A/N: Just in case you didn't already know… I have no illusions of ownership of nor will I gain personal wealth from this transformative bit of fiction based on CW's and Erick Kripke's Supernatural, it's themes or its characters.

Please, let me know what you think of this style. I couldn't get it out of my head until I wrote it down. This is my first true AU. Hope you like it. Plus, this is, as with all my works, unbeta'd. Let me know if you see inconsistencies of holes so i can fix them. I try to catch them all, but sometimes they get by me.

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Correspondence to Ranger Dean Winchester, Wyrmfire Crag from Samuel Winchester, Apprentice to Warlock Castiel, Rivers' Run Tower

Dean,

Tonight, I met the warlock to whom I have been assigned but I don't know how long I'll remain. I've heard lots of stories about this guy and I'm not confident he'll keep me.

I can't tell you how many times in the past year I have wanted to write to you. When I heard how mad you were when I left, well… I just couldn't stand thinking about how our reunion might have been. When I spoke to Master Gabriel of Sentinel Host about maybe coming out here, he told me he had heard that you were still looking for me.

Dean, I can't even begin to apologize for hurting you and not telling you where I went. I guess I really should have a least waited until you came back before… but, I can't change the past. Well, I guess I can, but it's a really involved spell. Not to mention I don't have enough experience, money to buy the components and.. well, I have completely gotten off topic.

Dean, it's amazing here. Castiel has so many books! He has a bound-demon for a familiar and he has an entire floor of his tower devoted to a lab. The problem is, I guess, that he never seems to be happy with apprentices when he has them. Master Gabriel told me not to unpack my bag. He says I probably won't stay long. I figure that I will learn as much as I can before he kicks me out.

Dean, if you get this correspondence, and you aren't too angry at me, do you think you could write to me? I know you want to yell at me. You can write me and yell all you want, just… please, big brother. I really need to hear from you. I miss you so much.

Your brother,

Sam

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I woke with my ebony wings wrapped tight around me. I blinked my lavender eyes and stretched until all the kinks were gone. Samuel was still sitting at the table he was when I fell asleep. The scratching of his quill that was so soporific last night had the opposite effect on me in the light of the day. I growled at him and he turned to look with those eyes. Master should watch his one. He is ambitious and studious.

I rose to rouse the coals to a merry little flame and filled the pot with water. We love our rituals, Master and I. I moved to the table where the enormous apprentice sat. I took his arm and lifted him from his seat and cleaned off the table of all the study materials. He looked at me with a quizzical expression.

By the time Master wandered into the circular room, his breakfast was prepared with warm bread and hot tea. Samuel was still standing nearby. Every time he moved to gather the scrolls and parchment, I glared at him or growled at him. It's a game I like to play. He doesn't know it's a game, and it's fun for me.

Master sat down and looked at the boy standing, shifting from foot to foot.

"You don't look like you slept." Master likes to state the obvious. I grinned.

The boy shrugged his shoulders and ducked his head. "I slept a couple of hours."

Master scrutinized him, as if he was weighing the validity of the boy's statement. He nodded and gestured to the boy to sit at the table. When the boy moved, I mantled my leathery wings in a manner most threatening and he paused. I grinned. I love this game.

Master scolded me with a sharp noise and I allowed the boy to pass me.

"You mustn't show fear, Samuel. When you perform the ritual to attract your own familiar, the creature that will respond will either follow you or try to use you. If you intend to bind a demon to you, this is most dangerous since they are deceivers and manipulators. Even though Meg is fairly servile, she is still a demon and you never take what she says at face value."

Samuel nodded and his gaze turned to study me. I growled at him. Master is not impressed with my displays of aggression and doesn't even notice them anymore. But at the time, Samuel was still sort of intimidated by me. I liked that. What I don't like is being called untrustworthy. I glared at Master, though I know it would not do any good. I could punish him later for his comment.

I began to collect the components I knew Master would request me to compile once they were done with breakfast. Every time he obtained a new apprentice, it was the same thing. Master took this part of his responsibility very seriously. He was in charge of making the new warlock as competent as possible. Samuel had already demonstrated he is studious and can read. Both are large bonuses in his favor to me. Master, though, will want to assess how far he has come on his own. He will require the boy to show what he knows thus far.

"Meg, I want you to pack the components as we will be beginning outside today."

I wanted to shout for joy. I began to pack in haste. I was admonished several times until Master walked up and stood right in my face. I could feel his power over me and I submitted. Now, Master is not much to look at. He is small for a male and he spends a lot of time studying so his body is thin and wiry. Having said that… when Master uses a voice of command, when he puts the power of the warlock behind his words, I am more compelled to obey. I fell to my knees and whimpered. I knew he was demonstrating his power to Samuel. I knew that my eagerness to venture out of the tower would have been met with amusement had we not had company. Well, at least, amusement when related to my Master. He doesn't have much of a sense of humor of which I am aware.

"So, you see, Samuel." Master used his "teaching voice". "The judicious use of power and an aura of command and the demon will respect your words. Meg is bound to me. She is compelled to obey, anyway. But, you are able to command unbound demons in much the same way."

Master went about his business and I rose from my place to complete the assigned task much more carefully than last time. As I looked up as the scratching of the quill ceased, I saw that look on Samuel's face again. I growled at him and he seemed unfazed. I had to blink. Samuel, up to that point, seemed meek and submissive. He stood up and walked into my space. I had acknowledged his size previously but, until then, I hadn't actually appreciated how tall he was. I could tell he was testing his own authority. Part of me wanted to add my ability to teach Master's apprentice by defying him. He clearly didn't realize that compelling a bound demon is very different and more difficult that compelling an unbound one. I could feel the build-up of his warlock abilities. I could see it pooling and collecting around him. I began to collect my own power. My Master came back into the room and stood in the doorway to observe. I could feel the limitations the binding he had placed upon me restrict all I am able to do to defend myself. I growled at him, too, but kept my eyes on the young upstart human in front of me.

What had happened next was beyond my understanding. The swirl of power crackled in the air. Samuel looked into my eyes with a harshness I was surprised to see there. I felt a connection to the boy I didn't understand and couldn't defend myself against it. I felt the tendrils of fear, but kept it out of my expression. Samuel had the power available, but I could sense he didn't know what to do with it. I grinned and narrowed my eyes. Master was going to need a new apprentice.

That was when it happened. Master turned on me. He used his power to pull me to my knees. I had difficulty breathing for the hold he placed on me. He had sent out a wisp of rapport magic to Samuel so the young man would "see" what he was doing to me. Samuel's expression changed. He grew confident in that moment. He had the power and he knew how to use it against me. Master had told his apprentice how to defeat me in that moment. He chose the human child over me.

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Correspondence from the Warlock, Castiel of Rivers' Run Tower by my hand to Master of the Prime Order, Gabriel of Sentinel Host

Dear brother,

Thank you for informing me of my demon's duplicity. I recently reviewed with my new apprentice the first rule when dealing with demons. I have reminded her of her place as well as demonstrated a practical lesson for young Samuel.

I write to you now to inform you the apprentice, Samuel Winchester, has proven that my brother is indeed able to ascertain the true qualities necessary for a worthy apprentice and has finally sent one I can accept.

I will be taking both apprentice and demon with me to the Wyrmfire Crag. There seems to be a gathering disturbance there that I am sure even you can detect. I am curious as to why you have not requested me to attend to the situation out at the Reach before now. I wonder if the duties of Master of the Prime are too many for you. Perhaps, you should find an apprentice of your own. Clearly, without one, the quality of your work is suspect.

Warmest regards,

Castiel

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Correspondence to Ranger Dean Winchester, Wyrmfire Crag from Samuel Winchester, Apprentice to Warlock Castiel, Rivers' Run Tower

Dean,

Since my last letter to you, I have been officially accepted as Master Castiel's apprentice, so I guess I'm sticking around awhile. I'm learning so many things and he has decided that he'll be instructing me on our way to Wyrmfire Crag. I hope I'll find you there. I've been waiting for a response from you and I know that since we're moving overland, I may have just missed your letter. Master sends his demon, Meg, back to the tower each evening to retrieve items, place objects he buys or finds along the way back at his home or to retrieve any mail.

Dean, I had a conversation the other day when we were travelling through a town called Whitefell. There are rumors of women being taken from their homes and disappearing without a trace to the north. Since we are travelling north, it worried me. Castiel just looks stern when I ask him about it. He worries, I think, because we have to travel the slow way. Meg tells me that Master often will open portals to one place or another, but since I am with them, we will walk. She doesn't like to walk, really and often will find any excuse to fly. She stays out of the towns we go into altogether. I guess I can't blame her. The reception we get as human warlocks is chilly if not outright hostile. No one acts on their feelings of hostility. Apparently, Castiel has a reputation even here.

I know how you feel about demons, Dean; and I know you wanted me to go into the family business, but I knew I had these abilities. I really didn't want to waste a weapon. You always told me that. "If you're in a fight, use the weapons you have at your disposal. Don't waste what you have hoping to get something better." I haven't forgotten what you taught me. I'm just using what you taught me differently than you hoped. I hoped that you would remember that I am still your brother and that we care about each other. I hoped you would forgive me. I hope you still can.

We will be a few more weeks until we get to the Reach and then five days to get to Wyrmfire Crag. You will have received this by then. I hope you will have made a decision by then and will greet me as your brother and not as the strange apprentice to the warlock come to aid the rangers.

With hope,

Sam

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Correspondence from the Warlock, Castiel of Rivers' Run Tower by my hand to Master of the Prime Order, Gabriel of Sentinel Host

Dear Brother,

We have travelled north overland. I am training my apprentice en route and have discovered many things which I shall disclose to you here.

There are rumors, brother, of abductions to the north of Whitefell. I spoke to the local cleric and he has seen the signs that the time is coming. It seems the prophecy may be near. The locks are being opened and the Beast will be released. And yet, I am the only warlock or magic-user we have seen on the road. Before you say how they might have teleported or flown, I don't think so. I would have been able to detect others and I would have heard the rumors of others being called forth.

What are you waiting for, Gabriel? Do you need permission to defend the realm? Is there political gain in waiting until the cage is opened and the Beast unleashed? You are the Prime Order, brother. You are our Master. Who would gainsay you?

I go to meet the Rangers. I will offer them my not inconsequential help. Samuel has proven to be a fast learner and I believe we may yet have use of him in this quest. I believe that even the Rangers will have noticed what you, clearly, have not. The time for division is at an end. The time for action to prevent the end of all we hold dear is at hand. Will you join with us, brother? Or will you sit on the fencepost and wring your hands?

Regards,

Castiel of Rivers' Run Tower