"Defense of the Realm" [PG-13]

[mcharmed21]

"And what about Wyatt?"

This time, Piper answered, "Chris dropped him off with Mrs. McNeill. The Elder. She was the only person I could think of to take care of Wyatt. So . . ." She ended the conversation with a shrug. "Let's go."

Paige turned to Chris. "Where do we go?"

"Link hands. I'll take you there." The young whitelighter grabbed Piper's hands. She grabbed Paige's, who grabbed Phoebe's. All four orbed out of the living room. A second later, they reappeared in an alley in Sausalito. "This is it," Chris declared. "Just around the corner is the theater where Elder James saw a movie."

Paige watched Phoebe glance around the alley. "Found something, Pheebs?"

"Like what?" the other witch demanded. "There's nothing for me to find. No clue or anything." Her eyes fell upon the ground.

Piper added, "Can't you pick up on any strong psychic aura or something? Like you did, when Prue was empathic?"

"That was a once-in-a-lifetime moment, Piper. I was never able to do that again. Besides," Phoebe sighed, "that so-called psychic aura was probably strong, because we were dealing with empathic powers. I can't sense any . . ."

Chris interrupted. "What's this?" He knelt to the ground.

The three sisters crowded around their whitelighter. Paige pointed at an object on the ground. A broken end of a thin stick, with feathers protruding from it. "Is that an arrow?" she asked, reaching for the object.

Phoebe slapped the younger woman's hand. "Paige! Don't touch that! It's probably part of a darklighter's arrow." She picked up the broken shaft. And a gasp left her mouth.

Paige frowned. "Phoebe?"

"I saw it!" the middle Charmed One cried. "I saw what happened to Kevin."

"What?"

According to Phoebe, she saw a dark-haired woman dressed in black, shoot the young Elder. "Twice," she added. "After the first time, Kevin tried to pull the arrow out of his back and broke off the end."

Piper placed a reassuring hand on Phoebe's shoulder. "Oh honey! Are you okay?"

"I also had another vision," Phoebe added. "I saw the dark-haired woman and a man - also with dark hair and a thin face - talking to another woman . . . in the Whitelighter Realm."

Both Paige and Piper exchanged uneasy glances. Chris said, "Describe her. The other woman."

"Uh . . . she's in her early forties. Light brown hair." Phoebe paused. "It's styled in a shoulder-length bob. Like Kathryn Janeway on STAR TREK VOYAGER. The later years."

Chris' face turned pale. "Ohmigod! You and Paige were right!"

"Huh? Right about what?" Paige demanded.

After a brief pause, Chris added dramatically, "Mathilda. Phoebe had just described Mathilda, the one who had been kicked off the Elders' Council. She's the one behind their deaths."


END OF CHAPTER 9

CHAPTER 10 -


While Darryl and Scott hovered behind her, Olivia typed 'LIN BRYANT' in the Google search engine and hit the 'ENTER' key. A list of web sites appeared on the screen.

Darryl pointed to the second entry. "Try that one," he suggested. Olivia used her mouse to click on the suggested site. "Hmmm. The Bryant and Winslow Auction House. Isn't the name of that guy from the Magan Corporation supposed to be Winslow?"

"Arthur Winslow," Olivia answered.

Then Darryl read the address and paused with a thoughtful expression on his face. "What?" Scott asked.

"That address looks very familiar."

Olivia heaved an exasperated sigh. "Well, aren't you going to cough it up, or what?"

Ignoring his partner's outburst, Darryl added, "That was the same address for Buckland's Auction House. Where Prue used to work."

"Who's Prue?" Scott asked. “And what the hell is the Magan Corporation?”<br>
Olivia explained, "Prue Halliwell used to date Andy Trudeau. I graduated from high school with her, and like me and her sisters, she was a witch. She also used to work at Buckland's. And now Lin Bryant owns it. Along with Arthur Winslow. Interesting." She paused. “I’ll tell you about the Magan Corporation, later. Uncle Wei knows about it.”<br>
A sigh left Darryl's mouth. "Okay Scott, I need you to check Lin Bryant's personal bank account and the account for Bryant and Winslow Auction House. See if there has been any withdrawals made around Kostopulos and Liederhoff's deaths."

"Right." Scott immediately left.

Olivia added, "Looks like we were right about supernatural circumstances surrounding this case. Maybe we can check some of the books at my apartment for anything on those medallions. After we visit Ms. Bryant."

"Supernatural." Darryl shook his head. "How are we going to explain this to the captain?"

With a shrug, Olivia said, "Well, we've got Gallagher behind bars on the two murders. We'll just do what we've done before. Leave out the supernatural stuff for McPherson. Right?" Her green eyes penetrated Darryl's.

[mcharmed21]

Cole reached for his telephone and dialed the number to Phoebe's office. The telephone rang several times before he heard the following recording:


"Hi! This is Phoebe Halliwell.
I'm either on the phone, away from my desk or
Out of the office, right now.
Please leave your name, telephone number and a brief message at
The sound of the beep.
I will get back to you."

A beep rang in Cole's ear and he hung up. Then he glanced at the clock on the left wall. Phoebe usually went to lunch around noon. It was now twenty minutes past one. What could have led her to be twenty-one minutes late getting back to work? Had something regarding the debacle in the Whitelighters Realm delayed her return? Recalling the concerns of his houseguest, Cole decided to pay a visit to the Halliwell manor and find out.

* * * *


The three police officers appeared before the Bryant and Winslow Auction House on Montgomery. "I hope that Carlotta and Marcus won't get pissed for being cut out of this arrest," Scott commented.

"Don't worry," Darryl replied. "I ordered them to look into the Carlyle case." He sighed. "Listen, Olivia and I will arrest Ms. Bryant. You stay in the lobby. If she gives us any trouble . . ."

Scott nodded. "I'll be there."

The trio entered the building. For a moment, Darryl felt a sense of déjà vu - as if he had stepped back into time. He could almost see Prue and Andy's ghosts, along with those two warlocks that had taken control of Bucklands, five years ago. Until he spied a pair of eyes belonging to a stone dragon glaring at him. Darryl glanced around and noticed the other Asian artifacts that filled the lobby. Yep. The old Bucklands office had definitely changed.

"May I help you?" a pretty young woman of Asian descent asked the visitors.

Darryl flashed his badge at the receptionist. "Lieutenant Morris, along with Inspectors McNeill and Yi of the San Francisco Police. We would like to see a Ms. Lin Bryant."

The young woman flashed a brief frown at Scott, before she picked up her telephone. After speaking a few words, she said to Darryl, "You can find Ms. Bryant in Room 48. Down the hall and to your left." Unease flickered in her dark eyes, as Scott sat down in one of the lobby's chairs. Darryl and Olivia went in search of the owner.

One look at Lin Bryant and her sleek, modern office almost led Darryl to believe that he had been transported into a James Bond movie. The dealer projected the image of an exotic beauty - delicate Eurasian features that included almond-shaped hazel-green eyes, high cheekbones, full lips and black hair that cascaded around her oval-shaped face. "Miss Bryant?" he greeted. "I'm . . ."

The businesswoman interrupted, "Lieutenant Morris of the police. Yes, my receptionist had informed me." She spoke in a slight British accent. Then she glanced at Olivia. "And this is?"

"I'm Inspector McNeill," Olivia crisply replied.

One of Ms. Bryant's brows formed an arch, as her eyes examined Olivia's wardrobe. Comparing tastes, perhaps? Despite her simple style, Olivia's clothes had obviously cost a pretty penny. Darryl eyed Ms. Bryant's own cream-colored pantsuit and realized that he could say the same about the dealer's outfit. "So," Ms. Bryant continued, "How may I help you?"

Darry said, "My partner and I are investigating the murders of two men - Stefan Kostopulos and Gregory Liederhoff. Mr. Kostopulos was the owner of an antiquity shop who was robbed and murdered nearly three weeks ago. Mr. Liederhoff, a dealer from the East Coast, had been murdered a few days ago, inside his hotel room at the Powell House Hotel. He had also been robbed."

"Wha . . .?" An appalled expression appeared on Ms. Bryant's face. "My God! Poor Gregory! I wondered what happened to him!"

"So you knew Mr. Liederhoff?"

Ms. Bryant shook her head. "No, I've never met him. But we had an appointment to see each other, yesterday. Regarding a certain piece of merchandise."

"A medallion?" Olivia added. "About 10 centimeters, and with strange markings? A similar item was missing from Mr. Kostopulos' store."

Now looking sympathetic, Ms. Bryant said, "Something like that. Is that why you came to see me? Because of Mr. Liederhoff? I had talked with him over the telephone on several occasions, but I've never met this Mr. Kosto . . . whatever."

"Kostopulos," Darryl corrected. He paused and exchanged a brief glance with Olivia. "By the way, the killer of both men was caught." Anxiety flickered in the dealer's dark eyes. "His name is Gerry Gallagher."

"Oh?"

Olivia asked, "Why were you interested in Mr. Liederhoff's medallion?"

The Eurasian woman turned her attention to the redhead. "It belonged to a set of medallions that had been forged for a secret society of Russian knights during the Dark Ages. They belonged to the Order of Mintz. The medallions are considered priceless. I was lucky that Mr. Liederhoff was willing to sell me his for a reasonable price."

Darryl said, "I'm surprised that he was willing to sell it to you in the first place, if it was so valuable."

"Poor Gregory. He needed the money. His business in New York wasn't doing so well."

"And you knew nothing about Kostopulos' medallion?"

Ms. Bryant frowned. "Of course not. If I had known that a similar item was here in San Francisco, I would have never contacted Gregory."

[mcharmed21]

"Really?" Olivia's comment drew a hard stare from the dealer. "Because according to Gerry Gallagher, he had been hired by you to steal both medallions."

A long, silent pause followed before the other woman angrily protested, "That's absurd! This Gallagher fellow is lying!"

Darryl leaned back into his seat. "Perhaps. But we had checked a few bank accounts - including Mr. Gallagher's, yours and the one belonging to this auction house. The day before the Kostopulos murder, you had withdrawn five thousand dollars from this business' bank account. Gallagher deposited twenty-five hundred dollars later that day and twenty-five hundred on the day after the murder."

"Then three days ago, you withdrew another five thousand dollars from your business account," Olivia continued. "Gallagher deposited twenty-five hundred before Liederhoff's murder and twenty-five hundred after. I believe there's a pattern forming here."

Despite her stoic expression, Ms. Bryant's chin trembled. She stood up and walked around her desk. "Is that all you have on me? Circumstantial evidence? Am I supposed to be worried?"

"Granted, the evidence may seem circumstantial," Darryl commented. "But if you add Gallagher's confession, along with the fact that you were scheduled to meet with Gregory Liederhoff . . . Well, it doesn't exactly look good for you. Would you like to comment, Ms. Bryant?"

The door burst open, revealing two Asian men bearing guns. A smirk appeared on the dealer's face. "Yes I do, Lieutenant. How about . . . please hand over your weapons, officers?"

* * * *



The remaining members of the Whitelighter Council - all four of them - gathered inside the Council's chambers to discuss potential new members. "I cannot believe it," Gideon XXXXX declared. A tall, angular man with intimidating eyes, he was one of the two remaining survivors of the old Elders Council. "Only four of us left. This is certainly a dark day for the Realm."

Johann rolled his eyes in disgust. Pretentious bastard, the darklighter thought. He found himself regretting that neither he or Belinda had targeted the headmaster of a magic school, operated by the whitelighters. "Do you have any suggestions on who might fill the Council's empty seats?"

"I have a suggestion," Serafina Villabos said. She was the whitelighter who had been initiated as an Elder at the same time as Johann. "How about Emil Lubcheck?"

Gideon frowned. "I'm not certain about him. I fear that he lacks . . . the character to assume responsibility of an Elder."

"Nonsense!" Serafina protested. "We had a thirteen year-old boy on the Council for over a year! And he never had any experience as a whitelighter."

Gideon stared at Johann and the fourth Elder, a tall, middle-aged man with pale skin named William Prescott. Johann had no idea how William felt, but he felt willing to accept Serafina's candidate. After all, they would soon all be dead.

"I agree with Serafina," William said. "The old Council had been considering him as a replacement for Ramius anyway, until the latter gave Kevin his powers. Johann?"

The Austrian shrugged his shoulders. "I have no problem with the choice." The four Elders then proceeded to choose two other members, before Johann announced his suggestion. "Belinda Benedict," he said, referring to his fellow darklighter, who had also infiltrated the Realm. He held his breath, while the others discussed his choice.

"What do we know about her?" Gideon asked. Johann revealed details of Belinda's past four years as a faux whitelighter.

Johann added, "She has a very good record with her charges. Responsible. Strong-willed. Good Elder material."

Gideon sighed. "I see no reason to reject her. Despite her minimum experience. William? Serafina?" He spoke the last Elder's name in a chilly manner.

The other two agreed to Johann's suggestion, much to his relief. Then the Austrian turned to Gideon, aware of the conversation they had before the beginning of this meeting. And right on cue, the magic school headmaster added, "By the way, I have one last suggestion. An . . . old timer."

"Who is he?" William asked.

Gideon corrected, "She." He paused dramatically. "Mathilda Everard. I suggest that we reinstate her back on the Council."

* * * *


Darryl stared at the antiquity dealer in disbelief. He and Olivia now stood before her. "You don't really expect to get away with killing two police officers, do you?"

"No. I expect to avoid a lengthy stay in your state prison," Ms. Bryant shot back. "Your weapons, please."

Both Darryl and Olivia exchanged a quick glance that expressed hope Scott would intervene. As Darryl reached for his Glock pistol, he saw an object fling from one of the office shelves and strike one of the gunmen in the neck. "Ow!" the man cried, before he dropped his gun.

At that moment, Olivia snatched letter opener and flung it at the same gunman, stabbing him in the hand. Another gunman aimed his weapon at the redhead, but Darryl whipped out his Glock and shot the former in the chest - twice. The second gunman fell to the floor.

Olivia took out her gun, but a well-placed kick from Ms. Bryant knocked it out of her hand. Even worse, the auction dealer swiftly punched Olivia, sending the redhead flying onto the desk. Alarmed, Darryl cried out his partner's name. Olivia quickly recovered and rolled off the desk. Before he could watch the upcoming showdown between the two women, the third gunman raced out of the office, shouting something in Chinese.

Behind him, Darryl noticed that the two women had finally come to blows. He had heard of Olivia's martial arts skills from the Halliwells, but had never witnessed it. Until now. Judging from the way she blocked Ms. Bryant's blows, he realized that Olivia would feel right at home in a kung fu movie. And so could Ms. Bryant.

Loud shots and gunfire from the hallway told Darryl that Scott might be in trouble. He rushed out of the office and found his other partner engaged in a fight with two men. The third gunman from the office aimed his weapon at Scott. Darryl aimed his own Glock and cried out, "Put the gun down! Now!" The gunman whirled around and shot at the police lieutenant. Just as two bullets whizzed past his face, Darryl pumped another two into the perpetrator - who slumped to the floor.

Scott knocked one man out with a swift punch to the jaw. He took out the second man with two roundhouse kicks in the face. Then he turned around and saw Darryl standing over the dead gunman. "What the hell?"

"Ms. Bryant had decided that she was going to avoid a prison sentence, even if it meant killing us. Three guys with guns had appeared in her office."

"Where's Olivia?"

Darryl sighed. "She's . . ." Then he let out a gasp. "@#%$! I forgot! She's still fighting that Bryant woman!" He ran back toward the office, with Scott at his heels. The two men halted in the office doorway and saw the two women still fighting . . . and stared at the amazing display of fighting skill between the two.

Just as the Bryant woman was about to deliver a devastating punch to Olivia's face, the latter blocked it and immediately threw a punch to Ms. Bryant's face. Then she whirled around and back kicked the latter's legs from under, dropping the other woman to the floor. Bleeding at the mouth, Olivia turned to her two colleagues. "What happened to that other gu . . .?"

Darryl gasped at the sight of the bruised Ms. Bryant, levitating to the ceiling. Olivia whirled around and shot out her arm. The dealer flew backward, until her body struck the bookshelf behind the desk with a sickening crash, causing the latter to slump to the floor unconscious.

Olivia wiped the blood from her mouth. "Talk about your difficult fight! What happened to the third guy?"

"I shot him in the hallway," Darryl replied. "Scott left two other guys outside, as well."

Scott stared at Olivia. "Where in the hell did you learn to fight like that?" She shot him a sardonic look. "Oh! I forgot. Master Chan, of course."

Darryl sauntered over to one of the gunmen, who continued to nurse a wounded hand and neck. "Hey! @#%$!" Darryl barked. "You have some questions to answer for us."

With a sullen expression stamped on his face, the gunman released a spew of vitriolic words in Chinese. Scott knelt beside the man and pressed a thumb against the other’s neck wound. The latter screamed in pain. Scott barked a few words in Chinese, until the other man replied. Olivia said to Darryl, “According to our friend, Ms. Bryant had been hired six years ago to find several of these medallions. Nine of them, as a matter of fact.”<br>
“Nine?” Darryl cried out in surprise. He said to Scott, “Ask him who had hired the lady.”<br>
Again, Scott spoke to the gunman, who quickly answered Although Darryl did not understand Chinese, he quickly caught the words – ‘Magan Corporation’.

[mcharmed21]

Olivia gasped. “Magan Corporation?”<br>
“Who?” Scott asked.

“It’s a long story.” The redhead knelt beside the wounded man and asked him a question in Chinese. Darryl caught the name – Arthur Winslow from her mouth. The gunman shook his head. Then he said, “Johann Bauer.”<br>
“Johann Bauer?” Olivia frowned. “Why does that name sound familiar?”<br>
The wail of police cars drifted into the office from an open window. Scott added, “I had called for backup.”<br>
Darryl asked Olivia if there might be any information on the medallions in the books she owned. “I don’t know,” she answered. “But we can drop by my place and find out.” At that moment, two uniformed cops burst into the office, delaying the topic of the medallions for another time.

"As the sisters'whitelighter, it's my job to inform the Elders about what they had discovered!" Chris shouted at Leo. "Not yours!"

Upon their return from Sausalito, Chris had orbed to the Whitelighter Realm to inform the Council about Mathilda Everard's part in the Elders' murders. Only Chris never received the chance, due to the Council being in closed session. Instead, Chris encountered Leo. The latter tried to get inside the Council, but like Chris before him - failed. The two whitelighters returned to the Halliwell manor, arguing over who should approach the remaining Elders.

His face red with anger, Leo shot back, "This isn't the time to be arguing over who has jurisdiction, Chris! We have important news for the Elders. And since they are probably more inclined to listen . . ."

The doorbell rang, interrupting the whitelighters' quarrel. "Who's that?" Piper asked.

Paige marched to the front door and opened it. Cole stood on the stoop, outside. "Hey," he greeted. "Is Phoebe here?"

"Huh?"

Phoebe joined her younger sister at the door. "Cole! What are you doing here?"

"I had called your office for a lunch date," the half-demon replied. "But you weren't there. In fact," he glanced at his watch, "weren't you due back nearly a half-hour ago?" Paige allowed him inside the house.

A gasp left Phoebe's mouth. "Oh my God! I forgot!" She rushed toward the telephone. "I better call in sick."

Paige shrugged. "I don't think that argument is going to get me anywhere. I better get back to work. I hope Barbara isn't pissed."

"Surely she would understand what's going on?" Piper added.

"Maybe. But it's been very busy at the store, lately. Inventory."

Cole glanced at the others. "What's going on?"

"Nothing," Leo immediately replied.

Paige said at the same time, "We found out who's been killing the Elders."

"Paige!" The blond whitelighter looked upset.

The youngest Charmed One stared at her brother-in-law. "What? Cole knows about the murders!" She turned to the half-demon. "It's Mathilda."

Cole's blue eyes expressed surprise. "Really? The Elder who had tried to get me killed?"

"That's the one. Blood thirsty lady, isn't she? Chris and Leo have been arguing over who gets to tell the Whitelighter Council."

Now it was Piper's turn to protest. "Paige! Don't you have to get back to work?"

"So, Natalia is no longer the main suspect?" Cole asked. Everyone, including Phoebe who had hung up, stared at him.

Leo's eyes narrowed. "Why are you so concerned about Natalia?"

Cole hesitated. Then he sighed. "Since you've discovered the real culprit, I might as well tell you. Natalia Stepanova is at my place. She has been, since yesterday evening."

"What?" Leo cried.

Phoebe exclaimed at the same time, "Cole! Why didn't you tell me? Tell us?"

"I should have known," Piper added sarcastically.

The half-demon held up his hand to silence the others. "If you must know, Natalia had asked the Gimle Order to give her sanctuary from your Council. Marbus brought her to me. He figured that I would be powerful enough to protect her from your Elders. But since you found out that my old buddy, Mathilda is responsible, I might as well tell her."

"We . . . might as well tell her," Chris added. "We're going with you."

Cole seared the younger whitelighter with a cold glare. "I don't recall inviting you to my apartment. And what makes you think I'll allow you inside?"

Chris nearly wilted under the half-demon's intimidating stare. Paige came to his rescue. "Because it would mean a big favor for us," she added in a conciliatory tone. "Please?"

"All right," Cole said with a nod. "Let's go."

Paige grabbed her purse. "I'd like to join you, but I've got to get going. See you guys later." And she orbed out of the manor.

* * * *


Serafina Villabos reacted with shock at Gideon's suggestion for a new Council member. "Are you serious? Mathilda?" she cried. "Our predecessors had removed her for a reason!"

"For trying to get rid of Belthazor?" Gideon retorted. "At least she tried. Which is more than I can say for my former colleagues."

The Costa Rica-born Elder shot back, "She had gone behind the Council's back! Furthermore, she had convinced a whitelighter to coerce a witch into committing the deed!"

"Certain situations called for difficult . . . acts! I say that we invite Mathilda to the Council." When William and Serafina failed to respond, Gideon added, "The Realm's leadership is in dire straits! Mathilda happens to be one of our oldest and more experienced whitelighters now surviving. Both Johann and I believe it would be a grave error not to invite her back on the Council."

Johann spoke up. "Gideon is right."

A sigh left William's mouth. "All right. I'm convinced."

Serafina let out a small huff. "I suppose that we can give her another chance," she said morosely.

"Good!" Gideon smiled brightly, much to Johann's amusement. "Why don't we summon the candidates? Now?"

The four Elders closed their eyes. Seconds later, five whitelighters materialized before the Council. Among them, Mathilda Everard and Johann's fellow darklighter, Belinda. Gideon explained the circumstances surrounding their summons. Johann noted that while the other candidates seemed surprised, a smug smile appeared on Belinda's lips. As for Mathilda . . . she literally radiated with triumphant.

[mcharmed21]

Just before Cole's arrival at the Halliwell manor, Darryl's sedan entered the underground parking lot, below Olivia's apartment building. "Are you sure it's okay to park here?" he asked his partner.

"Don't worry, Darryl. You can use my space," Olivia reassured him. She pointed at the aforementioned spot. "Right over there."

After Darryl parked the car, the two police officers climbed out. They had left Scott Yi behind to deal with the clean-up at the Bryant auction house. As they approached the elevator, Olivia spotted a woman struggling to dump a large plastic bag into one of the building's garbage cans. The latter turned away from garbage can and started toward the elevator. Olivia's eyes narrowed. At five-feet-five and dark-haired, the woman looked very familiar.

"Good evening," Olivia greeted politely. "Have we met before?"

The woman, who now stood before the other two, let out a gasp. Then she began to disappear before a cluster of blue lights. Olivia grabbed Darryl's hand, much to the latter's surprise, before grabbing hold of the woman's arm. All three ended up in front of Cole's penthouse.

"What are you . . . what are you doing?" the woman cried. She spoke in a thick Russian accent. "Let go of me!"

Olivia stared at the double doors leading to Cole's penthouse. "What is a whitelighter doing here?" she asked.

"I . . ." Again, the woman's body began to break into a cluster of blue lights. She cried, "Get me inside that penthouse! Quick!"

Olivia forced the doors open, using her telekinesis. Then she forced both the woman and Darryl inside, before following them. Once she closed the doors, she frowned at the woman. "I know you, don't I? Why would want to be here?" Then she took in the high cheekbones, the oval-shaped face and dark brown eyes. "I do know you! You're Cousin Keith's whitelighter! Or you used to be!"

Darryl tapped Olivia's shoulder. "What the hell is going on?"

"That's what I like to know." Olivia continued to stare at the woman. "Well?"

The woman blinked. "You're a McNeill?"

"Olivia McNeill." The redhead held out her hand. "One of the American cousins."

"And I'm Natalia Stepanova. Of course you must know that, by now." The whitelighter stared at Darryl. "And you are . . .?"

The police lieutenant answered, "Darryl Morris. Olivia's partner on the police force." He offered his hand to the whitelighter, who shook it.

Natalia nodded. "Of course! I have heard of you. A friend of Leo's and the Charmed Ones. No?"

"Uh . . . yeah. By the way, what the hell was that about?"

Olivia added, "I'd like to know."

Confusion lit up Natalia's dark eyes. "Have you not heard what is going on in the Whitelighter Realm? The Elders are being murdered, one by one."

"What?" Both Olivia and Darryl stared at the whitelighter. The former added, "What are you talking about? What does this have to do with Cole?"

After the two partners sat down on the sofa, they listened to Natalia's tale of death and evasion. When she finished, Darryl said, "So, Cole is giving you refuge?"

The whitelighter replied, "Yes."

"Then why are you . . .?"

Looking slightly embarrassed, Natalia answered, "Uh . . . the garbage. Bel-, I mean, Cole forgot to remove it, this morning. I became worried about the odor and decided to remove it myself. When you two approached me, I panicked and orbed here. Obviously, the Council or someone in the Realm must have detected me when I used my power." She paused. "Would you two like a drink? Some tea, perhaps? I just prepared some."

Darryl shrugged. "Sounds great to me." Olivia glared at him. "What?"

Olivia sighed. Ever since stepping foot inside the penthouse, she had been feeling slightly uncomfortable. "We really need to get going. Darryl and I have some research to do."

"Oh, you mean the medallions?"

Natalia frowned. "What medallions?"

Darryl told the whitelighter about their present case - the deaths of the shop owner and the art dealer and their connection to a petty thief and auction house in the city."

"Perhaps there is something about them in one of Cole's books." Natalia pointed at the bookshelf opposite the fireplace. "Why don't you look, while I prepare your tea?" She headed toward the kitchen.

Olivia glanced at Darryl, who nodded. Then she stood up and walked over to the bookcase. As she perused each shelf, a book on the third shelf attracted her attention - "HISTORY OF INTERDIMENSIONAL LEGENDS AND LORE" by Aubrey deMariposa. "This looks interesting," she murmured. "Never seen a copy of it, before." She removed the book from the shelf and opened it. The copyright date read 1911 - 73rd edition. "Goddess! How old is this book?"

"What did you find?" Darryl asked.

Olivia joined him on the sofa. "A book that I've never heard of, before." She opened the book. One page featured a familiar item. "Well, well. If it isn't the Staff of Aingeal."

"Isn't that the staff you had brought back from Scotland, last summer?" Darryl commented.

"It certainly is."

Natalia returned with a tray containing a teapot, three cups, a small jug of milk and a bowl of sugar. She placed it on the coffee table, before sitting next to Olivia, and glanced at the book. "Ah! Keith's staff. The last time I saw it was four years ago, when he helped me and my charge deal with a powerful wizard. Unpleasant fellow. I understand that you have it now, Miss McNeill. Congratualtions."

"Thanks," Olivia murmured, not knowing how to take the compliment. The witch continued her examination of the book. She finally came upon a page that featured a drawing of . . .

"The medallion!" Darryl cried. Natalia handed him a cup of tea. "Or maybe I should say, medallions? There seemed to be nine of them."

[mcharmed21]

Olivia read from the book. "The medallions of Erebor. Two thousand years ago, a powerful demon named Kiro had asked a deity or a dominion named Erebor to create nine medallions for him and his order. Erebor was willing to create the medallions, in exchange for services from Kiro's order. It doesn't really go into details in what deeds Kiro and his followers had to commit for Erebor. But the medallions were forged and given to the demon. Before he and his order could use it, a wizard named Caedmon had snatched the medallions and hid them throughout Europe, Asia and Northern Africa."

"What did this Kiro plan to do with the medallions?" Natalia asked.

After further reading, Olivia gasped aloud. "Oh my God," she murmured. "Those medallions would allow anyone who is not a whitelighter into their Realm - without the assistance of said whitelighter."

"So, one of these medallions could get me into the Whitelighter Realm without Leo or Paige?" Darryl asked.

Olivia nodded. "Not only that, but each medallion would also give the bearer whitelighter powers.

Anxiety filled Natalia’s eyes. “My God! And two of those medallions have already been found!”<br>
“Who knows how many of those medallions have been found or are in use?” Olivia added. “Don’t forget . . . according to one of Lin Bryant’s men, she had been hired by the Magan Corporation to search for them, some five or six years ago. She might have . . .”<br>
At that moment, five people materialized in the middle of the living room, causing Olivia to break off. She gawked at the newcomers. Her heart twisted at the sight of Cole . . . and of Phoebe clutching his arm.

Cole regarded the whitelighter and two police officers with a mixture of surprise and a little hostility. “What the hell is going on?” he demanded in an angry voice.


Once the five chosen whitelighters were initiated into the positions of Elders, the newly completed Council decided to proceed to their first topic - namely fulfilling the position of Head Elder. Not surprisingly, Gideon was the first to make a suggestion. "I nominate," he declared, "Elder Mathilda Everard."

Johann allowed himself an amused smile, as Serafina shot up from her seat. "I mean no disrespect to Elder . . . Everard, but this is becoming absurd. Not long ago, the old Council had dismissed her for flagrantly disregarding the rules. Then most of the old Elders are brutally murdered. Elder Davis then suggests that we reinstate her back on the Council and once we accomplish that, he nominates her as the Council's new leader." The Costa Rican regarded the veteran Elder with narrowed eyes. "I do not know about the rest of you, but this is all becoming very suspicious."

"Exactly what are you insinuating, Serafina?" Mathilda coolly demanded.

Serafina's dark eyes blazed with righteousness. "I am saying . . . no, I am accusing you of manipulating the entire situation. Of being complicit in the murders of the Elders."

An unpleasant smile curled Mathilda's lips. Johann could not help but feel a surge of admiration for the old warhorse. "May I remind you that I'm a whitelighter? And an Elder? I have served the forces of good for nearly four hundred years. How dare you suggest that I would take a life? Especially that of a fellow whitelighter!"

"Of course not!" Serafina retorted. "However, you are in the habit of getting others to do your dirty work. Your dealings with Leo Wyatt, for instance! Did you not used him to get a witch to . . ."

Mathilda shot to her feet. "Enough! I do not have to listen to such nonsense! Frankly Serafina, I find it distasteful that you would resort to wild accusations in order to maneuver your way into position of Head Elder!"

"I am not interested in that position!" Serafina shot back. "However, I do find it suspicious that not long after you were dismissed from the Council . . ."

"Oh yes! I see that we have to endure that little spiel, again!"

Johann watched the entire confrontation between the two alpha females with repressed glee. So much for the angelic reputation of whitelighters. Apparently, they could be just as petty and temperamental as humans, darklighters, demons and other so-called lesser beings. Artemus had been right. The Austrian also realized that it was time to end the pissing contest that now raged.

"Pardon frauleins," he said. When the two continued to argue, he shouted, "Ladies!" Both Mathilda and Serafina fell silent and stared at him. So did the other Council members. "Thank you. Now, before we all decide upon the new Head Elder, I have my own candidate to suggest."

Gideon stared at him. "And who might that be?"

Johann smiled. "Me." The others, with the exception of Belinda, regarded him with shock and surprise. Especially Mathilda.

"Johann, what are . . .?" the latter demanded.

The Austrian continued, "What am I doing? Deviating from our plan, of course."

"What do you mean by that?" Serafina demanded. "And why should we nominate you?"

Still smiling, Johann stood up and walked around the Council's table, until he ended up facing his fellow Elders. "Oh, you won't be the ones to choose me," he said. "They will." He pointed at seven robed figures that had entered the Council chambers. Gasps escaped from the others' mouths, as the strangers threw back their hoods and pointed bow-and-arrows - darklighter weapons at the Council members.

* * * *


"What in the hell is going on?" Cole demanded for the second time. He did not know whether to be surprised, angry or happy at the sight of Olivia. He decided t settle for surprise and anger. "Natalia," he said to the Russian-born whitelighter, "when I had given you refuge, I didn't mean for you to invite others without my permission."

Natalia stood up. "Forgive me, Cole. I had encountered Miss McNeill and Mr. Morris in the garage, downstairs. We had a . . . near miss. I thought they were agents for the Council and orbed up here. Miss McNeill and Mr. Morris had followed me. And since she is a relation of one of my former charges, I had invited them inside. You do not mind, do you?" Her dark eyes widened with innocence. Then she frowned. "Forgive me, but why are you here?"

Before Cole could answer, Chris spoke up. "Hi. We haven't formally met. My name is Chris Perry. I'm . . ."

"Yes, I know who you are. I've seen you in the Realm. The whitelighter from the future." Natalia coolly nodded. "I assume you are here to take me back to the Elders." She shot an accusing glance at Cole.

Leo replied, "It's not what you think, Natalia. We . . . I mean, Phoebe had a vision of who was behind the Elders' deaths."

"It's Mathilda," Phoebe added.

Natalia did not look particularly fazed by the news. She snorted with derision. "Huh, why am I not surprised?"

Olivia added, "Wait a minute! You mean the Elder who had arranged the whole thing with me, Cole and Paul, is also behind the murders in the Whitelighter Realm?"

"Yes," Chris replied.

The Russian said to him and Leo, "Have you informed the Council?"

Leo glanced uneasily at Chris. "We . . . uh . . ."

"I was about to, but the Council chambers were off-limits to other whitelighters. I believe they might be forming a new Council. I ran into Leo and told him."

"When we found out that you were here," Leo continued.

Chris finished, "We decided to let you inform them."

[mcharmed21]

A sigh left Natalia's mouth. "I see. By the way, we have another problem."

Cole noticed the book in Olivia's lap. "What's going on? What are you doing with my book?"

Olivia and Darryl told the others about a murder/robbery case they were investigating. And their encounters with Gerry Gallagher and Lin Bryant. "Is that why your face looks like that?" Piper asked.

"Yeah. I know it looks pretty bad," Olivia said. "Personally, I feel like I had just went ten rounds with Michelle Yeoh's stunt double." She sighed. Cole wanted to reach out and stroke her face.

Piper added, "Maybe you should ask Leo to heal those bruises."

Olivia shook her head. "No. We had left . . . or maybe I should say that I had left Ms. Bryant on the floor, unconscious. These bruises are proof that I had a good reason for kicking her ass." She added, "Anyway, our case had led to this." She pointed at the book on her lap. Cole recognized it as a book on inter-dimensional mythology. "Someone from the Magan Corporation had hired Lin Bryant to find the Erebor medallions, in order to reach the Whitelighter Realm."

"Yeah," Darryl added. "According to one of Ms. Bryant's men, someone named Johann Bauer."

"Who?" Chris demanded.

Both Natalia and Leo's faces turned pale. "Oh my God!" the latter cried.

Cole grunted. "Now there's a name I haven't heard in years."

Leo stared at the half-demon. "What do mean? Where have you met Johann, before?" Then he turned to Olivia and Darryl. "And why would a whitelighter be involved with a company that might be demonic?"

"This Johann Whatshismane," Piper began, "he's a whitelighter?"

"Yes!" Both Leo and Natalia answered at the same time.

Cole replied coolly, "No, he's not. He's a darklighter."

"That's impossible!" Leo declared. "No darklighter or any other entity can access the Whitelighter Realm, without being accompanied by a whitelighter."

"Leo, I've had dealings with this guy, before. He has connections with the Khorne Order."

Darryl frowned. "The what?"

With a sigh, Cole explained that the Brotherhood of the Khorne was among the many demonic orders in the old Source's realm. An upper-level demon named Artemus used to be its leader, but the Source had banished him to the Stygian Abyss in the 1970s, after he had failed to destroy the Gimle Order."

"What's this Stygian Abyss?" Piper asked.

Olivia indicated the book in her lap. "It's a supernatural maximum-security prison to where many beings of magical entities are banished. My family has sent a good number of demons there. The thing about the Stygian Abyss is that no one can escape from it. Like Alcatraz. As for this Johann Bauer, if he is a darklighter . . ."

"He's been a whitelighter for the past five or six years," Natalia commented.

Nodding, Olivia said, "Hmmm. Around that same time, Lin Bryant had began her search for the Erebor medallions. Perhaps this Mr. Bauer was among the first to use one . . . if what Cole says about him is true."

"Oh great!" Piper retorted. "And this guy is now an Elder."

Anxiety whirled in Leo's eyes. "We have to stop him!" he insisted. "Expose him to the Council, before he kills again."

"Wait a minute!" Chris demanded. "If two of these medallions have fallen into Johann Bauer's hands, and he's probably wearing a third; what about the other six? Do the darklighters now have all nine of them?"

Phoebe commented, "If that's so, they can get rid of the entire Council. And after that . . ."

A sigh left Olivia's mouth. "Oh God! This means that all of us will have to go to the Whitelighter Realm." Darryl coughed slightly. "Well, except for Darryl."

"And Cole," Piper added. "Considering he's a demon."

The redhead’s green eyes swept over the half-demon in a manner that left him feeling slightly aroused. “Oh, I don’t know. Considering that Cole had managed to return from the dead on his own, he might be able to teleport to the Realm. After all, we’re going to need his help. Especially if Bauer is an Elder, as Leo claimed.”<br>
Cole stared back at Olivia. “Thanks for the vote of confidence,” he murmured.

“My pleasure.” Olivia smiled.

“And what about Paige?” Phoebe asked. She seemed slightly uneasy with Cole’s exchange with Olivia. “We might need the Power of Three.”<br>
Olivia added, “All we have to do is make sure that we remove the medallions from the darklighters, before we attack them. So, are we all ready?”<br>
Chris frowned at the redhead. “Are you always this bossy?”<br>
She smiled at him. “Yes.” Then Olivia stood up and turned to the Russian whitelighter. “Natalia? Ready for that lift.” The whitelighter stood up – much to Cole’s disappointment. The two females joined hands and disappeared in a swirl of blue lights.

Leo heaved an exasperated sigh and orbed with Piper. Chris turned to Phoebe. “Maybe you should come with me. In case Cole can’t reach . . . uh, up there.” Phoebe stared at Cole, who shrugged. She pecked his cheek, and grabbed Chris’ hand before disappearing.

Cole sighed. He glanced at Darryl, who regarded him with sympathetic eyes. “You mind locking up, before you leave?”<br>
“Sure,” the detective replied.

Then Cole gave a small wave, as he beamed out of his living room.



END OF CHAPTER 12

[mcharmed21]

The other Elders, including Gideon, stared at the robed figures in shock. "Who are these beings?" the headmaster demanded.

Johann smiled rather nastily. "Darklighters. Like myself." A gasp left Mathilda's mouth. "That's right, Fraulein Everhard. Your devoted protégée for the past five years has been a darklighter. So has Belinda." His dark-haired companion stood up and moved away from her chair.

"How . . .?" Mathilda began. She shook her head in confusion. "I don't understand. How did you managed to escape our notice? How did you get up here in the first place?"

The Austrian removed his medallion from underneath his tunic. "Recognize this from your old books, Fraulein? One of the nine medallions of Erebor. Created by the dominion for a demon named Kiros."

Mathilda stared at the object in shock, unaware of Belinda moving toward her. "Oh my God!" she whispered. "That's how . . . How . . . Where did you find them?"

"A very capable sorceress was hired by my real mentor to search for them. It took her seven years to find all of the nine medallions." Johann became smug. "Not only does this medallion give me the ability to orb in and out of the Realm without any assistance from any whitelighter, it also enabled me to assume the power of one. And since you were so kind to intiate me as an Elder . . ."

William finished, "You know have the powers of an Elder, as well. Oh God."

"I do not believe he will be able to help you, William." Johann turned to his former mentor. "By the way ladies and gentlemen. I thought you would like to know that the idea of removing the old members of the Council was my idea." A hard smile appeared on his lips. "But it was Fraulien Everard, who authorized me to carry out the murders. Apparently, she had grown impatient by the old Council's refusal to openly deal with the threat of Belthazor."

The other Elders stared at Mathilda. Serafina literally glared at the older female. "I knew it!" she cried. "I knew that the old Council had been right to dismiss you in the first place. You fanatical @#%$! Do you realize what you have done?"

"I . . ." Mathilda began, but she seemed to be at a loss for words.

Johann chuckled. "Do not worry, Fraulein Villabos. I'm sure that she realizes now." Then he barked an order to his darklighter colleagues. "Kill them! Now!"

Council members cried out in alarm, as arrows zipped toward them en masse. Belinda revealed an arrow from underneath robe. Grabbing Mathilda from behind, she plunged the arrow into the other woman's chest. Johann's smile widened.

* * * *



Six figures materialized into the middle of a gleaming white corridor. "Well, this looks familiar," Piper commented in a dry voice. "Where's Cole?"

Olivia and the others glanced around. There seemed to be no sign of the half-demon. "I guess that super-power of his wasn't able to get him here." She asked Natalia, "Where's the Elders' chamber?"

"Follow me," the Russian-born whitelighter ordered. The three witches and the other two whitelighters followed her down a long hall. They eventually came upon a pair of white marble doors. "Here we are." She swung open the doors and screams of terror filled the corridor. "My God!"

A horror-stricken Leo cried out, "What the hell is going on?"

Olivia grimly replied, "Looks like Mr. Bauer and his colleagues have started their attack."

"We have to help them!" Phoebe cried, as she and Piper rushed past Natalia and into the chamber.

"Phoebe! Piper . . . wait!"

But the Charmed Ones had not heard Olivia. She heaved and sigh and followed them inside. Just in time to witness Piper fling her hands at a robed figure training a bow-and-arrow at a tall man dressed in a gold-lame toga. The robed figure - or the darklighter - immediately dissipated . . . and reconstructed back into his original state. Piper frowned. "What the hell?"

"The darklighter now has whitelighter powers!" Olivia immediately reminded the two sisters. "The medallion. Remember?"

An anxious-looking Phoebe demanded, "But how can we . . .?"

Olivia stretched out her hand and the darklighter's weapon flew out of his hand and into hers. She quickly aimed the weapon at him and pulled the trigger. The arrow embedded into the darklighter's chest. The latter fell to the ground, screaming in pain.

The Elder in the toga rushed toward his rescuers. "Oh my God! Natalia! Leo?" The distraught-looking man expressed relief at the sight of his colleagues.

"William, what's going on?" Natalia demanded.

The Elder cried out, "Darklighters! They're wearing these medallions . . ."

Olivia interjected, "The Erebor medallions. Yeah, we know. Come on ladies!" She and the two Charmed Ones rushed toward the fray.

It all seemed to be a matter of removing the medallions first. Olivia removed one from a darklighter standing over the dead body of an Elder, using her telekinesis. The darklighter whirled around in shock. She unsheathed a dagger and threw it at Olivia. Who sent the dagger back, deep into the darklighter's chest.

Phoebe levitated above another darklighter and ripped the medallion from his neck. Piper immediately blew him up.

Olivia removed an arrow from another dead Elder whom Natalia was leaning over - a handsome-looking Latino woman - and shoved it into the chest of a darklighter threatening Leo and Chris. Phoebe grabbed the weapon of the darklighter that Piper had killed, loaded it with an arrow and shot another. The three witches managed to each kill one more darklighter, until they came upon the surviving two.

"Impressive," a dark-haired man with an Austrian accent declared. He held an Elder in his grip, with an arrow pointed at the latter's throat. "Very impressive. You have managed to kill most of my colleagues." Olivia realized they were facing Johann Bauer, the instigator of the attack.

[mcharmed21]

Piper shot back, "Yeah, I guess you won't be able to rule this place with only the two of you. And we have your medallions."

The other darklighter, a dark-haired beauty with delicate features, waved one hand and the medallions held by the three witches, ended up in hers. "My my, Johann," she said with a sneer. "We seemed to have our medallions back."

"Thank you, Belinda. Now, as for my old friend, Gideon here . . ." Bauer struck at the Elder with the arrow. Before he could plunge it into the latter's neck, Olivia used her telekinesis to whisk it from his hand. The Elder immediately orbed out of Bauer's grip and reappeared next to Leo, Natalia and Chris.

Bauer angrily growled, "You stupid, interfering @#%$!" He sent bolts of electricity toward the three witches. They immediately flew backward, hitting the floor with great force. Every nerve in Olivia's body throbbed with pain. She heard Leo call out Piper's name and wanted to warn him to stay back. Unfortunately, she was too paralyzed with pain to say anything.

The dark-haired woman sent another bolt of electricity at them. Before it could hit them, Cole materialized between the darklighters and the three witches. The lightning struck his body . . . and bounced off with no effect.

"Belthazor!" Bauer seemed horrified . . . and surprised by the half-demon's sudden appearance.

Cole responded with a sinister smile. "Johann. It's been a while. Seventeen years?"

"How did you get up here without . . .?" In a fit of panic, the darklighter broke off and sent a bolt of lightning toward the half-demon's direction.

Cole easily blocked the darklighter's attack, before he added, "Good-bye Johann." He flung a large energy ball at Bauer and the latter exploded into a ball of fire. Only the medallion that had been around the darklighter's neck, survived.

"Johann!" the female darklighter cried out. She glared at the half-demon with hate-filled eyes. "You . . ." A bolt of electricity streamed out of one hand. Cole effortless blocked it before killing her with an energy ball. As she disappeared, several medallions clattered to the floor.

Silence filled the chamber. Everyone - sans Olivia - stared at the half-demon in shock. Olivia struggled to her feet and turned to her former boyfriend. "Uh Cole, it's not that I'm ungrateful, but couldn't you have waited until she told us who was the head of Magan Corporation, before killing her?"

The half-demon's fell open. "Oh. Oooops!"

Olivia sighed. "Never mind." She flashed him a sardonic look. "By the way, what the hell took you so long?"

* * * *



"What did take you so long?" Natalia asked Cole. She and the others had retired to William’s private chamber, while her friend, Barbara DeVilliers, supervised the removal of bodies from the Council chambers. "Did you have difficulty teleporting up here?"

Cole sighed. "Yeah, but it's not what you think. I think my insecurity was the real problem. I didn't think I could make it, so I tried certain . . . shortcuts to get up here. In the end, I just said, '@#%$ . . .'"

Phoebe coughed. "Cole, we're in the Whitelighter Realm. Remember?"

"Huh? Oh." The half-demon shook his head, while Natalia giggled. "Uh, I guess I decided to try the direct route." He chuckled. "A half-demon in the Whitelighter Realm. How rare is that?"

"Very rare," Gideon snapped. He regarded Cole with suspicious and hostile eyes.

William sighed. "No less rare than a warlock, three witches and nine darklighters. I must admit that Bel . . . uh, Mr. Turner's appearance was quite fortunate."

Olivia added, "It's a shame that we didn't get to find out who was behind the attack.”<br>
Cole rolled his eyes in exasperation. “Look! I’m sorry. It’s hard to overcome survival instincts, when you see someone shooting lethal bolts of electricity at you. Okay?” Olivia merely sighed.

The oldest Halliwell – Piper – spoke up. “May I remind you all that Cole didn’t do all of the work?” she said rather peevishly. “Phoebe, Olivia and I did most of the work.”<br>
“Of course, my dear,” Natalia said graciously. “And we’re all grateful.”<br>

[mcharmed21]

Olivia quietly added, “What about the medallions? What are you going to do with them?”<br>
“Keep them here, of course,” Gideon coolly replied. “Where they will be safe.”<br>
The green-eyed witch snorted with derision. “Are you sure about that?”<br>
Gideon frowned. “What do you mean? Of course I am!”<br>
“Have we forgotten Nina Kreigler?” Olivia continued. “And the numerous other whitelighters who had become darklighters over the past year or so? What if another disenchanted whitelighter decide to defect?” She paused. “After getting his or her hands on the medallions?”<br>
“How dare . . .?”<br>
Natalia said, “Olivia is right. Those medallions should be sent back to where they belong.”<br>
Gideon looked down his nose at the Russian female. “That is a matter for the Council to decide, and not a troublemaking whitelighter!”<br>
Olivia continued, “She’s right. I suggest that someone send those medallions back to the dimension where they were made. Where that dominion, Erebor resides.”<br>
“The Belegost dimension,” Cole added.

“Precisely. And Cole, since you happen to know where this dimension is, why don’t you return the medallions?”<br>
Eyes flashing, Gideon stood up. “I’m sorry, but I cannot allow this!” William gave him a pointed stare. “I mean, William and I,” he corrected. “This is Belthazor you’re talking about! A powerful demon . . .”<br>
“. . . who had just saved your ass!” Phoebe snapped. “In fact, he saved all of us!”<br>
Olivia added, “Phoebe’s right. I see no reason not to trust Cole. I mean, if he had wanted us all dead, he certainly wouldn’t need the medallions. Nor would we be here, discussing the matter. After all, he doesn’t seemed to be affected by Elders’ powers . . . as we’ve seen.” She gave Gideon a shrewd stare. “Or does that bother you?”<br>
The Elder shot Olivia a dark look. “I see that you’re just as impertinent as your brother.”<br>
Natalia spoke up. “If it would make you feel better, Gideon, perhaps you should accompany Mr. Tur . . . uh, Cole to the Belegost dimension. To ease your fears.”<br>
Gideon glared at the Russian. “Elder Gideon, if you please, Miss Stepanova. That fact alone should tell you that I do not require your permission to accompany Belthazor.”<br>
Pompass ass! Natalia would have told him to kiss a certain part of his anatomy, if it were not for the delicious little secret she had yet to reveal. Narrow-minded fools like Gideon and the late Mathilda Everard seemed incapable of realizing that such self-righteous attitudes had endangered the Realm.

“Actually Gideon,” William began, “you no longer have any authority over Natalia. Neither do I.”<br>
“What do you mean?” the magic school’s headmaster demanded.

William shot a quick glance at Natalia before he continued, “You see, Natalia is now an Elder. It seemed that Serafina Villabos had passed her powers to Natalia, while she laid dying. Natalia is now a member of the Elders Council. I hope that Barbara deVilliers will become an Elder, as well.”<br>
Disbelief shone in Gideon’s eyes. “Wha . . . Are you serious, William? Have you forgotten that both had defied the Council’s author . . .”<br>
“They have only expressed disapproval of the some of the old Council’s policies.” William’s eyes focused on the table in front of him. “But they have not led any insurrection. Besides, we need new Elders desperately. There are only three of us.”<br>
Looking slightly resentful, Gideon let out a gust of breath. “I suppose I have no say in the matter of Natalia. As for Mademoiselle deVilliers . . . I suppose I can consider her as a future Elder.” He glared at his two colleagues. “But after . . . Belthazor get rid of these medallions.”<br>
William beamed at Natalia, who heaved a sigh of relief. “Of course.”<br>
Natalia turned to Leo Wyatt and the new whitelighter, Chris Perry. “Leo, Mr. Perry, we would like to speak to you for a minute before you leave.”<br>
END OF CHAPTER 13

CHAPTER 14


After a brief consultation with the three Elders and Leo, Chris returned Piper and Olivia to the Halliwell manor. Olivia then asked Piper for a ride to the police station. During their trip, Piper brought up the subject of their recent experience in the Whitelighter Realm.

"There's something I don't understand," she said. "Those two darklighters that Cole had killed - why were they so powerful and difficult to kill, in compare to the other seven?"

Glancing out of the window of Piper's black Cherokee jeep, Olivia replied, "Probably because they had been initiated as Elders. While they wore the Erebor medallions, they had Elders' powers."

Piper shuddered. "It's scary to think of the Whitelighter Realm being ruled by darklighters. Can you imagine the effect that would have on witches throughout the world?"

"I doubt there would have been much impact," Olivia said, taking Piper by surprise. "Don't forget that there are a lot of witches who don't bother with the whitelighters or the Elders. It’s probably because . . . well, it doesn't exactly mesh with many Pagan religions. Like Wicca. Whitelighter philosophy seemed to be more rooted in non-Pagan religions like Christianity, Islam or Judaism, and many in those religions acknowledge beings like guardian angels.”<br>
“Wait,” Piper said, “Are you saying that we’re the only witches who acknowledge whitelighters?”<br>
Olivia shook her head. “Of course not. There are other Wiccans who acknowledge angels, but most of them are either new in the religion or had simply studied both religions and decided to mesh them together. But most of the Wiccans that I know don't acknowledge whitelighters. Okay, Bruce and I did accept Leo as our whiteligher for a few years, but we were young at the time. Back in high school. It wasn’t until college that we decided we didn’t need a whitelighter. But we managed to stay friends with Leo. Until recently.”<br>
"But . . ." Piper hesitated. "I mean . . . my family has always acknowledged whitelighters."

Olivia shrugged. "Maybe you should ask your grandmother about that, the next time you see her. Or maybe ask mine. I don’t know. Perhaps the Warren line had never really turned away from Christianity. To be honest, I'm surprised that you and your sisters are willing to accept the Elders' authority, considering that you don't like them."

"Well, with Natalia on the Council, I might change my mind. I rather like her."

At that moment, Piper drove the jeep into the precinct's parking lot. Olivia said, "I know what you mean. I like her, too, but my view on whitelighters will probably remain the same."

The two witches climbed out of the jeep, made their way across the parking lot and entered the police station. They found both Darryl and Scott hard at work. Darryl was busy typing a report, while Scott was booking one of Lin Bryant's henchmen. "Hey guys!" Olivia greeted.

"Hey, you're back," her partner replied. When the two women approached his desk, he added, "How did it go? In the Whitelighter Realm?" Both Olivia and Piper told him about their battle against the darklighters. "And the medallions?"

Olivia sighed. "Sorry, but we'll have to report them permanently missing. Cole, Phoebe and one of the Elders had returned them back to where they belong. All nine of them."

Darryl nodded. "It was probably for the best. At least we got Gallagher. And some of Ms. Bryant's men."

"What about the lady herself?"

"Dead," the police lieutenant replied. "Broken neck. When you tossed her against that bookcase." He turned to Piper. "You should have seen Olivia in action. It was like watching one of those fights from a kung-fu movie."

Piper smiled uneasily. "Actually, I've already seen her in action. Remember? Anyway," she placed her purse around her shoulder, "I better pick up Wyatt from your grandmother. I hope he hasn't been much trouble." She started to away, but hesitated. "Uh, Olivia, could I speak to you? Privately?"

The two witches walked over to a private spot near the file cabinets. Piper continued nervously, "Look, I hope you don't think that I'm interfering, but have you ever thought of getting back with Cole?"

Olivia stared at the other witch. "Excuse me?"

With a shrug of her shoulders, Piper repeated, "Getting back together with Cole. Have you ever thought about it?"

"You must really want Cole out of Phoebe's life that badly," Olivia shot back.

Piper's face turned red. "It's not what you think. Look, I don't know if I'll ever like or really trust Cole, but . . . I'm finally beginning to realize that you were all right about what happened between him and the Source. And after what Leo and that Mathilda woman had done . . . you know, with you and Cole; and the Whitelighter Council, and what you had once said about never knowing who might turn evil . . ." She sighed. "God, I must be babbling. What I'm trying to say is that Phoebe and Cole's little reunion isn't working out. Cole's been less than enthusiastic about it. And a little distant. I think he wants you back, and Phoebe knows. She's been a little desperate in showing that nothing's wrong between them. And I'm afraid to tell all this to Phoebe."

Olivia frowned at the other woman's outburst. "So, are you suggesting that I chase after Cole?"

"Why not?"

With a mirthless chuckle, Olivia added, "Well, he has to meet me halfway, if he really wants me back. I'm not going to do all of the work."

[mcharmed21]

Piper shrugged her shoulders and sighed. "I guess you have a point." She hesitated. "Uh by the way, I thought you might want to know."

"Know what?" Olivia demanded.

After a deep breath, Piper continued, "When Cole had dropped by to pick up Phoebe for their last date, Jason Dean called. From Hong Kong. Cole didn't say anything and Phoebe didn't talk to Jason, but . . ." Again, she hesitated before continuing, "Phoebe hasn't told Jason about her and Cole. In fact, she hasn't bothered to break up with him . . . yet. And I think that Cole suspects. Just thought you might like to know. See ya." Piper flashed a quick smile and started to walk away.

“Oh Piper!” Olivia called after her.

The Charmed One hesitated. “Yeah?”<br>
“Mind if I give you some advice?” Olivia hesitated. “Well, you can pass this on to Chris and Leo. Tell them . . . tell them to keep an eye on Gideon, if they can. If I were them, I wouldn’t trust him. I know he’s a pain in the ass, but he strikes me as being another fanatic. Like Mathilda. And beings like him that are so sure about how right they are . . . tend to bring a lot of harm to others. Remember Mathilda.”<br>
Piper gave her an uneasy look. “Yeah. Sure,” she mumbled. “Thanks.” She left the squad room.

* * * *



"Hello? Is anyone at home?" Phoebe cried, after she and Cole beamed into the Halliwell manor's living room. When silence greeted them, Phoebe gave her shoulders a shrug. "I guess not."

Cole glanced at the grandfather clock. It read five thirty-eight. "That's odd. Isn't Paige usually back by five?"

"I did get home around five," a third voice added. Cole and Phoebe gazed up at Paige descending the staircase. "Where have you guys been?"

Phoebe answered, "In the Whitelighter Realm. And the Belegost dimension."

"The what?" Paige frowned suspiciously at the couple. "Did I miss out on something?" Both Cole and Phoebe told the youngest Charmed One about their adventures in the Whitelighter Realm, and their trip to return the Erebor medallions. A pout marred Paige's coutenance. "Great! Why do I get to miss out on the fun? @#%$!"

The front door opened and Piper entered the manor with Wyatt in her arms, and a plastic shopping bag dangling from one of her wrists. "Well, I see that everyone's back." She glanced at Cole and Phoebe. "So, what happened? With the medallions, I mean."

Cole replied, "Phoebe, Whatshisface and I took them back to the Belogost dimension. Where we tossed them into a river."

Paige frowned. "Who's Whatshisface?"

Phoebe jabbed Cole's side with her elbow. "He's talking about Gideon, one of the surviving Elders. He and Cole . . ."

"I don't care if he is a whitelighter," Cole grumbled. "That man was a pain in my ass! He pratically bitched about the Elders not holding on to those medallions, during the entire time."

"Well, nice to see that everything is back to normal," Piper mumbled. She handed Wyatt over to Phoebe, and started toward the kitchen. "By the way, is Leo back?"

At that moment, Leo and Chris orbed into the room, blocking Piper's path to the kitchen. Cole tensed at the sight of the older whitelighter. "Piper," the blond-haired whitelighter exclaimed."

Piper frowned. "Leo? Is there something wrong?"

"I . . ." Unease and pain clouded Leo's blue eyes, much to Cole's curiosity. Then the half-demon glanced at the younger whitelighter. To his surprise, resentment had briefly flared in Chris' eyes. Interesting.

An exasperated sigh left Piper's mouth. "Leo, I have a dinner to prepare. What's the big news? Spit it out."

Leo continued, "The Elders Council is in the midst of reforming."

"O-kay."

"Right now, there are . . ." Leo glanced uneasily at Cole, who rolled his eyes with contempt. Leo's face turned red. "Right now, we have five members on the Council."

Both of Piper's brows formed arches. "We?"

Leo hesitated, "Yeah. Uh, William, Gideon, Natalia - which you know about, Barbara deVilliers . . . and me."

Piper stared at her husband in disbelief. "What do you mean . . . 'me'? Are you saying that you're now an Elder?"

"Well . . . yeah. The others asked me to join them . . ." Again, Leo hesitated. Cole began to wonder if the whitelighter had any balls. ". . . and I said yes." Leo added in a gentle voice, "And it also means that I'll have to give up my life here to devote all my time to the Council."

"WHAT?"

Leo rambled on, "Piper honey, I'm sorry. But I have no choice. Being an Elder is considered a profound experience. An honor. We're the guardians of everything that is good in the universe."

"Oh brother!" Cole mumbled.

Leo glared at the half-demon, before he continued, "And besides, after all of the problems we've been having in the Realm, a new, stronger Council is needed to keep an eye on everything. Bring stability to . . ."

Piper's voice rang throughout the room. "Do I look like I give a rat's ass about the friggin' Council? What are you saying, Leo? That our marriage is over? That you're going to desert your family?"

"Honey, I can't be a husband and an Elder at the same time!"

[mcharmed21]

"Why not? You managed to be a whitelighter and husband for two-and-a-half years?"

"Piper . . ."

Phoebe's voice brightly interrupted. "Cole and I have some news."

Oh no! Cole groaned inwardly. He had no desire to deal with the issue of his powers. He did not even want to think about it.

Piper glared at her younger sister. "What? Cole is going to become our new whitelighter?" she replied caustically.

Phoebe's face turned red. Leo said, "Actually, Chris will continue to be your whitelight . . ." His voice faded under Piper's death glare.

"Excuse me," Piper hissed. "I have dinner to fix. For my sisters and Wyatt." She started toward the kitchen.

Leo cried out, "Piper!"

In a too cheerful voice, Paige said, "Hey, I don't mind hearing Phoebe's news. What is it?" Piper paused in her tracks.

Phoebe tenderly looked at Cole, who smiled back in an attempt to ignore the sickening dread in his stomach. "Cole has decided to get rid of his powers. For good."

Confusion filled Chris' eyes. "Huh?"

Both Piper and Leo seemed to have forgotten their recent flare-up and stared at the other couple in shock. "What did you say?" Piper demanded.

Phoebe repeated her announcement. "Cole is giving up his powers."

Cole had expected surprise from the other Halliwells. But nothing had prepared him for Paige's reaction. She turned her dark eyes upon Cole, as her voice rang out with disbelief. "You're getting rid of your powers? Are you out of your damn mind?"

* * * *



Artemus sat inside his study, at his private townhouse in Pacific Heighs, sipping port and enjoying his Mozart CD. Just as he seemed to be on the verge of relaxation, Prax entered the room looking very anxious.

“I’m afraid that I have some bad news, sir,” the younger demon announced.

So much for a little relaxation. Artemus sighed. “What . . . bad news?”<br>
Prax hesitated. “I heard a rumor of a major upheaval in the Whitelighter Realm. From some darklighters.”<br>
“And this is bad news?”<br>
Another silent pause followed. This did not bode well. “Well, since we’ve heard nothing from Mr. Bauer or his associates, I had decided to find out what happened to him, from a seer I know. She informed me that Mr. Bauer and the other darklighters had managed to kill most of the Elders . . . except for two members.”<br>
Artemus frowned. “Two? What happened to Johann?”<br>
Prax trembled with fear. “Uh . . . he’s dead. The two older Charmed Ones, the witch Olivia McNeill . . . and Belthazor had saved the last two Elders.” He paused. “They also killed Bauer and the other darklighters.” A sigh left Artemus’ mouth. Prax added, “Also the medallions are missing. The whitelighters don’t have them. At least according to the Seer.”<br>
“Wonderful.” Artemus took a large gulp of port. “So much for my dreams of ruling the Whitelighter Realm, before destroying it. I suppose I’ll have to be satisfied with the Source’s Realm. If Cedric Lloyd’s plan succeeds. Whatever it is. You know Prax, I’m seriously considering another attack on Mark Giovanni.”<br>
After a brief hesitation, Prax added, “Before you do, sir . . . uh, the Seer had some other interesting news. Actually, it was a vision.”<br>
“What vision?”<br>
According to Prax, the Seer had a vision of Belthazor’s powers being stripped. “It was the Charmed One. The one called Phoebe Halliwell. She will convince him to give up his powers. Or she may have already convinced him.” Shocked by Prax’s news, Artemus ordered his assistant to continue in a hoarse voice. The other demon added, “She also saw you . . . acquiring Belthazor’s powers. And becoming more powerful than ever.”<br>
Artemus sat back into his leather chair, stunned by this new revelation. “You don’t say,” he murmured. “Then we must assure that Belthazor and his witch’s plans will be carried out.” A smile slowly appeared on his face.


THE END