Legacy 209: Along Came a Phoenix
Part 4
Xxx
At the Halliwell Manor, Wyatt sat at the dining room table, editing the photos from his latest job. Working on his art was always the perfect way to clear his mind and to reflect. He was worried about Chris and his feelings for Bianca, as he wasn't sure the Phoenix witch could be trusted. He didn't want his brother to get his heart broken or worse. However, he promised that he would not intervene unless Chris asked for his help. As difficult as it was to do nothing, he was going to respect his wishes. Then there was Melinda and her mysterious visit. The more he thought about it, the more Wyatt got the idea that she was not telling him everything. She seemed too nervous when he caught her in the attic. It was weird, but Melinda had always been the most sensible of them all. If there was really something wrong, she would tell him, right?
Wyatt sighed as he realized he needed a break and more coffee, so he got up and headed to the kitchen. As he poured himself a cup, he sensed a column of orbs descending from the ceiling. Expecting to see Chris, he was surprised to instead see an Elder. Although they never met in person before, Wyatt knew the young man in front of him was Kevin.
"Hello, Wyatt." Kevin said. "Sorry for the intrusion."
"Sure, no problem." Wyatt replied.
"First things first, could you cloak the manor so we can have this conversation privately?" Kevin asked. "We have to keep our presence hidden from the Trinity."
"Of course." Wyatt said and he waved his hand, covering the entire manor in a magical cloak that would obscure them from outside forces.
"Thank you." Kevin replied. "We can't be too careful. The Trinity is still hunting what remains of the council."
"I thought you had returned to the Heavens and increased its defenses." Wyatt noted.
"We did, but we can't trust our protection will be sufficient." Kevin explained. "That's why we only return the Heavens in small groups to keep things running as best we can. The rest of the time, we are in hiding."
"I had no idea." Wyatt replied.
"Well, it shouldn't be your concern." Kevin said. "However, things are looking bad, so we have no other choice than to turn to your family and other powerful witches."
"What's going on?" Wyatt asked.
"The Trinity is gathering power in the Underworld." Kevin replied. "We believe they're building an army to destroy the council and our Whitelighters once and for all."
"How can we stop them?" Wyatt asked.
"I wish I knew." Kevin replied. "That's what we must ask of you. I know your cousin had prophetic visions and turned them into paintings. We believe they are the key to discovering their secrets and a way to stop them."
"We will do what we can." Wyatt promised.
"I know you will." Kevin replied. "I'm sorry that we have to place this burden on you, but with your Whitelighter blood, we fear it's only a matter of time before the Trinity comes after you as well."
"You mentioned other witches." Wyatt said.
"Yes, we have asked many to offer us their support." Kevin replied. "The Chosen are working with us worldwide to protect Whitelighters and their charges from Darklighters. Other magical families offer us sanctuary and keep us hidden."
"Why tell me this now?" Wyatt asked. "Why risk coming here in person instead of sending Noah?"
"I have premonitions of my own." Kevin replied. "Now was the right time to tell you, you will understand why in the future."
"You know something you're not telling me." Wyatt noted.
"I know many things, Wyatt." Kevin admitted. "I'm asking you to believe me when I tell you it's for the best that you don't know everything."
"I've always trusted the council to do what's right, but isn't keeping secrets exactly what's gotten us into this mess?" Wyatt asked. "You kept the Trinity imprisoned in secret and now they threaten us all."
"The council couldn't destroy them back then." Kevin replied. "Not just because they were too powerful, but also because of the deep personal connections. It is a very painful part of our history."
"Just because it's painful doesn't mean you can ignore it." Wyatt said.
"So we've learned." Kevin agreed. "And we paid the price for it. Half of the council is gone, including Sandra. And let's not forget Odin is still imprisoned in the Underworld."
"Sorry, I know the council is hurting." Wyatt replied.
"It's alright, I understand your frustrations." Kevin said. "And as for Noah, I have foreseen he is meant to play a vital role in this conflict."
"Can't you just tell me what you've seen?" Wyatt asked.
"My premonitions are not like those of your aunt or cousin, Wyatt." Kevin replied. "I've seen what is meant to happen, but every action I take could prevent it from coming to pass. Look after my friend, please. He will need you as much as you need him."
Before Wyatt had a chance to ask what Kevin meant, the youthful-looking Elder disappeared in a column of orbs. Wyatt sighed as he finally took a sip of his cold coffee. He now understood why his mother and aunts had such a low opinion of the council, as the entire conversation was cryptic and barely helpful. However, it did make one thing clear. They couldn't ignore the Trinity for much longer. Wyatt had to do his best to keep his family together and protect them, meaning he could no longer let himself get distracted. He poured the cold coffee down the drain and lifted the cloak as he left the kitchen.
Xxx
Melinda stood in front of the shocked Faye, having just revealed her magic to her. It was the right thing to do, as she needed to know the danger was in. However, that didn't mean that accepting the truth would be any easier.
"Please sit down so we can talk." Melinda said.
"How did you do that?" Faye asked. "You vanished."
"Actually no, I simply froze you." Melinda said. "Then I walked inside."
"Froze?" Faye asked. "What do you mean?"
"Well, that's kind of difficult to explain." Melinda admitted. "It looks like I'm freezing time but I actually slow down molecules so time appears frozen. But those are details that aren't important right now."
"How?" Faye asked.
"Please sit." Melinda repeated. "This is going to be a lot to take it."
Faye nodded and closed the door before sitting down on the couch. Melinda sat down next to her and took a deep breath. How was she supposed to tell her that her baby was in danger? Better to start at the beginning and reveal what her family was.
"I'm a witch." Melinda said. "A full-on magical witch with powers. Actually, my entire family are witches."
"Witches?" Faye asked with a frown. "I'm supposed to believe that?"
"Well, I was hoping my freezing trick would be enough to convince you." Melinda said. "Perhaps a spell will do the trick."
Melinda looked around the apartment and noticed the kitchen sink was filled with dirty dishes. She got up and started chanting one of her favorite spells. She remembered using it often as a kid to clean up the rooms of her brothers when they were being lazy to help out her mom.
"Let the object of objection become but a dream,
As I cause the seen, to be unseen."
White orbs appeared above the sink and surrounded the dirty dishes, cleaning them and transporting them back into one of the cupboards, leaving the sink spotless. Faye let out a scream and jumped up, making her way over to the sink to see if what she was seeing was actually real.
"Do you believe me now?" Melinda asked. "I'm not trying to freak you out, but it's important to know the truth."
"You can do magic." Faye said. 'You're witch. You're entirely family is?"
"Yes, I'm sorry you have to find out like this." Melinda replied. "But it's important to know because…"
"Wyatt." Faye interrupted her as she placed a hand on her belly. "That means my baby… is a witch?"
"Probably." Melinda replied. "Magic is hereditary in most cases. We're born with it, even if we rather weren't."
"Magic is real." Faye said. "My abuela always said it was, but I never believed her. She used to visit this medicine woman and I thought it was just wishful thinking."
"Why did she go there?" Melinda asked.
"It's nothing, just stupid superstition." Faye replied. "I still can't believe all of this is real."
"Well, honestly, you're taking it very well." Melinda said. "People often freak out."
"Oh, I'm definitely freaking out." Faye counted. "I'm just trying to stay calm for the baby. I can't believe my baby is going to have magic."
"That's why I asked if you had experienced anything weird at the club." Melinda said. "I wasn't trying to insult you. I wanted to know if the baby had come into its powers."
"Is that possible?" Faye asked. "It's not even born yet."
"It's very possible." Melinda said. "But then again, I was able to freeze you. I shouldn't be able to freeze good witches."
"What does that mean?" Faye asked.
"Either the baby isn't a witch or it hasn't come into its powers yet." Melinda replied. "Or maybe it somehow wanted you to know truth and allowed you to be frozen?"
"Wait, you said good witches." Faye noted. "Does that mean there are evil witches as well?"
"Unfortunately, yes." Melinda replied. "And not just witches, there are many types of evil in the world. Good witches fight them to protect the innocent."
"I don't want my baby involved in all of that." Faye said determined. "I want it to be safe."
"I understand, more than you think." Melinda replied. "I might be a witch myself, but I walked away from the fight. I never wanted magic in the first place. I'm just trying to live an ordinary life as much as possible. You can do the same."
"Really?" Faye asked hopefully. "So my baby won't be in any danger."
"I wish I could say yes, Faye." Melinda admitted. "But I need to talk to you about why I'm here. I think your baby is already in danger."
"No…" Faye said as tears formed in her eyes. "It's the woman in white, isn't it?"
"Yes." Melinda replied. "She is a spirit called a weeping woman, she is after unborn children."
"La Llorona." Faye whispered.
"What does that mean?" Melinda asked.
"The superstition I was telling you about." Faye said. "The reason my abuela went to the medicine woman. She was convinced our family was somehow cursed and that one day, La Llorona would come."
"Do you know why?" Melinda asked.
"In Mexican folklore, La Llorana is a woman that drowned herself after she lost her children." Faye replied. "I had nearly forgotten the story, but maybe that's why I was convinced it was just a nightmare when I began seeing her."
"I'm afraid she is real." Melinda said. "I saw her after you left the club. She has attached herself to your baby."
"No, no, this can't be happening." Faye cried out. "I can't lose my baby."
"Faye, listen to me." Melinda said as she grabbed her hands and squeezed them. "I will protect your baby. I won't let anything happen to it."
"Him." Faye said softly. "It's a boy."
"Really?" Melinda asked.
"Yeah, I wanted to keep it a secret until he was born, but now that he's in danger…" Faye explained. "Please Melinda, you have to protect my son."
"I will." Melinda said.
Faye nodded and wiped away her tears, feeling a little comforted. Melinda was relieved she was willing to listen and trust her, otherwise this would have been even more difficult. She walked over to the kitchen to fetch Faye a glass of water but stopped when her breath suddenly turned icy. The lights in the apartment flickered and rain began pouring against the window.
"She's coming." Melinda whispered.
Melinda dropped the glass of water and rushed to Faye. They needed to get out of here. A chill ran down her spine and Faye screamed. Melinda turned around to see the weeping woman rise from the puddle of water on the floor. Her dark hair was covering her face. Melinda grabbed Faye and ran to the door, but when she opened it, it instantly slammed shut again. The woman reached out her hand and let out a wailing sound. Melinda threw up and hands in an attempt to freeze her, but she was immune to her power.
"What do we do?" Faye called out.
Melinda tried to think of everything she knew about spirits as Faye continued to pull on the door. Every spirit had a weakness, and this one was connected to water, she was standing in it. She should be able to use that somehow. Her eyes fell on a lamp standing next to her. That could work. She knocked over the lamp and it fell toward the spirit, passing through her but shattering on the floor. The electricity from the lamp sent a shockwave through the weeping woman, causing her to scream out in agony and retreat into the puddle. Faye was finally able to open the door and the two women fled the apartment.
Xxx
Chris shivered as he stood on the rooftop of a warehouse in Boston. It was dark and he wished he had brought a jacket with him. Bianca was sitting on the edge of the building. He had sutured the cut on her arm perfectly, so it would likely heal without leaving a scar. The Phoenix had not winced once as he closed the wound, even though she had no anesthetic except for the bottle of bourdon. He sat down next to her.
"Here." Bianca said she passed the bottle. "Should help with the cold."
Chris accepted the bottle and took a sip. It burned in his throat but did give him a warmer feeling. They continued to pass the bottle between them.
"Why did you pick this place?" Chris asked.
"This is where I made my first kill." Bianca admitted.
"I see." Chris replied. "Tell me about it."
"You don't want to hear it." Bianca noted. "You wouldn't understand."
"Try me." Chris said.
"I was sixteen when my aunt gave me my first contract." Bianca began to tell. "We had been hired to kill a man who had murdered his wife but had gotten off on a technicality. Her family wanted vengeance of course. I hunted him down and chased him to this very rooftop."
"What did you do?" Chris asked.
"I needed to make sure." Bianca said. "So, I told him to confess his sins. He admitted it and begged for his life. I prepared my athame, but I hesitated. He saw and tried to attack me. We struggled until I kicked him and he fell off the roof to his death."
"Why did you hesitate?" Chris asked. "It was everything you were trained for."
"My mom." Bianca admitted. "Although she was a proud Phoenix, she told me that taking a life was the hardest thing you could do. That each time you did it, it was like killing a part of yourself."
"You were just a kid." Chris said.
"No, I was weak." Bianca replied. "He nearly killed me just like he did his wife. I knew I needed to become stronger. I convinced myself he deserved it."
"Do you believe that?" Chris asked.
"I did for a while." Bianca continued. "I convinced myself they all deserved it. After all, I was hired to kill them, so they must have done something wrong, right? But that feeling my mom told me about never really went away."
"I'm sorry you had to go through that." Chris said.
"Don't." Bianca snapped at him. "I don't want pity or sympathy. I'm a killer, which will never change. I'm the evil that you were thought to fight."
"You're not evil." Chris replied.
"How can you say that?" Bianca asked as she looked in his eyes.
"Someone who is truly evil wouldn't hate themselves as much as you do." Chris replied. "They would feel no remorse or guilt. You might have done evil things, Bianca, but you have a heart."
"Do you honestly believe that?" Bianca asked.
"I do." Chris replied. "And much as you try to deny it, you know it too."
Bianca stared at Chris and for the first time, he saw tears form in her eyes. She was not the ruthless killer that she believed she was. She was a woman who was raised in a horrible way, but was struggling to break free and escape it. She was the woman he had loved in a different timeline and perhaps the woman he loved even now. Chris leaned in and kissed her. Her past didn't matter to him, nothing did. Bianca returned his kiss with passion. It felt like she craved to feel love more than anything.
"That was… something." Chris said as they stopped.
"It was." Bianca admitted. "I shouldn't have done that."
"Why not?" Chris asked. "Why do you keep denying your feelings?"
"I can't talk about this." Bianca replied.
A nearby clock tower chimed, signaling it was midnight and ending the moment. Bianca's demeanor changed in an instant as she got up. She had once again assumed the role of cold-blooded assassin. Chris also got up and followed her to the center of the roof, where two women appeared in a shimmer. The first was a matronly woman that could only be the matriarch of the Phoenix. The second was a younger woman with bleached blonde hair, wearing an assassin outfit. Chris realized that she was probably the one Bianca had fought the day before.
"Alright Bianca." The matriarch said calmly, though there was a deep anger in her voice. "You got your meeting. So tell me why I shouldn't kill you right now for the death of my daughter?"
xxx