CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE: Bad Things Come In Threes
"So, you're telling me that out of everybody else, you two want me to go after this demon?" Jo asked, eyeing the pair that had barged in her room with skepticism.
The demon rolled her eyes before launching into her spiel. "Sam, Bobby, and Ellen are off finding Cain. Mary and John just left to do God knows what, and last time I checked, Dean was a little tied up." Meg grinned at Jo's scowl. "To review, you're our only hope at stopping this bitch."
The blonde switched her gaze to Castiel who stood by awkwardly at the end of her bed. "What's the big deal about this specific demon?"
Cas cleared his throat, glancing at Meg for confirmation before answering the question. "Her name is Lilith and she is planning on letting Lucifer out of his cage and starting the Apocalypse."
Jo pursed her lips and shook her head. "I'm gonna need some more details before I agree to anything."
…
"Dean Winchester, letting himself get captured once again."
The Knight of Hell glared at the person circling him, his obsidian gaze icy and threatening. "I let this happen." He growled, flinching when the man stopped in front of him abruptly, their face mere inches from his.
"True." The person admitted with a shrug. "Although, those friends of yours should've figured that you wouldn't risk getting caught just to get your phone back." He added, giving Dean a knowing look. "I know why you were really there and it wasn't to finish the job."
"What's your point?" The short-haired demon spat, tired of playing games.
"My point is…" He paused for dramatic effect, leaning to where his mouth brushed the Knight's ear. "Is that you can keep lying to yourself, but we all know the kind of monster you really are."
Dean watched as the man walked away from him, leaving him feeling cold and empty. "Alastair, you son of a bitch! Get back here!" He demanded, yanking at his bindings.
The vindictive demon turned around, a smirk occupying his lips. "Where's the Blade, Dean? I could tell you where it is. That is, unless you don't want it." Alastair took casual steps back toward the Knight, totally at ease. "I can just look at you and know it's taking over your thoughts. The idea of slashing into me, into Sam…" He watched as Dean's brows shot upward, utter shock and horror showing in his now green eyes. "Scary, isn't it? How you're imagining ripping into your baby brother's skin? How I can look at you and know exactly what you're thinking."
"You're wrong." Dean tried to deny, shaking his head desperately.
"Quit lying to yourself." Alastair hissed harshly, growing tired of the back and forth. "You're a monster Dean and like it or not, Sammy's blood will be next on the edge of that blade of yours."
The Knight of Hell blinked and Alastair was gone, an overwhelming hopelessness causing him to feel like he was suffocating.
Dean sat there, completely alone, as he tried to banish any thoughts of his brother and the First Blade from his mind.
…
"Mary, John. Glad you could join us." Bobby greeted as they all climbed out of their vehicles outside an old farmhouse.
The pair nodded before glancing around to see a man opening the front door of his home and eyeing them with absolute hatred.
"I'm gonna take a shot in the dark and say that's Cain." John whispered as the man begun to approach them.
Sam took a step back, taking a hold of his mother's arm. "Guys, we gotta get out of here." He insisted, continuing when he got nothing but strange looks. "This feels… dark. And his soul… it's nothing but twisted. We won't stand a chance." The group went to turn when all of a sudden they were standing face to face with the Father of Murder.
"I think you should stay awhile Sam."
…
"You guys are crazy…" Jo breathed, pacing back and forth and running thin fingers through her hair. "I mean, I have the least amount of experience than any of the others!"
Castiel walked over and set a firm yet soothing hand on her shoulder. "Jo, Meg and I will be with you every step of the way." He reassured, trying to convince the young hunter.
Jo glanced between the two, feeling a surge of conflicted emotions as she weighed her options. But, this was the end of the world. Could she really stand by and just watch it happen when everybody else had other things to worry about? She was scared but she knew she had to do it. With a shuddering breath, she chuckled humorlessly. "What the hell, why not."
…
"I can only assume you're here because of Dean." Cain presumed, taking a sip out of a tea cup of all things. He glanced at the group in front of him, Sam, Mary, and John all squished on the couch while Bobby and Ellen stood behind it.
The youngest demon swallowed, feeling like a caged animal. "We want you to remove the Mark." He stated firmly, trying to seem like he wasn't scared shitless.
The Father of Murder busted out laughing, setting down his drink on his coffee table in the rundown ranch home. "I can't remove the Mark nor would I. I meant what I said when I told you're brother I'd gladly transfer it in order to make him suffer. Tell me, why would I help the self-righteous bastard that is Dean Winchester?"
John felt himself grow instantly angry as he stood up from the couch, pointing an accusatory finger at the bearded demon before him. "Dean didn't deserve this and you're going to help whether you like it or no-" The eldest Winchester's words were suddenly cut off as Cain put his pointer finger to his lips, making a 'shhhh' sound. John made disgruntled noises, but whatever he did, he couldn't get a word out.
"I will not be talked down to or ordered around like some pet." Cain began, his patience with the group on the couch dwindling. "I can't remove the Mark. There is nothing I can do to help you."
Deciding she had nothing to lose, Mary moved to stand by her husband, her tone quiet and tentative. "Please, just tell us how you managed to live with it for so long." She asked desperately, her eyes begging the nastiest demon alive to help them.
Cain seemed to consider her for a moment before pursing his lips. "It's strange, demon's consorting with hunters." He stated plainly, glancing between each of the group of five. "But I suppose when you find a common cause, even enemies can become allies." He sighed before standing, looking almost regretful. "The Mark of Cain is a powerful force and will take an equally powerful force to overcome it. You must understand that Dean is being influenced by the Mark, even when he seems under control, there will always be an underlying need to kill as long as he has it." Cain watched as the faces around him fell, a sense of hopelessness so evident in the room, you could cut it with a knife. "I hate to break it to you, especially since you all seemed so damn fraught when you walked into my home, but it took me centuries to calm my need to kill and even to this day, there are times where I would like nothing more than to pick up the blade once again."
"I admit," He continued, the group of five hanging on to his every word. "When I gave Dean my Mark, it was a moment of weakness. But as soon as I laid eyes on him I couldn't help but feel connected to him, Kindred spirits if you will. I see now that giving Dean the Mark was a mistake, a burden I wouldn't even wish on my worst enemy." He stopped as he began to feel remorse, something he hadn't experienced for as long as he can remember.
"There has to be somethin' we can do." Bobby chimed in, his brows scrunching together.
Cain's eyes locked with Mary's, a sense of knowing in his intense gaze. "I cannot remove the Mark. But, there is someone who can. I believe one of you can assume who I am speaking of." He gave the blonde demon a pointed look, one the rest of the group didn't miss. "Now, I insist that you all leave. The less people who know where I am, the better."
Not feeling any better than when they first got here, the group of five all filed out in silence, knowing better then to refuse the Father of Murder.
…
"How do we even know where she is?" Jo questioned, beginning to feel in over her head.
Meg smiled proudly as she whipped out a map of Ilchester Maryland, only a single location circled in bright red permanent marker. "I did a little recon. Lilith is going to be there," She gestured towards the St. Mary's Convent that was circled, "tonight at midnight to break the final seal."
"Which is?" Jo asked, glancing at Castiel with raised brows.
The angel seemed embarrassed as he shook his head. "I am not sure. Ever since I joined you I've been, what you would call, "out of the loop."" He said, putting the last of his sentence in quotations with his fingers.
The blonde just nodded, the crippling weight of the task before her finally catching up with her mind as she processed just exactly she was trying to accomplish.
But, what did she really have to lose? She lived a hunter's life and for most, the life span was pretty damn short. If it doesn't happen tonight, it'll happen sooner rather than later.
With a 'fuck it' sort of attitude, Jo quickly got up and searched through her bedside table drawer and pulled out a notepad and pen before scribbling a note to whoever happened to come looking for her first.
The demon stood up with a smug grin, handing the young hunter the enchanted knife.
"I thought Bobby took this with him?" Jo asked, giving Meg a wary look as she tucked it into her waistband.
The brunette shrugged as she wiggled her brows, not willing to divulge any useful information. With a sigh and a worried look, Jo grabbed a hold of Castiel's outstretched hand.
…
"Well you are just about the last person I expected to come." Dean quipped, eyeing the person walking cautiously towards him with skepticism. "Here for a little payback?" He asked, his dull green eyes locking with hazel.
"I uh- I figured John hadn't had time before he left to tell you what we- I found." Tim managed to get out as he took in the scene before him.
He had to admit, Dean looked like shit. He had dried blood coating his lips and face, droplets of scarlet staining his clothes and scattered around him on the cement flooring. His smirk looked forced as he tried to keep up his carefree attitude, but the Man of Letter's could tell it was just an act.
The Knight chuckled, amusement lacing his words. "So John left. Now Timmy, don't get me wrong. I'd love to hear what you found. But in case you hadn't gotten the memo," Dean's voice switched from playful to cold, eyes flashing black for a moment. "No visitors allowed. Especially ones who may have a grudge against me."
Tim swallowed, taking a step back in order to put more distance between him and the Knight. "We found a way to cure a demon." He said abruptly, watching as Dean erupted with laughter.
"Cure me?" He repeated, seeing the Man of Letter's confident gaze falter at the demon's harshness. "You mean make me human?"
Tim nodded quickly before pulling a crimson-filled syringe from his back pocket.
Dean felt panic surge through him as Allison's fiancé approached him with a determined expression.
"Woah, hey. In case you hadn't thought of this, curing me would only fix half the problem and not even the problematic half!" He growled as Tim pressed the needle to his neck. "I'm going to tell you the same thing I told my pain in the ass brother. Trying to save me will only lead to your very painful death-"
The rest of Dean's threat was cut off as the needle punctured skin and red liquid coursed through his veins.
An animal like growl tore itself from the Knight's neck as blood filled his system, a white hot agony flowing through him. Obsidian orbs fixated on Tim, a promise evident in the daunting glare as the man turned to leave to grab another syringe. "I hope you know, if you come back with another one, I'll rip your throat open. With my teeth." He enunciated the last sentence, sending chills down Tim's spine as he retreated from the dungeon, his plan to cure Dean Winchester still in motion.
…
I can't do this, Jo thought, running frantic hands down the side of her head.
"I can't do this." She repeated, this time out loud as she saw the clock switch, the red glowing letters of the cheap car Meg had stolen changing to 11:45 pm.
Castiel leaned forward from the back seat, hoping to soothe the young hunter. "Meg and I will be right behind you. Don't worry, Jo. Everything will be alright."
The blonde just nodded, not feeling better in the slightest as she glanced at the convent a very deadly demon was waiting to break the final seal in.
"Jo, we don't have much time." Cas insisted from behind her, indicating that it was time.
Oh shit.
With a deep breath, Jo gripped the door handle and got out of the car.
…
"Tim, I didn't think you were this stupid." Dean chastised the man's actions as he made his way over with yet another injection ready, looking as if he was about to piss his pants.
"You will feel guilt for what you did to Allison. And if I have to cure you in order to accomplish that, then so be it." He declared, although his voice shook at the end.
Dean saw an opening so he took it, hoping to strike a nerve. "You know, I made her scream in ways you'll never be able to." He quipped, watching as anger flooded Tim's features. "And who knows, maybe after I get out of here and tear your lungs out, Allison and I could have some fun of our own." He said suggestively, eyeing Tim up and down disapprovingly before adding, "I mean, I'd be an upgrade from what she's getting from you."
Tim lunged forward, quickly jabbing the syringe into the Knight's neck and pressing down on the plunger. He ripped the needle out indelicately, earning a glare from the trapped demon.
Dean screamed in pain, trying to hide the agony that was running through him like fire but it was no use.
"I'll let you apologize for that comment when you're human." Tim spat maliciously right before he left, checking the time on his watch to make sure he'd be back in an hour.
…
Jo had to admit, she was scared shitless as she made her way down the musty and spider-web infested hallways, narrowly dodging fallen debris that cluttered the walkways.
It was apparent that this particular church hadn't been used in decades, centuries even, but according to the angel, this was where it all started.
Jo could feel the adrenaline start to pound as she stopped dead in her tracks at the end of a corridor, her gaze locking on a woman's back that was standing over a coffin. With a small shove from Meg, the young hunter started towards who was obviously Lilith as she pulled out the enchanted knife.
"I have to say, you were not who I was expecting." Lilith purred as she turned around just in time to grab Jo's wrist to keep her from plunging the blade into her back. "But, it's hard to find good heroes these days." She hissed as she shoved the blonde, causing her to go flying up against the concrete walls, her head banging painfully against it.
"I'll admit," The demon began, crouching over Jo's crumbled form and grabbing a fistful of her hair. "I have absolutely no idea who you are. I can only assume you're a hunter. How you found me though…" She trailed off as Meg appeared behind her, grabbing her attention. "Meg, I've heard you've gone rogue."
The brunette watched as Lilith stood up, the vessel she was riding wearing a long white dress, one that was definitely inappropriate for the situation they were in.
Jo tried to get up, to do something productive, but her thoughts were fuzzy from the concussion she was almost positive she had.
"I've heard you're a bitch. Looks like we're both right." Meg retorted, a smug smile tugging at her lips.
Lilith chuckled humorlessly as she stood up so she could face the other demon head on. "Siding with hunters. I guess I have seen it all."
Meg shrugged, seeming unbothered. "Not just hunters either."
Lilith quickly felt herself start to grow desperate as strong arms grabbed her from behind, the demon squirming to try and escape from his grasp.
"Really? Angels? Whose side are you on?" The blonde demon demanded, knocking her head back to make contact with Castiel's nose, the impact surprising the angel and causing his grip to loosen enough to grant her freedom.
Lilith wasted no time as she seized Cas's tie and shoved him against a wall, beginning to enchant something in Enochian. "Unfortunately, I can't kill you. But I sure as hell can send you back where you belong." She sensed movement from behind her and flung her free hand out, sending Meg flying backwards.
Jo could see Castiel's features shining bright white, the spell Lilith was reciting about to send him back to Heaven. With strength that seemingly came from nowhere, the hunter pushed herself up silently, making sure her grip was tight on the enchanted knife.
"Hey, Lilith." Jo sang, causing the demon to spin around and meet the hunter's fierce hazel eyes that were only inches away from her. "Bite me." Without giving her enough time to respond, Jo forcefully jammed the blade into Lilith's heart, twisting the knife as her features flashed orange.
Jo yanked the blade from where it was lodged in the demon's chest, watching with satisfaction as Lilith's vessel fell to the floor. She watched with concerned, wide eyes as blood leaked from the lifeless corpse and began to create a circle in the middle of the room, occasionally tendrils of crimson branching off from the circle that was forming.
Castiel regained his footing after collapsing to the floor, grabbing Jo's arm with earnest. "We need to get out of here."
"Cas, what's happening?" Meg said in a rush as she made her way towards them, watching as the branches of blood began to shape into a whirlpool, the focal point opening up and allowing light to shine through.
"He's coming." Castiel said in disbelief as he tugged on the hunter's arm, full blown panic taking over his instincts.
"Who?!" Jo turned towards the angel wanting answers and wanting them now.
Castiel's face grew remorseful as he looked at Meg before meeting Jo's prying eyes.
"Lucifer."
…
"Hey Allison." Sam greeted as he walked into the Bunker's kitchen followed by the others, stopping when he noticed her almost scared look. "What happened?"
She bit at her lip, crossing her arms. "I can't find Tim."
Sam's gaze grew determined as he placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry. We'll find him-"
The conversation was cut off as a blood-curdling scream rang through the halls, coming from the dungeon.
"DEAN!"
…
TBC
Thanks for your constant support. You all have no idea how much it means to me. Special thanks to CallMeAnonymous9 (Thank you! It means a lot that you enjoy it and I hope you continue to!), 1983Sarah (I'm trying to keep it original yet give it my own spin! Thanks for the kind words!), babyreaper (Mary's thoughts are blinded by her need to save her son, and Tim's actions are clouded by, well, who knows. I guess we will have to see what ends up happening.), kasey123 (Here's more!), and ncsupnatfan (I hope it's not too much.) for reviewing! You guys are great!