"What the hell happened?"

"I don't know.. I came when I heard the call. By the time I got here the thing had already passed."

"What already passed?"

"I'm not sure. It's no simple demon, though. Look at this."

"What is that?"

"I'm unsure. It looks like some sort of.. lock."

"Then get it off her."

"What?"

"You heard me! Get the fucking thing off her arm! Burn it, cut it, unenchant it, rain dance, pray- whatever you have to do."

"It's not that simple. I need to study, ask around, figure out what we're dealing with. Who knows- it might have some sort of failsafe."

"Failsafe my ass- that's a lock and it's coming off right now!"

"It might kill her, Dean."

"Well she doesn't look like she's doin' too good now, does she, Cas? What other choices do we have?"

"You know what, fine. Give it here. If she dies it's on your hands. I'm not strong enough to bring her back again."

Sib flew up at the feeling of hot metal scalding her arm- grabbing onto the wrist holding the weapon. Her vision came back slowly but when it did- she found Castiel staring at her wide eyed. "It's me, Cassidy." He spoke quickly. "You have to lay back down. I need to get this off of you."

"I heard. Where's Sam?" Sib spoke without hesitation, pushing his arm away from her and sitting up. She hissed at the pain in her chest but shook it off- scanning the room quickly with her eyes. He was nowhere. She turned her head back to Castiel and gave him a hard look. "Where. Is. Sam."

"Dean." Cas nearly whispered, tipping his head down to keep his eyes from her.

"Sam isn't back yet." Dean spoke quietly. he too was avoiding eye contact.

"What the hell you mean not back yet?" Sib wobbled to stand, turning her head to him with a confused expression. Dean looked tired, worn out like he'd been up for days. Her feet hit the ground and she nearly toppled over. Dean grabbed onto her quickly, steadying her before she could fall.

"You gotta stay here, Sibby.." Dean's voice dropped even lower and he stepped in front of her to keep her from leaving. He couldn't tell if she was angry or not but she sure as hell seemed it. The last thing he wanted to do was piss her off and have her storm out so he stayed gentle with her. "Please. You're not well yet."

"I kinda got that." She spoke through her teeth, giving him one last look before pushing past him. The pressure on her legs was killing her but she didn't care. She needed to find Sam.

Dean was ready to follow her but Cas interjected, whispering something she couldn't hear. For some reason he obeyed but Sib quickly became unlucky when Castiel side stepped her and blocked her path. "Cassidy, if you'd just kindly give me a second, I can explain.."

She stumbled out of Castiel's way, giving his shoulder a pat as she strolled past and began down the hall. "You can talk while I'm walking."

"Cassidy, listen to me." Castiel hurried to catch up to her, looking past her as she glanced into each room.

"I'm listening."

"If I didn't do what I did you'd still be dead right now-"

"And what exactly did you do, Cas?" She flipped her head around, giving him an angry look. His body tensed automatically when her eyes met her room.

"Look, Cassidy.." He hurried out, pressing his hand to her chest to keep her from leaving. "The call I heard was for you- not Sam. When I got here you were gone."

"And I should've stayed that way. Now, one last time- where's Sam."

"He's right in there safe and sound. He's just not.. Sam. Please, just let me explain. You can't-"

Sib pushed him out of the way and went for the door handle. "Cassidy please. You don't wanna go in there."

She stood straight and slammed her foot against the door- sending it off the hinges and flying to the ground. Chunks off ceiling fell from the commotion. Once the debris settled and she could see panic rose to her chest. "Sam." She choked out.

He turned his head back to her, rustling with the ties around his hands. "Cassidy."

Sib pushed past Castiel and into the room, approaching the circle and nearly passing it before Castiel's arms pulled around her. "Sam? That you?"

Sam nodded up at the ceiling and clicked his jaw. She followed his eyes to the seal and immediately tried to shake herself from Castiel's grip. "Unfortunately," Sam paused to sigh, looking back at her. "Unfortunately, no."

"Who are you? Let him go."

"See, that's exactly why I'm even stuck here. The name's Barachiel. It's been a while." He smiled sadly, tipping his head to her.

"Or at least that's what he claims." Castiel whispered into her ear, yanking her back into his grip before she could touch the circle.

"Yes, that is correct, brother. But for some strange reason you've restrained me here, thinking my claims false."

"Barachiel is dead." Castiel glared at him. "I saw him die."

"Well, it seems you saw wrong. I'm quite alive, Castiel." He chuckled, knocking his hand on the wooden chair. "I was assigned to protect Cassidy. That is my duty. And it seems.." He squinted his eyes and leaned back. "That you've clearly stolen my job."

"I came bacause I was called. Where were you?"

"I believe I was busy fighting for her soul then. Sadly, she denied me and died. You came and disallowed my help, strapped me to a chair before I could finish healing her and stole my job. If anything; I should be mad at you."

"What help are you possessing Sam?" Castiel whispered quite loudly, looking towards the busted door to make sure Dean wasn't present. "How am I to believe you are Barachiel?"

"Sam was growing cold and I couldn't enter the room for some strange reason. So I stoned two birds at once.." Barachiel's smiled dropped and he furrowed his brows in confusion. "..That is the term, right?"

"What do you mean you couldn't enter?" Sib spoke up, finally stilling herself.

"I was physically unable to enter, just as how I'm unable to leave this blasted circle right now." Barachiel gave Castiel a filthy look before turning to Sib. "So I did what I had to. I jumped into Sam to get in here so I could save you."

"Why not use me instead? Why Sam?"

"I could of." He dropped his head. "But I am your gaurdian, Cassidy.. not Sam's. You were more important for me to save than him."

"So what? When you leave he dies?"

Barachiel said nothing, keeping his head low and eyes closed. That was his answer- she was staring at a ghost.

"How could you?" Sib nearly shouted, her lips quivering and legs shaking as she pryed at Castiel's hands. "Both of you! How could you?"

Castiel pulled her back against him before she could get away, resting his head on her shoulder. "Cassidy, please.."

"No-" she snapped, trying to pull herself free- kicking her legs and smashing her elbow to his side. "No, you let him die!"

"I'm sorry. I did everything I could." Someone spoke up- she didn't know who. Her vision was blurry and her body was on fire from the exertion.

"How could you?" She was crying and screaming it over and over.

Castiel turned her to him and wrapped his arms back around her. Sib sobbed loudly through her words, repeating things over and over as she pounded on him. She said things like "take me instead" and "I hate you"- things that made Castiel feel worthless. He stood still though and endured her beating, held her as tightly as he could whispering shaky apologies into her hair until she was exhausted.

"Castiel, allow me freedom." Barachiel said finally. He sounded ashamed of himself. Hearing Sam's voice had made Sib cry again.

"How can I trust that you are truly who you say, that you won't harm us if I free you?"

"Because I will prove it." Barachiel smiled to Castiel sadly. "Because I am your brother, because I am her guardian.. Because I've failed and I wish to grant peace."

Castiel gave Barachiel a stern look before turning to Sib. He pulled away from her, bringing her face up to meet his. "Will you be well to leave for a moment? If my judgement is wrong I don't want you to be harmed."

Sib could only nod, looking at Barachiel from the corner of her eye. "I believe him."

"And you're sure of this?"

"Ask him about the nunnery." She grabbed onto his wrists to steady herself. "You are the only two that have the answer."

Castiel gave a single nod, closing his eyes and kissing her forehead. "Just stay close. We've not told Dean yet and I wish to tell him myself."