Chronicles of Absolution: Dancing with the Devil

Chapter 1

Then

Not sure. Town's full of mild mannered people until one suddenly goes postal. Attacks have been random. The latest was an old lady, the owner of the local market. Police aren't releasing too many details…

"Pain in my ass but she has her moments," he replied letting the tone of affection seep through.

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."

… "You are one of us. Not heaven made but earth bound."

… "The Malachi shall come bearing the blade that shall bring Absolution to the world."

… "The Malachi will be born of the light and the darkness."

… "The Malachi bears compassion for all including enemies."

… "The Malachi shall rise from the dead bearing the power of compassion and empathy; the powers that run deep within the blood."

… "You are the Malachi of Absolution."

… Sam realized what he had done. He had started the Apocalypse. The last thing he saw apart from the approaching light was Angela pushing him and Dean away telling them to go. He blinked and he thought he saw her hands glow as she said, "Get out!" Then the room was full of light.

… "You protect your family but not at the expense of who you are." She stopped Angela from speaking and continued, "I know you have knowledge up there and memories that are bloody and things you have to deal with but there is a fine line that you are at. You have to make the choice on whether or not it fight this as who you are or go down the road that you fear the most."

… 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…

… "You're right," Crowley admitted still smiling. He had the report from Cary and it did her no justice. He could tell she changed but she was still the beautiful creature he first met. "I have been keeping tabs on things. The beauty that was dead but now alive and apparently in full force. You know it's been a long time since I've seen Cary that scared."

"What can I say? I've always been good at scaring people." Angela looked at the demon as she crossed her arms over her chest.

"Enough that I can't conduct business without hearing the name Absolution and how she's screwed up things," Crowley countered, "Quotas are down."

… "To him, we're just servants. Cannon fodder." Crowley heaved a slight sigh like he was being wronged. Actually he was in some way considering he figured on what the big bad boss wanted. "If Lucifer manages to exterminate humankind… we're next." He leaned on his desk and studied the Winchesters. He didn't need to convince her since she knew the score. "So help me huh? Let's all go back to simpler, better times."

… Releasing her sleeve, 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.

Angela didn't move but looked at Sam in the eyes as he looked back at her. She didn't move when he slowly reached out and took her hand and held it in his. Sam kept his gaze on hers as he moved his fingers over her hand and held it. Slowly a full, shy smile erupted on her face and she squeezed his hand in response. It was a start…

… "Not arguing with that."

"Good."

What happened next would have had Dean grin and make his usual lewd comments. And that would have been if he happened to witness the entire thing. As it were he wasn't there and Sam gave into the impulse and pressed his lips against hers in a hard kiss, drawing it out. Angela, for her part, welcomed it and let him press her against the tree as he kept kissing her…

… 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."

All that Angela heard was a low hum from Sam and she felt his breath on her skin before his lips made contact. She felt her skin flush with heat and she hummed in response but it came out more like a purr growl. She then felt Sam press a little harder and start to suckle on the skin…

It is if you are you know… And you and I both know that you are attracted to him. He is pretty cute.

Did you purr? You know it is a special kind of call.

… "I picked this because… there is something I wanted to tell you for a long time and that moment…"

… "Leave her alone, Lucifer," Gabriel warned. He held his blade up in warning. "She is here for a purpose so get over yourself. It's time to grow up."

Lucifer took in his brother's stance. He knew Gabriel always had a protective streak. He just liked to mock it by taking his good deed and tearing it down and stomping on it. It usually brought out a reaction that ended in the equivalent of a fist fight but this time…

… "So you're willing to die for a pile of cockroaches and a girl who has yet to fully realize who and what she is? Why?"

… "She is perfect no matter what she is and what she does and you wanna know why?" He paused to allow Lucifer to respond if he wanted to. When that didn't happen, he answered his question, "It's because she does what these flawed abortions do. She tries and does forgive."

You got to get the cage open, trick my bro back into it, and uh… oh yeah… avoid Michael and the God squad. But hey, details, right? And it shouldn't be a problem now that Cat got a little something extra for which I apologize for. I know Sam wants to strangle me if he could

But the key to the cage, it's out there. And actually it's keys. Four keys. Well four rings. From the horsemen

… "Well, we've got War's and we nicked Famine's. That's two rings down. Collect all four? All we need is just Pestilence and Death."

… She put her hand on the one that was stroking her cheek and closed her eyes and leaned into his touch. It felt… so good. Her question came out in a whisper, "And what is that?"

"That… that I love you."

Now

The crowd was cheering as the two combatants circled each other with their hands up in fists. They eyed each other warily as they judged each other's intentions and movements. They ignored the cat calls and the hooting from the onlookers. It was a tense moment as they paused and almost didn't seem to move once they adapted a position. Suddenly one launched and attack swinging their fists in wide arcs.

Angela was waiting for the swing and blocked it. Using her opponent's momentum, she batted her opponent aside and sidestepped the charge. She looked down as her opponent fell to their knees. Her expression was without emotion on it but everything was being felt on the inside and running full speed ahead. "Enough," she said, "Please."

The downed person got to their feet and looked at Angela with a narrowed look and then charged again. "Grrahhh!"

Angela was ready for the charge. Instead of sidestepping, she took the charge and fell on her back. Using her legs, she got her knees into her opponent's abdomen and pushed to send them flying head over heels. She flipped forward to get to her feet and turned to look at her opponent lying in the sandy street. They weren't moving and the crowd was egging her to finish the guy.

Looking around, Angela sighed and turned to walk away. She was done with this. She ignored the booing and headed towards the place she had been heading towards. It was then she sensed something wasn't right. She paused a little and closed her eyes. When she opened them, they were flaring. Pivoting on her heel she swung her arm out in a sweeping motion.

Her opponent had gotten to their feet and had pulled a blade and they were charging. She hadn't seen it but her other senses were on alert. She reacted and sent the guy flying into one of the vendor stalls nearby. She narrowed her eyes as she watched the crowd gasp at her opponent as they grimaced from being rammed into a stall selling what looked like wooden wares. Her hand was still outstretched with her hand splayed.

The crowd started looking at Angela. She merely stared and then shifted to gaze at everyone before turning around and walking away. As she did, her eyes returned to normal and took a couple of breaths as she paused a moment. She started walking again but this time it was harder to ignore the whispers that were starting. She shifted her gaze downward and continued forward. She just wanted to leave.

High above on the wall overlooking the square, two people watched the whole thing go down. They watched as Angela tried talking down the attacker and how she avoided serious confrontation down to the last straw when she used her powers against her attacker and sent him flying. They watched as the crowd looked at her and how she turned and walked away.

"So it is as was reported."

Satet watched as her adopted daughter walked back towards the villa that was designated hers when she came to Karnak. It was what humans in the modern world called a guest house. Her expression was pensive and she longed to just appear down there and hug her. She resisted and replied, "And it doesn't matter."

"My lady…"

"It doesn't matter Kizet," Satet replied as she looked up at the man that was observing with her. She stared at him with a firm look. "She still is my daughter and I will not have her be the subject of guard potentials testing meters or whatever the hell it's being called."

"My lady, she is…" Kizet paused will trying to come up with a way of describing the situation without incurring the wrath of the Nile goddess. Finally he said, "My lady, the princess has been awakened. We all felt it." He paused as the goddess shifted to watch the subject in question walk. "She is…"

"Don't you call her a threat. You and I both know she is not," Satet turned with a finger raised in warning.

"I am not saying that," Kizet replied looking down while shaking his head. He took a breath and continued, "What I am saying is that now the field has shifted. What was locked away has now been released and we don't know what is going to happen."

Satet studied her aide and personal guard. She knew he was only thinking in terms of safety and for the people of Karnak. "No we don't but that doesn't give us the right to treat her like she is a leper. She is a princess of the Nile."

"Which is why I am suggesting that she be convinced to stay so at least we know what she can and can't do. If only so she doesn't accidently hurt a civilian or worse, the one she truly cares about." Kizet took a breath as he stood respectful to the lady. "And while I have faith that Kesset will be there… I just…"

"Then faith must be stronger," Satet replied in a gentle tone. She knew what her guard was getting at and she while he had everyone's interests at heart… that wasn't going to solve anything. "Shifa' was predicted to come into her own understanding. The how and when were never made clear."

"And you are planning to take it on faith?"

Satet smiled and replied, "Of course. I believe in her."


The light of the torches lit the streets below as the night guard was maneuvering into night patrols. There was some music playing and some dancers in the streets. It wasn't a festival but given the circumstances there really wasn't a need to discourage living it a little. Besides, it wasn't eat, drink and be merry but rather, eat, drink and pay respects. It was funerary.

Angela stared down at the dance for the dead taking place as she leaned against the balcony of the guest house that was hers. She stared through a heavy lidded gaze down below as she observed the rite to honor the dead. She leaned on her elbows and sighed before raising a hand to her forehead and rubbing it. Her other hand was cupped around a cup filled with the best alcohol that could be found in Karnak but it really wasn't rotgut or Jack Daniels. Yet it was enough to try and work things over the past few days or hours… time really passed differently in a sanctuary.

Leaning against the balcony, she thought about the past few days in Karnak time. After she woke up and apologized to Sam for nearly beaning him with a water glass, he handed her the DVD of Casa Erotica and told her to watch the bonus features. She eye browed him a moment but she didn't get insulted. She figured that Gabriel would do something like that.

Sam was content to leave her alone to watch but she asked him to stay. In fact, she had both brothers there with her when she popped in the DVD and clicked on the bonus features. She had wanted to laugh when she saw the still screens for the menu and she would have had fun at getting Dean scandalized about her lack of sensibility with regards to porn. But she remained sober as she clicked on the link. Gabriel had thought of everything. He explained a few things and apologized for what he had done.

I know by now that you would have figured out that I am dead. You would have felt it and then some and I'm sorry.

You're probably wondering what I'm talking about. Well… think back to when you just learned that trick I showed you. Cat, the long and short of it is that the burn was a result of that. I always said it was your gift and greatest weapon. My regret is that my death is leaving you alone to deal…

Angela took a drink from her cup. "Yeah, Gabe. You left me permanently this time and I still have no idea what you did to me."

Sam and Dean didn't know either except for suspicions that it had something to do with her powers. And it didn't help that they mentioned what happened the moment her shoulder burned. What she did notice was that her powers seemed stronger and her senses were… She would never have been able to pull off what she did today before then. Well maybe but not with the same effect and she had never felt a rush like that before.

Taking another swig, she slammed the sup down on the ledge. Now was not the time to be worrying about this. They had to get the rings of Pestilence and Death and find a way to get Lucifer's ass back into the cage. This was like the topping of bad timing for things with her to be going haywire. And it didn't help that she felt like she was burning with fever half the time. "Just had to stick it to him didn't ya," she muttered as she took the last of the swill before turning and throwing the cup into the wall.

"I'd say anger management was in order."

"Blow it out your ass, Wosret."

Wosret looked at the woman that she called sister as she leaned against the banister of the balcony looking at her with a narrowed look. She hadn't seen that look since the woman detoxed from demon blood so long ago. "I know you're angry…"

"That's putting it mildly," Angela said as she pointed at Wosret. "And don't be so nice to me. I know you're just anxious to take it out of my ass because Gabriel decided for once to follow through and actually take a blade in my place." She choked on the last part and then turned to walk away. She headed to where she kept a stash of the swill and grabbed the bottle. "And a pity I can't get drunk."

Wosret was taken aback by the amount of self-loathing that was in Angela's tone. "I don't blame you for what Gabriel did as his choice. He made it because he…"

"He's a guardian. It's what they do," Angela replied as she waved the opened bottle around. She gave a wry chuckle. "Hell, it's what I do but I always seem to walk away and a trail of collateral damage is left behind. Oh yeah such a great concept."

Wosret swallowed at that assessment. "Shifa', this isn't you. You don't leave destruction…"

Angela snorted at that as she started pacing. There was little else to do at the moment. "Please. It's all I ever do. And you know why? Because I learned the truth and the truth is… I'm a monster. Born human and then puberty hit…" She made a slight sound before taking a swig.

Deciding enough was enough, Wosret moved and grabbed the bottle from Angela. She expected a struggle but didn't get one. Instead she got a shrug like it wasn't a big deal and Angela walking towards a cabinet and opening it to pull out a bottle of what looked like whiskey. It had Wosret raise a brow since modern alcohol was not exactly a big thing around here. Few who left the sanctuary brought it back. It was a status thing.

"Hmm… knew that he stocked a good cabinet." Angela popped the cork and stuck out a hand. The cup she had thrown flew to her hand and she started pouring a drink. She glanced at Wosret and then at her drink. "You know Gabe had good taste. He taught me a refined wine palate and it stuck. Certainly impressed a few bluebloods."

Wosret said nothing while Angela downed her glass and abandoned it in favor of the bottle. Angela walked back to the ledge and leaned over to watch the masses below. She held the bottle over the edge like she would a beer bottle and just watched while occasionally taking a drink. Wosret took the opportunity to come closer and lean on the railing next to her, quiet.

"He sent me away, Wosret."

Wosret shifted to look at Angela. She listened as Angela continued in an almost wry chuckle, "He sent me away and… You know I was ready to swing a fist or two but he wouldn't let me. Now he's gone, and I'm left with trying to hunt down two horsemen."

"He knew he was going to die eventually by taking on Lucifer. If he got lucky, he would have gotten out and if not…" Wosret paused as she watched her sister take a sip and stare out at the ground below.

Angela made a slight sound. She took another swig of whiskey. "I can't stay here. I know Kizet wants me to because no one knows what I can do but I know I scared a few people. Hell I scare myself because I feel a little charged and it won't go away no matter what I do and once or twice I thought I saw wings coming from me. Faint and shadowy like."

Wosret was well aware of the stories that had been circulating. She knew she had to tell her what Gabriel trusted her with so long ago. "It's because of your powers," she replied. Once she had Angela's attention, she continued, "Gabriel bound your powers, the ones fueled by your healer connection when you were a young girl. He knew that you were more than what you thought… since the beginning when he found you. He wanted to protect you because he knew that both sides would come after you."

"I know," Angela replied after being silent for a time. She shifted to look at Wosret and explained, "I know. Figured it out when he reminded me of when he did it. It was when he taught me how to find what matters the most to me. Most basic of exercises involving the healer." She sighed and looked up at the sky. "I'm just… angry. And I want to take it out on something, which is why I need to go back. I've been away from Sam and Dean long enough and they weren't happy in the first place when your escorts came and got me."

"I apologize and Mother and Father wanted you to be here since… he was your guardian." Wosret gave a slight cough and almost joked, "And that was a lame reason."

"Yeah but that's the thing with Sam and Dean," Angela replied with a slight smile. She didn't hold it against her godly family. She took a sip of the bottle. "They are pretty good at reading between the lines. Sam especially. Makes me wonder what I did to find someone like him."

"Maybe he wonders how he found someone like you."

Angela looked at Wosret, "What do you mean?"

"I mean how he found probably one of the greatest things in his life."

Angela paused for a moment and looked away. She wasn't sure what to think about that. The thought made her blush since Sam did admit his feelings for her and she t him. She hummed for a moment and said, "You know Sam said he loved me. I said the same thing back."

"Then I am sorry," Wosret countered. "They both should have been here."

Angela shook it off, "It's no worries. They understand and… They are working on our next move. Which is why I need to leave. I can't stay here Wosret."

Wosret nodded at that. She knew that Angela wasn't one to hide in a hole. If she could do something, she would do it. She would be out there to help people. "I know and so do Mother and Father but… the rite is tomorrow. At least stay for that."

"Wosret…"

"You are to sing the farewell to Gabriel."

Angela straightened up and stared at Wosret. She knew that she couldn't refuse especially if she had been given the honor of the funerary farewell. She had sung it for Ellen and Jo and now she was singing it for an archangel. But she had to get back on the road and help the Winchesters look for Pestilence. She gave a nod. She could stay one more day.


A/N: And here we are with a new episode of Chronicles. Here we have Angie working through Gabriel's death while trying to go after Pestilence. Stay tuned for more Dancing with the Devil...