Lesson learned. Dean is responsive to an angry Castiel. Studiously Dean cleaned up the mess on his hand. If there was a smile on his face, nobody is there to see it. The enormity of the situation won't settle in for a while; probably not until everyone is asleep. Now though, he needs to dig around for bones. Easily he conjures a small flame to light the area. Now that a part of his body and mind is sated there's no strain in reaching out for his flame.
"Owl poop... owl poop.." He mutters aloud. His search moved in a wide circle through the treeline surrounding the shack. Scouring the ground Dean approached what must be owl droppings. Sure enough tiny white bones stuck out. Digging around to retrieve miniscule rat bones was made more bearable by the happy thrum of chemicals in Dean's veins. Afterall he's had his hands in worse places. Utilizing the remaining napkins to hold and break apart the clumps, and splashes of water to rise the bones until they shone white, Dean made quick work of his task. He only retrieved three bones about 2 inches long, at max. But hey this was just a test run for the spell anyways so it should suffice.
Every emotion and thought having to do with Castiel is bottled up tightly in Dean's chest. It has to be. A deep whisper in his mind wonders if Castiel is doing just the same thing with his emotions. Not that it matters, because Dean's not going to do anything about it. It's with that thought he opens the door. Sam is conferring with Cas on how to pronounce some of the words. They barely acknowledge him as he enters which is fine. Everything seems ready to go. A bottle without a label is perched on the table. Along with an empty bowl, probably where Dean is supposed to crush the bones.
On the floor boards is a symbol about four feet in diameter. Looks almost like the number seven with some ornate design around it. Dean fished out his hunting knife because Sam'll need it to draw blood. In retrospect Dean wants to be the one to summon Cas, but since Sam actually knows the incantation it's gonna have to be him. When Sam and Cas part Dean is occupying himself crushing the bones with the knife pommel.
Dean looks up with a smile, "Are we ready?"
"Yeah. Seems easy enough," Sam looks a bit trepidatious in contrast to his words.
"So, Cas, what should we expect?" Dean asks.
"I will relocate about five miles away. Sam will add his blood as he says the incantation and it should compel me onto this symbol."
"Will it hurt you?" Dean wondered. Cas hadn't even considered that this may injure him. Without an answer to give Castiel just flashed away. The priest's awkwardness was quickly becoming familiar. A little flutter of panic tickled Dean at the idea of Cas being injured. But after Cas managed to fix up his amulet like an expert, Dean has to trust his knowledge with this spell.
Ignorant of Dean's internal concerns, Sam took the knife and began unceremoniously. Enocian flowed impressively from Sam despite his inexperience. The fact made Dean swell with pride. Look at Sammy go, being all badass. Immediately after Sam's words stopped the dark night was once again split with a bright light. Funny how Castiel was concerned that Sam and Dean were drawing attention when sparring, and yet twice now Cas has caused quite an attention grabbing scene.
As this new burst of light fades Castiel is standing on the symbol perfectly unharmed. Dean hadn't realized the muscles in his neck and shoulders were tense until they relaxed. He was smiling again. Today seems to be one of the good ones. Simultaneously all three men exhaled.
"Hell Yeah," Dean breathed out.
Sam shares his own grin, "Dude." Then he throws his arm around Castiel's shoulders, "Now we gotta bind him, and we're golden!"
While everyone's spirits are up Dean decides to share, "More good news, I am waiting on a phone call but our fake credit cards are almost ready. So we should be able to get a hotel room soon!"
Sam's grin grew and nearly split his face, "We'll get to shower?"
Dean remembers that expression. Briefly he recalled bringing Sammy food on nights they hadn't expected to eat. That joyful fuckin' smile gets him every time. He's kept Sammy safe his whole life and these moments are the most satisfying.
"Damn right we will, and we'll get actual beds too," Dean proclaimed triumphant in his ability to provide. Surprisingly Cas was smiling as well. A smile which suddenly dropped into a deep frown.
A stranger's voice filled the room, "My, my Cassie you've fallen in with a rough crowd."
Immediately Sam and Dean were on the defensive. The brothers spun around to face the doorway. A Blue Eyed man dressed in casual clothes leaned against the door frame as though he shouldn't be fearing for his life. An incorrect assumption Dean will be quick to correct.
Instead of lending any explanation Castiel merely says, "Balthazar."
Defensive anger causes tight heat to flare around Dean. Sam's reaction is similar, but his eyes take on that unique Hazel coloured glow. Wisely Balthazar doesn't approach but neither does he move into any defensive positions.
"Haven't heard from you in a while. Beginning to think you don't care anymore." Balthazar managed to drawl with a haughty accent.
"How did you find us?" Castiel questioned the other Blue Eyed man, outwardly calm.
"The old fashioned way. Spectacular light show by the way. None too subtle," quickly Balthazar turns to addresses the brothers, "I wouldn't try that right boys. I just want to talk to my little Cassie, then be on my way."
During the little exchange Sam had begun to gather himself together to detain the man, giving Dean the opportunity to land a solid hit. Clearly the intruder is aware he is not welcome and is probably on the defensive.
Dean jumped into the conversation then, "Cas who the fuck is this?"
"My brother, Balthazar," His reply succinct.
"Has Cassie been keeping secrets? Consider me something of an informant. Some people exchange money; I excel at other forms of currency."
Seriously Dean might kill this guy on principal alone. He screams untrustworthy in a sleazy way. Instead he asks, "So you're part of the cult?"
"No. No, Dean. I am a savant who capitalizes." Boldly Balthazar steps forward one step into the shack, angled towards Castiel. "I owe our little priest here, and I am paying up."
"Fantastic, now get out." Steadily the temperature in the room was increasing. The waves of heat acted like a beast growling, sending warning signals through both Castiel and Balthazar's bodies.
Unfazed externally Balthazar continued, "So you don't want the information I have?"
All three men were making progress, but it has been painfully slow. Here Balthazar was tempting them with hope, which caused the Winchesters to pause. Castiel stepped up asking, "What do you have?"
"Turns out our lovely Michael is in a race against Alistair to collect souls. There's the mother of all wars brewing and it will make the last great war looking like a bloody scuffle. Also the way it looks, the Holy Continent might not be able to win this conflict," Despite his general air of collected calm there's was a disturbed edge to Balthazar's voice.
They'd nearly pieced it all together on their own, but hearing it laid out left the men softly horrified.
"So why did he want Anna so bad?" Ever the intelligent one, Sammy asks the important questions.
"Different souls have different... uh.. substance to them. Essentially souls exposed to the other worlds have more bang for the buck. And a mixed person like you and her equal out to twice the bang. If fact, I quite assume you'll be next on the list for both parties."
Threatening Sammy caused Dean to snap. Deadly hot streams of fire drove towards Balthazar's heart. Unfortunately Dean mentally telegraphed the action and in a flash the fire was met with empty space. Despite his family being attacked before his eyes, Castiel managed to only look constipated.
"This is troubling news," The priest murmured.
"No shit, and we've been compromised," A cell phone appeared in Dean's grasp and soon he was barking at the other end about the urgent situation.
Unsurprisingly everyone and everything was in the Impala within' 10 minutes of Balthazar's departure. It was nearing 0100 when Dean peeled out onto the open road. Promptly Sam passed out in the back seat; which makes sense as he had been training hard for a while now. Powerful emotions, like fear, kept Dean awake and moving despite his body's protests. There were still issues that needed resolving; one such issue sat beside him in the passenger seat.
It didn't appear that Castiel was going to be sleeping any time soon either, and they had a 2 hour drive ahead of them still before they reached a reasonably safe motel. This was going to be a shitty conversation, so Dean attempted to brace himself. The soothing rumble from Baby's engine, mixed with the sound of Sammy's contented snoring, eased the more frayed edges of Dean's nerves. With a comforting grip on the steering wheel, which allowed the illusion that he was in control of his life, he proceeded.
"So Cas," Attentive eyes settled on Dean's face, "I know you told me some stuff about your family already, but it doesn't take a mind reader to know there's more to it. If we are going to make any progress we need to be on the same page. So spill."
Castiel had hardly spoken since his the spell, and as expected the silence reigned for a short while after he was addressed. With careful words Cas said, "Balthazar is who I flashed to when we approached the crime scene. I found this there," A small scrap of blue fabric was withdrawn from the trenchcoat pocket, "There is a chance it belongs to another sibling of mine named Samandriel."
The name was unfamiliar, "So what does this Samandriel have to do with the crime scene, and the cult?" Dean was unaware that the topic was sensitive to the priest, and his words came across as cold.
Fear laced Castiel's reply, "I don't know if I can- If Samandriel really has been demented into a Hell Hound... I have a simple spell to find out if he was there, but." Castiel inhaled sharply without finishing his thoughts.
Geeze Cas and this Samandriel must've been close. Unbidden a flare of jealousy took Dean.
"Not like that Dean," Castiel said, "He is an innocent and it hurts to think he may be dragged into danger."
A blush to rival all blushes dominated Dean's face. Cas noted that even his freckles were no longer visible in the red.
Stammering Dean panicked, "Not like what? I didn't say anything. What the hell are you-"
"You were jealous of my familiarity with Samandriel," Cas interrupted the mounting tirade.
"That's not it! Stay out of my head, the shit's creepy." Resolutely Dean stared hard at the road, if he ignored his blush then it would go away right?
Flattered by Dean's jealousy Cas kept from responding and instead sported a small smile. Strange how the man driving could have such an impact on him. Only minutes ago Cas was torn apart over concern, and already Dean has him smiling. It was true when he said Dean was the root of his sin. Only hours ago Cas was repenting for every choice he's made. For turning on his family, for lusting over every little thing the continent had to offer his senses. Both food and otherwise.
In the deepest part of his heart, Castiel knew he chose to experience this new world with Dean. And yet here he is sitting next to the Winchester and ready to walk into the chaos with him. Almost as though he never repented at all.
Of every person he's ever met, none have been so... so human. Despite how lewd, crass, reactive, and aggressive Dean my be there is still an intensely pure core to the man. Castiel would bet his life that Dean's soul is even more pure than Michael's. A concept he would never have entertained a week ago. Green Eyes are supposed to be inherently evil. The continent is supposed to be polluted with hate and corruption. And now Castiel is beginning to see that it's human nature that has created the corruption, not hell's influence.
Dean's next words surprised him, "So why don't we do that spell tomorrow? 'Cuz if your brother was changed we need to start figuring out how to save him. And waiting isn't doing little Alfie any good."
When Cas looks confused he clarifies, "The kid's name is too long. Now he's Alfie." For god's sake Castiel took on Abbadon alone and is too afraid to do a little spell. Anna once said that on the Holy Continent they are encouraged to purge emotions. Maybe he has never faced fear for another person before; whereas Dean has grown up constantly fearing for Sammy.
"Thank you," Cas says, pulling Dean from his introspection.
"Yeah, yeah, but first we're all gonna sleep and shower. You're starting to reek man." There was little else to say so Dean turned up his music and the rest of the drive was spent in companionable silence and the open road.