Chronicles of Absolution: The Message of the Crow

Chapter 1

Then

… Angela had always felt for the humans. Even though she was no longer completely human, she cared about them… Living as long as she had, she could appreciate life and saw how fragile it was…

Isis smiled in return. "She is special on many levels. To me it is like that of a mother and daughter. Her abilities while special are nothing compared to her nature."

"She's a person just like anyone else and has a big heart the way she spoiled them idjit boys of hers."

"I agree that the Winchesters are important to her. They root her down and hopefully will be there for the things to come as well as you."

… "You know Sam, somehow I think that there is a question that needs to be asked. I think she is waiting for you to ask the right one. You just have to figure it out and made you'll lose that dark brooding look." "I never felt so much as I do for you Sam. It scares me and it scares me a lot."

…"I am not scared of what could happen to me in this whole angels and demons crap. I've dealt with them before."

"So if you want it spelled out, the greatest fear I have is losing you Sam and it is because I… love… you."

… He had a dream again much like the ones that he used to have before he met Angela. It was the one where she ended up dying alone. There was no doubt that part told him that if she were to be alone, she would die and it further cemented his belief that she was to be with him and his brother for a reason. The one part that had him bothered was who it was that did the killing.

… "It actually makes sense," Sam said as he pulled out the candy wrappers and put them on the table with the laptop. "Candy wrappers. Lots of them."

Dean picked up one of them and looked at them. "Sweet tooth. Screwing with people before you kill them… sure looks like the Trickster."

"Looks like it," Sam replied…

She was well aware of the characteristics of tricksters in general. It was true that they did like their sweets. She remembered Coyote had a thing for honey and it had to be a specific kind but sometimes you could tempt him with orange blossom honey. Besides Coyote wasn't really a killer unless he had to.

I don't kill unless they truly deserve it. It has to be a travesty

… Legend has it that seven were chosen to defend the world from the monsters. They were given the gift to hunt and thus seven lineages were born. They are considered hunters…

… that the power of choice was the thing to believe in. The second part was trust; trust that the choice made would ultimately be the one that was believed to be the best interest. Perdition's road was paved with best intentions yet sometimes those intentions paid off…

… "My apologies but it is not easy to catch up with a car even in my animal form." Kesset adjusted his seat to look around. His lip twitch in pleasure as the breeze rippled through his hair.

… "It does to me, Kess. I know she forgives me but… I can't forgive myself."

"Wouldn't that hurt her more?"

"It shouldn't."

… "Because?"

"Because… I…" Sam closed his mouth, not sure how to voice things. Granted he could ask Kesset not to say anything, the guard was not bound to obey or execute any orders on his say so. Still… Sam sighed and tried again, "Because I am trying to make things right. Been trying for a long time and all I do is seem to fuck up. Especially when it involves her… Angie."

… Before she could say anything more, she was startled by Sam leaning forward and pressing his lips to hers in a kiss. Her eyes widened in surprise and her headache was forgotten. It was quick but full of emotion and lingered when he pulled back saying, "Don't do that again."

…. he reached up with his right hand and with his two first fingers he pressed the tips gently to the left side of her neck. He tried not to notice her wide eyed expression of surprise but he couldn't help but look her in the eye as he slowly and almost seductively brought his fingers down the side of her neck down to the collar bone. He finished by leaning forward and planted a kiss in the same spot she did, letting his breath linger slightly before pulling back…

… Sam looked up and noticed the look she was giving and gave a smile. He looked back down at her holding his hand. He responded by taking her hand into his and started tracing the contours of her hand. He felt a little better…

She growled in anger and tried to bite the offending finger. The result was a hard backhand across the face. She glared at the creature, her normal tawny eyes glowed, becoming bright orbs in the night. The creature merely laughed as he brought up a blade. The hunter recognized the glint of the metal. She struggled to free herself. Suddenly the blade came at her, towards where her heart was…

… Sam looked up at Lucifer which was actually himself. It looked like him but it wasn't him. Sam could see his double's eyes and they looked cold. They were empty orbs. Sam assumed that his double was Lucifer since that dick told him he was his vessel. He patted Angela reassuringly and said, "The answer is no."

"You honestly think that I am Lucifer?" The double laughed at that like it was a very good joke. "You really have no clue."

… "The guardian is one of them… the Abhibhavak of the Destroyer."

"I am. If I know one thing there are probably twenty or so of the Abhibhavak around the place. We just don't see them unless they want us to."

… "Have you forgotten my beloved? That you bow to no one."

Angela opened her mouth slightly and closed it as she looked at the goddess looking at her with love in her eyes. Finally she said, "I only show respect my lady."

Parvati looked at Angela with the smile a mother gives a child and ran her fingers through her hair. She noted that the locks were longer and held back by the braid that made a headband. She saw the years worn on the girl's face that told a story of struggle, victory, and something else. All in all, she saw the same girl she had first met, one with a good heart. She smiled, "Still the same my beloved Shifa'. You have not changed."

… "By the way… not going to happen."

"What?"

"Lucifer."

"Who made you boss?"

"Angie."

It had been a soft but firm warning or whatever. It forced the pair to stare at each other in a silent battle of wills and threatened to be a repeat of earlier. Angela spoke first, "It is an option."

"And one that is not happening."

… "And for good reason," she replied as she crossed her arms over her chest. "And don't think that you are going to get away with tormenting Sam. I know about your nightly visits."

"How could I forget," Lucifer replied as he grinned at her while appraising her. "You interfered on one and then gave the tempting offer of yourself."

"And the offer still stands. I can be your vessel and I volunteer for it but I will only grant the word at a certain place and time."

… Lucifer nodded, "But I know about the stunt you pulled with the werewolf cure. Big risk for one like you and most full blooded would never consider it."

"As you pointed out, I stick my neck out for people."

"Yes but you did almost die. Now that has me wonder if you are going to be so free with your life in the future."

… "You are the most beautiful creature in existence. The perfect being so to speak. Born of light and dark. One to walk the world alone and with the ability to unite and lead armies…"

… "What I want… is you," Lucifer purred in her ear. He was standing behind her and had placed his hands on her arms to pin them to her sides. "I want you… your gift. I know you have what few hope to have and I want it."

"Can't have it."

"Don't play coy with me," Lucifer growled in her ear, "You just offered to be my vessel. In my view that means you are willing to turn yourself over to my side. That I take very seriously." He gripped her tight and whispered, "It will end as it is written but I will have you. That I promise." He then said something in another language.

… Breaking the kiss, he leaned forward to where he had kissed her collarbone and took a whiff, his lips hovering over the skin. "You smell nice."

Angela felt Sam's breath on her neck and leaned her head against his. She managed to turn her head slightly and took in the scent she knew so well and drove the instinct to stalk him and not in a hunting kind of way. She breathed on his neck, "You smell pretty good yourself."

Well aingeal there are healers and there are healers. There are major differences and it's all about how they use their gifts

… "You remember well. All life stems from energy. It is in everything that exists. It binds the elements together."

… "Energy binds the elements, the glue that holds all things together," Shiva said as he walked beside her.

"Ethereal energy," Angela replied as she went into another posture. "Like all things are composed of matter, that matter is held together by energy."

Shiva nodded as he watched her. On the wire, it made her a head taller than he was but then again the wire was suspended only a foot off the ground. Yet the posture was the same a person suspended a hundred feet above ground. "True. When something changes, it is merely the energy shifting into another form."

… Shiva shook his head, "I don't doubt that. You've always done what you perceive as to be right."

Angela sighed as she looked at the ground and shook her head, "Not everything." She looked up at the god and continued, "And I know that I am not getting to where I need to be to find the vision. Don't try to butter me up. I know that last one knocked me flat on my ass and it wasn't even half speed. I can't summon the Mendi. Not like I once did."

"You doubt your path."

"No." Angela shook her head as she said it. She started pacing to work out the tender spots on her feet along with the cramps. "It's not my path I doubt, Lord Shiva. I know my path is the one of the warrior and more specifically the one of the Malachi, the chosen protector of man. I doubt my abilities trying to complete that path."

… "It bothers me that one of the brothers will have to be a vessel and if either agree to me, they would have to fight me."

"But that doesn't bother you," Shiva replied, almost crooning as he moved his hands down to her upper arms.

"No. I would rather not them fight each other."

"And yet you know that deep down, they wouldn't be happy with that choice because whoever it is would be going against you."

… The lightning flashed again and Dean noticed that Angela had moved closer. The bird of prey look was still on her and when she moved, the lightning flashed and it was then that he saw a pair of wings coming from his girl. They didn't look like Castiel's but the effect was the same. He had moved everyone else moved and ended up standing next to Angela and couldn't help but say, "Um… you look a little different there Angie."

Should you find that you are on that very last leg and you still have the drive to fight, call upon my name and you shall have what you need to fight… and live…

Now

Los Angeles, 2009

The city of angels… that was the name that described Los Angeles where people went for all reasons and they became lost in the urban jungle that seemed to swallow all the lost souls whole. Unfortunately that was overshadowed by the vices that brought a bright light; the nightclubs were always in full swing while less fortunate souls tried to make do.

Like so many others Blair Kirkpatrick came from small town, USA to try and become famous, live the glamor life… all the things that are associated with the city of angels. She wanted to be either a movie actress or a model. It was just a matter of luck and that she was good enough to land the leading lady role in the play Cyrano de Bergerac. It was one of her favorite plays that she had read in high school and she loved the plot. She just never thought she would be playing the part of Roxanne.

She opened the door to the entrance of the theatre where the actors came and went. Tonight was their last night for the production. It was the first step towards her dream of a career on the stage. Blair looked into her purse and moved the notebook she carried for her day job as a writer for a small newspaper. At least she wasn't a secretary though she knew how to type and all of that; her father made sure she had those basics. She fished out the key the stage manager had given her and made to unlock the door.

It was more like habit and sort of tradition that she was the first to be there to get ready. When she held up her key, she noticed that the door was ajar and frowned. It was rare that someone came before she did but it wasn't unusual. Shrugging it off, she let herself in and went towards the dressing rooms and started turning things on. It wouldn't be long before the stage crew would be there to do what they did for lighting and sound.

She walked to her room to start getting ready since she had a couple of costume changes and she tried to help wardrobe out as much as she could. She was fixing the first dress when she heard a noise. She paused and called out, "Hello?"

When there was no sound, she exited the room to take a look. It was still a bit early for people to come in to work but still… She left the room to look around when she heard another noise. She looked around and found… "Josh, you scared me." Blair grinned as she looked at the lead actor who was playing Cyrano. "You're here early."

As she approached, it became clear that something was up with Josh. He was staring at her blankly, like he could see her but wasn't seeing her. She frowned and queried, "Josh?"

Suddenly she saw black as something was thrown over her head. She shrieked and it turned into a scream when she felt her body being dragged somewhere she didn't want to go. The next thing she knew she found herself on the stage and she was dressed as her character. She looked around, wondering what was going on and then she saw Josh. She narrowed her eyes and said, "Josh this isn't funny."

Josh merely looked at her and then, as if a switch had been flipped, he moved forward and started saying his lines but they were in French. Blair found her body moving of its own accord and moving to play the scene that was going on. She was seized with an urge to follow through but she was aware that it wasn't her own will doing it. She found herself saying the lines in French and it surprised her since she didn't speak French.

At one point she managed to grab Josh and demand, "Josh, stop it. This isn't funny!"

Josh didn't stop though. Instead he gripped her tight and hard and made her wince. Blair struggled but the grip was tighter and she was being dragged to the center stage. She was flung into the center and she staggered a bit before turning to look at Josh. He was wielding one of the prop daggers. At least that was what she thought it was before he advanced at her and she saw the glint. She screamed as he came at her and slashed and there was the sound of blood splashing on the surface and the screams disappeared. It was then followed by a second splash of wetness hitting the surface.

2010 Dakota City, Nebraska

It was two days before opening night and there were still a few things that needed adjustments. It was enough to send the crew on a panic and especially the stage manager and assistant director Cory Sinclair. They were two days until opening night and one of the leading ladies was being a bigger bitch than usual and it had sent Todd the director on a need to climb into the bottle. That left Claire with the business of running rehearsals. And she didn't like it.

At least tonight it was a minimal rehearsal meaning the leading lady and the leading man. The major problem was the important scene that drove the whole production and her actress had decided to go prima donna on her and was demanding that they scrap the leading male actor for one that she thought was better. Claire had put her foot down since she knew that it was only being done to make things difficult. And to think she went to school for a degree in theatre arts.

At that moment she was running over last minute changes to the set and had left the actors rehearsing on the stage. Claire was doing her best to calm the lighting director down since she was in near tears because 'queen bitch' demanded more lighting on her. Claire was a wits end as she said to just leave the arrangement as was they had already established and said that she was the AD and not the diva.

It was at that moment there was a loud crash. Clair closed her eyes as she heard a scream that sounded frustrated. She gritted her teeth and growled, "She better not have ripped those costumes. The bitch." She left the lighting director and turned back towards the stage.

"Monica, you better not have damaged those costumes or it's coming out of your pay and I will be pressing charges of property damage…"

There was another crash and Claire growled out her frustration as she quickened her pace to get to the stage. That was when she heard Logan yelling at Monica and demanding to know if she was crazy or not. It was followed by another set of crashes. It only made Claire start to run. That wasn't a pleasant sound and it sounded like real trouble was going on.

She had just rounded the corner when she heard Monica reciting lines and Logan was responding to them. She came across the two doing lines except Logan was kneeling and holding a dagger and it wasn't a prop dagger. She called out, "Logan, what are you doing?"

At that moment Monica said another line and she walked towards Logan. Claire tried to intervene, "Okay, enough fun. We gotta rehearse the scene and nice that you're not being a total bitch, Monica."

Monica and Logan seemed to ignore Claire as they continued the scene as Monica walked up towards Logan and looked at him. Claire knew that the look had to be fake since the woman couldn't even fake attraction and yet she thought she was prima donna of the troupe. She walked up and started pushing on both to get some semblance of order. "Okay. Enough. We have two days until opening and I'm not gonna have you screw this up with your bitchy ways, Monica."

Monica looked at Claire and shoved her hard. The force was enough to send her flying across the stage and she collided with a prop. Claire winced from the impact to her head and touched it gingerly as she rolled on the ground. She thought that Rita was going to kill her for ruining the set piece she had worked painstakingly on. Maybe she could blame it on Monica and finally have an excuse to fire her. It wasn't too much to hope for.

As she rolled to her side, she saw Monica and Logan standing face to face looking at each other like they were a pair of romantic lovers and Logan raised the dagger. He said a line and pressed the tip to his chest. Monica smiled as she placed her hands on the pommel over his hands. She smiled as she shoved the dagger into Logan's chest.

Claire couldn't help but stifle a scream with her hand as she stared in horror at the fact that Logan was still smiling as the dagger was yanked out. Then his vision cleared and he seemed to realize that he had been stabbed and started screaming. Claire ran towards Logan to try to help him but was suddenly thrown by an unseen force and she felt a sudden pain in her body. It was like her insides were being churned and she moaned in pain. She tried to get to her feet but she couldn't move and the pain was increasing.

Looking up, she saw Monica staring at her but her expression was dead and dull. It wasn't the bitch she remembered. "M…Monica. Stop."

Monica just looked at her and Claire felt the pain in her middle start to increase and she cried out. It was excruciating and she hugged her middle. All of a sudden it felt like her middle burst and looking down, she coughed and blood started coming out. It started to clot in her throat and she started choking. She put a hand to her mouth and felt the blood pour out. She spit but it wasn't doing any good and she looked up at Monica.

The woman had a dull look as she lifted the dagger she had helped Logan stab himself with. Without hesitation, Monica drove the knife into her chest and fell to the stage. Claire watched as the black spots started to fill her vision and she coughed out more blood. The last thing she saw was a probably a hallucination but they looked like a pair of ghosts standing with…


A/N: We kick off another episode and it looks like there seems to be trouble in the theatre. Hmm... stay tuned for next time on The Message of the Crow...