Third Time Charmed

Charmed Again (Part 8)

"My assassin failed. The witch is alive," the Source complained malevolently.

"Mm, yes, I know," said the Oracle with a tone of faux concern and a look to her crystal ball.

He rounded on her in an imposing fashion, "You told me her future was short-lived! You told me—"

"I told you only that it appeared to be short-lived," she corrected defensively. "Seeing into the future is not always exact, especially when magical forces are at play."

The heavily cloaked figure turned away from the woman in an attempt to refrain from ending her worthless life. "The Power of Three is strong. She'll be almost untouchable now that she's united with her new sisters," he rasped.

"Once the bond is formed, perhaps, but it has yet to, which means she's vulnerable, easily swayed," the Oracle suggested coyly. Moving over to her master, she whispered into his ear, "Forty-eight little hours. The window of opportunity, agreed to eons ago by both sides to protect free will. The great flaw in the grand design."

"She hasn't chosen the other side yet?" the Source questioned with interest.

The Oracle smiled widely. "Well, she's young, confused, doesn't know which way to turn," she ridiculed. "You must seduce her into using her powers for evil, then she will become evil. And that's even better than killing her, which, of course, you could still do. You need to get close to her, read her soul, corrupt it, and she's yours."

The Source caressed the Oracle's chin, then gripped it tightly, breaking her cool façade. "And you... You need to see the future more clearly, Oracle. For your own future," he threatened, then vanished amid rising flames. A Charmed One on his side? And this one with the powers of a Whitelighter, if Shax's report was to be believed. He hadn't considered the possibility before now. The idea had applications worth exploring.

Deciding to heed the woman's advice, the Source teleported to his throne room, where he mulled over the information that his servants had gathered. Shax had discovered the fledgling witch with a male companion, one who had survived the encounter. Yes, that would be his way in. Leaning back on his throne, he projected his astral body to the surface world.

***

Tired of lying in his hospital bed in his backless gown, awaiting the green light from the doctors, Shane stood up to stretch his legs. He'd probably have taken off by now had it not been for Paige promising to return. He had to admit, he liked that she seemed worried about him. As he began to pace around the room, the lights began to flicker.

Suddenly, an ominous, hooded apparition presented itself before him. "What the hell? Who are you?" Shane questioned as his heart leaped into his throat.

"For now," the Source explained as his translucent form entered the man's body, "I am you."

Not long after, Paige arrived in distress, "Oh, my God, the most horrible thing has happened to me! I can't explain—"

"Shh. It's okay, honey. I'm here now. It's okay," said Shane comfortingly, now possessed by the Source of All Evil, his eyes flashing scarlet, then turning completely black as he pulled Paige into his chest.

***

After Paige stormed out of the manor, following her explosive foray into life as a Charmed One, Piper found herself in an uncomfortably familiar position, torn between two sisters. Her older sister lapsed into a melancholy mood, no doubt connected to Shax's vanquish and her unresolved feelings about Phoebe's death, but she ended up chasing after Paige.

Unfortunately, her hesitation gave the girl the time needed to jump in her little green car and hightail it out of there. So, they were back to square one, with no idea where their new sister was or how to reach her. The difference was, Paige was now also a sister witch.