The Guard Changed at Dawn

Chapter 12

It was three in the morning before the door to the dingy Inn opened and Caleb slipped inside. Smiling, he let his coat slid off his shoulders and drop lightly on the edge of the bed nearest the door.

"Wondered if you'd be coming back tonight," Dean said in the darkness.

"I knew you were here," Caleb said.

"Yeah, that's why you were sneaking in."

"You think I don't sense you after all these years? I could sense you when you were five."

"I think you were pre-occupied," Dean countered softly.

Caleb sat on his bed and turned on the small lamp on the night stand. "I wasn't sneaking." He eyed his friend, who was fully dressed, hadn't even removed his boots or jacket. "Where's Josh?"

"Bunking in number twelve with Sam," Dean said shortly, as he continued his scrutiny.

Caleb fidgeted a bit under the direct gaze. "I needed to know how the canvas worked."

"You wanted to see the canvas in action, I get it. But we got back to the Inn around three-thirty, went over some things, and you were at Onida's. You missed the planning at dinner, the second briefing back here, and it's after three in the morning."

"Since when are you my mother?" Caleb asked humorously. Scooting up on the bed, he leaned against the wall. "I've never seen anything like it. The witches would pound on one corner of the canvas, and Onida would shore it up with her energy. They'd take a different tack and she would counter with a move of her own." He shook his head. "I can't believe she's been doing that for forty years."

"Fighting evil for years. Wow, never heard of anyone doing that before."

Caleb rolled his eyes. Dean was taking his staying with Onida way too seriously. "Enough with the attitude, Deuce."

Dean got slowly to his feet. "This is the Guardian of the Brotherhood speaking, make no mistake about it. For the first time ever, you missed a briefing; both at the restaurant and back here at the Inn," he reminded his friend. "This is a serious hunt, not a wade in the dating pool. You're interested in Onida; great. Put it on the back burner and get your head in the game."

Caleb shot to his feet, his fists clenched at his side. "You have no right to talk to me like that," he stated.

"Don't I?" Dean retorted. "Jimmy asked where you were; JT and Max wondered if we were going into the forest without you! How does it look to your protégé when the current Knight is off flirting with someone else instead of working the hunt with us?"

"I wasn't flirting!" Caleb shouted.

"You think I don't know you?" Dean demanded. Taking a deep, measured breath, he stepped back and forced his hands to relax. This was Damian, not some rookie hunter. "I can tell you like this woman, okay? And I'm glad. But right now isn't the time to pursue this. There are too many people depending on you, on the Triad; there are too many unknowns in that forest for you to have your attention split."

"Are you seriously questioning my devotion to the Brotherhood, to our Triad after all these years?" Caleb snapped. "I miss one, just one night of briefings - while gathering new Intel, I might add - and suddenly I'm a liability? Well, fuck you, Dean," and the Knight walked out of the room and slammed the door.

Dean heard the engine of an SUV start and listened as it grew faint the further away Caleb got from the Inn. Sighing, he dropped onto the bed. Caleb had gotten mad at him before, too many times to count. But calling him Dean was a sign he was seriously pissed. Suddenly exhausted, he hung his head. He was right in calling Caleb out on his divided attention, but he also hated to do it. Yeah, Caleb had gathered some Intel while with Onida, but he hadn't needed to stay the entire night to get it.

When he'd left Onida's that afternoon, he'd returned to the Inn about three-thirty. Most everyone was already back, with Joshua and James pulling up about ten minutes later. The team had gone to their rooms to shower, rest, do their weapons checks and get settled, and they'd left for dinner around six. Dean figured Caleb would show for dinner. When he didn't, he was surprised. Caleb was as steady and predictable as a rock in a storm, and took his job as the Knight of the Brotherhood seriously. He'd never missed a briefing before. But Dean figured they would be going over the map again at the Inn anyway, so he shrugged off the lapse. No cause for concern. However, when Caleb didn't show for the later briefing either, he'd been irritated. Now they would have to scrap their reconnaissance into the forest tomorrow. No way could he risk going into an unknown situation without everyone on the same page.

The connection between Caleb and Onida had been real right from the start. In fact, he thought this might be a woman his best friend could find a future with. He didn't want to ruin that, but this hunt was too volatile, too important to not have everyone's attention on the goal.

A soft knock sounded on the door. Giving another sigh, Dean rose and pulled it open to a surprise. Instead of Sam, whom he had expected, he faced JT.

JT stepped through the door and shivered from the cool night air. He was wearing sweat pants and his feet were shoved into his boots without socks. He held his jacket tightly around his body to warm up.

"Why are you up, kiddo?" Dean asked, moving back to his bed.

JT went to the other bed and sat across from his father. "I heard you and Uncle Caleb."

Dean frowned. "You're a room away."

JT smiled. "You switched with Uncle Sam, I switched with Max." He gave a shrug. "I wanted to be close."

Dean smiled, though his exhaustion and defeat was evident in the slump of his shoulders. "Well, as you heard, your godfather isn't too happy with me."

"No, but you were right."

Dean looked up, and suddenly his tension drained. He hadn't realized he needed to hear that.

"We've got some good information about this hunt, but there's a lot we still don't know. Uncle Joshua knows more than any of us about covens and how they work, but Uncle Caleb has fought more witches than most of us combined. His insights are needed, especially when planning strategy." JT gave his father a sorrowful and understanding look. "He was needed here tonight."

Dean nodded. "Yeah, I know."

There was a long silence before JT asked, "Does Uncle Caleb like this woman?"

"Don't tell anyone, but yeah, I think he really does."

JT sat there for a few moments before he smiled. "I'm glad."

Dean smirked slightly. "Yeah, me too."

Morning rolled around and Caleb still wasn't back. Dean hadn't gotten much more than an hour of sleep, and he was up at six and heading across the street to the questionable diner. When he walked inside, he was pleasantly surprised by the cleanliness. There was a long counter on one side, and a length of narrow booths on the other. Slowly he walked up to the counter and sat, a wide yawn splitting his face.

"You look like you could use some coffee," a voice said.

Dean opened his eyes to see a mid-fifties woman pouring life-giving caffeine into a mug and placing it in front of him. Without even acknowledging her action, he grabbed at the mug and took a long gulp. The woman's eyes widened for a moment, before she gave a peel of laughter. When the ceramic hit the counter again, she topped it off.

"Thanks," Dean said, taking another long draw. "Thanks."

The woman shook her head. "Ain't never seen anyone gulp hot coffee before. Looks like you needed the hit. Want some eggs, hash browns and sausage to go with that?"

Dean smiled. "Yeah, that'd be great."

He watched Judy, as her nametag said, walk away and he yawned again. They weren't going into the woods today. He wasn't rested, wasn't up to the fight. He'd need a good night's sleep before he could handle that. They needed to speak with Onida again, find out more about the trap…

"Or you could just ask your Knight," Caleb said, taking a stool beside Dean.

Dean opened one eye, then shut it again.

Caleb watched his best friend, noted the dark circles around his eyes. "You're right; I should have had my head in the game. But I didn't stay only for Onida. The witches are most active six or so hours after sunset. I wanted to see how active. But I should have contacted you, told you what was happening and what I was doing."

Dean pushed away from the counter and looked at his friend. Instead of agreeing, he said, "You like her."

Caleb picked up Dean's coffee mug and drank. Looking over at his friend, he said, "Yeah. There was an instant connection I've never had with anyone before. It took me by surprise. It felt…" he fumbled a bit.

"Comfortable, like you've known her your entire life," Dean supplied.

Caleb smiled. "Yeah."

"I want you to have this, man; I really do."

"But we have a job to do," Caleb sighed.

Dean nodded. "Onida's in the middle of this. She isn't going anywhere; she'll be here when we finish. But you've fought more witches than any of us. Your insights are needed." He watched Caleb for a moment, then said, "Tell me about the trap. Does it include the caves, or just the forest grounds?"

Caleb took the segue onto a safer topic of conversation. "From watching Onida work, it looks like some witches stay in the caves while others test and attack the boundaries of the entrapment. I don't know if the ones in the caves work to give power to the others or not."

"What does Onida say?"

"I didn't ask," Caleb confessed, feeling a bit ashamed. He'd dropped the ball a bit. "She's studied to fight these witches since she was a child. She takes for granted many things we're curious about, or have questions about."

Dean nodded slowly. "So, how many were on the grounds last night?"

"From what I could sense, four; two from each coven."

"You can tell the difference?"

Caleb nodded. "Each coven has a different energy, or frequency, maybe. They didn't speak, really, but I can tell the difference between them."

"Is two from each group the usual number on the grounds? Or are all the witches free to roam the forest?"

That was another question he should have asked, and Caleb fought away the feeling he'd totally blown it last night. He would find out today, he vowed. "I don't know. That's just how many I sensed last night."

"Witches usually have some connection to the elements. Are they using geothermal power to give them strength?"

Caleb refrained from laughing at Dean using Sam-speak. While Dean was as smart as they came, he usually downplayed his intelligence and preferred more down-to-earth terminology. "I'm not sure where their power comes from, but…" he broke off as a waitress came over with a second mug and a plate of food for Dean.

Dean inhaled a raptured breath and grinned. "Thanks, Judy. Another plate for my friend?"

"Sure thing, Sweetie," Judy said, and walked away.

Caleb grinned at the Sweetie, and Dean warned, "Don't say it," as he dug into his breakfast.

Caleb laughed. "Anyway, if they exist in a metaphysical state, it's possible they're using the energy from the earth or the sun to sustain their existence. Onida uses her extraordinary energy manipulation skills to contain them; it's quite possible they use energy to fight and to feed."

"Yeah, I was afraid of that."

"Our talismans should help protect us in a fight. They're layered with sigils and protection magic."

"Are these witches psychic?"

Caleb nodded. "Yeah. Yesterday when you were in the kitchen, they spoke to me through the canvas."

Dean paused from eating and looked over at Caleb. "Seriously? What did they say?"

"That I could trust them, that they wanted to be free, more of that sort of thing." Caleb broke off as Judy came and put a plate loaded with scrambled eggs, sizzling sausage and hot biscuits in front of him. Leaning over, he inhaled like Dean had. "Oh, man, this smells amazing."

Judy smiled and refilled both their coffee mugs before heading off to help the few other customers up as early as they were.

Caleb took a bite, and groaned in delight. Swallowing, he said, "Anyway, they spoke through the canvas, but on the grounds they weren't speaking…" he trailed off.

"What?"

"All the time the two pairs were roaming the forest and attacking the barrier, there was a low level noise, kind of like humming. I didn't think much of it, assuming it was forest noise I was hearing. But it could be a form of communication between them when some are away from their coven."

Dean nodded. "The research said they were language mimics. Maybe buzzing is their language, like bees or other insects communicate."

"Good analogy, Wild Kingdom," Caleb snickered.

"Shuddup," Dean muttered.

"Anyway, I need to ask Onida about that," Caleb stated, before returning to his meal.

Dean glanced at Caleb. "Is the buzzing psychic or can we all hear it?"

"I don't know. I didn't think of it as a language until just now."

Dean nodded and left off asking any more questions so Caleb could eat. Instead, he told him about their strategy for heading into the woods. "I figured we could go in a three-pronged formation; you and JT, Sam and Max, me and Jimmy, that way each group has a psychic. JT suggested using a spotter and I think that's a good idea. With Joshua and Ryker on high ground, they might get a shot at the witches the moment they become solid. They can use Joshua's magic bullets to slow them down, maybe give us an edge."

Caleb nodded. "Onida might have some suggestions too."

Dean returned his focus to his meal while he thought over what Caleb said. "I'd like you to take the gang over to meet Onida today, let everyone ask any questions about this hunt they can think of."

Caleb frowned. "What about you?"

"I'm going to get some sleep. We can meet up for lunch and go over the Intel, use any new information to finalize our plans."

"You don't want to see Onida? You're still mad?"

"No," Dean assured his friend. "But I didn't get a lot of sleep last night and after that flight yesterday…"

Caleb nodded. He knew flying stressed Dean out. "Yeah, okay. You get your beauty sleep."

"You didn't get much either. You okay with taking everyone over there?"

"Yeah." Caleb ate the last bite of breakfast. "I'll get a couple hours now, then catch a few zzz's later this afternoon."

Sam turned over in bed and yawned. Opening his eyes, he glanced at the clock, which read nine AM. Rolling onto his back, he wondered if Dean and Caleb were good. He'd been surprised when Caleb hadn't returned to the hotel for their customary briefing. He couldn't remember a time when Caleb had missed one. But there was always a first time for everything. When Dean had switched rooms with Joshua, Sam knew his brother would confront Caleb. He'd been tempted to tell Dean not to bring up the issue, but the worried looks on JT, Max and Jimmy's faces made him rethink that course of action. This was the first hunt they'd all done together as a team, and Caleb going missing in the middle was jarring for the younger team.

Sighing, he turned back onto his side and saw Joshua watching him from the other bed. "Morning," Sam said.

"Morning." Joshua waited a beat, before saying, "You're worried about Caleb."

Sam lifted one shoulder in a short shrug. "Not really, though I think JT, Jimmy and Max are."

"They don't need to be."

"I know. But sometimes perception is what it is."

Joshua sat up. "You mean Caleb is shirking his duties. He would never do that."

Sam pushed himself up as well. "And I didn't say that. I said his not being there last night made JT, Max and Jimmy nervous."

Joshua eyed Sam. "Yes, I saw that. But The Guardian doesn't need to remind the Knight of his duties."

"I think that's for the Guardian to decide," Sam said softly.

"Caleb's been at this too long to need a dressing down," huffed Joshua.

Sam sighed. He wasn't going to get into a which-brother-was-right conversation this early in the morning. "Why don't we let Dean and Caleb," he stressed their names and not their titles, "work this out. They've been best friends for over fifty-five years, and they've been through hell together. They'll be fine."

Joshua released the tension in his body with a nod. "You're right. They'll work it out." Climbing slowly from the bed, he said, "I'm going to take a hot shower, loosen the kinks I now have from sleeping on that terrible mattress." He walked stiffly to the bathroom and closed the door.

"Great," Sam muttered. "I'm not getting a hot shower this morning."

After everyone had finished breakfast at the diner, aptly called Edge of Town Diner, they piled into two of the SUVs and headed to Onida's. Caleb wanted to leave one vehicle for Dean, should he decide to join them. They drove through White Swan and the reservation, and pulled up in front of the house on the log stilts.

"Wow," Max said, stepping from the car. "Just think of the view."

"You should see it from the inside," Caleb said with a smile.

JT pulled out his camera and took a picture of the woods and the house. "It's beautiful." He walked away heading toward the meadow, snapping pictures.

Joshua looked up the long line of stairs.

Ryker came up and took Joshua's arm, and they started the climb, Caleb following behind.

After JT snapped a few more pictures, he, Max and James followed. When they stepped inside the house, Caleb was standing next to Onida while she was talking animatedly with Joshua.

"I'm so excited to pick your brain on crafting potions and medicines," Onida was saying. "Your knowledge must be so extensive."

"And I'm very interested in hearing about this canvas," Joshua said. "Can you show us?"

"Why don't we do some introductions first," Sam interrupted with a smile. Holding out a hand, he said, "I'm Sam Winchester."

"Dean's brother," Onida said with a smile.

Caleb gestured toward the younger men and said, "The tallest there is Ryker, long hair is Max, JT is to his right, and on his right is James."

Max stepped forward and held out his hand to shake Onida's. "Long hair," he said, with a glare in Caleb's direction, "is pleased to meet you."

Onida laughed.

James smiled as JT stepped forward to shake Onida's hand. "We're pleased to meet you."

"The pleasure is mine," Onida said, glancing between all the men. "You're all part of this Brotherhood?"

JT nodded. "For a long time now."

"But you don't look old enough," Onida protested.

There was a smattering of laughter. "We're older than draftees in the Armed Forces," Ryker said with a smile. "And we're trained for this type of enemy."

Onida nodded thoughtfully before leading everyone through the living room to the sliding glass doors. She pointed to the large canvas outside. "Not much is happening right now. The witches are quiet during the day; asleep. The greater activity is at night."

Caleb nodded, his eyes on the canvas. "The heaviest activity is at the darkest point of the night."

"Usually around two AM," Onida confirmed.

Joshua nodded. That's why Caleb had stayed. "I'd like to see the herbs you use to keep the witches inside."

Onida nodded, and she and Caleb took Joshua and Sam out onto the balcony.

Ryker studied the field beyond the balcony. "I'm going outside to scout the field. If these witches are in their caves or resting, they shouldn't be a threat."

"I'm with you," Max said.

"Yeah, me too," JT stated. Looking at James, he said, "You coming, Jimmy?"

James was standing near the glass doors. "Think I'll stay here. I want to hear more about this canvas." He waved vaguely at the other three and followed his uncles onto the balcony.

"I knew he wouldn't be able to resist." With a smile, Max followed Ryker and JT out the front door and down the long front steps. Together they walked around the house to the back and stopped at the edge of the meadow.

"What a view," JT commented, staring out across the wild flower clad field.

"Yeah." Max eyed the field for a different reason. He was looking for threats, not flowers.

"Caleb said he was in the field in his dreams," Ryker said. "How about we scout the area, but avoid stepping into the forest."

"Sounds good," Max said.

"I'll circle around this edge," Ryker pointed to his right, "and you take the other." Pulling his cell from his pocket, he continued, "we'll keep in touch through text."

JT looked over at Ryker and frowned. "What am I supposed to do? Twiddle my thumbs?"

Before Ryker could respond, Max, who'd been staring out into the field, asked, "You think these witches show up on film…?"

JT smiled and lifted his camera. "Don't know, but I'll give it a try. Whenever you're ready, I'm ready."

Ryker gave Max a quick nod, and each went in the opposite direction.

JT took a few snapshots of the field before turning his camera onto Max. He clicked off several fast shots then did the same with Ryker.

Ryker walked along the edge of the field, making sure he stayed out of the forest. Having been raised in a coven, he trusted the medicine bags to do their job. They secured the edges of the meadow along the sides. The puzzle was why they didn't completely protect Onida. That should have been a priority for the medicine men that made the bags. Maybe they were missing something. Glancing to the side, he gave the forest some intense scrutiny. Other than the typical sounds of nature; a few birds, the rustling of woodland animals, leaves and the buzzing of insects, he didn't see or hear anything unusual. Taking his cell, he texted; all clear on this side.

A moment later his cell buzzed, and Max texted; all clear.

Clear, came from JT.

JT took several more snapshots, making sure he covered every area of the meadow and every angle of the forest edge numerous times. If his camera could pick up the witches, he wanted to make sure he had a shot.

.

"What the hell are they doing?" Onida demanded, standing by the edge of the balcony rail and watching as two of the young men she met earlier start around the meadow.

Caleb looked over the balcony railing and saw Ryker and Max circling the meadow. "They're scouting the meadow."

"It's dangerous out there," Onida sniped. "They don't know what they're dealing with."

Sam gave Onida a measured look. "Yes, they do."

"They don't," Onida declared. "These witches are clever and can move between spaces."

"We already know their metaphysical state," Joshua said. He turned to look at the boys moving around the edges of the meadow, noting their attention to staying outside the forest.

"They aren't going into the forest," Caleb said. "The outer edges of the meadow are protected. They aren't in any danger."

"And what if the witches trick them into going in?" Onida demanded.

"You said the witches were quiet, were asleep during the day," James said, his eyes on Onida. "Are they?"

"Is there something you're not saying?" Joshua asked.

"No." Onida clenched her fists. "In a sense, they're asleep."

"What the hell?" James exclaimed.

"If they sense people on the edges of their territory," Onida said loudly, talking over any other comments, "they'll come and check it out. They're always hyper aware of what is going on around them. If they sense I haven't protected the barrier well enough, they'll even attack it during the day."

Caleb gave Onida a measured look. "That's a very different description of asleep."

"You should have been clear about their quiet state," Sam commented, trying hard not to sound accusatory. "When we ask questions about the witches, we're not collecting information for a book or a study. We'll be in there fighting them. All information is vital."

James walked over to the balcony and watched anxiously as Max and Ryker walked the perimeter of the meadow.

Onida gave an exasperated huff. "I know this is dangerous. But I can't relay sixty years of information in an afternoon."

"And we're not asking for that," Caleb said softly. "But saying they're asleep, and not explaining how their senses are so hyper they can pick up people walking the edges of their territory, could have ended with someone hurt if we went in there today."

Onida gritted her teeth slightly, and nodded. She wanted the help, needed the help. But after so many years of working alone, she was finding this collaborate more difficult than expected. Caleb, Joshua, Sam and the young man who hadn't left with the others – she'd forgotten his name – were all standing near the balcony, watching the boys walk the perimeter of the meadow. Instead of joining them, Onida went to her canvas and placed her fingers against the surface.

.

Max walked close to the meadow's edge. The constant buzzing from the forest was irritating and got on his nerves. He was very happy he lived in the city. Give him the sounds of motor vehicles and traffic any day. He never noticed this level of insect activity at Uncle Dean's farm, nor on the numerous camping trips he had been on with JT and James during their high school years.

Suddenly he stopped. Insect noise in the outdoors usually ebbed and flowed. This had been a constant buzzing since he'd started his walk. Turning toward the forest, he faced it full on. Instantly the buzzing died down a little. Moving slowly, he started his walk along the meadows' edge again and noted that the buzzing picked up. Stopping again, he again faced the forest and the sounds diminished somewhat.

Quickly he pulled out his cell and texted; buzzing?

A moment later Ryker texted back; yes.

Max nodded. Head back in five.

Roger that.

Max continued to the edge of the safe zone and looked around. He couldn't see the witches, but he was sure they were out there, watching. "So much for sleeping during the day," he snorted softly. Turning, he headed back to JT and Ryker.

.

James was leaning on the balcony railing, watching Max and Ryker intently.

Sam approached and put a comforting hand on his nephew's shoulder. After a few minutes of watching, he announced, "Max senses something."

Caleb whipped around and sighted his young protégé standing and looking into the forest. Focusing on Max, he knew what he was hearing. "He hears the buzzing, the same buzzing I did."

"Buzzing?" Onida said, baffled. She lifted her fingers from the canvas and walked to the balcony.

"Last night when you were working, I kept hearing buzzing coming from the canvas. I thought it was forest noises, but I think it may be the witches communicating."

"I told you they were psychic," Onida said quickly, not wanting to be accused of withholding information.

"You did," Caleb said with a smile in her direction.

"The research said the witches mimic language," Joshua said. "We speculated that they had their own language, one not Sahaptin nor English."

Caleb resumed his watch, his eyes on Max. The young man had stopped again and was facing the forest. Noting that Max was texting, his eyes went to Ryker, whose head was also bowed.

"He's telling Ryker," James said softly, and Caleb nodded.

A second later Ryker looked into the forest. After watching for a minute or so, he walked on several more feet before turning and heading back to where JT stood.

Sam noted that JT's camera had come up again and he was snapping numerous pictures of Max and Ryker, the meadow and the forest. "JT's hoping the witches will show up on camera."

Caleb nodded. "Good idea." Over his shoulder, he asked Onida, "Anyone ever try to capture a witch on film?"

"Not to my knowledge," Onida said. "During my tenure, they only escaped once."

"Maybe we'll get lucky," Caleb said. "Johnny has taken pictures of many supernatural critters."

After Sam was sure the boys were returning safe, he turned to Onida and said, "Can you explain in detail how the canvas works?"

"And the herbs you use to enhance its power," Joshua added.

Onida nodded. "Let's go inside for some coffee and I'll explain as much as I can. Your questions will be helpful in getting information I don't realize I've omitted."

Joshua smiled. "We'll try to be as thorough as possible."

Caleb smirked. "I hope you have lots of coffee."

Dean tried to get some sleep, but his mind just wouldn't settle. He felt bad for taking Caleb to task for liking a woman, a woman Dean hoped his friend could have a life with. But it was true, that Caleb was the most knowledgeable about witches. It sucked that this was the hunt he'd met a woman he was genuinely attracted to, not just in lust over.

Shoving a fist into the mattress, he finally sat up and pulled his gun out from under the pillow.

Everyone was over at Onida's, and he supposed he could go too. Instead, he went and studied the map of the containment area. He studied the mountain range and the low-lying ridges nearby. He also noted the areas where the medicine bags were hung. He wanted to see the area. Making his decision, he headed into the bathroom and took a bracing shower. After leaving the Inn, he climbed into the last SUV and sat for a moment. Rubbing his ring for a second, he closed his eyes and thought, Damian.

Deuce?

Dean looked down at his phone and texted; I'm going to check out the containment area.

Immediately Caleb texted back; Not alone you aren't.

Wanna meet?

You and me? Absolutely. Be at the bottom of the hill going to Onida's. I'll meet you there in half an hour.

Dean smiled. He needed some time with Caleb, and this was a great way to get it.

Half an hour later Dean pulled up and Caleb hopped in. "Everyone still at Onida's? Dean asked.

"Yeah. Joshua is reenacting the Inquisition, asking Onida everything from ingredients to how they wove the spell into the canvas to how long the medicine bags have lasted. He's very excited."

"Bet Sam's just as bad."

"You know it," Caleb said. "JT, Max, Ryker and James are going to leave in a bit, see if they can interview the medicine man, Joseph Whitetail. Onida said she'd give him a call. Onida didn't make the medicine bags, so the guys are going to check with him, see if he knows what's in them. The ingredients may help us in fighting the witches."

"Great." Dean turned down a well-traveled dirt road and continued toward the forest edge. Soon he pulled into a makeshift parking area, and they climbed from the car.

Caleb looked around. "Pretty dense forest."

"You hear anything?"

Caleb shook his head. "I've been blocking the witches since they spoke to me yesterday. They were creepy."

Dean grinned. "Watching that canvas was creepy."

"Yeah, how come you could see that and I couldn't?"

Dean shrugged. "Maybe you were blocking it. You didn't hear the witches speak until you were inside and you let your blocks down."

The pair hiked for about twenty minutes before Caleb pointed up into a large Ponderosa tree. "There," he said. "See it?"

Just along the inside of a high branch was tied a long canvas bag that looked like it had been treated to match the tree limb.

"Good camouflage," Dean said, staring upward. "I wouldn't have seen it if we didn't have the map to show where it was." Looking at Caleb, he said, "You feel any get-away-from-here vibes?"

Caleb shook his head. "You?"

"Nope."

"Let me get a psychic read," Caleb said. Lowering his blocks, he suddenly gasped and slammed back down his shields.

"Damian!" Dean exclaimed.

"Wow," Caleb said, staring into the forest. "That place is so alive with psychic energy it could power a nuclear generator."

"And the negative vibes?"

"There in full force."

"Good. Let's check out another, then head back."

They hiked for another half hour before Dean pointed upward.

"Yup," Caleb said, squinting. "There's another. You want to get a closer look?"

Dean thought about that, then shook his head. "No. I wouldn't want to disturb anything. You really think these medicine bags have been hanging here for a hundred or more years?"

"I don't know of anything with natural ingredients that could last that long. I think Joseph Whitetail has been treating the bags over the years."

"Without Onida knowing?" Dean asked. He stepped back from the large tree, ready to head back to the SUV.

Caleb glanced back up at the medicine bag. With a small sigh he turned, and together the pair started back to the SUV. "I'd say she knows just about everything having to do with the forest, the witches and the trap."

Dean gave his friend a searching look. "What happened?"

Caleb stopped walking. "She's been alone for so long, the canvas has become an appendage for her. There are so many layers to it and to her life." He paused, his eyes going to the forest. "She said the witches slept during the day. So Ryker, Max and JT went down to the meadow and were scouting it a bit. What she didn't say was that they're not fully asleep. They sense people coming near their enclosure and will go confront them."

"Are the boys all right?" Dean asked anxiously.

"They're fine." Caleb assured. "They made sure to stay outside the forest. I just don't believe she can tell us everything we need to know. I think she'll keep leaving out details because she doesn't think of them, they're so second nature to her."

Dean nodded. "Then we need to ask the right questions." He looked out into the forest.

"You're not planning on going in now, are you?" Caleb asked. "Cause I'll have something to say about that."

Dean smiled. "No. We're not properly armed, for one thing. We'll see what Joshua and Sam can get from Onida today. They'll be much more thorough than you or I could be, they can't help themselves."

Caleb laughed softly. "You're right. I think Onida will need a break after a morning with those two."

"Add Jimmy to the mix, and she may run for her life."

"How about we head back, have lunch, then get some sleep."

"Yeah," Dean said. "That sounds good," and the pair headed back the way they'd come.

.

A sudden rustling near the edge of the forest had several animals skittering away and birds taking flight en masse. Where the woods had been vibrant and alive a moment before, a heavy silence descended. A pair of black and yellow irised eyes watched as the two men walked away. The heavily shrouded figure lifted a clawed hand to shuffle leaves and branches aside in order to get a better view of the retreating men. "Guardian," she hissed gutturally. One blink of the round eyes later, and the form was gone.

TBC