Chapter 9
Angela turned off the water in the tub and twisted her arms to wring out the towel she had soaked. She glanced at Sam who was wrestling with the piping, trying to rip the sink off the wall. The shakes had started to get worse after she told him the story of the lotus blossom and how it became a constellation in the sky.
It was a story Setna had told her to gain her trust when she was first detoxing. Gabriel had brought her there and asked for the royal family to take care of her. Isis would have done so immediately but the decision of where to stay in the pantheon was made by Hapi and Satet. They took her in and they had a young daughter too. They knew the risks but they wanted to.
Setna was of the guard, captain actually, and he had a young son then. He was approached by Hapi and Satet and he agreed to look after her. He taught her the ways of the guard, brought her back up as a warrior and she became the warrior princess.
She had learned a lot from the captain of the guard and he treated her like he would a son or daughter. It was why she still felt lingering guilt when she looked at Kesset. She had taken his father from him. She knew what it was like to lose a parent; she had lost both and while she had that commonality with Kesset, she was the cause of him losing his father.
Her redemption so to speak was remembering and living the lessons Setna taught her. She performed the rituals he had taught her and she was his most fierce advocate. She would pick a fight if only to tell the truth about Setna. It was a part of her that she had revealed in bits and pieces but thinking about it… it was the turning point to putting her on the path she was now. She was still learning; it was the human thing to do.
Finishing wringing out the towel she went over to Sam as he struggled with the sink. "Sam, calm down."
"Back off," Sam growled as he pulled on the piping. He shook it hard and growled in frustration. "What's taking so long?"
Angela ignored the outburst and flanked him to avoid his legs as he tried to gain leverage to stand up. She swooped in and started pressing the cool cloth to his head, trying to cool his body down. "They have to find Famine first. You know that," she said calmly.
"It's taking too long," Sam growled. He wanted to go and get what he hungered. He was pissed that he couldn't and he was driven mad to get free. But he still had the sense to know that he was lashing out at her and it was uncalled for.
Angela pressed the cool cloth to Sam's head and wiped the sweat. She placed her hand on his head to gauge his temperature. He was probably feeling like he was boiling in his own skin. It alarmed her when Sam leaned into her touch and growled to get away. She didn't want to get physical but she knew that it was heading that way. If Dean and Castiel didn't get to Famine soon there was going to be a lot more trouble.
The towel got warm fast and she went to soak it in the tub again. She looked at the wall and silently asked, Setna, what would you do if you were in my position? What did you do for me when I was at my worst?
She closed her eyes and placed a hand on the wall to lean. She wasn't sure of what she was doing. The only thing she was doing was being there. She could easily have done the same thing just sitting outside the door and leave Sam to his own devices.
"It's not you."
Angela turned to see Sam looking up at her. He had given up momentarily trying to yank the sink free. The piping was jiggling but holding fast. She noted it but focused on Sam as he looked at her. She didn't say anything.
Sam had watched her while trying to get free. He knew he was being a total grade-A douchebag. He didn't care if they told him it was the hunger talking. Whatever he did… God he hated it and he knew he was hurting her. That was killing him. He watched as she went to soak the towel again and then her leaning on the wall… Now she was looking at him, quiet and not sure of what to say. He repeated, "It's… not you. I know you're… trying to help."
"And doing a piss poor job," she replied softly.
"No," Sam protested with a slight shake of his head. "It's me. It's getting worse."
"I know." Angela reached in and grabbed the towel. With expert ease, she wrung it out, and folded it. She walked over towards Sam and started toweling him off. "You were trying to yank the sink out of the wall."
Sam groaned feeling the slight relief the towel was giving him. He leaned into her touch. "No. It is getting worse. I crave it Angie. It's starting to be all that I think about." He looked at her. "I really don't want you to see this."
Angela merely ran her fingers through his hair. "I know you don't. And I know how you feel. I have the same problem. Let me help you."
Sam turned away and pressed his head against the sink. He wanted to be able to do this on his own but even he knew that was an impossible thing. He was losing control and he was going to go crazy if he didn't get what he wanted. He didn't want her there not because he didn't want her help and not even because he was ashamed for feeling that way but because he could smell her scent, hear her blood pumping through her veins and it was intoxicating.
Angela knew that Sam was suffering. She pressed a cool spot against his head, not knowing what was going through his head. She started muttering soothing phrases in any language but mostly in ancient Egyptian. At this moment it was the only thing she could think of and Setna's care of here was what came to mind.
"I…"
Angela leaned forward to hear what Sam was starting to whisper when all of a sudden he started jerking and grunting. He had resumed pulling on the piping. He growled in frustration as she tried to wrestle himself free. "Gah," he growled as he shifted to try and gain some form of leverage. "Come on."
Angela backed away since he was starting to flail like a fish but a very agitated fish. His legs were moving and his movements were becoming more and more desperate to get away. She stared at him with that bland expression that he hated more than anything as she assessed what was going on and what to do next. She watched as he strained against the cuffs, turning them red. He was moving so erratically he was lucky he didn't give himself a concussion by knocking his head against the sink.
She stared at him and said firmly, "Sam."
Sam continued to struggle and barely heard his name being called. When he heard it again he heard it with a bit more of a command behind it and looked at her, "What?"
"Stop."
Sam continued to pull against the piping. He gritted his teeth and replied, "I need it. Now!"
"Stop," Angela repeated. She took a risk and pushed him against the wall. She was strong enough to pin him but she didn't want to hurt him. He still struggled with her but she had the upper hand. Looking him in the eye she said, "Calm down. I know it's getting bad. I was in the same position myself."
"Right. So why am I on lockdown and you're not?"
"That is a good question and one I don't have an answer for. Right now though the only one with a lick of sense in this room is me. So don't you think we should follow my lead?"
Sam stared at her. She always asked him for his opinion. She never said that they were going to do something without first asking them what they thought especially if they were going to be involved. He knew he wasn't in the best shape to be making decisions but he couldn't grasp that she was not affected and it seemed to have her baffled too. He took a couple of breaths and merely stared at her.
Angela now understood why Sam disliked the way she looked at him when she couldn't figure out what to say or do at the time. She crouched to be eye level and to show that Sam was on an equal footing with her even if he wasn't exactly in a position to be reasonable. "I'm here because I want to be."
She would have said more but a faint sound caught her ear. She turned to glance at the door and quietly stood up and walked towards it. She bent her head to listen. Her features contorted into a slight frown and she was grateful that Sam decided to stop struggling for the moment.
She heard Moira's growls and for a puppy she was loud. The puppy wasn't like Zeppelin but all Wilders knew demon scents like they do their own pack members. Trouble was on the way. She went to the tub where she had placed her chakram and knife and hooked them on her belt. She took position to sort of hide by the door.
Sam had gone back to struggling to get free when he heard the door open. It was accompanied by the high pitched barking of Moira and crashing outside. It was enough to bring him out of his haze but he was still feeling ready to pounce on anything with demon blood… or close to it. He noticed Angela was poised as if expecting something. He then heard Moira yelp in pain.
"Sam," Angela said in a whisper.
Sam looked at her and watched her gesture. He managed to nod and he turned towards the door and called out, "Guys?"
He heard the scraping of the chest on the floor. He pulled on the piping more because of his craving than the fact that there was possible trouble and his dog may be hurt. He saw Angela poised quietly and ready to strike. He called out, "Guys, what happened? I don't think it worked. I think I'm still…" He grimaced as he said it.
The door to the bathroom then opened to reveal two demons. They were demons because Sam could now smell the blood. He could smell it and it was calling to him. Of course one was holding his dog by the scruff of her neck like she was trash. He was starting to see red. He managed to let out, "Still hungry."
"Look at this. Someone trussed you up for us?" The female demon looked pleased at the development.
"Not really," Angela said before grabbing the demon and throwing her out of the bathroom. Her hand struck out to grab the hand holding Moira and broke the wrist. The puppy dropped and went to protect her master as Angela shoved the other out of the bathroom before following.
Sam started struggling and trying to break free. His features contorted into that determined look he got when it was all about the hunt and nothing else. He looked over and saw Moira growling as she stood watch and she had reverted to her hell size that she currently could get. He called to her, "Moira… come on. Get me loose."
In the meantime Angela was fighting the two demons. She gave a hard hit to the male demon and sent him crashing into the wall. She then faced the other demon who merely smiled at her, "Well, well, well if it isn't the Malachi of Absolution."
Angela grinned, "Yeah no fanfare. It bites." She blocked the punch and pushed the demon away. She then called on her powers and sent the demon flying until she was pinned to the wall. The impact was enough to make a dent in the wall.
"You're strong. Stronger than I've heard. No wonder the boss says we can't kill you… or the vessel."
"Yeah well he can suck ass cause it's not happening."
The demon smiled at Angela. She could see the other getting to their feet. "Oh it will."
Angela sensed it and turned. The other demon was heading towards Sam. It was reaction and she sprang forward and gave a side kick. The demon went into the bathroom but it was down. Unfortunately it was enough time for the other demon to get free and she was on Angela, tackling her from behind and forcing her to the ground.
It was like a chick fight with the girls wrestling on the ground but it was a lot more intense. At one point the demon had gotten a hold of the knife that Angela had withdrawn to take on the demon. She also managed to get Angela into a chokehold with the blade to her neck. She said, "Well, we can't kill you or Sam Winchester… but we could break off a few pieces."
There was a crash in the bathroom. It was enough to distract the demon but she wasn't prepared for the barreling form of Sam Winchester. The three of them crashed into the coffee table as Sam concentrated on the demon. Angela ended up rolling away but felt burning on the left side of her neck. She also ended up hitting her head hard on the floor and it stunned her.
Sam was now following the call of demon blood. Now that Angela wasn't in danger, the first thing he saw after Moira, with a little help from the second demon, got him free. He had knocked the first one into the tub and went after the second. He straddled the demon's waist. He could hear the pounding of blood in his ears. It was then he saw the knife.
It was the one he had seen her wield when she couldn't bring Absolution. He knew that it was like the one he and Dean took from Ruby. So he knew that it was going to hurt the demon. He reached over and grabbed it. It also seemed fitting since the demon hurt his girl and that pissed him off more than anything. He plunged the knife in drawing blood.
It was red and dark. The scent was intoxicating and he was hungry. Sam made a beeline to the blood and started sucking on it. The first drops hit his tongue and it was relief for his parched throat. But it didn't quench his thirst. He needed more and he tightened his grip on the demon and somehow he managed to keep hold of the knife.
"Get him off! Get him off!"
Sam just tightened his grip on the demon since she continued to struggle. He was going to drain this bitch dry. He ignored the snarls from Moira and the yelps. He barely felt the hands pulling on his shirt to yank him off. All he cared about was quenching his thirst and he needed more. He needed it all. The only time he paused was when he sensed he was in danger.
The other demon had managed to get to his feet. He tried to answer his partner's call for help but was hindered when the beast that assaulted them the second they walked in. It was larger and it went for his leg. The bite burned worse than hell and it made him desperate to the point where he kicked the beast in the face. It enabled him to get to his feet and try to get Sam off.
When pulling on the shirt didn't work, the demon went for drastic measures. They weren't supposed to kill him but there was nothing about a few bumps and bruises and maybe a crack to the skull. He picked up a piece of the table and was prepared to strike it across the back of Sam's head when all of a sudden he was flung backwards off his feet.
Sam sensed the danger and reacted. He used his dormant powers to put down the distraction. He felt the power course through him but he was more annoyed that he was being interrupted. He looked at the stunned demon and merely said, "Wait your turn."
Angela blinked and opened her eyes. She felt a wet tongue on her face and would have teased Sam about his sloppy kisses but her hand touched fur. Her vision cleared and she saw Moira looking at her with concern and she heard the humming sounds of eating or rather sucking. She recognized the place as being the room she and Sam were locked down in.
Suddenly a pair of hands grabbed her around her neck. She was still disoriented and her neck burned and she didn't have good leverage to mount a successful breakaway. She heard Moira growling and barking but she shouted a command to the dog. Then she heard, "Smart move."
The next Angela knew, she was facing Sam. His mouth was covered with blood and he looked pissed. The last time she saw him like that was when they were rescuing the Novak family. It was not a look she enjoyed seeing. Rather she wasn't seeing Sam but what he could become if this overtook him completely and it was what she could have become if she hadn't been saved on all levels.
On the ground was the body of one demon that was bled dry. Angela didn't see that. All she was seeing was Sam and she could see the hunger in his eyes. And she was being held and threatened by a demon. This was not going to end well. The best she could do was to be the damage control until they could figure out something that would keep the worst thing from happening.
"Back off or I'll kill the bitch."
Angela could sense the demon was desperate. She felt something against her throat. She kept her gaze on Sam and said, "I thought you were not supposed to kill me… or him."
"Shut up. You're not worth any trouble."
The demon was desperate. Apparently he knew what his fate would be if he actually followed orders. Angela figured to use that to her advantage. Her head was still fuzzy from the smack to the floor but she forced herself to remain clear. "Well, this is an awkward position. I can tell you for certain that if you do something to me, Lucifer will be the least of your worries."
"Shut up."
"You hurt her… I will gut you."
The demon looked up and saw that Sam had advanced towards him. He tightened his grip on Angela and pressed the shard of glass against her neck. It wasn't enough to cut but the intention was there. "Stay back."
"What are you afraid of?" Angela couldn't help but choke out a chuckle. "I mean he's only a human. Surely you've heard of me. I mean… I am the Malachi. I'm the first of the Slayers. I've done things that would scare demon children into being angels. Seriously… what does he have that has you so scared?"
"I'm going to gut you and I don't care what the boss says."
"Oh I don't think so."
Angela looked at Sam before she felt herself being pushed back. At the same time the demon released her. She blinked as she saw Sam moved really fast and his hands were on the demon. It was then that she noticed the knife in his hand. It was like watching slow motion as Sam wrestled with the demon and eventually got it to the ground.
The demon tried to fight back but Sam was trumped up on demon blood and because he was hit by Famine, he was hungry for more. Angela watched the demon try to fight and was thrown by Sam's powers until it was pinned to the wall. She slowly got to her feet and watched as Sam just sauntered up to the demon and make a good nick on the side of the neck.
The demon continued to fight the moment Sam put his lips to the neck of the demon and started sucking its blood. Angela took a step forward and stumbled slightly more from the dizziness. She made a quick diagnosis and figured she might have a concussion. She definitely needed to take a break after this. Right now her first concern was Sam and where it was going.
She could see that the demon was gone but Sam was still sucking. Taking a breath and ignoring her own pain, she approached him and called to him, "Sam." A pause and then, "Sam."
Sam didn't respond. He needed the blood. He craved it and he needed every last drop. He continued to suck even though the flow was slowing to a stop. He needed it and wanted it.
Angela took a risk and put a hand on his shoulder and tugged. "Sam, stop."
Sam growled, feeling annoyed that he was being interrupted. He also started smelling that scent again and hearing it. No… he couldn't. He pressed his mouth harder to the neck to get the last few drops.
Angela knew she was going to have to get a little physical. Getting a good grip on him, she pulled him away and flung him aside. She used enough force that he fell when his legs hit the bed. His momentum carried him across it and he landed hard on the floor on the other side. Angela sighed as the meat suit of the demon crashed to the floor. It was then she felt her body being flung back and the back of her head hit the wall.
Sam was looking over the edge of the bed and his features were contorted into a glare. It was made more grotesque with the blood around his mouth. His hand was extended, palm splayed at her. He was panting in growls.
Angela narrowed her eyes in response. It was more that he decided to play rough. She barked out, "Sam, stop it!" Her eyes glowed and her body dropped so she was on the ground. She started walking towards him. "Stop."
Sam's lips were twitching, revealing his teeth slightly while still glaring. He could smell it and it was driving him crazy. He growled as he attempted to use his powers against her but was frustrated when she stood her ground. But she managed to counter him and she refused to use her powers against him. It was her mistake since the concussion was getting to her and it enabled him to disable her enough and push her onto the bed.
Angela blinked, trying to fight back the fuzziness. She saw Sam looming over her and the knife in his hand. Her first thoughts were that he was out of control. If he was going to kill her… In a last ditch effort to keep him from committing a mistake he would regret, she lifted her hand and gave a push as he leaned forward to stop him. It was like there was something stopping him.
It was weak because of the concussion. Sam broke through it and had her pinned and she had a good look of his eyes. She could see the hunger in his eyes. She convulsed her throat as she watched him lift the hand with the knife. She waited to feel the nick but it never came. Instead she felt Sam's hand move her hair aside and his thumb pressing where the burning sensation was.
She was stunned when he leaned forward and started sniffing along her neck. It was then she realized that he was… Her eyes widened and she tried to pull away. It only succeeded in having Sam look at her with a growl. He was looking at her and an internal war was waging in his eyes. He leaned forward but then pulled back but he didn't release her.
Angela could see that Sam was losing the fight and closed her eyes slowly and opened them as she realized she may have made his hunger worse. She managed to wriggle a hand loose and press her palm on his chest and say, "Sam… I know how you feel. I just want you to know, that no matter what happens, I will be there for you… and I forgive you."
The next moment her hand was grabbed by the wrist and pressed to the side. Sam lunged forward and she felt his lips on her neck and he started to suck the blood from her neck. She opened her mouth slightly and closed her eyes in a gasp.
A/N: Sam's hunger is getting worse and now they are found by demons. What are you doing Sam? More next time on Blood Lotus...
