At least Velvet is safe for now. Thanks to everyone who read and thank to those who reviewed. Reviews are so much fun to read. Well as long as they're positive.

Chapter 38 and 39 are kind of complicated and some of you may have question afterwards. I will post 39 sometime next week.

Some of you may think her character is way out there and I may get some slack over it. But she is something special and I wrote her the way I wanted. He deserves the best.

Chapter 38

The Heir Apparent

Velvet felt fear creeping up her spine as she stepped away from the front of Cas to stand behind his chair. Was she going to find out who or what she was? What if they the said she a monster? The most important thing: what were they going to do to Cas? He was a fallen angel and from what she'd read and from what Bobby had taught her, fallen angels who were caught were given a punishment most severe or were killed.

Putting her hands the back of the chair, she asked, "What's going to happen to Cas? Are you going to take him back to heaven and make him see the error of his ways again?" She didn't know the exact details but the last he'd come back he'd ended the relationship they had. No, it hadn't been a real relationship but at least they had been friends. At least she thought they were friends.

Barchiel gave her a inquiring look. "You are afraid he will be harmed."

Velvet clutched the back of the chair, her knuckles white. She nodded.

"You have my promise that we won't harm Castiel in any way." Barchiel smiled as he looked at her. "He is needed here."

She relaxed enough to release the death grip on the chair.

Dean exploded. "We're supposed to believe that? Your kind sent Cas to kill her! I don't trust you." He crossed his arms in anger. "You're all dicks."

A feminine giggle drew his attention. "I hope you don't mean to include me in that statement," Magdalena smiled, her warm brown eyes flashing in amusement.

"Well, maybe not all of you," he grinned back. He kind of liked this angel and she wasn't bad on the eyes either. Her lips were kissable looking for sure. He wondered what they'd look wrapped around his -

"Dean! Focus please!" Sam called him back from his wanderings. He pretty much knew what his brother was thinking.

Dean just shrugged. Seeing that Velvet wasn't going to leave the angel, he moved a chair next to Cas and said, "Sit Velvet. No one," he looked at the other angels and Bobby, "is gonna do anything to Cas. Sam and me, we won't let them." He let out a relieved breath when she sat down.

Cas reached over and took Velvet's hand. Relieved she didn't pull away, he looked into her eyes. "Do you think you're ready to hear this?" He felt his heart beat faster as he looked at her. He could feel the nervousness rolling off her. How could he have tried to kill her? She was more precious than heaven to him but he tried to stab her in the heart. He had tried to end her life. Yet, there she was, forgiving him and redeeming him. When she said she forgiven him, an iciness had bathed him for an spilt second. Then the incredible feeling of redemption had surged through him washing away the feeling of guilt and a new emotion, self-loathing.

She whispered, "No." When she saw everyone looking at them, she blushed and jerked her hand away.

"Ahhh, they're so cute together," Magdalena laughed and clapped her hands.

Now everyone turned to stare at the happy angel.

"Is she on drugs?" Bobby lowered his shotgun. Angels did not act like this one was acting.

She laughed again. "Of course not. I'm just like to see people happy."

"I apologize for Magdalena. She is the leader of the Cupid regiment. They're quite emotional sometimes." Barchiel explained the conduct of the female angel.

"Why did Zachariah want her dead?" Castiel asked. He had to get her alone and make sure she was truly alright. He needed to touch her. He needed to hold her again.

"Probably to keep Lucifer from getting to her but I'm not certain. You are the one angel she trusts and he knows it. The devil wants to bond her and when the time is right, I believe he will strike." Barchiel took the Judas coin from Magdalena. "It's troubling that an angel of Zachariah's rank would steal a demon weapon from the armory."

"He's desperate," Sam offered.

"But still under the protection of heaven, mainly Michael and Raphael. At least he doesn't know Castiel failed to kill her. I don't think its safe for her here anymore but what choice do we have?" Barchiel hoped the two of them could return before they were missed.

Dean leaned against the doorframe behind Velvet and Cas. "I really hate that guy. I'm so going to kill him someday."

"Not an easy task. He is very clever."

"Why are you here exactly? Was it just to stop Cas?" Sam asked.

"That's our main purpose. Our other purpose is to assist you in the short time we are here. We cannot tarry long." Magdalena sat looking at Sam. "I can see why Lucifer would think you a worthy vessel for her."

Sam's eyebrows lifted in surprise. "What does that mean? "

"You're quite a fine specimen of the human male. Lucifer wants Velvet and he wants her to have him in a vessel that will be pleasing to her." Magdalena played with her hair and continued. "I would have to say he made a great choice."

"Magdalena! That's enough. I did not enlist your help so you could lust after the Winchesters."

Sam looked at Velvet who was blushing again. "Did you know about this?"

When she shrugged her shoulders, he said, "I don't believe this. All this time we thought he wanted me so he could fight Michael."

"Hey, what's wrong with me? I'm so much more awesome than Sammy." Dean said with a grin.

"Nothing wrong from where I'm sitting." The pretty angel gave him a wink.

Barchiel walked over to the book shelf and thumbed through a volume. "Oh, he intends to fight Michael but if he does bond her, the only one who can stop him is our father. To have control he would have to bond her,"

Sam looked at Bobby who shrugged. "Control of what?"

"With Velvet as a mate, his rule in heaven would be absolute. All would acknowledge it even Magdalena and I."

Sam didn't like the sound of that. "But what about God? I don't think he would appreciate Lucifer taking over."

Sighing, the angel continued. "No, he would not. Nonetheless, he is gone and Velvet would secure the Morning Star's legitimacy to the throne."

"So we stop him. We keep Velvet away from him and we kill him. We do what we have to." Dean started putting the pieces together. He didn't trust either one them but they had helped Cas and weren't trying to order him around. Yet. "Are you going to get to the part about Velvet? I mean about who she is."

"It's a long story." He put the book down and sat in the chair behind the desk.

"What are you waiting on? Get to it." Bobby was losing his patience.

"What I'm about to tell you is know only to a few so you must not tell anyone else. Not other hunters, not other angels and especially not demons." The male angel looked at Sam.

"We promise," Sam told him.

"Yeah cross our hearts and all that crap." Dean took swig a beer and handed Bobby a bottle.

"Almost 900 years ago a knight was given the charge of a young girl. His name was Thomas Winchester. Since then, the Winchesters have been earthy protectors of the Sihade. Dean, you and Sam now have that charge. Since the time of Thomas, the charge has always fallen to the eldest son of the eldest son. However, because of the close bond you share with your brother, I have given both of you the responsibility."

Sam interrupted. "Wait. The Sihade from the book?"

"Book?"

"Yeah. Where is it?" Sam asked Bobby.

Bobby wheeled over to the cabinet where he kept his special books. Pulling out the book, he handed it to Sam.

Sam flipped to the page with the symbol that matched the one on Velvet's finger. "Here." He handed the book to Barchiel. "Velvet has that symbol on her finger."

He took the book, read the appointed page and then flipped through the rest of it quickly. "I hoped this knowledge would always remain a secret. It seems a Buddhist monk named Karunanidhi had a vision and this information was revealed to him. Fortunately, he wasn't given anymore identifying information than that. Yes, the same Sihade, the only Sihade."

Velvet unknowingly rubbed the symbol on her hand, her eyes on the book. Did it contain more information? Was she really this Sihade? Who was the girl Sam and Dean had to protect? Could it be her? No, it couldn't be. She would have to be hundreds of years old. That was it. Everyone had it wrong. They had the wrong woman.

Dean's skepticism was apparent as he spoke. "Oh, yeah sure. Dad just handed a woman over to us without us knowing anything about it. The way I see it, if there was an 800 year old crone around we'd seen her by now."

"No, you misunderstand. I must continue." At Dean's nod Barchiel continued. "Your father would have been given the care of the girl but Azazel came into the picture and medical technology advanced. The circumstances that would have brought her into John's protection were changed and she ended up in the care of her grandparents." He turned and looked at Velvet. "He would have found her wandering in the woods with no memory, all her family dean but he was busy trying to track down the demon who killed his wife."

Velvet closed her eyes and gulped in air as everyone turned to stare at her.

"She is not old in human years. She is reborn each generation. It is one of the things I do to keep her safe." The dark haired angel was trying not to scare Velvet.

"You're kidding." Dean almost choked at the absurdity of it. "I guess next you're gonna say she's a vampire slayer and her name is name is really Buffy."

"I don't know what you mean," he replied.

"Never mind."

Bobby had settled himself back behind his desk and started taking notes. He never knew when the information would be needed. He studied Velvet, surprised she hadn't bolted from the room. She was shaking her head as if to ward off the words he was saying. It was obvious the angel had more to tell them and many questions to answer.

"You're talking about Velvet aren't you?" Sam asked. He pretty much figured it was but he wanted the conformation.

Magdalena nodded but didn't comment. Instead, she turned moved to sit on the other side of Velvet. Placing a hand on her shoulder, she spoke to her in a quiet voice. "I know this is a lot to take in but you need to hear it. I know you think you could be an abomination but you're not. Everyone one cares about you."

With sad eyes, Velvet looked at her. "Not everyone."

"Yes, everyone." She looked over at Cas who was staring at Velvet, his expression unreadable.

Barchiel smiled, knowing he made the right decision. He knew that Magdalena would support Velvet. He had brought her because of her knowledge of the emotions and disposition of humans and her ability to soothe the hurts of others. "Now with the rise of Lucifer, your protection is more important than ever."

"Is that why the demons were after me?"

"No, Velvet. He would never risk your safety in their hands. Yes, he wants to bond you but two things stand in his way: Sam, Dean and your permission."

"My permission?"

"Yes. Lucifer needs your permission to complete a bonding ceremony. Just like an angel can't take a vessel without their permission, an angel can't bond a mate without permission."

"Oh, that's a good thing then." She let out a relieved sigh. Lucifer wouldn't be able to take her as his mate without her consent and she wasn't about to give it."

"A very good thing Velvet. It is probably our greatest advantage. As long as you remain strong and do not give into him."

Disbelief was written on her face. "Why would I ever want to give into him?"

With an indulgent smile, he explained. "Lucifer can be very persuasive. I believe humans call it charisma. He can twist the truth and weave a web of deception without lying. And he is powerful. Other than God and Michael, he is the strongest angel of all."

She thought back to the times she had been in his presence. He had been charismatic and charming. However, beneath all that she knew he kept his rage carefully contained. Only a few had ever seen him lose that iron control. How do I know that? She thought to herself. Dismissing the thought as silly, she turned her attention back to Barchiel.

She looked at him. "So. I'm 900 years old?"

The smile on the female angel's face was one filled with mischief. "No sweetie. You're closer to 90,000."

Velvet's hands went to face as if she expected to find it creased and wrinkled.

Dean was laughing. "You look good for being 900 centuries old."

Sam looked at him in disgust and then turned to say, "That's not possible. No way a human could live that long."

Magadalena looked at Barchiel confused. "I thought you said he was the smart one."

Now Sam and Dean both looked pissed.

Barchiel shook his head. "She's not human."

Velvet was now shaking, tears flowing down her cheeks. She was terrified of what he was going to say next. Magdalena took her hand that now felt like ice. "Courage," she whispered.

"She is the ehedaya." Barchiel explained.

Bobby had never heard of it. "What is that? Some sort of hybrid demon or angel." He heard the female angel say before she was neither and other one said not human.

"Ehedaya means sole heir."

Bobby was losing his patience. "Quit yanking our chain. Sole heir of what?"

Barchiel gave him a look that screamed 'Haven't I already explained this? "Robert, like I said before. If Lucifer bonds her, he can control all."

This didn't satisfy Bobby. "That doesn't explain what she's inheriting as an heir."

"She will inherit it all. She'll inherit everything."

"And this everything includes what?" Sam had moved to lean on the wall behind Velvet.

"The universe. Heaven, hell if she wants it, earth, the stars. Everything."

All eyes were on Velvet who looked about ready to lose it.

Dean whistled. "What do we do now?"

"Keep her safe. If you fail, the apocalypse will look like child's play."