Summary: MY FIRST FIC! Written because I was bored. Our heroes (aka Sam and Dean) have gotten themselves lost tracking down an evil spirit that's been terrorising a small farming community in Texas. What they find there is the last thing they ever expected and will lead them to question everything they've been taught. Slight AU. Rated for language and possible violence/gore in later chapters. Not following any particular timeline in the series.

Prologue

Salisbury, England.

The young woman rushed through the doors of A&E, pausing and looking around frantically for a moment before hurrying to the nurse's station and banging on the Perspex glass desperately, making the middle-aged nurse behind the desk jump."Good Heavens, you scared the daylights out of me!" she cried, startled.

"I'm sorry," the young woman apologized hurriedly. "I'm looking for my mother. I was told she was brought in an hour ago."

The nurse adjusted her glasses and turned to her computer monitor. "What's your mother's name, Honey?"

"Mariah Rose," the young woman answered, wringing her hands anxiously.

The nurse rapped a few keys on the keyboard and looked over her glasses at the screen. "Mariah Rose, Mariah Rose," she muttered under her breath. "Ah, here we are. Yes, she was brought into Emergency just after three o'clock. She was in a minor car accident. She's in Trauma Bay 2, just go through those doors over there," the nurse said as she gestured to some double doors at the other end of the waiting area.

"Thank you," the young woman answered gratefully and practically ran to the double doors, pushing through them and hurrying down the corridor. Coming to Trauma Bay 2 she paused, dreading what she was about to see. Taking a deep breath and steeling herself, she pushed the curtain aside and barely stifled a gasp, a hand flying to her mouth. There was her elderly mother, lying in a hospital bed with a bloodstained bandage around her head, a black eye, and a splint on her right arm. Fighting back tears, she approached the bed and slowly sat down in a chair, gently lifting her mother's uninjured hand and carefully encasing it with both of her own. The slight movement caused her mother to stir and her eyes blinked open.

"Mum?" the young woman whispered, edging closer to the bed. "Mum, it's me. I'm right here."

The older woman blinked and slowly turned her head, smiling when her eyes fell upon her daughter. "Starina," she breathed hoarsely.

The young woman nodded, her tears flowing freely now. "Oh Mum," she whispered, barely containing a sob as she gently stroked her mother's bruised face. "What happened?"

Mariah weakly squeezed her daughter's hand. "It... it's hazy," she started, glancing around as though searching the room for answers. "I... left your Dad watching the cricket, I had to pick up some prescriptions and get milk. I was almost home... and then..." she trailed off, her eyes welling with tears.

"Mum?" Starina said hesitantly. "What happened?"

Mariah took a huge breath and closed her eyes, squeezing Starina's hand tightly. "It was him Darling."

"What?"Starina frowned, confused.

"It was him Starina," Mariah repeated, now clasping her daughter's hand with an almost painful grip. "I saw him. He was standing in the middle of the road."

Starina visibly paled. "Mum, you don't mean..."

Mariah nodded. "I swerved to avoid him and hit a parked car," she whispered, her own tears falling now. "I hit my head on the steering wheel. And when I looked up, he was standing over me."

"You're not saying..." Starina murmured fearfully, shaking her head in denial. "It can't be, it's impossible."

"It is, Sweetheart," Mariah whispered sadly. "It was very clear. He spoke to me."

"What did he say?"Starina asked, dreading the answer.

Mariah turned her head to look her daughter clear in the eye. "He said he's done playing games with us, that our spells won't hold him any longer. He's after you now, and he won't stop until he has you. He said... he said he'll kill us all if we don't give you to him."

Starina's fear quickly turned to anger. "That's not gonna happen, Mum. Not so long as I'm alive."

"But Darling, what can you do?"Mariah asked. "He's getting stronger and you don't have the power to beat him. The time's not right."

"I know, Mum, but I don't plan on trying to beat him just yet," Starina said, immediately making up her mind. "I've been planning for this for years just in case."

"Planning? What do you mean?"Mariah asked, looking confused.

"Mum, I know what my True Gift is," Starina explained. "I've known for a really long time now but I didn't want to tell you because I knew what it would mean. I had a hunch that something like this might happen so I've been planning for it. I know what I have to do and I'm gonna do it."

Mariah frowned slightly. "Do what?"

In answer Starina stood and leaned down to kiss her mother on the cheek. "I'm going to protect you, Mum. And I'm going to protect Dad and my brothers. I'll protect everyone."

"But Darling, you-,"

"I can, you have to trust me," Starina said as she straightened up. "I know what I'm doing, but it means that you're not gonna see me for a while."

"Starina..."

"Don't worry Mum," Starina said gently as she took her mother's hand once more. "After I leave here I'm gonna call Aunty Ann and get her to come and look after you. Once you're better, make sure Dad and the boys stay outta mischief. This curse has been plaguing our family long enough and I'm ending it, no matter what it takes. You have my solemn word."

Mariah's eyes welled with tears again. "Oh, Starina..." she choked back a sob and Starina gently wiped her tears away.

"It's going to be alright, Mum, I swear it," she promised. "Rest now and get better soon, and be safe."

The older woman was silent for a moment before she sniffed and nodded. "Be safe, Honey."

Starina nodded once, quickly kissed her mother's forehead, and left the room.

Stonehenge, later that night

Starina took a breath and glanced around from where she knelt in the centre of the circle of massive stones that made up the landmark Stonehenge. In front of her were pictures of her loved ones, carefully placed in the middle of a cloth that had been inked with a pentagram, and at each point of the pentagram was a lit candle. Taking another deep breath, Starina closed her eyes and concentrated.

"Rhiannon, High Priestess of Clan Rose, hear me," she spoke softly. "Your ever faithful descendant calls upon your favour. Our Clan is under threat once again from the Curse, the Wraith has broken free and my loved ones are in mortal danger. I hereby ask that you bear them now in your protection until my True Gift is at its peak and I can destroy the monster forever more."

For a moment there was total silence and nothing stirred. But then a gentle breeze blew up around her, making her open her eyes and look up. Standing before her amidst a bright golden light was a tall, beautiful woman with ground-length reddish-gold hair and flowing, purple robes which were embroidered with golden roses. Time seemed to stop as Starina stared in awe at the spirit of her Clan's High Priestess, the most powerful the Clan had ever known. Shaking herself, Starina quickly moved so that she was on one knee and her head bowed low in the greatest show of respect she could offer.

"You heard my prayer, Rhiannon," she said quietly. "I thank you, My Lady."

"Yes, I have heard your prayer, Child," Rhiannon said in a soft, kind voice. "You ask for me to protect those whom you love?"

"I do, My Lady," Starina replied. "The Wraith has escaped again as I feared he would, and his power is growing. My True Gift is not at its peak and I do not yet have the power to defeat him. I have a plan, My Lady, but in order to carry it out successfully my family must be protected from his wrath, shielded from his evil intent. That is what I ask of you, High Priestess."

"And you do not seek protection for yourself?" the spirit asked curiously. "Why, Child?"

"My Lady, in order for my family to be safe while my own power grows, they must be hidden away," Starina explained. "If the Wraith is unable to seek them out, he will come for me directly. We are the last of Clan Rose and he will not stop until he has destroyed us all. If you can somehow hide my family away from him for a short time, I will relocate to another land far away from here, and he will follow me and my family will be safe."

For a few minutes the Priestess didn't respond, seeming to consider this request. Starina stayed where was, saying nothing and not moving a muscle. Finally the apparition spoke again.

"Starina, heir of Clan Rose," she started, making Starina look up. "You live well by our teachings and you are maturing quickly into a true High Priestess as have your ancestors before you. Your intentions are noble and your heart pure and true. Therefore, I will grant you your request. But be warned Child, the Shield will only hold for three days. After that I will no longer be able to enforce it. You must leave as soon as you possibly can."

"I will, My Lady," Starina nodded once. "I have already sought out my new location. My True Gift has guided me there and I will be prepared to leave first thing in the morning."

"Very well, then." Rhiannon looked upon the photographs in the middle of the pentagram, and suddenly they began to smoke and burn before quickly turning to ashes. "The Shield is in place now, Child. The Wraith will not be able to find your loved ones and he will quickly follow you to whatever fate awaits."

Starina lowered her head again. "You have my sincerest and deepest gratitude, My Lady. I swear by all that I am, I will destroy the Wraith and end his Curse. Our Clan will be avenged and there will be peace amongst us once more."

"That you will," the spirit smiled warmly even though Starina couldn't see. "But remember Child, you cannot accomplish your quest alone. When you reach your destination, within two years, the help you need shall come to you in a way and from a source you least expect. Now go forth Child, and may fortune accompany you wherever you go."

Starina looked up just as the Priestess faded from sight. What did she mean? Help would come to her? How? Why? And from whom? Starina shook herself. Time was of the essence and she had one more task to perform before she could leave. Blowing out the candles, she gathered them and the pentagram printed cloth up and placed them in a knapsack. Looking around to make sure she was alone, she rushed back to her car, speeding off and heading towards a swamp not far from her home. Pulling up, she got out of the car and walked towards the stagnant water, stopping a few feet away from it.

"Alright you evil bastard, I know you're here," she spoke into the darkness. "Show your ugly face!"

Almost immediately a deep, creepy laugh began echo all around her making her skin crawl, she was tempted to run away but instead held her ground. After a few moments a bent, cloaked figure materialised in front of her, a thin, pale, bony hand clutching a staff. Starina swallowed hard as the thing looked up at her with empty, cold eyes.

"Ah, Starina Rose," the figure chuckled evilly. "To what do I owe the pleasure? Come to have a little chat, have we?"

"Shut it," Starina snapped. "I know what you did to my mother, you evil son of a bitch."

"Oh come now, there's no need to be rude," the entity scolded. "All I did was... drop a little hint. Your mother's still alive-"

"You put her in the hospital, damn it!" Starina yelled, her temper starting to flare. "You've been stalking my Clan for over a thousand years and you've been given the chance for redemption more than once, why do keep up this madness?"

"Oh Starina, you already know the answer to that," he drawled, waving a hand dismissively at her. "You have something I want and you refuse to hand it over. It's you who's keeping up the madness, not I."

"That's bullshit and you know it," Starina bit back. "You're the one who chose to misuse your True Gift and murdered innocents! Women, children, you destroyed all of them for your own gains so you were punished accordingly. I don't even understand why you were offered forgiveness because what you did was unforgiveable!"

"Perhaps you should check up on your dear father?" the creature suggested sinisterly. "He is aging you know and his heart's not what it used to be."

In answer, Starina reached into a little satchel at her waist and threw a handful of what looked like glittery powder at the spirit. The spirit fell back and howled with pain as the powder flew into his face and eyes. She smirked as she took a step closer, watching the monster squirming and writhing on the ground in agony.

"I've said it before, Wraith," she snarled. "You can do whatever the hell you want to me, but you leave my family alone. You just crossed the line and now you're gonna suffer for it."

"You... you little wench!" the Wraith screamed, looking up at her with blood pouring out of his eyes. "W-what did you do? What was that?!"

"Ground Himalayan rock salt and pure powdered silver," Starina smirked again. "It won't kill you but you're going to be sore for a little while."

The Wraith glared at her, baring his teeth in fury. "You're going to regret this," he growled, clenching his fist in the dirt. "You'll never be rid of me! You, your family, your whole Clan will die!"

"Yeah? Bring it on, Bitch," Starina bit back. "Come after me; follow me wherever I go, I fucking dare you!"

She took a knife out of her pocket and slashed a line in the dirt with it. The creature looked up her, uncertain. "You... you're really...?"

"I am," Starina said as she put the knife away. "I've laid down the challenge. Now go ahead, Punk, make my day."

The creature smirked at her and chuckled. "You stupid, stupid girl. Your power is not yet at its peak! You can't beat me!"

"Oh yeah? Watch me," Starina hissed, and then turned and began to walk away. The Wraith looked confused for a moment as he watched her head back towards her car.

"Hey! Wait! Get back here!" he yelled. "You just laid down the challenge! You can't walk away from this!"

Starina and glanced back over her shoulder. "Yes I can. I laid down the challenge, remember? As the instigator, I choose how, where, and when it happens. And I say it doesn't happen, not here, not now, and not like this. Like I said, I dare you to come after me. And don't bother going after my family because I've hidden them somewhere you'll never find them. Happy hunting you sleazebag!"

The Wraith grit his teeth as he watched her return to her car, his body trembling with rage as she drove away. "CURSE YOU! CURSE YOU, YOU WRETCHED CHILD!" he screamed into the night. "NO MATTER WHERE YOU GO, I WILL FIND YOU! YOUR POWER WILL BE MINE! YOU HEAR ME? I WILL NOT REST UNTIL I SEE THE END YOUR CLAN FOREVER!"