Disclaimer: I do not own the concept or characters from the show "Supernatural." Any other characters not related to the show or the Nightwold series, however, are mine and are not to be used in any other fan fictions. Some concepts were also borrowed or loosely adapted from L.J. Smith's "Nightworld" and "The Vampire Diaries" series. This chapter has information on the episodes up until 04/02/09. I will not include any spoilers for future episodes of Season 4 until they are released on TV. This is the start of a new trilogy. The first trilogy is: "Possession," "Broken," and "Sacrifice," followed with a new trilogy, starting with "Mission." This story takes place following the events in "Mission," and has the same characters from the first trilogy. I do not own any quotes used in the actual episodes.
Author's Note: Sorry for the delayed update! I was sick once again. Good times. Anyway, enjoy the update!
Sam nervously paced on the creaking front porch while April tended to the sleeping guests in the house.
Ruby remained on the couch, groaning in discomfort in an a constant struggle between sleep and consciousness. She decided to remain awake for the time being, sitting upright with the afghan Abby had knitted tightly wrapped around her shivering form. Part of him felt guilty for leaving her in there with out him. Damn, he had missed everything about her when the family had left on their quest for Abby while she stayed behind to care for the youngest member of the family. And, she was happy to do so. Ruby doted on the boy as if he was her own. Any other kid would be envious of having such caring and indulging relatives.
"I'm not feeling too well," she had said the morning that they had left, after appearing from the bathroom, still leaning against the doorframe.
Sam had leaned down and kissed her sweaty forehead, grabbing her face between his hands.
"Are you sure you don't want me to stay," he whispered.
She had replied that she'd be fine. Yet, almost two weeks later, she was still feeling like shit.
Doctor. Tomorrow. That was the end of that. God forbid if something was really, really wrong with her -- he would never forgive himself for leaving her behind when he could have gotten her help.
Sam regained focus as Cas' car pulled into the driveway. He nodded as he got out of the car and headed up the walkway.
"How are you doing, Sam," he asked, offering his hand.
Sam took it and pulled him close into a man hug.
Three pats later, they pulled away.
"How's Jamie," his friend asked with furrowed brows.
"Asleep for now. Listen, Cas, we need to be quiet. April brought Becky with her. She's asleep in April's room upstairs. Don't ask," he smirked.
"Hi Uncle Cas," a voice greeted from behind them.
Sam twisted to see April cautiously opening the screen door, her eyes begging permission to come onto the porch. He smiled and nudged her forward. April gave Cas a warm hug.
"How are you doing, sweetheart," he smiled and kissed her cheek.
She shrugged and turned to go back in the house. Before Sam and their guest could enter, she turned around to shush them, gesturing up the stairs and towards the family room.
"Becky is upstairs and Jamie finally fell asleep next to Ruby," April whispered.
Sam rounded the corned to see Jamie resting comfortably, snuggled up next to Ruby on the couch. She was looking down at him maternally, her hands running through his hair. She looked at peace. He smiled as she raised her gaze up to meet his.
"So, what's going on with Jamie," Cas asked, following April to the kitchen. Sam leaned against the countertop, placing his arms across his chest.
Sam let his niece explain her brother's comments to Cas, who listened with an increasing ferocity. There was something behind his eyes that was turning.
"You said Zachariah," he said to himself.
"Yeah," April shrugged, "So?"
"Cas," Sam started. "How -- I mean could he be referring to the real Zachariah? How -- how could that be possible?"
"Well," he said, hopping up to take a seat on the counter. "We did take him to get after he was born. Conceivably that could have something to do with it. Perhaps he is touched."
"By an angel," April scoffed. "Yeah, ok."
Cas explained that there were whispers when he was a member of the angels that some people who were touched at a young age. Many of those turned out to be prophets or were able to communicate with other worldly beings. Jamie seemed to fit the mold.
"So, is he really talking to spirits," Sam asked, his brows furrowed in concern. He could feel April's eyes on him. Much like her mother, she had a way of looking at someone that could chill them to the core.
"April," he said with out looking at her, "Keep an eye on your aunt and brother."
"Why?"
"Because, Cas and I are going to take a walk around the house, then we're heading out. And don't argue with me," he said before she could even start to retort. "There are three people here who need you to look out for them, alright? I trust you'll do the right thing."
His niece nodded to him and headed out to the living room.
"Where's the boy's room," Cas questioned, sliding off of the counter.
Sam lead him up the stairs, reminding him of the sleeping Becky. The pair headed up the wooden staircase and upon taking a left, started towards the boy's room. At the end of the hallway was a trio of doors; Jamie's room was the one on the left.
Cautiously, he opened the door, wishing he had grabbed some salt. They stepped in the room, eyes and ears open to any phantom activity. Nothing that Sam could pick up. There were no cold spots in the room. It looked and felt just like any other young boy's room.
Jamie's interests varied, but from the décor, he had a few things on his mind; baseball, basketball and video games. Funny, his son was nothing like he was as a kid, he mused.
With a sigh and a shrug, he turned to Cas.
"I don't sense anything," he whispered.
Cas seemed to be picking up on something.
"There was something here," Cas quietly revealed.
"How can a ghost get into here," Sam asked, "Abby has salt lines running all around the property."
"This land has a history, Sam. Farmers, pioneers, Native Americans all lived here on the land. Perhaps, if there is a ghost, he's attached to the ground and can come and go from the house-"
"Because it's on the territory. Do you think the salt lines are trapping him in here?"
"Could likely be the case, Sam."
"But--why talk to Jamie?"
"Well, that I'm not sure of, but I'm sure of where we could get the answer."
"Zachariah."
Cas nodded and suggested they go back to his place to get some privacy. They didn't April to know what was going on for her own safety.
Sam ordered April to stay put and watch her family as he left to join Cas in his car. She nodded in accord, squeezing a sleeping Jamie to her side as a sign of a promise.
"I have to summon him, much like Dean summoned me years ago. I can't just ask him to come," Cas acknowledged as he drove the short distance to his house. "Even still, he may not show up."
"Well, can't we talk to somebody?"
"I don't know, Sam. I'm kind of an outcast now, remember?"
"But," Sam rebutted. "You saved us all! How can they alienate you like that?!"
"Well, for two reasons, if you must know," he chuckled. "First off, I'm human. Angels, most of them, don't look at mortals in the best light…that includes ex-angelics who chose to become mortal; no matter what the purpose. Second, I'm still speaking to you."
They walked into the bar, eyeing the establishment. The place was trendy and upscale, definitely more high-class than what he was used to.
He eyed the crowd searching for their target.
"He's near the back," Wes whispered with a smirk, "And it looks like we came just in time. It seems the Calvary has already arrived."
Wes started towards the high table in the back where Jesse was seated. Two patrons leaned across the small pub table, one with his hand cracking the edge of it. Vampires.
Dylan shielded his mind, just in case any of them were telepaths.
He could hear his heart pounding as they approached.
'Don't show fear,' he warned himself.
His breathing because shallower.
'Calm down, man.'
He tried as he approached the table in what appeared to be slow motion. Vampires; and not just ones like Wes or his mother. Not ones who cared. No. Honest to God bloodsuckers who killed humans for sport.
"Well, well, what do we have here," Wes' voice rang with clear authority. "Gentleman and gentlewoman, what brings you here?" He placed his hands on the table, causing it to shake violently.
This was not going to be good.
"Wesley? Did she send you as well?"
She?
"No, no…you see, I'm not here to do her bidding. I'm here for my ole' pal," he drawled, placing an arm loosely around Jesse's shoulder.
"Well," the female vampires chuckled. "Your ole' pal is in a lot of trouble."
She walked closer to Wes, purposefully grabbing a hold of Jesse's collar.
"He's coming with us," she purred into the blonde man's ear.
"No, he's not," Wes said with a deadly grin.
"Don't be stupid," the male vampire finally stepped in. "Are you up to defying her?"
Wes tossed back the shot set in front of his frozen friend and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.
"I have greater plans than following that bitch's orders anymore."
"That's blasphemy," the gorgeous female vampire smiled wickedly.
"Then may I go to Heaven," he sneered.
Dylan stood back from the scene. Two vampires against two…and himself. Did he really want to tangle with the undead?
His eyes met Wes. The dark vampire eyes were sending him a signal. The vampire foes weren't going to back down. Dylan had to use his power.
He gathered up his strength, feeling the power boiling under his skin. The familiar spark in the back of his mind told him he was ready.
"Excuse me," he said, voice shaky. "I--I think you two should leave."
They looked over at him; the pitiful half-vampire, half-human, and scoffed.
"Leave now boy, and we'll make your death relatively painless," the female blasted.
It wasn't going how he planned.
He forced the power to the surface again, this time gathering as much as he could.
"I said to leave."
"Who the fuck are you," the male snarled, approaching him swiftly, covering the distance in a matter of milliseconds.
Shit.
Before he knew what was happening, his neck was in the grip of a vice. The fingers wrapped around his neck tightened and tightened. His lungs and throat burned for the sweet feel of fresh air.
'I can't black out,' he thought. 'I can't black out.'
Just as suddenly as the hand had clamped his body, he found himself abruptly tugged back like a rag doll. His body was held up in a corner, before he felt a sharp sting on his shoulder.
The wound burned as he felt his life being drawn out of him. Slowly, he was being drained.
With a frustrated snarl, the vampire attacking him pulled away, setting him down gently on the tile floor.
Dylan was going in and out of consciousness, but could still hear the commotion.
"I think my young companion was right," the powerful voice echoed. "You should leave. Oh--and while you're at it…why don't you both go into the woods down the road and kill each other. Rip each other apart piece by piece."
He could swear he heard a male and a female say yes, followed by the sound of footsteps heading in the opposite direction.
"Hey, are you alright," an unfamiliar male voice said. "Wes, he's not answering."
"He'll be alright," Wes with a hint of a smile on his voice. "Come on, you carry him."
Dylan could feel his body being lifted with ease, followed by the gentle sway of a graceful walk. Within a few minutes, he was laying on soft, smooth clothe. The roar of the car slightly roused him.
"You know, Jesse, his power is almost too good to resist. Maybe I should be back to the sweet April and see what I could get her to do."
Asshole.
"You stay away from her," Jesse said with deadly authority. "I won't let you kill her like you killed Jenny."
"Ouch. Way to open old wounds…and even after I rescued you."
"Why did you do it, Wes? What's in it for you?"
"She's after April."
"I know."
"I need you to protect her while I go play good-little-servant boy to lead her away. She can't get her hands on April."
"Do you know her plan?"
"Not yet, Jesse, but I intend to find out. But I have a sinking feeling that it has to do with something very personal. I wouldn't put it past her to use April or to use her to lure someone else."
There was an awkward pause.
"Don't you worry, Wes. I'll take care of her and this time, I'm sticking around if you get my drift."
The car accelerated forward at a high rate of speed.
Abby sighed as they pulled up to the house.
Home. Her home. Their home.
She shook Dean's adorable sleeping form in the passenger seat.
"Babe," she whispered, leaning forward to give him a kiss. "We're home, hun."
"Already," he groaned and stretched. "Christ, my back."
"Come on. Let's get to bed. Our bed," she smiled, her heart swelling at the homecoming.
He smiled, causing her chest to tighten with happiness.
She jumped out of the car and zoomed to the other side, opening the door and pulling him out by his hand.
"Happy," he laughed as she yanked his form to him.
"Ecstatic," she giggled.
Dean devilishly smirked, and bent down so she could jump on his back. Abby laughed, wrapping her arms and legs around her husband. Oh, how she adored him.
He quickly bounded up the woodened steps. As he opened the front door, they heard the sounds of a television.
"Hey, what time is it? Why are the kids up," he asked.
"I don't know, maybe it's Sam?"
They entered the house to find light coming from the living room. Sure enough, the television was on.
"Hey, anyone home," Dean said.
"Dad?"
April appeared from around the corner, her smile ear to ear. Abby slid off of his back as her daughter jumped into her father's arms.
"Hey kid," he chuckled. "What's up?"
"A lot."
He pulled their daughter back, concern written over both their faces.
"What's going on," Abigail asked her daughter.
"Where's Sam," Dean questioned after scanning the room.
"He's out with Cas. Dad, I think we've got a problem."
Abby's focus on her daughter was drawn away by a very loud mental voice.
'Oh God I feel like shit. I wish Sam was back. Abby was right about this morning sickness crap, it does happen anytime of the day.'
Before she could stop herself, she blurred into the living room finding Ruby and her son on the couch.
"You are," Abby asked.
"Shh, you'll wake him up," Ruby chided.
'Please don't. Oh I'm totally going to throw up again.'
"Oh my god, congratulations," she smiled, going forward to embrace her sister-in-law.
"Shh, Abby. Fuck," she swore. "Shut up."
"Why? This is exciting, Ruby!"
She peered up to Abby with guilty eyes.
"Because I haven't told him yet."
The symbols were laid out on the floor of Cas' garage, drawn in chalk. They were precisely written, the pattern around the floor meticulously placed. They were ready.
Cas started the summoning incantation and Sam braced himself for what may show up. Had they done the right steps, or were they luring something both of them couldn't comprehend? Sam just had to put his faith in his friend's knowledge.
Before long, the atmosphere in the barn started to change. There was a strange, thick energy playing in the air. The lights burst in their lamps, shrouding them in darkness.
Walking in from the open door was a man but he carried with him a power; a power Sam recognized.
The silhouetted figure approached deliberately until he was standing less than ten feet from the pair.
Lightning suddenly lit up the sky and Sam could see the distinct outline of dark wings.
"You rang?"