TEN.

Before I could actually strike that killing blow, I was flung against the ground, my blade falling to the floor with a metallic clatter, as Lillith turned to face me, her deceptively young face contorted into a scoowl of rage, one small hand held aloft where she'd performed her demonic magick on me.

"Do NOT try that again, human!" she snarled at me.

"Screw you!" I spat out at her.

"Would you really risk your life for that angel? Would you really be willing to die for him?" she asked me, ctanding over me ominously.

I met her gaze, before saying - "I would willingly die for him a thousand times over if that meant Cas walked free!"

"Stupid little bunny, foolish in your bravery! Yet you may get your wish! I'm sending you to Hell!" she said with a flippant little shrug.

I met her gaze then said - "I'll hunt you down when I'm there and I'll make you pay for all that you have done here today!"

"I could use you, you know. You've impressed me, if for all the wrong reasons. You do this out of love," and the demon girl sniffed in disgust. "I have no room for love!"

"Tell me something - just one thing before you send me to Hell, bitch - Why? Why did you take Cas from me? Why did you find it necessary to torture him so badly? Did you not think he would be missed? Are you really that stupid in your arrogance?" I asked her.

"I could not pass up the shance of capturing an angel when I happened upon him. The foolish thing was sleeping! Do not look so surprised little one - the angel may not need sleep but the vessel does. I just could not pass up the chance of actually torturing an angel - do you realize how rare that is for one such as I? I wanted to take pleasure in seeing how long he lasted under my blade, how much I could make him scream, make him squirm before I took an angel's life!" and the little girl grinned. "And I knew what I was doing! I was not walking into this blind! I knew there would be repercussions. I just didn't expect you!"

I spat at her then, wishing I could just free myself, for just one instant ... that was all I would need ...

I didn't get the chance I so desperately wanted ..

Whatever Sam had been chanting was working, for Lillith froze, eyes flying wide as she started to scream. Castiel roused fully at the scream, blue eyes turning to me on the ground, pinned there still by a screaming girl, as Sam styrained behind her, hand outstretched, blood pouring from his nose for his efforts.

I didn't know what he was doing at first, until I saw the familiar black clouds of demonic entity leaking from the little girl's mouth, leaking slowly out of her as she screamed. I witnessed the entity of all that was Lillith vaporizing into thin air, leaving behind a very confused little girl, crying for Mommy and a bleeding Sam.

Dean helped me silently to my feet, steadying me as I winced at the pain I was feeling - pain that belonged to Cas, not me. I would have borne a lot worse for Castiel, and bore it gladly, without complaint.

I walked over to Castiel, under my own power, collecting my blade on the way, to cut down the bleeding angel from his bonds. I gave him a true warrior's salute with my blade, before laying it at his feet wordlessly, before crouching in a bow. It was an age old gesture used by warriors in long ago wars, when they offered their services to their Lord and Master, and to their Lord and Master alone.

The gesture was enough - words would have spoiled the effect. I was cementing my fealty to the angel more symbolically than love alone - and I was doing it out of love and respect.

I'd never done that before -'d never felt strongly enough about anyone to want to do that and I think Cas realized the fact.

If being a soulmate meant I'd felt his pain, then Cas was sure to feel my undying love and loyalty.

It was then that Cas bowed to me in wordless acknowledgement, before drawing me to my feet once more, to kean down to kiss me. I didn't care that Dean and Sam were witnesses - all that mattered to me right then was Cas and Cas alone ...

to be continued ...