Demon Doppelgangers (Charmed) (Mass Market Paperback)

by Greg Elliot (Author)
Key Phrases: Demon Doppelgangers, San Francisco, Book of Shadows (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Demon Doppelgangers

Ancient powers give evil rise

and open up demon eyes.

Find the answer, quell the curse --

or things will surely get much worse...

Paige has a new job -- and it's perfect for her. She's working at a museum, conducting tours through a traveling Grecian display. It's temporary, but it's better than nothing, and it means she gets to see Chase, a really hot guy who started working at the museum at about the same time she did. One day, though, a big stone ovoid meant to represent a dragon's egg turns up, and it gives her the creeps. When Paige asks Phoebe and Piper to come check it out, they agree there's definitely something evil about that weird old egg.

Later, after a long day of tours, Paige and Chase relax near the artifact. Without warning, Chase, who knows only a few Greek words, begins speaking in the language. His monologue opens the egg, releasing a demon that promptly assumes Chase's form. When Paige tries to kill it, it splits in half, forming two identical Chases. With the real Chase unable to explain what happened and demons on the loose, the Charmed Ones will have to count on the Power of Three to figure out what's doubling these demons...and why.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Chapter One

Paige Matthews orbed herself and her nephew, Wyatt, to the north edge of Lincoln Park, materializing in a small thicket at Land's End. She quickly checked to see if anyone was around who could have seen her, although she knew the chances of that were slim. It was Tuesday, June 21, the first morning of summer, but the blustery conditions were decidedly unsummerlike, and she was convinced the weather would keep most people from a location this open to the elements.

Confirming that they were alone, she checked on Wyatt, making sure he was bundled against the wind. Then she pushed the baby stroller out of the woods and into the open.

"I love coming here," she said to the baby, "and I thought today would be a good day to share it with you, too."

She always talked to Wyatt as if he could understand her every word, and she sometimes wondered if he could, in fact, do just that. He seemed to understand his parents, Piper and Leo, far more than other babies could understand theirs. That, of course, was because, like Paige, he was the product of a witch and her Whitelighter, her guardian. To Paige, this created a special bond between Wyatt and her, and it was part of the reason she'd brought him here today, part of the reason she talked to him as if he were an adult rather than just a baby.

She pushed the stroller near the edge of Land's End and stopped, taking in the view: the sweep of the Presidio, with its hills and trees curving away from the park and stretching to the Golden Gate Bridge; the bridge itself, holding its mass above the expanse of water on spires lifting heavenward; and the bodies of water separated by the bridge, the enclosed bay on one side surrounded by the city, the open ocean on the other, the home of the elements. The wind blustered enough to keep the bridge in view, making the whole panorama breathtaking.

Paige took it in for a moment silently, smelling the salt air, then continued her conversation with Wyatt. "Do you see that?" She checked to ensure that he in fact could see the view, that he was still bundled against the wind and the cold. Then she straightened, continuing her explanation. "That, over there, is the Pacific." She pointed out over the gray ocean, its white-topped waves falling over one another as the wind pushed them under the bridge and into San Francisco Bay. "That landmass, the one with all the trees and not much in the way of buildings, is the Presidio. And that" -- here she pointed to the bridge itself -- "is the Gate. Nice name, don't you think?" She smiled, repeating it. "The Gate. The pathway from one life to another. From the wild of the sea to the civilized world, to all that humankind has built."

She paused. "It's like a metaphor for you and me, Wyatt. The place where nature and things beyond humankind's control meet the world as we know it." She breathed deeply, closing her eyes. "And today, it's summer. You may be dressed like it's still winter, but it's really summer." She smiled again. "That ol' summer will come on its own terms, not ours."

She took in the view for a moment longer, then turned the stroller. "Okay, enough of this. Let's get out of this wind and see the rest of the park."

She pushed the stroller toward the Legion of Honor Museum. "I wonder what's happening at the museum today," she said. "Maybe Auntie Paige can show you some antiquities." She stopped as a tour bus rolled up to the front entrance of the museum. "Oh, look, Wyatt, tourists. Let's see how many of them think that just because it's summer, it'll be hot enough for shorts and T-shirts."

As the bus disgorged its passengers, Paige noted that there were indeed several dressed in shorts, or in other clothing too light for the day's chilly conditions. She watched as they hurried into the museum, hugging their cameras as if for warmth.

"See that?" she asked Wyatt. "Those tourists are another metaphor, in their own way." She glanced down to see if Wyatt was watching them. "They come to California expecting sunshine, blue skies, palm trees, and balmy breezes. They watch too much TV." She looked at the tourists scurrying for the doors of the museum, most of them rushing right past the huge statue, Rodin's Thinker. "They don't know what effect that ocean, with its invisible currents, has on our weather. Just like they have no idea how the forces of our world, the world of magic, affect life here for them, for the ordinary people."

She was about to continue when one young man stepped off the bus, nearly the last to do so. He, too, was dressed in jeans and a T-shirt, but he was smiling. He turned to the bay, breathed deeply, and -- instead of hurrying into the museum like the rest of the tourists -- walked toward the ocean.

Paige retreated a bit into the brush, watching this handsome young man, so surprised by his actions that she let her last sarcastic quip die on the tip of her tongue.

The young man moved to a low-lying rock, very near to where Paige stood with the stroller, and climbed up on it. Facing the ocean, he removed his shirt and spread his arms out wide, seeming to embrace the chill wind that bore down on him.

Paige noted that he looked even more handsome with his shirt off.

Wyatt squealed out what sounded very much like a laugh, and the young man jumped at the sound. He turned, spotted Paige, and quickly put his shirt back on. "Sorry," he said. "I didn't mean to disturb you and your baby, ma'am."

"Don't worry, you didn't. And just for the record, I'm his aunt, not his mom." Paige moved the stroller closer to the stranger, who had by now hopped off the rock. "So, what were you doing there?" she asked.

"Oh, just kind of..." He looked back out at the ocean. "It's so big, you know? So powerful." He smiled sheepishly. "I'm from Kansas. We don't have an ocean there. So to be this close, to be here -- " He broke off, shaking his head. "I'm sure it sounds loony, but I just wanted to, you know, greet the ocean. On its own terms. To acknowledge all that power."

Paige nodded, impressed, perhaps even stunned, that a tourist could be awed by the same power that she'd come here to introduce to Wyatt. "I see," she managed. For a moment she shared a look of understanding with the young man.

"Well," he said, "I'd better catch up with my tour."

"Enjoy the museum," she said. "And the ocean."

"Thanks. I intend to."

Paige watched as the young man turned and walked away. She noted that he walked faster on his way to the museum, like the other tourists had. But he stopped to admire the Rodin. Just before moving toward the entrance, he looked back, spotted Paige still watching him, and smiled. Then he disappeared into the museum.

"Well," Paige said to herself as much as to Wyatt, "that was certainly interesting." She glanced at the baby. "I know, I know, I shouldn't lump all tourists into one basket, right? Because as soon as I do, one will surprise me." She rolled the stroller closer to the museum, past the bus, past the sculpture garden, and nearer the entrance. "Don't worry," she said, "I'm not planning on hanging around just for another peek at Mr. Young and Handsome. Besides, he'll be on his way back to Kansas soon."

Wyatt burbled, this time sounding like "Ohhh," and he pointed with his little fingers at the large banner rustling in the wind over the entrance to the museum.

"What's that, Wyatt?" She read the banner. "Oh. Greek antiquities. A touring exhibit, arriving soon." She smiled. "We should come back for that show. Auntie Paige actually knows quite a bit about Greek antiquities. I could probably even..." She stopped, turning this new idea over. "Let's go home, Wyatt. Let's tell Mommy all about our day."

"Sounds like you two had fun," said Piper Halliwell. She sat in front of Wyatt, now in his high chair, feeding him as Paige told her about their adventure. "I hope Wyatt here didn't cramp your style with that buffed-out guy."

"No, of course not." Paige regarded her sister, enjoying the warmth of the kitchen, the smell of baking bread. "And that's not why I went back to the entrance. Not the only reason, anyway."

"Greek antiquities, right. Sounds interesting. Maybe we could all go."

"I'm not just talking about going to see it," Paige explained. "I want to get a job there."

Piper cocked an eyebrow. "Really?"

"Yeah. As a tour guide or something. Just for the time that the exhibit is in town."

"It sounds perfect for you. You know a lot about Greek art, Greek history. More than most people. Just don't go running off to the next city on the tour with some Greek god."

"I promise." Paige smiled and walked to the phone. She dialed the museum's number and made her pitch.

Later that afternoon Piper walked into P3 with Wyatt on her hip. "See how quiet it is at this time of day?" She touched him on his button nose. "So we won't bother anyone, and no one will bother us." She headed for her office.

She'd just settled Wyatt into the corner with some baby toys when her cell phone rang. She glanced at the number. "Look, Wyatt, it's Aunt Phoebe." She snapped the phone open. "Hey, Phoebes, what's up?"

"I need a favor. Can you see if I left a folder of letters to be answered in the bathroom?"

"Gee, I'd love to," said Piper, "but I'm not at home. I'm at the office."

"That explains why you're not picking up the land line." There was a short pause. "What are you doing there this time of day?"

"Checking inventory."

"Umm...don't you have someone who does that for you?"

"Usually," said Piper, "but there's a discrepancy in the numbers. It looks like we've been short a bottle of premium tequila on every order this month. Same brand every time. And it's the most expensive one we carry."

"So you think..."

"Yes," said Piper. "I'm worried that someone is selling it off the books and keeping the cash for themselves."

"Bummer. How will you find out?"

"I'm going over the books myself while it's quiet here."

Wyatt giggled from the corner.

"You've got Wyatt with you?" Phoebe asked.

"Yeah. He's happy putting toys in his mouth. And I really didn't want to be down here all day, so when he gets tired of it, it'l...

Product Details

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Simon Spotlight Entertainment (November 22, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416900268
• ISBN-13: 978-1416900269
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #618,105 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Demons Galore!!, February 3, 2006

By	PiperMarie "Brittany" (Torrington, WY) - See all my reviews

This Charmed book was truely unique. When i first read it i was really amazed at how well the author wrote the book. She followed each sister's life very closely so we weren't lost at all. In fact, the end was the absolute best!!! Piper was in the face of death when she realized the demon's weakest point and it was so cool how easily she killed him!! I could not believe the suspense i felt while reading this book! If you love Charmed, read THIS book!!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars 101 Ways to Die, April 9, 2006

By	Karl G "Jerry" (Singapore) - See all my reviews

This Charmed book can be alternatively called, 101 Ways to Die. He writes very succintly, putting each and every event into nice, summarized fashion for the reader to read. Unlike Hurricane Hex, this book focuses on the demons, and a multiplying one at that.

The doppelganger in question duplicates himself each time he dies, and the method used to kill him becomes ineffective.

Throughout reading this book, I am suddenly enlightened by the many ways a person can undertake to kill himself. Drowning, jumping off a building, getting shot by a crossbow, getting hit by a shotgun, crashing his own van, ramming himself into a wall, blowing himself into bits, and also even being shot by a bazooka. This Charmed book approaches a new concept of a demon - a regenerative one. Kudos to Greg.

Also, I am most impressed with his creative flair. The spells used throughout the book are aplenty, and each one is written perfectly and wonderfully, with a balanced sense of alliteration, tone and rhyme. I am excellently thrilled with Greg's spells which left me satisfied each time I read one aloud.

Greg's storyline is flawed at times, with some parts of the storyline and detail falling short, but the characters like Darryl and Chase develop with excellence. I am also slightly disappointed with the lacklustre ending, but overall, the book was exciting and wonderfully entertaining.

I would buy more of Greg's books in the future (this being one of them), but I would like to advise him not to watch Final Destination while he is writing it.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Hydra Returns, January 29, 2006

By	Joshua Koppel (Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Hallelujah. It is about time one of the Charmed ones shows a little common sense. Paige runs into a tourist twice in a short time and suspects he will therefore become part of their lives and duties. She is right. Paige and the tourist both get jobs at the museum giving tours of a new Ancient Greece exhibit. But one item holds a deadly secret.

No sooner is the radar up that something is strange in the exhibit, than a demon is released and it possesses the tourist. But this is no ordinary demon. It likes to die. Every time it dies it doubles and gains an immunity to that form of destruction. While the Charmed ones are hunting the demon, Darryl and the rest of the force are swamped with violent crimes that all seen to involve the same guy even when several occur at once. Can they stop the demon before it destroys the world?

This one was pretty good but I felt Paige realized the immunity factor almost instinctively with almost no data. But other than that things seemed to work pretty well. The characters and their powers were handled better than in some and with good consistency. This one was about as wild as one of the novels can be allowed to be without it contradicting the show.