Chapter Thirteen: Circled
They were running through the Underworld, their hair – blonde for one, light brown for the other – rebounding savagely behind them in their flight for dear life.
"If we die, I'll never forgive you this," Taylor said, panting, a stitch slowly developing in her rib.
"Save your saliva, you'll need it to run faster." Billie ducked in time to avoid a fireball coming their way.
"Yeah, you better die before I kill you!" said Taylor angrily, coming to a sudden halt. She abruptly turned round and lifted her hands up, sending a sonic wave to their opponents.
Upon impact, the demons dissolved so to speak; there was an explosion, creating a deflagration like that of Saturn's rings.
"Cool." Taylor smiled at her own prowess but soon was tugged backwards by Billie.
"Running now, bragging later."
Together they resumed their fleeing but as they entered a large circular room, they found themselves surrounded by a complete set of demons; Grimlocks, Harpies, Vultures, Brutes, so many different species that Taylor had no inkling at while Billie had only learned about in the Halliwells' Book of Shadows.
The witches held themselves back to back, slowly revolving to try and face all the demons at once, demons that were closing in on them as it was.
"This is your absolute – complete – utter fault!" Taylor cursed.
"Like you weren't all cheerleader-happy to come along!" Billie retorted.
"We're so screwed." Taylor sighed. "You think we might cast a spell to go back home?"
"Sure, hope you're quick enough to cast one short enough before they throw themselves at us and tear your throats open."
"Which they'll do even if I don't try, so. Why can't you just freeze them, damn it!"
"Wrong call. That's Piper's trick, and I doubt she'll be that glad to give us a hand."
"Talk about me like that again, and I sure might blow you up instead of the demons."
Three shafts of white-blue orbs appeared between them and the demons, gradually taking the shape of the three Charmed Ones. Piper cast a glance at Billie before she turned to the assaulters.
In a series of yells of fright and desperate attacks, part of the demons flew at the sight of the Halliwells. Others, either the bluntest, or the stupidest, jumped in into the fight, sending fire and energy balls.
The sisters and college friends retaliated, sending potions, waving arms and flicking fingers. One particular demon was quick enough to telekinetically fling the blue killing liquid coming his way back to the Charmed Ones. But Piper lifted her hands, blasting the potion in mid-flight. Half-expectedly, when the vial blew up, it freed the explosive content and an excruciating flame roared toward Phoebe, who ducked just in time. The demon that was ready to attack her from behind had no such luck, though, and he was vanquished before he knew it.
A series of potions thrown and fingers flicked later, all that remained of the demons were ashes and a few athamés, claws, or horns. The Charmed sisters turned as one towards the young witches, like a pack of hungry hyenas.
Piper walked up to Billie and slapped her, leaving a red five-fingered mark on her cheek. "The next time you flee like that, I blow you up. We have my husband to find, and your sister to vanquish. We need all the help we can gather. 'Cause you certainly can't vanquish the Source all by yourself, not with that projection of yours gone. Our troops need to be united. Any more childish game like that and I'll make sure all you ever do again is mortal stuff. Got it?"
Billie stood there, aghast. Piper was being a mother with her. And from the look on her sisters' faces, they were proud of it.