Chapter 6

"Whoa," Wyatt said. "Have you ever tried taking the locket off?"

"She can't," Maria answered. "It's a part of the spell I cast. It was meant to protect her, but instead it's killing her. That's why we came here. We had heard stories of the Charmed Ones from Leo, and we were hoping to get some help."

"And you're getting it. I'll call my sisters and have them come over. I'm sure they're going to want to hear this," Piper said as she let Izzy's arm go.

"Wyatt, I want you to go get Chris and explain to him what's happening," She said to Wyatt who then disappeared in bright white orbs.

Piper looked at Leo, "I'll be in the attic."

"See if you can get Sandra or someone down here. I want to talk to them," Leo said.

Piper nodded and headed to the stairs towards the attic. Leo turned his head back to the mirror.

"Maria, I-" Leo said.

"Don't," She interrupted. "You already apologized and I've forgiven you a long time ago even if Izzy hasn't."

Abruptly, Izzy severed the connected by removing her hand from his.

"Izzy!" Maria cried.

She ignored her sister as Leo looked at her. He nodded dejectedly.

"Come on, I'll take you to the attic," Leo said.

She followed Leo up the stairs and into the large attic. Piper looked up from the Book of Shadows.

"Phoebe and Paige will be here soon. They're a bit intrigued," Piper said smiling towards Izzy.

Izzy shrugged her shoulders, "Don't doubt it."

Leo stood next to his wife, "Did you call Sandra?"

"I was about to before you guys came up," Piper answered as she flipped through the pages of the large tome. "Want me to call her?"

"I'll do it." Leo shook his head. He stepped away from her and stood in the center of the room. Izzy had sat down in one of the chairs that was in the room. "Sandra!"

When no answer came, he shouted louder and a shower of orbs came down. A woman appeared with short blonde hair and a stern but soft face, dressed in white and gold robes. She looked at Leo and gave him a smile.

"Hello Leo," Sandra said. "Piper."

When she turned towards Izzy, she let out a soft gasp, "Is this…?"

Leo nodded, "Yes."

Sandra heard the tone in his voice and she looked at him, "What's wrong?"

"When I made the deal to give up my wings, was I not promised to have my charges taken care of?"

Sandra nodded with a confused look, "Yes. Every one of your previous charges has Whitelighters."

"Every one but Maria and Isabella Parks," Leo said.

"I'm not quite sure I understand," Sandra said.

"What he's trying to say is that I don't have a Whitelighter. Leo is the only one I ever had," Izzy said.

"I see," Sandra said. "Ethan!"

A few seconds went by and then orbs came down to reveal a redheaded freckled young man. He looked around confusingly and bowed when his eyes landed on the Elder.

"Ethan, this is Leo and his wife Piper," Sandra coolly introduced the couple.

"Sir, Ma'am," Ethan said with a nod to each.

"And this is your charge," Sandra pointed to Izzy, "Isabella Parks. Her sister is otherwise indisposed at the moment."

When Ethan laid his eyes on Izzy, he paled. He looked back to Sandra and instantly he knew he had been caught.

"Would you care to explain to me why you are not doing your job protecting the charges you were given?" Sandra asked with her arms crossed.

Ethan swallowed thickly and whispered, "I didn't think they needed protecting."

Instantly Izzy's eyes widened and became gold. She lunged for the young Whitelighter from the chair as her hair and body shimmered and glowed. Ethan fell backwards in fright as Piper called for Leo. Sandra stood in front of Ethan. Leo quickly caught Izzy around the waist.

"How dare you!" Izzy growled. "You could've been there when that demon attacked. When my sister cast that spell that pulled her away from me! You bastard!"

Leo held onto the struggling young woman and pulled her down to the floor away from Ethan and Sandra.

"Stop it, Isabella, you need to calm down," Leo whispered in her ear.

"I will not!"

Leo tightened his hold on her, "Belle stop it!"

Suddenly Izzy went slack. Leo whispered into her ear as he stroked her hair. Slowly the shimmer and the glow went away. The gold in her eyes faded away. Orbs appeared into the room to reveal Wyatt and a brown haired boy. Sandra turned to the fallen Ethan and pointed at him.

"You and I will have a talk later," She said as she gestured with her hand and Ethan was forced away to the world above. She turned back to the others.

"I'm sorry. Had I known he was going to do that, I never would have assigned him to you," Sandra spoke to Izzy and Leo.

Leo nodded as Izzy started to pant. She let out a cry as she clenched her chest. Wyatt quickly recognized the pain and he moved and kneeled down on the other side of Izzy. He pressed his hand on her chest and healed her. She sighed as the pain went away and she nodded her thanks.

"What happened?" Sandra asked.

"The locket," Piper responded. "Every time she uses her power she gets a heart attack. Only way for Maria to survive."

"Ah, I see. Let me know how that goes and if you need my help. I'll be back with a new Whitelighter for Isabella and Maria after I deal with the current one."

"Wait," Wyatt said before Sandra could leave. "I'll be her Whitelighter."

Sandra nodded in agreement, "And Maria?"

"Her too as soon as we get her out without harming them," Wyatt responded.

"Very well," Sandra said before she nodded and disappeared.

"Whoo! What did we miss here?" Phoebe Halliwell said as she and Paige Matthews entered the attic.

Everyone looked at them. Leo and Wyatt helped Izzy up from the floor. Izzy looked at Wyatt.

"Why would you volunteer yourself to be our Whitelighter?" She asked.

"Can't have you dying on the floor," Wyatt said.

Izzy rolled her eyes, "Bite me."

Wyatt let out a laugh.