Chapter Eleven
The Source looked down, obviously disgusted, at the demon who was lying on the floor in front of him.
"My lord, please forgive me," he was begging. "I will succeed this time, I swear. I will kill the Charmed boy."
The Source's lips curled up into a grimace. He had no idea why he'd let this pathetic creature two tries at the same target, when his plan had required a quick and efficient death, in order to affect the Twice-Blessed as much as possible. However, this demon and his companion had managed to effectively ruin the first plan, which was why the Source would have to take extraordinary measures now.
"The witch surprised me, but he shall not this time…" the demon was still pleading on the dirty floor.
The Source, tired with having listened to such whimpers, simply created a fireball, and threw it at the demon. The demon instantly stopped his begging, and writhed as the flames began to consume him. His screams of agony filled the dark room, and once he was gone, still echoed around the stone walls for a few more seconds.
The Source had watched the demon as it died, and now, having slightly calmed his anger by killing the creature, snapped his fingers to summon two of his personal guard. The guards arrived in a shimmer, vaguely surprised, but their faces didn't betray their emotions. They had been trained for years to look blank and evil, just like the Source. And now, as the royal guard, they were definitely putting their training to good use.
"Bring me the Charmed son, the younger one," the Source growled at them.
The guards saluted the Source, chorusing, "Yes, my lord," before shimmering out.
The Source, after his guards had gone, retreated to another chamber, a more private one. He didn't worry that the demons he'd sent wouldn't find him, since they had the power to find him wherever he was (compliments of being his personal guard). In this chamber, which had been strengthened by centuries of Source power, no one would have the ability to use their magic to transport themselves in or out. This would keep the brat in the Underworld and unable to orb away.
The Source prepared a fireball, and, imagining the young man in front of him, threw the ball at the floor. A dark scorch-mark was left where it landed.
The Source grinned, convinced that this time, his plans would work.
"If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself," he mumbled as he watched the door carefully, preparing for when his guard would drag the younger Charmed son through the door.
-)-(-
Chris tapped his foot against the floor nervously as he waited for his aunts and mother to come back from the kitchen, a bunch of vanquishing potions in hand. Using himself as bait had seemed like such a brilliant idea just a short while ago, but as the moment approached, Chris was feeling decidedly anxious about the whole thing.
First of all, the potions that the Halliwell women had concocted would all be for naught, since the Source was definitely above that. Second, he hadn't even told anybody that it was the Source who was coming up after him, instead of the assassin demon they all expected.
All of this was giving Chris a bunch of jitters, which were causing everything from tapping feet to the sensation of having jellyfish in his stomach.
He was sitting in the living room, casting frequent glances at the kitchen, hoping that the older women would finish bottling the potions soon so they'd be able to leave before he chickened out.
Wyatt was also in the living room, keeping a protective eye over his younger brother as he waited for the moment when he'd leave.
Wyatt didn't admit it, but he was pretty nervous as well. He didn't want his younger brother to lure in a demon that had tried to kill him twice already, and had nearly succeeded. In fact, what he wanted to do was lock Chris up in his bedroom until this whole thing was over. Unfortunately, that wasn't going to happen, so Wyatt would have to remain in the Manor while Chris ventured outside.
Wyatt cursed inwardly as he imagined the younger man stepping outside and into direct demon fire. Why was his little brother so stubborn sometimes? His mom had said that he'd gotten it from his aunt Prue, but sometimes, Wyatt wished that instead of having his aunt's stubborn streak, Chris could have inherited some more peaceful characteristics. That way, he'd be able to keep his brother safe instead of having to reluctantly allow him to do as he wanted to do.
Chris, as if sensing Wyatt's feelings, sent him a brief smile before glancing back at the kitchen.
Finally, after having waited for what seemed like years, Piper, Paige, and Phoebe were making their way to the young men. Their hands were full of vials, most of which they were hurriedly tucking into pockets while keeping one at hand, to be very ready for when they stepped outside.
Chris, relieved, stood up. Wyatt followed suit.
Piper smiled worriedly at her younger son as she asked him in a steady voice, "Are you sure you want to do this?"
Chris nodded, not trusting himself to talk without the whole truth spilling out. With another look at his bodyguards, he made his way to the front door. He'd just put a hand on the doorknob when he heard his brother's voice behind him.
"Be careful, ok?" he was saying quietly.
Chris looked back at his older brother, surprised to see this side of him. Wyatt usually tried to be strong for everyone in his family, yet in his voice, Chris could detect a hint of weakness.
Chris, a grave look on his face to mask his fear, answered, "I will," before opening the door and stepping out into the dangerous streets.
The Charmed sisters stood at the entrance, waiting for Chris to make his way into the street before heading out after him, keeping as hidden as they could.
Wyatt closed the door behind them as they left. He was now alone in the house, as his father had gone back to Magic School to let Melinda know what was going on and keep an eye on her.
The manor was silent as Wyatt made his way back into the living room, and teased the curtains open to watch as his younger brother ventured out into the dangerous neighborhood.
-)-(-
Chris nervously rubbed the sweaty palms of his hands against his jeans, being careful not to smudge the vanquishing spell. He only hoped that his mother and aunts would remember the spell quickly, before the Source managed to kill him.
He walked down the streets, trying to appear calm and confident. He tried whistling a tune, but his dry lips were unable to produce any sound.
He could hear the occasional patter behind him as his mother and aunts found a new hiding place, but was still anxious about getting himself killed before they could do anything about it.
Chris wandered around aimlessly, trying to attract one of the most powerful creatures in the world to appear. Unfortunately, nothing seemed to be happening.
He could hear a few whispers behind him, probably Aunt Paige thinking that somehow the demon had sensed them with Chris. Chris sighed; he'd been so sure that his plan would work. He began to turn around to head back up the street, and towards the manor.
Suddenly, two strongly built demons shimmered in, on both sides of the young man. Chris's eyes widened slightly, before calling out. His mother and aunts ran out of their hiding places, potions at the ready.
Piper was the only one who was cool-headed enough to throw the potion, as her two sisters were too surprised about two demons appearing instead of only one to do anything about it.
But the demons, seeing the potion headed their way, quickly seized Chris. The young man gasped in pain as his arms were grasped in tight holds, and then looked at the potion heading their way. He prayed that the vial would reach him before anything happened.
The demons shimmered out, Chris trapped between them, and the vial harmlessly crashed onto the sidewalk, staining it with the greenish liquid that had taken so many hours to prepare.
Chris was gone.
(A/N) Ooooh! Cliffie! I feel so evil for this! Anyway, I apologize, you guys, for posting this a day late. I tried to post this yesterday, really I did, but FFN wouldn't let me log on to my account, which meant that I had to wait... and wait... and wait... and finally it's working today, so, yay!
I wanted to thank all my lovely reviewers for their beautiful reviews: Jane Mays, Patry (whose reviews I can't reply to but can honestly say I love so much!), Veradjna, and Funnie. Thank you guys for all your support!
I hope you enjoy this chapter very much, and I promise the next ones will be even more exciting! See you next week!