5

A discovery of witches

Castiel wasn't used to curse, but when Rowena interrupted them, a very ugly expression almost abandoned his lips. What he was feeling was... new, and exciting! He had met true happiness when he confessed his love to Dean, but it didn't seem the same. This was... different.

Dean was different too. Or, at least, he believed he was.

Sometimes, even though of his vast experience in the human world, it was difficult for him to judge human behavior. Especially, Dean's. Because Castiel would have never believed, or even dared to wish, that Dean Winchester could look at him with something likely to desire.

Was he going crazy?

The world was going insane for moments, actually.

"Have I interrupted something, boys?" Rowena asked, elegantly raising a red eyebrow. Castiel would say she was enjoying something, maybe she was mocking at them. She sat down on a chair, still observing them, while Dean ran a hand through his neck. "I can leave you alone if you need to talk."

"It isn't necessary." Dean took a sit in front of her, so Castiel decided to stay in his place, while he was remembering what Rowena had just told them. "We actually know about your Hellhound. It may have been ran over a little bit... by me."

"Excuse me?"

"That thing was trying to kill us. And we're not talking about a cute puppy." The irony in Dean's voice faded a little and Castiel knew the reason: he was thinking about his dog, Miracle. "However, the important thing is: how the hell has it happened? You're the queen of Hell and a powerful witch, it shouldn't be possible."

"Oh, dear, in our world there isn't such a thing."

Castiel started to think, just then, that could be true. He wouldn't have said before that Dean Winchester could stare at him how he had done a few minutes ago.

"Rowena, do you know what happened exactly?" Castiel asked.

"Someone summoned the Hellhound."

"So, we're talking about witches, right?" Dean frowned, he had never like witches.

"If I am right, which I am not completely sure, we are talking about very specific witches." Rowena was tapping her fingers against the table, thoughtful. Her eyes seemed to be far away from the bunker. "I didn't know they were real. The few times I've heard about them, they were just a bedtime story, a warning to bold witches like me."

Castile exchanged a gaze with Dean, who panted with an impatient grimace.

"Could you be more specific?"

"The Cúig Cúnant."

"Is that even a thing?" Dean frowned again, confused.

"It's Gaelic for The Five Coven," Castiel explained. "It sounds familiar to me... Oh– It isn't good." The angel sat down, next to Dean, while he was scratching one of his eyebrows. "A few centuries ago, I think in the Middle Ages, an antique Irish coven tried to perform a very dangerous ritual. It should have been really dark because Michael in the flesh went to Earth in order to destroy them."

"My mother once told me the story," Rowena said, tense. "The Five Coven was integrated by Celtics, true Celtics. Their beliefs had survived several conquests: Rome, Vikings, Christianity... Their magic, their culture, everything was pure and antique."

"Let me guess," Dean smiled a little bit. It seemed he was having fun. "They hatred God and Christians because they had destroyed their way of life and wanted to end his realm. So, I guess, that old ritual was the summoning of some Celtic god."

"You shouldn't be so happy, Dean."

"Come one, Cas! We have faced little gods before, we can deal with that."

"You're not getting it," Rowena shook her head. "It isn't as simple as facing Kali or Cronus, Dean. They're not from this world, so they weren't created by God of people' believes. They are natural forces, powerful forces, who can compete with our old God."

Castiel could see the huge surprise in Dean's eyes, so he cleared his throat.

"Rowena is right, I'm afraid. The Tuatha Dé Danann are quite dangerous because they are exceptionally powerful and their power doesn't obey any law in this world. That's why God sent all that invasions to the Celtics in order to establish Christianism. He wanted to end with the Tuatha Dé Danann' magic because they were a threat to him."

"Wonderful," Dean muttered, while he crossed his arms. "So, if someone succeeds in bringing one of that Tuatha Whatever, we are going to be fucked. It will be as the arrival of Cthulhu."

"Who?" Castiel frowned.

"It's a literary monster, my dear," Rowena smiled. "And not the most terrifying, actually. But, beyond the social gathering, yes. Dean is right. It will be another Apocalipsis and this one won't follow the rules. The fairies are tricky and wicked. They aren't as the monster you usually face."

"Wait! Fairies?" Dean asked with an unexpected fear darkening his face. "Once I was beaten by Naked Tinkerbell... It wasn't funny. Actually, they kidnapped me in a crow coop, but I have never remembered where they took me."

"Probably to his dimension," Rowena ruled.

Dean had a chill, which made Castiel feel tenderness. Nevertheless, they had a very important issue in their hands, so he had to change the curse of the talk.

"I guess that, somehow, Samantha is important for that ritual. We should discover why in addition to locate Dean and his wife." Castiel inclined his head, knowing that his next words weren't going to be liked by Dean. "We need to fly to Ireland. It's the best place to find any information."

"Yes– Wait! Fly? In a plane? Are you kidding?"

"Uh, flying in a plane. Madness!" Rowena laughed with irony. "How do you want to fly, dear? Do you want some wings?"

"That's the point. I don't want to fly. Why do you think I go everywhere in a damn car, Rowena? Flying is for birds or the Wizard of Oz's monkeys!" Dean was absolutely nervous, so Castiel wasn't caught by surprise when he turned to him, all imploring eyes. "Cas, can you take us there with your powers?"

"I'm afraid they could feel our arrival."

"Fuck."

"I can't believe Dean Winchester, the Sword of Michael, the one who faced God himself, is scared of flying." Rowena was enjoying the situation so much that she even ignored a murderous look from Dean. "We're all humans after all... Well, but for our beloved angel." The woman shook her head. "Ok, then, you two are going to fly to Ireland and I will take little Samantha with me. She will be safe and sound in Hell."

"No!"

It could have been Dean the one who refused, but he didn't have the opportunity, because Samantha was at the door, quite serious. The little girl got near them, squeezing her lips in a grimace which remembered too much of Dean's stubbornness. Well, they were family and in that moment it was more obvious than ever.

"I'm not going to be left behind."

"You're just a kid and you are going to do what we tell you to do. Period." Dean stood up, tired but determined.

"You aren't my father and you can't boss me around."

"I'm not bossing, I'm saving you. I'm sorry. Rowena, take her to Hell."

"I've said no!"

It happened so fast that no one could react. Samantha's rage was so intense that, suddenly, it took physical shape. A very powerful wave of magic born in the child and, in just a second, expanded until it hit them. As Castiel as Dean were brutally shoved, so they collided against the walls. The angel, sprawled on the floor, raised his gaze in order to check that Dean was fine. Dean seemed completely in shock, but he managed to ask.

"Are you ok, Cas?"

"Yes."

"Why don't you seem surprised with my grand... whatever being the Baby Yoda of magic?" Dean stood up, frowning.

"I've been thinking that Samantha could have an enormous power for all our talk," Castiel answered, looking at Dean carefully. He was afraid of what could happen after that discovery. The last time a Winchester had some power, it had been hard and terrible because it almost separate the brothers. Castiel knew that Dean didn't trust in magic and maybe he could frighten Samantha with his reaction.

"Did I...?" The child went pale.

"Don't you worry, my dear, it's something normal." Rowena approached the little girl, smiling calmly. "When we don't know we have magic inside and we lose control of our emotions, magic just... goes free. But you can control it. I can teach you."

Samantha stared at her, thoughtfully.

"Can you?"

"I'm the best witch. Of course I can."

"She is also modest," Dean said ironically.

"Ok... but first I will go with them. It's my parents we're talking about. I'm not going to stay in Hell nursery when I'm more useful than him." Samantha pointed at Dean. "I don't want to hurt you, but magic is better than a simple gun."

"She is Sam's granddaughter. No doubts." Dean hissed.

Castiel, once again, recognized the look on their faces, so he decided to take charge of the situation.

"Can we talk in private?" Castiel asked to the man, walking to him. Before any Winchester could refuse, he grabbed Dean's arm and lead him out of the chamber. They went to Dean's old room, where he closed the door. "I know what you are thinking–"

"Oh, you do?"

"Don't be mad at me. I've supported your idea. I still do. But, Dean, we can't force Samantha to do something she doesn't want to."

"She is a kid and she is in danger!"

"How did that work for your father and Sam?" Castiel didn't want to say that, it was a low blow, but he needed to make Dean react once and for all. He didn't like seeing pain in his gaze, although he continued. "Kids have will, Dean. And we don't know her, so if we act like that, she will hate us. And Samantha has to trust in us, Dean. It's the only way we can really help her."

"I don't like magic."

"I know. And I also know that magic brings you bad memories." Castiel set a hand in Dean's should, trying to find his gaze. "I can't promise you everything is going to be fine, you know that, but I think that together we can save your brother's family."

"I can't fail Sam too, Cas."

"Please, Dean, for God's sake! Forget that. You have never disappointed me."

"You are too good for this world."

"That's because I'm an angel."

"Oh, no. The correct sentence would be: that's DESPITE you being an angel. Remember that your brothers are a gang of douchebags." Dean's words put a luminous grimace on Castiel's lips. Then, Dean took a deep breath. "I guess you're right with the kid. I don't like it, but... Yeah, marine discipline didn't work so well with Sam." Another sigh. "Do you think these damn witches are holding her parents as hostages?"

"It's probable... If witches want them to force Samantha somehow–"

"But?"

"This kind of things is based on bloodlines. Maybe they don't know if Samantha is the best choice or her mother is. We don't even know the ritual, so... maybe... She has been killed. I don't like it either, although it's a possibility."

"I hate witches."

"I do know," Castiel smiled.

"Ok, fine. Let's go to Ireland." Dean didn't seem excited about that. "You know. The last time I took a plane was because of Crowley. And, now, Rowena is sending us there. That family really enjoys seeing me suffering."

"Don't you worry; I will take care of you."

Dean gave him a huge grimace, one of the rare ones, the most honest. Something was changing between them and even Castiel was able to see it.

"Thank you, Cas."

Hello again! This is the result of me trying to write something light in order to make justice for Cas and Dean... but failing and writing some complex mithology storyline. I hope you like it, though.

Next chapter: About Samantha.