The light from the candles danced around the interior of the van, casting odd shadows on decor that had already seemed weird enough. The quilts and curtains were a mix-match of colors but shared a similar geometric pattern and the small camper van was cluttered with books, clothes and all manner of strange trinkets. It had a feel of necessity as opposed to 'home sweet home' and he wondered how long Mina had lived there.

Turning his attention back to Mina and watching her pour two measures of whiskey, Dean wondered how to open the conversation he was keen to start. He sipped at the drink she gave him and held up the glass, examining the dark liquid in interest.

"That's a thirty-two year old single malt." Mina offered in amusement. "Too classy for you?"

Dean shot her a mock glare and settled back against the many cushions on the makeshift bed that took up most of the space in the rear of the motor-home. "I'm sure it'll grow on me." He shrugged, taking another sip and coughing slightly, "That or burn out my insides."

"Sissy," Mina teased, climbing onto the bed beside him and smiling merrily. "And you project such a tough exterior."

Dean watched her grinning at him and shook his head with a sigh. "You know, I was just starting to like you."

"Fuck you!"

"Sure!" Dean enthused, "Right now?"

"Dude ..." Mina complained.

Dean laughed in delight and raised his hand. "I'm sorry." He watched her shaking her head in despair and gave a shrug, "I know. I'm terrible."

"Oh, I wouldn't say that."

"Well, you've either got it or you don't." Dean agreed merrily. "So," He sighed, looking around at the interior of the van. "What's with all the voodoo shit?"

"It's not voodoo." Mina moaned, sitting upright and putting down her drink. "It's my heritage."

Dean stared at her in mock horror and raised his arm, pointing to a collection of bleached bones that hung beside one of the windows. "Even that thing?"

"Yeah!"

Dean turned to look at it, grimacing somewhat. "What the fuck is it?"

"The remains of the last person who took the piss out of my stuff."

Dean glanced back at her and saw her grinning in delight. He sighed and tried to hide his smile.

"No ..." Mina climbed from the bed and reached out to touch the bones. "They're ma'heono stones. Used by shamans to look into the future."

Dean nodded in interest, his smile fading a little.

"And this," Mina moved to reach out and place her hand on a ragged suede bag that was hooked over the bracket of a small shelf, "This is the sacred satchel of Atse Etsuh - the 'first one'It's centuries old." She stroked the worn material tenderly and seemed lost in her thoughts for a moment.

Dean watched her in intrigue and then peered around at the symbols that were hand-painted on the inside of the roof and beside the windows. Faded portraits of what he assumed were her friends and family were pinned to a board above the small cupboards built into the rear of the front seat and there were dream catchers everywhere; different sizes, colors and patterns. He found himself wondering just how many nightmares she needed to keep at bay and turned back to look at her.

"They're all gone." Mina said quietly.

Dean glanced back at the photographs and groaned in sympathy, unsure what to say.

"Shicheii - " Mina closed her eyes, "My grandfather … was a powerful medicine man … the last of his line." Her bottom lip trembling, she cleared her throat and looked back up at Dean. "He called my family to him for protection. But …" Her face crumpled and she choked on a sob before then balling her fists and holding back her tears. "My family hadn't hunted in a long time - the younger kids not even taught the old ways. But then word got out that Shicheii might be a threat. Suddenly he was being hunted. And anyone associated with him."

"Shit …" Dean sighed, his heart racing. Recalling the information Bobby had given him, he watched her pain and his throat tightened as he thought of his own recent loss.

"He thought he could keep them safe." Mina continued shakily, "He sent my uncles out to get help and one by one they were hunted down and killed. I knew something was very wrong but Shicheii thought that not telling me everything would keep me hidden. And then one day he phoned me at college and…" She hung her head and screwed her eyes tightly shut at the memory.

"Mina …?" Dean moved to the end of the bed and wished he knew the right words to offer her.

"Vampires killed all of them!" Mina shouted suddenly, fury flushing into her cheeks, "Slaughtered them like cattle! I got there in time to find Shicheii drowning in his own blood!" Suddenly crying, she slammed her fist against the side of the van and groaned angrily. "I found the sacred knife, took his RV and have been on the trail of those bastards ever since! And I will not stop until every last vampire is burning in hell!"

Dean stood from the bed and moved closer to her, carefully wrapping his arm around her shoulders.

"There!" She angrily shrugged free and moved away from him, "Is that what you wanted to know?"

"Hey … I'm on your side here." Dean protested.

Mina wiped her face and nodded slowly. "Yeah … I know … I'm sorry."

"Don't be," Dean ventured, "I … I understand how you - … well, how you must feel." He stumbled, something inside him starting to ache.

Mina reached past him to grab her drink and emptied the glass in one gulp, reaching for the bottle and pouring another generous measure. Her face then softened as he grabbed his own glass held it out to ask for more.

"Yeah. It grows on you." He acknowledged.

Mina smiled and topped up his drink. "And warms you up nicely." She added, shrugging off her jacket as they sat back down on the edge of the bed together.

"Wo!" Dean gasped and moved closer to her, inspecting her blood-soaked jumper.

"Oh." Mina peered down at her left shoulder in interest, "I forgot all about that." She looked up at him and grinned merrily, "I guess sex is quite a distraction."

"Hell yeah." Dean smiled, edging nearer and waiting for her to nod her permission before he then peeled back the neck of her jumper. "Yuck." He commented, seeing the ragged edges of the gash on her upper arm.

"Fucker got me." Mina sighed in dismay, "Bitch!"

Dean frowned and leaned in closer, "This needs stitching."

"Nah." Mina shook her head, "I'll clean it and cover it. It'll be okay."

"Hey?" Dean looked back up at her with troubled eyes.

Mina smiled and moved back from him, rolling her other sleeve up and showing him an ugly bright red scar under her elbow. "It takes time but they heal." She shrugged

"Man …" Dean muttered. He then frowned as he saw the edge of a black mark higher up on her arm and he moved closer in curiosity.

Mina realized what he had seen and lifted her sleeve higher, revealing an intricate black and grey tattoo that almost covered her upper arm.

"Wo."

Mina smiled, "One of the results of many an inspired freshman evening."

Dean grinned up at her, "Oh, really?"

"I've got seven."

"Seven?"

"Yeah," Mina defended, her smile widening as she slid her sleeve back down and saw the renewed curiosity in his eyes. "Why? Does that make me a bad girl?"

"Oh, no way, dude!" Dean chuckled, leaning back and raising his hands, "I'm not gonna touch that one." He saw the mischief lighting up her face and sighed happily. Watching her adjust the other sleeve carefully, he saw her grimacing in discomfort and his smile softened. "Come on, let me take you to a hospital."

"No, I'm fine."

Dean nodded patiently, "Okay. But don't come crying to me if your arm drops off."

"Yeah, right!" Mina sniggered, opening one of the top cupboards. "Now … let me see … ear of bat? Tongue of newt? …" She glanced back at him with a merry smirk. "Well, I am a witch, aren't I?"

Dean groaned and hung his head, "I'm sorry."

"It's fine," She urged, grabbing a large unmarked jar from the cupboard. "I think I'd freak too if I was seeing this stuff for the first time." Perching back on the bed, she leaned down and grabbed a tupperware from under the foot of the bed.

Seeing the first aid supplies, Dean shuffled next to her and took the box from her hand. "Let me."

"I'm quite capable of - " Mina saw the amusement on his face and sighed loudly, "Of being far too independent."

"You could say that." Dean offered lightly, opening the box and taking out a few packets of gauze. He watched Mina carefully slipping her arm out of her jumper and looked through the rest of the scant medical supplies. "Got anything for cleaning? Like, say, thirty year old whiskey…?"

"You dare!" Mina gasped and slid from the bed to grab a large plastic bottle. "Here." She handed it to him and watched him examining the clear liquid in interest, "It's water. It'll do. Besides, my magic voodoo shit will work wonders."

Dean smiled softly, "You're not gonna let that go, are you?" He slid up to her and poured some of the water over her wounded arm, seeing her tensing and clenching her fists but her face remaining calm. Wiping away the dried blood, he examined the wound for a moment.

"You even know what you're doing?"

Dean shrugged, "I've seen my share of hospitals."

"You mean for treatment or just the nurses?"

Instinct told him to defend himself but, deciding she had a point, Dean gave another shrug and went back to cleaning the cut. "So." He asked after a moment, "Why a mustang?"

"It's my totem," Mina replied, "My spirit guide." She watched him nod in interest, "In fact … that's what's carved into the knife. The totems of every Cheyenne warrior who has carried it since it was made."

Dean looked up at her in surprise.

"It's kind of a signature I guess," Mina continued, "But each of the spirits gives the knife more power." She saw a hundred questions in his troubled expression and nodded in understanding. "You think I'm talking crap."

"No!" Dean answered quickly, "No way. I've seen enough to know that it's entirely possible." He saw the doubt in her eyes and shook his head. "I mean, real. Oh, you know what I mean."

"It's some crazy shit we're into, huh?"

"And then some." Dean agreed, drying her now clean skin and then picking up the glass jar. He unscrewed the lid and peered inside to see the dark green paste it contained.

Mina watched in amusement as he sniffed at the open jar curiously and immediately jerked his head back with a groan of disgust. She laughed and took the jar from him, scooping a blob of the paste out onto her finger and smearing it onto her open wound.

"Fuck!" Dean coughed and covered his nose and mouth with his arm, staring at her in horror. "What the hell is that?"

Mina frowned thoughtfully and carefully applied another lump of the mixture. "Arnica, Horse-mint, Wild Garlic and Hops. Among other things."

"Eww!" Dean grimaced, chancing uncovering his nose and again recoiling from her. "It smells terrible!"

"It grows on you."

"I don't doubt that!" Dean laughed, peering at the thin layer she had smoothed over her arm. "Keeps every creature on earth at bay as well, I bet."

"Don't knock it till you've tried it." Mina defended, "It's amazing stuff."

"I think I'll stick to packets and chemicals, thanks." He watched Mina regarding him in mock disdain and sighed in relief as she replaced the lid on the jar and stood to put the lotion away. "In fact, I can remember one time when Dad - "

Mina sat back down and covered the paste-coated wound with a wad of gauze. She looked up at Dean, expecting him to continue and saw the sorrow that had filled his face. Sighing in dismay, she reached out and placed her hand on his arm.

Dean closed his eyes and took a deep breath, leaning into her touch gratefully. As if then realizing that his guard was down, he cleared his throat and sat up straight, forcing a smile to his lips. "So." He offered merrily, "You gonna show me the other six tattoos?"

Mina could see the emotion lingering in his eyes but decided against prying. With a smile, she climbed further up the bed and lay down on her side, propping herself up on her good arm. "Tell you what." She said quietly, "If you can guess where each one is then I'll show you."

"Sounds like my sorta game!" Dean enthused, sliding down to lie facing her and instantly frowning in thought, looking up and down her shapely body. "Hmm." His face softened and he reached out to touch two fingers against the centre of her chest. Stroking slowly across the neck of her low-cut jumper, he traced the rise of her breast and then his fingers paused.

Mina smiled and shook her head, "Lower."

Dean raised his eyebrows in fascination and trailed his fingers down over her breast and onto her abdomen, feeling her skin rippling in anticipation. He then jumped as his phone rang and he groaned in disbelief, sinking his head into the cushions. "No!"

Mina watched in amusement as he shouted a few choice expletives into the cushions and then sat upright, grabbing his jacket and finding his phone.

Lying back down beside her, Dean opened the handset and pressed it to his ear with a sigh. "Hey, Sam." He answered quickly. "What?" He instantly heaved himself up again, his face full of alarm. "Wo! What's wrong? Sam? What's happened?" He paused as he listened to the reply and then dragged a hand through his hair. "Okay, calm down, Sammy. Tell me what's wrong. Who is here?"

Mina saw the color drain from his face and her heart was suddenly racing as Dean listened to his brother in horror.

Dean gasped and stood quickly, "Okay, okay. I'm on my way! I'll be there in a few minutes."

"What's wrong?" Mina urged.

"I gotta go." Dean pulled on his jacket hurriedly and grabbed the door handle. "Stay here!"

"Wait! What is it?"

"Trouble." Dean shouted as he leapt from the van and was gone.

Sam was in a mess. Dean was startled to find him in such a state and hastily kicked the hotel door shut before hurrying over to his brother.

"It's him!" Sam sobbed through trembling lips, his face flushed and tearstained. He clutched his arms round his chest and groaned wearily, rocking slightly on the edge of the bed.

"Hey …" Dean knelt before his brother and placed his hands on his arms. "Easy, Sammy. Calm down." He soothed, seeing the dry blood around Sam's nose and looking around the room for any signs of a struggle.

"He was in my head." Sam husked, "That evil bastard is here, Dean!" He closed his eyes and fresh tears flooded down his cheeks. "It was so much worse this time. God, I couldn't stop it. And it hurt!" He looked back up at his brother and coughed dryly, "I think I passed out."

"What?" Dean gasped, his chest aching as he cursed himself for leaving Sam alone. A flashback of lifting Mina up against the van and thrusting into her filled his mind and along with a strong pang of desire came a nauseating rush of guilt.

Sam took a deep shuddering breath and then relaxed his shoulders, finally beginning to calm. "We have to kill him, Dean." He held his brother's gaze sternly and shook his head. "I don't care how, or what it takes. That bastard has to die!"

"I know. I know." Dean nodded, "It's okay. Take it easy." He got to his feet and sat down on the edge of the opposite bed. "Tell me what you saw."

Sam winced at the memory and placed his palms against his temples. "This thing … I don't know … it was - " He swallowed back another sob and steadied his breathing. "There was so much blood … and screaming. Hundreds of people screaming. And then fire and - " he paused as his body shuddered and he closed his eyes. "God, I could feel the heat and the pain."

Dean listened in silent dread, recalling how often his brother's waking nightmares had become reality. He clenched his fists and could feel his heart pounding against his chest, now certain that they should never have come to this town.

"It was horrible!" Sam gasped suddenly, "This creature, this enormous black thing with wings and claws. It was tearing people apart and - " He shook his head slowly, "It seemed to be carrying something. Like a spear or something."

Dean frowned in confusion, "Mina's knife?"

"No …" Sam sighed and hung his head, suddenly quiet and calm. He then gasped and flicked his head back up. "The knife! Did you find out anything more?"

Dean nodded and repeated Mina's explanation.

"Shit! Then we have to use it! It must be able to kill him!"

"Okay, calm down." Dean moved across to sit beside his brother and his frown deepened. "We have to leave, Sam."

"No!" Sam shouted, standing up and swaying dizzily, "We have to end the son-of-a-bitch!"

"Sam." Dean cautioned.

Sam turned back, ready to argue. He then saw the sorrow on his brother's face and his shoulders sank. "Oh god, Dean …"

"I know." Dean got to his feet and stepped closer to Sam. "Believe me, I understand how you feel but … shit, Sam, this is too big for us. We need to go." He sighed and took in his brother's exhausted face and bloodshot eyes. "Look at what this is doing to you …"

Sam sniffed and nodded slowly.

"Come on." Dean heaved his bag up onto the bed and began to pack. "Get dressed. We're getting out of here."

"What about the town?" Sam asked quietly, "The people here?"

Dean closed his eyes and let out a heavy sigh. He then turned and faced his brother calmly, "God forgive me, Sammy, but I really don't give a fuck."

Sam held his Dean's gaze for a moment and then nodded quietly as he padded into the bathroom to wash his face.

"Hey." Dean waited by the bathroom door and watched as Sam pulled on his clothes. "We can ask Ellen and Bobby to put out the word. Make it known that this town is under threat. That evil bastard will have every hunter on this continent descending on him."

"And maybe someone will recall the church leaders." Sam agreed.

"Like, pretty fucking fast." Dean grated.

Sam managed a smile and combed his hands through his hair. "I'm sorry." He saw Dean's confusion and his smile fell away, "I should have listened to you. We should never have come here."

Dean shrugged a reply, his head spinning in confusion as he weighed up the possibility of not having met Mina against never having brought his brother to this place. And for the first time he was torn.

The dull glow from car headlights swept across the curtains and darted across the ceiling. Frowning in interest, Mina stood from the bed and peered out of one of the side windows. It was impossible to see beyond the bright front beams and she could feel her heart racing as she reached behind her and felt the wooden hilt that protruded from the holster at her back.

Wondering if Dean had returned, Mina listened to the footsteps that approached her van and quickly weighed up her options. Instinct then won over and she opened the side door, knowing that she would be somewhat trapped if anyone (or anything) attacked her inside the van.

Climbing down onto the wet ground and glad that the car headlights had been dimmed, Mina saw the smart-suited man approaching her and frowned in confusion.

"Sorry to trouble you, miss." The man began softly, "But I'm afraid you'll have to move the van."

Mina watched cautiously as the man approached.

"I saw your lights from the road," He continued, "You're in private woods here. There's a campsite on the outskirts of town - I could happily show you."

"No," Mina smiled quickly, "I'll move. I'm sorry, I didn't realize."

"You alone out here?"

Mina nodded warily.

"Pretty dangerous, wouldn't you say?" The man inquired, edging towards her.

"I guess." Mina shrugged, "I'll be fine." She pointed behind her to the van, suspicious of his curiosity and her heart thudding in her ears. "I'd best move on." Turning, she yelped in shock as she came face to face with a second smartly dressed man who had used the distraction to approach close behind her.

"Special Agent Cole," The second man took his ID from his pocket and nodded behind her. "And Special Agent Murphy."

Mina turned back and saw the first man smiling a greeting. "FBI?" She managed to ask calmly through her tight throat and watched him nod.

"We've been looking for you Mina." Cole began quietly, stepping closer to her.

Mina turned back round and, as he moved further into the light from the camper she gasped in terror.

Cole watched the color drain from her face and his smile faltered as he held her horrified gaze.

"What - ?" Mina cleared her throat and swallowed back bile as she stared at Cole in disbelief and could see dark shadows that seemed to move under the skin of his face. "What the fuck are you?"

Cole paused in uncertainty and then saw the fear in her eyes. His smile returned and he nodded in understanding. "You can see me … can't you ..."

Mina clenched her fists and found she could at last move her legs. She took a step away from him and shook her head. "What are you?"

"Something far older and more powerful than your quaint little trinkets." The man replied, glancing at her battered camper van, "But then again …" He frowned in curiosity, "It seems rumors of your talents are far more than the fairy tales I had taken them for."

Mina edged further away and could feel adrenaline at last awakening her trembling limbs as she quickly assessed her options.

"There's no escape." Cole smiled suddenly, as if reading her thoughts. "Give me what I want and you'll be unharmed." Seeing the uncertainty in her face, he sighed and held out his hand. "Where is the knife?"

Mina again shook her head, "I don't know what you - " She gasped as Murphy suddenly rushed up behind her and pinned

"It's not that hard to understand," Cole stepped in close and glared down at her. "I want you to give me the knife. And you will be so much better off if you simply do as you're told."

And Mina suddenly wanted to laugh; she could not recall the last time she had followed orders from anyone.

Cole smiled in amusement,"Your grandfather was just as stubborn to begin with."

Mina's stomach turned and she could taste acid in her throat.

"Even when I pulled his youngest grand daughter's heart from her screaming body, he still would not tell me where he had hidden it."

"You bastard." Mina whispered, tears welling in her eyes as she watched him grinning in delight.

"He watched me slaughter all of them," The greying man continued, "And I took my time. Enjoying ripping their bodies apart like paper."

Mina closed her eyes and took a deep breath, trying to resist the urge to empty her stomach contents at his feet.

"But do you know why I let him live …?"

The world seeming to have paused for a moment, Mina's heart slammed against her chest and she hung her head in sorrow. "Oh, god, no …"

"I knew that his favored child would come out of hiding and find him there. I left enough false evidence to paint the right picture." He sighed happily, "And I knew you would be so bent on revenge that you would expose yourself."

Mina lifted her head and glared in fury at the figure before her. A creature whose true face lay in shadows behind the human disguise.

"And here you are," He leaned towards her and sniffed at her face and neck. "You followed my trail perfectly." His confident smile then suddenly wavered and he frowned as he inhaled her scent deeply. "And so did they …"

She watched him move back from her and saw the grin of delight that pulled at his mouth. Another bout of nausea twisted her insides and she strained against her captor's grip, wincing as he tightened his hold.

"Oh, how perfect!" Cole laughed, "I can kill two birds with one stone. Literally!"

Mina shuddered as Cole's smile grew and she was then suddenly released. She toppled forward and paused in uncertainty, turning to watch Murphy nodding in agreement. He then looked towards the forest and Mina held her breath in fear as she followed his gaze. She shook her head in disbelief and could not move from terror as she watched the shadowy figure that floated through the air towards her.

The black shape then flew at her and she screamed as she caught a glimpse of its horrifying face. The creature screamed as it slammed into her and she was flung backwards, tripping and falling in a heap onto the ground.

"Odd." Cole frowned in interest, watching the angered creature hovering above Mina. He then sighed in annoyance and gave a small flick of his hand.

Mina watched the black shadow drift towards the sky and disappear. She turned to Cole and watched him glaring at her in frustration.

"It's like that, is it?" Cole began quietly, "That's a pity. But … I guess I'll have to use you some other way, Nonoma'e Ka'eskone."

"What?" Mina gasped, "How do you know my name?"

Cole smiled happily, "I know everything." He leaned down over her and his smile grew.

Shuddering as she felt a sudden pain inside her head, Mina saw flashing images of Dean attacking her and a sob caught in her throat. She closed her eyes and tried to clear her mind. Aware of movement beside her, she then looked up and gasped as Murphy knelt beside her and grabbed her by the throat. Struggling against his grip, she pulled at his arm and tore her fingers into his face.

"Where is the knife?" Murphy demanded angrily.

Mina wheezed as his grip loosened to allow her to respond. "I don't - "

"Wait!" Cole shouted.

Murphy released Mina and stepped back from her. She grasped at her bruised throat and coughed hoarsely, trying to catch her breath.

"Get up." Cole ordered.

Mina gasped as an invisible force took hold of her and pulled her to her feet. She discovered that she could not move and frightened tears blurred her vision as Cole approached her.

"Give me the knife." Cole repeated impatiently.

"I - " Mina shook her head slowly, "I don't know what - "

"You lie!" He yelled in fury and swiped the air with his hand.

Mina gasped as she was lifted from the ground and flung back against her van, the impact knocking the wind out of her. And she was still unable to move her limbs.

"Where is it?" Cole yelled, marching towards her and reaching out his hand.

Mina screamed as pain tore through her head and she could see more thoughts and memories that he searched through. And then she found herself rolling over along the side of the van. Pressed up with her face against the metal, she could hardly breathe and then felt her jumper lifted up. "No - " She whimpered against the cold metal, "Please, no …"

"Ah, there you are …" Cole gave a small satisfied laugh and pulled the knife from the holster. He stepped closer and leaned against Mina's back. "Thank you." He whispered into her ear, tapping the knife against her cheek.

And then he was gone. The hold on her was released and Mina slumped to the ground, gasping for air.

"She's of no use to us now." Cole stated evenly. "Have your fun, Murphy."

A sob caught in Mina's throat as she heard the exchange and she slowly heaved her body up to sit against the side the van. Dizzy lights danced in front of her eyes as she watched Murphy advance towards her and she could feel more tears welling as she saw the look on his face.

tbc ...