Chapter 7

Wyatt

His mind resisted the call to come out of his unconscious state. His head throbbed. His limbs felt heavy and useless at his side, but the warm glow was pulling him forward despite the groan that escaped his lips. His mind was sluggish and the voices over him blurred together but remained unintelligible. He wanted so badly to block out the noise and slip back into unconsciousness as his mind struggled to remember what happened.

"No!" The warm flow stopped as strong forceful hands held him in place as he struggled to launch himself into an upright position. Pain consumed him as he fought against the hands and the voice telling him to stay still. Wyatt's eyes finally shot open as the pain began to lessen and he finally recognized the voice and arms holding him down. His vision focused enough to make out his father's face and his struggles paused for a moment. His eyes darted around wildly searching for the threat and when they finally landed on his father again the man seemed to be speaking. Wyatt forced himself to focus enough to hear.

"… Stay calm. You hit your head…" Images of flying through the air, beams of brightly colored lights flying towards him, and strange men after his sons.

"Boys," Wyatt finally forced the word out as he struggled against his father's restrictive hold.

"The boys are fine," Another voice behind him, and suddenly Bianca's face came into view, leaning over the side of the couch. "They're safe. In Magic School." Her voice portrayed her disgust and skepticism that the boys were safe in the Elder run institute.

"They… want… Harry," Wyatt was finally able to gasp out as a wave of nausea hit him. Suddenly vomit forced its way out of his mouth. He choked on it in his weakened state until Leo rolled him on to his side. A strong hand thumped against his back firmly until the coughing fit that followed the vomit ended.

"Harry is fine," Leo repeated slowly and firmly as he lowered Wyatt's back onto the couch again. "All the kids are fine."

"What... Happened..." Wyatt managed to groan out between gasps of breath.

The sound of crashing and screamed Latin phrases made their way into the kitchen and the youngest occupants clung tightly to Nick's leg. Nick tried his best to calm them down, running his hands through the boys' hair. In his own opinion he was doing a good job of it until a large crash shook the wall of the kitchen and suddenly the blue shield that had kept them all in place flickered and went down for a few seconds before springing back to life.

"Nick," Seth's voice was terrified despite the teenager having been calm until this point.

"Stay here," Nick ordered quickly as he peeled Chris and Edward from his legs and shoved them towards Seth who already had his arms wrapped around Harry. Nick turned his focus to Seth now. "If the shield goes down again you orb out. You get as far away as you can take the four of you and then you call Dad." Seth gave a hesitant nod as he reached forward and pulled Chris to his side and felt Edward follow.

"Nicky," Chris' voice was watery, and Nick gave a soft side.

"Stay here." Nick turned back to the shield and placed his hands together near the middle. Parting his hands separated the shield into a hole just large enough for Nick to get through. He stepped through and the shield immediately snapped back closed behind him.

Nick ran forward bursting through the door into the living room. His eyes darted around quickly taking in the scene before him. Panic seized him at the sight of his older brother crumbled and bleeding on the floor. Nick turned quickly towards the intruders and noticed their arms raising, clearly ready to attack and reacted without a moment's thought. Throwing his hands out, mimicking the motion he had seen his mother use so many times before; Nick sent the intruders flying into the wall behind them.

With the attackers immobilized Nick rushed over to Wyatt dropping to his knees near his brother's head. "Wyatt?" The panic rose again, and Nick desperately fought back the bile rising in his throat.

"Go..." Wyatt coughed, and blood specked on his lips. "The boys..." Wyatt struggled, trying to pull himself up as more blood trickled from his lips. Nick reacted quickly reaching out to stop Wyatt. Wyatt fell on his back breathing raspy

"They're fine," Nick said desperately trying and failing to calm his brother. "The shields still up." He threw a quick glance towards the kitchen door.

"It... Doesn't work..." Wyatt choked out before lurching to the side and coughing out a mouthful of blood. Fear gripped Nick now as his brother struggled to meet his gaze. Suddenly Wyatt's eyes snapped up to something behind his brother.

"REDUCTO!"

"No!" Nick found himself flung to the floor the weight of his brother on top of him before the effects of the blast hit sending them both towards the wall and landing in a pile of dust and plaster. Everything went black.

When he came back, vision returning slowly and with a pounding headache; terror gripped him as his older brother was dragged up the wall clawing uselessly at whatever invisible force had wrapped around his throat. He could hear the muffled crying of his nephews in the kitchen. He struggled to pull himself up fighting off the darkness that threatened to consume his vision.

The kitchen door slammed open once again and Nick shielded his eyes against the sudden brightness that went flying. Bianca ran forward as the assailant dodged the fireball that had been aimed at his head. When she reached him, he struck out, wand in hand, Bianca grabbed onto his wrist and yanked down sharply with an audible crack as the wand flew from his hand. Wyatt's unconscious body came crashing to the ground in a crumbled heap. The man gave a quick shout of pain before Bianca landed a quick jab to his throat, yanked him forward slightly and swung herself up wrapping her legs around his neck and bringing him to the ground. Nick stared on in shock as Bianca placed a foot over the man's throat and applied pressure watching him struggle as he fought for air.

Nick looked away from the brutal sight and turned his attention back to his brother who lay bleeding and unconscious at the base of the wall. Nick struggled to drag himself to his brother and brought his head down near Wyatt's head checking for breath. It was there. Weak and labored. "Wyatt! Wyatt wake up..." Nick's desperate pleas seemed to draw Bianca's attention and she reluctantly turned away from the unconscious man whose windpipe she was still crushing.

"Move Nick," She demanded coming over to kneel by Wyatt's head. She reached to fingers down to his neck, taking his pulse and finding it surprisingly weak. "Call your Dad Nick," She ordered again keeping her face neutral. "Right now!"

"Dad!" Nick shouted quickly. "Dad!" The Jingling of orbs sounded behind them and Leo appeared. His face darkened immediately as he took in the destruction that was once the living room. He wasted no time rushing to his son on the floor.

"What happened?" he demanded examining his son.

"WE got attacked-" Nick coughed out.

"What the hell?" Leo seemed shocked. "Demons?"

"I don't know-"

"What do you mean you don't know?" Leo's voice was incredulous.

"Nick go check on the boys," Bianca broke in suddenly. Nick looked conflicted. Wanting to stay with his injured brother but hearing the terrified cries of the children in the next room. Leo sent her a shocked glare obviously wanting more information about the attack. Then he looked up at his son's face, pale and bleeding.

"Go Nick," Leo demanded quickly. "Call your aunts and mother! Go right now!" Nick stood quickly, to quickly if the way he stumbled meant anything, and made his way back into the kitchen leaving Leo and Bianca alone with Wyatt's unconscious form.

"He needs healing." Bianca said bluntly. "He's bleeding out."

"I can see that," Leo snapped as the golden glow began to fall from his hands. Bianca stood stalking towards the intruders, a long blade revealing itself from the sheath on her wrist. "What are you doing!" Leo demanded standing and rushing towards her.

"They almost killed your sons," Bianca snapped angrily. "I'm finishing this!"

"And if there are more of them?" Leo questioned.

"Then I'll hunt them down and slaughter them!"

"What the hell happened!" Piper shouted as she entered the room from the kitchen followed quickly by Phoebe. "Oh my God!" Piper's face paled as she ran to Wyatt still crumpled and unconscious on the floor. "What are you doing? Heal him!" Leo rushed back to his son.

"Let's get him on the couch..." He said quickly.

"In the sunroom..." Piper said softly. Leo put his hands-on Wyatt and the two disappeared in a flurry of blue lights.

"What happened here?" Phoebe aimed at Bianca.

"I don't know." She answered obviously annoyed as she still held the blade in her hand. "Chris was crying, and it pulled me here. Nick was out, Wyatt was up a wall, and the boys were in the kitchen. Only one was standing when I got here. I took him out. And now we need to finish them off before they wake up."

"No," Piper spoke drawing Bianca's furious glare her way. "Take them upstairs, put a cage up and we can question them when they wake up. Keep them separated." She turned to Phoebe now. "Cast a silencer spell on them. I don't want them talking to each other until we get in there."

"I'll get Paige," Phoebe answered quickly.

"No need, I'm here," Paige said making her way into the room. Piper gave a nod before turning and heading into the sunroom with Wyatt and Leo.

"We've got this covered," Phoebe said turning back to Bianca. "The boys want you Bianca," Phoebe said coming to stand in next to Paige. Bianca sheathed her blade and came forward walking past Phoebe and leading her way into the kitchen. As soon as she stepped through the door, she found Chris and Edward wrapped around her legs. They're voices mixed together, terrified and wet with tears. She cast a worried glance before her eyes landed on Harry, tear tracks down his face but otherwise silent; kneeling next to Nick who was slumped in a corner on the floor holding his head in one hand. Seth stood nearby talking to his older brother in hushed tones.

"Mama..." Chris' cry finally brought her attention back to the children latched onto her legs.

"Shh..." She soothed reaching down and embracing both boys. "It's okay, everything's going to be fine..." Bianca rubbed the boys backs as they clung to her and cursed her own inadequacy. She knew she was terrible at easing her children's worries, it was a task usually reserved for Wyatt.

"Where's Daddy," Edward cried. And Bianca froze. Torn between not wanting to frighten her children and not wanting to lie to them.

"Come here bud," Nick said softly opening his arms for Edward who ran into them with such a speed Nick had to fight another round of the nausea he had just overcome. Bianca reached down and lifted Chris into her arms and made her way over to Nick silently examining and cataloging any injuries he may still have. "Daddy got hurt out there, but Grandpa's going to fix it. He'll be fine in just a little while." Edward buried his head in Nick's shoulder and Bianca could tell Nick was still in pain.

"Nick," Bianca drew his attention. "Where-"

"I'm fine, Aunt Paige took care of it," Nick answered quickly.

"Nick," Bianca's voice showed just how much she doubted that was true.

"I'm fine Bi," Nick insisted. When the grip around her neck tightened Bianca decided to remain silent for now. Paige and Phoebe entered the room now talking quietly between them. Bianca turned towards them with an expectant stare.

"It's taken care of," Paige offered. Bianca nodded slowly. "Piper wants to talk to you. They're in the sunroom." Bianca nodded and crouched down pulling Chris off her despite his whimpers of complaint.

"No..." The whine escaped his lips as Bianca straightened back up.

"I'll be right back Chris," Bianca offered softly placing a kiss to the top of his head. "Go see your brothers."

"I want my Daddy," Chris cried again burying his head in Bianca's waist.

"Chris come here," Seth said coming forward and taking the younger boy by the hand. Seth pulled him a few feet away before Chris dropped to the floor burying his head in his knees.

"Let's go," Bianca said turning away from her crying children and following the Halliwell sisters into the sunroom She jolted to a stop at the sight before her. Wyatt was still unconscious on the couch, bruised and bleeding as Leo stood over him hands glowing. "What the hell." She cast shocked eyes from Leo to Piper. "Why is it taking so long?"

"We don't know," Piper answered, and her voice was choked with tears that she refused to let fall. "The healing is barely having an effect on him." Bianca's blood ran cold.

"We've never seen magic like this before," Phoebe said going to stand behind the couch and looking down at her nephews' prone body.

"What about Nick?" Bianca demanded quickly, eyes flashing back towards the kitchen.

"Wyatt took the brunt of the attack," Paige spokes softly. "Nick said he just got thrown against the wall."

"Then why is he still hurt?" Bianca snapped out angrily gesturing towards the kitchen. Piper's eyes snapped up quickly and Paige seemed shocked.

"What do you mean?" Piper demanded quickly.

"I healed Nick," Paige gasped shocked.

"Well obviously it's not working," Bianca snapped. Piper flashed her eyes to Leo.

"Go," Was all he said before Piper stood and rushed from the room with Bianca and her sisters fast on her trail. All eyes fell to Nick who still sat hunched over in the corner. Edward, Harry, and Chris sat sandwiched between Nick and Seth. Piper wasted no time rushing over to Nick and kneeling before him.

"What's hurts?" She questioned reaching out and laying a hand across his forehead. Nick's eyes flashed to Bianca accusingly.

"I'm fine,"

"Nick tell me," Piper's voice was stern now.

Silence.

"Nicholas Halliwell." An exasperated huff left the teens mouth as he shifted away from Chris who was leaning against him.

"It's not that bad," came the muttered response as he slowly pulled up the fabric of his shirt.

"Oh God, Nick." Piper's hand flew to her mouth in shock at the ugly burn that was only half healed. A dark scab surrounded by bruised and scorched flesh covered most of Nick's right abdomen.

"Why didn't you say anything," Paige scolded pushing forward and immediately throwing her hands over Nick's wounds. The glow started immediately.

"It wasn't helping," Nick answered.

"It's not working..." Paige muttered frustrated.

"Told you." Nick muttered.

"Go get the borage salve," Piper ordered. Phoebe thrust it into her hand before she finished speaking. "Deep breath..." Piper spoke softly before applying a thick paste of the salve onto the burn. Nick's eyes screwed shut but he remained silent. When Piper had finished, he lowered his shirt slowly before finally opening his eyes.

"What now?" Paige questioned as Piper stood.

"The boys need to go somewhere safe," Bianca intervened.

"Where," Phoebe questioned?

"I have a place," Bianca offered instantly.

"You can't take them to the underworld..." Piper said quietly giving Bianca a hard look.

"I am taking them somewhere safe." Bianca argued coming closer and crossing her arms over her chest.

"They are not safe in the underworld."

"I'm not here to argue with you!" Bianca snapped suddenly drawing the eyes of all the children to her. They quickly moved to the other side of the room and Bianca continued in an angry whisper. "Those men are after my children and we have no idea what they are or where they came from. They cannot stay here!"

"We can find a safer place for them than the underworld." Piper answered back quickly.

"And where do you suggest," Bianca snapped quickly. "If they got in here, they could certainly get past the protection spells at Victor's house."

"Then we'll find somewhere else." Piper ran a hand through her hair.

"What about up there?" Paige questioned standing near them.

"No, absolutely not!" Bianca snapped.

"Bianca-"

"No!" The reply was short and sharp. "After everything they've done."

"That was a long time ago," Piper sighed.

"Do you think it matters how long ago it was?" Bianca asked incredulously. "They tried to kill my son."

"Magic school then," Paige offered quickly.

"As if that's any better?" Bianca scoffed. "The place is crawling with Elders."

"They could stay in Leo's office," Piper offered. "No one would know they were there."

"You don't get it do you?" Bianca snapped again. "My kids are demons. As much as you'd like to pretend that they aren't it's in their blood. Every alarm at Magic School is going to sound as soon as they step foot in there."

"The alarms won't go off," Paige answered quickly.

"How can you possibly think that?" Bianca scoffed. She was met with silence and when realization dawned on her she was filled with an instant rage. "You've taken my children there before?"

"Only for a few minutes," Piper tried to placate her quietly. "Leo had Chris and Edward. He had to grab something-"

"Does Wyatt know about this?" Bianca hissed.

"Yes," Piper whispered. "And he was angry, just like you are-"

"I'm not angry Piper," Bianca growled. "I am pissed! You took my kids to that damn school, surrounded by people who wanted them dead before they were born, and then you keep this from me?"

"We have to send them somewhere!" Piper insisted. "Unless you have a better idea. One that keeps the boys... above ground."

Bianca gave a furious huff. Fire in her eyes as she glared at the sisters. "I want access."

"There's no way-"

"Go talk to Leo," Piper interrupted Paige's protests. "Tell him to do it quickly."

"Fine," Paige sighed though she sounded skeptical. She returned minutes later and gave a soft nod from the doorway.

"Let's get them ready." Piper spoke softly "Go get their bags for me." She aimed at Paige before turning and heading towards the kids. Bianca followed behind her. Nick still sat slumped against the wall, surrounded by the children. Piper cupped his cheek in her hand.

"I'm okay Mom," Nick smiled weakly. He shifted to straighten, and Piper was quick to move her hands out to support him.

"Take it easy," she muttered as she followed his movements, looking for any signs of increased pain. Piper took a deep breath as she looked over all her children and grandchildren. "Aunt Paige is going to take you to magic school." She cast a firm glance at Nick. "All of you."

"What? No-" Nick began to argue.

"Yes Nick," Piper said firmly. "It's safer up there. I need you to take care of the kids."

"But Mom-"

"Nick you're go-"

"No!"

"Nick this is not up for debate." Piper's voice left no room for argument. And Nick sank back in defeat. "You all need to stay in Dad's office okay. We don't want anyone to know you're there." Nick remained quiet but gave a short nod. Piper sighed softly. "I'm going to come get you as soon as this is over. Ok?" She got a chorus of soft answers from the kids, but Nick remained stubbornly silent. "Everything is going to be okay." She said again offering a weak smile. Piper turned to Paige and gave a soft nod. The children and Paige disappeared in a flurry of white orbs. Piper braced herself for a minute before rising and wiping the loan tear from her face. "I need to check on Wyatt first."

Wyatt breathed heavily as he tried to fight off another wave of nausea while Leo and Bianca filled him in on everything that happened while he was unconscious. Leo rubbed his back and gave soft instructions for him to breath while Bianca walked him quickly through everything that had transpired. Occasionally he was able to force questions passed the overwhelming urge to vomit

"…Nicky?" Wyatt choked out quietly.

"He's ok." Leo spoke quickly. He gave short shake of the head towards Bianca which was thankfully missed as Wyatt dry heaved again. She glared back at him clearly unhappy with withholding information about the attack. Leo gave another firm shake of his head. There was no need to upset Wyatt further right now. "He's with the boys…"

"Where are they-" Another wave of nausea cut him off.

"Upstairs," Bianca answered quickly. "With your mother in a crystal cage." Wyatt tried to stand suddenly, and Leo had to react quickly to reach out and both steady him and keep him firmly seated on the couch.

"Hey, hey, hey," Leo's voice was soothing and firm. "You need to take it easy."

"No," Wyatt argued weakly. "I need… I need to find out what they want…"

"You need to rest," Leo spoke firmly reaching up to push the hair away from Wyatt's sweaty forehead. "You got hurt."

"Dad I'm fine," Wyatt tried to brush off the concern. Nausea hit again and he swallowed down the urge to dry heave.

"Wyatt no," Leo's voice was firm. "You lost a lot of blood, and even with healing that is going to take a lot out of you right now." Wyatt opened his mouth to argue again but Bianca cut him off.

"He's right Wyatt" Leo and Wyatt turned shocked eyes to her. Neither of them expected Bianca to agree with anything the whitelighter said. "You're no good to anyone if you pass out. Just rest for a minute." No sooner had the words left her mouth than Wyatt disappeared in a flurry of white lights.

'Wyatt, no!" Leo shouted as he reached out to grab his son half a second too late. "Damnit."