Castiel was exhausted. He just finished filing the paperwork. It was one of many jobs he held at Sacred Meadows. But he loved it. He had purpose. Not since he gave up his wings when that he felt useful again. Plus being with his family. Hannah was working at the front desk, she was good with people, she used Caroline's memories to act professionally as a receptionist. Like himself, she had some trouble talking to humans, but tried hard to blend in. He smiled when Claire stopped by to say hello to her. Even from far away he could see Claire's cheerfulness being around Hannah, Claire was incredibly lonely without her family. Jody, Donna and her adoptive "sisters" lived halfway across the country. Plus Jack was still missing. Since Charlie's death, she withdrew into herself, Paige and Jo said she rarely got close to anyone since then. Which is one of the reasons why Castiel and Hannah moved down here. They got a good offer for their home up north. Once it sold, they moved down here. They were currently looking at homes, however California was expensive. No way they could afford a home, even a small condo was too far out of reach. They did live here at work full time, their shared home was cheap with rent since it was on the property.
Castiel asked every angel he personally knew to look for Jack. Balthazar, Anna, and even his old friend Muriel to look for him. So far everyone of them warned that wherever Jack was, he was either off world, or hidden very well. None could trace him. The only ones that hidden Jack was missing or deceased. Michael and Lucifer were dead. Gabriel and Raphael, missing. Most of the angels were deathly afraid of Dark Micheal, he was more powerful than any archangel they ever met.
Castiel kept his nose down. He stayed away from Heavenly matters, he was no longer an angel. Michael forbade any fallen angel from coming home, any angel that came back were immediately executed. So far four were dead. Castiel prayed for them. Besides he liked it on Earth. He was married, had a family that loved him, had good friends that loved and cherished him, plus had two wonderful children. Jack and Claire were great kids. Even as adults, they made him proud. Plus his job. He felt important. Way better than that that gas station job he had.
Once he heard the clock, he realized his shift ended. He wanted to work more, but Paige and Jo told him to go home. Castiel decided to go back to the apartment on the property. He was planning on cooking lamb, Claire was coming for dinner. He waved to Hannah, she was going out with her best friend Eve who was visiting. Most human souls weren't allowed to leave Heaven, but Eve was a exception.
Castiel was just taking out the roast when he heard wings.
"Hello Anna." She just got her wings back, and was still trying to remember how to land. She crashed a few times, she accidentally caused a mild earthquake in Ontario a few months ago when she tried landing. Luckily damage was minimal. "Would you like to stay and eat?" He knew most angels detested food, all could sense the molecules. However, Gabriel and Anna still loved and enjoyed food and earthly delights.
Anna smelled the food.
"Your cooking has gotten better.'' Ever since Castiel willingly fell, he had to learn everything. He sucked at first, but after taking cooking lessons, especially from Sam's wife, he was now a good cook. Hannah raved about his cooking, especially his pies.
"Thanks. I left the lamb a little too long, I burnt it." Castiel was his own worst critic.
"Bullshit. Don't be too hard on yourself. Your roast smells great." Anna's mouth drools. She knew most of the angels were jealous that Anna was able to go on Earth and enjoy everything. Especially food and sex. Anna had no soul, but she still retained her human memories. "I appreciate the offer, but I can't stay."
"That's too bad. Hannah and Eve will be joining us soon, same with Claire."
Anna sighs. She had her orders, she didn't have a choice. Michael was a tyrant. She sometimes wished she stayed a human. She felt a shift. The Holy Grail. She heard it was on Earth. Every angel in Heaven wanted to see It, but Michael forbade it. He threatened jail if any angel disobeyed and snuck down to see It. Anna risked going to jail for breaking the rules, but she needed to see It for herself.
"Castiel. You heard of the Lost Piece?"
"Of course. Every angel heard of It." He was making a salad for his guests.
"Have you seen It?"
Castiel put down his tools.
"Anna. Why are you asking me all these questions?" He looked at Anna.
Anna sighs again.
"Sam Winchester. The Trails."
"It was unfortunate. He was so close." Saving Heaven. Michael would have been expelled.
Anna shook her head.
"Thank Father Sam never finished." Sam would have died if he finished. Plus Anael, she was banished. No one gave a shit where she went. She disappeared from everyone.
"Anna. What are you trying to say?" Castiel says staring at Anna now. Anna wanted to say something, but she looked scared.
"Your roast looks great. Wish I could stay. But I have to check out for any rouge demons. I'll see you around." She disappears in a flap of wings. Castiel looked confused. He knew Anna well, she wouldn't come to him without a good reason. He was distracted when the doorbell rang. His guests were here.
Claire was rolling her eyes. This game was corny as hell, but she was having fun. She was smiling at Eve, she was winning the game of Charades.
"Ah, a cloud! No, a star!" Hannah called out. She squealed when Eve nodded.
Claire was on Castiel's team, but he seemed quiet about something. Knowing him, it was either about Dean or Jack. She saw Eve gesturing at her. Claire watched for a moment.
"A starship?" When Eve nodded, Claire waved a fist in the air. Another point for Novak. When her phone rang, she excused herself.
After she goes outside, she calls back the number.
"Yea." She says in a clipped tone. She nodded. She had a case. She goes inside and tells everyone she had to go.
"Do you need me Claire?" Castiel asked. He knew Claire reduced her hours, she wanted to hunt part time. She was still Head Security, but didn't work full time anymore. A new hire was working her old shifts.
"I'm good. Sorry to leave you." She smiles at her foster parents and their friend. She liked having Castiel and Hannah around. They still treated her like family. As for Jack, Claire needed to find him. He was still MIA.
Jo was already waiting. They were waiting for a Uber. They were renting a car to go across country. Both had to remain anonymous.
"So what did Hubby say?" Mentioning Jo's husband.
"He wasn't happy, but he told us to be careful." Jo already was wearing her hunting clothes. She also reduced her hours, she wanted out of the life, and out of California. Her and Dex wanted to move to Nebraska to start over. Neither wanted Jo to hunt, it was too dangerous.
Claire nodded. They already told Paige they had to hit the road, Paige nodded. Just wished them luck.
"Ready?"
"Let's do this."
They drove all night towards Kansas. The phone call, it was stated to be very important. Claire and Jo, they knew who the caller was, but couldn't figure why they called them instead of the Halliwells in San Francisco. Needless to say, what he called Claire for, Claire and Jo didn't hesitate. Their former patient needed them.
Halfway across Utah, both women stop for the night. Once they check in a random motel somewhere, Claire texts Castiel and Jody to let them know she and Jo were resting for the night before they continued driving. Jo called Dex, keeping him updated.
Claire smiles at her bag. Hannah gave her a huge container of cookies. Even as a adult, Hannah still treated her as a child. Despite what Claire thought of angels, she cared about Hannah and Castiel. Neither one ever gave up on her.
"Cookie?" Claire was munching on a chocolate chip.
"Sure. Mmm. Homemade?" Jo asks.
"Safeway. Hannah can't cook. Still good though."
They ordered a pizza, cookies won't satisfy their appetites. Once the pizza was delivered, both talk about their latest case.
"I thought Tyler was in Melbourne." Naming the city where he was attending college. Last time Jo saw him was when she was just hired at Sacred Meadows. He was a patient there after Jo was liberated from the Men of Letters a few years ago. Once he was discharged, he moved to Australia to surf. He was turning eighteen. Natalie, the old Director couldn't keep him there against his will.
"He was. But he flew here to ask for help."
"I thought he was a Archai?" Archai's were thought to be extinct. A very rare witch, everyone thought they died out during the middle ages. They were sought after by both Good and Evil for the powers they possessed. Often mistaken for firestarters, since they controlled fire, they were hunted and enslaved for their powers. The power of creating holes in reality.
Usually traveling to other worlds were believed to be nothing more than a fairy tale, however Archai's can travel freely to to other worlds. The bloodline was unknown, but many Tomes described them as descendants of the ancient nephilims, as well as the dreamwalkers.
They were hunted down and slaughtered by Heaven as well as Hell's Knights. Both sides feared their powers and hunted down and killed every last creature, so they believed. It was most likely the few that were left went into hiding, almost everyone refusing to bear any children, fearing them to be slaughtered.
Tyler was seventeen when he found what he was. He was staying in a foster home in San Francisco when he sneezed. When he looked up he saw a hole. Not knowing what to do, he called his old mentor Piper Halliwell. Her and her sisters looked up his magic in The Book of Shadows and discovered what he was. Knowing the history behind his race, they immediately hid him and his powers from everyone. They then used their magic to close the portal. A spooked Tyler asked for advice. They just told him to go on with his plans to move to Australia. Live a normal life like everyone else. Tyler did just that. He went to Australia, not only to surf but to go to college. There he met his boyfriend, Jesse Turner, a cambion.
Jesse was a cambion, a half human/demon hybrid. Despite his demonic bloodline, he wasn't a evil man. Unlike fellow cambion Cole Turner who became the Source, he wanted to live a normal life. He went to university to study to become a marine biologist, and met his roommate Tyler.
They started off as friends and were nothing more than college roommates. But over time ended up falling in love. A few years later, were living together in a small apartment. Jesse, like Tyler hid himself from everyone. He didn't want to be bothered.
Tyler and Claire met only once in California, but gamed together in a a popular MMO. They became friends, with Claire and him challenging each other on a weekly basis. They became good friends offline, and they talked and wrote to each other regularly over the years.
Jesse was surprised when Tyler introduced him to Claire. Expecting Claire, a hunter to hate him for who he was, Claire simply said she had a open mind. Although she admitted the real "Antichrist" was her stepbrother Jack Kline. Jack and Jesse met over the Internet. Both were polite to one another, but never hit it off as friends.
When Tyler called, Claire expected him to challenge each other online. The new expansion for their favorite game was just released. What Tyler said to Claire, Claire told Jo about her latest case. Jo offered to come along. She needed to hear this for herself if it was true.
"He is." Claire vowed to keep Tyler's secret.
"Why didn't he use his magic?" He was flying all the way from Australia. He could have used his magic to teleport. His magic was too weak to be sensed by Heaven. As for Hell and the Underworld, they would have thought he was a ordinary witch. He flew on a airplane.
"I don't know. But Tyler needs help. It's about Jesse."
Claire was playing Charades when she got a call. When she saw the caller ID, she excuses herself and goes outside. Despite Castiel and Hannah being human, and no longer wanting anything to do with Heaven, plus Eve's presence, Claire needed privacy. Tyler was her friend.
"What's up?" Claire asked once she was outside.
"Claire, are you still hunting?" A young guy asks with a slight Australian accent.
"Of course. I may have gone part time, but I never stopped hunting monsters."
"I need help. It's Jesse."
"What about him? He's not turning evil is he?" Claire heard of Cole Turner. He was practically invisible when he became the Source. However he was defeated by the Charmed Ones after a tough battle.
"What! No! He's good. I swear. Just that," Tyler sighs. "He's been having nightmares."
"Him and everyone else." Claire never had those nightmares, but many of her hunter friends did. Sam, Dean, their friends. Same with many witches and psychics, such as Patience.
"It's more than bad dreams. Claire. I think his demonic blood is starting to override his human blood. Jesse, he's not acting like himself. He keeps talking about attending a place called The Academy."
"The Academy? You mean Magic School?"
"No. I attended Magic School. The school I went to trained good witches. The Academy is where they train for evil."
"I never heard of it. Wait. It's not Knox is it?" Claire heard rumors. When she asked Paige, she evaded Claire's questions. Not many heard of it. Only a select few.
"I wish it was Knox. Knox is for the very elite. The cream of the crop. If I didn't move here, I would have...Nevermind. Claire. Jesse cannot go to that school. The Source runs it."
The Source! He's dead. No new Source was born since Cole.
"That's impossible. The Underworld has no leader."
"That's where your wrong. One of the highest ranking demons runs it now. He is getting desperate. He opened a new school somewhere in the States. He is calling for anyone to attend. You heard of those demon hybrids in San Francisco? He is recruiting anyone with magic powers now. Jesse. He's a cambion. He cannot turn the Call off."
Claire shivered. Castiel told her about cambions. She thought Jack was one, but he was a arch-nephilim. He has angelic blood. However Jesse, he cannot deny what he is. If he ignores the call of Hell, he'll go insane. Jesse was powerful. Whoever this demon is, he would do what Azazel did a few years ago. It would be a bloodbath. However, instead of one winner, they would slaughter innocents or worse, turn anyone evil. Heaven would retaliate. She heard of New Michael. He was more ruthless than the last leader. They would lose the War before they began.
"We can't allow that. Are you teleporting here?" She knew what Tyler really was, he told her in a confidential conversation one night when they were talking long distance. She never heard of a Archai, so she looked it up on the Internet. She told Tyler it will forever be a secret.
"No. If this Academy exists, then it will sense all magic. If they sense me, it would be a disaster."
"Right." Claire was debating on telling Castiel and Hannah, but realized she couldn't spill Tyler's secret. She trusted them, but the less anyone knew, she could find out more about this Academy. But she had to ask why he didn't tell the Halliwells.
"I just can't." Tyler knew why he couldn't.
"Alright. So how are you getting here, and where would you be?"
Once he told her, Claire agreed to meet up with him. But informed him she wasn't traveling alone. When Tyler protested, she said a smart hunter never travels alone. She still remembered her teen years.
"I promise you, she is reliable. You know her from California." Once she hung up she called Jo.
"I told you I'm retired from hunting." Funny. When Jo was young, she fought tooth and nail with her mom to become a hunter. Even after she grew up, Ellen still tried to control her life. Then Missouri. Jo was so close to dying. It was that guy Arthur Ketch that saved her life from those Hellhounds. She was forced to work for the Men of Letters as a agent once she was released from the hospital. Ellen had to no choice but to let her go, she couldn't afford to pay her medical bills. What neither of them knew, it was Jo's ex that set her up. Jo never forgave Ronny for that. He was a MoL agent.
After she got of that organization, thanks to Sam, Dean and their friends, she was lost on what to do. Then she found out about the Valkyries.
The ancient race of all female warriors were looking for new recruits. Jo was still determined to prove to everyone she was a skilled hunter. Even after she got out, she hunted to pass the time. Then one day while hunting a werewolf, she saw the death of a police officer. No it wasn't the wolf, it was a suspect the cop was chasing. He shot the cop in his heart. Before Jo could call 911, she saw a portal opening and a warrior stepping through.
"You don't have to be afraid. You fought well. Now you are meant for great things." Before Leysa could take the man's soul away, Jo holds up her gun.
"Hold it right there!" Jo was a seasoned hunter at that point. No longer a naive twenty something, she was a skilled marksmen. "Get away from him!" She ordered. Her gun was filled with silver, but a bullet was a bullet.
Leysa smiled.
"Joanna Harvelle. It's a pleasure." Leysa bows to Jo.
Jo clocked her gun.
"I mean it. Step away." Jo trusted no one.
"If you came to save this man, it is too late." Leysa opened up a small vial. Jo didn't know what to say when the man's sprit was sucked in.
"What did you do to him? You have ten seconds."
"It was his time. I came before his reaper. This man, he will be fighting during the Final Judgment."
"A what?" Jo was still pointing her gun at the female warrior.
"Judgement Day. You humans call it Revelations."
Jo was going to say something back, when they heard shouts. Then to Jo's disbelief, Leysa uses her necklace to open a portal.
"We have to hurry. Come." She gestures to Jo to follow her. "We have no time."
A dead cop in a alleyway, and Jo holding a gun. She was considered legally dead. No one would save her in prison.
"What about the werewolf I was hunting?"
"Don't worry a hunter is on his way. Hurry!" Jo had no choice but to follow her.
When Jo got there, she was in disbelief on what she saw. It wasn't the sights of the men training in different historical outfits, including one dressed like he came from ancient Japan, or any of the women, including Amelia Earhart and Joan of Arc, it was her mom, Ellen Harvelle fighting her dead father, William Harvelle.
"Argh!" Ellen flips her husband over. "You got lazy Bill." Ellen was smiling at her husband. William gets up and brushes back his blonde hair.
"I been here for years. I'm just distracted by your beauty." He grabs her to the ground and starts necking her. Ellen was squealing and giggling. She never thought she'll see her husband again.
"Mom? Dad?" Jo tears up. Her parents must have noticed, they looked up. Seeing Jo, they looked stricken.
"Joanna Beth Harvelle." Ellen only called her that when Jo was in trouble.
"Jo Jo?" That was her father's nickname for Jo. He always called her by her childhood nickname. "Please tell me you weren't killed."
Jo starts crying. Her parents got up and grabbed her.
"I told you to stay out of hunting!" Ellen scolded. She wasn't dead, she was recruited by their leader Mist. They knew Ellen as a hunter and wanted her to join their ranks as a Valkyrie. Ellen was hesitant. But when they told her she'll be fighting side by side with her husband, she reluctantly agreed. She knew of their existence, Rufus Turner told her all about them. He was a graduate of Knox, one of his professors was a former Valkyrie.
"What about my daughter?" Jo was a grown woman. But in Ellen's eyes, she was her little girl.
Mist assured Ellen that Jo was more than capable now. She fought and hunted better than any hunters her age, thanks to her training.
"But she'll be all alone." Ellen knew her excuses were bullshit. She was too worried about Jo.
"I cannot make you come, however we need someone with your caliber and strength. Besides, William is waiting."
In the end, Ellen followed Mist. Then after a tearful reunion with her deceased husband, she immediately starts training. Time moved differently here, a few months were minutes everywhere else. She knew a war was on her way and trained hard, all day almost everyday. It was only on the seventh day, everyone rested and had fun.
Ellen loved the Roadhouse, but loved it here more. Many of the hunters that perished back during that fire in the Roadhouse were here. Men, women, they accepted their fate, many told Ellen that they were taken away even before the fire started. That they were destined to be more than just generic hunters, but Warriors of Good. They all knew the End was coming, and it wasn't Lucifer that was behind it.
Ellen and Bill were training when they looked up and saw their daughter. Fearing that she died, they were saddened to see her go so young. Of course not all recruits died when they got here, some were given an offer like Ellen. But they seen the list. Jo's name wasn't on it.
Once Jo stopped crying, she asked what was going on.
"Mom. Dad. What is going on?"
Ellen immediately starts checking her.
"Ugh. Mom! What are you doing?" Jo protested. Ellen was checking her eyes and pulse.
Once Ellen finished her inspection, she demanded an explanation.
"What are you doing here?"
Jo immediately gets defensive.
"I could ask you the same thing." She turns to Bill. "Mom said you died." Angrily, she demanded an answer. "Tell me before I scream." She saw some of the warriors watching.
"Not here." She and Bill take Jo to a place the location far from everyone else. Once they were alone, they explain to a bewildered Jo about everything.
"So Dad, you really were dead." Jo was angry for years about his death. Ellen never told her the details about his death, she refused to tell Jo anything. She had to find out from Gordon Walker. That is was his friend John Winchester that did it. She turned towards Ellen. "You knew Dad was alive?!" She was pissed.
Bill shook his head.
"Honey. I am 'dead.' Somewhat." He bent his fingers. "It wasn't John that killed me, it was a hellhound. Luckily Mist took me away before the reaper did. Or even the Hellhound." He holds Ellen's hand. "I was fatally wounded. If that Hellhound fatally killed me, he would have dragged me to Hell. Innocent or not. I begged John to put a bullet in me. He refused, but I saw the Hellhound. Strangely enough, stayed away from John. When he killed me, that is when I saw Mist. She killed the Hellhound before it got away. She offered me a deal. Be a fighter for Armageddon. It's all voluntary, but when she showed me the future, I didn't hesitate. I was here since."
"Mom? Are you dead too?"
Jo breathed a sigh of relief when Ellen shook her head.
"But how?"
"It's complicated." All three talked for hours. The next day, Jo was intrigued on becoming a Valkyrie. She had the skills, was a talented hunter, and a former Men of Letters agent. She talked to many Valkyries, many impressed by Jo. She was a talented hunter, but she wasn't ready. They called her 'green.'
"Excuse me? I killed many monsters, I hunted ghosts, demons, wayward hellhounds, I did more than any hunter twice my age." Jo was insulted. Mist was telling Jo they weren't recruiting anytime soon.
"I'm not insulting your talents. But you are not ready. Besides, Earth needs you." Ellen's heart broke seeing Jo's expression. It was Dean all over again. She told Mist she needed some time with Jo.
"Of course." She walks away to train. Jo was fighting back frustrated tears.
"Jo."
"Mom." Jo hangs on to her mom crying her eyes out. If Jo was honest with herself, she didn't really want to be a Valkyrie. It was because of her parents. Her family, her friends from the Roadhouse. She wasn't alone anymore. "Why can't I become a Valkyrie?"
"Jo. There is more to life than hunting. You always were meant to be something else." She was holding Jo in the crook of her arm. They were watching the fighters. "All of them. They were meant to fight. Jo, you deserve better."
"Like what." Jo said in a dull voice. "I grew up in the life."
"Yes, it was both our faults. Especially me." Ellen never forgave herself for that night. She wondered everyday about what if. What if that agent didn't come. What if she lost her daughter. Ellen would have gladly killed herself as well as those hounds to get revenge. "I should have retired. Sold the bar and moved away. I had your father's life insurance. I should have gave you a normal life. I almost lost you." It was hard losing Bill. But losing her only child. Everyday Ellen fought that guilt. Even reuniting with Bill, she thought about Jo everyday. "There was other hunters. Almost all of them could have gathered somewhere else. Jo. Bill and I wanted more for you."
"Like what?"
"Remember that young man you were seeing?"
"Ronny? He was a jerk. He never gave two shits about me." Jo was still bitter about that. He used her. He was a spy for the Men of Letters. He almost got her killed or worse, keeping her as a slave assassin.
"But you were in love."
"Hmm." Jo was. Ronny wasn't Dean, but he treated her good. Too bad he was a ass.
"You deserve better. You should quit hunting. Get married, have kids. Have a career. Jo. You know you don't want this. Not really."
Jo hated to admit her mom was right. She hunted, only because that's all she knew. She did want a normal life. She found out Dean was dating, and it was getting serious. Sam was deeply in love with that witch. If she looked inside her heart, she wanted that too.
"How? I have no friends. No fixed address. No identity." Jo had no clue how to start. They were interrupted by a whitelighter.
"Hey Natalie." Ellen greeted the whitelighter. Natalie was a healer, but also a trainer. She came here to train any future medics.
"Ellen." She greeted.
"How's Sacred Meadows?" Everyone here found out about the invasion by those terrorists from England.
"A disaster. Many of my employees quit. I came here to find some temporary help." Some Valkyries went to Earth to work at either the rehab places in San Francisco, or Scotland. Or even to train and teach at Magic School and Knox.
"My daughter here. She is looking for a job." She tells Natalie. Jo was surprised.
"What are your credentials? Your background? Your Social Insurance?" She tells a befuddled Jo.
"I have my high school diploma, I attended two years in a online school for Human Development and obtained my certificate, I am a hunter, and a former Men of Letters agent."
Natalie nodded.
"Your hired."
"What? But I'm legally dead. How will I fit in? What will I do?"
"We'll figure it out. As for your identity. I am a pro in recreating new IDs. Come. I need a assistant."
Once she said goodbye to her parents, she and a few others went to California. Jo lived there since. It was there that Jo met her friends, and her now husband Dex. Unlike the others, she kept her first name. It was her dad that named her. She had a new generic last name, her name was now Joanna "Jaime" Jones. Now after getting married, became Joanna Lawson. She and Dex wanted to move. They loved California and their jobs, but Dex's parents were ill and needed help. Plus he wanted Jo to quit hunting. It was getting worse out there. Especially for hunters. Plus they were trying to get pregnant. Even with the End coming, both wanted to live normal lives. They were both confident Armageddon would be adverted. Wouldn't be the first time.
Once Claire explained what was going on, Jo agreed to come.
"Claire, Dex and I already gave our notices. This is be my final hunt. After this, we are moving." They were moving to Nebraska, Dex's parents wanted him to take over the family farm. Neither Dex or Jo knew anything about farming, but agreed to take over.
"Work won't be the same without you." Claire said sadly. Jo was her best friend.
"I know. But I need to live a normal life. Besides, there is the Internet. Plus if you need a place to stay for awhile, you are welcome 24/7." They were eating pizza and watching YouShare on the Smart TV in their shared motel room.
"In an unusual story, a woman walked in a church. Just a warning. This will contain sensitive material and events." The uploader flashed a huge black and white warning. "Olivia Sanchez, age 36 walked into a church with holes in her hands and feet." He showed a series of drawings. A woman was wearing a pink dress. She had her hands out and was walking inside a church. There was blood dripping out of her hands and feet.
"Weird." Jo took a bite of pizza.
"Shh." Claire was intrigued.
"She died, but not before small holes appeared on her head. She kept chanting something weird." He showed her collapsed on her knees with talk bubbles coming out of her mouth.
"Prok yaw-thi a-law-haw!"The drawings flipped to her chanting that saying, over and over again. The last drawing was her lying dead in a pool of blood, bloody footprints leading inside the church.
"That poor woman died right there. According to Olivia's family, she was never religious. Despite her being raised Catholic, she never attended church when she grew up. But the few days leading to her death, she complained of headaches, massive ones. Then she started talking about Revelations. How the End of the World was coming."
The two women immediately leans forward, the pizza instantly forgotten. YouShare was full of crap, most uploaders tried to draw their audience with weird videos and random shit. However, there was a few that uploaded interesting videos. The ones Claire watched was about guns and hunting animals, while Jo watched more feminine videos, like beauty, fashion and general female blogs. She lost interest in hunting at that point, she was done with hunting and the life. Watching this latest video, neither one knew if was real. Both were interested though.
"Holy shit." Jo was reading the various news reports from Arizona. There was a death, Olivia Sanchez died from a massive stroke. The news would never report about a medical accident, however collapsing in a church, it made the local news. "How did we never hear of this?" She knew she quit hunting, but anything truly unusual, she'll check out. If she couldn't, send Sam and Dean. "This happened two weeks ago."
"That isn't the only case. Ricky Copeland. Age 19. Died at work. Same MO as Sanchez." The whip marks on his back, the stigmata, the bleeding from his head. "Feel like heading south?" Claire hated religion, but a case was a case.
"What about Tyler?"
"Australia is a long way away. Even if he is on American soil, he has to go through a checkpoint, plus catch another flight or flights to Kansas." That is where he begged her to meet him at. Why Kansas, he didn't elaborate.
"How far is it to Arizona?" Jo felt excited about this latest case. She said she was done, but maybe one final hurrah before her retirement.
"A few hours. Let's get some sleep, we leave bright and early tomorrow."
A young teenager was on her hands and knees as she was getting scolded by her mother.
"I tried. I really did. The Devil is inside you." Gail slaps her daughter across the face, making Magda fall to the dusty dirt floor crying.
"Pray! Pray! For forgiveness!" She hands her a whip. "You know what to do!" She picks up her bible and starts reading.
The boy's heart breaks as he watches from the window. His twin sister didn't ask to be psychic. He was started when he felt a hand.
"Your mother is just doing the Lord's work. The Devil, he is enslaving your sister. Your mother is trying to save her soul." They watch as Magda screams as she is forced to chant religious nonsense as she is forced to whip herself. "C'mon. We have to feed the horses. We have a big day tomorrow." Abraham leads Elijah away. Elijah prayed hard for his sister. That she can be saved.
Claire and Jo walk inside the church where Olivia Sanchez died. They were both dressed very modestly, their blonde hair was tied up tightly on their head in matching crown hair braids and were wearing long dresses, their arms covered, complete with high neck collars. It was hell in the Arizona heat, but they needed to prove to the priest that was in charge that they were religious bloggers. They even were carrying bibles.
"I look like a jackass." Claire whispered. Her parents were religious, but never forced Claire to read the bible. Claire grew up faithful, but since angels were responsible for her parents deaths, she called herself a independent after she turned herself away from the church. She wasn't atheist, she knew God, Heaven and Hell existed, but choose to live her life as normal as she could. Even if it meant she lived her life in a unconventional way.
"It's just temporary." Jo whispered back. She was never raised with religion, unless there was a church for hunters. Her parents allowed Jo to believe in whatever she wanted. However, both wore small crosses on their necks. Claire's necklace belonged to her paternal grandma, and Jo got hers from Ash. He was raised in a church. His parents were a priest and his mom a pianist, he just chose to help others in a different way. Jo was glad he was in Heaven. Knowing him, having drinking contests with angels. She found it funny many loved alcohol. According to Jack, it was the saint Jesus' that perfected wine at a wedding.
They walk up to the priest that was praying in the front. He turned around when he heard footsteps.
"Father Valdecantos? Hi. I am Mary Smith, this is my sister Delilah." Jo greets the priest.
"Hi." Claire had to force herself not to roll her eyes. All these people praying to a God that didn't give two shits about them. She smiled back at the priest.
"What can I do for you ladies." He said pleasantly. It wasn't unusual for women to dress like the women in front of him. Colorado City and Hildale were not that far from here.
"We like to talk about Olivia Sanchez." Immediately Father Valdecantos' smile drops.
"I don't want to talk about that." He saw her eyes. She was pleading for help. Not for herself, but for another. He gave her last rights before the ambulance came. He turned around.
Both Claire and Jo looked at one another.
"You talked to the press, and the cops. Funny. It wasn't a typical newspaper that you talked to it was a the American Enquirer." Claire named a typical gossip rag. "Priest Claim The Devil Walks Among Us. That was a attention grabber. That issue sold out immediately. How much were you compensated for interview? Ten, twenty?" Claire ignored Jo's look.
"I said I don't..." The priest still didn't turn around.
"Don't care. It's a sin to lie, don't give us the...OW!" Jo pinched Claire.
"You have to forgive my sister. She is trying to rebel. Our parents sent us here to restore her faith." She gave Claire a dirty look.
He turns around.
"Everyone thinks I'm lying. The bishop, the town, everyone. But I know what I saw. Olivia. She was a good person. She didn't deserve what happened to her." He closed his eyes. "She was flayed alive. She was a good woman. She didn't deserve that." He made a cross over his chest. "It was the devil that did that."
Both didn't say a word. Lucifer was dead. Even if he was still alive, he wouldn't bother with petty humans. He even ignored his demons. All he wanted was his Father's love. They knew it was something evil though.
"Look. I'm not allowed to talk about that or anything about evil. The church is moving away from the old ways. The talks about fire and brimstone are over." His particular church didn't want to be associated with any extreme religious sects. They talked about love, acceptance and forgiveness. "But I know what I saw."
"Was there any black smoke?" Jo asked.
"Smells of sulfur, rotten eggs?" Claire added.
He shook his head.
"No."
"You told people she was speaking in tongues." Jo read that article online.
"Yes. It sounded like Hebrew. Prok yaw-thi a-law-haw." As far as he knew Olivia wasn't Jewish.
"Not Hebrew. Aramaic." Claire knew some languages. Castiel and Hannah taught her some dead languages. It helped Claire on hunts.
Father Valdecantos looked at them.
"Excuse me what church do you belong to?"
"Thanks for your time.'' Both Jo and Claire walk away.
"So maybe not a demon. No way it's Lucifer. Douchebag Mike killed him." Claire hated angels, especially Dark Michael. Jack disappeared when he showed up.
"Witch?" Jo suggested. "Or a rouge angel rebel." She remembered the angels a few years ago.
They stop to watch a little boy lightning candles. Neither one attended church, but seeing people with such strong faith fascinated them.
"Claire?"
"Hmm?" Claire prayed for Jack. That he was okay.
"Are you going to call your parents?" Claire didn't mind referring to her foster parents as her own. Technically Castiel's vessel was Jimmy Novak. Hannah's vessel was Caroline Novak. Technically Claire's stepmom.
"Huh? Yeah."
While Jo was getting coffee, Claire was texting Jack's phone. Her prayers to Jack was never answered. So she figured texting and calling would prove Claire was trying. She cared about Jack like a brother. He always was there for her. No matter what.
She put away her phone in frustration. No answer. She called Castiel instead. He and Hannah kept texting and calling. They were worried about her.
"Uh huh. So it wasn't Douchebag. I don't know if that makes me feel better." Castiel told her about Anna's visit. She was terrified of Michael. "Yea. Don't worry. I'm not alone. Jo is with me. Yes, I'm being careful." She rolled her eyes. "If you hear anything call." She hangs up just as Jo walked up with large coffees.
"Any news?" Jo handed Claire her cup.
"Thanks." She takes a sip. "Hot! Nope. Mike is keeping a tight ship. So angels are out."
"Okay. Witch?" Jo doubted it. She called Paige. Paige said her sisters were on it. Except for Piper. She was on her way to England with Sam, Dean and Jenna. They were attending Sam and Dean's half brother Adam's wedding.
"Maybe. Let's check for hex bags." They drive away in their rented SUV. "I hate this thing." This van was for geeks. Claire hated it. But they needed to sell the illusion. That they were church going sisters.
As they drove, Jo asked about that language Olivia was speaking.
"It was definitely Aramaic. That thing she was saying, Prok yaw-thi a-law-haw. It means Save me, oh God." Claire asked Cas, he told her the translation.
"Save me? From what?" Jo was confused.
"Who knows? Who cares. There is a something evil out there. Let's solve this and head east." That coffee wouldn't suffice, Claire was craving pancakes.
They were at the county morgue. Both changed into something more professional. They were pretending to be FBI agents. Luckily Ricky Copeland was still in the freezer. Jo made Claire swallow her gum.
"Are you sure you ladies don't need my help?" He was checking out Claire. He thought Jo was cute, but she had on a wedding ring.
"We'll be fine." Claire wanted to solve this case. She just got an encrypted text.
Stop. Jump. Contain.
The number came from a company that no longer existed. When Claire texted back, her text failed to go through. She was sure it was from Jack. He must be in trouble. He had his powers, and his wings, but Jack wasn't allowed to use them fearing God would find out.
"You sure? Cause I could put together a report." He stammered. He wanted to ask for Agent Vaughn's number. The beautiful blonde with the tough exterior. She had no ring.
"We'll be fine. However, we do need the autopsy photos from Olivia Sanchez." Claire ordered.
"Of course." Carl rushes out. He blew it. He wanted to kick himself for being a wuss.
"Little hard on Carl." Jo remarked. Poor guy. She knew a crush when she saw one.
"He is a big boy. Besides, he's not my type." Carl was okay. But he wasn't Charlie. Her death still haunted Claire.
"You okay Claire?" Jo wasn't blind. Claire seemed distracted.
"Peachy." Claire was looking at his hands and feet. "Stigmata." She seen that Mel Gibson movie. She looked at the report for Ricky. "Hmm. Official cause of death. Heart attack. What a waste." Poor kid was only 19.
After they left they read the copy from Olivia's autopsy.
"Cause of death, stroke." Claire closes the folder. Her injuries were nearly identical to Ricky's.
"What stroke causes brain matter to melt?" Jo knew nothing about medical things, however no way she died of a stroke.
"Let's check out her office." They already saw her apartment. No hex bags, no sulfur. This witch, why target two people? Neither knew each other or ever met. They had nothing in common. They discussed a possible spell. Some witches used dark magic with human sacrifices. Paige called back, she said a witch or warlock wouldn't bother with a elaborate spell like that. Neither side would want to draw attention to themselves. Nevertheless, they had to eliminate every possibility. They pull up to a government building. The huge white letters spell out "Child Protective Services."
Beth Roberts was staring sadly at maintenance pulling down Olivia's name. She liked Olivia, poor woman deserved better. She was escorting the two insurance agents to Olivia's former office.
"This was her office. Well mine now." She opens the door. Claire's eyes were drawn to the candle on her desk.
"Wiccan?" Paige had the same candle.
"You are a practitioner? I always found peace with it." She got a few glares from her coworkers, this town was close by to Utah's borders. Many were church going people.
"I have a open mind." Claire wasn't interested in becoming a witch. Being a hunter was stressful enough. She doubted Beth was a witch or warlock. Most wiccans followed their beliefs quietly. They were mostly Earth loving people. They believed in chakras and invisible energy.
"So Olivia. What was she like?" Jo asked. She doubted Beth was a witch either, but they had to follow every lead.
"She was my boss. So is it true? That she killed herself?" She saw the pictures online before they were taken down. Olivia had some religious paraphernalia in her office. Nothing too extreme, a cross, maybe a candle with the Virgin Mary burning whenever she was stressed. She never judged Beth for her own beliefs.
"We don't know." Jo was distracting Beth while Claire was looking around with a EMF reader. Both of them were looking for anything out of place here. "The day before she died, was she acting weird?"
"Just headaches. This job. It is very difficult. She complained of headaches a lot. It comes with the job." Beth wasn't looking forward to her promotion.
"We heard reports that Olivia was talking about the end of the world." Jo knew that was true. She prayed everyday to God to spare them.
"Armageddon? Yea. She was too busy to talk to most of us, but in her final few days, she talked about her nightmares. Poor woman was stressed out about the Peterson case."
"Excuse me? The Petersons? What do they have to do with Armageddon?" Jo asked. This was new.
"That family is weird. Really weird. You know about the towns close by."
Jo nodded. She saw Claire looking around.
"We had issues with the citizens in that town. But not as much as the Petersons. They are deeply religious. Nothing wrong with that!" Seeing both women's expressions. "Anyways. They used to live over the border in Utah. They said they moved because the town's citizens followed a false god and settled just outside of town. They live on the land. Totally off the grid. No electricity, no technology, no vehicles. They even home schooled their kids." Beth had no opinion on them, but wondered why Olivia was so interested in those people.
"Do you know who would want to hurt Olivia?" Jo was recording their conversation on her cell. Luckily her phone was on silent.
"This is Child Services. We get threats all the time. People are unhappy when families split up."
Jo saw Claire's head shake. Damn. Back to square one.
"Can we see Olivia's case files? It's for insurance purposes." Claire lied. She been in the system, she met a lot of messed up kids. Many of them abused.
"Of course." She hands them a folder.
"Thanks for your time." Both walk out.
"What do you think?" Jo saw Claire's expression.
"Not a witch. I know it." She had a hunch, but needed more proof.
"Back to the motel?" It was time for the next costume change.
An hour later, both were wearing businesslike clothing. Claire had her hair tied up in a tight bun, Jo had hers styled in a straight cut. She needed a trim anyways. Jo was wearing a black suit sans jacket, with a white blouse, and Claire was wearing a casual long sleeved red shirt with a black pencil skirt. They were posing as social workers.
"So Magda died from pneumonia. Her nut job parents said it was God's Will and refused to take her to a doctor." Claire was pissed to hear that. Castiel and Hannah had regular checkups. Plus made Claire see a doctor regularly. Jack couldn't, it was too risky. They always praised modern medicine, heck their Archangel was a healer. Even Heaven had their own doctors. "Poor girl."
"Might as well check them out. No stone left upturned." Jo stops the van. "Ready?"
"Talk about cutting the cord." Jo looked at the broken power pole, wires rusting away.
They walk towards the house and immediately were greeted by Abraham Peterson.
"Hello. How can I help you?" He was a religious man, but he couldn't help but check them out. Both were beautiful women. He immediately squashes his lustful thoughts. He was a faithful married man.
"Hi. We're from Child Protective Services. I'm Kennedy Waters. This is my associate, Veronica Shepherd." Claire smiles charmingly at the blushing man. No matter the male species, there is always that animalistic instinct they can't ignore.
"Ahem. What can I do for you?"
Magda looks outside and sees the two women. One of them she recognized. She lived with three angels. Finally. She was getting saved. The devil can leave her body. Her parents can forgive her. She thanked God.
Once they sit down on the couch, they asked about Olivia.
"We read the papers. Poor woman." Gail crosses her heart. "We liked her. Better than Beth."
"What's wrong with Beth?" Jo liked her. She was nice.
"Nothing. She hated us because of our faith. Olivia was the case worker that came around, she never judged us for our beliefs. She was a Paptist, but at least she believed in God." Gail drinks her drink. Looking at Jo's ring she asked about her marriage.
"He treats me well." Jo missed Dex. looking forward to having a normal life with him.
"And yourself?" Gail asked Claire.
"She died in a train accident." Claire didn't care what these weirdos thought of her.
Both Gail and her husband exchange glances.
"Don't you dare mention God." Claire warned. The couple clamps their mouths shut.
They were interrupted by their son. He looked surprised seeing the two women. He saw his mom's judgmental look. She always said lust was a sin. He whispered in Abraham's ear.
"Ahem. I hate to ask. But I threw out my back. Can one of you help me?" He hated asking for help, especially from outsiders but they needed their farming equipment.
"She'll volunteer." Claire points to Jo.
A figure wearing black was taking pictures with his camera. He knew they were hunters. Joanne was outside, that meant her partner was in the house. He just hoped they fulfilled their duty. He drives away on his motorcycle.
"You don't mind being alone? What if something happens?" Jo asked. She was helping with the wagon. Neither man wanted to ask for help, especially from a woman, but had no choice.
"Pray." Abraham was holding the wheel. Veronica insisted she and Elijah could do the work themselves, but Abraham said sloth was a deadly sin. Even while injured. "On three."
Jo looked around. It was a nice property, but this would be too hard for her to live by. She slept outdoors on occasion as a hunter, she despised that kind of work. At least Dex's parents lived in modern times. They had machines on their farm.
"I know what you are thinking. You weren't the first. A few years ago I was a computer programmer. We lived in the city. I was always stressed out. Long commutes, a stressful environment, an expensive lifestyle. All that commercialism. For what? Stuff. Watching fake people doing fake things, always trying to keep up to our neighbours, drowning in debt. We didn't want that for our kids. That's why we are here. Living like our ancestors." He remembered his children's tears. But they were getting corrupted by society. It was too late to save Magda, but Elijah. He can follow the right path.
Claire was sitting on the couch. She knew Gail didn't trust her, and didn't care. Already she knew she hated her for being who she was. So what?
"Here you go. It's warm, we use a well for our drinking water." They shut off their plumbing years ago as well. She hands Claire a glass of warm lemonade.
"Thank you.'' Claire hated lemonade, but she wanted to be polite. She takes a sip. "It's very good." Not bad.
"We only buy organic." Gail puts down her glass. She saw Claire staring up at her family's portrait.
"Don't be fooled by that picture. That family was awful. Husband was a workaholic. If he wasn't at work, he hit the bottle. Kids were afraid of his temper. They were on several medications because of the stress. The mom was no better. She was pilled up as well. No one was happy. The marriage was falling apart, the children spent most of their time texting, or worse yet, on their social medias. Then one night. Everything changed. A car accident. It was a blessing. God showed her the way." Gail cursed God at first. Then the angel came. She remembered it. "He sent his messager to me. Instructed me what to do. That was ten years ago."
Ten years? Oh oh. Claire knew Gail made a Deal. But did Gail know?
"He saved my life. He fell when the other angels did. Unlike them, he came to me. He promised to save my life."
"What did he ask for?" Claire had a feeling it was for Magda. Sam told her about Azazel.
"He didn't specify. But he said my child is meant for the Final Battle. Elijah. He will be fighting side by side with God." Gail gladly kissed him. It wasn't cheating on her husband, that's how angels made deals. She felt cold when he kissed her, but she survived with her legs attached. Doctors all told her she will never walk again. Her lower pelvis was crushed. They were baffled when she walked out of bed that night. "She was in pain, but she accepted it. Humans, they can't have everything." There was the matter of Magda, but Gail didn't worry about her. Just as long as Elijah was okay.
Claire put down her glass. She disliked the woman in front of her, but felt sorry for her. Then remembering Magda's senseless death, her heart hardened.
"Magda. Was it her fault?" Claire wanted to hit her. Yell at her for making a deal. For hurting her daughter.
"It was God's Will. She wasn't supposed to live. Elijah, on the other hand." She closed her eyes and starts humming 'Amazing Grace.'
Claire wanted to punch her. But she was a professional. They were interrupted by Jo, Abraham and Elijah.
"We have to get back to the office. Thank you for the lemonade." Claire and Jo walk out.
"Well?" Jo asked.
"Demon Deal. Except she doesn't know it." Claire had to get away. "I need to call Cas." She knew he called.
Magda tensed hearing her mother's footsteps. She wasn't worried anymore. Her Deal was due in twenty four hours. She saw the future. Gail was better in Hell than what's coming. She pretended to cry when Gail hit her. She repeated forgiveness. She had to hide her smile.
Jo agreed to go to town. She had to see where Azazel went next. Claire came back to the farm. She had to find out where they buried Magda. Her ghost had to be stopped.
Castiel sighed when Claire called. He said humans were responsible where they went to their final rest. He confirmed Azazel's plans. That he was gathering for his armies. Not for his pathetic war like what happened to Sam and the other psychic children, but for Hell. He and Asmodeus were gathering children for their Academy. He said Elijah Peterson was wanted. Same with his sister. Both were special.
Claire hid inside the barn when she heard voices.
"Shh." She told the horse.
"Elijah. What's wrong?" Abraham and him were getting things ready for tomorrow. The angel that saved Gail's life was coming over for dinner tomorrow. He was collecting on his deal.
"Mom's with Magda again." Elijah sighed.
"You know it's God's Will. The devil is inside Magda." He puts the horse feed inside the stall where Claire was hiding. Thankfully, he didn't see her.
Elijah always obeyed his parents, but he knew Abraham was wrong. Magda is a innocent girl. He knew it deep down. He didn't say anything though. He knew what to do tonight. They both leave the barn.
"Son of a bitch." Claire swore. Magda was alive. "Are you kidding me?" No signal on her cell. "Great." She needed to call Jo.
Jo was talking to Beth in her office. She didn't drink much, but Beth was working late.
"This job sucks." Beth took another shot. "More pain, more headaches. I predict I'll be burnt out in a year. There is a reason why social work has a high turnover."
"Then why stay? You could work somewhere else."
"Then who save the kids? Someone has to do it."
Jo felt bad for Beth. No wonder she turned to the wiccan faith. They focused on positive energy.
"I like your ring. How did he propose? Or she? I don't judge."
Claire was watching from the window. There was Magda. She was repeating religious chants.
"Krav lwaw-thi prok yaw-thi." She cries as she hits her back with that whip. "Hekh ksa-gi-uth Ra-chamawch this-tha-kal lwaw-thi." She sobs as she hits herself again. "W-Al this-tha-lak... a-pawch me-'av-dawch. A-Ni yaw-thi sar-hev a-rum 'yawk Li."
"Again!" Gail orders.
Claire wanted to vomit. She was just a kid. She jumped when her phone rang. She dived away before Gail looked up.
Magda forced herself to keep going. It will be over soon. However, she needed to leave before the devil came. She and Elijah were leaving in a few hours. No way was he using them for his demon army. She repeated the chants. She repeated the whip.
"Hey." Claire crawled away from the window.
"You were right. It is a ghost." There was no other explanation. "I asked about Azazel. He lays low till he makes his deals." Jo called Bobby Singer and Paige.
"You're not wrong. But get this. Magda is alive." She heard the gun cocking, Claire dropped her phone.
"Claire?"
Abraham hits Claire over the head with a board. Claire falls down to the ground, unconscious.
"Shit." Jo didn't drink, she jumped towards the van and drove away.
"Joshua fought the battle of Jericho And the walls came tumbling down." Magda sings. She always sings whenever she was in a good mood. The angel. She was here. "You may talk about your men of Gideon You may talk about your men of.."
Claire had a massive headache. Her eyes were blurry as she saw Magda. It took her a minute to stop seeing stars.
"Magda Peterson?"
"That's not my name. I am the devil." She had to make sure the angel wasn't a illusion.
"You are not. He's dead. Michael killed him."
Magda turns around.
"Yea, the bible gets more wrong than right." Claire had to placate Magda. "Lucifer, he doesn't care. Or didn't care about humans."
"I know." Magda looks at Claire. "Are you an angel? I saw you in my dreams. Your parents. Your real parents. They are in Heaven. You were adopted by two former angels. Your brother, he's the Chosen One."
Jo had to be careful. She had to make sure she wasn't caught by that family. Or Azazel's demons.
"You saw all that?"
"Yes."
"How's my parents?" Claire felt selfish, but she had to ask.
"Jimmy and Amelia are together. They are waiting for you. But not for a long time. As for your foster parents, they are praying for your safety. They miss you."
Claire teared up hearing that. Her parents, her real parents were okay. She smiled hearing about Castiel and Hannah. They loved her too.
"And Jack?"
"I don't know. Forgive me."
"I know Jack. He's fine. He is powerful. He'll be okay." Claire knew it. Their conversation was interrupted by Gail, Abraham and Elijah. Gail was holding keys, Abraham was holding a shotgun, and Elijah was holding Claire's phone.
"Time for supper." Elijah ordered.
Claire was staring at her phone in helplessness. Her hands were tied to the back of the chair. But she wasn't afraid. She felt peaceful. She wondered if Jack was around.
"Gail. You need to let your children go. Live their lives." Claire tried telling Gail. Gail wasn't listening. She was too far gone.
"Who's hungry?" She spent all day making her special stew. She starts serving everyone.
"You look at me with such judgment. That's a sin." Once everyone was served, she orders everyone to join hands.
"What you're doing. God doesn't care." Might as well tell the truth.
"Silence!" Abraham orders. He bows his head, same with everyone else. "Lord. We thank you for these bountiful gifts. May they nourish our body and soul. And look after each one of us, now and until our dying day. Amen."
"Amen." Both children say.
The food smelled good, but Claire heard a voice. The food was not to be eaten.
"Smells heavenly sweetheart." Abraham takes a huge spoonful. "Mmm." He eats his bowl, wondering why it tasted funny. Suddenly he realizes. He prays to God to protect his children, and to forgive Gail. He chokes as he dies from the rat poison.
"Mom?" The truth dawns on Elijah.
"Eat. You are meant for something better. Now Elijah!" She ordered. She didn't care about her husband or herself. As for her daughter and her guest, she'll give them to her master tomorrow.
"Elijah! Don't!" Claire pleads. Elijah was torn.
"Now Elijah!" She stands up. She'll make him go to Heaven with her husband. Then once he eats, she make Magda kill her tomorrow. Suicide was a sin. As for the queer, Hell can deal with her.
Elijah was terrified. He didn't want to eat it, but orders were orders. He takes the spoon to his mouth.
"NO!" Magda uses her powers to throw the plates across the room. She was willing to suffer, but to lose her brother to evil. She won't allow it.
"Devil." Gail was staring at her daughter with hatred. Magda stared at her mother back.
"I'm not the devil. I wasn't the one to make a deal." Magda saw her mother's eyes as the truth dawned on her. Gail picks up her butcher knife.
"So be it. I may have damned myself, but I won't let the devil free to walk among us." She lunges towards Magda.
"No!" Elijah steps in front of his sister.
Gail watches in horror as she stabs her precious child. But when he didn't fall, she looked up. His eyes were glowing white.
Claire watches as the angel possessing Elijah show off his wings. Magda was stunned. Her angel was always around.
Gail saw true divinity right there. She slices her own neck. She wasn't worthy enough.
Claire was watching as the bodies of Abraham and Gail were taken away. Magda was sitting in the ambulance, she was getting taken away for her wounds. As for Elijah/Samandriel, he left. He told Claire he answered Elijah's prayers years ago, and said his grace was completely healed from Alistair. He told Claire to let Jo and Phoebe know he was alright. He was going to train for the upcoming war. He promised Elijah was alright.
"So what now?" Jo was happy to know her old angelic friend was okay. She spent years worrying. She knew Phoebe would be happy.
"I was thinking of California. I have a aunt." She declined to stay at Sacred Meadows. "Another patient would need my spot. I always had faith." She forgave Gail. Despite what she did to her, she was still her mom. Gail was deceived by evil. She prayed for her parents' souls. "My angel was always around. He was protecting us. My brother." She said no to being healed. She wanted to keep her scars. To remind her of hardship, but also the gift of life. She did accept medical treatment though. "Ow!"
"Sorry." The paramedic apologizes.
"What took you so long?" Jo didn't show up till after Abraham and Gail died. Samandriel was gone by then. Claire used her cell to call 911.
"Piece of shit broke down." Jo was swearing at the wheel last night.
"What a surprise." Claire hated huge gas guzzlers. Except her car. She loved Bea. "Should have brought it." They took a bus from Utah, their rented car was still at the garage spot they rented coming here. They took a bus from Utah to Arizona.
"Are you going to call Beth?" Beth gave Jo her number. The alcohol made her confess to Jo that she thought Claire was hot. She was talking to the police, but smiled shyly at Claire when she saw Claire looking at her. Claire waved back with a wink, making Beth blush.
"We're having lunch after this. Don't wait up." She missed Charlie like crazy, but she knew Charlie will want her to move on. She wasn't staying in town tonight, but a fling will do. Besides, she had her car. She could see Beth whenever she was around, her vacation was in two months. Hopefully Beth was still available.
"All right, bathrooms to the right. Soda machines to the left. You have 20 minutes, folks. Then we're off to Cali." The bus driver announces. Magda steps off the bus. She was just released from the hospital, her stay wasn't long. She couldn't wait to return home to Santa Cruz. Her parents should have left her and her brother there when they were younger. She went to go pee.
The figure on the motorcycle saw his target. He lost one, but the other wasn't protected. He took out his gun and silencer. It will be quick.
"Yes sir. The target is dead." He nods at the voice. Ever the loyal employee, he never questioned his orders. "Yes sir." He drives away into the night, he wasn't stupid. His clothes and motorcycle was stolen. He had his other target, but not yet.
NOTES
Sorry about any offensive words or themes for this chapter.