Chapter Thirty: Going in Action
It was as though the world was at its end; the Apocalypse had begun. Non-born witches were everywhere, wrecking havoc among the real demons and warlocks.
Billie and company were hiding in the basement, protected by both pyrate crystals and Crosses of Hosea drawn in clay.
"OK, let's get kicking some DIY-witch ass," Paige said grimly.
"First, we have to make sure Christy's out of the run", Billie intervened, just as somberly.
They all nodded, except for Piper, who was hugging Wyatt, her face buried in his hair.
"Don't worry, Piper. I promised I would protect him with my life," Ava coaxed her to lift her head.
"I know," Piper replied, whipping the silent tears with the back of her hand. To Wyatt, she said, "Be a good boy, OK, buddy? This is your chance to use all the magic you want."
Wyatt nodded, only too happy to oblige her for once, but his bliss tainted with the missing of his father and the distress of his mother. "It'll be OK, Mommy."
A sob finally got past Piper's self-control and she hugged him once more.
xxx
The orbs and cloud of smoke left the witches on top of the Golden Gate Bridge.
"Let's do this," Piper said, unfolding a piece of paper and holding it in front of herself for her sisters, perched behind her, to see. The others gathered around Billie's identical sheet. Wyatt was in Ava's arms.
"Magic forces black and white
Reaching out through space and light;
Listen to us, the witches' spell,
Bring The Source straight from Hell."
Hecate, only known to them as Christy, appeared in a geyser of fire. Her anger flared at the untimely interruption. Taking in the witches, she growled, baring her teeth. "You dare?" She regained composure and smiled. "Hello Ava. It's been a long time. How are the eyes?"
Ava's temper had the better of her, and she sent two green rays at The Source. The currents of green death didn't even reach her; they were evaporated by the very flames of Hell that rose like a shield around their mistress.
"Well, your deaths will be all the more easy now that you've been foolish enough to get out of your rat holes."
"You wish," Billie said defiantly.
"Crystals!" Paige commanded, lifting a hand palm toward Hecate.
The crystals used for the Devil's Snare – or Crystal Cage – orbed around The Source, in a perfect Cross-of-Hosea pattern.
"Enjoy the view," Taylor said cockily as Billie dropped a new potion at their feet and Paige orbed The Charmed Ones out.
Hecate glowered at the crystals at her feet. She took a step forward, reaching over the line but a white current shocked her foot back. She snarled, hitting the barrier with both fists, getting electrocuted all the more.
She looked up at the sky and yelled, lifting her arms high above her, "My minions, heed me! Get the witches and kill them! They must not achieve their ritual!" Her voice reverberated down to the passing bridge below and through the whole city. Angry growls answered her.