Things in the motel room turned uncomfortable for just a few moments once the others left. Both Spencer and Sam wanted nothing more than to be with their family right in that moment. It had been a whole lot harder than Spencer had anticipated to be able to let Gabriel go. All he wanted was to stay in the circle of the archangel's arms, tucked under those wings, safe and home. Gabriel had seemed to understand because he'd given Spencer an extra-long squeeze before finally pulling away. "I'll be back, sparrow." He promised, cupping his cheek. Then he'd kissed his forehead and left.
Spencer stood for a long moment in the middle of the room. His arms found their way around his waist and he clung tightly to himself. This was pathetic. He was a grown man. Instincts or no instincts, Famine or no Famine, he should be able to handle this. He should be able to cope! He should not be standing here wishing he could drag Gabriel back in here where he knew the archangel would be safe and be able to keep him safe.
"They'll be all right, Spencer."
The fledgling didn't turn to look at Sam. "I know." He had faith in them – he did! It just felt wrong to be here while they were out there risking themselves. It felt…weak. There was a part of him that was protesting being treated like a child. Just because he was clingy didn't mean that he couldn't help. He could control the need. How many years had he done that already? He'd always held in his need to cuddle or be cuddled. How was this any different? He could help!
Sam, at least, had a very valid reason not to be with the others. The risk there was just too high. There was no doubt what Famine would trigger in him and it was just smarter and safer for him to be here. Sam's problem wasn't just a ridiculous need for family.
A need that was growing stronger by the minute. Spencer wanted Gabriel back here; he wanted to be on that bed again with Gabriel's arms and wings around him, holding him close. He wanted to be wrapped up in the guardian that had been more of a father figure to him than his own father had ever been. But, at the same time, he wanted so much more than that. He wanted to climb onto the bed where Sam was currently sitting and curl himself up against the hunter. He wanted Dean and Castiel back here, safe and sound with them. And more, low down inside his grace, he wanted the rest of his family as well. If he could control his wings yet and could fly, he had a feeling his first stop would've been Vegas – Diana. Not that he would've stayed there. Oh, no. Because the more that Spencer thought about it, the more he wanted. He wanted the people who had become his family over the years. The ones who had been there for him when it felt like no one else had. Aaron, Derek, Penelope, Jason. Elle. Even Emily, a little, though she hadn't been there long. God, Spencer wanted them all. Wanted them here in the room with him, all of them safe and happy, curled up together in one place.
He heard Sam clear his throat and the sound jerked him out of his thoughts. Spencer focused his eyes on the bed and saw that Sam had made himself comfortable somewhere during all of Spencer's thinking. The young hunter had stolen the pillows off Dean's bed and used those as well as his own to make a comfortable backrest which he was leaning back against. It left his back against the headboard and his legs stretched out over the length of the bed.
When Sam saw he had Spencer's attention, he smiled. "All right, Spencer. There's no one here but you and me and I can guarantee you I'm not gonna mock you for anything that happens. So, whatever you need, you've got a blanket permission for it right here and right now. I'm not gonna freak out on you."
Those were like the magic words. Spencer couldn't have even explained how it was he did what he did next. One moment he was standing in the middle of the room and the next he was crashing down onto the bed beside Sam and half climbing up on him. To his relief, Sam didn't seem at all bothered or even that surprised. Apparently his time around Gabriel had desensitized him to certain things. He just let out a low laugh and wrapped his arms around Spencer to drag him in even closer. Once Spencer was pressed up against the side of him, one leg resting over his, Sam gave his bicep a soft squeeze. "Think you can snap us up the remote or something? We can at least watch a movie."
It'd be their only real chance at a distraction. Not that either thought it would work.
Without moving off him, Spencer snapped his fingers. A TV appeared at the foot of the bed, much nicer than the crap one nearby, and the remote landed on Sam's stomach.
Again, Sam laughed. Spencer decided he liked that sound. It wasn't mean or mocking or anything like that. It didn't make him feel like he was being made fun of. In a way, it kind of included him, like he was somehow a part of the joke even if he didn't understand what it was. Spencer liked that about Sam. After their rocky start, the hunter had proved to be one hell of a man, and a pretty good friend. He never seemed to look at Spencer like he was some sort of freak or anything like that. He didn't act like Spencer's existence was anything to hate or anything that made him somehow less. Then again, Sam had been considered an abomination by the angels ever since he met them. If there was anyone that could understand, it would be him.
Spencer didn't really care about whatever it was that Sam put on. He curled himself even closer and gave a happy little sigh when Sam tightened his grip. This wasn't as good as snuggling with Gabriel would be right now but it would do. Sam was close enough. He was Gabriel's mate, even if neither one ever said the words. They were just starting to get into that and the human side of Spencer recognized the newness of their relationship and all the ways it was developing. The angelic side of him, however, was speaking up at the moment and it said something different. Gabriel's mate, it whispered to him. Al'alihm. Mate to ol'alihm. Family.
They laid together for a little while without ever saying anything. Sam's hand was running up and down Spencer's spine and it felt ridiculously good. He arched up into the touch like a cat, and Sam chuckled but kept up the motions. It was good, so good, but it was...Spencer furrowed his brow and tried to think what he was missing here. What was wrong.
His body answered for him. When his wings pressed in close to curl against his back and drape slightly over Sam's legs, he knew what he wanted. Only, Sam didn't have any wings to shelter him under. He was human. But Spencer wanted the feel of wings pressing against his, sheltering him, caring for him. Couldn't Sam give him that somehow? Maybe if he...maybe…
Spencer wasn't aware of making any decision and he probably wouldn't have done it if he'd been in his clear mind. But one moment they were just lying there and the next Sam was gasping as six wings appeared in the room with them. "Spencer!"
"Sorry!" Spencer tried to scramble back, though his hands didn't want to let go of Sam. "Sorry, sorry!" Stupid! Sam was human! Showing off his wings could have caused some serious damage! They were made up of grace and just showing them like this could've blinded him! Gabriel had only just begun to teach Spencer how to keep them out without hurting humans eyes. It was kind of a half manifestation that brought them out just enough to be seen and touched without bringing them out enough to blind. If he hadn't instinctively gotten it right just now, he could've blinded Sam for life.
The arms around Spencer tightened and, though they both knew he could've gotten away if he wanted, he let Sam hold him in place. "No, don't go. It's fine." Sam reassured him. "I wasn't complaining. You just startled me, that's all. They're just… Spencer, they're beautiful."
There was so much awe in Sam's voice it had Spencer blushing. At the same time, he couldn't help but preen a little, his wings shuffling underneath Sam's awed gaze.
"Can I?"
The hesitant question took Spencer a second to understand. When he did, he made a soft, happy sound low in his throat, one that would embarrass him later. Then, very carefully, he laid himself back down against Sam and he lifted his topmost left wing, letting it sort of drape over Sam's lap. The other two went low, over his legs, while all his right side wings were spread out to the side and hanging off the edge of the bed.
Sam was slow to touch at first. Like he wasn't quite able to believe that he was really allowed, or like he maybe thought that something was going to happen to him. When his fingers finally touched, it sent a pulse of warm and family through Spencer that had him melting down into the bed. This...this was perfect! "Sam." He breathed the word out soft and low. His wing pushed up, encouraging Sam's fingers to start to card through the feathers. This was better than any time anyone had sat and stroked his hair for him till he fell asleep. This was absolutely amazing. Not as good as Gabriel's fingers in them, or his wings against Spencer's, but so damn perfect for the moment he couldn't stop the happy sounds that slipped from him. Sounds that the part of Spencer's brain that wasn't affected by Famine was horrified to realize sounded disturbingly like some sort of chirruping noise.
Those sounds seemed to encourage Sam to explore more. His fingers lost their hesitant edge and moved with a bit more confidence. Long fingers carded through feathers that shifted happily under his touch. While these weren't a full manifestation of his wings – which held a lot more light and grace to them – they were close enough. They were more physical like this, giving his nickname of 'little bird' a bit more credit. Sam didn't seem to be bothered by it at all. If anything, he seemed in awe. "You have beautiful wings, Spencer. The colors… it's like the sunrise. Like they took the sunrise and put them in your wings."
"Bringer of the dawn." Spencer mumbled against Sam's chest. "The Incoming Light. It's what Gabriel calls me."
"They suit you."
Spencer sighed again and smiled to himself. Later on he would undoubtedly be beyond embarrassed about all of this. Right in the moment it was exactly what he wanted.
So, naturally, something had to disturb it.
Spencer felt them before they got close. There was no mistaking the feel of demons to his extra senses. It was enough to have his wings drawing in tight to his back and his whole body tensing. He saw Sam's worry and could only give him one word "Demons" before they were on them.
The door to the motel room burst open and Spencer was off the bed in a flash. His wings opened wide in blatant threat and he called up the knife that he'd seen Sam slip under the edge of the mattress earlier where it would've been in easy reach. The need to hide was startling – a sort of childlike fear of the beings in front of him, these horrifying monsters he could see inside the people, and it had him wanting to duck down and hide or cry out for Gabriel – but having Sam behind him and in danger, the urge to defend was even stronger than the fear. Spencer left his wings lift and spread and snarled as he leapt forward without even giving Sam or the others time to react.
His knife took out the first two. When one tried to grab at his wings, Spencer snapped them back and used them as weapons, throwing the demons off him. He heard Sam fighting off one and he knew it wasn't fair because Spencer had the demon killing knife as well as the ability to smite – at least, Gabriel had insisted he could, even if they hadn't quite tested it – and it left Sam without a way to fully defend himself. In a flash, the fledgling flung one of his wings and knocked the demon away and then did the only thing he could think of that would be smart and the safest option for Sam.
He could give Sam the knife, but that would hurt the demons, make them bleed, and that wasn't at all what Spencer wanted here. He wanted to be able to keep Sam safe and to save him from having to deal with something like this. So he caught Sam's eye across the room and warned him "Shut your eyes!"
When he was sure that Sam's eyes were shut tight, Spencer let go of the little bit that he'd been holding back with his wings, no longer worrying about letting the light of them shine through. His wings lifted, large and dangerous, and the light of his grace shone brightly. The room filled with screams and shrieks as the demons were burnt out of their hosts.
There was something in Spencer that rebelled at the idea of killing. He'd never liked it, even when the ones he took down were twisted in ways he knew they couldn't be healed from. Taking out demons didn't really feel any better. It was still killing something – something that had once been a human soul.
Spencer shoved down those thoughts and drew his wings quickly back in. Now wasn't the time to think about this. Now was the time to use his head and get them the hell out of here. "Sam." He quickly crossed the room to his friend and crouched down in front of him, trying to ignore the body by them. Reaching out, Spencer closed his hand over Sam's wrist and pulled. "It's clear. But we need to move, now. I was careful, but if anything is watching this town they won't have missed that light show."
His fears proved true just a second too late for them to do anything about it. They'd barely pushed their way up to their feet when the room suddenly filled with light and there was no time to run, no time to hide, as angels fell on them quicker than Spencer could draw breath to shout. In that moment Spencer wished with everything he had that he'd already had some flying lessons. If he had, he could've flown him and Sam out of there without hesitation. But he had no idea what to do or how to do it and trying and failing could kill them quicker than these angels could. If it had been just him, he would've tried it, but he wouldn't risk Sam.
Instead, he did the only thing he could do and he shoved Sam behind him, wings out and curled back to protect him as best he could.
It was no use.
These angels were warriors. There were only five of them but those five had far more skill and practice than Spencer had. Hell, Sam had more practice than Spencer did – and neither Sam nor Spencer had an angel blade.
The first blow rocked Spencer back almost into Sam before he steadied himself. The next few came in such quick succession it was all Spencer could do to keep Sam sheltered from it. He heard the hunter shouting behind him and wished he could do anything to stop it. He wanted to scream for Gabriel, but the feel of Famine's influence in him told him that the archangel hadn't yet been able to stop the Horseman and there was no way Spencer was going to distract him from that.
Then something clamped down on the base of one of Spencer's wings and the fledgling found himself face down on the floor as agony ripped its way through him. Something pressed against the side of his neck and he knew a moment of terror when he caught sight of the shiny metal of an angel blade. It pressed in just enough to keep him still.
A loud thud sounded somewhere behind him and he couldn't hold back his cry of "Sam!"
The blade pressed a bit closer against Spencer's neck and he hissed at the pain as it pierced his skin just the slightest bit.
"No." A voice suddenly said. "Don't kill them." All movement in the room stopped. Spencer could hear Sam panting and blessed the fact that the hunter was alive. Then he heard Sam spit out one word that had Spencer's worry skyrocketing. "Zachariah."
"That's enough out of you." Zachariah said. There was some strange sound and then a thud that had a small whimper of fear slipping from the fledgling. It sounded far too much like a body hitting the floor. Sam. Sam! He wanted to snap and snarl at the angels around them even as the part of him still influenced by Famine wanted nothing more than to curl up and cry out for someone to come and fix this.
Feet appeared right in front of Spencer's face. There was a pause and then he heard a chuckle. "Well, talk about a two for one deal. I came for one abomination and found both of them." One of the feet lifted and Spencer grunted as the foot came down against his cheek, turning his head and forcing his face flat against the floor, squished down underneath the shoe. He couldn't move, couldn't talk, couldn't even try to draw back. The blade was gone but a hand was still firmly pinning the base of his wings. He was trapped.
"Isn't this just interesting?" That voice spoke again. This had to be the one Sam had labeled Zachariah. The one Michael and Raphael were hunting. "I've heard a few rumors but I must say, I expected a bit more. Still, I'm happy enough. I have so many questions for you and I can't wait to get you talking." The shoe pressed down just a little harder until Spencer's cheek was cutting on his teeth, the taste of blood filling his mouth. "You and I, we're going to have so much fun. You're going to tell me everything."
The shoe left and Spencer wheezed in a breath, spitting out a glob of blood on the floor.
"Grab them, boys." Zachariah said. "Let's get out of here before the cavalry comes."
For the first time Spencer looked up and was able to clearly see the smug face of the one speaking to him. He glared as he was hauled up to his feet, eyes never leaving the angel. "I won't tell you anything."
"My boy." The angel strode forward, the expression on his face going even more smug than before. "You'll tell me everything. I'm going to have fun prying the answers out of you."
There was no way to block the blow that came. Spencer heard a thud before pain exploded through his head and then he heard nothing more.
The first thing that Spencer noticed when he came to was a throbbing ache in his shoulders. Not even a second after that came the awareness that he was hanging all of his weight on his arms, his wrists held above his head by a pair of cuffs that were painfully cutting into the skin and making his fingers go numb. How sad was it that he easily recognized the feel of metal cuffs on his wrist before his brain was even fully conscious?
Little snatches of things came back to Spencer with each passing second. As they did, he tried not to groan. They were in so much trouble.
Much as he hated to do it, hated to drag his guardian into this, he was the only one that Spencer could think of to call to. Besides… he had to hope that they'd dealt with Famine. There was nothing inside of Spencer that seemed to still be running off that earlier sensation that Famine had created. That had to mean that Famine was dealt with, which in turn meant that the archangel was probably already back at the room and worried to find them gone and the room torn apart.
The fledgling tried to ignore the pain in his arms – standing up straight and relieving it would only alert anyone nearby that he was awake – and he focused all his energy towards something he hadn't ever really done before. Prayer. Gabriel, I don't know if you can hear me right now, but Sam and I need you. I messed up. I really messed up. I was trying to keep the demons from getting to Sam and I ended up letting something worse know where we were. Zachariah has us and I don't know where at. Just, please, if you can hear me, I need your help.
There was a moment of quiet and Spencer tried not to feel too disappointed. If Gabriel had been able to hear him and come, he would've. There was no doubt in Spencer's mind about that. He trusted the archangel. That had to mean that wherever Spencer was, it was either warded against prayers, warded against other angels… or something had happened to Gabriel.
The last thought wasn't one that Spencer wanted to entertain. Ever. Gabriel was fine. He just… he had to be.
Just hanging here wasn't going to do anything except make his arms hurt even more. If Gabriel wasn't here to get him out, that meant that Spencer was going to have to figure out a way. He couldn't do that just dangling here and pretending unconsciousness. He needed to 'wake up' and start to figure things out. And he needed to find Sam. The hunter was his responsibility here. It was Spencer's mistake that got them here and he needed to do everything he could to keep Sam safe. That meant getting up, standing on his own two feet, and finding some way to get himself free of the cuffs he was wearing.
Spencer tried not to groan as he pulled his legs in just enough to be able to get his feet under him. His eyes fluttered open at the same time, slow and hesitant from the worry at what he might find.
The very first thing he saw had him sucking in a breath and forgetting all about his aches. Instant relief filled him.
Sam.
The hunter was nearby, tied with a bunch of rope to a support beam that led to the ceiling of… was this a barn? Spencer planted his feet a little better and let his gaze travel over everything a brief look. They were in a giant barn. Sam was tied down to a pole along the side and Spencer – Spencer was hanging from his cuffs on a hook in the middle of the barn. That didn't exactly spell good things for him. Morgan always says I attract trouble to me. The inane thought drifted through Spencer's mind and was quickly pushed down. His focus narrowed on the more important things here. Sam.
He looked relatively unharmed. A bruise on his face and some dirty clothes. Otherwise, he didn't seem that bad off. Nor did he seem unconscious. His body wasn't slumped or anything like that.
A second later Spencer was proved right when Sam opened his eyes and those surprisingly clear hazel orbs locked right on Spencer. The minute they landed on him, they lit with relief. "Thank God." Sam breathed out. "You're awake." Underneath it, Spencer could hear the unspoken fear that had him wondering just how touch and go it had been for him while he was out. Had they done something to make Sam afraid that he might not wake up? The thought was chilling.
It was automatic to reassure the other man. Spencer did it without even thinking about it; just as he always did with those he cared about. "I'm all right. A little sore, but all right. Are you okay, Sam?"
The hunter's lips gave a wry twist. "Been better. Not much going on since they tied us up. Things have been pretty silent."
It took a second for Spencer to catch the significant look Sam was giving him and understand what it meant. When he did, he nodded. So Sam's prayers weren't being heard either. That really wasn't good.
What was the plan here? From what he'd heard, Zachariah wanted the apocalypse. He also wanted Sam dead. That was pretty clear after everything with Anna. So why kidnap them both and bring them here? Spencer remembered Zachariah's words 'I have so many questions for you'. He'd said that he'd heard rumors about Spencer. That would explain why Spencer was here and still alive. But Sam? What did he want with Sam?
The doors at the far end of the barn opened and Spencer straightened up a little more. It seemed he was about to find out.
He didn't flinch as Zachariah came in with two other angels. Those two angels went to stand on either side of Sam, clearly guarding him. But Zachariah strolled right up to Spencer without any hesitance or fear on him. In fact, he was watching him the way one would watch some particularly interesting animal at the zoo. Curious, maybe a little disdainful, but not afraid. Secure in the knowledge that the thing he watched was safely contained behind glass and wouldn't be able to hurt him. That didn't give Spencer much hope. However, the profiler had had plenty of experience in dealing with bullies before the BAU, and plenty more experience since then on how to deal with and handle the most psychotic of Unsubs. This smarmy looking angel in a business suit was going to find that Spencer wasn't an easy nut to crack.
Zachariah stopped about a foot in front of him and hooked his hands into his pants pockets. He stood there watching Spencer, one corner of his mouth curing up. Spencer just stared back. He wouldn't be the one to break the silence. Instead, he took the moment to stare down the angel and look over the wings that looked like they were made of steel and ashes. They were what probably passed for large amongst angels, but Spencer was amused to realize that Gabriel's middle wings were probably larger. Hell, if he was guessing right by looking at his own – which wasn't easy to do without a lot of mirrors – Zachariah's wings were probably about exactly the size of Spencer's middle ones. They were also nowhere near as gorgeous as Gabriel's, or Castiel's. Zachariah had his wings lifted in a display that reeked of arrogance and superiority and yet Spencer wasn't the least bit impressed.
After a moment, the angel finally spoke. "Such an interesting thing you are."
Off to the side, Sam shuffled and strained slightly against his bonds. "What do you want?" The hunter called out.
There was the sound of a blow and then Sam's grunt to clearly let the fledgling know what had just happened. Spencer fought hard to keep his face from showing anything he felt. He held his calm and continued to stare at Zachariah. There was no way he was giving him anything. The angel was testing him, just as any Unsub would, wanting to see how he'd react to his friend in pain. The more they thought it'd hurt him, the more they'd do it. Spencer wouldn't give him the satisfaction of know that he got to him and he wouldn't give them cause to hurt Sam any more than they already were. Keeping his eyes on Zachariah, Spencer made sure his voice was controlled as he called out "Sam, if you don't mind, I think Zachariah and I are going to chat. I'd recommend keeping quiet. They don't seem entirely fond of listening to you speak." Please, let him understand. Let him get the hint. He hoped Sam knew him well enough to know that Spencer wouldn't typically be that callous about him being hurt.
Amusement lit Zachariah's eyes. "Aren't you just a smart one."
"It wasn't exactly difficult to figure out." Spencer said. He shifted his weight just enough to ease the ache in his shoulders. His hand moved against the cuffs and something wet and warm dripped its way down his arm. The fact that he was injured wasn't a good sign. The fact that he was injured and his grace wasn't healing it … Spencer didn't want to think about that. It didn't spell out anything good for him.
"What exactly is it you think you know, child?"
The way that Zachariah said 'child' carried an edge of disgust to it that made it clear just what he thought of Spencer.
There was only a split second for Spencer to decide how to play this. Just that second to judge what he'd seen from Zachariah and plan out a way to respond to him. Soft and sweet? Sharp and sassy? Confident? Afraid? So many different ways he could do this and only a second to decide.
Spencer let out a breath and let his whole body shift in minute ways. He didn't cower, but he didn't push himself forward either. Everything about his posture showed someone who was far more relaxed than the cuffs he wore would suggest. Spencer wasn't going for one emotion or the other, but a mix of all of the above. A hint of confidence, maybe a little bit of spunk, yet caution as well. This was going to take every ounce of skill that he had if he wanted to keep not only himself but his friend alive.
"I know that you've heard of me." Spencer started out slowly, watching Zachariah's face closely. Unlike Castiel, this angel seemed more connected to his vessel, actually showing a little of his emotions on his face. His wings also showed his emotions, and Spencer made sure to keep an eye on them as well. "I know that you've probably heard rumors the halt to the apocalypse – one that you helped engineer – is somehow connected to me. I know that Michael is trying to find you, and he's not very happy with you right now." Leaning in just a tiny bit, Spencer let the ghost of a smile touch his lips. "I know my family is going to make you suffer for every single mark you put on Sam or I. And, Zachariah? That's not a ploy to keep you from hurting us. That's a simple statement of fact."
His words made Zachariah shake his head. "I can see Gabriel's had quite the influence on you. He always did encourage too much disobedience in the fledglings."
There was no time for Spencer to be surprised that Zachariah knew about Gabriel when they thought that no one did. In a move that was faster than Spencer could see, a fist slammed into his stomach and his legs were almost knocked out from under him. He doubled over as best he could, wheezing through the pain, only to have his chin caught and his face yanked in close to Zachariah's. "Now you listen to me, you pathetic little abomination. Gabriel may tolerate that kind of attitude from you but you damn well better show some respect when you talk to me. I can see his Claim written all over you. I don't know why he was stupid enough to Claim you instead of kill you like the disgusting worm you are, but don't think it gives you any special privilege with the rest of us."
He shoved Spencer back so that the fledgling had to fight just to keep upright. His wrists were jerked against the cuffs and a little more blood slid down his arms. A quick, worried glance up let him notice scratches on the cuffs he hadn't seen before. Not scratches – sigils. Suddenly his inability to heal made a terrifying amount of sense.
"What is it about you?" Zachariah spoke as calmly as if he hadn't just punched and threatened Spencer. He paced away, turning back to look at him curiously. "What is so important about a stain like you that Gabriel would Claim you? Once, he cleansed the Earth of the scourge of nephilim. Has he really Fallen so far in all his years of hiding that he'd actually Claim one instead?" From Zachariah's sleeve slid something long and silver that had Spencer's stomach clenching. The angel strode forward and lifted his angel blade to tap it against Spencer's chest. He still looked just mildly curious. "There's something about you. Strange things seem to be happening around you, if rumors are true. We've got one archangel who Claims you. Rumor has it you're somehow connected to the other two. Are you the reason Michael stopped what we all know was right?"
"I don't know what you're talking about."
The blade cut into Spencer's chest, dragging in a line down to his stomach. He jerked back and tried not to cry out. Off to the side Sam was shouting something and Spencer could hear the blows that silenced the hunter.
Zachariah lifted the now wet blade and tapped the tip against Spencer's cheek. "Hasn't anyone taught you that lying is bad?" The knife trailed down Spencer's throat and he had to bite back any sound is it cut off first one button on his shirt and then the next. Zachariah shook his head and moved on to the next button. "You're going to answer me eventually. How much it hurts in the meantime – well, that's up to you. I have no issue hurting a stain like you." The knife went lower and cut the next button off. "You may have your wings hidden, but you can't hide completely from me." Another button was cut. "I knew Gabriel had Fallen, I just hadn't realized he'd sunk so low as to socialize with a bottom feeding maggot like you."
"Gabriel is better than you can ever hope to be." Spencer swore softly. He knew it wouldn't help matters but he couldn't stop the words. How dare this angel presume to be able to judge Gabriel?
Sure enough, he felt the sharp blaze of the angel blade cutting across his chest. Just barely did Spencer keep any sounds locked inside. He did, however, jerk away from the touch and wince as both blood and light seemed to pour from the cut.
Off to the side, Sam's muffled cries got a little louder.
"Scream all you want." Zachariah smiled at him and trailed his knife once more over Spencer's skin, letting more blood and light pour out. "No one is going to hear you. I've got this place warded so none of your family will be able to even sense us here. You think I don't know how to hide?" Another long cut, drawing a hiss from Spencer. "They won't be coming to save you. I have you here, at my mercy, and you will answer my questions. Or, once I get done playing with you, I'll move on to your little friend over there. He doesn't need to be whole to hand over to Lucifer after all." The angel's smile was sharp and hard and Spencer wondered how the hell anyone could think that angels were the good guys. "Now, let's get started, shall we?"
What came next was something Spencer never wanted to have to experience again. The angel blade hurt like nothing he'd ever known. It sliced through his skin like it was warm butter and painted him and the floor with Spencer's blood. Spencer gave up on holding his screams in when he responded to Zachariah's demands with more silence and found the angel blade sinking into the meat of his thigh. His screams echoed around the barn with the hint of his True Voice to them that was strong enough to shake the rafters. Zachariah just grinned smugly and pressed on.
He wanted to know who Spencer was and what it was that made him so special. He wanted to know how Spencer was connected to the archangels. Though he couldn't explain why, Spencer didn't want to tell him anything. He knew the archangels wanted to keep him a secret, but he also knew that Gabriel would be furious to know that Spencer had taken torture instead of giving in and telling him. His guardian would prefer he give in than go through this. They would all understand. Yet, Spencer said nothing. He refused to tell what he was, refused to tell his connections to them or his part in stopping the apocalypse, and he refused to answer any questions about their plans. No matter how many times that blade slid across his skin, he answered nothing.
A bit broken, bleeding, and so damn exhausted, Spencer hung from his wrists without even the strength to keep his legs under him anymore. His eyes sought out Sam's across the room and he hated the bruises there, hated the moisture he could see building in Sam's eyes. I'm sorry, Spencer thought. I'm sorry. No one's coming and I don't know how to stop this. I'm sorry, Sam.
His attention was jerked back forward by a blow to the face that had his ears ringing and his face throbbing in a way that made him think his cheekbone might be broken.
Zachariah's hand fisted in his hair and jerked his head back so that the angel could stare down at him. "I'm growing tired of this. Maybe it's time for a bit of new motivations." He sneered at Spencer, looking absolutely furious. Apparently he'd been confident in believing that Spencer would break before this. Still holding the fledgling in place, he called out "Stab the human."
Horror gripped Spencer. "No!" His whole body jerked as if to try and get away and he twisted, wanting to see Sam, needing to see him, but Zachariah's grip prevented it. There was a pained sound and then something wet, something that made Spencer's stomach roll. "No!" Spencer screamed again, his True Voice leaking in once more. "No, Sam! Sam! Al'alihm, no, please!"
That froze Zachariah in place. His hand tightened painfully in Spencer's hair. "What did you call him?"
Something in Spencer's chest felt like it was breaking. Sam! No, no, no, no! Tears that he'd fought shedding for himself slid out now as he knew, he knew, Sam was dying somewhere off to the side of him. He could feel it. Everything in Spencer was screaming in that moment. For Gabriel, for Sam, for anyone who might be able to help them.
The world around them seemed to suddenly explode in the brightest light that Spencer had ever seen. It blinded him and he saw nothing as the hand in his hair suddenly vanished. There was a sound like music, loud and powerful and just as bright as the light, and so damn furious, yet so beautiful. It filled Spencer's ears and drowned out the sound of his own cries and the pounding of his heart. Without the hand holding him, his body sank down, straining against the cuffs that were the only thing holding him up anymore.
Gentle hands caught his face and Spencer couldn't pull his face back from them.
"Shh." A soft voice whispered, a beautiful melody that seemed to sink straight down into him. "You're going to be all right now. You're safe."
"Sam." Spencer whispered, the word thick in his throat. He still couldn't see, but he tried to turn, tried to find the most important thing in the room.
One of the hands stroked over his cheek while the other slid down, curling around his waist and drawing him in against a firm body. The cuffs released and Spencer found his arms dropping down, tearing a pained cry from his lips. His weight was caught against that body and the arm around his waist held him carefully as they were both lowered down to the ground. "Your al'alihm is safe now. You're both safe and your family will be here soon. Rest now, little one. Just rest."
There was nothing else Spencer could do. The light from before washed over him and he could do nothing to stop himself from sinking down into it until the rest of the world faded away.