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

Charmed. How quaint the ways of Paradox Chapter 22

Part 2: Promises,promises,promises

Chapter 22

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

Arturo sitting on his balcony watching the Gulf below, looked up as he heard a soft hissing sound and the crystals in his cabinet turned blood red.

Proctor shimmered in front of him, sombre dark, satanic. "We are nearly out of time Arturo" he said.

"We have a little" Arturo answered.

"Very little" replied Proctor. "What needs to be done must be done."

"I'm reluctant still, to reconstitute the Grimoire" Arturo said "it feels wrong."

"I watch" said Proctor "Tempus is losing control. Evil is fracturing and the consequences to Good, to the balance are undesirable."

Arturo nodded "I know."

"This waiting for Belthezor Arturo" Proctor said "must end. Has he been asked to make a choice?"

"No" Arturo said "Francesca fears that the answer will be no. She has a fondness for him and I have hesitated. She wants me to wait for a more convenient time."

"Ahh" said Proctor "By all means wait on Belthezor's convenience, we have waited for fifty years on Belthezor's convenience."

Arturo smiled.

"Perhaps" said Proctor "it would be wise to remind Belthezor that whatever his choices Belthezor's legacy is Belthezor's responsibility."

"What do you mean?" Arturo asked.

"I mean" said Proctor "Whatever his choice don't destroy him until he fixes this mess that the Charmed Ones caused, because of his legacy as the Source. This should never have happened Arturo." Proctor said. "That was the last time Good invades the underworld."

"Why do you think Belthezor can fix what we can't?" Arturo asked.

"Because I have watched" said Proctor "and I have seen Tempus change the timelines and I see always it is about Belthezor and I have heard Tempus curse him on the spirit winds. Because Tempus was prophesied to find the Grimoire when it was lost. Belthezor knows the answer Arturo." Proctor said.

"He has hidden it well from Francesca if he does" Arturo said.

"Belthezor has always kept his secrets" Proctor replied.

"Are you aware Belthezor is bedding one of the Charmed Ones?" Arturo said.

"The affairs of witches, up until now have not interested me" Proctor laughed deep dark demonic "But by all means let us wait on Belthezor's convenience, Guardians, demonic hierarchy and the Fate of Good and Evil should wait while Belthezor beds a witch."

"I need to be careful when I interfere with the affairs of witches." Arturo said smiling a little.

"I understand my friend Arturo" Proctor said "but our calling is to do what must be done. You understand this." Proctor shimmered away.

Arturo thought a little while and then he called Francesca's name. She came in a few minutes still dressed as the very efficient assistant in the San Francisco legal firm. Arturo glowered as he saw her and felt a momentary annoyance at her need to hide what he thought her true beauty from a world incapable of recognising it.

Francesca caught his glower and was amused.

Francesca Arturo said "My friend Proctor has been here."

It was Francesca's turn to sigh and nod.