This one's a long one and filled with some pretty gory shit. Brace yourselves.
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All four groggy people made a quick stop to eat at the local dive. The meal was quick and greasy, but all four walked out eager to start their task. As the other three people climbed into the Impala, Castiel borrowed Sam's cell phone to place the anonymous 9-11 call. He'd already put it off for too long.
A part of him started to view the report as a chore. His traditional values scolded him for degrading a man's rites as a 'chore'. It took longer than Dean wanted, and he hit the horn just as Cas hung up. To make the impatient man shut up, Cas flashed into his seat to save the whole minute it would take to climb in. Soon enough they headed out to the evil liar, as Dean named it.
Castiel insisted he still didn't require a firearm for the exchange after both Sam and Anna offered him one. They parked about 2 blocks from the target's apartment where Dean and Anna smoked out, leaving Cas and Sam behind. Almost immediately Sam turned to the priest and began to drill him for information.
"Tell me about your abilities. What's the best one? Which one do you use the most? Is there anything you can show me right now?" Sam's eagerness was unexpected.
"Has Anna not taught you anything?" Castiel was suspicious of Sam approaching him in Anna's absence. Like he was a kid asking his uncle for candy when his mom's gone.
"She's too worried about me. Same with Dean. I'm ready to learning about my blue grace. I'm in my late 20s already. I've long been responsible for my own actions," Sam argued, "So can you help me Cas?"
Dean would be pissed if he did. Anna would be worried. Castiel decided to help anyways. Afterall, he felt a compulsion to help his new friend. Maybe the next time Sam gets into a fight with his brother, he'll have another outlet for his emotions. Maybe he could flash away instead of burning up the floor. Honestly a part of the priest wanted to show the good that can come with grace. To expose Sam to something more divine. Castiel sighed.
"What do you know about reading thoughts?" The priest created a vivid image of a banana in his mind.
There was a moment as Sam scrambled his memories together, "I know what it feels like to have Ann in my mind. But I've never managed to read someone else."
"Try me," Castiel opened his mind as much as he could manage while holding onto the banana image.
A few moments passed with Sam concentrating. Eyes scrunched in focus. Yet he couldn't seem make a connection. Castiel was seated in the back, and Sam was riding shotgun. The younger man was turned around to face the back seat. Castiel gently grabbed Sam's hand. He folded Sam's into a fist, and extended only the pointer and middle finger straight. Castiel then guided Sam's two extended fingers to his own forehead.
"Try to relax. You don't have to force anything. It will be natural for you. Extend your senses along your hand and through your fingertips. I'll let you try on your own before I coax you into it," Castiel instructed. He'd never really taught anyone how to do this. He was trying to explain the way it felt to him.
After a moment there was something that happened. Yet, even with his mind open and the image blaring Sam was still unsuccessful. There was a sort of fuzziness at the edge of Castiel's awareness. Probably from the young man's attempt. It looks like he'd have to hold Sam's hand, physically and otherwise, to guide him. So Castiel informed him as much, "Sam I'm going to guide you. Please don't fight me."
As gently as he could Castiel pushed into Sam's thoughts. It is normally a very simple thing to accomplish, and forcing himself to slow down was unexpectedly difficult. The best equivalent description Cas could create is like wading through water, thick yet fluid. That also had a curtain affect where it could be pushed aside in layers. After a several moments the priest finally emerged in Sam's awareness. He thought to the man 'Follow me'.
Without much of a pause he began to retreat on the same path back to his own mind. In a movement that probably looked awkward to any onlookers, Castiel reached his hand up and touched Sam's shoulder, slowly he ran his hand along Sam's extended arm. He was trying to gently encourage Sam to follow him along the path he'd instructed. Hopefully the physical sensation of pressure along his arm would help Sam utilize the bridge his arm was creating.
Castiel felt the Winchester follow his prompt. Castiel's hand reached Sam's just as the younger man broke through the priest's awareness.
"A banana," Sam whispered shakily.
'Good. You're correct. Now what do you see?' Castiel thought the words and then created an image of Dean with his eyes blazing.
"D-dean," Sam said slightly louder. Voice still uneven from strain.
'Now tell me something without words.' Castiel instructed. The priest's hand was still wrapped around the Winchester's, holding the physical connection in place.
'This is intense.' Sammy managed to churn out the words. One syllable at a time.
"Now pull away gently," Castiel said out loud. He pulled his hand away from Sam's and slid back up Sam's arm to his shoulder, again encouraging the path his mind needed to travel.
Dis-connecting was much easier, unsurprisingly. Finally Sam opened his eyes, and Castiel caught sight of the fading glow from his hazel gaze.
"That was amazing!" Sam gushed. "I don't know if I could have done that without you helping me," He admitted truthfully.
Castiel felt there was more Sam wanted to say, so he remained quiet. After a few seconds he was proven correct. "So how come I only saw images?" Sam asked.
"I'm not sure what you mean," Castiel replied.
"Well, I was in your head. Everything that you are is in there, and all I saw were a few images," Sam explained.
"You were only at my Ego. That's the more superficial part of the mind. It's filled with images and thoughts that I control. The deeper levels of a person's psyche are out of your reach right now," Castiel instructed his temporary pupil, "If you wandered that far, you may get lost and never return."
Sam mulled over what he had just experienced, and gave a shy glance at Castiel before straightening out in his seat. "I really appreciate your help. I think you've shown me so much more than I expected. Can you tell me about some of the other things I'll be able to do, you know, in the future?"
Castiel didn't see the harm in talking. Afterall he'd already crossed the line, and probably stepped on Anna's toes. The next five minutes or so Castiel gave a quick review of what almost every blue eye is able to do. Sam made a comment on the lack of offensive capabilities. Whereas, green eyes seems to be all about offense.
With perfect timing the car filled itself with a warm gust of wind, and slowly Dean and Anna reappeared in their seats. Dean's smile was eager and Anna seemed to have an excitement about her.
Dean turned to Sam, "The guy's totally alone, and there's only two exits. This is perfect." He turned back to Anna and Cas, "Sam and I will restrain and interrogate him, and you two can cover the exits."
Castiel was not okay with that, "I wish to be there for the interrogation."
"Why? Sam has more experience. We've done this before," Dean defended his judgement.
"Because I am here on trust alone, and I have questions that need to be answered," Castiel rose to the challenge, though internally a part of him felt baseless. Almost thinking 'Who am I to question? I am a nobody. And nobody is here to support me.'
Anna seemed to notice Castiel waver. She sent an encouraging thought, 'You tell him Cassy.'
Dean opened his mouth to argue and was stopped. "No. I will be there to interrogate," Castiel's tone was resolute. Which was really something considering he was a natural bass. Dean's lack of response was taken as an agreement, and all four adults moved out of the car and in through the back entrance.
That was the second time he's been pushed around lately, and Dean was going to make sure that this interrogation went the way he wanted it to. He used his pent up annoyance to feel his fuel. Devron was screwed.
Just as Dean and Anna promised, there were no uglies en route to Devron. The building looked innocent enough. There were a few empty offices, and nothing overtly suspicious. In fact, as each room was cleared, Castiel began to wonder if they had made a mistake or somehow misjudged their target.
Anna and Sam posted guard on the first floor. Castiel promised them, "We will pray once we know what's going on," as he progressed onward with Dean. The two men cleared the second floor quickly and began on the final floor. This area seemed more residential, though most doors were not even in their frame. The walls were unpainted and stood as bare drywall.
Distinct signs of life were evident at the final apartment. A trash bag sat outside the door in the main hallway. Dean nodded to Cas silently before he charged the front door.
Devron was just walking out of the barthroom when Dean entered the space. The unsuspecting man froze for a moment, assessing who Dean was. It was then he noticed the pistol in Dean's grip.
"Devron! We need to talk," Dean's commanding voice rang in the space. Behind him Castiel chose this time to enter. He remained by the doorway to block the exit. On instinct Devron blacked out the 10 foot area surrounding him. Dean was enclosed in the inky darkness. This ability Castiel had only heard about. The thick black 'fog' seemed to envelop all light. Unwilling to enter the area, Castiel tried to seek out Dean's and Devron's consciousness to try and asses what was happening.
He felt Devon's thoughts above them, almost against the ceiling. He realized Devron must have smoked in an attempt to slip past them. "Dean!" He warned, "He smoked. Above you!"
The news actually made Dean happy, despite loosing his sense of sight. He didn't need to see in order to do an upward burst of flame. "Cas, get down," He holstered his pistol and summoned his heat. The hell fire inside him kindling to life. Quickly he aimed his hands upward to produce a wide sweeping flame through the gaseous air. Castiel felt the temperature in the small space rise drastically.
He dropped to a crouched position but chanced a glance upward. He was rewarded with the sight of flames licking out of the darkness. The source was unmistakeable. Moments later the black receded and Devron stumbled back into solid form. Dean stood proud, exactly where Cas left him. He closed his eyes to focus and he quenched his flame. Encouraging the flame to life was natural for him. Ending that life, and dousing his flame took more focus.
The space became safe again. Castiel snagged the nearest chair and dragged it over to the burnt heap of a man. Dean hauled Devron up and working together the target was securely tied down into the chair.
Dean insisted on tying Devron's hands in just a way the he was stuck cupping his own testicles. "Don't make that face. This way if he tries to heat up, he'll end up burning his own balls before he burns us," Dean explained.
It was sound, but archaic logic. Castiel could sense amusement rolling off of Dean as he explained. In any case Devron was restrained. Castiel closed his eyes and prayed to Anna momentarily, 'We got him,' was all he passed.
It seemed Dean needed some urging, "Pray to Sam. Tell him that we have Devron," Dean made an expression as though he doubted Castiel's request would work. In a childish manner he closes his eye and holds his hands out palms up while praying aloud, "Oh Sammy, my baby brother, who art guarding my ass. We have our target. Rodger, copy all. Out." His own silliness makes him smile. Castiel stands by observing Dean's ease in such a violent environment.
That task done, Dean turns to his captive cult member, "So Devron. You ready to talk?" Castiel looked over Devron. He seemed to have second degree burns on his left arm and left outer thigh. There was a nasty third degree burn across his left hand. Probably causing crippling damage. Something like a sunburn darkened his face.
Devron moaned in pain rather than answer. "Good because me and my friend here need some answers. For example, tell me what you know about Alistair," Dean began the questions easy. Devron looked at Dean for the first time.
He managed to crack a pained smile, "You looking for the big man huh?" The trapped man snickered.
"Yeah. Me and him need to chat. So what can you tell me?" Dean lifted his foot and rested it against Devron's injured thigh. A short scream issued from the cult member. It died out into a gurgled laugh.
"Who are you Dean? Why are you so eager to die?" Devron asked, avoiding the question. His voice was twisted. It sounded wrong to Castiel's ears. He could sense the wicked thoughts churning just inside Devron's consciousness.
"That's for me to know and you to wonder," Dean applied pressure to his boot. He turned to face the priest, "So does it help you access thoughts if a person is distracted by pain?" Dean asked.
Once the pressure was released. Devron opened his eyes and looked at his silent captor. His eyes widened in horror as he took in Castiel's appearance.
"Shit I had no idea this was a blue eye operation. Man, I've been staying out of your way! I never saw anything. I don't know anything!" Devron tried to appease Castiel, more afraid of him than Dean.
'Well that wasn't weird.' Dean wondered sarcastically. He glanced at Cas with an expression that said 'Just go with it.'
Castiel loomed forward before Devron and used his impressive voice to intimidate him. He pushed each word into Devron's mind in a subtle reminder of what he is capable of, "Tell me everything."
"Look all I know is the one dude killed his contact back on 3rd." Castiel could see Uriel in his mind. He was talking about the man Uriel murdered the other day. The murder he had called in a tip for just an hour ago.
"Tell me what he did after," Castiel commanded.
"I dunno. I dunno. Something about souls. Collecting souls! And, and I don't know nothing else. I swear." Dean was confused about Devron's babbling, but he was really impressed at the results Castiel was getting.
A strained silence fell as Castiel finally delved into Devron's mind. Naturally Devron struggled against him. Trying to be evasive and hide information. Castiel didn't enjoy what had to happen, but he needed to know more about Uriel's actions.
"Dean," He said quietly, "A little pain would help."
Obliging Dean gripped Devron's wrist mere inches from the worst of his burns. The man's back arched and he released a howl of anguish. Castiel touched Devron's forehead and reached deeper. This time his attempts were unhindered. Castiel blocked himself from Devron's pain as he sorted through memories.
He reached for Uriel, and saw images of Uriel speaking to cult members. At one point Uriel spoke with Devron, yet the words were no longer there. There was only one vividly violent memory of Uriel in Devron's mind. Castiel watched as his brother brutally murdered someone Devron considered a friend. The fear that tore through Devron seeped into Castiel. It made sense why he was so scared of Castiel and his possible connection to Uriel.
Every other memory seemed choppy, and uneven. It was almost as though the memories had be tampered with. It quickly became apparent that there was little more information on blue eyes to find.
Next he sought out any memory connected to Alistair. The first thing that came across was pain. A shadowed man during his initiation ceremony. And a voice at the end of the phone line. He seemed to know even less about Alistair.
Just before he pulled out of Devron's mind Castiel decided to look for Dean and Sam's father. He riffled around for Winchester. That memory was unfortunately clear. This man was a part of the group that tried to break.. the name... John Winchester. Devron spent a year torturing in new recruits. John was one of them. Castiel memorized every moment he could and withdrew.
Dean amused himself with causing as much pain as he could to Devron. Cas seemed to be taking his time trying to pick his way through thoughts. Dean moved from the burnt hand, to dragging his hunting blade along the injured arm. Finally Castiel pulled away, and the priest's first two words almost stole Dean's breath away.
"John Winchester." Dean watched him close his glowing blue eyes. He released his grip on the prisoner and waited for Cas to speak again. When the priest looked at Dean his eyes were filled with remorse.
"Dean, I'm sorry," He continued. Cas couldn't bring himself to look at those soulful eyes and watch them break with his next words, "This man was the one who tortured and branded your father."
Devron stilled his painful whimpering. Dean leaned over Devron, looking deep into the man's eyes. "Is that true? Did you torture my father. John Winchester?" Sheer panic took hold of Devron. His eyes blew wide, and his pupils dilated. In fear for his life Devron blacked out the room a second time. Trying to hide from the threat. All three men were surrounded by the darkness.
What Castiel saw next he would never forget. The emotion fueled heat Dean generated surrounded his body. The intensity was so bright it pierced through the unnatural darkness. The tightly coiled flame was so hot it burned a shade of blue that matched Castiel's own eyes.
Every move Dean made was highlighted by his brilliant power. The priest was mesmerized by the beautiful destruction Dean wracked on Devron's body. With practiced ease Dean's hunting knife tore through Devron's muscle and ligaments over and over. The Winchester didn't even realize the guttural scream he was emitting as he painfully tore Devron's life from him.
Finally unable to support the darkness, it dissipated. Castiel snapped out of his trance as sunlight filtered to his eyes. He pulled Dean away from the helpless man.
"Dean stop! Dean you're murdering him! Stop it!" Castiel put himself between Dean and the tortured soul.
"That is not a man. I am not murdering a man. I'm slaying a beast. That creature sacrificed his humanity when he tortured all those innocent people. Tortured my father!" Dean struggled against Castiel once more.
"Then what does that make you!" Castiel's deep voice cut through Dean's clouded mind. Castiel finally grabbed Dean by the shoulders and and shoved him out the door, "Go. Go to Sammy."
Dean turned around, ready to explode again. "Go Dean. I will deal with him. We need to leave." Castiel set his jaw in the same way he'd seen Dean do before. It seemed to work because Dean turned angrily and disappeared.
Castiel was left alone with the slowly dying Devron. It was obvious that he had no chance of survival. Actually a part of the jugular on his neck was torn, so he probably only had a matter of minutes. Castiel decided he would do this the right way. He began to say the man's final rites in Enocian and reached out to connect to Devron's mind once again. This time he blocked all of the pain and confusion. He instead gave Devron peace in the final moments before he died. Castiel pulled out of the man's mind before his soul slipped away. The priest didn't know what would happen if you were connected to a psyche as it passed. He wasn't particularly eager to find out either.
Now alone in the room, with the torn and battered corpse Castiel sighed in confusion. Every single thing he now knew conflicted with the established laws he had lived his life by. Each hour he spends with the Winchester proves to be the most disturbingly dangerous, and exciting moments of his life.
Castiel focused on Dean and flashed to his location. He was thankful to open his eyes to the Impala's interior. Everyone was just closing their doors to leave. Dean at the steering wheel. A notion which didn't settle well in the priest's stomache. He didn't want Dean's recent break down to lead to everyone's death due to distracted driving.
Fortunately Dean was able to repress his emotions long enough to return to the hotel. Castiel remained in the Impala as the others climbed out. Nobody looked at one another or spoke. The priest felt like his world was spinning on a whole new axis. He needed a break from this insanity and decided to flash away.
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So that really didn't so go smoothly. But hell, when does anything work out for the brothers. Hope you enjoyed. Review!