Charmed. Cole and Phoebe Guardian Series.How quaint the ways of paradox?

Charmed. How quaint the ways of Paradox Chapter 13

Part 2: Promises,promises,promises

Chapter 13

"How quaint the ways of paradox; At common sense she gaily mocks" (Gilbert and Sullivan. Pirates of Penzance)

The night after he had returned Phoebe to her home after abducting her, the demon Arturo sat on a lounge chair on the balcony. of his house in the hills of Greece, overlooking the Corinthian Gulf, not far from the ancient ruins of Delphi. He thought of the little witch, the Charmed One had abducted the day before and idly wondered what the implications for Good and Evil were and to what it would lead him. Even to an ending perhaps but that was a hope that Arturo put well away from his thoughts.

He watched the stars reflect on the water far below. It was a sight that never failed to please him or satisfy his soul. Sometimes watching the true beauty of the world around him, in this house of his overlooking the beautiful pine and olive groves of the Corinthian Gulf, he almost believed he had found peace. This house was a place of safety, hidden in a time fold near the ancient ruins of Delphi, a place of mythology and magic. In this house he was safe, safe from demons of Evil and Elders of Good, and prying magic. Here he lived both in the time of the realm he guarded and separated from it.

Arturo was an old demon and he had seen much and fought many battles and as he watched the world in front of him he knew he was about to face another battle. Because the time had come as it was written that the Old Source would fall and another would rise and the time had come for Arturo answer his calling once again.

He poured another glass of the best French Beaujolais red wine and sipped and wished it could wash him away to a moment of alcoholic oblivion, but he was a demon and it could not, any more than the beauty of the night in front of him could obliterate the reality of the world around him. So he enjoyed what he could the taste of it the nectar, the scent.

He sat alone watching the night for a very long time. Many hours later, he noticed the crystals in his cabinet in the room adjoining his balcony, glow brilliant blue white and a few seconds after he smiled as he heard the tinkling of orbs.

The whitelighter in front of him was no longer young nor was she an attractive person. Her body was bent, her face was crooked and pock marked and one side was almost immobilised. Her smile sometimes looked almost evil because of this. Arturo was convinced that the whitelighter's refusal to mask the form of her first humanity, except when walking amongst the mortals of this current age because they could not face the physical reality of disease and prejudice, was total vanity on her part. She wore her history in her face with arrogance and pride. As did Arturo she carried her age well but the hard years of her calling showed in grey hairs and worried lines.

"Francesca" Arturo smiled.

"I hope that's the best wine you have" she said as she sat down and poured herself a glass of Arturo's wine. "After the day you have put me through."

Arturo laughed "They got wind of the witch did they. Sorry about that but she was about to vanquish a Machi and I had to stop her."

"Damn are they about again" said Francesca.

"A minor problem" answered the demon I had her here. "A lovely, sweet girl by the way. Delightful. "

Francesca raised her eyes in disbelief. Arturo was always inclined to believe any woman he found attractive was a sweet innocent.

"I became a little suspicious when I brought her here though. " he added "A Charmed One but she understood about demonic powers, she wasn't concerned at being shimmered one little bit. "

Francesca almost moaned "A Charmed one has turned to evil." she said.

"I wondered" replied Arturo" I read her thoughts."