Chapter 5

The market had its ups and downs. Mostly the downs could be blamed on the fact demons controlled it- even now, the damn things weren't well mannered. I found the only time that the market place was even worth looking at was after a battle. Sure the place was more chaotic than usual, but the stalls usually also had more things to browse through. Lucifer's heir or not, I was still a female.

Some time had passed since I had last walked through the market, but that was because of an assassin almost ramming his blade through my chest. My Father didn't let me out of my room for a week. I had been careless, so I agreed to a few weeks of hard-core training, and only then was I allowed to stray from my room. Still, that had been awhile back, so I wasn't too worried when I made my way out of the "castle" and into the stench ridden market place. At least, this time Sam would be strolling with me.

Almost immediately, every demon froze to its spot. Their blackened eyes focused on Sam and me. I didn't expect much less as it wasn't common for Lucifer's two generals to go for a walk. Unlike the lower level demons, Sam and I continued on our way passing stalls that we wouldn't even give a second glass. Sometimes I couldn't help but wonder how some of these demons even get by with the shit they sell.

The better stalls, the ones demons would trip over themselves to get to, were my preferably choice. Plus, the owners of these types of stalls also had a tendency to fawn over Dean, Sam, or I. We probably could get the entire stand for free if we just implied that we wanted it. Although, I wasn't entirely sure if that was because we were pretty much royalty in demonic society, or we just scared demons shitless. Look at Sam, he can kill demons with his mind, and I have to admit, that's pretty high on my list of "what-the-fuck."

Anyway, I eventually wandered to one of the better weapons stalls. Mostly, the demon had herbs, roots- things that could chuck an angel half-way across the room if needed. Nothing that I couldn't already do with a little persuasion with my grace. I really wanted to be creative this year with Dean's gift; I knew he didn't expect nor suspect one, but he was my cousin. I thought even he deserved to get something on his day.

Sam was a few feet away browsing absently, and I wondered if I should try and strike up a conversation with the younger demon. The only real problem being anything I thought of to talk about focused on the disgusting pair Sam and Lylith made. I didn't really think that would be an appropriate comment.

"Alistair doesn't leave you be does he?" Sam suddenly said whipping my attention away from a pair of silver knives.

"He's a demon. I guess he thinks stalking me is part of his job," I joked absently picking up a small star in the shape of a devil's trap.

"I could kill him," he suggested, but I was too focused throwing the new-found weapon into the chest of a nearby demon. It shrieked in pain and fell to its knees.

"You could," I sighed moving away from the agonized demon without a care. "But I think my Father might be a tad upset." I left that stall and moved to another; Sam wasn't far behind.

"We could call it an accident?"

"Sounds like something Dean would say," I laughed. A few demons stopped in their tracks at my laugh, but I figured that was because when I laughed it was usually because something or someone was hurt or dying.

"Well technically," Sam shrugged. "I'm just relaying his message. He also wants to kill the damn idiot."

"Dean wants to kill his mentor?" I said spinning on the younger Winchester, my back to my next stop. The words went unanswered, and for a moment, we silently regarded each other. "Actually, I'm not all that shocked by that."

"That's what I thought," Sam grinned before we continued on. We continued through the market, stopping once and awhile to browse, but not really getting anything.

As we got closer to the edge, I found myself getting excited. The poison maker's place was coming up, and I was finally going to get my blade back. Hopefully, I would also get some good news containing the idea of creating a poison that would be lethal to our feathery friends.

"Why are we heading this way?" the Winchester eventually asked.

"Poison guy has my blade," I answered. "I want it back." Finally, I found myself in front of his place, and both Sam and I walked in.

The last thing I was seriously expecting was to be punched in the face, thrown to the ground, and caught within one of those damn angel-traps. Sam was in a similar predicament except he was within a devil's trap. I glared up at whoever was stupid enough to attack me. There were three of them- all male. One was a human- pure and simple- but the other two were demons. Neither I recognized, and neither were my infamous poison maker.

"Can I help you boys?" I purred pushing myself into a sitting position. I wasn't exactly worried at the moment.

"Winchesters," one of the demons growled snatching me by my hair and forcing my to my feet. "I've been waiting all day for you to get here."

"Sorry to keep you waiting," Sam sighed from his own trap. "She was busy shopping."

"So were you," I counter-argued.

"Cram it," the other demon snapped.

"Don't even think of screaming for help," the human decided to input.

Without warning, Sam and I both exploded into fits of laughter. Our three "kidnappers" just stared at us while we came down from the laughing. I was wiping away a tear and trying not to hiccup.

"Help?" Sam echoed.

"Scream?" I added. "We don't really do either."

"You might when we are finished with you," a new voice chimed in. An angel walked in- some old guy wearing a business suit. I recognized the prick rather quickly, and I knew Sam did as well. After all, Dean, Sam, and I had been searching for this angel the second we came to power.

"Zachariah," I hissed. All remnants of laughter having long left. This angel- I was going to rip his lungs out of his throat. Everything that had happened in this world could actually be blamed on the angel in the room.

"Hello Rachel, Samuel," the angel grinned. The freak probably got a hard-on seeing both Sam and I powerless. "Appears we have two of the three famous Winchesters here."

"Dean is busy," Sam quipped. Our stances were still relaxed, and until we knew what these traitors were planning, it went unsaid that we had to stay how we were. Tensing up gave the illusion that we were worried, but we weren't really, at least not yet.

"Oh?" the human said trying to act all tough. "Torturing some poor soul again?"

"Actually," I grinned now loving the direction this conversation was going. "Torturing Castiel." The room fell silent. "Dean is trying right now to get the angel to beg."

"Castiel was…" Zachariah started, and I could see his cocky side failing now. Obviously, the angel had thought his brother was dead.

"Captured," Sam finished. "He's a guest right now in Lucifer's place."

As I was closer to the angel, I was the one to receive a fist into my solar plex. I coughed and tried in vain to pull the oxygen back into my lungs. Sometimes still being part human sucked. Somehow, I stayed on my feet, and within moments, I caught a gasp of air. When I could breath normally, I started to clap and laugh.

"Violence," I coughed out. "Applause Zachariah. And here I thought angels had no balls."

"That wasn't intelligent," Sam added, his yellow eyes narrowing.

"You're trapped," one of the demons grinned. "There is nothing you can do."

"Not at the moment," Sam smiled right back.

"But he can," I finished. Before the demon had the chance to react, the poison maker I had come to see drove a spike right into the demon's head. An iron blade with salt and holy water all over it. The demon began screaming bloody murder, and while Zachariah was distracted, our ally moved and broke the angel's trap.

"Thanks," I hissed. "But we can take it from here." I shoved the poison maker out of the tent and freed Sam from the devil's trap.

"What do you think?" the Winchester grinned.

"Kill the demons and human," I shrugged. "But we take Zachariah back alive… I can't think of a better birthday present for Dean."

"Neither can I."

The freaked looks on our four attackers didn't go unnoticed; we just didn't care. Thankfully, I was able to throw Zachariah right out the back of the tent, and my precious blade was sitting on the maker's bench. Without a second thought, I grabbed it and moved to continue my onslaught against the angel. Behind me, I heard the agonizing screams of a demon being killed by Sam's mind. To some point, I wondered if the younger demon could actually do that to angels as well, but I wasn't stupid enough to try. Who knows what kind of side effects such an attack would have.

"You're not very smart," I sighed stepping over debris to get to the backing away angel. "Attacking me and my family?" I couldn't help but wave my blade lazily in front of me, teasing the damn feather freak. "Real bad idea." I launched myself at Zach, tackling him by the waist.

All around us, demons scattered away. Most could immediately tell I was fighting an angel, and that meant that demons didn't want to be within forty feet of this thing. Some, though, stayed to watch me beat the bloody hell out of this thing. The ones that stayed close began to cheering and jeering at the angel. His wings erupted into sight, and I only wanted to sigh. If he thought he could escape now, he was sadly mistaken. Just as Zach took to the air, my own black wings stretched across the sky, and I had a hold on his ankle rather quickly. With a swift yank, I sent the angel right into the ground.

"Rachel!" I heard just as I landed. Instinct took over, and I caught what was toss to me. A small vial of something. "Put it on your blade. It can't kill yet, but it will surely disable the angel." Oh, the poison maker was shouting to me, and I trusted his judgment.

Taking the glass container, I poured the maroon liquid across my blade. It smelled like shit, literally. Zachariah was no where near as skilled as I was with a blade, and I was able to easily land a few solid swipes. The cuts on his human vessel poured out blood, and the angel seemed to be getting more sluggish with every strike. I, of course, also had been hit, but my grace was quick to heal any minor wounds while I continued to fight.

Finally, the angel fell to his knees, and he didn't move to get up. Sam, right then, joined my side, and we both threw a glance over to the surrounding demons.

"Take him back to Lucy's," I sighed. "I have to talk to the poison maker still."

"Dean will love this," Sam laughed while grabbing the angel around the neck and dragging him back to our home.

"Thank-you," I said to the demon that had probably saved our butts. "It's not really effective yet," I continued referring to the poison on my blade.

"It's difficult to replicate what your blade can do with a killing shot," he shrugged. "Your blade kills both the vessel and angel with a well placed shot. I attempted to copy the effects and create a poison that could kill with just a minor cut." He glanced down at the vial in his hand. "Still needs work."

"Demon blood hurts them," I explained remembering how badly it effected Cas. "Try adding that in."

"I will," he nodded, and I moved to follow my cousin.

"Thanks again," I shouted back while sheathing my blade.

The castle was in an uproar by the time I got back. Lucifer was screaming at his guards as to why I had been alone and then attacked. Thankfully, I was able to grab my Father's attention for a few moments without being yelled at. I explained the poison, and then, I went on to say what had happened in the market. That led to me being thoroughly grounded from going to the market without some sort of guard. I couldn't help but roll my eyes; still, I didn't argue, just head up the stairs to see Dean, Cas, and our new guest.

The dungeon was unusually quiet. Many of the ones in the cages backed away as I passed, and when I went into the more private room. Cas's eyes were locked onto the kneeling form of Zach. Dean was smirking, and he could only give me a full smile as Sam continued to hold down the angel.

"Good gift?" I joked.

"Perfect," Dean growled. "I'll enjoy killing him slowly."

"Going to use Alistair's private room for him?" Sam asked. Alistair's private room could actually be described as worse than Dean's. Sure the elder Winchester was probably the more skilled torturer now, but Alistair made Hell his bitch. His room was less "homey" looking and more freaky. Human skin coated the walls, enough said.

"Yes," Dean hissed. "Want to help me string him up Sammy?" The two brothers dragged our newest guest from the room while I stayed behind with Castiel.

"Looks like you're going to get a break," I shrugged.

"Let my brother go," he said. I could tell he was trying to hide the discomfort in his words.

"You do know he deserves all that is about to happen to him," I continued while I moved to Dean's "goodie table." I could feel the angel's eyes digging into my back. "He had the orders, you know… He had orders that he was suppose to give to the garrison."

"What orders?"

"Orders to save Dean Winchester from perdition." I spun to face the angel, and I could see disbelief in his eyes. "He wanted to make a power play in Heaven, so he didn't tell anyone the revelations he had received… He let my cousin rot in Hell because he wanted more benefits."

"You're lying."

"You and I both know Castiel you could see if I was," I sighed moving to stand directly in front of the angel. "Zachariah told Gabriel after it was all said and done that it was too late. That Dean was a demon that had no chance for redemption, that pulling him from Hell now would just release another monster onto this world."

I paused and traced Cas's collarbone with the knife I had just picked up. "If a soul is horribly tainted, to cleanse it, it would take an angel falling and using their own grace to clean it." I sighed before laying my arm across the angel's strapped chest and putting my own forehead on my arm. "Zach lied to Gabriel that day."

"How would you know that?"

"Dean was still mostly human when I went into Hell with Alistair," I said explaining even though I wasn't entirely sure why I was explaining this. "Zachariah was suppose to order you from pulling him from perdition, and he would have been fine had you done it then… But that damn idiot kept the orders to himself and let my cousin suffer, let him turn into the very thing he hated." I moved away, turning my back to the angel. "When I went into Hell, my grace was untainted for the most part, so I gave Lucifer back his, and I tried to clean Dean's soul. I took the taint from his soul and pulled it into my own."

Cas remained utterly silent.

"I tried to save Dean from becoming a demon, and in turn, I pretty much turned myself into a monster. All that darkness now coats my own grace, and I thought the angels would come save Dean then when he was almost completely human again… But you left him to rot, and what I did was for nothing. I only gave Dean a few more decades as a human before he was turned again."

I turned to face the angel, our eyes meeting. "I became Daddy's little girl when I tried to save Dean… All of this is your fault. You angels left Dean to rot because of a pissing match…" I could see an emotion flicker behind his blue eyes. "All of this came to pass because you angels aren't as righteous as you think you are." With that, I left the room, but before I could shut the door, Cas whispered something. I stopped to listen.

"I'm sorry...Father please forgive us…"

Chapter 6: Dean and Sam search for Bobby among the hunters while trying not to be spotted as demons. Rachel continues to speak with Cas after filling him in on how she turned evil, and she begins to find that her humanity isn't as deeply buried as she first thought

OOC: Ok, so here's the update schedule:

Broken Wings: EVERY THURSDAY

Darkened Wings: EVERY SUNDAY

That is when each will be updated.