A/N : I do not own the guys and gals and do not make anything from these stories so please don't sue me, Mr. Kripke. I do own the OC's that appear though. For everyone out there that has been reading, reviewing and/or adding to their alerts and favs: The reviews and support that I have seen has been awesome! My muse is deeply appreciative.
A gathering in Phoenix and an interrogation…
Dean pulled up into the driveway seeing Brady's car and Markus' Avenger present. He was hoping they were there as right now Tariel needed as much company and loved ones around her as possible. She had screamed out in her sleep several times on the way from Toledo and every other dream involved the demon Barbas. When he had tried to learn more of her former lover, Tariel threw a wall up effectively shutting him out on the matter. To say it was hurting Dean to see his angel like this was the understatement of the century. It was tearing him apart from the inside out as she remained silent. He was worried she wouldn't be able to open up like she always did. He was hoping Brady and Markus could help.
The hunters had finished up cleaning and sharpening weapons when Dean strolled in. They noticed he had Tariel in his arms. Her beautiful face was etched in sorrow and pain like she was in another realm. Markus had seen that expression before on Brooklyn. It was right after she was rescued from Hell. The nightmares had plagued her right up until that night at the ruins…
"Put her on the couch, Dean," Markus instructed leading him to the oversized yet comfortable piece of furniture. Dean gently lowered Tariel on the couch making her comfortable. He sat down on the foot stool taking her hand in his kissing it lightly. Brady rose to get Dean some coffee knowing he wouldn't leave his angel's side. Markus sat down opposite Dean seeing the way the hunter held her hand lightly stroking her arm with the other. The Master Hunter was seeing Dean Winchester's hidden side as he sat there silently observing.
"Markus, what do you know about a demon called Barbas?" Dean asked never taking his eyes off the sleeping angel.
"Barbas is a very powerful demon who was once a high ranking angel. He was one of Michael's most trusted commanders but when the War came he sided with Lucifer and was cast into Hell. As he fell from Heaven he had proclaimed those who betrayed him would pay when he walked the Earth again." He stopped seeing Dean had closed his eyes making Markus wonder if the hunter was actually trying to pray. That would have been a first for the Winchester brother as he been adamant in his disbelief of God.
This was truly a first indeed although Dean had attempted prayer before when he learned that author Chuck Shurley was a freaking prophet of the Lord as Cas had put it. But this was for Tariel.
Brady returned placing the hot coffee on the stand within arm's reach for Dean. The hunter looked up and nodded flashing a brief tiny smile as Brady gripped his shoulder supportively before leaving him alone.
Seth tore down the interstate making sure he wasn't going too fast to attract any unwanted attention. The vision he had was one that the angels had to know about for it involved all of them and of the looming battle with Lilith.
"Hello, Seth," a voice boomed beside the man. Seth turned to see an older man with thinning hair atop his head and dressed in what appeared to be a fairly expensive suit. He knew who his angelic hitchhiker was.
"What do you want, Zachariah?" Seth kept his eyes trained on the road determined to reach the angels.
"Now you wouldn't happen to be heading to Phoenix to warn Castiel and Brooklyn now would you? Because if you are…" Seth cut the angel off.
"No, I wouldn't dream of breaking the rules," Seth replied sarcastically.
"Good, because if you do, you know what will happen, Seth," the younger man's jaw clenched at Zachariah's blunt wording as the angel vanished leaving him alone once again.
The sign read Phoenix 350.
Brooklyn stirred opening her eyes to see a familiar set of bright cobalt orbs looking back at her. She fought to suppress the nightmare which remained fresh in her mind along with other "things" that she had struggled to shut out. Like the vision she had that rocked her to the core. It had hit her right after battle in Indiana and she had succumbed to the fatigue that gripped her small frame tight.
Castiel woke up to find himself chained against the wall with nothing to cover his naked skin. He struggled against the restraints only to see the faint blue glow of familiar symbols etched around on him on the wall. The angel strained his eyes against the dark seeing no one or nothing.
He didn't know how he got there as he was with Brooklyn in Phoenix watching her sleep then everything was unclear.
"Hello, Cas…" Lilith stepped out of the shadows. The angel narrowed his eyes at the demon as she strolled up caressing his face. He jerked back as if her touch was like brimstone causing him to hit the back of his head against the wall. She quietly laughed at his attempt to break away. She would get him to see things her way soon enough.
"What do you want, Lilith?" He asked coldly shocked at his own tone. He watched her eyes look him over.
"It's not what I want, Cas, it's what he wants…" Castiel looked up seeing Samael standing before him with those empty black pools staring him down. The demon approached the angel pulling out a small dagger tracing the tip along his throat and jaw line.
"The sacrifice of an angel on the Ides of March will bring us one step closer to Lucifer walking free. One more lock falling to the ground, one more lock to loosen the cage door," Lilith watched with glee as Samael carved the angel's skin with several intricate symbols. Castiel cried in pain only sending the demon further into his torment.
Castiel's body was slicked with his own blood as it flowed from Samael's handiwork. He could feel his life slipping away as the poison coursed through his veins killing him. But the demons weren't done with him yet. Lilith walked up to the seraph as he stood there dying.
"Such a brave little angel, but too bad for you you'll be alone when you take your last dying breath," she took the blade from Samael and with one fell swoop plunged it deep into her angel's heart. As his soul and Grace fleeted away the last thing that left his lips was the name of his angel.
"Brook…"
She had sat straight up in the bed screaming in pain. Castiel was immediately up and alert furiously trying to calm her down. He realized she was not awake as she was still fighting the imaginary terrors that plagued her.
"NOOOOOO!" She cried out as her fist made contact with her angel's jaw. Castiel merely shook it off as he fought to bring her out of the night terror.
"Brook, Brook you need to wake up. Brook, it's me Cas. I've got you, Brook, you're safe," his voice was having the desired effect as she grew still in his arms moaning and mumbling something incoherent. Brooklyn lifted a hand rubbing her eyes and looking around the room. No Samael, no Lilith, just her and Cas. Brooklyn looked over seeing wide worried orbs looking down at her.
"Cas," she whimpered holding him tight. He was alright. Castiel ran his hand up and down her back feeling his angel turning calmer and relaxing further in his arms.
"It's alright, Brook. What was it? Did you have a nightmare or a vision?"
"It was a vision, Cas. A vision that involved you. Samael and Lilith had you chained and naked and Samael, he he…." Brooklyn sobbed choking back tears.
"He what, Brook? What happened?" Castiel prodded gently. Brooklyn wiped her eyes and wrapped her arms tighter before she opened up.
"He tortured and killed you which broke a Seal. He said the sacrifice of an angel on the Ides of March would break a Seal." Castiel felt his vessel tense and bristle upon hearing her words. "You are not leaving my sight, do you hear me? I will not let those dirty demons lay a hand on you," she said angrily through the tears that continued to fall.
"You are not leaving my sight either, Brooklyn," her angel affirmed unfurling his wings and encircling them both. Brooklyn prayed her vision was wrong but she wasn't so sure that it was.
Now as Brooklyn looked over at her angel she felt her body was still exhausted and just the few hours rest wasn't enough. Normally she was fully refreshed after a few hours but not this time. Perhaps with the death of her close friend and sister, the wounds ran deeper than she realized.
"I think I heard Dean come in," she whispered. Castiel nodded his head leaning in to kiss her and caress her cheek. He knew this mission of hers to redeem Sam was taxing her body and soul but it had to be done. Samael had to be destroyed.
Dean remained in the same position as when he entered watching over Tariel as she rested. As he watched her the anger and desire for revenge on Barbas simmered. No one harmed the ones he loved and got away with it. No one. Tariel began to stir and awaken as her rich hazel eyes slowly opened. She looked around seeing Dean sitting there holding her hand as relief washed over him.
"Dean, where, where am I?" She asked slightly confused.
"Phoenix. We made it to Markus' after Toledo. Brooklyn and Cas are here too," she nodded her head sitting up with Dean helping her of course. He shifted positions sitting beside her with a loving arm comfortably around her waist. She leaned on him for support as the memories of battle were still fresh in her mind. Barbas was back and he wasn't going to give up on getting her back one way or the other. Tariel had thought she had seen the last of him when he was cast out for his betrayal. She knew she needed to tell Dean about her and the former angel as he deserved to know. After all he had been open with her on many private matters which was his way of showing the trust he held in her.
The sound of shuffling feet made the pair look up to see Brooklyn and Castiel entering the living room. Tariel noticed Brooklyn was not well as Castiel was weary and disheveled too. The angel was unaware of the events in Toledo but would soon find out. Brooklyn could feel that heavy sinking feeling setting in once again. What was wrong with her?! Perhaps she should seek counsel from Raphael as he was the Healer and hopefully could shed some light on what was ailing her.
Markus and Brady joined the four as Brady carried in a tray with his much loved coffee and tea for Cas. Despite being an angel, Brooklyn still loved her friend's coffee. It was one of the few things that could soothe her nerves. Everyone took a cup as Markus and Brady took a seat. Brooklyn knew she had to tell everyone about Toledo so she started the conversation.
"We stopped Damien from summoning Set," she started feeling her throat tighten as hot tears welled up in her eyes. "Sarah didn't make it," she said barely above a whisper breaking down in her angel's arms. Tariel covered her mouth with her hand shocked at the loss of one of their fiercest fighters and closest friends.
"How, Brook?" Tariel had to know how it happened. Brooklyn wiped her eyes looking up to meet Tariel's questioning gaze. "Damien did it. He ran his sword through her. The bastard has to pay," quiet rage and anger simmered beneath the surface as Brooklyn's pain turned to anger. Dean wrapped his arms around her running his hand along her arm. She was hurting deep down. First it was Barbas and now Sarah's death that cut into his angel's soul.
"We must locate Samael and Lilith before they can break anymore Seals. But I want first shot at Samael," Brooklyn said with a cold and calculated certainty. Dean started to open his mouth but immediately shut it. There were two hurting angels and they didn't need any more heartache.
"Brook, we still don't know where they are. I mean they are doing a damn good job at covering their tracks. You'll need a bloodhound to track those two down," Brady said quietly. Brooklyn nodded as she knew Brady was right. But she had an idea. Looking upward she called for Gabriel.
"Father, I need you here," she softly called out as the soft tickle of feathers and rushing air swirled around her. Gabriel stood before them looking down at his daughter with sorrowful green orbs. Brooklyn rose letting the Archangel consol her. He had received word about Sarah knowing it was a devastating loss to them all.
"Brooklyn, we have taken care of Sarah and the others that fell in Ohio. I know you two were close. I am sorry my daughter," he whispered pressing her body tighter. Brooklyn sobbed into his shoulder as she couldn't keep anything back when it came to Gabriel so she just let the dam burst.
"Damien has to pay," she whispered between sobs. Gabriel shook his head as he tilted her head up. "No, my daughter, leave Damien to Michael for he has already started hunting the demon. You must focus on redeeming Samuel Winchester."
"But I don't even know where to begin."
Gabriel gently lowered her next to Castiel as he kneeled down to face her. "I cannot tell you how or where to begin but," he looked over at the others before continuing, "remember that night in South Pass? Start there, my daughter." Brooklyn shook her head when she knew what or rather who Gabriel was referring to. A small smile crept up on the Archangel's face as he kissed his daughter on the forehead and squeezed her hands before vanishing. Brooklyn turned to Castiel then to the others as she spoke, "Anyone up to visiting an old friend?"
Damon was chained to a Star of David which was surrounded by a very powerful devil's trap. Above on the ceiling was a Solomon's Key providing extra coverage on the demon. Damon rolled his eyes as he saw Brooklyn and Dean enter the room. Dean had rolled in a cart in front of him its contents covered with a large cloth. He stood there glaring at the copper haired angel as she returned the look.
"I'm going to ask you nicely one last time, Damon, where's Samael hiding?" Damon remained silent as Brooklyn crossed the trap gripping the demon's face tight in her hand.
"Your demonic scent disgusts me you know that? You put me through Hell back in Leavenworth and Phoenix. Time to return the favor," she turned to Dean nodding at the hunter as he pulled back the cloth revealing several items that ranged from holy water to crucifixes and everything in between.
"Dean, leave us. If I need you I will call for you," Dean turned but not before saying to the angel.
"I'll right outside, if you need me Brook," she nodded her head as he put a supportive hand on her shoulder before leaving her alone with Damon. Once the door clicked shut, Brooklyn turned to her prisoner as she picked up the pentagram pendant toying with it between her fingers as she looked over at Damon who was eyeing the charm.
"Since you refuse to talk, I think a little persuasion is in order. You know the pentagram is really an emblem of good. It was those who persecuted the agents of good that deemed it evil. Let's test that theory shall we?" Brooklyn jerked the demon's shirt up exposing his skin. She felt Damon tense up beneath her as the pentagram neared his unholy flesh.
Grabbing a small knife on the cart, Brooklyn doused it in the holy water and approached Damon. She could smell his fear rolling off his vile form feeling it sicken her as she got closer to the unholy being. Taking the knife Brooklyn pierced the skin earning a painful scream from Damon. The demon's flesh hissed and bubbled as the blessed water and blade carved deeper still. She slowly pulled the knife out wanting the demon to suffer before the next phase of her interrogation.
Damon was breathing hard as he felt his host bleeding from the open wound on his side. He watched as the angel took the pendant and began pushing it in open gash garnering yet another unholy wail of pain and torment. Brooklyn couldn't but help to snicker at the demon as he twisted and writhed in his restraints.
Outside Dean sat on the table hearing Damon's screams. He smirked at the demon's pain knowing he put Brooklyn through Hell. He closed his eyes and listened to the screams.
Ok everyone next chap up soon!!! If you are reading these chapters and haven't reviewed yet, please do! I want to hear everyone's input!
