Edriel stood stiffly with her hands behind her back, Castiel and Uriel on either side of her. They had gotten the call to report to their superior's office - Zachariah - a few human days after their talk in the garden. Worries crowded her mind. Did Zachariah know about those talks? Did he suspect something? Edriel cast her mind back desperately and came up with a blank. She let her shoulders relax.
The door opened.
Zachariah walked in and regarded them coolly, face impassive as he walked over to his desk and sat down, putting his hands in front of him. He took a folder that was on his desk and started to flip through it, which Edriel thought was unnecessary, since she knew he knew what was going on anyway.
"So," he said after a moment of silence. "Dean Winchester is out of Hell."
"Yes sir," Castiel responded, face equally emotionless.
"And your Castiel."
"Yes."
"Hmm. Your file mention you are Paired with Edriel over here." His gazed slid over her and she shivered. "Interesting choice, to have a Partner so young and inexperienced."
"Forgive me," Castiel replied stiffly, "but as you know, it is not a matter of age or battle experience that determines Partners, it is-"
"The Will of our Father." Zachariah waved his hand dismissively, "Yes, yes I know. Who am I to question Him? I just give out the orders. Speaking of orders," He leaned back in his seat, "Let's get down to business. Alastair has been captured, and we require Dean Winchester to use his...unique set skills that he acquired in his time in Hell."
A pause, then Castiel said in a low voice with a hint of disbelief, "You speak of torture."
Zachariah looked pleased. "You understand then."
Castiel looked disgusted. "Surely we need not lower ourselves to the level of demons, much less let Dean Winchester continue what he clearly despises in the name of Heaven-"
"Dean Winchester was brought out of Hell to do Heavens will, Castiel, or have you forgotten? Are you questioning orders?" Zachariah asked sharply, narrowing his eyes.
"No, I am merely suggesting-"
"If it is Father's Will then it will be done," Uriel interrupted coolly, taking a step forward. "No matter what we have to do to get it done."
Zachariah clapped his hands, delightfully smirking at Castiel's disgruntled expression. "Then it seems, as the humans say it, we are 'on the same page.'"
He got up from his chair and walked in front his desk, looking each of them in the eye as he walked in front of them.
"As you are well aware, seven angels have been murdered from your Garrison. We believe it some kind of demon, although we don't know who. We have captured Alastair, as you know, and Heaven requires Dean Winchester to do God's work in getting him to tell us who that demon is. Your orders: Secure a private location where Alastair can be interrogated. Then, contact Dean Winchester and convince him in whichever way you see fit to come with you. Uriel," he gave the angel an appraising look. "You're in charge of this mission."
"Sir," Castiel said, sounding surprised, "I mean no disrespect to either of you, but I hardly think Uriel is qualified-"
"Uriel is qualified enough," Zachariah responded icily, "Since he will be in charge of this mission and the others after."
Castiel looked agitated. "Sir-"
"Also," Zachariah continued, raising his voice, "I have noticed that you have also failed in your duties in your mentorship of Edriel-"
"Castiel has done a fine job, sir," Edriel tried to object, speaking up for the first time.
Zachariah whirled toward her. "You will not speak," he hissed and then spoke softer, his snarling face turned into one of sympathy as she lowered her wings in submission. "Forgive me, sister. You are young. I should not have expected you to understand the workings of older angels." His mouth twisted. "Another thing Castiel failed to teach you. Never fear. Along with his promotion, Uriel is granted permission to mentor you in the ways of angels."
Castiel opened his mouth to object, wings rigid with indigence. Edriel shot him a pleading look and shook her head lightly, making him close his mouth. He relaxed his shoulders, face turning emotionless and he forced his wings to relax.
"Alright," Zachariah said, clapping his hands together.. "Uriel, stay back. Castiel, Edriel. Dismissed." Castiel bow his head stiffly and left, Edriel following shortly after.
They ended up a abandoned warehouse. Castiel showed her how to construct an Devil's Trap, his voice low and familiar as he moved the chalk in the familiar pattern. When they were done, Edriel brought the chains that Alistair would be bound in.
"Do not talk to him," Castiel told her when they were finished their work. "He will whisper lies into your ears and will attempt to goad you into action by slandering our Father's name."
"Which is why this will teach her a lesson in self restraint," Uriel replied, stepping into the room without a sound. He eyed their work critically. "That will have to do. Now, Dean Winchester."
"Will I be accompanying you, sir?" Edriel asked politely.
Uriel scowled. "Unlike Castiel, I will not be so lenient as to when you are dismissed in your duties. You will be expected perform your duties in the most efficient fashion. Understood?"
"Yes, sir," Edriel replied obediently.
"Good. Now, assemble the chains Alastair will be bound in. He will be brought here shortly by Ezekiel and Jael." Uriel gave Castiel a smug look. "Castiel and I will go retrieve Dean Winchester." Castiel nodded stiffly in acceptance of the order. Uriel took off, and after giving her look that promised to inform her of the events she will miss, he was gone to. She got to work.
Ezekiel's vessel was thirty four year old male hardened war veteran, who almost died on the fields of Afghanistan, Edriel remembered Ezekiel telling the other angels as they got ready to lay siege to Hell. He kept his faith though the fields of battle and followed orders without question. She remembered thinking it was a fitting fit for the angel.
Now, she watched as he gripped Alistair's left arm as Jael gripped the other. She felt new respect for them both stir up inside her as she listen to the taunts Alistair threw them while she led them into the room where he will be bound and tortured in, hopefully by Dean Winchester.
"Well, well," Alistair drawled as she helped Ezekiel bound his hands with iron chains dipped in salt. "Aren't you a pretty little thing? Say, sweetheart, aren't you a little young to be playing with the big boys?" Edriel remembered Castiel's advice and didn't respond, looping the chains around again before starting to work on his feet. Alistair sniffed. "I can smell your unease, sweetheart. And…" he cocked his head. "My my, this is interesting. Say, angel, do you have a Partner? You know, I haven't see one in about, oh, a few billion years maybe. They're so rare nowadays, or so I hear, with Daddy being gone and all."
He chuckled as she stiffened, wings going up indignantly.
"Oh yes, I know all about that. We demons like to gossip down stairs, you know."
Forgetting Castiel's order and Ezekiel's look of warning, she said flatly, "He's not gone. It is His will that you are here today."
Alistair barked out a laugh. "So that's what their telling you? Sweetheart, it is my pleasure to tell you that God is doesn't care what happens to humanity, nevertheless his precious angels. He's gone-"
"Enough!" Ezekiel interrupted sharply. He took Edriel's partly looped chain and sharply pulled it forward, hooking it to the floor, tightening the chains and causing Alastair to wince.
"Taunting us with your lies will do nothing for you in the end, Abomination. Come sister," he said, shoving her toward the door.
"Heaven lies!" Alastair shouted.
"Think nothing of it," Ezekiel murmured.
Castiel was back and had convinced Dean to torture Alastair when she came back from painstakingly arranging everything Dean would need. A jar of salt. A jug of holy water. Various iron scalpels and knives etched in Enochian that made Edriel shudder to think what could be done.
Heaven lies, Alistair had said. She closed her eyes and put a thick woolen blanket to cover the monstrous tools.
"Who's the chick?" She heard Dean ask as she came with the supplies.
"Edriel," Castiel said, greeting her as well as answering Dean's question. "My Partner and former protégé."
Dean eyed her, looking surprised. "Your married?"
"Spiritualty," Edriel said, just as Castiel replied, "It's not sexual."
Dean eyed them both, looking bewildered and amused, before looking at the cart in her hands. He swallowed. "Former protégé? Who's teaching her now?"
The side Castiel's mouth titled down in displeasure. "Uriel."
Dean grimaced. "Yeah, I wouldn't want him around my wife to." He looked at the cart. "I should...get started." Edriel handed him the cart, secretly glad to be rid of it.
He doesn't look back as he goes in and Edriel is not sure if that's a good thing.
They hear the screams as time passes and it bothers her. She grimaces. Castiel is restless, having caught her up on the events that had transpired as they day wore on. When he's not standing there looking into nothing, he's praying quietly to their Father.
She was thinking about what Alistair said, Heaven lies. She knew she shouldn't be thinking it - it was blasphemy - and Heaven was well, Heaven. Good. Just. God's home.
So that's what their telling you? Sweetheart, it is my pleasure to tell you that God is doesn't care what happens to humanity, nevertheless his precious angels. He's gone-
His voice was full of glee. Edriel knew demons lied, that they planted the seeds of doubt, she should have faith. And yet… and yet….
Edriel bowed her head. Forgive me Father, for I have sinned.
There is a warmth in her chest, suddenly, and Castiel is there behind her, a hand on her shoulder. She knows he's going to ask her, What is wrong? But before anything can be said, the light flickers and burst, and Castiel stiffens with the foreign grace in the room.
"Anna," Castiel says.
"Hello, Castiel." Anna's eyes flicker over to her. Edriel suddenly feels the grace flicker around her curiously and Castiel's hand and wings tightens over her shoulder in response. Surprise flashes in Anna's face.
"How are you here?" Edriel asks.
Castiel had told her about Anael and how she chose to fall. In the barn she had gotten her grace back from Uriel, destroying her human body in the progress. And yet here she was, not in a vessel, but completely back as she was.
"I pulled some old favors." She shrugged. "I guess I'm sentimental."
"You shouldn't be here," Castiel's voice is low. He's not looking at her. "We still have orders to kill you."
"Somehow, I don't think you'll try." There's a muffled thump and Edriel flinches. She sees Anna's mouth turn down in displeasure as she asks where Uriel is. She tries not to focus on their conversation - she should she knows, her superiors will ask what transpired and she'll have to be able to give a detailed report - but some part of her is thinking, what would I have done if I worked for her instead of Castiel?
Edriel knows that if Aneal - now Anna - hadn't chose to fall she probably….probably what? Be Paired with her? She can't imagine that. Not being Paired with Castiel? Impossible. Edriel knows the only reason the other angels respect her isn't for her fighting; she is the youngest after all and is still training. No, it is because Castiel is a Garrison Commander and her Partner, therefore treated with equal respect. She's stirred out of thoughts when Anna questions Dean torturing not being the Will of God and she hates this, because Aneal has fallen and this is her thoughts to.
"This isn't His Will," Aneal insists.
"Then where did the orders come from?" Castiel demands.
"I don't know. Our superiors maybe."
Heaven lies! Alastair had shouted.
Edriel noticed how Castiel had let go of her shoulder, and was facing away from them both. Aneal had gotten closer to the both of them, determined to make them both understand.
"Do you really think this is His Will? That the Father you love will resort to torturing? Castiel," she put her hand on his, her face earnest and voice low. "This thing you are feeling? It's called doubt." Her voice is soothing, face open in honesty, grace calm and rolling over hers.
Believebelievebelieve.
"You and Edriel both know these orders wrong. You know, Cas, but it's okay." Her hand tightened on his and Castiel looked down in surprise.
Believebelievebelieve, Aneal's grace whispers.
Heaven lies!
"You're afraid to put Edriel in danger. I understand. She's so young. Together-"
"Together." Castiel's turns around, yanking her hand away. "You have Fallen," he spits. ""We are nothing like you."
"Castiel-"
"Leave." When she does nothing, Castiel turns around, wings held high. "Leave," he says forcefully.
There is the ruffle of feathers and Aneal is gone.
Later, after Alistair escapes and is killed by Sam Winchester, the two of them are left standing in front of the hospital room where Dean Winchester was staying, his brother sitting beside him. Edriel had watched while Castiel led Sam Winchester down the hall, had watched as he said he didn't know how Alistair had escaped and no, he can not heal Dean. He's frustrated, she can tell, both at figuring how Alistair escaped and Heaven's orders not to heal Dean.
As the humans say, his hands are tied.
It was when she was alone, Castiel off to find Uriel in search for answers with her left to guard the Righteous Man, that she felt the presence of the angel she had met only once before.
"Aneal," she acknowledged.
"I prefer Anna if you don't mind. I haven't been called Aneal in a long time."
Edriel has the urge to - childishly - keep calling her given name, but technically, even though she has Fallen and is no longer in the records, Aneal - Anna - is still her superior so she nods in acceptance.
"Your young," Anna said thoughtfully, walking around her, "that is evident by the growth of your wings," - her violent wings, untouched by Hell, touches her scorched white ones - "your grace," - Anna grace touched hers lightly - "and your empathy. Clearly, they haven't brainwashed you yet.
"And yet…" Anna looks at her thoughtfully, roving her eyes up and down and Edriel knew she wasn't admiring her vessel, but seeing through the thin coat of flesh that covered her grace from human eyes. "You have powers of a mature angel."
Edriel avoids her eyes.
"I don't remember you," Anna continued, "Although, I guess that's a consequence of the Fall. Humans aren't meant to contain all those memories. So, when your reborn as a human...you simply don't have them anymore." She shrugged. "But then, as you know, I got my grace back so I do remember stuff...the important stuff that is."
"Why are you here?"
"No reason. I was curious."
"There's a human saying, you know. Curiosity killed the cat."
"I'm surprised you know that. They look down on anything concerning humans, as you know."
Edriel looked away, instead walking over to the edge of Dean Winchester's bed. "I think you should leave."
"Just remember," Anna said, smiling softly and trailing her fingers over Dean's face. "Heaven isn't what you think it is."
No one else comes.
Castiel comes back later with the news of Uriel's betrayal, and of his death. He explains his plans for raising Lucifer and how he killed only the angels who had told him no, and of his offer. Edriel is glad he alive and tells him about Anna's warning. Castiel frowns, but make no comment but on what this indicates.
"Something is transpiring in Heaven," he murmurs. "Whatever it is, it surely isn't good."
"We should report this," Edriel insisted.
Castiel looked thoughtful. "No. Uriel mentioned there several other in the garrison that have turned. We don't know who we can trust." He turned to her. "Edriel, we must keep this to ourselves. I shall investigate-"
"Let me help!"
"By myself," He finished . "I do apologize. But no. Your-"
"To young," she finished, looking down at her hands.
"You are," he replied firmly, putting a hand on her shoulder. "And I could not bear to see your hurt. You don't need to worry about me."
"Alright," she said hesitantly. "I trust you. I just have what the humans say...a really bad feeling."
A.N.: The next one should be up on New Years!