A/N: Ack! So, Daicy will probably kill me for this – but I need to apologize for such a huge gap. Things have been insane! I've been busy and writer-blocked and then I had family over for several days and was just... Blah. So I'm sorry!
Anouki90: - Smiles innocently. –
lizardmomma: Hmmm, I wonder...? Lol.
Daicy: I definitely debated having Cole kill Carsaeus vs. having the cousins do it. But Cole doing it made the most sense for the plot. Hopefully it was still good!
RandyOrtonxWifexx: Ahaha. I didn't even know, from chapter to chapter! ;)
sassytxnmama: Yes he does!
CharmedOpal: :)
Ariya Elizabeth Cullen Black: Good question!
GirlOnFire33: Still lots of loose ends!
So, I think this fanfic might finally be nearing its end. There are still a lot of loose ends to tie up, as GirlOnFire33 pointed out. And I'll be sure to wrap MOST of them up. I'll leave some wiggle room for sequels, etc – Evil Grin. – But unless, in trying to wrap things up, some Big Idea bounces into my head, I do believe we're on the downward slope from here on out. But don't worry! I DO have an idea for a sequel. And I do have several new fics I'm working on, so be on the look-out for new stuff soon-ish!
And again, so sorry for the delay!
Read, review, and – as always, most importantly – ENJOY!
...
The bonds holding Katelyn and Rebecca fell away the instant Carsaeus was gone. Katelyn stood clumsily, feeling weak and lightheaded. She held a hand out for Rebecca, who took it gratefully and pulled herself up, using the wall to aid her.
Corrine kept a cautious eye on Cole, guard still up, but Melinda ran right to her younger cousins, grabbing them in tight hugs.
"Ow, Mel," Katelyn whimpered, staggering a little under the intensity of the hug. She was still bruised and aching from the fight in the attic earlier; dried blood made a track from the cut on her forehead, trailing down the side of her face and under her chin. Her ankle throbbed and throbbed, and when she tried to put weight on it, she hissed in pain. She didn't know if it was broken or just sprained.
Melinda backed off a little, wincing in guilt. "Sorry, Kat. I'm so sorry. For everything." She licked her lips, turning to Rebecca, chest tightening. "Rebecca-."
Rebecca put a hand up, shaking her head. Melinda owed her an apology, that was for sure. But now was not the place or time. Plus, considering the circumstances...
"It's okay," Rebecca said softly, forcing a smile.
Katelyn tried to put weight on her hurt ankle and stumbled into her. Rebecca stumbled, finally regaining her balance and putting Katelyn's arm around her neck, and one of her own around Katelyn's waist. "Let's just get out of here and we'll talk about it later, okay?"
Melinda nodded, guilt and sadness weighing on her. She moved to help Rebecca support Katelyn, and they inched over to Corrine, who smiled reassuringly at all her cousins, and then affectionately at Katelyn and Rebecca.
Finally, the cousins focused on Cole, who hadn't moved, hadn't said a word. The athame he'd used to stab Carsaeus was still in his hands. He eyed the dagger as if it was his new favorite toy. Finally, he looked up at the cousins, his gaze lingering on Katelyn for a long time.
The look in his eyes... Katelyn couldn't figure out what emotions lay within those dark, fathomless eyes. But before she could even attempt to get a grasp on him, Cole had shimmered out.
...
"Ow!"
Corrine winced. "Sorry, sweetie."
Katelyn was lying on the couch, propped up with pillows behind her back. Corrine was attempting to clean and bandage the cut on her forehead, while Melinda tried to place a pillow under her injured ankle, ice pack at the ready.
"It's okay," Katelyn gasped, breathing heavily and biting back the pain. "I'm okay."
"I'm so sorry," Rebecca said, miserable. "I wish I could just heal you... But..."
Katelyn frowned at Rebecca, shaking her head. "I know. You'd have to fully embrace your demonic nature in order for your Whitelighter powers to work properly."
Rebecca hung her head, ashamed. She felt useless. What was the point of being a Whitelighter if she couldn't heal her cousins?
"Rebecca, look at me." Rebecca obeyed, and it took Katelyn a minute before she could speak again. "I get it. One day, we'll both need to... Well, we'll need to embrace our demonic heritage. We won't have a choice, because our lives will depend on it. But it doesn't have to be today and it doesn't have to be now."
Rebecca nodded, a tear sliding down her face.
"Until then..." Katelyn began, before blinding pain made her cry out.
Melinda yelped, backing off. "I'm so, so sorry, Kat!"
Katelyn was so blinded by pain, she didn't realize the lights dancing in her eyes were actually orbs until a voice spoke up.
"You four really take after your mothers, don't you?"
Corrine, Melinda, and Rebecca looked up at Karen, who looked grim. They had almost forgotten about her, in the mayhem and chaos.
"May I?" She asked, nodding at Katelyn, who looked ready to pass out.
Slowly, the three girls stood and moved away from the couch, giving Karen room to work. She placed one hand above Katelyn's head, and one above her ankle. A golden light emanated from them for a long time before fading. When it did, Katelyn gasped and sat upright, looking pale and shaky.
"Thank you," she said softly, nodding to Karen.
Karen nodded back, waiting while Corrine, Melinda, and Rebecca moved back to embrace their cousin.
"The Elders sent me to help you," Karen finally said, her words earning her four blank stares. "They couldn't interfere before now, so I apologize for not being here sooner. Though it appears you four did a pretty good job all on your own."
"Well, we didn't really do anything," Corrine replied reluctantly. "Cole killed Carsaeus."
Something flashed in Karen's eyes at the name, and she nodded. "Yes, he did. However, Carsaeus is a powerful demon and this doesn't mean he's gone for good. Please keep that in mind so you don't get caught off-guard."
There was silence for a long time, while the cousins let this information sink in. They exchanged uneasy glances.
"What about Cole?" Katelyn asked after several minutes. She played with hr hair nervously. "I mean... was he on our side or not? Will we see him again?" Her voice almost sounded hopeful, but she kept her expression neutral.
Karen shook her head. "I don't know, I'm sorry, Katelyn. Cole has always managed to come back, one way or another. It's hard to tell where his allegiances lie."
Katelyn slumped, falling silent.
"What about our Power of Four bond?" Melinda asked hesitantly. "Carsaeus broke it."
"It has been restored." At the shocked looks sent her way, Karen smiled calmly. "The bond you four share – as cousins, and as witches – can never truly be broken. Carsaeus temporarily impaired it, but it was always there. As you heal from the events that have transpired, so will your bond."
Relief filled the room, as each girl let this piece of information sink in. Melinda leaned in to hug Corrine, while Katelyn and Rebecca held hands, squeezing tightly.
"And..." Melinda paused, unsure if she should ask her next question. "What about our mothers? Will we ever get to see them again?"
At this, Karen's smile fell from her face. She shook her head slowly. "I'm sorry. You won't be allowed to see them, not for awhile, at least."
"Why not?" Rebecca demanded, tears in her eyes. "We've worked so hard, on our own, getting strong and defeating every demon that has stood in our way. We were left to fend for ourselves, and we did. So why can't we see them?"
Karen bit her lip. "Because you aren't ready. Carsaeus, everything you've endured since their deaths, even Cole: it's all part of your destiny. You have much to learn, and many demons to defeat before you will be ready to see your mothers again."
"And..." Rebecca began, pausing and glancing at Corrine uncertainly. She still didn't know about Andy. With all the bad news, she didn't know whether or not to ask.
Corrine frowned at her curiously. "What?"
Katelyn placed a hand on Rebecca's shoulder, shaking her head. She turned to Corrine and took a deep breath. "Cor... We saw Andy. But... but it wasn't him. It was a demon impersonating him. I think..." She paused, trying to find the right words. "I think Rebecca was going to ask..."
"I don't know where Andy is," Karen replied sadly, genuine grief in her eyes. "I'm so sorry."
Corrine's lip trembled. She stared at the floor, avoiding eye contact with her cousins.
"And, before you ask, Leo will not be returned to you yet either," Karen said firmly – though not cruelly. She spoke as though she hated delivering this much bad news all in one night. Like it pained her.
"But don't we need a Whitelighter? I mean, Melinda is only part Whitelighter, and Rebecca can't heal without first going all demonic on us," Katelyn questioned, narrowing her eyes. "We're new and untrained... Don't we deserve some help, with everything we've been through and all the crap the Elders are forcing us to deal with?"
Karen nodded. "Yes, and you will be assigned a new Whitelighter shortly."
"Why not you?" Katelyn questioned, suspicion thick in her voice.
Karen looked like she was fighting back emotion. Her eyes glistened, likely with tears, but they were gone before any of the cousins could see or question her. "Because I have responsibilities to attend to. But trust me, you'll be given the best, brightest and most competent Whitelighter. I can assure you, you're not alone in this battle."
No one knew what to say, so with that, Karen wished them a Blessed Be and orbed out. Though the cousins didn't know it, she orbed to the attic and stood before the Book of Shadows for a long time before breaking into silent sobs. The air around her shimmered and fell, like a veil fluttering to the ground.
Phoebe stood before the Book now, touching it softly, lovingly. She sniffled softly, murmuring a soft goodbye before yellow lights circled her and she was gone.