Chapter 12

Sorceress paramour. That's what Sophia had called him. He thought he could guess what it meant but he wanted to be sure. Dean grabbed the large leatherbound book entitled Magical Rituals and Rites from the shelf. He was alone in Jim's library.

Lyra and her father were outside meeting with their Celtic coven. Sophia had resumed her training of Sam after she'd had a 'quiet word' with Dean. Meaning after she'd grilled him privately on his intentions towards her daughter. Clearly he didn't meet her high standards as a potential boyfriend. While Jim had been appreciative of their hunting skills, Sophia seemed to regard them as primitive bumpkins. Barely sophisticated enough to dispatch a phantom attacker. Whatever, Dean thought dismissively.

But he hadn't liked her tone one bit when she'd finished by acknowledging he'd been a good Sorceress Paramour at least.

Flipping the pages of the old book, Dean found the definition finally:

Alchemist paramour, Sorceress paramour: A sexual servant able to further empower a witch or warlock's abilities, sometimes threefold depending on the strength of the attachment and the skills of the paramour. An enabling lover making possible increased skills in a magician through the act of lovemaking especially if the act is carried out within the boundaries of a henge, sacred grove or cemetary.

"Huh," was all Dean said aloud. It was like that was it? Slamming the book shut he placed it back on the shelf.

oo00oo

Dean had been acting strangely all evening. Quiet, withdrawn and restless. Clearly he didn't want to be here. Lyra had tried asking him about it only to be met with cool indifference. It was like he'd completely changed turning into a totally different person. Why? Lyra wondered. What had happened this afternoon?

Watching Sam concentrate on the sword lying in the grass of the lawn, Dean saw the weapon tremble slightly. Sam's eyes narrowed as he focussed, his hand outstretched towards the hilt.

"Use the force, Luke." Dean intoned.

Breaking into laughter, Sam lost his focus. Smiling as he turned to his brother. "This is crazy. Isn't it?"

"Crazy," interrupted Sophia looking crossly at Dean," is attempting to face a demon with no psychic defenses whatsoever."

"Yeah, well I'll leave that to you psychics," replied Dean.

Ignoring him, Sophia strode across the lawn and into the cabin.

"I'm leaving," Dean informed Sam.

"What? Right now?" Sam looked surprised.

"Yeah. All this telekinesis and coven-bonding is starting to weird me out."

"What? I thought you were hanging out with Lyra."

"I just need some time alone. To think, you know?"

"To think?" Sam wasn't sure he was talking to his brother.

"Am I speaking a language you're not getting?" Dean's irritation now surfacing.

"Are you okay, Dean?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. I just need to get out of here for a little while." Taking his keys from his pocket Dean started to walk towards the car.

"Did something happen?" Sam asked following Dean to the car. "With Lyra?"

Dean stopped just short of the car. "Yes. No. Everything's fine Sam. I just need some time away okay?"

"Okay," Sam backed off. "I'll see you later then."

Yanking the car door open Dean looked back at his younger brother. "I'll see you later," he replied getting into the car.

Sam watched as Dean peeled up the drive. Hearing the Impala's tires squawk as they met asphalt at the main road, the engine roared as he sped away. Something was seriously wrong, Sam thought. He hadn't seen Dean that upset in a long time.

oo00oo

The speedometer flirted with 80 miles per hour as the fence posts beside the road began to blur. Dean stared darkly at the road ahead. A sudden movement in the rear view mirror made his foot leave the gas pedal. His focus shifting to the back seat. Was someone back there?

"Are you trying to kill us?" Lyra asked as she sat up in the back seat.

"Jesus. Fuck!"

"Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you."

"You trying to give me a heart attack?" Dean accused as he pulled the car to a stop on the shoulder of the road.

Climbing into the front seat. Lyra was now wearing faded blue jeans and a sleeveless black t-shirt. Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail, blue eyes turned to face him darkened with concern.

"What's wrong, Dean?"

"Nothing. I just wanted some time. Alone."

Unimpressed with his answer Lyra sighed. "It's obvious something is bothering you. I just thought maybe you could tell me about it."

"Nothin' to tell." Dean insisted.

"You're like a wall. Impermeable."

Dean shrugged in response, saying nothing. They sat in tense silence both staring ahead out the windshield at the gathering darkness on the road.

Finally exasperated Lyra blurted, "Fine! I give up. I just thought if something was bothering you maybe I could help."

Heaving the passenger side door open, she stepped out onto the shoulder. Slamming the door shut she started walking back towards the way they'd just come.

"Hey!" Dean shouted getting out of the car to follow her. "Where are you going?"

"Back to the cabin."

"Walking?"

"Looks like."

"Wait. I'll drive you back." Catching up to her Dean grabbed her by the shoulder turning her towards him.

"It's okay. I'll walk."

"But it's getting dark," Dean argued.

"I think I can handle it," Lyra retorted.

Letting her walk away Dean couldn't stop himself calling out. "Oh yeah, with your new increased super powers! I guess you're invincible now."

"What?" Stopping in her tracks, Lyra twirled around to face him.

Dean didn't want to pursue this. It had been a mistake to bait her. He knew that.

"Forget it," he mumbled turning back towards the car.

"No. What did you say?"

Dean flicked the car door handle. Nothing happened. He hadn't locked it but it wouldn't open.

"Please don't fuck around with my car," he warned staring into the Impala's interior.

"Look at me, Dean." Lyra strode up to him.

Sighing Dean turned to face her. Damn it, why did she always look so hot? He wasn't going to fall for it this time.

Reaching up Lyra gently touched his face. "What's wrong?" Crystalline eyes pleading.

Backing away from her touch Dean tried to stay strong. He couldn't look at her, the pain apparent in her face. Looking away, down the road, he sighed deeply.

"I just," Dean began. "I can't do this," his voice hoarse with emotion.

"Do what?" Lyra's voice trembled, close to tears. She was trying to compose herself after he'd pulled away from her touch.

Summoning any residual anger Dean's voice rose, "Be your servant."

"My what?"

"Alchemist paramour. I know what it means, Lyra." Dean gave her a piercing look.

Stepping back Lyra felt like she'd been hit. Reaching out for the car roof for support.

"I mean," Dean continued bitterly. "It's been fun and all. But I think I've had enough. You got what you needed, all fired up for the big night."

"No," Lyra whispered. "It wasn't like that."

"Wasn't it? You always do your boyfriends in the cemetary? Bit of kink for you? Did it increase your powers threefold?"

"But I brought you back to my flat afterwards…" Lyra felt lame.

"We did it nine times in total! I know about the power of three, Lyra." Dean's voice rising angrily. "Did it do it for you?"

"No. I mean," Lyra's voice faltered. Tears spilled down her cheeks. "It may have started that way but…"

Scoffing Dean looked up at the night sky. The stars were just coming out. Venus shone coldly against the navy velvet of the new night. I'm not falling for this, he thought hardening himself to the task.

"Yeah well," Dean yanked the car door open. "This is the way it ends."