers coming to stand around him. "Now that we are done eating, we shall go to the Danver's colony house, where we keep the Book of Damnation." Leaving the elder sons' wives behind because they weren't interested in witchcraft, the ones with supernatural powers left the Garwin house. Taking the horse and carriage that James had, they went to Caleb's ancestral home.
Mel leaned over to Tyler on the way to the Danver's colony house. "If James Garwin is the eldest in this time era, then why is the altar built in the Danver's house?"
Pogue's ancestor answered. "William's house was really the only one suitable for a place where we could meet to discuss our Powers and keep the Book hidden from those who don't know about it."
"We're here." James stopped the horse. He and Anthony jumped down, William behind him to take care of the horse. Andrew helped Melinda down and led her into the house. Tyler stopped Melinda from jumping down herself and helped her to the ground. Caleb, Pogue, and Reid got out and walked ahead of them. Walking next to Tyler, Mel bumped her shoulder into his. He laughed and grabbed her hand to stop her from doing it again.
"What's up?" he asked.
"The sky," she said lazily.
"No duh. Metaphorically, what's up?"
"Fine, if you want to be logical. Did you know that your ancestor and my ancestor were deeply in love?"
"Actually, yeah I did. Anthony was telling me. He also warned me about the dangers of falling in love with a witch. He told me that witches, good witches, are only dedicated to the greater good. They put love, family, friends, and basically having a life on the back burner to concentrate on their duties as witches."
"Well, Halliwells are all for the greater good but we also want a normal life and we will fight to the death to achieve it. Melinda told me too to be careful. Halliwells also tend to have their hearts broken tons of times. But…I told her not worry; we haven't even known each other for a week yet. It's not like we're already in love or anything.
Tyler forced a laugh. "Right. Because that would be insane. Who falls in love in just two, three days?"
"Crazy people, that's who." Tyler stopped her before they reached the house.
"I do care about you though. An insane amount considering how long we've known each other but I do like you."
"I like you too, Tyler. You know my brothers are probably going to kill you, right?"
"I'm not scared." He held her hands in his in between their bodies. Mel titled her head up and he bent down to kiss her when Reid cleared his throat.
"As cute as it is, you two declaring your love for each other, I'd like to get home sometime this century. So, if we could go inside?"
Mel pulled her hands out of Tyler's and walked up the steps past Reid. "Two words, Blondie. Angela," she said, holding up one finger. Putting up a second, "Jenkins." She walked into the house.
Faintly behind her, she could hear Pogue teasing Reid. "Awww. Reid and Angie, sitting in a tree… ow. Mel had heard a dull thudding sound and figured that Reid had just punched Pogue. "Oh, look. Reid's blushing!!"
"No, I'm not." Reid walked into the house after Mel and she turned to face him. Taking a look at his face, Mel said he was blushing. "Whatever," he said.
Mel threaded her arm through Reid's. "I know Angie. And as flaky as she might seem to be, I can tell when she likes someone. And she likes you."
"I'm Reid Garwin," he declared. "I don't do serious relationships. Let's just get back to our century, okay?" he said, including his brothers in the conversation. Reid broke free of Mel and walked down the nearby stairs. He knew his way around the colony house because that's where he and his brothers met too. Mel hung back and looked at the three other Sons, a look of concern on her face.
"I didn't mean to hurt to him."
Tyler shook his head. "He'll be fine. You say you know your friend; well I know mine. He's never liked a girl like this before. I don't know how strongly he feels about Angie yet but there is definite potential there and he's scared of it. Don't worry about it; he'll work it out for himself. Let's go." Mel, Tyler, Pogue, and Caleb walked down the stairs, following the path Reid, Andrew, and Melinda had taken. They sat in the circular room that was familiar to the Sons and were eventually joined by James, Anthony, and William.
James stood in the place where Caleb usually sat. "We have one last thing to share with you before you five leave; the origin of the Power."
The Sons sat up a little straighter. Melinda motioned to Mel and they got up and stood to one side. Caleb and his friends sat next to each of their ancestors, leaving one stone seat empty. James motioned for Melinda and Mel to take that one. His eyes bled black and the Book of Damnation floated in to the middle of the circle.
"There is a page that explains the origin of the Power. No generations will see it after us because we have already decided to tear it out after the betrayal. There is a power in this world that can be accessed by good or evil. One can absorb this power and it will increase one's power."
"That sounds like The Hollow. My family has dealt with it before but The Hollow will eventually consume anyone who tries to use it, good or evil," Mel said.
"Is that what you call it? Well, when The Hollow was very first formed, part of the shadow broke free and entered five mortal men. Using magics that are long lost that we don't even know about it, those five men were able to "tame" the magic and keep it within themselves. They discovered when their sons reached the age of thirteen, they received part of the power and fully ascended at eighteen, when they came of age. Eighteen is the age when those five men first received the Power which is why all future sons ascend at that age."
James finished speaking and Anthony, the second eldest, continued the story. "That is the power we use. But there had to be a price for mastering and keeping this Power. In return, the shadow's power became entwined with our life-forces. That is why we age as we use; for using something that we only got through trickery we must give up part of our lives."
William continued, "According to the Book, there is no real way to break the curse and to keep our Powers."
"But," said Andrew, "we believe that if all sons were to relinquish their powers they wouldn't age and their children would not receive the powers. However, none of us has been willing to try that so we don't know if it's true. We're not even sure if it is possible to relinquish the Power."
Melinda was the last to speak up. "The potion that Mel and I found will not stop your aging but if might at least decrease it so that the only aging you do will be natural."
The adults finished talking and they sat in silence for a few moments. "Well, I guess that's all we need to know." Mel looked at the younger Sons. "We should perform the spell to go home. The longer we're in the past, the more chances we have to mess up the future." Mel stood up. "We need to draw a triquetra so we can step through time."
"Here," said Anthony. He moved a book shelf aside and revealed a wall. "And here is something you can write with," handing her a piece of charcoal. Mel traced a triquetra on the wall.
"Do you guys remember the spell?" The Sons nodded their heads. Being the first spell they cast, they were pretty sure that they would always remember it. Mel turned to Melinda as the Sons grouped with their ancestors.
"Good luck my daughter." They hugged. Stepping back, Melinda looked at the younger generation of power. Lowering her head, Melinda saw into the future. She gave a small sigh; whatever she was seeing was causing her pain and grief. When she looked back up at the teenagers her eyes were shining with tears. "Good luck to you all. You will need it. There is suffering ahead of you," she said looking at Tyler and Melinda. "Stick together and remember love can conquer all."
"Melinda, what did you see?" Mel asked.
"There's no time for that but you will find out soon enough. Go, be safe. Blessed be."
"Blessed be," Mel said back. Mel and the Sons gathered together and faced the triquetra drawn on the wall. Taking a breath, they started to chant the spell to go back home.
A voice rang out, interrupting them. "What is this, brothers? A secret meeting with witches? This is not filling me with good will toward you."
"John, we thought you were still out of town which is why we did not concern you with this. Also, your descendant didn't come back with them. You have no stake in this."
"Regardless, Garwin, I would have liked to been informed. So, these are your descendants. They seem exactly like you. Too…what is that word I'm trying to think of?"
John Putnam had a gleam in his eye that Mel didn't like. His face looked greedy. "We should really be going. Sorry we can't stay around longer to get to know you."
"Too noble. That's it. Your descendants are too noble to realize the full potential of their powers, just like you," John continued, talking over Mel. "This is why Chase Collins will defeat you. My family is the only one worthy of such Power."
Melinda moved next to Mel without being noticed by John Putnam. "You should leave now. Recite the spell quietly. I'll say it with you that way the boys do not have to."
"Hear the words, hear the rhyme, heed the hope within my mind. Send me back to where I'll find what I wish in place and time." The triquetra glowed and filled in on itself so it was only the very outline was left. "Guys, let's go."
"Let Chase know that I hope he's succeeding when you see him. We got very close when he came back here to find a way around the curse."
"You betrayed us," stated James. He threw a bolt of energy at John, knocking him to the ground and looked over to the younger group of friends. "Leave, now. This doesn't concern you. Leave before the triquetra closes."
Mel pushed the Sons toward the triquetra, even though she wanted to stay and help too. "We can't do anything; history has to go on the way it's meant to."
"But they need help. If we stay, maybe we can stop the betrayal from ever happening!" protested Caleb.
"We'll help them by defeating Chase in our time. We can't stop history." Caleb continued to resist her efforts to get him in the triquetra. "Tyler, Reid, a little help?" They grabbed Caleb.
"Mel's right, Cay. We can't do anything now but we can and will defeat Chase ourselves."
"Ty's right man. Don't be the over protective guy right now; they can handle it."
Caleb shook them off. "Fine," he said shortly. He walked into the triquetra, leaving his ancestors fighting with the man who had betrayed the Covenant. Pogue followed him, telling him there wasn't any other way. Tyler and Reid stepped in after them. Mel, before following, looked back over her shoulder in regret. She wished they could help too. Sighing, she stepped into the triquetra and stepped back out in her attic, the Sons standing before her.
"You're late," said Piper. She stood in the attic with her arms folded, glaring at the boys and her daughter.
So, I'm not entirely sure if I like the reason I came up with to explain the Sons' powers but I wanted another tye-in to Charmed and that seemed slightly plausible. Also, the potion was something I just kinda threw together. Sorry if you don't like it but I needed to explain somehow the way Chase stopped aging besides saying he did it somehow. Sorry if you don't like it. Oh well.