Dear Readers:

I've gotten some emails asking if this is an AU story of Supernatural. I didn't give it much thought when I began writing-just wanted to get it out of my head and onto paper. However, before we get too far into the story….yes, it is an alternate universe story. I'm so glad that you are enjoying it and I appreciate your patience with the long pauses between chapters.

Chapter Four-The Revelation

The old man had entered the room without a sound. Age stooped his shoulders and whitened his hair. Razor blue eyes peered out from beneath his hood. His skin reminded Elizabeth of tanned leather; wrinkled and dry. Dressed in a priest's robe, he looked only in her direction, as if Dean and Sam were not present.

"I have come to take you to your father, Elizabeth." The old man's gravelly voice wasn't much louder than a whisper. "He is waiting for you."

Elizabeth stared blankly as he extended an open hand in her direction, waiting for her acceptance. When she did not respond, he withdrew his arm; the withered hand disappearing beneath the folds of his robe.

Sam and Dean exchanged confused looks. "Look, gramps, you're not making a whole lot of sense. Did you forget to take your meds?" Aware of the gravity of the situation, Dean stood up and took a step forward. Sam followed suit until they were a few feet away from the stranger.

Unsure of what to expect, Elizabeth slowly got to her feet so that she was standing somewhat behind her brothers. The plan between Dean and Sam was to run interference in desperate times. This would allow Elizabeth the opportunity to escape and they would follow as soon as the situation was diffused.

The old man stood his ground. "As your angel friend discovered, the mark is not truly Azazel's. A brilliant deception in case someone came poking around, Elizabeth." Taking a deep breath, he continued. "You have the honor of belonging to the great Asmodai; child. A mighty king who will shower you with gifts your mortal mind cannot begin to imagine."

The old man looked curiously at Sam and Dean. He could see the confusion on their faces. "It seems that this is a new revelation to the three of you Winchesters. Perhaps your angel friend is not as dependable as you think?" With a grin, he focused his attention back toward Elizabeth.

Elizabeth could feel the old man's creeping power. Her heart thundered in her chest. Where is Castiel? Elizabeth's eyes widened and she shot a horrified look at Sam.

Moving closer to Dean, she gripped his arm. "I don't even know you." Elizabeth's voice was as thin as paper.

"Oh, but, I know you little one. Why, I've been with you since you were born." The old man had a faraway gaze as he seemed to relish a fond memory. "I have guided you through life to arrive precisely at this point in time." Taking a steadying breath, he pushed his hood back so that it fell neatly onto his shoulders.

"Been there, done that, buddy." said Sam. "Sorry to disappoint you, but, our sister isn't going anywhere."

Dean took another step in the old man's direction. "It doesn't matter who you work for-demon, ghost, or whatever the hell you want to call it." Dean's voice was low now, the graceful lines in his face hard and unyielding. "She's staying right here with us."

Elizabeth's anxiety was multiplying by the minute. She could see the old man's face twist in a grimace of anger. Dean was so close to the old man. Too close! He's standing too close!

The old man closed his eyes. When he opened them again, the blue had been replaced by obsidian black. The 'weakness' observed earlier was now gone and a new force flowed through him giving new strength to his body. Speaking deliberately, the demon said. "I don't recall asking you, boy."

Events of the next few moments happened very quickly. Dean lunged at the demon, briefly knocking him off his feet. Elizabeth watched as they wrestled on the floor; Dean trying to get the upper hand.

"Run! Now!"

Sam grabbed his sister's hand and bolted for the door. The move was so sudden that Elizabeth's feet left the floor.

Sam was going so fast that Elizabeth couldn't get her feet under her long enough to run.

"Sam, Sam, damn it!"

Sam wasn't listening. His only purpose in life, at this moment, was to get Elizabeth as far away from the nightmare behind him as possible.

The demon exploded in rage; his black eyes boring holes into Dean.

"Enough!" Wrenching one hand free he sent Dean flying into the far wall; pinning him there.

"Sam! Look out!" Dean struggled in vain to free himself.

On his feet in a matter of seconds, the demon turned his attention back toward Sam and Elizabeth. Just as Sam's hand grasped the doorknob, he was thrown backward, pulling Elizabeth with him. Slamming into the wall, Sam lost his grip on Elizabeth and she fell forward onto her hands and knees.

"Nice try, boys. I'd like to stay and chat, but, we really must be going." Walking over to stand near Elizabeth the demon extended his right hand. "Stop these childish games, Elizabeth. Come with me, now." He lowered his face toward hers; "I will not ask again."

"Why don't you just force me to go?" Elizabeth asked. "Why do you keep asking me?"

"You can't take her against her will; can you, you bastard?"

Glaring at Dean; the demon grinned. Popping and cracking sounded as he stood up. "You're pretty bright, Dean. It is true that Elizabeth must come with me willingly. However, my patience is limited."

"Elizabeth, how much do you love your brothers?" The demon closed his eyes.

"No, not that! Please!" Elizabeth screamed.

Stabbing pain convulsed Sam and Dean's bodies. Their screams, separate at first, merged together in a magnified wave that washed over Elizabeth; stopping all coherent thought.

"Nooo!"

Adrenaline coursed through her body, heaving Elizabeth to her feet. She lunged at the demon effectively breaking his connection with Sam and Dean. Elizabeth's assault had not been sufficient to knock the demon to the ground, merely backward a few feet, but, it was enough. The connection broken, Dean and Sam's cries stopped.

"Beware my wrath, Elizabeth!" the demon growled.

Sam and Dean forgotten, he turned his fury on Elizabeth. Sounds of tearing, ripping, and shredding could be heard as the demon revealed its true self. The thing that emerged from the shell of the 'priest' was so disgusting that it could not be compared with anything Elizabeth had previously witnessed.

Looking wildly about, Elizabeth scanned the room for a weapon of any sort. Then she remembered; Dean left them in the trunk! Oh, God!

The demon rose up to its full height, towering over Elizabeth's small 5' 5" frame. It unfolded its huge, bat-like wings and reached out for her. Primal fear froze Elizabeth; nailing her feet to the floor. Teetering on the brink of hysteria, she had one last coherent thought. Let me die. She prayed. Let me die before it touches me.

"Elizabeth! Noooo!" Dean screamed. "Get away from her, you bastard!"

The demon's hand tightened around Elizabeth's throat. With a malicious smile that showed razor-sharp teeth, he slowly began lifting Elizabeth until her face was level with his. Acrid breath assaulted Elizabeth's nostrils; burning her throat, her lungs. Kicking and clawing, she fought with every ounce of her strength. When she could draw enough breath, strangled cries escaped through her lips.

"ELIZABETH! ELIZABETH!" Sam screamed. "No, God! Please!"

Elizabeth's struggles became weaker. Her eyes rolled back and began to flutter closed. When she could fight no longer, Elizabeth slipped down into the waiting darkness.

"I have a gift for you, little one." Drawing her into an unholy embrace, the demon pulled Elizabeth's body next to his. With his head bowed, he wrapped his great wings about Elizabeth like an ominous blanket.

A reddish glow began to emanate from within the folds of the demon's wings. Brighter and brighter it grew until its light touched every corner. An arctic wind twisted and swirled about the room, disturbing everything in its path. The entire room trembled under the power of the demon.

Sam and Dean now knew the true feeling of the word 'helpless'. Trapped against the wall, they could only watch the destruction of their baby sister. The brothers screamed for help, screamed obscenities at the demon, screamed for Elizabeth; unable to deal with the reality before them, they closed their eyes and wept.

An unearthly howl opened Sam and Dean's eyes. Screaming in rage and pain, the demon was thrashing wildly about. When it whirled back around a second time, Castiel clung to one of its wings, stabbing it over and over.

The demon flung Elizabeth away from him in an effort to grab its attacker. With a sickening thud her body struck the front door, bounced off, and landed in a heap on the floor.

"Elizabeth!" Dean and Sam stared intently at Elizabeth for any movement whatsoever; there was none. Her body lay face down at an odd angle with her head turned toward the wall.

Castiel brought his sword down again and again; each time the demon grew weaker. Blood and gore flew out in all directions as the demon kept spinning its body, trying desperately to dislodge Castiel. With one last, mighty thrust, Castiel heaved his sword through the demon's heart. Losing his balance, the demon fell backward to the floor, drawing its final breath.

Sam and Dean, now free from the demon's control, fell to the floor. Scrambling to their feet, they rushed over to where Elizabeth lay, kneeling beside her.

"Oh, God. Oh, God." Dean pressed his fingers against Elizabeth's neck. "There's no pulse, Sam!"

"Turn her over!" Working quickly, Sam gently placed his hands onto Elizabeth's legs. Dean bent over Elizabeth and grasped her shoulder. Together, the brothers turned her body over.

Momentarily, Sam and Dean gasped when they looked down at her face. Eyes partially open, stared back; unblinking. Blood ran freely from her mouth, nose, and ears. Her throat was completely covered in a blackish bruise. Lips that had once been blushed with pink; now were tinted blue.

"No, Elizabeth." Sam begged. "Please don't go." Brushing a stray lock of hair away from Elizabeth's face, Sam leaned over, and with trembling lips placed a kiss on her forehead. "I'm so sorry, baby; so very sorry."

The brothers grieved over the precious, broken body. They had been caught off guard. And she had died for their mistake. Dean reached out, cradled Elizabeth in his arms, and brought her to himself. Burying his face in her hair, with tears of grief and fury, he commenced rocking Elizabeth.

"Too late, we were too late." Sam could hear the weight in Dean's muffled voice. Placing a hand on his shoulder, "We did everything we could." Dean shook Sam's hand away. Barely able to respond, "Don't, Sam…just…don't."


Outside, a new day was dawning. Birds were beginning to sing. The other residents at the motel could be heard leaving in their cars. Inside room #111, a war had been fought with casualties on both sides.

For Sam and Dean, the sunlight went unnoticed. Nothing would brighten their world again. Everything that was good, everything that brought happiness to their life was gone, and it would take a miracle to get it back again.