It was a strange feeling, to be full of grace. It surged through his veins like holy fire, energizing and renewing him with every breath, every step, every beat of his wings.
Classes as he had known them had been suspended. Since he was the only pupil left, there was no point sitting in a huge, empty classroom; he and Raphael took their lessons outdoors. Cas was getting good with his blade, though there was still much to learn.
When he wasn't in class, he sat in the library, reading everything he can get his hands on. He went back to his room around the time he used to have dinner, just to check in with Gabe, and then he sat up and read some more until it was time for school.
There had been two more Convocations since the first that Castiel had attended. The first had eight candidates; the second, twelve. Now he was the only one left, and at his own Convocation, he would be the center of attention.
He was already being fitted for the white robe. He'd need a new one anyway, since the blue one was far too small already.
"Do you mind being the only one?" Raphael asked as he knelt down and pinned up the bottom of the robe. "I thought about holding one or two back to join you, but then I decided that it wouldn't be fair to them."
"It's okay," said Cas. He was trying very hard not to move, but occasionally he would forget and shift position, and get stabbed by a pin. "Everyone will be there anyway, right?"
"Almost everyone," said Gabe.
Michael gave him a look, but then sighed and shook his head. "I don't know why I bother anymore. He's clearly not interested in anything but his own agenda. If he doesn't come . . . no big loss."
"After the Cain incident," said Raph, "I'd be surprised if he dared to show his face."
"Cain incident?" Cas asked, and got stabbed again.
"Castiel, for the love of our Father, stop moving!"
"Sorry! What Cain incident?"
"You might as well tell him," said Gabe. "He's not a little kid anymore."
"All right," said Mike. "Fine. Lucifer corrupted Adam and Eve's firstborn, turned him into a twisted creature who lives only for pain and blood. A demon. And he's not done yet. He takes a special pride in corrupting humanity and turning them into these creatures of darkness. He must be stopped. If necessary, we may have to kill him."
The way he said it so matter-of-factly made Cas shudder. And he wasn't the only one.
"Are you going to lower yourself to his level?" Gabe asked in a low voice. "Are you going to become like he is, doing whatever you want regardless of the consequences?"
"Not like him," Michael said. "I will do whatever is necessary to protect Heaven."
"You would kill our brother. Just like that."
"We cannot let him continue this reign of terror. Father is working on a way to contain him; for now, he is banished from Heaven, confined to the lower realm."
"He doesn't see it as a punishment, though," said Raph. "He has gathered his demons there, along with the souls of captured humans that he likes to torment."
"Yet another reason he must be ended."
"Well, count me out," said Gabriel. "I won't kill my family. If you two want to duke it out to the death, fine. I'll be watching from a safe distance-like Pluto."
"You're leaving?" Cas asked. "But you can't leave!"
"Oh, I'm not leaving right now," Gabe told him. "Not before the Convocation, anyway. But I won't be part of this. When your war starts, I am so outta here!"
Michael didn't look happy. "I need you to stand with me. Once Lucifer is dealt with you can go where you please, but I need you by my side for this."
"I'll help stop him," Gabe agreed. "But I won't kill him."
"Can we talk about something else now?" Cas asked.
"Of course," said Mike. "Let's run through the ceremony. Sort of a little rehearsal, right here."
"There's not enough room here, is there?"
"We'll pretend there is. Now, when the organ starts playing, we line up single file—and no gaps this time. We don't want to remind everyone of who's not here."
"What if he shows up?" Gabe asked.
Mike stared at him. "He wouldn't dare. So: line up single file and proceed slowly down the aisle. When we reach the head of the aisle, we spread out, and you," he said to Cas, "stop, stand, turn, and wave."
"And don't fall over."
"Gabe!" Cas protested. "I won't fall over! That happened one time cause my wings threw me off-balance! But it was a long time ago. So I stop, stand, turn, and wave." He demonstrated, with one hand on the back of a chair. "Does it matter which hand I wave with?"
"Whichever makes you feel more comfortable." Michael looked a bit annoyed, like he just wanted to get on with it. "I'll make the welcome speech, then everyone sits. Then we'll each make a short speech-"
"I have to make a speech?" Gabe seemed nervous.
"A short one. Try to keep it on topic. No jokes. This is a serious occasion, and I want us to acknowledge its importance. This is the last ever Convocation, remember, so this is the one they'll all remember. We want everything to go perfectly."
"Uh oh."
"What?"
"Now something's definitely gonna go wrong. You just jinxed us, Mikey. Thanks."
Mike sighed. "If something does go wrong, a) we'll be prepared for it, and b) don't let it be you. All we need from you is a five-minute speech about how proud you are and how much this means to all of us. Once the speeches are done, the important part begins. That's you, Castiel.
"When I call your name, you get up and stand before us. Keep your eyes forward, looking neither to the left nor to the right. And if I catch anyone making ridiculous faces, I will smite you on the spot. Is that clear?"
"The thought hadn't even crossed my mind," said Gabe. "Till you mentioned it."
"I mean it. We will have decorum at all costs. Short introductory speech, and then the three questions. Let's practice now."
"I know what to do," said Cas. "I've been to three Convocations, and I've paid attention."
"Fine, let's hear it. Do you swear to uphold the laws of Heaven and Earth, keep the peace, maintain order, protect the innocent, and punish the guilty?"
"That's way more than three questions."
Michael somehow glared at Gabe without even turning around. The back of his head looked angry.
"Sorry, sorry! I swear, not a word during the actual ceremony! Go on."
Cas stifled a giggle, got control of himself, and said, "I do."
"Will you obey all orders without question, or regard for your personal wishes?"
"I will."
"Are you prepared to lay down your life if necessary for the defense of your brothers and sisters, and all of Heaven itself?"
Gabe looked anguished. It hadn't occurred to him until now that being a soldier meant that Cas could die.
"I am," Cas answered solemnly.
"Then kneel and receive your Assignment."
Cas got on his knees, his head bowed. Michael mimed laying the red mantle across his shoulders.
"Now rise, Soldier of Heaven. And join your brothers and sisters."
Cas stood and turned around.
"Final words, dismissal, and we file out the same way we came in. If all goes well, we should be done in no more than forty-five minutes." He smiled. "Then the party begins. And it'll be the best party ever, because it's for you, little brother. How do you feel about becoming a grownup at last?"
Cas thought about it. "I'm glad," he said. "But kind of sad, too. I miss just playing in the garden."
"You know you won't be coming back here, right?" said Gabe. "You'll be reporting to the barracks for your training. If you're lucky, you'll get a room of your own soon. So take anything you want from here."
Cas looked around. "There really isn't much here that's mine," he said. "Except this." In his hands, he clutched the animal blanket. It looked so tiny now, he could hardly believe it had once covered his whole body.
"I'll see you first thing in the morning," Michael said, and left.
Raphael patted Cas on the shoulder and said, "You'll do fine. Everyone is so proud of you. You know the words; you know what to do. I have faith in you, young one." Then he, too, left.
His last night in this room. Cas couldn't believe it. Neither could Gabe, who pointed to one corner and said, "There used to be a crib right over there. You would sleep there, and I would sit up and watch you all night. You never woke once, unless you were hungry or needed a diaper change."
"Weren't you just a child yourself?" Cas asked. He'd heard this story many times before.
"I was. A lot of people, including my own brothers, didn't think I could do it. But I stepped up and did it. And it's the best thing I've ever done. I raised you, but maybe . . . maybe you raised me, too."
Cas didn't know what to say.
"Oh, come here!" Gabe reached out and pulled him into a hug. "I don't care what they tell you; it's never a bad thing to show affection to someone you care about. Appropriately, of course; not in the middle of the Convocation or anything like that. But maybe afterwards, at the reception."
"I've never had a party all for me," Cas said.
"No one has. Or ever will again. You're special, kiddo. In more ways than one."
Reluctantly, Gabe broke contact and sat in the chair in the corner of the room. "Why don't you try and get some sleep?"
"But I don't sleep anymore. I haven't for months now."
"Just lie there and rest, then. It'll be just like old times: you in the bed, and me watching over you. For the last time ever."
And just because it would be the last time, Cas said, "Okay."
He hadn't meant to sleep. He hadn't needed to sleep in a long time. It wasn't until he woke up, tangled in the animal blanket, that Cas realized he had slept.
"Just in time," said Gabe. "I was gonna wake you in a minute. How're you feeling? Are you ready?"
Cas shoved the blanket off. "I'm ready."
"Good, cause they'll be here any minute. I'll help you get dressed."
While Gabe went to fetch the white robe, Cas folded up the blanket. He smiled as he thought of how he had learned all the names before he even started school. But it was a baby blanket, and he wasn't a baby anymore.
When Gabe came back, Cas said, "I'm going to leave this here with you. I don't need it where I'm going. You should have it."
"Aw, thanks, kiddo." Gabe put the robe down on the chair and tucked the folded blanket into a drawer. "Let's make some room in here," he said, and snapped his fingers, making the bed disappear.
It didn't look like the same room anymore, which made Cas feel a bit sad. But things had to change. He had to move forward, no matter what it meant he was leaving behind.
An hour later, standing in the Convocation hall in the stiff, surprisingly heavy white robe, he felt excited and nervous at the same time. Part of him wanted to turn and run as far as he could go. Or fly. He was getting quite good at flying now. But the other part, the grown-up part, knew that he had to stay and do this. Just walk, and stand, and sit, and say a few words. That was all he had to do. He could do that.
"Are you ready?" Michael, in his crimson robe, stood waiting for him at the end of the aisle.
"I am," Cas said. "Let's do this."
"As soon as the organ music begins," said Raphael, resplendent in his sapphire blue robe.
"Everyone's here," Cas noted, taking a peek at the hall, where every seat was full.
"Everyone's here for you," said Gabe, his gold robe shining like the sun. "All for you, and just for you. Let the good times roll!"
Michael looked like he was about to say something, but there was a flourish and crash of organ music. It was time for the procession.
They lined up in single file and made their way down the aisle, all the way to the front. When they reached the end of the aisle, the three archangels took their places at the podium while Cas stopped at the first row of seats. He turned, waved, and then turned his eyes toward the front again, ready for the ceremony to begin.
"Welcome," said Michael, "to a very special Convocation. As most of you know, it's special because it's the very last Convocation that will ever be. Today, our youngest brother takes his place with us, and receives his Assignment at last."
There was a short round of applause.
"We are instruments of the Father's will. We serve Him and serve humanity as well. Our-" He broke off suddenly, and everyone turned around to see what was going on.
"Oh, no," Raphael muttered. "Now he shows up."
Standing in the open doorway, watching the proceedings nonchalantly, was none other than Lucifer, clad in a black robe with silver edging. And he wasn't alone; with him were two of his demons, Lilith and Azazel. None of them were making any hostile moves, or doing anything other than just standing there.
Every head turned toward Michael, waiting to see what he would do. Cas looked around, but he didn't see the flash of metal as light glinted off angel blades. He felt his own blade trembling in his sleeve, ready to descend into his hand and join in the fight.
But there would be no fight today. Before Michael could say or do anything, Lucifer and his two companions turned and left the hall.
"Someone should go after them," Gabriel whispered. "They're up to something."
"I've got people on it," Michael whispered back. "They won't get away." He looked out over the waiting Convocation and picked up where he had left off.
"Our sacred mission will continue, despite the efforts of those who would work against us. We will prevail, because we are righteous. Our unity is our strength. Today we become stronger by one. I have watched Castiel grow from a tiny fledgling into a strong and capable juvenile, and I look forward to seeing the adult he will become. I expect great things from him." He stepped back, and Raphael took his place.
"It has been my privilege to guide Castiel on his journey to adulthood. I have been his teacher for some time now, and I could not ask for a better student. He is intelligent, creative, hard-working, and will serve us well. He is the best of all of us."
Now it was Gabe's turn. He stepped up nervously.
"I suppose I'm the one who knows Cas the best. He was my baby. He's been with me from the very beginning of his existence, and I'm proud of him. And now the time has come for me to let him go. He needs to soar free, on his own, and I know he can do that. He can do it because we've given him everything he needs to succeed. Moral guidance . . . intellectual stimulation . . . and love. With those three things—conscience, mind, and heart—he will go far. Fly high, my little fledgling. Be free."
Gabe turned away before he choked up and started crying. Michael stepped forward, pausing only to rest a comforting hand on his brother's shoulder.
"And now we come to the reason why we are here. Castiel, step forward."
Cas got up and made his way to the head of the aisle, looking neither to the left nor to the right as he had been instructed. It took him seven steps—he counted. Once he was there, he stopped and raised his eyes to his oldest brother.
"Castiel, you come before us as a candidate for Assignment. It is the will of the Father and the consensus of the Heavenly Host that you should take your place in Heaven's army and fight on the side of righteousness. Do you accept this?"
"Yes," Cas said.
"Do you swear to uphold the laws of Heaven and Earth, keep the peace, maintain order, protect the innocent, and punish the guilty?"
"I do."
"Will you obey all orders without question, or regard for your personal wishes?"
"I will."
"Are you prepared to lay down your life if necessary—"
Suddenly a message came over Angel Radio. "Sir, we have him! The two demons escaped, but Lucifer is in custody!"
"Hold him until I come for him. Well done, Zachariah." Once that message went out, Angel Radio went silent, and Michael was able to continue. "If necessary, for the defense of your brothers and sisters, and all of Heaven itself?"
Cas realized that these weren't just words. He was being asked to join the fight against Lucifer, a fight that not everyone would necessarily survive. He took a deep breath and said, "I am."
"Then kneel and receive your Assignment."
The red velvet mantle of Heaven's army was laid across his shoulders as Castiel knelt before the archangels. He didn't want to have to kill Luci. He didn't want to be killed, either. But he would do what had to be done.
"Now rise," Michael intoned solemnly, "Soldier of Heaven, and join your brothers and sisters."
At the reception, he could finally cut loose.
He threw off the uncomfortable white robe and changed into his customary clothes, which would be fine. Angels didn't dance. At least, they hadn't up till now. This was one of many things that would soon change.
"Heeeey! You made it, little brother!" Balthazar slid up to him and put an arm around his shoulders. "Want a drink?"
"Drink?"
"Super-potent angel booze. A thousand times stronger than that weak stuff brewed up by humans. It'll make you feel reeeeal good!" He produced a bottle of dark liquid and a tiny cup, and poured some into the cup. On the second try; he missed the first time. "Whoops! Everyone look out for the puddle! Or grab a straw!"
Cas took the cup and sniffed it. It didn't smell like anything familiar. He sipped a little, and it made him cough and sputter.
"What are you doing? Give me that!" Gabe grabbed the cup out of his hand, glanced into it, and drained it himself. "You can't handle it, kiddo. And you," he said to Balthazar, "have had enough. I'll take that." He took the bottle and made it vanish.
"Party killer," Balthazar grumbled, and slunk away.
"I didn't think you were gonna come," Cas said to Gabe.
"What, and miss your big night? Rampaging dinosaurs couldn't keep me away! Hey, how are you?" he greeted an angel that Cas didn't immediately recognize.
"Congratulations, Castiel. Didn't think they'd take you for a soldier. Guess they didn't have a choice." He didn't seem too much older than Cas, and it took him a moment to put a name with the face.
"Samandriel?"
"You remember me! I've been Assigned to Records. Boring, right? Wish I was in the middle of the action like you."
"There's gonna be action?"
"You think Michael is gonna let Lucifer get away with just strolling back into Heaven? And bringing demons with him, no less? They'll tighten up security so that no one gets in or out without six background checks and a mountain of paperwork. And Luci will find a way to strike back. You'll be lucky to get any training at all before they ship you out to fight. Hope you're good with your blade."
"Well, love to stay and chat, but can't hang out all night. See ya later, Sammy!" Gabe carefully steered Cas through the crowd until they were far away from Samandriel. "Don't worry about what he said. Mike will handle it. You'll be fine."
"Where is he? Where is he holding Luci?"
"I don't know. Seriously, they didn't tell me. So don't go looking or anything."
"If you had to guess where he was, where would you guess?"
"Kid, I mean it. Don't get involved in this. If they need you to do anything, they'll come and find you. Right now, just bask in the glory. Tonight is all about you. Not Luci, not Mike, not me. You. Lemme show you something."
He led Cas out into the middle of the floor and said, "Hit it!"
Music with a pounding beat began playing, and Gabe . . . did something with his arms and legs that looked painful. But there was a huge smile on his face. He gyrated for a few minutes until he realized that Cas was just standing there, looking puzzled.
"What is that you're doing?"
"It's called disco dancing. It's real big about two thousand years from now. C'mon, try it!"
"I don't think so."
"This is your party! You're supposed to be having fun!"
"Not while Mike is torturing Luci!"
"We don't know that's what he's doing. Anyway, it's not our problem. Mike will take care of it. Now dance! Just do what I do, and you should be fine."
He went into the wild gyrations again. Cas tried to watch him and copy his movements, but he wasn't a naturally gifted dancer and he looked awkward next to his brother, who made up in enthusiasm what he lacked in actual talent. But after a while, he began to relax and the movement came easier. This dancing thing was actually fun after all.
Everyone was staring at them.
And not the good kind of staring where they all wish they could have done what you just did. This was the shocked, disbelieving stare of someone who has just seen something impossible happen right in front of them. Cas began to feel uncomfortable, and he stopped dancing and shuffled away toward the drinks table.
Gabe didn't notice and kept on dancing, even as his siblings began to mutter among themselves. He only noticed when the music suddenly stopped-and the music had stopped only because Michael had entered the room.
All the angels simultaneously stood at attention. Eventually Gabe saw where everyone was looking and he stood, if not with precise military bearing, at least a little straighter than he normally did.
"The demons have been expelled from Heaven," Michael announced to his gathered brethren. "Lucifer is secured. The final decision on what to do with him remains with the Father."
"Who isn't here," someone, possibly Balthazar, muttered.
"I have sent a message to him. He is on his way even now."
This set off something of a panic among the angels. The Creator of the Universe did not take His time getting anywhere, so if He was on his way . . .
"We're screwed," said Gabe. "If He finds out that someone let demons into Heaven-"
"He already knows," Michael told him. "But it was no one's fault. There was no one guarding the gate because we didn't know the gate would need to be guarded. We were all at the Convocation, and Lucifer just strolled in."
"So it's my fault," Cas said gloomily. He stepped forward. "Whatever needs to be done, let me help. Let me make it right."
Michael looked concerned. "Castiel, you are a novice. You haven't even been through basic training yet. It's not your responsibility."
"I want to do whatever is necessary to help you. But let the Father's will be done. I will do what He commands."
Everyone knew the moment the Father arrived. The whole place lit up like the brightest day on Earth. Where it had been shining white, now Heaven was dazzling, too bright for human eyes to view.
All the angels in the room instantly fell to their knees. "Our Father art in Heaven!" they proclaimed with one voice.
After a moment, Michael got up. "Castiel," he said, "if you truly want to help, come with me now."
Cas got up off his knees and saluted his commander.
"You too, Gabriel."
"Aw, I was having fun! You guys start without me, I'mma get me another drink."
The look Michael gave him made him yelp and run for the door. "I'm going, I'm going!"
Cas was smiling as he followed his brothers to Father's office. He was finally going to see His face.
They made him wait out in the hall again.
"But I'm not a child anymore!" he protested. "Can't I come in with you?"
"I'm afraid not," Michael said. "We'll let you know what He decides. Raphael is already with Him. Have faith, little brother, and trust us."
"When will I be allowed to see the face of my Father?"
"Not today. I'm sorry."
Cas resigned himself to sitting on the hard bench again, as his brothers went in to consult with their Father. He wanted to listen in on Angel Radio, but had been told that it was forbidden. Today, of all days, he didn't want to break any rules.
The worst part was that he was missing his own party for this. If he'd known he'd be sitting out in the hall again, he would have stayed behind. No, that was childish thinking. He wasn't a child anymore. He was a soldier now, and soldiers followed orders. And he had been ordered to sit here and wait, so sit here and wait he would.
It seemed like forever before the door opened and his brothers came out. Mike and Raph had Lucifer between them, in restraints and gagged for good measure. He turned his head and looked at Cas pleadingly; Cas turned away. Even Luci's eyes were charismatic.
Gabe came and took his arm. "Let's go back to the party before all the drinks are gone."
"What's gonna happen?"
"Well, Luci is being locked out of Heaven forever. Dad has ordered a permanent barrier erected between Heaven and Hell. No more demons on the loose here. He said if Luci causes trouble on Earth, He'll come up with a way to lock him away from there, too. All you need to know is that the problem is being taken care of."
"I wanted to help."
"And you will. Here." Gabe slipped something small and metallic into Cas' hand. "Keep this safe. Let no one know that you have it. We don't know if you'll need to use it yet-or if you'll be able to use it-but if you have it, he can't get it."
Cas opened his hand. "That's . . . that's an archangel ring."
"We trust you to hold onto it for now. Don't let it go to your head. Also, don't try it on. Only if we need you to. Until you're told otherwise, you keep it in your pocket, out of sight."
Cas nodded and slipped the ring into an inside pocket. "I hope it doesn't burn a hole in my pocket."
"It won't. By itself, it's just a hunk of metal with pretty designs on it. It takes your grace to activate it."
"Archangel grace. But that's about a thousand times more powerful than mine."
"Don't put yourself down, kiddo. You've come a long way in a short time. I don't expect us to have to use this right away-Luci's not stupid; he'll take years planning his revenge-but if and when we do, you'll need to be ready. Guard this with your life. This may turn out to be the single most powerful weapon in the universe."
Cas waited for the punch line, but there was none. Gabe was being serious for once. "I thought he could only be killed by an archangel blade."
"Oh, this won't kill him. According to what Dad says, anyway. We'll talk more about it later. Right now, we've got a party to finish!"
"Okay," Cas said, "but no more disco dancing."
"Aww!"
(Not the end! More to come! Next up: Cas meets Jesus!)
