Chapter 3
Sam had been hit hard before. Hell Angela dished it out when she was trying to get a point across. He didn't expect her to actually try to hurt him. He had gone after her to try and fix whatever it was and get her to talk about what happened at the hearing. The thought occurred to him that she had already done so with Dean but for some reason she was reluctant to say anything regarding that to him and he was curious about why but it would suffice if she talked about it and didn't bottle her emotions in.
At first he thought she was toying with him and pretending to ignore him. He realized that he made an error in judgment when she hit him and called him a pervert. That sent a warning into his brain but his eyes were processing the fact that he was seeing her hit him. He asked her what the hell her problem was and he was thoroughly confused.
"What's going on here? Sam?"
That was when things got weird. Sam turned his head when his name was called and he saw Angela. He then looked back at the one he thought was Angela and the first thing that went through his mind was that he got a hold of a shifter. Then the memory of that doppelganger filled his head. He wondered if he was in hell or something. He stood rubbing his head as he watched the girl go up to his Angela and demand, "What are you doing with my face?"
"I could say the same thing little girl," Angela replied to the look alike in front of her. The features of the girl were near perfect. In fact they were like how she looked before she went through the change. There were some slight differences. The eyes for instance were more whiskey than tawny and the haircut was different. All in all, it was a perfect look.
"I'm not a little girl," the look alike pouted.
Angela glanced at Sam who was looking confused and not sure if he should pull out a silver knife or anything like that. He was rubbing his head and figured that the girl gave him a good one. She looked back at the girl and burst out laughing, "Yes you are. I haven't seen that look since I last looked in a mirror."
Sam wasn't sure if he should risk anything and asked, "Angie, is this…?"
"Nope. One hundred percent human," Angela replied with a smile.
"You're damn right. Are you one of those shifter things Papa likes to tell stories of?" The girl looked between the two others.
"Nope. One hundred percent me," Angela replied. She was becoming more amused by this. She had heard of that theory that every person in the world had a look alike somewhere out there. She thought it was hogwash since that was more like there being real unicorns in a fairy land. Seeing that she had a 'twin' was like… Maybe she was going nuts and taking it better than most people. "One hundred percent cursed blood."
Sam thought they were going to make a scene and said, "Uh okay, Angie maybe you and your twin should come back to the motel and we can make sense of this."
"I'm not going anywhere with you pervert."
The stinging slap surprised everyone. The girl was holding her cheek and her eyes were blazing at Angela. Angela was looking calm with a raised brow. The girl exclaimed, "You hit me!"
"You insulted me."
"You hit me!"
"Slapped is more like it and I would do it again," Angela replied. "Now we aren't going to hurt you but this is a bit unusual. If you don't mind, could you accompany us back to the motel and we could talk about this in a civilized manner? We won't hurt you."
The girl still looked shocked that someone slapped her like that. If anything the guy she name called looked even more shocked. It wasn't too late and if she was back by ten, then she wouldn't be in trouble. She agreed, "Alright. No funny business."
"I expect the same from you," Angela replied as she picked up the book the girl dropped. "This is yours…"
"Elena de la Vera." The girl took her book back as she gave a slight glare at both of them.
"Angela and the one you clocked with the heavy reading is Sam," Angela replied. She motioned for the girl to walk in front of them. She waited until the girl was completely looking ahead before giving a tentative poke to Sam's head.
Relieved that it was the real Angela touching him Sam didn't bat her hand away. He did wince since she caught him with the corner of her book. It was just a bump but he knew that Angela wouldn't be satisfied until she saw for herself. He couldn't help but ask in a whisper, "You're not gonna hit me now are you?"
"No. I think you got enough for one night," Angela replied with a smirk.
"Thanks. What I get for trying…"
Angela chuckled, "Believe me, I'm just as confused as you. At least the usual methods don't have to be done."
"Try telling that to Dean."
"Oh the bull dog won't be barking tonight. I've had enough weird to last a lifetime."
"Don't you mean ten?" Sam couldn't help but tease her about her age. He was rewarded with a slight punch to the shoulder. "Hey."
"Felt like it," Angela replied with a smile.
Sam wasn't mad at the punch. That only told him that she was his and Dean's Angela. She could hit but she always did it in that family sort of way. At the moment though his mind was concerned about the girl Elena who looked just like her… well maybe a younger version but still her nevertheless. She wasn't a shifter and he trusted Angela to know that. Hell she would know what human blood smelled like. It wasn't the doppelganger that he had seen get sliced in half but it could be one. Maybe it was one of those enforcer things and some witch did some mojo to make it look like her. There were possibilities but what they were, he had yet to name.
"You should talk to Dean. Ask him to come to my room," Angela's voice came softly as they neared the motel.
"Why yours?"
"Trust me?"
The question was asked in that begging tone she used with the look. Nice going Sam, he thought to himself. Sam then replied, "Okay," and went to get his brother Dean.
"Did you check for possession?"
"Dude seriously?"
Elena watched as the brothers argued back and forth. Dean, the shorter one was insisting on holy water and salt and Sam, the taller one, was saying that it was unnecessary. She looked over at Angela, who was just studying her while trying to ignore the bickering. It looked like that she was used to it. What was creepy was that the staring was almost predatory and it didn't help that she was holding a black cat that was looking at her with round amber eyes.
The more Elena studied her obviously older double, the more she came to certain conclusions. She noticed the predatory look, which seemed more of nature. The unusual amount of beauty she possessed. She may look like her but no one is that beautiful and Elena knew it; at least people who were human. Plus she mentioned cursed blood. Now that could mean that maybe she had been told that as a kid and lived with that so it really wasn't a clue.
The talk about shifters and demons was obvious that all three were hunters. Great. Papa is really gonna love this one. That could produce trouble if they didn't leave or anything like that. Elena remembered that Aunt Rosa was coming tonight and she would certainly attract the hunter's attention. That meant it didn't matter if she got home before curfew. Mama and Papa would consider it rude that she wasn't there to greet her great aunt.
Suddenly Angela, her double, flickered her eyes. Elena had seen that before. Some of her relatives did that subconsciously but it was always mistaken for a trick in the light. She knew now what her double was. The confusing part was that she was traveling with two hunters. The brothers were still bickering over another stupid test and she finally had enough. She stood up and said, "Alright shut up the both of you. Look I'm not a whatever. I'm human. You're both hunters…" She pointed at herself and the brothers respectfully. She then wheeled on Angela who hadn't moved but was still looking at her though there was a slight twinkle of amusement in her eyes. She pointed and said, "And you… I don't know what you are doing with hunters since you could suck on their blood any time you want."
"Hey don't you talk like that about Angie," Dean started.
"So you like being a blood whore to a Halfling?"
Sam and Dean were gentleman since they were dealing with a girl and not a woman and they wouldn't hit one unless she was a supernatural thing. They were more shocked at the choice of words the girl used and a brief moment they had fear of what Angela would do since that was sort of a barred topic for discussion. They didn't need to worry.
Angela kind of expected it from the girl. She suspected that she was familiar with her full blood kind since she evidenced no fear near her and she accepted the testing discussion with the calm of someone who was familiar with such things. She did resent the name calling and decided to teach a little lesson. She set Setna down on the table and got up and was beside the girl so fast that when she said, "I did say you were to behave yourself," the girl literally jumped and fell.
Elena didn't appreciate that. Ernesto did the same thing all the time. She glared at Angela and replied, "Well it's true isn't it? Halflings chase shadows and have been known to keep pets to bring them closer to their full blood half."
Angela kneeled and looked down. She let her eyes flicker. If it came to drastic measures, she would completely vamp out. Right now she wanted to make a point. "Where do you hear such stories, little girl? Did Daddy tell you stories about big bad vampires with nothing but a blood lust?"
Elena was a bit afraid at what she was seeing. The eerie glow of Angela's eyes were almost hawk like. Her relatives that could do that had more warmth in them. Who was this person? Why did she look like her? She mustered up courage and retorted, "Just that your kind are nothing but assassins."
Angela kept up the appearance of being scary. She had seen the look of fear. The girl was used to a different look and probably from family. Strangers were another story. She knew that the boys were watching to see what she was going to do. She wasn't going to hurt the girl and they trusted her enough not to do anything foolish though when the girl was gone there was going to be an exchange of words later.
Angela cocked her head to the side like and inquisitive puppy. She then replied, "Alas the sad truth in a long history of bloodshed but certainly Daddy mentioned something about three kinds of vampire. You named one and quite inaccurate."
"It is so. Papa wouldn't lie." It sounded childish but Elena felt that she had to get one up on this Angela. It was a battle of wills and so far the elder version of her was winning. She hated to lose and she was determined to win.
Angela leaned in closer and said, "If only to protect you bambina." Angela retreated and stood back up and offered a hand up. "The Chasers that have 'pets' are the ones that succumb to the blood lust and become like the ones hunters go after. For the most part we look like any other human out there."
Elena hesitated as she looked at the three adults. The two brothers looked shocked at the whole thing but a sort of understanding passed between them. Looking at them, they didn't appear to have any bite marks and didn't look pale from blood loss. Maybe she could be a 'good little girl' and play nice. She reached for the offered hand and was surprised by the firm and gentle grip as she was hauled to her feet. "So… you're a hunter? Weird and even weirder that you look like me."
Angela smiled a bit in humor. "I could say the same thing. The last time I saw a duplicate of me it was an abomination so you can see why the confusion and the like."
Elena looked at all three of them. The brothers seemed to relax once they realized that their friend was teaching her a lesson. She realized that for all the stories her father had told and the ones she heard from family, there was some misconceptions. She turned to Sam and apologized, "Sorry about the whole hitting and pervert thing."
"It's okay. An honest mistake."
"And you can't be too careful around those," Dean muttered.
"Dean," Sam retorted with an elbow to his brother's side. "So uh sorry we scared you we just wanted to make sure you weren't…"
"Hey I get it," Elena replied as she held her hand up to stop any further apologies. "I look like your girlfriend so you think I'm her. Like that doesn't happen every day."
"Angie's not my girlfriend," Sam replied with a slightly puzzled frown while Dean was convulsing with hidden laughter.
"Huh. Anyway this is fun and all but are you three going to stay here or skip town? Honestly I prefer you skip town," Elena kept her focus on the brothers.
"Hey we stay if we want," Dean began not willing to be bullied out of town by a fifteen year old version of Angela. The thirteen year old was bad enough.
"I don't blame her considering that she probably has a few family members that are vampires," Angela replied with a semi tired expression.
"Yes I do have family that are vampires and no I'm not like you or them," Elena answered. She made to leave, "And I do meant it that you should leave. Things are bad enough with the strange things going on." She then left.
It was only after she had left that Dean said, "Damn Angie did you have to do that creepy slinky through the shadows look, which by the way looks incredibly sexy."
Sam scowled at his brother while Angela gave a slight grin and replied, "Yes I did Dean. I suspected she knew about the supernatural but I think someone has been spreading wives tales. It wouldn't surprise me considering she was raised amongst vampires but I would think that they would have been a bit more truthful about her… heritage."
"So what are we going to do about it? I mean she looks like you only younger," Dean said, "And she thinks you and Sam are together. What did you do to make her think that?"
"Bite me jerk," Sam retorted. "It's not like that. I made a mistake by grabbing her and she hit me. Though I was surprised Angie slapped her for calling me a pervert."
"Reflex reaction," Angela replied looking at nothing in particular but in deep thought.
"You slapped yourself Angie?"
"Shut up Dean."
Angela was deep in thought otherwise she would have thought Dean's conclusion a little funny. Right now she wasn't worried about her doppelganger. It was a mistake and probably a major coincidence and she wasn't going to worry about it just yet. What had her attention was what the girl Elena said. She finally said, "If you two will stop arguing over whatever you may realize that she may have just handed us a case."
When she had their attention, she continued, "Elena said there has been something going on here. Maybe we should check it out?"
"You know ignoring me love really hurts my feelings."
"Yeah and telling you to piss off should hurt even more."
Crowley stood in the middle of the desert themed motel room (hardly original mind you) and studied the little pretty that he had come to see. He had heard about what happened in Massachusetts. It was not big secret since she actually tapped in to what caused the big hoopla nearly a year ago. He also knew that she had received some bad news and he hoped that she would finally consider her options. He grinned at Angela and replied, "Now you know that just gets my insides all warm and gooey."
"Then maybe I could use that to make a statement to the other hell bitches," Angela retorted as she put away her things for the evening. She saw that Setna was poised to pounce if the occasion needed it. She was surprised that he hadn't run away.
"I love it when you talk dirty."
"You'd love it if I stabbed you with Absolution," Angela shot back. She crossed her arms and stared at Crowley. She knew what he was here for. At least she was certain of the reason. She had dealt with enough demons that some were good enough to have a second agenda that they kept hidden.
"Now you would like that wouldn't you love?" Crowley gave a slight smirk. He had come just before she put up any of her wards. Then again maybe she did and she had another devil's trap hiding somewhere like she did when he paid a visit in Darby.
Being the daring guy he was and knowing how she was uncomfortable with it, Crowley moved closer and put his hand on Angela's check. He felt his fingers brush lightly where a doctor would check lymph nodes in the neck. As expected, she didn't shrug him off but he felt the slight convulsions in her muscles. He teased, "Still can't resist my touch now can you? Funny how you seem to throw everyone else who does this out the window after you already broke their backs."
Angela couldn't deny it. If it had been anyone else she would have kicked their ass. There were exceptions. She knew it didn't bother her if Dean were to touch her there. Hell she was the one who put his hand on her face so he could get what she meant about her tendencies to run around in freezing weather without a coat. Sam was fine too even after she grabbed him like she was going to break his arm the first time he snuck up on her. With Crowley, it was different.
When Crowley touched her the first time, she didn't flinch and it worried her. She hated the touch but it was like her body couldn't respond to it. It made her uneasy and angry. She could feel her muscles quivering but it was like she couldn't move. She could feel his fingers on her neck and they moved lower and brushed right where…
Finally she managed to move and take a step back. That area on her neck was restricted. She could still feel the hot breath of the guy and then the grazing of the teeth. If she continued on that train of thought, she could feel the teeth puncture the skin and the warmth flow of blood. That slimy tongue lapping it up…
Angela forced herself to look at Crowley and contorted her features into the indifferent anger she always gave him. She replied, "I don't pretend to understand why you can do that but I would ask that you refrain from touching me like that again."
"And where's the fun in that? I like seeing you tremble until you realize that something is touching and then you try that tough girl act,' Crowley replied. He was having way too much fun with this. "Besides I get the impression that you rather like it."
"You're so stupid," Angela shot back. "I wouldn't touch you with a ten foot pole."
"Ah you wouldn't but I could and do and I can get closer than that. It makes me feel special… probably like how it makes Dean feel special."
"Leave him out of this," Angela warned. She wasn't in the mood to fight but she was willing and she had a mean punch. It would be satisfying to punch Crowley in the middle of his ugly mug. She hoped he would say something to goad her into that fight.
"Actually I won't. You know it's been quite some time since I presented my offer to you. How about I do it again?"
Angela knew where this was going. It had been the initial plan to appeal to the King of the Crossroads to reverse the deal. However that meant a deal had to be made. She wasn't stupid. Someone like Crowley wouldn't do it out of the goodness of their black little hearts. They always made deals for their best interests. Now though she felt a hint of desperation and she was tempted. "If I were to agree, what exactly would be your terms?" She crossed her arms and assumed a mask of annoyed indifference and stared at the demon.
Crowley smiled. This was the best part of the game for him. He began, "Well it's simple. I can null and void Dean's contract and he will be free to do whatever it is that he pleases. You can still do that hunting thing you always do."
"And the catch?"
"What catch?"
"There is always a catch, Crowley," Angela like a parent humoring a child.
"I could never fool you love," Crowley replied with a grin. "Alright the catch is that you have to do a few jobs for me and we'll call it even. I consider it a fair trade since in reality no one wants your soul and to bind you forever as a slave would produce the same result as selling your soul. We could get into trouble."
"Trouble is my middle name," Angela replied in sarcasm. The deal did sound pretty good. However knowing Crowley the jobs would probably entail her shaking down some smaller fry like Cary. Basically she would be the muscle for him. On the surface it didn't sound too bad.
"I hope you aren't seriously considering this."
"Ruby, what a surprise. Are you trying to interrupt a business transaction?"
Angela saw that Ruby decided to make an appearance. The reason was the why. Ruby replied, "No deal. Absolution wouldn't deal with you if it would kill her."
"I wield Absolution," Angela corrected out of habit. "And don't talk like I'm not here. I know it's my ass on the line."
"Then don't do something stupid," Ruby shot back. It had been a bitch to find Angela especially after that thing in Massachusetts. She needed to keep her on the straight and narrow. "You know deals never come to any good."
"And what has appealing to your precious council gotten you?" Crowley threw in his few cents worth. "At least you have a guarantee."
Angela studied the two demons. Hell, probably because she dared to talk to them it was the reason she didn't get what she wanted. The bloody council had eyes everywhere. "Alright…"
A/N: Well now the mix up has been cleared somewhat and it looks like Crowley is at it again. Ruby steps in as interference... WTF? Stay tuned for more on Mask of Milagro...