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

Charmed. How quaint the ways of Paradox Chapter 29

Part 3: The more things change

Chapter 29

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

As Tempus shattered his mirror, high in the rim the First Dark Priest of Demondom, the one who owed the Charmed Ones for destroying all those ahead of him, fearfully eyed the shrouding mists. He was terrified of the risks and even his own stupidity at coming but he had been tempted and the temptation was strong.

He had been tempted by a small, meek monkish demon, a scribe, known by sight to those demons seers, sages and priests, who kept the records of the lower realm. This small scribe had whispered fearfully that he during his recent travels he had been shown a dark book by a rogue demon who had knew the treasure was valuable but failed to recognise it for what it was. The small scribe, lamenting his inability to handle such a power as was in the Book could arrange for the Dark Priest to retrieve the Grimoire, for a price.

The Dark Priest had doubted when hope had been lost, that this chance could happen to him, but he then remembered he was lucky. He was after all the only senior member of his calling to survive the Great Immolation.

As the Dark Priest peered nervously into the mist, a shrouded figure of a tall demon appeared, carrying a cloth wrapped parcel and in hissing breathy voice asked if the priest understood the terms of his bargain. The priest had nodded and carefully accepted the extended parcel, breathing hard at the effort of holding it.

The Dark Priest nervously pulled back and swallowed a gasp because to his disbelief it really was the Grimoire, Dark Book of the Lore of Demondom.

"You were right to return it" said the priest "it has a certain value to my master."

"The reward" hissed the shrouded demon.

"You will receive your just reward" said the Dark Priest, "as will I " and he shimmered away.

Arturo threw his hood back, smiling his face seeming to have lost a hundred years now he no longer had to hold the Grimoire. He turned to the small meek scribe who appeared behind him. "That Therold" he said "is the last truth our soon to be lamented priest friend will speak."

.....

Cole was lying morosely on a hotel bed, thinking where he was going, or not, confused about what the argument he had had with Phoebe's family really was. Only Piper had been angry about what he had done. Both Phoebe and Paige seemed far more angry about how he had done it. And he had no idea why.

Cole glanced at his cell phone. Another message from Phoebe.

He knew he would see her one more time but he was not quite ready. Which is why he had not gone to Arturo and told him no. More or less. He had made the decision, or almost decided or at least was fairly certain that he would choose no. He could find any one of a hundred reasons to say no and carefully avoided the only reason he could think of to say yes. That it was the right thing to do.

He looked around the hotel room and hated it. With the Underworld off limits and the people in the only place he had to go in the mortal realm,....pissed at him, he was coming to some disturbing conclusions about Phoebe's bossy annoying, dysfunctional family. He was used to them.

He did not realise until he was separated from it how much in the last months he had got used to being part of the household at the Manor, how much he had got used to not being alone. He had hated moving in, really hated it. He had been miserable, despite being with Phoebe even to the point of a couple of times wondering if he could stand it even for Phoebe and then he just, he just got used to it.