Dean was getting ready to leave for Wyoming when he heard Sam yelling. He sprinted from his room to the living room. Sam was kneeling down in front of the couch, as was Evael. Well, she wasn't dead and it had only been a good ten minutes, not three days. Kevin was standing in the door way.
Dean walked quickly over to the couch to see Castiel, or at least he thought it was Cas. Cas's whole face was swollen, bloody, and various shades of black, purple, and blue. Dean doubted he could have opened his eyes if he wanted to. He had never seen Cas in this bad of shape.
"What happened?" Dean asked, glaring at Evael.
"Carigen. I got there just in time. I must heal him now."
Dean didn't notice, but Sam did. There was something different about the way Evael spoke now. As if she were forcing the words out. He didn't have time to comment, however, before she placed a hand on Castiel's forehead and it glowed.
Castiel opened his bright blue eyes with a loud gasp and he bolted upright.
"Calm yourself," Evael said. "You're safe now."
Castiel looked around wildly. "Dean," he said then turned to Sam, "Sam." He stopped when he looked at the young girl beside him. "I'm sorry, but I—"
"Evael. It's Evael."
Cas looked blank for a moment as he just stared at her. He soon broke into a small smile. "Evael," he said. She nodded. He smiled wider and embraced her quickly. Cupping her face, Dean wasn't sure he had ever seen Castiel look so . . . happy.
"You're here. You're safe!" Cas exclaimed.
"Yes. I've been searching for you since we fell. My left wing was injured in the fall, but otherwise I am unharmed."
"What of the others?"
At this Evael looked down, and Cas dropped his hands from her face slowly.
"Who?" he asked softly.
"Freyren," Evael said. "You know she was never a strong flyer." She paused. "I met with Inia. She's safe. As far as I know, Lynia and Rohm are as well. Carigen—" she stopped herself as she remembered what she did to him. Suddenly it hits her. The events come crashing down on her. She killed her own brother. She killed him. He was dead because of her. She murdered him.
Evael stands up abruptly. "You must excuse me," she said.
"Evael, wait—" Cas started, holding out his hand toward her, but she was already gone.
Castiel sighed.
"Okay," Sam said and Cas looked to him. "I think it's time to explain."
"Yeah," Dean agreed. "An explanation would be awesome."
Castiel looked at Dean. "Evael is my younger sister. She's very gentle and, as far as angels go, she's very innocent. You can trust her."
"Um, okay?"
Cas huffed. "I raised her. I was put in charge of her garrison while they were still fledglings."
"Wait, wait, wait—" Dean said. "Raised her? You're like her dad?"
Cas looked at him, doing one of those head tilts. "We only have one father, Dean." Dean rolls his eyes and Sam runs a hand through his hair. "I don't find it hard to grasp. I am as much her father as you are to Sam," Castiel said to Dean.
"No offense," Kevin jumps in, arms folded with a smirk on his face, "but you don't exactly seem to be the fatherly-type."
"I enjoy fledglings. They are much easier to understand than humans."
This time, everyone could barely contain an eye roll.
"So the others she was talking about? You raised them too?" Sam asked, sitting down in one of the chairs.
"Yes. I was put in charge of six fledglings. Lynia, Rohm, Inia, Freyren, Carigen, and Evael. I taught them what they would need to be good angels in their different positions in Heaven. Once a fledgling can fly properly, then they can, as you say, 'leave the nest,' and begin training specifically for their rank and position in Heaven."
"That's so . . . " Sam started. He couldn't seem to find the right word. "Uh. Wow."
"So, what? Take a little kid and train 'em up?" Dean said. "No wonder angels are so messed up."
Cas looked only slightly offended. "Raising fledglings isn't the military, Dean. They require patience and love. Just like any other young species does." Castiel paused and then added, "Except for sea turtles. They are born and then immediately on their own and they're still around."
Kevin spoke up. "Wait. You raised Carigen? The angel who tortured you?"
Castiel sighed. "Yes. I raised him," he looked down at his hands and then back up. "Carigen was always obedient. He tried the hardest. He was chosen as a warrior. Whatever happened during basic training. . . changed him. He never delighted in anything, only wanted to move on to the next task assigned to him. Carigen wasn't truly Carigen by the time I rebelled. And I cannot blame him for his actions against me."
"Cas, the guy was going to kill you!" Dean said indignantly.
"He just wanted answers, Dean. Carigen was scared and confused. My garrison is still young for angels. I can't even imagine what Evael and Inia are going through having never even been on Earth."
"Being scared isn't reason to torture someone," Sam said.
Cas gave a look. "Maybe not. But that is all I believe he was taught as warrior. My father had left by then, so others were in charge. They were most likely corrupt. I think he was t\put through very inhumane circumstances."
"What do you mean?" Dean asked.
"Demons are very creative in getting souls to do what they want them to. You can't even imagine how persuasive angels can be."
Everyone in the room had personal experience with torturous demon encounters. Sam and Dean during their time in Hell and Kevin in his time held hostage by Crowley. Dean couldn't help but understand this Carigen guy. I mean, he had tortured souls to give a little back, right? No. He would never hurt someone like Cas. That'd be like hurting Sammy or Kevin. Carigen turned on his family and that was something Dean wouldn't get over.
"Right," Sam said. "You can tell us more about this later, I guess. You need food."
"I am rather hungry. It's strange; having cravings," Cas said as Sam led him into the kitchen.
Good thing Dean had made extra pancakes. He knew that this was far from over, but at least Castiel was safe and they were all together to look out for each other. And if this Evael was truly on their side, well . . . I guess that wouldn't be so bad.