THIRTEEN

"What happened?" Phoebe asked. "How did he get away?"

"I don't know," Piper said, examining the crystals used to form the magical prison. "He must have used his telekinetic ability to move one of the crystals."

"That shouldn't have been possible," Paige said. "Not from inside the cage."

"Well he got away somehow," said Piper.

"What do we do now?" Michelle asked. "If he's after Patricia she could still be in danger."

"Maybe not," Leo said. "The girls are on to him now. He has to know they'll be prepared for him now. And now that Patricia is aware of what he is it won't be that easy to get to her now."

"Leo's right," said Piper. "Once Patricia has a White Lighter assigned to her they'll be able to help protect her. And we're here in case she ever needs any help."

"And we're only an orb away," said Paige.

"I guess there's not really much we can do about it," Robert said, "until and unless he comes back."

"Which he's not likely to do with me around,' said a man walking up to the group.

"Michael," Leo said. "What are you doing here?"

"Come to meet my new charge," said Michael, smiling at Patricia. "And her parents. The Elders felt that since there's a warlock after her all ready she could use some extra special help."

"You're a White Lighter, too?" Patricia asked.

"That I am," said Michael. "But I'm kind of a special White Lighter."

"That's good," Paige said. "Seems this warlock isn't after Patricia, per se. He wants her to get to the Book of Shadows."

"Well, with me around he'll think twice before he tries anything," Michael said.

"Let's go downstairs," Piper said. "There's nothing else we can do up here. And he's not likely to return with all of us around. Paige, you might as well put the crystals back in the attic. Looks like we won't be needing them tonight."

Paige collected the crystals and everyone filed out of the room. Paige headed for the attic to put the crystals away. As they all left the room the warlock suddenly appeared where the crystal cage had held him prisoner. He moved to the door and checked to make sure everyone was going downstairs. The warlock smiled to himself.

"Sometimes the simplest solution is the best," the warlock gloated. "A simple invisibility spell and they think I escaped. But they are right about one thing. It's too dangerous to go after the girl again. Especially with that warrior White Lighter around. I'll just have to come up with some other way to get what I'm after."

Smiling again, the warlock blinked and disappeared from the manor.

Michael orbed into the manor. It had been three days since the warlock had escaped from the manor. In that time he had not made another appearance.

"Hi, Michael," Paige said as he orbed in. "How is your latest charge doing?"

"Doing just fine," Michael said. "She told me to tell you to come by as soon as you get a chance."

"I'll do that," said Paige.

"How are her parents doing?" Phoebe asked.

"Not bad all things considered," said Michael. "Michelle is helping Patricia study to learn the Craft and Robert is very supportive of both of them. For mortals, they're doing quite well."

"Well, Leo told us that the Elders have been able to confirm what the warlock said," said Piper. "Apparently Patricia is our cousin, just like he said. Has he come back?"

"Not a sign," Michael said. "I think he might have reconsidered his plan. Going up against all of you and me is apparently more than he's willing to do."

"It looks like not all demons are stupid," Piper said.

"No, they aren't," said Michael. "I just stopped by to let you know everything is fine."

"Thanks," said Piper. "We appreciate it."

"I wonder if we have any other relatives out there we don't know about?" Phoebe asked.

"It's possible," Michael said. "I'm sure even I may have some relatives I don't know about."

"Well, Leo's off with one of his charges," Piper said. "We'll be sure to tell him you stopped by."

"Thanks," Michael said. "I'll stop by later and give you a full report. Assuming I can invite myself for dinner?"

"Sure, anytime," Piper said.

"Great," said Michael. "I'll see you later then."

Michael orbed out of the manor as Piper began to figure what she would need for another place at the dinner table.

The End

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