Chapter 4

Bela pulled into a hotel for the night not worrying about the cost. Hell she loved the finer things in life and she never begrudged herself that. She called in a favor just as she left her client's place and now she just needed to find her target.

Even though the hotel said no vacancy, there were ways around that. She had the best suite in the place and it gave her the privacy she needed to find what she was looking for. She dug through her bag that contained what she needed for this business. "Now it's time to find you."

Bela set up what she needed. Once that was completed, she needed the image of the one she needed to find. She took out the picture she swiped from the client and opened it. It was a very good one. It showed the Winchester boys and they were flanking the target, the woman they called Angie.

Bela studied the image. Sure she had met their friend but she never got a good look at her. Studying her image, Bela mused to herself, "Very pretty face you have there. Good bone structure and a body to die for."

Bela studied the image closely. The three of them were walking together and laughing together over something. It was amusing how the brothers flanked her. Bela could tell that they had a high regard for her even though she could tell that the woman could take care of herself. Once thing caught her interest however regarding Sam. She noticed the way how he was looking at the woman and it piqued her interest.

"Well, well, well. An interesting revelation and I wonder if you see it."

Bela mused for a few more moments before making a huge circle around the woman. She set it in the middle of her set up and began on her appeal of asking the spirits to find her. She laid out the map of the country to see where the spirit would mark. She was a patient person especially when it came to acquisitions. The trick was to wait for the opportune moment.

The time it took for the spirit to find her allowed Bela to get a meal and a glass or two of the best wine. It also allowed her to get in touch with other clients since she was in the process of obtaining other acquisitions for them. The spirit indicated that it had found who she was looking via the usual methods. Bela went to peer over at the map. The location was a surprise to her since she suspected the target to be on the road somewhere. "That is interesting."

Giving a shrug of her shoulder, Bela went to grab her phone. She dialed the number earlier and waited. When it was picked up she replied, "It's me. I found her. We can leave tonight and be there first thing. Do you have something to provide a distraction?"

When she heard the response, she couldn't help but smile. This was going to be an interesting chase. "No, that is perfect. Better to send it in ahead. It will keep our friend in place for the time being."


It was hard being a morning person but when it came to being on a job or a potential job, Dean could make the effort. It had been rather strange to wake up without hearing one of Angela's songs coming through the door. They were better than any alarm clock these crappy motels could come up with. Even Sam woke up when she sang her morning songs and not even with the full power of her voice.

To not hear it at all was really out of place for Dean. He had encouraged her to do it after the Streak case. After Elizabethville, she seemed to be doing it more as if she were calming her own thoughts and he thought it to be a good thing too especially after what he saw when she and Sam killed the demons. Sam had the Colt and she had a knife that was not like the demon Ruby's but it was effective.

Sam had been fast on the trigger but the knife throwing was lightning fast. Dean knew that Angela could have stopped since she had heard him. Her reflexes were that fast. No she followed through and killed the demon with that same cold and calculating look she had when she killed Jake Talley. Expressionless… like an empty void in her person. Sam was scary but she was something else and that look disappeared as soon as the deed was done.

After that, Dean had talked to Bobby mainly about Sam and asking if it was true what the demon said. He did wonder if it was true, that Sam was not the same he thought he knew. Of course demons were known to lie but he couldn't help but wonder especially with Angela. He then asked Bobby, "What about Angie, Bobby? She died and came back. What if it is true?"

Bobby had replied, "You can't base your thoughts on two incidents, Dean. Besides have you taken into account that she has seen more of the hunter's life than you and Sam put together?"

"Bobby, you didn't see the expressionless look on her face. When we fought over who failed Sam, she was in a really bad place and then when Sam came back… Maybe Sam was right in her needing to be with us. I can't imagine what it would have been like if she was alone and everything happened. I do know though that without her things would probably be worse."

Dean looked over at his still sleeping brother as he finished getting dressed. He figured he might persuade Angela to grab coffee and maybe come up with a prank to use against Sam. He was about to leave when he noticed a set of keys that didn't belong to him or Sam. Picking them up he realized that it was a motel key and it was next to a scrap of paper with her handwriting on it.

Dean stifled the groan that came. Ever since that kachina thing, he had been on the lookout for potential pranks in their room. He was doubly alert since she could make motel doors open without a key and without resorting to lock picking. It seemed that she had managed to get in while he and Sam were sleeping. At least she hadn't done anything like draw on their faces but she could have done something else. There wasn't much left to do except read the note.

Dean,

Don't ask me how I knew you would be the first one up. Must have something to do with the fact that a little birdie usually wakes you up in the morning. Anyway, I am leaving to go do that 'Centurion' thing that I mentioned before we left Brazil. Everything is set. I left you my room keys since the council is not known for sending people back to their original location. Who knows, I might end up in Wichita or something. Anyway, I'll call when they are through with me or Bobby. Either way I'll let you know where I am. If Sam asks, be convincing with the Centurion thing or just show him the note since it is where I'm at. He's worse than Bobby at times. Thanks.

-A

Dean crumpled the note and put it into his pocket. He always wondered why she never signed her full name. Hell it had to look as art like as the rest of her handwriting, perhaps even better. He knew that penmanship was considered a necessity from her time. He actually studied a bit and learned that how a person signed their name was similar to the wax seals they used to use on scrolls and letters.

So Angela went to see the higher powers as she called them. She had explained to him in private that the formal approach was done in stages. The first appearance was to request a formal hearing. Few requests ever made it past the initial request. Most of the time was spent in appeals. She likened it to American bureaucracy and red tape. She had to make a request and if a hearing was granted, she presented her case not only to the council but to those that had the power to grant the request. From Dean's understanding it was like a trial. Witnesses could be called to answer questions and they could come from either side and that was the scary part.

Dean was worried though. Angela had admitted that there were some members who didn't like her overmuch since she had made it clear that she was not one to stand on pointless ceremony. She did say that she had been in their presence before and therefore knew the rules so to speak. Taking her key, he went to her room and found that everything was packed in her bags and waiting by the door. Even the bed was made which was a pointless gesture in his opinion but it was amusing since Sam was in the same habit.

Sighing, Dean knew what he had to do and grabbed Angela's bags noticing that Absolution was missing. He figured that she had taken it with her. It made him feel better about the whole thing. At least she had a weapon on her person though she was just as deadly with her two bare hands. She didn't need to put them in a fist to make the strike hurt.

He knew Sam was awake as soon as he opened the door with the last of the bags. He tried to sound normal, "Rise and shine Sammy."

"Not working Dean."

"Aw you're just grumpy because Angie didn't sing her little wake up call."

"Is that why you are up early?"

"Bite me bitch. I can be a morning person when I choose to be," Dean replied in his usual defensive manner.

Sam shrugged his shoulders as he got out of bed. It was surprising that Dean was up that early and before him. Usually he was the early riser and Angela often beat them both. He figured that Angela was either sleeping in or she decided to let them sleep in and wake them up with coffee. At least they were in a better mood than yesterday even though it cheered up slightly over dinner.

He went to grab a change of clothes for a shower when he noticed Dean holding the last of her stuff and asked, "Dean, what's up with you taking Angie's stuff? You aren't trying to pull a prank on her?" Sam then spotted the bag that held the medical supplies and added, "You know that even you consider it sacrilege or something like that to mess with her medical supplies."

Dean considered going with that lie that he was going to attempt a prank but then Sam pointed out the medical supply bag and he knew he couldn't go through with that. He knew that it was just plain stupid and wrong to mess with medical supplies, especially with the stuff she had been teaching him.

He could go with the explanation that she had provided in her note and decided that was the best way to go. He replied, "I'm not trying a prank Sammy. Angie's just not here and I don't know when she'll be back."

"She's gone? Why?"

The quickness to Sam's reaction was to be expected in Dean's mind. He still couldn't believe that his little brother thought she had left them for good. Dean knew that Angela wouldn't do that even though it would have been fun to exploit the situation and tease Sam mercilessly. However Dean kept in mind that Sam may still be having those dreams he had gotten before she joined up with them on a permanent basis and figured that it would have been cruel to do that to the kid. Angela would be sure to kick his ass over that.

Dean hastened to explain, "Relax Sammy. She didn't ditch us for good. She wouldn't do that anyway since she likes us. Why I don't know but she likes us."

Sam frowned at his brother's demeanor and replied, "Okay then why do you have her stuff?"

"Don't get your boxers in a twist Samantha," Dean retorted in good humor, "Angie just had to go somewhere. She left me a note saying something about some Centurion business."

"Centurion business?"

Dean could tell that Sam had a little trouble believing that. It was true that Angela was not the very good little soldier when it came to giving reports. In fact she ignored them completely unless it was a serious matter. As she put it, it wasn't that she disliked the order, she just preferred to do the job she had been doing before her semi affiliation with them and she had been doing fine long before she got involved.

Dean had to think fast and be really convincing since it seemed lately that Sam could see through any lie he gave though he believed Angela and she wasn't even using the mojo she could do. He replied, "Yeah Sam. It's one of those things that she wouldn't turn down. Probably a friend needed help or something. She didn't give too many details and she did say to keep her stuff for her."

"You got the note?"

Damn Sam. You really are making sure aren't you? Dean hoped that his fib would fly as he pulled the crumpled note out of his pocket. He unfurled it and held it out to Sam. "See, Centurion thing and she knew you were going to ask."

Sam felt his cheeks go red. It wasn't that he thought Dean was lying. He just wanted to be sure she hadn't left them for good. It was the way how she talked last night when he joined her for a beer and some stargazing. She mentioned something along the lines of making the most of things and not taking life for granted. He didn't know if she was rambling or not but he couldn't help but wonder. Now he felt like he got caught with his pants down.

He mumbled, "Sorry Dean."

"Hey I know Sam but let's face it: she's not going to ditch us. We just gotta learn to share and be there when she asks for help. Come on. Let's get going. She'll call."


Feeling the rain spilling on her face was a wonderful feeling. The ability to feel the pouring water was refreshing. Yet there was no sound of water pattering on the ground. There was the sound of smacking lips and the rain felt… warm?

Angela opened her eyes as she felt the warm moist tongue lap at her face. She took one smell and recognized the breath. "Aw Cerebus come on. I don't need your version of a bath."

Cerebus gave a slight whine as he stopped lapping at Angela's face. He then bumped his mistress' arm to show where he was since she was looking in the wrong direction. He gave another whine.

Angela sat up and looked around. She recognized Bobby's salvage yard but which part was a complete mystery. She glanced in the direction of Cerebus when he nuzzled her arm and found that she couldn't see the hell hound. At first panic set in but then she remembered. She remembered everything of her session with the council.

"You wish to give up your vampire half just for consideration of a hearing?"

"Yes. It is a small price to pay for a chance to plead my case."

"Then you shall have your request for consideration."

Angela knew that they had suppressed her vampire half. It was actually a surprising feat since it was a genetic thing. Then again this was the supernatural. She stood up and dusted herself off. She brushed her hand against Absolution and was glad that it was still on her. She had been afraid that he would leave her the moment she gave up that part of herself. At least it was some comfort along with Cerebus.

Looking in the direction of the hell hound, Angela said, "Well Cerebus, for all intents and purposes I am human. That means I can't see you."

Cerebus gave a slight whine. He had liked the fact that his mistress could see him. Now she couldn't. Still he was loyal and he liked her no matter what. She gave him a chance at life. He would stick by her and protect her now that she was vulnerable.

Angela looked around. She knew which part of the salvage yard she was in and could navigate through them with ease. "Come on. Let's go see Bobby. Boy is he going to be surprised."

Angela started walking through the junkyard trying to be careful not to knock over anything. When she had her vampire abilities she would have jumped from pile to pile using her agility. Now she wasn't about to risk it since she was more prone to serious injury now. That had her thinking back to the conversation she had with the boys about it taking more than a simple wrestling match to break her bones. That point seemed moot now since a wrestling match could break her bones if she wasn't careful.

Making her way slowly around the bend, she came across the training circle she used to train. At least none of Jarvis' or the Centurion's trainees were around. She didn't want to suffer the embarrassment of showing off only to have her ass kicked and not being able to shrug off injuries that easily for the time being. The less people that knew about this, the better.

She managed to make it to the house and went to the back door. It was stupid to knock but Bobby would know who it was if she did. She gave a good thump on the door and waited with Cerebus sitting at her feet. She waited three minutes and thumped again. When nothing sounded, Angela frowned and that was when she heard Cerebus growl low under his throat. At least her hearing hadn't been affected. Slowly she gripped the handle and turned it trying hard to avoid making it squeak and opened it carefully.

It was slow work going through the house but Angela didn't want to make too much noise. She slowly withdrew Absolution and held it ready as she motioned the hell hound to follow her quietly. She walked in the careful manner that she had learned from various teachers and she found that she could still walk without making a sound.

When she got to the area that was the study/living room, she paused. She could hear scuffling and what she recognized as Bobby struggling and grunting. She motioned with her fingers at Cerebus where to go. She waited until she was sure the hell hound had gone to where she directed him before peeking through the doors into the study.

Bobby was struggling against the iron grip of some person that looked like he could have been lifting weights or something. The guy was dressed in all black, the kind of outfit girls would drool over. The hair was raven black and Angela could make out that the fingernails were painted black. On the hand that was holding Bobby she saw a tattoo that was strange in its appearance. She wasn't sure what it was but she did know that Bobby was in trouble.

Slowly she slid the sliding door open, thankful that she had managed to fix the rollers before she and the boys went on to Westville. She slid her frame in and moved to get into position. She managed to catch Bobby's eye and beckoned him not to move.

"Where is Absolution?"

Angela froze. That person was after her and they were using Bobby to get to her. That didn't sit right and the anger she felt rising threatened to boil over but she damped that down. She couldn't put a risk on Bobby's life. Not in her state.

"I don't know ya idjit."

"The scent was strongest here. It has not long since faded. Where is Absolution?"

"Go ask the hell mutt."

The guy then released Bobby, sending him into a pile of his books. He then started to walk over to him when something struck his shoulder. He stopped and reached back and pulled out the hunting knife that had become embedded in his shoulder. He turned to look in the direction that it had come from and his eyes lighted on Angela. He stared for the longest time as he studied her until one word came out, "Absolution."

Angela got a good look. The guy was muscular and could be considered handsome. However the eyes were a different story. They were coal black like a demon's but Angela got the feeling that she wasn't dealing with any old demon. She held up Absolution in a ready to strike position and replied, "Yes this is Absolution. Now before you suffer any more consequences, I suggest you leave."

"Absolution. Must contain Absolution."

Apparently it was a simple minded thing but it was fast and skilled. The guy took the knife and charged at Angela. She leapt back to dodge the swipe and countered with Absolution. This was like any other fencing match or duel she had participated in. She glanced at Bobby who was getting to his feet and looking for one of his spare shotguns that he kept all over the house.

"Must contain Absolution."

Angela diverted her attention back to the guy that was coming after her. "Right."

Leaping back, Angela brought the fight to the center of the room. It gave her the opportunity to throw in a few kicks and backhands with her good hand. She found though that the kicks were pretty effective. However the backhands and punches stung like hell. It was like when she had first trained in hitting the bamboo stalks to strengthen her hands. She didn't grimace since that would give the guy ideas.

At one point, the guy kicked Absolution out of her hand and it clamored to the ground. That seemed to divert its attention and it went towards it saying, "Must contain Absolution."

Angela had recovered from the punch he had given to her face and growled in response. She charged and out of habit gave her war cry as she flipped to deliver a hard kick to the guy's backside. It was hard enough to send the guy careening out of the window with a loud crash. It was followed by a secondary crash as Cerebus jumped through the broken window and started growling his attack growl.

Angela bent over to pick up Absolution and walked towards the broken window to look out. She saw the guy or whatever he was looking in the direction of Cerebus. It was hard to tell the expression on the thing's face but it was clear to Angela that he looked a little afraid. She held Absolution in her right and stood at the window and asked, "What do you want?"

The guy stood up and kept a wary eye on Cerebus. He then looked at Angela and replied, "Must contain Absolution."

"Yes I know that. Why?"

The guy looked at Angela. The black eyes flickered as a he stood there. "Absolution must be contained."

Apparently he is a single track mind. Angela looked at the guy and then said, "Well you can't have it. I suggest you leave before the hell mutt decides you're a chew toy."

To confirm what she said, Cerebus let out a growl bark and mocked a lunge at the guy. The response was the guy backing away. It really didn't like the hell hound barking at it. "Must contain Absolution. Master will have it one way or another."

Angela raised her brow. It wasn't the first time someone wanted her or the sword or both. That was the problem being declared a champion. She replied, "Not today."

Then as if in retaliation, the guy sudden threw something. It was the knife that had been thrown at him and it was heading straight for Bobby. He grinned at the reaction; the only one and took off running through the yard.

Angela saw the knife and in reaction stuck her hand out and caught it on the blade. Following through she flung it to the ground where it buried itself deep into the floor. Another thing she would have to fix. She turned to look at Bobby and asked, "You all right?"

"I'm fine but what about your hand?"

"What?" Angela looked down and saw the blood dripping down. "Crap."


A/N: Looks like the challenge of being human has just started and it's bad timing for the excursion for Absolution. What happens next? Find out next time on Chase the Blade...