Through the glass of the observation window she was barely visible, slumped in the darkest corner of the room, not moving, barely breathing. Being more visible wouldn't have made her more recognisable though. Her body had been twisted and mutilated, her face torn and scarred. It had been months since Castiel turned her in and the constant torture had long since ravaged Anna's body. Her mind however, was a different story. Bloodied and broken Anna remained defiant, refusing to except revelation and come back into the service of the angels. It was an admirable stance, but also worrying. If she continued to resist the torture would surely kill her, and that would be a waste of a power such as Anna's. She also had the added advantage of being on somewhat friendly terms with the Winchesters. No, Anna couldn't be allowed to die, there had to be a way to break her, to use to the angels advantage.
"We have ...other means of persuasion. I could let another 'Specialist' tend her for a while." Zachariah's voice shook as he spoke. It was his responsibility to bring angels back into line, and his methods had never failed before.
"Can you guarantee you other methods will work?" Raphael was unimpressed with Anna's handling so far and was in no mood for further failure. Zachariah hesitated before answering.
"She is a hard case. No one has resisted for so long and lived. Still, I am confident we can break her, we just have to find her weakness." He stopped, hoping this would be enough to pacify Raphael. He couldn't guarantee anything, not with Anna, she was too strong.
"You had better find it fast Zachariah. We are running out of time and I," He gave Zachariah a cold stare. "Am running out of patience." He turned back to the window. "Do whatever it takes. I want her back in our service by tomorrow." Zachariah opened his mouth to protest, then realised the reprieve he had been given and closed it.
"We could let her go." Raphael and Zachariah both started when Michael spoke. He had been so quiet and still they had forgotten he was there.
"You can't be serious brother. She has disobeyed, betrayed us!"
"I am well aware of her crimes Raphael, but Anna's will is strong. She will never do our bidding willingly. We need a way for her to do it unwilling."
Raphael's curiosity had sparked as Michael spoke. "What do you have in mind?"
"What do you think Anna cares about most? What is motivating her to resist us so absolutely?" Michael paused at looked at Raphael who shrugged in response. "She cares most about stopping Lucifer and the apocalypse, stopping us. She cares second about revenge on Castiel. There is a simple way she could do both, if she were free."
"And what is that brother?" Raphael asked.
"Kill Sam Winchester." Michael spoke this as simple fact.
"But he can't be killed! The battle between yourself and Lucifer must take place!"
"She won't succeed Raphael." Michael turned to his brother, slightly annoyed at his failure to see his plan. "But she will be able to get close enough to try, and that will open an opportunity for me to have a word with my vessel."
Realisation finally showed on Raphael's face and he turned directly to Zachariah, who had been watching the exchange silently. "See to it that Anna is released, but make her think she has escaped. She cannot know it was on purpose." Zachariah nodded and quickly left the room, eager to regain some of his reputation. Michael had returned to watching Anna and Raphael observed him for a while before speaking. "This had better work, brother."
"It will. Anna's is strong but she is not unpredictable. She will go after Sam." Unable to divine anything further from his brother, Raphael left Michael to his silent vigil.