Sophia's Chronicles

RECAP: Kevin and Castiel reveal a plan to assemble ingredients for an exorcism plan to take down Lucifer. They need the bone of a sacrificial monk, blood of a powerful mage and a primordial ornament. Castiel suggests the Eye of Khaos as a possible candidate. The first possible location Zara suggests was a distraction so that she and Lucifer could look for the object in the house and hide it. As expected, Castiel suggests the house as another possible location to search for the Eye of Khaos and Raziel agrees. In the Void, Sophia has helped organise the doppelgangers into a force that 'tries' to run the Omniverse, as well as guard themselves from any threat. One of them reports a strange noise which Sophia and Sixty-Six go to investigate. During this trip, they become accidentally trapped in an inescapable room full of creatures that put deities in a 'guilt trip' trance while sucking the life force out of them until they die. The thirty-six hour timepoint is also up, which means that the Void has shifted itself around so they aren't just trapped in a doorless room, but also in a different location of the Void altogether.


Chapter 80: Stories in Storeys

Sophia's House, Illinois – 20 October 2012, 8.02am

"You really weren't kidding when you said this place was huge," Dean slowly turned in a circle, eyes captivated by the vivid splashes of colour around him. "Imagine the rent on this place."

"I stayed for free in the basement," Sam responded, unamused. He simply watched his brother's amazement at the scenery around them. Rows upon rows of plants for as far as the eye could see, only punctuated by the occasional tree, forest or mountain. And of course, the large house. "And trust me, the birds are a real headache. Every morning's a Disney orchestra."

"Yeah I can testify to that," Zara's eyebrows jumped in a cynical agreement. "And don't even get me started on the upkeep."

"This house may well contain the most valuable information in the universe," Castiel despondently studied the towering building along with its ornate scaffolding, which was by now overrun with natural life.

"But so much as move a lamp out of place and Sophia will have your head," Raziel half-joked. "Don't I know from experience…"

"I'm surprised there's no… fire-and-brimstone, booby-trap security here," Kevin voiced. "Not even a Hellhound?"

"I don't know about Hellhounds, but I see Earth's mightiest hero over there," Zara pointed with a nod. The others turned eastward. Sure enough, there was a rustling among the flora. Out from the stalks emerged a brown-coated canine, scattering soil as he dashed straight into her arms. Zara couldn't help but erupt in laughter as Dog ambushed her and scrambled up her torso for hugs. "Good boy, good boy."

Her loving pets and scratches were received with affirmative noises. "Jeez, how long has he been here?" Sam concerned. The younger Winchester too knelt down to pat the hug-starved mutt.

"Too long," Zara sombrely answered. "But the food in the garden is plenty to survive on."

"He can't survive on food alone. What about company? Poor guy must be lonely," Sam wondered.

"Yeah, well, Marmaduke ain't coming with us," Dean stated, to which Sam sighed. Zara and Sam had a similar reaction with that narrow-eyed glare exchanged between them disapproving of Dean's intolerance. "Come on, you can't seriously expect this mutt to last on a hunting trip. He's probably better off here anyway. It's like the Garden of Eden in here."

"Dobermans are really smart, Dean. He could be a good hunter too," Sam reasoned. That didn't seem to work on the elder Winchester.

Zara leant in close to Sam. "I'll get Jack to find him a better home," she whispered. That eased Sam's worry a little though Zara knew that Jack had already been keeping Dog company, from what he'd told her. When she reluctantly parted from Dog, everyone waited for her lead as she marched up the front porch. "Here goes."

She placed both hands firmly on the handles and twisted the knobs.

"Open seasame." With a slow push, the doors opened inwards, allowing the house to inhale. As everyone entered, Zara couldn't help but fixate on all the rubber soles entering the room. This was going to be hard to explain once Sophia returned. The urge to tell them all to take their shoes off was strong but rationality insisted that it would be suspicious and strange to do so. Instead, she pushed the thought to the back of her mind. Give me strength, archangel.

"Cozy," Dean remarked. He picked up a fancy-looking paperweight and hefted it in his palm. He threw it up and caught it in his hand a couple times. The third time, he almost didn't catch it. His other hand was swiftly employed in catching the fragile item. Clearing his throat, he decided he should simply place it back where he found it. His eyes darted around to ensure nobody saw him. He was mostly reassured, save for the honey-brown eyes curiously staring at him from below his waist. Dog's silent gaze seemed to shame him – the tail-wagging suggested he was attentive enough to know. Dean simply gulped and moved away.

"Should we split up?" Cas suggested.

"That would seem appropriate," Raziel agreed. "Though it does bother my conscience that we're resorting to what is essentially home invasion. Sophia is my friend and mentor."

"I'm sorry to break it to ya, Raz, but your friend is kind of evil," Dean nonchalantly commented. "My conscience is clear."

Zara felt a tingle erupt on her back but she just suppressed it. You'll know you're wrong someday, Dean.

"This is our last option," Castiel said in somewhat consoling terms. "We appreciate your help, Raziel."

Moments later, the group of six found themselves evenly distributed across three out of five floors – Dean and Castiel took the first floor, Sam and Kevin explored the study on the second floor and Zara helped Raziel with the third and fourth floors, which contained the armoury and bedrooms respectively. Bedrooms, the thought was amusing to Zara. As if the archangels needed that. These were more aptly described as private chambers with clothes and other personal items, if anything.

Dean picked up a framed photograph from the coffee table. His thumb caressed the bronze frame, curiosity piqued about the archangels in the photo. Sophia with the kid. He knew that, but couldn't help but be reminded of that eerie moment when he'd seen Zara show up with the toddler to the motel. Knowing Sophia had been terrifying. Knowing that much malice had spawned from that being in his friend's body was even more surreal. He set the photograph back down. Dog waited quietly at his feet, giving him an expectant eye contact.

"I can't imagine how someone like her could love you," Dean said, shaking his head. "I guess you'd do whatever she asks. You can't talk back either."

"Are we interrogating the canine?" Castiel asked him from the bookshelf in the corner.

Dean's head bobbed back in evident confusion. "No…?"

"He might have seen something," the angel reasoned.

"Wait, can you actually do that? Like a Dog Whisperer?" Dean asked. "Can you read his mind?"

"Unfortunately, I can't do that. I- I just imagined we'd be asking him some questions," Castiel answered.

"Hmm," Dean was surprised at himself for getting surprised. To think that for a moment that's how they were gonna do things… "It's not a bad idea though. I've always wondered what goes on in their heads."

"As an angel, my ability to read thoughts is limited. But archangels on the other hand… they are better equipped for such things," Castiel stated. "Wait, didn't you mention that Malachiah had a familiar he talked to?"

"Jack? Yeah, he has some kind of a bond with his lizard. And he also talked to that strange little monkey at the motel. You're saying he could help us?" Dean wondered. Perhaps talking to the dog wasn't such a crazy idea after all.

"From what you've told me, it seems like he could have the ability to communicate with animals too. If he can communicate with the lizard and the monkey…" Cas figured. "Perhaps he learnt it from an archangel."

"Doesn't sound like a bad plan. We can always keep it as a last option if we're really running on empty today," Dean agreed. "But for now, let's just do a rough sweep of the place."

Dean wanted to explore some rooms down a hallway adjacent to the kitchen. More shelves and cupboards awaited him. "Dean," Castiel called out his name as he caught up with the Winchester.

"What's that look on your face?" Dean noticed. There was a single wrinkle out of place on the angel's forehead, which Dean knew by now as an expression. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you're worried."

"What if this is a bad idea?" Cas voiced.

"Coming here was your idea," Dean reminded him.

"It seemed like the logical next step. But the more I stand here, the more I contend with the possibility that this is unwise. Sophia doesn't just leave things lying around," he concerned.

"She did leave the angel tablet just 'lying around' in that crypt and we got that, didn't we? Just goes to show you that archangels are so cocky that they think we're that stupid," Dean commented with unbridled snark. "I bet we're gonna find some safe somewhere and the ornament is gonna be inside with like, fancy gardening stuff. I don't know. And besides, that's what we have Zara and Raz here for. If anyone's gonna know where the Eye of Khaos is, it's those two."

"That's what worries me," Castiel rebutted, reducing his voice to a whisper. Dean took notice of that, brows swiftly furrowing.

"What are you saying? That we can't trust them?"

"No, quite the opposite. You know who else has access to this place?" Cas asked.

Dean stared in silent confusion for a moment, before something clicked in his head and he nodded slowly. "Lucifer."

"If something should tip Lucifer off that we've been here, there's no telling as to what he may do," Cas inferred.

"What do you think's gonna tip him off?" The inner corners of Dean's brows curved downwards.

"I-" Cas cut himself with an internal lament, as if he himself could not bring himself to explain the feeling he had. "Lucifer built this house. How could it have been so easy for Zara to get us in here?"

"Right," Dean understood. Now that the angel mentioned it, a disguised paranoia sneaked up his back in the form of a tingle. "You think this is a trap?"

"I don't know. But it doesn't hurt to be careful. He either already knows we're here, or he will soon," Cas guessed. "If anything should happen, now or any other time, I want you to make sure Kevin and Zara are safe. Raziel can get them out of here."

"What about you?" Dean blinked – the way one does when reality and the absurd become one. Castiel's tense pause only gave him a fast pulse. "Cas… you're not gonna do anything stupid, are you?"

"I'd have to find a way to hold him off," Cas said. "It's the only way."

"No… no. It's not the only way. If something happens, we'll deal with it our way. The one where all of us make it home alive," Dean stated factually. "And where's all this coming from? Why're you talking like that?"

"I'm just being practical, Dean," Cas defended.

"No, you're being ridiculous," Dean berated. "Cas, what's this actually about? What, you think you have to compensate for something?"

"This is the Devil that we're talking about," Cas insisted. "The same one who didn't hesitate to clear out a whole town just to summon a Horseman. And I couldn't help you because he'd trapped me. This time's going to be different. It's the least I could do, after everything I've…"

"After everything you've done?" Dean completed his sentence. "So you are compensating. Just admit it."

Castiel's lips formed a thin, straight line. "Yes."

"Why?"

Cas collected his thoughts before his breath. "I've been… thinking about this a lot as of late. The world could have been in a much worse state. My… greed and blindness in the past could have cost us everything. I blew my second chance at life but God gave me a third," he pensively elaborated. "How many people does God give third chances to? I've always wondered what it meant. Maybe it's a loan. Something I'll have to pay back when the right time comes."

"Cas…" Dean stroked his stubble in thought. "Who knows what God really wants? That's the thing, if He wanted something, He'd make the message clear. Not like a- like a riddle wrapped in an enigma wrapped in a trenchcoat, you know? For all we know, He brought you back to life so you could live, not die again."

"Perhaps. But all I know is that the angels are divided and some… are sceptical of my return. I can't help but think they're justified. I haven't done anything to earn their trust again since I've been back," Cas sighed.

"Are you kidding? You're actually here, on earth, helping people… helping us. Isn't that what you said angels are supposed to do? Watch over humanity? Those people you're trying to impress – they're still sitting on their fancy clouds or whatever while you're here, getting down and dirty to do what you were meant to do," Dean ranted. "You've done so much more good than them."

"I've also done so much more bad than them," Cas hopelessly mumbled. When he saw Dean's tired expression, he realised that relenting was necessary. "I do see your point. I will… keep that in mind. But I do think we should be wary of this place."

"We will," Dean vowed. "And if trouble strikes, I'll make sure everyone gets home. And that includes you."

Upstairs, in the study, Sam found himself immediately distracted by the sight of rows and rows of shelves, all containing books. Most of the titles carved onto the spines of the books were in Enochian. He sighed, lungs depressing at the sight of all the information he wouldn't be able to consume because he couldn't read Enochian – not without the time-consuming aid of a dictionary anyway. Meanwhile, Kevin ventured into a little open space at the far end of the study. That was where the tables and cabinets were, drowned in the light coming in through windows. He searched a table to look for clues as to where the Eye of Khaos was.

When Sam finally returned his attention to the prophet, he immediately noticed the lines of concentration on the kid's forehead. The prophet wore a loose fitting jacket over his normal attire, which was one t-shirt out of two that he owned and sweatpants. His hair was in thick clumps and in need of a wash, as well as a comb. Sam felt a stew of sentiment bubbling in his chest, to see the kid the way he was. Kevin was a smart one for sure. He was only nineteen. Nineteen-year olds should be partying, going to college, getting hangovers, Sam thought. A sense of protectiveness enveloped him like a shield, strengthening his resolve to keep an eye on things.

"How's it goin?" Sam approached conversation. He busied himself with a drawer at the other end of the table that Kevin was searching.

"Slow. I mean, I'm not even sure what I'm looking for. It's not like there's an instruction manual for going through someone's things," Kevin shrugged. He took a step back and placed his hands on his hips as he stared blankly at the table. "She said it looked like a white stone with a black centre, but the real question is: where the hell would someone keep that kinda thing?"

"I meant with you. How's it goin with you," Sam clarified.

"Oh," Kevin actually looked at Sam this time, his irises acknowledging another person for the first time in a while. "Well I'm… alright."

"Are you really? When was the last time you slept for at least six hours? Or ate something that wasn't made in a factory?" Sam pressed.

"Pft," Kevin huffed. "Let's be real, Sam."

"I am," Sam insisted. "Are you taking care of yourself?"

The kid let out an amused exhale, blinking to replenish his sun-dried eyes. "I'm alive, aren't I? That's enough for me," he said.

Sam nodded passively. "I know how it is. I know that you're doing all you can to help. But you need to take a break every once in a while," he advised. "We're worried about you, kid. Hey, maybe we should all catch a movie. How 'bout The Avengers? It's been out a while and none of us have seen it."

"Sam," Kevin paused. "There's really no need for this." Sam was about to insist, but he continued, "I know you mean well, but I need to stay focused. I don't want any distractions."

"It's just… you're human too. Of course the job's important, but you're not gonna be able to do it if you don't look after yourself first," Sam explained, concern contorting his hazel eyes.

"I can't afford to do that right now," Kevin stated. Something about the way his eyes darted away told Sam that maybe there was something deeper to his resistance. More than just his highly strenuous work ethic.

"Hey, you know you can talk to me, right?" Sam said. For once, Kevin's baggy eyes drooped ever so slightly at the corners, like he was finally letting himself feel something. "If there's something you need, if there's… something bothering you, you should tell me."

"I don't know," Kevin rubbed his elbow. "It's just that I… I haven't seen my mom in over a year. I'm just worried about her. I mean, the angels probably have it in for me after Raziel broke me out. What if they hurt her? What if she's in trouble?"

"Raziel would never let anything happen to her. As far as angels go, he's one of the best. Whatever the situation with your mom is, I'm sure he's working on it," Sam reassured him with a hand placed on his shoulder. "It's okay to be worried. I totally get it."

"I- I miss her," he stuttered. Sam squeezed his shoulder. "I feel like all this waiting and worrying has to mean something. I need something to show for it. I'm the prophet. I need… to do my job. To finish what I started. I won't be able to rest until then. It's what my mom would want."

"Your mom would want you to be healthy and preferably not die of a stroke at nineteen," Sam said with a no-nonsense tone. "Is this the shape you want her to see you in? Kevin…" It seemed silly that he had to explain this at all. So much so that he sighed almost in amusement. "You can do exactly what you said and take care of yourself. All I'm saying is, you could have a clearer head if you… drank more water. Ate some vegetables. Showered at least once a day. And you know what, I am gonna get us that Avengers movie and you're gonna watch it with us. Then you can go back to being the prophet."

Kevin's chapped lips formed a thin curve. "Fine," he relented. "I guess I could freshen my eyes a bit before looking at the tablet again."

"Good. Oh and Zara's going to town later to buy you some clothes," Sam informed him.

"Oh come on…"

"You better tell her quick if you have any preferences," he added, a satisfied smile brightening his face.

"You really don't have to do this," Kevin shook his head. He let up and shared Sam's contentment. "But I guess if your girlfriend wants to do something, you can't really stop her, right?"

"What? Uh, I guess so," Sam chuckled.

"It's good… it's good that you have someone," he muttered. Then he let out a short chuckle. "I'm glad she makes you happy."

The fourth floor was the best lit in the whole house, apart from the roof itself. The large balcony in the main bedroom allowed a generous amount of light to flood the whole floor, seeking escape through the bedroom door to the hallway. Zara had spent no more than fifteen minutes in the armoury on the third floor, doing basically nothing but staring out the window, before heading up to the fourth floor. There, her hand paused near a door right opposite Sophia's room. A door that hadn't been opened in a long time.

Her hand was shaking like a leaf near the knob. But it gave her strength to know that she was now in control, not her fear or trauma. She nudged the door open. The room was mostly empty, save for a single crib in the centre. Unable to help herself, she lugged the heavy curtains back, pushed open the balcony doors and let life flow into the room. With the natural light, the settled dust became more apparent. It was interesting to her that neither Lucifer nor Jack had chosen to enter this room, especially Jack who'd apparently been the most frequent visitor here in the last two years. The fact didn't surprise her though. For an empty room, it was full of baggage.

She stood over the crib, tracing its wooden finish as she absorbed the nostalgic aura it radiated. It was the only comfort left in the world.

"I can't imagine the things you've been through," Raziel's voice snapped her out of her thoughts. To that, Zara maintained an emotionless receptiveness in her smile.

"It's good that you don't have to," she simply answered.

"We were looking for you," he admitted, approaching the emotionless sphere surrounding the crib. "But by the time we found you, the British Men of Letters beat us to it. And by the time we found them, Lucifer had found you."

"Funny, isn't it? I spent a long time hating the Men of Letters, and now I'm living with two of them," she huffed sardonically. Her eyes met his eyes with nothing but emptiness in them.

"But Sam and Dean have no idea what their titles mean," Raziel considered. "They've no clue that the British sector exist, nor what they did to you."

"And they should never," she hoped. She'd replied almost immediately, but let some realisation of what Raziel meant sink in. He was reciprocally patient. "I'm sure the boys would hate them too. The British Men of Letters are nothing but a bunch of entitled snobs."

A mirthless laugh beset her lips. The angel felt for her. "I… came upon the details," Raziel rather cordially held one palm over the other, contrasting to the tenderness of his voice. "I'm very sorry that you had to endure that."

Zara's grip on the crib tightened. Her gaze strayed along the floor. "Why haven't you told the others?"

"Because I wanted to hear from you first," he reasoned. "If I'd gone to Castiel, told him what I knew – that Lucifer rescued you, that you were at the forefront of many of his recent activities, that you were seen all over the world helping Lucifer stake his new empire… I don't think he'd let you in a ten-foot radius near the Winchesters. Of course, they'd see you as a traitor and put a gun to your head. You'd be dead, or if Lucifer trained you as well as I think he has, you'd have taken off. And then I'd have no way of contacting you out of his sights."

"Smart," Zara remarked, both eyebrows jumping once. "What do you want?"

"I want to know what Lucifer's plan is," Raziel firmly stated. "Why is he stirring trouble in the Underground and what does he mean to use the Winchesters for?"

"Hm. That's heavy," she flatly said with a reluctant hiss. "What makes you think I'd want to tell you any of that?"

Raziel studied her sardonic expression. There was a dark confidence about her – one that she clearly never bragged about having. She'd kept it well-hidden, he realised, under the mask of a normal, empathic girl that no one could really suspect. But the moment she was alone, it came out. The hawk-like focus in her eyes, the cold, unspeaking lips and tensing of the muscles in the right areas that would allow her to react quickly to any threats. "Because I could very easily blow your cover."

"But then you couldn't talk to me. Isn't that what you said?" she challenged. "And it wouldn't be fair to Sophia, would it? After all, your friend wanted me safe."

"And I intend to carry out her wishes," Raziel calmly rebutted. "We're on the same side here, don't you see?"

"Are we?" she questioned, forehead tensing. "Because the way I see it, you're buddying up with God's densest angel who, if you forgot, is trying to kill the guy who 'rescued' me. The guy who your friend loves. We're on opposite teams, pal."

"I don't want to be your enemy, Zara."

"Good for you." She shifted her balance from one leg to another, adjusting her angle towards him.

"We both care about what Sophia wants," he asserted while matching her angle just to remain directly in front of her. "Lucifer may have indoctrinated you with his words, but I suspect your bond with Sophia is much stronger than anything he could ever do to you. After all, the both of you shared a body."

Zara cynically narrowed her eyes at him. "And you working with Castiel? The angel who betrayed her after she spent months trying to give him what he wanted? What would she say about that?"

"She, of all people, knew how blurred the lines of good and evil are. She knew that the goal of doing good was more important than labelling people as good or evil," he pointed out. That somewhat eased Zara's defensiveness. "And we both know that Lucifer isn't quite the same."

"That's an understatement," she agreed.

"I've seen so much in the last few months. It really makes me worry for the fate of this world," he divulged. He knew he was starting to lose her when her eyes fell dead. "I consider it an imperative to keep the world safe."

"Well you're talking to wrong person about that," she mumbled.

"I don't think so. Listen to me, Zara. I think you know that Lucifer's actions are already reaping their consequences. And when they finally catch up to him, no one's going to come out alive," he solemnly cautioned. Zara cursed the way he looked at her, with an authentic discomposure that she refused to believe could ever be real. "I'm just asking you to help me prevent things from reaching that point."

Zara adjusted her shoulders as she crossed her arms. "I won't do anything to betray him," she simply said.

Raziel took a quick inhale. "This isn't about your loyalty to him," he said, beginning to feel the weight of impatience. "Can't you see there's so much at stake? There's going to be some serious damage if things keep up this way."

"You talk like Lucifer should care about this frail little planet. He never has and never will," she stood her ground. "This world will fall to its feet before him and if it doesn't, it will fall into ruin. But that second part may not happen because this time, he has mercy. This time, he'll let humanity live. Because he's in charge now."

"Don't be foolish. No one's going to just let him take control," he quipped. "The resistance is already forming. This only ends in confrontation. And when that happens, no one wins."

"Then help us make sure that doesn't happen," she blinked rapidly, almost in a condescending snap. "You wanna save the world? Help us get rid of the competition. That way the transition will be peaceful."

Raziel let out a huff of disbelief. "I'm not here to play favourites or take sides. I'm just asking for a small favour. A professional courtesy, if you will," he proposed. "When Lucifer plans to do something massive, say, something that possibly threatens many innocent people – and I'm sure he will – you give me a fair warning. To make the odds fair."

Zara rolled her eyes, "Or what? You'll tell the others about me? Again, you set this up to be bad for you."

"Maybe. But I do think it's worse for you."

"Go ahead. Do it," she leaned in close to him and challenged with a very firm tone. Raziel would be lying to himself if he thought that it didn't vex him, but he tried his best to keep his cool. The dense pause between them amplified her provocation. He grabbed her by the wrist and held it up as an equally threatening gesture. She didn't resist. "I guess you don't want the repository."

It was at this point Raziel froze, forced to listen. "You told Castiel you didn't know anything about it," he recalled.

"Why would I tell him the truth? Especially when it came to something like this?" she explained. "Sophia's repository. Full of information that could potentially end or save the universe. Information that is possibly useful to you."

"Fair point," he conceded. He loosened his grip. Her wrist returned to her side. "Where is it?"

"Nuh-uh, not so fast," she taunted. "I want a deal."

"Of course you do," he grumbled.

"You keep whatever gossip you heard about Lucifer and me to yourself. You stay out of our way. And in return, once Lucifer emerges successful, I will give you full access to the repository," she suggested.

"That's ridiculous. Who's to define when 'Lucifer emerges successful'?" Raziel argued.

"Oh, you'll know. When the morning star burns red in the sky," she said, voice smoky as she imagined how much that image would invigorate her. "The day will come soon."

"Still seems like an asymmetrical deal."

"Does it? Considering what I'm giving in return, some really juicy stuff. You should see it," her serpentine drawl made his spine tingle. "I haven't asked enough of you, if you ask me."

"And how do I know this information hasn't already been used for Lucifer's purposes?" he folded his arms defiantly.

"Just ask yourself this: WWSD. What would Sophia do?" she put forth. "It's what I ask myself all the time."

"She'd help him, but keep the really pertinent stuff to herself," he answered.

"Exactly." As much as the air was tense between them, Zara felt it was nice to hear her own thoughts from someone else. "So do we have a deal?"

"I don't like it," he stated. "But yes."

"Great."

"Zara," he said, tone lowering to be more serious. "We just wanted to protect you. You don't have to go down this path. If you ever needed to… escape Lucifer, pray to me."

She held eye contact, her dark-lined eyes betraying a sudden softness. "Sophia wanted me to be at his side. It was the last thing she told me before she left."

The wrinkles at the corner of his eyes smoothened. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but she seemed a little out of it that day. I can't help but think she'd misjudged the way things would turn out."

"Hm." Zara didn't express disagreement. "I already have someone I trust for 'protection'."

"Yes, this Malachiah that Castiel mentioned," he remembered. "He asked me if I knew who this angel was."

"And what did you tell him?"

"That I would get back to him about it," he stated. "I didn't want to alarm him. Yet."

Zara perked up at that. "Why?"

Now there was something genuine on her face. Curiosity, but also, alarm. And here he'd thought this Malachiah was another one of her fictions. Raziel wondered how he should phrase it. "There's no angel named Malachiah. I checked Heaven's records."

Her mind went blank. What did this all mean?

"Malachi, yes I do know one, but no Malachiah. But I doubt we're thinking of the same people," Raziel mentioned. Judging by her expression, he understood that more discussion was necessary. "I thought he might have been someone you concocted, as part of Lucifer's plan. I wanted to ask you first."

"No, that's not it at all," she admitted. Her irises darted slowly as her mind struggled to find explanations to latch on to. "Jack showing up was completely unexpected. I was hoping you'd have some answer as to who he is. Or was, back in Heaven."

"Unfortunately, I've no clue. The only explanation I can think of, based on what Castiel has told me, is that he served some momentous role that required secrecy. This must have involved orders from high up in the chain. Maybe an archangel had ordered it, or even God," he hypothesised. "Who knows when he was even created? But whatever the story is, we can't know what to make of it. If he's good or bad, dangerous or harmless…"

"Those are false dichotomies anyway," she huffed.

"Anyway," he paused briefly. "You trust him?"

"With my life," she asserted, confidently looking him in the eye. It was convincing. "Just tell Cas what you just told me. Except for the moral ambiguity part. We don't need that conversation."

"Right…"

A natural pause came between them as they contemplated what else needed to be said and done.

"The Eye of Khaos isn't here, is it?" Raziel guessed.

"Nope," she confirmed.

"So this was all a huge waste of time."

"Yep."