"We need a plan," Piper said to her sisters as they convened at the dining room table. "Tell me again why we had no idea that this prophecy even existed?"
"Because while good used our prophecy to create fear in the heart of evil, the other side kept it a secret in order to keep us from having time to prepare," Prue said. "Four brothers, each with a unique power of their own, destined to be the greatest force of evil the world has ever known; the evil charmed ones," she said with a dark edge to her voice.
"Piper's right, we need a plan," Phoebe said backing her up. "It's the only way to know that we're prepared when we come up against them."
"So we come up with a plan of attack. So what's first on the list," Paige asked.
"Well, the problem with evil is that it tends to hide in plain sight and comes out in strong numbers. We should take out any allies these brothers might have," Prue said. "Cut off their resources."
"Okay, but we should also make sure we protect our resources," Paige added. "Chances are these brothers will retaliate and we need all the help we can get."
"So we need offensive and defensive strategies," Phoebe said. "How do we choose what to do?"
"Well, I can think of one person who can help us," Piper said. "As long as you don't mind losing a little blood," she added wrinkling her nose at the thought.
"Well, the spell works by blood calling blood, so it shouldn't hurt... much," Piper said handing the knife to Paige.
"You lied, you lied," Phoebe said before handing the knife to a reluctant Paige. "Okay, come on guys. It'll be just like the summer by the lake. Remember when we made a blood oath to be friends forever, not just sisters?"
Prue took the knife that Phoebe was holding out to Paige and pricked her finger with it.
"I remember Piper's finger got infected," Paige said.
"Yeah, but the oath worked," Prue reminded her and held the knife out for her.
"And she couldn't go in the water for three weeks. Don't hand me that knife," Paige told her eldest sister; she still looked squeamish.
"How are you gonna cut yourself," Prue asked smartly.
"She's not," Piper said grabbing the knife and pricking Paige's finger.
"Ow," the youngest cried.
"All over," Piper said. "Come on, it's not like we've never bled for a potion before," she reminded Paige.
"Paige," Phoebe started to say.
"I can't stand the sight of blood," she said cutting her sister off.
"Evil beings have blown up in our attic," Prue reminded her.
"Disintegrated to dust right before our very eyes," Piper added.
"And you're afraid of a little drop of blood," Prue asked.
"Alright already," Paige said. "Jeez, you already jabbed me so can we get on with the spell?"
Dripping their blood into a ceremonial bowl the sisters began to chant and magic could be felt in the air. "Penelope Halliwell, blood of our blood...Our grandmother. We summon thee," they said calling on their magic.
Shiny baubles of light floated until Penny's figure formed. "Hello darlings. It's so nice to see you again, or rather, to be seen by you again. Now, how can I help you?"
"I have to say I am extremely pleased you thought of me," Penny said to her granddaughters. "Your instincts were right, I am extremely experienced in the art of battling demons," she continued not noticing the eye rolls and goofy smirking in response to her arrogance. "Now, let's see. Where to begin," she murmured. "Well, let's start by making lists. We can start with our offense."
"We wanted to compile a list of allies the brothers might have and take them out," Prue told Grams.
"Good, you'll cut them off at the knees. Now, who would need to be on this list?"
"All the major players," Piper responded. "The source, the triad, associates of the Rowe coven. Just about anyone who they can draw strength from."
"Good, good. That's a start. It also means we need to do some investigating, getting a picture of their lives," Grams said. "Phoebe and Paige can get started on that."
"Why us," Paige complained.
"Because, my dear, you have the power to appear and disappear in places one would never expect, and Phoebe's power of premonition can help get us the drop on what their plans are. It's just a fact finding mission. You two should be able to remain safe."
"Then what should Piper and I do," Prue asked.
"You are going to call Andy and see if he can get any background checks on these warlocks, just in case the girls can't get anything. Then, you and Piper and I are going to sit down, go through the book, and make our hit list."
"Hit list," Piper asked. "Why Grams, I never knew you had it in you to sound like a hit man," she joked.
"My darlings, there is a great deal you don't know about my style," she replied with a smug smile.
Prue made a call to Andy who got started on the background checks for the sisters. He had been aware of her secret for years now and tried to help out whenever he could, knowing that somehow the sisters were making the world a better place to be. Finding information on Kaleb, Greg, and Paul had been difficult as the mostly stayed off the grid. Brendan, however, was a lot easier to find and oddly enough it was through Andy's priest that he ended up locating the warlock.
"So he's a warlock masquerading as a priest," Prue asked Andy over the phone.
"Whatever he is, he's involved with Father Austin. Just promise me that whatever you do, you'll keep him safe. I received my first communion from him; he's a good man. He doesn't deserve to be a casualty."
"I promise you, Andy. Father Austin will be perfectly safe. I'll make sure of it. I've gotta go, but tell Susan I said hi."
"Sure, maybe after this is all done you can come over for dinner. She misses her best friend," Andy told her.
"Well her best friend misses her too. I just don't want to get her in the middle of anything. I'll talk to you later, okay," Prue said and hung up. Putting the phone back on its hook, she left the kitchen and found Grams and Piper sitting at the dining table making a list. "Uh, that was Andy. He couldn't find much on the older three, but the youngest lives around here at Andy's church."
"You're kidding me, right?" Piper looked at her in disbelief. "That's just sacrilegious," she added.
"I don't know what's going on but Andy said that Brendan's attending seminary school and has been volunteering at the church for years now. It's either a very clever ruse or it might be our way to destroy his brothers."
"Prue, darling, do you really think this warlock is capable of helping us destroy his prophecy? This is probably a trick, a way to allow one of them into your life in order to find out your game plan."
"Then we let him in," Prue said.
"Are you kidding me?" Piper looked at her sister as if she were nuts. "You want to let the warlock come home for supper," she quipped.
"No, but if he's here we can throw him off by feeding him false information and if he really is trying to get away from his brothers then he can be an ally."
"What are the chances that he's really trying to get away from them," Piper asked.
"None," Grams answered.
"We can't know that," Prue said. "And if we don't let him in, even to just keep an eye on him and figure out their plans, and it turns out he's exactly what he's trying to make it look like…then he's an innocent," she said and Piper and Grams released the breaths they were holding.
"So in other words we have no choice," Piper argued.
"None," Grams repeated her earlier sentiment.
Paige and Phoebe had gone down to the underworld to see what they could dig up. After several hours of finding nothing, they responded to Prue's call and orbed back to the manor.
"Did you find anything," Phoebe asked.
"Oh, just that the youngest is attending seminary at Andy's old church," Piper told them.
"Wait, this warlock is trying to become a priest? That's just wrong, now we have to take him down," Paige said offended at the notion.
"Yeah, well try telling that to Prue. She came up with the brilliant idea of leading him back here."
"Why?"
"Oh, the possibility that he actually does want to be a priest which would make him a good guy," Piper said and was interrupted by Phoebe.
"Um, hello! Did she learn nothing from the Cole thing?"
"Oh, I learned plenty," Prue said entering the attic where she and Piper had moved the operation a couple of hours ago. "I also know that it's better to keep your enemies close. Even Grams is warming up to the idea."
"What about mom and dad," Phoebe said, knowing they would probably be against it.
"Do you really want to involve them? They just got away from all the fighting," Paige said.
"Look, this plan will allow us to keep an eye on him, find his brothers who are pretty much nonexistent to the rest of the world, and find out what they might be planning. Now, it just so happens that the seminary students are attending a retreat which means his room will be empty. It would be a good time to go and see if Pheebs can get a premonition off of any of his stuff," Prue commanded.
Paige looked at Prue and knew her tone allowed no margin for nonsense. Holding out her hand, she orbed once Phoebe took it and brought them to the church. "Do you know what we're supposed to be looking for," Paige asked.
"Anything that seems personal so I can get a read off of," Phoebe answered and the two started searching the room. It was bare and lacked furnishings other than the bed and a small dresser.
"He doesn't seem to have too much personal stuff," Paige said.
"Hey, what about this," Phoebe asked as she found a worn picture of a young Brendan with a woman that looked to be his mother. She pulled it out of his dresser draw and was pulled into memories of Brendan's past. "Oh my god," she said and put the picture back.
"What is it?"
"Prue was right, he's an innocent."
"What," Paige said in disbelief. "What did you see?"
"Brendan, being attacked at the retreat by his brothers. We have to get back to the manor. Come on," she urged grabbing Paige's hand.
"So, he is an innocent," Grams said. "Well that is a surprise, and a lucky break. It means the brothers haven't created their bond and we are ahead of schedule."
"Are you coming with us," Paige asked.
"No, I'll stay here and prepare for his brothers just in case they follow you back here. Now go," she commanded and watched them take off in bright orbs.