Azrael can sense the anger that Sam fosters for her. She cannot pinpoint the specifics. He does not trust her. Then again, who the hell trusts in the certainty of death. She is used to being the source of fear for mortals. It is natural for mortals to fear death. These two have experienced it. They have each experienced it multiple times.
Sam watches Azrael's every move. He is uncomfortable in her presence. There is something about her. There is something that he cannot figure out about her. The kisses, as Cass had told them, protect them for short periods of time. They act as passage. He learned from his research, that the mark of Azrael offers protection in that their name cannot be removed from the book of life while the passage is in effect. Why is she keeping them so close?
Castiel and Azrael speak for a moment in hushed tones away from the ears of Dean and Sam. Castiel tells her of his encounter with the Gadreel. Azrael is very concerned with the encounter. She needs Castiel protected while she deals with the complications of Crowley. She can sense something amiss but does not yet know exactly what or who it is. Her spidey senses only work so well when they are multitasking on a rather grandiose scale.
Sam and Dean watch Castiel again drop to single knee in reverence to Azrael. He takes her hand into his own and kisses it. It is reminiscent of a knight bowing before a queen. Azrael again raises him up and embraces him. There is obviously history between Azrael and Castiel. Sam and Dean exchange knowing looks between them. They need to know what this history is.
Dean is running the information that he knows about Azrael through his head. He is trying to make sense of it. He is trying to make sense of what he feels. Her scent calms him like nothing else he has ever experienced. It tames the rage within him. He can't help but wonder if it is a revelation of the peace of found in death. He has died several times and found anything but peace.
During their private conversation, Castiel tells Azrael that she should allow Sam and Dean access into her inner sanctum. Azrael is taken aback by the thought of mortals in her library. Castiel insists that this would be a wise move and that the Winchesters can be trusted. Azrael knows the content of Castiel's soul from his grace. He speaks truth to her. He speaks what he believes. In so many ways, Castiel reminds her of Michael. Azrael is trying to fathom how their "world" came to this. The anarchy, the utter chaos, their world should have never devolved into this… she wonders where their father could be. Why would he do this to them. She knows the thoughts are futile at best and quickly dismisses them from her mind.
Azrael stands before both Sam and Dean with a glance back to Castiel. With a quick move of her hand she renders Sam unconscious. Dean immediately grabs her arm. "He is sleeping." Azrael breaks Dean's grip and touches him on the forehead rendering him unconscious as well. Dean falls face first to the floor.
"I should have thought that through a little more. That is going to leave a mark." She touches his cheek.
"Honestly, they could use the rest. Take care of them Azrael." Castiel's concern is genuine.
"As if they were my very own, Cass. I promise." Castiel gives her a smile as she dissipates with the brothers.
Azrael enters the room where she has placed Sam and Dean. They are each laid out on four post bed made of carved wood. They are wrapped in blankets of silk and fine linens. The room has a fireplace providing warmth and comfort. They sleep in absolute serenity. Azrael approaches Sam. She gently places her hand on his forehead. She watches in on his dreams. She wants to make sure that he is at peace and truly resting. Sam is lost in dreams of a woman who Azrael cannot readily identify and with what they are doing… she really doesn't want to know at the moment.
She walks over to Dean and places her hand on his forehead. She watches in on his dreams. He is dreaming of his life with Lisa. The comfort of the life he had when he believed Sam was lost in the cage. She gently takes away the guilt that Dean had felt during that period of time. His expression softens as she takes it away. She brushes his cheek as he snuggles beneath the blanket.
Azrael closes a heavy door behind her as she walks into the room where her Horsemen are gathered. She pauses a moment in the doorway as she watches them. They are gathered around a large wooden table drinking and playing cards. She takes in the smell of War's cigar and Famine's pipe. She listens to them talk of the good old days of the middle ages and the last days of Caligula.
She takes a seat in the back of the room and watches them for quite a while before they notice her presence. "You want in Az?" War tips the cards at her. Azrael draws closer to the table. "and relieve you of the prize? We can't have that. Have fun boys, I have some work to do." The four tip their fingers to their foreheads as Azrael heads into her library. Time to see where or when newly dubbed Prince of Darkness is lurking and how much damage control is going to be needed.