(Disclaimer: Don't own anything Supernatural related; the following story and the characters of Riley and Dee are all mine)

Holier Than Thou.

Chapter Ten.

Sam walked out of his room, laptop and replacement chocolate bars in his hand; he stopped at the Impala when he saw the look…or rather looks, on Riley's face "Hey…you alright?" he asked. "Riley?" he asked again when he got no reply. "Riley" he repeated, putting a hand on her arm; he frowned when she finally raised her eyes to his; whatever had been in the letter was bad and as pissed as he was at her, he could see the pain and confusion in her green eyes and couldn't just let it pass "What is it?" he asked softly. She moved the letter towards him, the papers rustling slightly in the warm desert breeze; he put the laptop and candy bars on the car next to her, took the letter and started to read...

Riley,

Honey, if you're reading this then I've had my ass seriously kicked. I know you're hurting and I wish I could change that for you; but you understand better than most that death is a part of life …and stop rolling your eyes, you know I'm right. That's better…I know you're smiling now.

There's so much I want to say to you, a lot I should have said to you before this, but hindsight is always twenty-twenty...and now I'm rambling and this is the fifth time I've started this letter so I'll get on with it. I need you to understand that what I'm telling you is the truth, Riley; don't start digging around trying to figure it out, just believe me.

I lied to you, Riley…lied to you when you were a little girl and lied to you growing up. I'm not your uncle, sweetheart…I'm your father. I know your head's probably spinning right now and I wish I was here to try and explain it to you better but you listen to me…I never told you because I was trying to protect you; protect you from something that's been hunting our family for longer than…well for a really long time. I had to keep you safe, Riley…safe from the nightmares and safe from her. You'll know if I've killed her or not and if I haven't, then you're in some serious shit, honey and I'm sorry.

I'm on her trail as I write this, but things have started to twist and turn and two of your friends have just arrived in town…Dean and Sam Winchester; I don't know why they're here and it's got me worried some but I'll keep an eye on them, see if I can figure it out; but I don't want them involved in this. I checked them out after that Vermont incident and their kill ratio is outstanding but …I'm worried. There are too many different things at play here and I can smell her out there; and I'm sure she knows I'm here too. If she figures out you're my daughter she'll come after you, Riley and you're more vulnerable than you realise. Do you remember the nightmares? The ones you had as a kid? I had them too, Riley only mine showed you killing me…I didn't know who you were back then and…shit…the reason I went to Australia in the first place was to kill you. I'm sorry, honey…but it's the truth. I didn't know you were my daughter until I saw your mother; get her to explain how we met…but I knew I had to help you…to stop the nightmares for both of us.

She'll come for you, Riley and I haven't prepared you like I should have…I wanted to save you from that but I'm guessing I can't do that right now, so you pay attention. There are no girls in our family for a reason; women are susceptible to her…she will recruit you, honey and that CANNOT happen! I didn't allow it when you were a child and I won't allow it now. This has to end and it's fallen to you now.

We're 'protectors', Riley; protectors of the talisman you're now wearing around your neck. You keep that safe at all costs because if she gets it…it will be the end of mankind...mankind, Riley. She will destroy men…all of them and there will only be her beasts left to populate the earth. But you promise me something…if the nightmares start again…you pass the talisman along…not to Dee, it can't be a woman…you pass it to Dean or Sam to guard until you beat this bitch. If they're with you then they're vulnerable as well, she'll see their strength and she'll want it to sire her spawn. You stick together; no splitting up…you're stronger as four then as two.

I can't give you a name for this woman, it doesn't work that way…but I know you're resourceful and you'll figure it out. You're a Riley afterall …and that's why the amulet is yours now. The talisman is passed from father to son, has been since the dawn of time (yes, that long) but I didn't have a son…I had a daughter and regardless of what the texts say, they don't know you like I do. You beat this, Riley and you take that bitch down. She killed your Grandfather and your great-Grandfather, so this is personal. She hunts our family, but only those that wear the talisman…it will protect you but you must protect IT. Protect IT, Riley.

I know you're angry with me for not telling you the truth; I wanted to, believe me…to have you call me 'Dad'…but I knew you were my daughter and that was enough. I'm proud of you sweetheart, you are everything I wanted in a child and more and I will miss you. Don't be angry with your Mom or your Uncle Michael, I made them swear not to tell you, same with Dee. I hope you can forgive me, Riley but know this…you were the best thing that ever happened to me and I love you more than I could ever tell you.

I need one more favour…I want you to take me home, Riley. Once you're finished with this business, take me home and scatter my ashes under the tree with the swing. That was where I was happiest, pushing you on that damn smelly tyre you loved so much.

I love you sweetheart,

Dad.

P.S. Ease up on the tequila a bit, honey…that little 'performance' at the bar in Colorado scared me some.

Sam looked at the last piece of paper…Riley's birth certificate that listed 'Jack Riley' as her father, he pulled a photo from the envelope that showed a young Jack pushing Riley on a tyre-swing, he turned it over 'Cinnamon and her Daddy – 1987' ; it was written in different script and he guessed Riley's Mom had made the inscription. He raised his eyes to Riley's not knowing what to say.

"Surprise" she said hollowly.

"Shit, Riley" said Sam "That sucks" was all he could finally say.

They turned as the door to the motel room opened and Dean stuck his head out "Little help here…Dee's driving me goddamn crazy…replace this, replace that…I think she wants to adopt me…" he grinned "told her I've already had a Dad, didn't need another…they're pains in the ass….what?" he said as Sam stared hard at him.

Sam turned back to Riley "Our mini-bar's fully stocked" she nodded, slipped off the Impala and went to Sam and Dean's room, closing the door behind her.

"Dude!" said Dean with exasperation.

Sam grabbed the laptop and chocolate bars and thrust the letter into Dean's hands "You're an idiot" he muttered as he pushed past his brother.

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Dean passed the letter to Dee "Well how was I supposed to know Jack was her father…she told me he was her uncle"

"Dude, did you not just read that?" asked Sam as he pointed to the letter Dee was now reading "Riley didn't know either"

"Looks like you did though, Dee" said Dean as he took another chocolate bar from Sam "Well?" he asked.

Dee finally lifted her eyes from the page as Sam settled himself in front of the laptop; Dean put up his hand before she could open her mouth "Before you start trying to lie your way out of this, the time for secrets is over dontchya think?"

"He's right" said Sam as he turned to her "Everything on the table now"

They heard a crash from next door; and a stream of abuse punctuated with loud banging and Dee headed for the door. Dean stood in front of her "I don't think so…I heard your name in that tirade ..."

"Out of my way, Dean" said Dee through gritted teeth.

Sam stood and went over to them "Probably not a good idea for you to speak to her right now, Dee" he turned to his brother "You go"

"This has nothing to do with him…" started Dee.

"Bullshit" said Dean "You read the letter, even Jack said we're in this together…you can explain to her later why you lied"

"Fuck you!" yelled Dee as she threw a punch at Dean.

He ducked it as Sam grabbed Dee "Easy, Dee…she's pissed at you, just wait for her to calm down a little before you talk to her" he turned to Dean "Go…and stop pissing people off"

"I'll sort it out…" said Dee as she pushed Sam from her "I don't need the help of someone that just wants to bang her"

Dean glared "This isn't about you, Dee" he said "And don't pull your self-righteous bullshit on me…named and shamed remember?" he turned and walked out the door, Dee's abuse following him.

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Dean knocked on the door before opening it carefully; Riley was sitting on one of the beds, her head hung, her hands around the bottle of whisky he'd had in his bag. He closed the door behind him and sat on the bed opposite her. He looked round the room; there were the remains of a lamp in one corner and a sizeable hole in the sheetrock near the table…which would explain the mess that was her right hand. He reached into his bag and got the medi-kit, took the whiskey from her and bandaged her hand; popping two knuckles back in place "Dejavu" he said quietly as he handed her the bottle.

He watched as she took a long swig; not looking at him. "Sooo…I hear you like swings" he said. He grinned as she let out a short laugh "I'm a teeter-totter guy myself …and there is a park across the street …" he paused "Wanna go?"

"Dean…" she said.

"Seriously"

She passed him the bottle as she stood "You read the letter?"

"Yep" he said as he took a swig and stood "So…you wanna go or what?"

"Huh?" she said, turning to him.

He rolled his eyes "The park"

She laughed softly "Dean…"

He grinned "You want to go…don't deny it" he put the lid on the whiskey and opened the door and looked back at her "Race ya" he grinned.

"Dean…just…"

"Oh for Christ's sake! Take me to the park, okay?" he grinned "I'll buy you an ice-cream when we're done"

She laughed "You're an idiot"

"Why does everyone keep saying that?" he looked at her again "You want an ice-cream or not?" he asked with feigned exasperation. He looked over at the park "Better make up your mind…there's a kid heading for the swings" she shook her head and followed him out the door and into to the parking lot "I'll push you on the swing but if I hear one 'squee'…"

"Just shut up and take me to the park" she said, trying not laugh.

"Too easy" said Dean as they jogged across the road.

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Dee watched Riley and Dean head to the park opposite the motel; she knew Riley was pissed at her…knew she would be pissed at her when she'd found out she hadn't told her the truth about Jack. But she couldn't go back and start rethinking what she should have done; the secret was out and she'd deal with it. Let Riley try and sort some of this out herself…then she could yell at Dee as much as she liked…and then she would be putting Dean on his arse.

"So…" started Sam "Jewish folklore…something about a first wife and the talisman that Jack gave her" he turned to Dee "Come on, Dee. Dean'll calm her down…"

"It's not his job to calm her down, Sam" said Dee.

"And it probably isn't yours either…" he held up a hand "I'm not having a go at you…but she's an adult…most of the time…let her deal with it first. Now come and help me"

Dee pushed the curtains aside, making sure she had a clear line-of-sight to Riley then went and sat at the table, lighting a smoke "Try old texts…this is something that goes way back. Jack was scared of this bitch and Jack Riley wasn't scared of anything"

"He tell you anything about the talisman?" asked Sam.

She shook her head "Said he couldn't. Something about a rule. Said it was the one rule he couldn't break…like telling us the bitches name. He was adamant...and believe me, I tried to get it from him"

"I don't doubt it" said Sam with a smile "Look, it killed Jack's father and grandfather…that thing was related to Riley" said Sam as he started searching "So does that mean Riley's related to her?"

Dee shook her head "I don't know, Sam"

"She having nightmares?" he asked.

"No. But Jack told me to get in touch if she did" she lit another smoke "He was damn insistent on that point"

"You think they might come back now he's dead?" he asked.

"Jesus, Sam! I don't know! Jack hardly told me anything about what was going on. At this stage, you know as much as I do!"

"Alright, alright…why don't you grab Jack's journal and see if you can find anything in there"

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Dean and Riley walked over to the two swings; a boy of about ten was rocking lazily on one of them, watching as they walk towards him. Dean stared at the boy until he slid off the swing and hurried out of the park. "Awesome" said Dean as he sat down.

Riley shook her head as she sat on the other swing "You do realise he's going home to tell his Mum"

Dean shrugged "I'll charm my way out of it" he said with a grin.

"I'm sure" said Riley as she sat on the other swing and rocked back and forth slowly.

Dean waited her out; there wasn't a lot he could he say…but the silence was dragging out and he was starting to think she wasn't going to say anything "Can I ask you something?" she nodded "What was that performance Jack was talking about in Colorado?"

She laughed "Another time, okay?"

"Promise? 'Cause that sounded interesting" he grinned at her.

"Promise" she looked at him "Can I ask you something?"

"Oookay"

"Why haven't you asked me about anything in the letter?"

He shrugged "All that chick-flick shit makes my skin crawl. Besides, you'll tell me when you're ready"

She laughed softly "I will, will I?"

He nodded "Yep. But you'll use it as an excuse to get into my pants" he grinned at her "I'm cool with that"

She shook her head and tried not to smile "At least I can trust you not to change"

"Riley, I'm sure Dee had a reason for not telling you the truth. Don't know what it is but I'm sure Jack had something to do with it. Just…shit…" he sighed "sometimes secrets have to be kept no matter how much you don't want to"

"I feel like a fool"

"I bet you do" he laughed as she raised an eyebrow at him "I'd feel the same…pissed, confused, betrayed…the works. But you have to put that aside for now…we're on a hunt and if what Jack said…but really didn't say….is true…then if she figures out who you are, she's gonna come after you. So we need to figure out who she is so we can put the bitch down" he grinned "And I really don't want to do her either"

Riley smiled "Nice to see you have standards, Dean"

"Demon chicks do nothin'' for me, especially ones that suck the life out of you…" he looked at her "and not in the good way"

She laughed "So, you pretty much spend your whole life in the gutter then?"

He nodded "Pretty much, it's my comfort zone" he paused, the swing moving lightly underneath him "You remember the nightmares Jack was talking about?"

She didn't say anything for a long time "Not a lot. I kinda remember the fear…but I was little, three or four…so anything would have scared me…"

"Can I see it?" he asked, pushing the swing next to hers and lifting the amulet. It was silver, rectangular in shape and had three weird bird-like drawings on it that looked like they'd been done by a three-year old; with something written in what he guessed was Aramaic above each one. He turned it over; there was what looked like some kind of coil…or snake, on the back of it; and an eye either side of the coil, inlaid with a green stone. There was more writing above the coil, but this writing had a line carved through it. "You have any idea what this means?" he asked as he studied it.

She shook her head "Jack just said it was a family heirloom; would be mine one day"

He turned it back to the weird looking birds "We need to figure out what the words mean" he said, looking up at her "I …ahh…think it's…Aramaic"

"Yeah, could be…so…we should …check it out" she said quietly, he breath hot against his face.

"I guess we should" he whispered, pulling gently on the talisman and bringing her lips to his, kissing her softly at first but when he felt her fingers brush gently up his neck to his nape…pulling him deeper into the kiss, he let go of the talisman, his fingers tracing slowly down between her breasts to the bare skin above her jeans, his fingers whispering over the flesh as he pulled her closer. He felt her hand drift down his neck, her touch light as it moved over his chest, teasing him as her tongue danced against his; her other hand gliding up his leg to the top of his jeans and pulling him towards her. He lifted her from the swing and bought her to him, her legs either side of him as his hands slid underneath the back of her t-shirt, the swing moving gently underneath them. Their kiss slowed and she nipped gently at his lips before pulling back slowly; he grinned at her "Wanna go on the teeter-totter now?"

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Dee had been reading for a good hour; glancing between Riley, the journal and the computer screen when something caught her eye "Stop" she said quickly "Go back"

Sam scrolled back "That's gotta be her" he said. The flaming hair, the almost iconic look of the picture, but there was something…wrong with the whole scene. What was meant to look beatific, holy even …screamed unholy. The woman was naked, a snake curling up her body …it's face inches from hers…almost as if they were about to kiss; but it was the look in the woman's eyes…it was part lust, part hate, part madness…there was an evil that seemed to reach out of the photo and wrap itself around your throat and begin to squeeze…the manic light in the eyes of the picture almost laughing with spiteful glee.

They looked at the name underneath the picture "Lilith…" whispered Sam…wondering why he got chills down his spine when he uttered her name.

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She paced her lair…another of her spawn was dead. She had howled in furious rage; the scion at her feet, scattering the far corners of the cavern; they too, had felt the death of their brother and a hunger for revenge had risen like wildfire through their poisonous veins. Vengeance was in the air, floating licentiously above them and they raised their noses to it, drinking it in, letting it course through their baneful bodies; each wanton whiff bringing a new surge of growth to them. Their skin stretched as their bones cracked and elongated, shards of the bone breaking free and piercing the powerful muscles that surrounded them, tearing into them, ripping them painfully apart. They howled in suffering, feeling each sinew knit slowly back together, their rage at the agony bestowed upon them directed towards those that had slain their brethren.

The woman raised her hands to her chest; her fingernails digging deep, renting the flesh as she tore at herself; the blood from her wounds sliding down her porcelain skin in rivulets. The air was now filled with the sweet, coppery tang of blood and her spawn moved tentatively forward; their tongues flicking at the air, tasting the alluring scent that sustained them. She fell to her knees, her arms held out, beseeching her young and they scuttled towards her, licking and feeding from their mother…her lust-filled moans an enchanting siren call to her brood.

She lay in the dirt, her body writhing in ecstasy as they tended to her, her eyes closed, her head thrown back as they opened more wounds on her; the pain an erotic pleasure that had her begging for more.

She turned her head suddenly as she heard her name carried to her on the winds…a lilting caress that had been whispered by one whose strength she could feel in that one utterance.

She had been called….

To be continued…