Chapter 11

I found something with the princess. More like we stumbled upon it like every other damn thing in my life. And low and behold I have to pay a visit to my Egyptian family. There are things that I know and they know and someone from the hell side of things figured it out… Story of my life.

This thing we found, me and the princess only know that it is very, very old. What it does… I have only seen what happens when the other side gets their hands on it. I'm sure it does the good it's supposed to and it is attractive as a research item. I could tell because of the princess oscillating between horror and fascination. That is why I sent her away and took it with me. I have to hide the staff of Osiris.

…The plan is to hide the staff where no one will find it. The keys will be scattered to the four winds if necessary and the only thing that will draw the seeker to them is through blood. That is one sure way especially since you need a live descendant…

Sam browsed through the journal that Akira had brought along with the disk when they started out. He had been reading the past few days. The best he could describe its presence is that it was an appendix to her set of journals. He had read them; she had let him and it cemented his decision to stand by her.

From what he was able to peruse, it told the whole story of how Angela and Akira found the staff of Osiris. It went through the accidental discovery of the thing in Russia and the decision to take it from the guy that was supposed to be protecting it. It had Sam wondering what she may have been thinking at the time since she killed someone who was supposed to be on the same side she was. It was a bit scary to think that she could do that to him and after what he had done…

The only time I would seriously kick your ass is probably never since you would probably never give me a reason to.

Sam looked out the window of his side of the Impala at the landscape as remembered that conversation from so long ago. After he set Lucifer free, she forgave him and she never berated him for his mistake. It put a whole new spin on the fact that she had experienced quite a bit in her life and why she always said that she wasn't in any position to judge. There was always the chance that she had made a similar choice before. It made him wish he had asked her before choosing to go with Ruby.

"So this Niccolo guy would know about these key thingies?"

Akira looked at the back of Dean's head. She had been observing Sam throughout the drive. He had been in a thoughtful move as he read through the journal that she had brought along. After their conversation outside the motel, he took to reading it and going through the pages. It was worrisome how agreeable he was to seeing the key builder but she suspected he was on the same page but he was thinking about other things.

Looking at Dean she replied, "He's a master key builder. The memory showed Angie going to him."

Dean nodded remembering that and how Sam reacted. He was nervous about Sam being so quiet about this and prayed that his little brother wasn't going to go crazy and knock the guy senseless. "Right but do you think he'd know where she buried the keys?"

"Highly doubt it," Sam offered. He closed the journal and held it on his lap. "This is Angie we're talking about. If anything it will be like how she kept Eli a secret."

"You may right there," Dean said after thinking about it for a moment. "If this thing is as bad as you say it is Kira, she would have made it difficult for anyone to follow." He thought about it some more as he made a turn. "At least she didn't make it so that no one could find it. Better that someone could follow clues or something."

"Angie always likes to plan for contingency when she can," Akira nodded in agreement. She looked at Sasha and rubbed the pup's head and ended at her ears. In response, Sasha lifted a paw and gently pawed her shoulder. "Though sometimes she doesn't always leave room for maneuvers. She did leave me in Russia alone after we got it."

"And you're not pissed at that?"

"No. Because I knew what I was getting into when I persisted in staying with her after she rescued me when I first became like her." Akira couldn't help but chuckle at the memory. When she relayed it to Christian, he told her it was similar to how she treated him when they first met except Angela had been nicer to her. Most people would have been put off by the rudeness but Akira accepted it and liked it. She wasn't being treated like royalty; Angela never simpered with her and she certainly didn't give a rat's ass about showing Christian any respect because he was a noble. "Let's just say that I liked the fact that I wasn't being treated like the princess I am by her."

"That's Angie for you," Dean agreed.

Sam nodded silently in agreement. He remembered how she was when they first met. Now she was traveling with them and… He opened the journal again and began to read some more.

Niccolo is the only one that I trust. He may be a vulgar flirt but he knows the meaning of discretion. Plus he is from the line of key builders going back to the master builder what's his name. His keys will kept this thing from being found.

I can't forget what I saw in the mountains in Russia. It was a harsh reminder of what could happen when power goes to the head. It's what I fear sometimes when I look at Absolution. I jumped into the challenges to determine my worthiness without weighing the consequences. And I remember like it was yesterday.

The sad thing was that because of those challenges I lost a good friend. Little did I know that he sold his soul and ended up tricking me into going into hell to rescue him. Alighieri was already a demon and I fell for it. I found out later that he was jealous of me and he desired the power of Absolution. Who wouldn't want the power of a weapon possessed of a soul?

It's always in my mind when I find these things of power. It's why I left the princess alone in Russia and came back to the States alone. It is why I will not tell a soul exactly where it is. Nor will I make it easy for the chosen ones to find it. Maybe I am motivated by that adage that knowledge has to be worked for in order for it to mean something but…

The drive continued through the forest. Dean wasn't sure where they were going since it was mostly off beat. The road was paved and all but it was one of those lonely stretches of highway kind of thing. He glanced over at Sam who was thoughtful and still reading that journal. It had him wondering what the hell they were going to do once they found this staff. Akira said there were three pieces and if Angela was the only one that knew where they were…

He didn't like the idea of having someone probe in her head and more than Sam did. Yet he had to throw it out there when this whole thing was mentioned. Someone had to and he figured Sam knew that. He knew what it had been like for her when she did her mind meld thing for that poor traumatized guy in the Appalachians. She even explained it to him and it had him wonder how on occasion how much of her decisions were based on her own mind and not from some memory she pulled and did whatever to. A person could go crazy trying to think about it.

So far, ever since she had been shrunk to her four year old self, nothing bad had happened. True she remembered things but the way she described it… She referred to it as her sleeps but it was her dreams. It was weird but also nerve wracking since when she got frustrated she almost wanted to cry and that was an odyssey. So he and Sam tried to keep that to a minimum even though he was guilty of having her play with her powers. He discovered quite a few interesting things she could do though he was certain it would piss Sam off or send his baby brother into mother hen mode.

Seeing this key builder or whatever the hell he was seemed to be the best choice. At least they would have some answers and if it proved to be something that couldn't be done, then the Centurion dicks would have to deal with it. Dean looked ahead and asked, "How much further?"

Akira peered over the seat to look out. "Turn off right here."

Dean followed directions and landed on a dirt path. He followed it right up to a house or cabin or something. Smoke was coming from the chimney and there appeared to be a waterwheel… It was like being back in that colonial town. He wondered what the hell it was about certain folks that liked old stuff. Even Angela had a thing for certain old things; certainly classic muscle she loved. "This is?"

Akira looked out and nodded, "Yep. Been awhile but this is the key builder's place."

"What is it with you people and living like a blast from the past?"

Akira shrugged her shoulders. "Don't look at me. I'm fairly young for a dhampir. I am my age."

"Something about appreciating life probably," Sam offered as he looked at the place. He closed the journal and tucked it into his bag.

Akira felt her lip twitch in a smile. "Something like that. Certainly seems to be the way with Angie." She got out of the car followed by Sasha. "Just try to be nice, Dean."

"I am nice. I just don't like to be jerked around," Dean countered getting out of the Impala. "Only Angie is allowed to do that with her riddles and stuff."

Akira chuckled as she led the way. She paused to look around. She hadn't been there in years but it looked fairly the same. Then again she didn't know Niccolo Sforza like her friend did and there could be a few things that she missed. She looked down when she heard Sasha give a slight whine and asked, "You smell something I don't?"

Sasha stood up straight and looked straight ahead. Her nostrils flared as she took in the scents. There was nothing threatening there and she gave a slight whine bark. She turned her head back to look at Sam for reassurance before turning back and taking a step forward.

Akira studied Sasha and noted how the dog didn't move. She said, "Search, Sasha."

Sasha took off and started sniffing around and looking for someone. Akira took a couple of steps forwards and was followed by Sam and Dean. They walked up the path and to the porch. Sasha went around the house to look while Akira walked up the steps to the porch and knocked on the door. There was no response and Akira glanced back at the Winchesters.

While it probably wasn't necessary, both Winchesters had taken their pistols with them. They hadn't lasted as long as they did without being cautious. True that they had improved on asking before shooting, it still paid to be cautious. Sam glanced at Dean and moved to cover Akira while Dean started to look around. Akira in the meantime sighed and looked around and at the door.

The frame was covered with carvings. She frowned as she studied them. She ran her fingers on the carvings, tracing them and studying them. She recognized the symbols and started naming them as she traced them, mostly out of habit. Her voice named the runes she traced until she got to the last one and the row she had read glowed, causing her to blink in surprise.

There was the sound of a shotgun being cocked and a girl's voice called out, "This is private property. You have five seconds to tell me what you are doing here before I pump you full of lead."

"Not a chance," Dean's voice entered along with the click of his gun. "You put the gun down and I'll decide not to put a couple of holes into you."

Akira turned to see a girl with a shotgun pointed at her. The Winchesters had their guns pointed at the girl. She noticed that Sasha was coming around and she barked at the dog to stay put. She had her hands up to indicate that she was not going to try something. "Dean, take it easy."

"Hey, we came up here for a friendly conversation and this bitch pulls a shotgun on us."

"No one would come by this way. No one knows the road here." The girl didn't lower her shotgun. Her eyes were narrowed as she looked at the trio. "Unless you are here to kill the master builder, then I will be forced to shoot you." She leveled the shotgun and was ready to fire if anyone tried anything.

"You just try it," Dean retorted.

Akira rolled her eyes slightly. This was going to get them nowhere. She put forth in her best alpha tones, "Stop all of you."

Dean was almost pouting the moment he lowered his gun. Sam on the other hand had his brow raised. He lowered his only a fraction though. It was enough for Akira to continue speaking to the girl, "We're not here to harm you. We need to see the master builder Niccolo Sforza about some keys."

The girl looked at Akira. She lowered her shotgun a little, "You're here to see Niccolo?"

"Yes," Akira replied. Her gaze was firm and not giving an inch. It was going to be a battle of wills here.

"Then you're two years too late. He's dead."

Akira hid her surprise. She didn't know and probably Angela didn't know. She looked at the Winchesters. This was going to be awkward. She looked at the girl. "Then who is the master builder."

"That would be me la bella," another voice entered. Emerging from the backside of the house was a man that looked like the one that was in the memory they had witnessed. He looked at the situation and clarified. "I am the master builder Sforza. Cesare Sforza."


"You'll have to forgive Loretta. She's a bit overprotective and has every right to be," Cesare apologized as he handed out cups of tea. He still managed to be proper even with a workshop apron on. "There are plenty of people out there that would like to get their hands on a special key like what we make. Or gain access to a key that they found."

"I can imagine," Akira replied as she accepted hers. She took a tentative sip after sniffing out the herbs. "Things have been a little rough lately."

"Indeed. I get the strangest news about Judgment Day and then the earthbound angel disappeared," Cesare rambled. He took a seat in a chair that looked like it was going to fall apart but it held together as he put his weight into it. "Tis a shame she hasn't been around. There have been a few things that could use her attention." He sat back and mused about it for a moment. He looked at the Winchesters and continued, "But enough of that. What can I do for you?"

Sam reached into his pocket and pulled out the two keys from his jacket. "We came into possession of these recently. What could you tell us about them?" It was not completely the truth but close enough. He wanted to avoid bringing in Angela if he possibly could just in case it led to awkward questions.

Cesare picked up the disk and examined it. He picked up the second key and looked at them side by side. "Well this is my brother's work." He examined them after putting on a pair of glasses to inspect the carvings. "Well I can tell you that you have two of five blood keys."

"Blood keys?" Dean had put his cup of tea to the side. He was a beer man. Tea was for girls and that was confirmed by Sam taking a sip. "What is that?"

"It's a specialty that I am sad to say that my brother was the master of. I am familiar with it but only second fiddle." Cesare continued to look at the keys before handing them back to Sam like he just remembered they belonged to him. He looked at Dean and explained, "Blood keys are an ancient concept and probably the most powerful key next to the machinations of the Gauntlet and a few dozen other spells. They fit into a lock specifically designed for it but the key won't work unless it is unlocked and by someone related to the blood used to make the seal in the first place."

"And you said that there are five of these?" Sam held up one to make his point.

"Of course. It's only one of the more powerful numbers used," Cesare replied with a shrug. "My brother would have followed the order instructions to the letter and from the looks of it, he gave everything to it. It wouldn't happen to be for Angela now would it?"

"Why do you ask?" Akira felt it best to intervene. She saw that Sam was visibly tensed even though it was subtle; he was getting better at that. Dean looked ready to pick a fight. She looked at Cesare and gave a polite smile.

"I know my brother. And I know she would never lead him on but he was convinced he could woo her eventually." Cesare gestured at a picture and looked at it. "Hopeless romantic. He made those keys for her."

"That is true. We saw a memory from the first key and pointed to Niccolo being commissioned to make the keys," Akira allowed with a nod. She took another sip of tea.

"And the other."

Sam felt his throat convulse. "Uh…" He and Dean had seen it in their room and it had been interesting. "It was about when she tried to save a friend. It was the last conversation that they had." He didn't give more details since that seemed personal. Plus Angela had trusted him with that story when she decided to tell him.

"I see." Cesare thought about it for a moment. "Well the memories are a nice touch and the key to ultimately whatever it is she has locked up." He frowned a moment. "Which reminds me…" He got up from his seat and wandered over to where there was a chest covered with junk. The whole house looked like it. He shoved what was covering the lid aside and opened it. He picked something out and headed back to his guests. "This was in my brother's things. Seems that he kept one of her keys."

Cesare held the key for a moment. He eyed them as if he had a thought before he handed it over to Dean. "So here you go."

Dean accepted the key after looking at his brother and Akira. He held it between his thumb and forefinger like he was going to play with it before it glowed slightly. "What the hell?"

Like before, the key projected an image and they were shown another memory. It showed Angela looking down at the ground from the top of a building. She was looking at the scene of police and spectators dressed like they would in the 1800s or something like it.

"I see that the problem has been taken care of."

Angela snorted as she stood up. "After months of chasing the bastard. He changed his MO but he still couldn't give up the whores."

"Everyone has a weakness of sorts. You found his." The stranger came into view to review someone the Winchesters knew sort of well. Akira wasn't at all surprised. "Though I am curious as to yours."

"And that you will never know," Angela replied with a bit of a smirk. "Well the Ripper is done and over with and it's been not so much a pleasure seeing you again." She turned to leave, looking like she was going to leap off a rooftop.

"Do you want to continue this path forever? Chasing one job after another? It's not going to bring him back or return what was taken."

Angela paused and turned slightly to glance behind her. Her eyes were narrowed at her companion in that dangerous way that one couldn't tell if she was going to attack or pretend to. "I do what I can. Someone has to rid the scum since there are things far worse than a pervert who kills whores and takes a piece of their organs."

"Why not contribute to something greater? The Centurion?"

"Please. I'm not catering to the uppity ways of those assholes."

"Consider it as a step towards regaining what you lost. And maybe a step away from what you detest about yourself." The stranger looked at her and then added, "Think about it."

The memory ended and the key returned to its normal state. It had Cesare thumb his chin where his beard had started growing. "Interesting choice and in some way all connected. Of course she would make you think for it."

Dean looked at the key wondering why it worked for him when the last two times Sam had been holding the damn thing. It was weird. "So will this lead us to whatever is locked up with it?"

"More likely to the other two keys unless she tells you where they are," Cesare replied with a shrug. It mattered little to him since he wasn't the one that made the darn things. He was intrigued though about the whole thing. He may not know what his brother did but he was willing to help.

"She's… not available at the moment," Sam admitted.

"Shame. I can tell you though that the first two led you to here. The next one…"

"Hey if you have any ideas, lay 'em out," Dean interrupted. For once, his tone hadn't taken on the usual gruffness. Rather he was calm and willing to listen to any ideas.

"I have no definite answers but I think the three of you might understand her choice in memories. Certainly you and your brother can unlock them." Cesare pointed it out as he rubbed his beard and paced in thought. "Very interesting."

It was quiet for a moment as Sam and Dean silently exchanged glances. Sam was going to speak when Loretta came in saying, "We've got company and they aren't here to place an order." She glared at the guests sitting there. "It's a group of them."

Sam was on his feet along with Dean and they went to peek out of the windows. They saw a bunch of guys getting out of a truck and heading up the road. Some were carrying guns and some had… they had no idea. Dean pointed out, "They don't look too friendly."

"Because they are here for you."

When Sam and Dean turned, they face Loretta pointing her shotgun at them. Cesare looked confused at the whole thing and spluttered, "Loretta, what are you doing? These people are hunters."

"So am I if you remember, Uncle." Loretta narrowed her eyes as she pointed her shotgun at them. She wasn't afraid of the dog that was growling low in her throat. "In case you haven't noticed, those are the Winchesters and Sammy there is the one responsible for everything."

"That doesn't mean…"

"Dad is dead and we'll have an abomination and the bitch responsible." Loretta looked slyly at the Winchesters. "Oh yes we know about Absolution and the little trouble she is having. Doesn't matter."

"You leave her alone," Sam warned. He didn't care what happened to him. What mattered was that Angela wasn't hurt.

"Too late for that, Sammy. We have you both and there is someone who would like to meet her." Loretta pointed her gun at the Winchesters just as the others started coming in.

Sam glanced at Dean. There was no way they were going to take this lying down. The problem was that Sam didn't want to incite the wrath of a vampire that he kind of liked. He glanced at Akira and noticed a look in her eye. That didn't look good.


A/N: Looks like they find who made the keys but looks like there will be trouble. Stay tuned for the conclusion of Memories of a Century...