Chapter Sixteen:
Count Azazel had hurried to turn off The Machine, hoping to salvage what was left of his subject, but it was no use.
Prince Chuck smiled with satisfaction. Castiel lay dead upon the table.
"Wait, what?" interrupted Jack.
The young boy was sitting up straight in his bed, watery eyes focused only on his father. "That can't be right, Dad. It's a dream again, isn't it?"
His dad looked at him with tenderness and concern. He placed a hand on Jack's shoulder. "I'm sorry, Jack. I didn't mean to get you all worked up over this story. I didn't think –"
Jack bit his trembling lip. He felt like a crybaby, but this hurt. Fictional or not. He liked Cas, and he didn't want Dean to be alone again, and how could it possibly end like that? Jack was very aware of his father watching him, so he hurriedly shoved a hand against his eyes to dry them. "I'm fine," he said gruffly. "But what's going to happen to Dean? Is he able to kill Chuck? Or maybe Sam the Giant does? Someone has to get Chuck!"
"Jack, I could tell you, but would you rather I continue reading?"
The boy closed his eyes. He looked even younger than ten and felt younger too. "It's not fair," he said.
"Life usually isn't, kiddo," his father replied, ruffling Jack's hair. "And it's okay if you want to stop, alright? I don't mind."
"No! I want to hear it, Dad. I need to!"
"Okay, Jack."
And so, his father started to read again, though his eyes flicked apprehensively from his son to the page, making sure his boy was okay.
Count Azazel was rather annoyed. "Well, so much for that," he said, starting to remove the restraints from the fomer angel's body.
"What's done is done," said Chuck. "It's a good enough ending for him."
He departed, and Count Azazel turned to Kevin. "Dispose of the body," he commanded, before he too left the dungeon in an angry huff.
Kevin had had to close his eyes and ears when Castiel died, and yet he was still sure that it would haunt him until his own dying day. Now, though, he was slightly more relaxed if only because he was alone. He had the unsavory task of building a funeral pyre ahead of him, but at least it would be a distraction.
And still, the familiarity of the name Castiel was really starting to bother him. Where had he heard it before?
Kevin went to grab the wheelbarrow from outside the secret entrance to the dungeon. The building was camouflaged behind a glamour of trees of the forest, but the spell had been fading as a of late. Soon enough they would need another witch to recast the glamour, but Prince Chuck didn't seem to be in any hurry to find one. Anyone who strayed this far rarely lived to tell the tale, anyway.
The spell was especially glitchy when people exited or entered, Had he been in his right mind, he probably would have been more cautious when stepping out the door, but as it was, he was not. He stepped out right into the path of a giant and a vampire, the 'scenery' behind him flickering to expose the truth of the building for all to see.
"Oh, crap," said Kevin, just as the giant grabbed him by the scruff of his shirt.
"We're here for The Man in Black," he said. "If you don't want trouble, you will lead us to him."
At that, the vampire took a moment to show off his fangs in an intimidating snarl.
He needn't have bothered, Kevin had absolutely no intention of tangling with even the giant, let alone a bloodthirsty vamp.
"Okay," Kevin agreed with a nod.
The giant released him, though he kept his hand close to the sword at his side. Kevin turned around and opened the dungeon door, which was still glitching in and out of phase. "I have to warn you though," said Kevin. "Castiel – The Man in Black – is dead."
Sam swore under his breath. The truth of it quickly became clear as they descended the steps to the table with Castiel's body. Sam checked his pulse, he checked for breath, for any sign of life. There was nothing.
The sinking feeling was back. "The Prince killed him?" Sam asked quietly.
"Yes," Kevin answered.
The vampire gave him a sad look. "I'm sorry, Sam. We will find another way."
"No, Benny. I need him. It's not going to end this way."
"He's dead."
"I know, I know!" Sam was pacing now, fists clenched. He turned suddenly on his heel, staring right at Kevin. "Who put the glamour on this building? Certain magic may be able to save a man from death. What we need is a witch, a powerful one."
Benny jumped in before Kevin could answer. "I hate to say it, Sam, but that spell-work seems kind of shoddy to me. Not sure the person who cast it should be playing with life and death."
Kevin shook his head. "The witch is powerful. The only thing wrong with the spell is that it's supposed to be temporary and recast every so often. It's held this much for years longer than normal because of how strong she is."
"Tell me who she is and where I can find her. Now."
Once again, Kevin found no will to disobey the giant, who looked almost unhinged with urgency. "It's the Queen's old Remedy Woman," he said. "She lives in a crappy little shack not far from here. If you follow the river to the east, you'll end up right at it."
The fire in Sam's eyes burned hot and then turned into a beaming grin. The difference it made to his face was remarkable; he now looked more like an overgrown puppy. Without warning, he threw his arms around Kevin in a bone-crushing hug.
Benny laughed as Kevin tried to squirm out of it.
"Take it easy, brother," said the vampire, and Sam relinquished his hold on the startled Kevin.
"Thank you," said Sam sincerely. "Thank you so much. If this works out, I owe you one. Actually, even if it doesn't, alright? What's your name, anyway?"
Kevin stood straight and proud. Something about these two gave him confidence, gave him hope. "Kevin Tran. My name is Kevin Tran."
"I owe you, Kevin Tran."
With that, Sam lifted Castiel's body up from the table using his powerful arms. "We're going to take the wheelbarrow outside, if you don't mind."
Kevin shrugged. "Go ahead."
Sam and Benny nodded their goodbyes, and Sam once more said, "We will repay you, Kevin. When I have finished my business, I will return here and you can count on me for whatever you need."
Count Azazel dead would be nice, thought Kevin, but he didn't say it. He almost wanted to join them, but he was sure their mission would be dangerous, and he didn't know if he was quite ready for that. But maybe someday. With no more delay than that, the two left the dungeon, carrying the body of Castiel with them.
Castiel.
Castiel.
Again, there was the stirring of recognition.
On a hunch, Kevin walked over to one of the cabinets that was pressed up against the back wall. Unlike the others that held various torture devices, this cabinet was special. It held the angel grace that they sometimes used to heal captives for prolonged sessions.
Kevin unlocked the cabinet and opened the door. Inside, there were vials upon vials of angel grace. The grace itself shimmered blue, looking somewhere between liquid and gas, intangible and bright. The specimens were from many a fallen or deceased angel, collected over time by The Prince and The Count. Each was labeled with a name.
Kevin scanned through them. He'd never given much thought to these lost angels, but now he did. He wondered about the stories of each angel – what had caused their fall? What heroics or despicable deeds had they performed? What tragedies had befallen them before their own demise?
It didn't take long before Kevin found it. Near the back, on the third highest shelf, stood a vial. It was full to the brim with effervescent, swirling grace. It had never been diluted or used for healing, at least not yet. Written in small cursive letters: Castiel.
Kevin felt a jolt in his gut. He had assumed The Man in Black to be human and hadn't dreamed he was one of the fallen angels whose grace was stored right in this very dungeon.
Kevin picked up the vial. It was warm to the touch and his head spun a little as a powerful sensation washed over him. It wasn't unusual for grace to affect humans at close range, but none of the ones that Kevin had ever handled gave off a feeling as strong as this. He looked around the dungeon to ensure he was alone, and then, without knowing exactly why or what he planned to do next, Kevin slipped the vial of Castiel's grace into his pocket.