Chapter Twenty-Six – Lucky
I just want to say, thank you so so much for all your lovely reviews, favs, alerts etc. I do love hearing from you guys, and I'm glad you are all still reading and enjoying, as I still have plenty of ideas . I bring another dramatic chapter for the update, with violence, romance, the works. I have been busy this week. I do hope the slow updating isn't affecting the pace of the story by the way, I am trying my best to fit writing around my college work. I hope you have all had a great week as well, as I have. I think my writers block is starting to go now, so I believe personally that this chapter is better than previous ones, and I do hope you agree :D. I would love any reviews once again, as I do love hearing from you. I do hope you enjoy this chapter, and I hopefully will update within the week :D ENJOY
Castiel stared into the concerned eyes of Anna, and felt…nothing. He wasn't too frightened by his lack of emotion as it was customary of the angel, but he was unsure of what it meant, his sympathy for the fallen before him had been eradicated. He felt the soft brush of fingertips against the back of his hand, the touch burned his skin, it was wrong. He closed his eyes in consideration, he had to choose, obedience or rebellion. The touch intensified as he thought, scorching rings of deception into his veins. He looked up at Anna, her complex expression sparking no interest in him. This was what comfort felt like to him.
"These orders are wrong and you know it," said Anna softly, her hand resting over Castiel's reassuring, her fingers cold. "But you can do the right thing. You're afraid Cas, I was too. But together, we can still…"
"Together?" barked Castiel, her words echoing in his mind. He looked up to face her, concentrating his anger into a gaze. He saw her, he saw Kate. Anna's once empty eyes had been filled with the warm, glacial blue he had become so familiar with, and her smile was replaced with a welcoming grin that only she could command. Castiel felt weak and unable to fight the emotion that was flooding. He needed her, he missed her. His constricting mind painted him a picture of her, a picture that comforted him and told him what he wanted to her in a mere glance. Anna was no substitute for her. Castiel yanked his hand from Anna's with rage; she would not taint him as she had done to herself. "I am nothing like you!" Castiel snapped, stepping away from a surprised Anna. "You fell," he continued, controlling his anger through pleasant memories. "Go," he breathed, his distant eyes displaying a hint of disgust.
"Cas," replied Anna, trying to get through to the angel through a gentle tone and soft eyes.
"Go!" cried Castiel, turning away from Anna. He listened for the reassuring sound of feathers and material, letting a sigh escape his chest after her exit. He allowed his mind to drift towards Kate, and relished the warmth that radiated through his heart. He stared at his hands, still feeling the burn from Anna's touch along his skin. He wanted to see Kate, wanted to feel the reassurance she emanated. He didn't understand the feeling, but he didn't care, during the dark times that were descending, she was an escape. She was a gentle light, and he would never let it go out.
X X X
The night was cold, yet strangely comforting to Kate. She enjoyed nights like this. The air was soft, gentle and caressed her skin, and the colour of the night sky was a deep beautiful sapphire, her favourite colour. She could hear the tender calling of crickets in the distance, disturbing her tranquil silence, but she didn't mind, the night was too pretty. She wanted to share this moment with someone, show them the beauty she felt in her bones. However, her dream was quickly interrupted by the shrill chiming of her ringtone that was beginning to resonate from her pocket. Retrieving the phone from her pocket, she cast her eyes onto the screen and sighed as she recognised the caller ID.
"Sam?" she called, hoping her brother would provide her information on Dean's whereabouts.
"We know where he is Kate," said Sam cautiously, expecting another round of shouting and insults with her.
"I'll be there," Kate replied slowly. She felt relieved yet disappointed. If they had managed to overrule the angels in the first place, Dean would have never been taken against his will, and Kate and Sam wouldn't be searching America for him, he would be drowning in alcohol and women at the local bar, a Friday night tradition. There was also the slight worry that they would be too late, that Alistair would have broken from his prison and killed him, or if the thought of torture had rendered her brother mentally unstable. However, she had been taught to think positive, and she replaced thoughts and fears with the idea that Dean was alive, safe and they were going to save him. However, she didn't blame Castiel for her brother's ordeal; his concerned eyes had betrayed his tough exterior. The angel didn't support heaven's plan, he hadn't wanted Dean to put his sanity at risk.
X X X
"No, I don't think you're lying," said Dean, in response to Alistair's taunts. He was being tortured with the idea that he started the apocalypse, that when he broke in hell, the fate of the world was sealed, and the blood had stained his hands. The revelation was too much for Dean, the stress of trying to stop Armageddon from unfolding was traumatic enough, but the thought that he was the one to have caused it would surely destroy his fragile mind. He decided to pin his hope on the fact that Alistair was a demon, and demons lie, it was customary for the job. "But even if the demons do win…" he continued nervously, his conscience plagued with the end of the world, and his anxious eyes fixated on the jagged edges of Ruby's knife. "You won't be there to see it," he barked, his mind distant.
"You should talk to your plumber about the pipes," spat Alistair as Dean turned around, he was free from the chains that bound him, the metal shackles lying gently on the ground beside him. Dean's eyes widened in shock and fear as Alistair raised his fist and struck him to the ground, grinning maliciously as he watched him writhe. He continued to punch and kick him, revelling in the image of him drenched in blood, his eyes pleading for mercy, he had the upper hand now. He picked his body heavy with agony from the floor by his stained shirt collar, and struck him repeatedly around the face, relishing Dean's pain. He clenched his hand around Dean's throat, feeling his windpipe crush between his fingers. "You got a lot to learn boy," he growled, pinning Dean's body against the hexicle that constricted him just moments before. Dean struggled and forced against Alistair's grip, his feet were dangling helplessly above the ground. The Winchester was debating whether to surrender to the demon's force, maybe the guilt would disappear with death. "So I'll see you back in class, bright and early, Monday morning," he continued with a twisted grin.
Dean felt salvation overcome him when Castiel appeared behind Alistair, his expression unfathomable. He felt relief flood through his bones as Alistair's grip was wrenched free, and as his body fell to the ground, he felt grateful for the angel's intervention. Castiel watched as Dean was freed from Alistair's clutches and plunged Ruby's knife into the demon's heart, stepping back and waiting for a reaction. Sparks of gold light that gleamed like glitter emanated from the demon's chest but Alistair remained unaffected, his expression still wicked and arrogant.
"Well, almost. Looks like God is on my side today," barked Alistair, his eyes casting towards the metal which was lodged between his ribs. Castiel raised his palm and twisted his wrist, the knife rotating in synchronization, carving through flesh and bone in neat circles. The angel spurred on by conflicting emotions watched the demon's pain, his heart secretly enjoying the cries that escaped from his mouth, the demon was paying for what he had done to Kate, and he was determined to make the ordeal continue until he was reduced to nothing, Alistair deserved no less. The demon pulled the blade from his chest and cast it to the ground, his blank eyes drenched in fury.
Alistair charged towards the unsuspecting angel, his fist raised and ready to strike. Castiel met his eyes with his arms raised in defence, and his expression free from composure. He struck the demon with a charged fist, knocking him backwards with his strength and anger. Alistair staggered backwards, his head throbbing with pain, and his face doused with blood. Dean still lay on the ground, his body and mind too weak to pick himself up. He looked on at the fight that was unfolding, noting the anger held within Castiel's conflicting eyes. Castiel struck Alistair again, but this time the raw strength of the blow caused him to sway to the ground, his expression defeated.
Castiel staggered backwards, his strength and sheer anger leaving him breathless. He thought of Kate and wondered if she was safe, wondered if he was protecting her. However, as the angel became lost in thought Alistair regained his strength and wind, and hurtled towards an unsuspecting Castiel, who became tangled in his arms as he was caught off guard. Alistair pushed Castiel onto a concrete support, and outstretching iron bar impaling his shoulder blade and holding him in place. Castiel struggled but he was caught by Alistair's grip which was now constricting his throat, and was fixed onto the iron pole. He felt the warm wet sensation of blood trickle down his back from the open wound, his shirt matting to his skin.
"Like roaches you celestials. Now I really wish I knew how to kill you, but all I can do is send you back to heaven," spat Alistair, raising an outstretched palm that levelled with Castiel's petrified eyes. He smiled widely with malice as he squirmed within his grip, twisting with panic and horror. Dean watched behind bloodied eyes as Alistair began to chant in Latin, a bright, heavenly blue light started to seep through the angel's eyes and mouth as he writhed. Dean tried to pick himself up from the ground and help the struggling angel, he couldn't just watch him become torn from the Earth and cast to heaven. However, as he rose from the floor, his legs bowed with pain and he collapsed to the ground, defeated.
Castiel was about to surrender to Alistair's chants when he heard the faint sound of footsteps and calling. Alistair began to choke on the air surrounding him, his lungs clawing and gasping for air as his throat became constricted by an invisible power, Sam. Kate swept into the room just moments after her brother, her eyes wide and glassy as she searched.
"Cas!" Kate cried as the angel was loosened from the demon's grip and tossed to the floor. She ran quickly towards him, leaving her conflict by the door behind her. She allowed her emotions to run free, allowed her legs to carry her towards him, she didn't care if he protested, she just wanted to help. She dropped to her knees beside the overwhelmed angel, her expression concerned. "Are you alright?" she murmured, her voice gentle and reassuring to Castiel. His eyes softened at the sight of her, his prayers had been answered; she had come back for him. Kate resisted the urge to brush away the blood and fear that was spilling from his wound, but she ignored the twitch of her fingers, feeling shy as Castiel examined her with a warm look.
"Dean," he choked, his arm gesturing weakly towards the defeated Winchester resting on the ground next to the iron hexicle, his arms splayed in different directions. Kate replied with anxious eyes, and Castiel nodded in agreement, Dean needed her more than he did. He watched sadly as she rose and sped towards her brother, the scent of her floral perfume still hanging in the air around him. His fears had dissolved at the mere sight of her, his conflict resolved with a glance of her eyes.
"Hey Dean," Kate breathed pulling Dean's torso onto her lap, her fingers running through his hair comfortingly. He looked at her with strained eyes, blood dripping from his chin and staining his shirt. She smiled gently at him, grateful that he was alive, grateful that Castiel had been there to protect him. She wouldn't know about the psychological effects until the dust had settled and the blood had been cleansed, but she didn't worry, she made it her priority to save her brother, save him from himself before the world was devoured in fire. She glanced towards Castiel with thankful eyes, smiling warmly at the angel who seemed to slump against the support weakly. Castiel's mouth twitched in reply, his expression thawed and kind, he couldn't resist her. He returned her smile with as much warmth and gratitude as she had given to him as he leaned against the concrete, whilst his mind tried to resolve itself and banish the emotions that were running free. Without knowing or understanding, he was falling for her.
"It's okay Dean, it's all over now," Kate whispered reassuringly to her brother, without realising her words were far from the truth. Dean struggled on her lap, trying to sit up and find his brother in the shade of the warehouse. As Sam raised his hand to Alistair, his eyes lost in concentration and drowning in the darkness that consumed him, Castiel wrenched backwards expecting the worst. Kate's eyes closed in fear and disappointment, her throat constricting with anxiety. It was far from over; the worst was yet to come.