Hey everyone! I'd just like to take a moment and give a big shout out to all of you reading this. Only because of your views, favorites, follows (just hit the 100 mark!), and reviews have I made it this far in the story. It's been a wild ride, and I'm so happy I was able to pull you along. I'm making it sound like this is the last chapter... it's not, don't worry! But I just wanted to let you all know how grateful I am for you. Enjoy!

Chapter Twenty-Two

Sam was bound tightly to a rock with wire. It was cutting into his flesh. He didn't know how long he had been there, but sensed the moon was out. He was inside a dark cavern of sorts, lit by luminescent plants and what looked like paint on the walls.

Black eyes glinted at him from the shadows.

You're awake.

Sam gasped at the buzz in his head. It was different from before, more forceful. This was a different creature talking to him now.

Why are you here? The voice prodded.

"I won't answer any questions until I can see who you are," Sam said, trying to remain calm.

He waited. The water churned as something swam into the light in front of him. It was another creature like the one he had seen earlier, except this one had red and gold strips running down its face, down its torso, and to its tail. It also wore a headdress – something made out of fish bones, shells, and coral.

Answer my question.

"I was just swimming through," Sam said. "I didn't mean any offense or harm."

I'm certain you had a purpose, the creature said. Its black eyes stared him down, but its thin mouth never moved as it communicated with him telepathically. You were sent here to find us.

"Maybe," Sam said. "But you led me right to you. You threw a tool at me. One to help me eat that crab."

Hisses echoed in the watery cavern.

A small creature was pushed in front of Sam. Despite its small form, its eyes were bigger than the others'. It was noticeably trembling.

Ara is young. She still does not know to quench her curiosity. Shall we kill her for helping you?

There were more hisses and clicking. The creature in front of Sam wailed. "No," he said. "It wasn't her fault. You're right. I was looking for you anyway. At least, I think so. Have you been targeting the Lockwood family?"

The hisses and clicks increased in volume. Sam wished he could cover his ears.

That family betrayed us, the creature, who seemed to be the leader, said.

"How?" Sam inquired.

Rather than words, a memory that was not his own flooded his vision. He saw a fisherman pulling up empty nets. His family lived in a small cabin he had built himself. His competition was overpowering his fishing business. The creature – Myrtle, her name was – found him about to commit suicide and drown himself. She offered him a deal – she would ensure his fishing business would succeed, but only if he sacrificed his own blood to her once every generation. Misunderstanding her intentions, he agreed. Sam saw the fisherman grow wealthy with his business, becoming one of the top in the industry. He saw and sensed Myrtle's frustration when no child was sacrificed to her. The fisherman died, and never fulfilled his bargain.

So Myrtle took it.

The memories faded from Sam's mind. He shook his head. "So you've been taking one of Benjamin Lockwood's descendants each generation. Why take Candi now? Why not wait until she had children of her own for you to harvest?

We're hungry, Myrtle said. Whispers in Sam's mind echoed the word. Hungry, hungry, hungry…

"So why not just take others?"

We try to stay hidden. We make deals with humans occasionally to feed us. We made a deal with one to watch Candi for us.

This was news to Sam. "Oh, yeah? Who's the poor soul?"

Enough questions. Myrtle jerked her fish tail in annoyance. You are of no use to us. We will feast on you and Ada tonight."

Ada clicked and cowered. Sam's mind raced for a way out.

The creatures hiding in the shadows slithered around Sam. He felt fingers grasp his naked torso, his fish tail. His skin crawled.

A rushing sound filled his ears, and he felt a violent jerk. He cried out, and landed on wood with a thud.

"Don't be such a drama queen," Gabriel said. His hand was poised in the air, as if he had just snapped his fingers. Sam tried to slow his breathing.

"Hell, Gabriel…"

"Shut up, Sam. We have a problem."

"You think? I just found—"

"Candi's missing," Gabriel cut in. Sam noticed Gabriel didn't even have the faintest smile on his lips. For once, the trickster was dead serious. "And I think Dean's behind it."

Candi had left Hickory's silently, Dean taking the lead. Her heart raced and adrenaline pumped through her body. Dean led her to a black Chevy Malibu and opened the passenger door for her. The moment she slid in, she felt like she had sealed her horrific fate. Kidnaped, tortured, killed… she imagined Dean had no limits.

As Dean got into the driver's seat and started the engine, a small whimper escaped her throat, much to her own surprise, and panic began to set in.

"Why are you doing this?" she croaked.

"Apparently you're important. Maybe you'll lure Sammy out."

"But why? Why am I important?"

"You've got me there, sister."

Dean pulled out of the parking lot and sped down the road to the highway. Candi desperately tried to calm her breathing so she wouldn't hyperventilate. She couldn't get the picture of Isaac out of her head.

Candi was too afraid to talk, but she made notes of where they were going so she could escape or call the police as soon as she had the chance. To her surprise, they went right up to Isaac's parent's mansion. She desperately hoped his parents had been out of town and weren't hurt.

Dean parked the car in the driveway and got out. He opened her door and pulled her out by the arm.

"Hey!" she cried out, frightened.

Dean dragged her inside the garage and pushed her. She nearly toppled over, but managed to regain her footing.

"Oh my God. Candi?"

She heard Isaac's voice in the darkness before the light switched on. Dean stepped forward, reminding Candi of a prowling wolf.

"Now, there's no need to hurt either of you as long as you cooperate," Dean said.

"What do you want from us?" Candi demanded, her voice shrill.

"Some answers, for starters."

In one fluid motion, he moved his hand, and Candi suddenly flew back and landed in a chair. Rope wrapped around her wrists and ankles as if they had a will of their own. Her mind was scrambling, not processing fast enough.

Dean walked right up to her, and leaned forward, putting his hands over hers. He blinked.

Candi screamed.

Dean's green eyes were now pitch black, like a bug's. There was nothing for her to stare into except a chilling, endless depth of blackness. She struggled, trying to get away.

"Settle down," Dean said calmly. "And tell me what Sam's told you."

Candi's mind scrambled for words, for even a snippet of memory. "I don't know," she squeaked. "He was asking a lot of questions about my dad."

Dean blinked again, and his green eyes returned. "What about your dad?"

"He died, okay?" she snapped. "Like two years ago. He drowned. That's all. I don't know why Sam was interested in that."

"He might have been working a case." Dean straightened, then turned around. He was still for a moment. Candi stared at his back as it clenched. He suddenly kicked a pile of boxes so hard that one of them toppled over onto the floor, spilling out Christmas lights. "Goddamn it, Crowley! He was only working a case!"

He whirled back on Candi. "Is he still here? Sam?"

"I don't know," Candi said. Her voice was low. She was becoming numb to the terror she felt pulsing through her. "I saw him about two days ago. He was swimming."

Dean scoffed. "Swimming? Sammy?"

"Yeah, swimming. What's so bad about that?"

Dean was pacing now.

Isaac spoke up. "Look, man –"

"Was I talking to you?" Dean's voice was raised. Isaac clamped his mouth shut.

Dean turned back to Candi. "Have you seen a guy that's about yea high, chubby, baby face?"

Candi frowned. "Depends. Should I know him?"

"You know what, let's cut the crap," Dean said. He stood over her, gazing at her like a bug under a magnifying glass. "I'm going to be straight with you. Angels and demons. Know about them?"

Candi wasn't sure how to respond. She had no idea what Dean was asking. "I don't know what you mean," she said as calmly as she could.

"Let me make it simple for you." He blinked again, and his eyes burned black. He pointed to himself. "Demon." He blinked again, and the black eyes were gone. "And angels are self-righteous dicks. You met either?"

Candi spluttered for a moment before spitting out, "No! You're… you're crazy!"

"Oh, I'm more than crazy, sweetheart," Dean said, putting his hands on hers again and putting his face close to hers. "I'm dangerous. Now. Have you met Cupid, or not?"

"Oh my God, you're totally off your rocker, man," Isaac said.

Dean's head snapped in Isaac's direction. "How bout you, big man?" he asked, sauntering over to Isaac. "You know of any demons? Angels? Cherubs?"

"Are you listening to yourself?" Isaac said.

"Okay, so maybe you two don't know about the things that go bump in the night. Well, you've met me. Demon down. Let's introduce you to an angel."

And he was gone. Candi blinked several times, looking around. He was really, truly gone.

"That is so trippy," Isaac breathed. He turned his head to look at Candi. "Are you believing this?"

"Isaac, I'm trying my best not to shit myself right now," Candi said. "Are you okay?"

Isaac shrugged. "He gave me a beating. Probably just to scare you. We'll be fine. You'll see. We're going to be okay."

Later, when Dean returned with bones, a silver bowl, and a large knife, Candi knew they were anything but okay.

Castiel came the moment Sam called.

He was surprised enough when Sam told him that Dean was in Maine and had taken Candi, but nothing could prepare him for who he saw standing next to Sam.

Castiel stared, his frown deepening. "Gabriel."

"Hey, bro. Miss me?"

Castiel shook his head, looking from Sam, back to Gabriel. "Sam. What's going on? What is he doing here?"

"Been keeping an eye on Candi. Duh," Gabriel said.

"Apparently, you haven't been doing a good job," Castiel said.

Gabriel's mischievous smile vanished. "And what have you been doing this whole time? Netflix and chill?"

"Hey, now," Sam said, stepping between Gabriel and Castiel. "We need to set our differences aside for a sec," he said. "Dean has Candi. What's our next step?"

"Well, obviously, we go get her," Gabriel said.

Castiel exchanged a look with Sam before they both turned back to Gabriel. "Or not," Sam said slowly.

Gabriel laughed. Then he looked from Sam, to Castiel, and back again. "You're not serious?"

"Gabriel, Candi is Dean's Colette," Castiel said. "It makes sense that if she's going to encourage any change in Dean… well…"

Gabriel was shaking his head. "No," he said. "No. You guys are nuts. This plan was never going to work. What, do you think Dean and Candi are out getting dinner right now? Engaging in pleasant conversation? No. Candi's in danger because of us. We have to find her."

Castiel cleared his throat. "But Cupid said –"

"Screw Cupid," Gabriel said. "In fact, screw all of you."

Sam looked confused. "Gabriel… why do you even care?"

Gabriel clamped his mouth shut. For once, he didn't seem to have anything to say. Castiel squinted at Gabriel.

"You still have your wings," he said. "How is that possible?"

Gabriel shrugged. "I was on earth when Metatron's spell took effect. Aaaaaand I'm an archangel. I didn't lose my wings, but the spell took a toll on me. I have some tricks up my sleeve, but I'm not as powerful as I was before. Sucks for everyone else, though."

Castiel felt a click in his mind. "Gabriel… You could be the key to reversing the spell," Castiel said quickly. "There's a fountain. In Heaven. We just need to get you there, and…"

"Woah, woah, woah," Gabriel said, taking a step back and holding up his hands. "One thing at a time. Candi."

Castiel was highly aware of Metatron's blood coursing through his veins. Without it, he had nothing. He would be dead. Gabriel could fix him in an instant if they could just make a quick trip to Heaven.

"No, Gabriel," Castiel said firmly. "Come to Heaven, fix me, and we can figure out what to do with Dean and Candi."

Gabriel's mouth dropped open. "You can't be serious right now. You'd rather make a quick power run than save a human that you put in danger. I thought you two were the good guys!"

"If Dean can reverse his course of actions and control the mark, putting Candi in danger will be worth it," Sam said, stepping in. "If Dean stays on his bloodthirsty course, more lives will be at stake."

"Yeah, sure." Gabriel's voice dripped with sarcasm. "Do you really believe that, Sam, or are you just missing your big brother? I've told you before, and I'll tell you again: Your dependency on each other will be the ruin of us all."

There was a long moment of silence.

"Look, boys," Gabriel said, "I'm not bleeding myself out in that fountain until Candi is safe. And that's final."

Castiel exchanged another look at Sam. He willed with all his might to make Sam understand that Gabriel needed to help Heaven first. He thought he read in Sam's face that he wanted Gabriel far away from Candi as well. If Cupid was right, they needed fate to run its course.

Sam turned to Gabriel. "Fine. We'll do it your way. Let's go find Candi."

"Finally, I've knocked some sense into you two. I have a few ideas as to where Dean may have taken Candi. I'm going to check them out. Be right back."

He disappeared with a flutter of wings. Castiel was instantly jealous. He couldn't believe the answer to Heaven's problems was hanging out in Maine this whole time. He turned to Sam. "We need him to fix Heaven."

"And we can't let him come between Dean and Candi," Sam agreed. He paused. "Castiel… Do you think… Does Gabriel…?" He trailed off. Castiel waited expectantly.

"What, Sam? Does Gabriel what?"

"You don't think he's…. in love with Candi, do you?"

Castiel couldn't really conceive of such a thing. "Angels are hardly capable or human love," Castiel said. "But we both know Gabriel likes to play with humans. Intercourse with females seems particularly enjoyable for him."

"So you think Candi's just his… sex toy?"

"I can't see it being much else."

Sam nodded. "Okay. Well. How are we tricking the trickster into Heaven?"