Chapter 5
In the privacy of her room, Jo took the amulet out of her pocket and placed it reverently on her bed. She finally had the talisman that held ancient magic, white magic. It was not easy for her to be so near the source that nearly destroyed her family line. The fact that she was even near it, made her physically ill. She knew that within its power was the directive to destroy her kind. Her plan would have to be executed precisely if she was going to use it to her benefit.
-----
Sam checked the bandage on his brother's head again and was relieved to find that the stitches seemed to be fine, no bleeding was evident. As he adjusted the coverlet over his brother, Sam was encouraged as Dean's eyes fluttered open.
"Dean? Hey bro, wake up, man."
Dean attempted to focus on the form hovering above him, knowing it was Sam, but his vision refused to clear. He blinked hard several times, until he saw Sam's concerned, expectant expression come into focus.
"Sammy? What? What happened?" Why do you look like you're about ready to pass out on me?
"Dude, you fell off the ladder in the storage room. Do you remember?"
Wow, Sam looks freaked. This can't be good. "Give me a minute." Dean lifted his head slightly and attempted to look around the room, but the effort only served to make him dizzy and nauseated. He gingerly lowered his head back down. "Where the hell are we, anyway?"
Sam frowned. "We're at the Roadhouse, Dean. Don't you remember? Ellen insisted we stay in the guestroom since we drank quite a bit at dinner. Jo asked you to help her with some inventory, and you fell from the ladder. At least that's what Jo told us had happened."
Dean studied his brother for a moment. Hmmm, that sounds oddly accusatory, what's up with that? And why is he still looking at me like that? "Honestly Sam, I can't remember even having dinner. But my head sure feels like someone's inside whacking away with a sledgehammer." He paused and frowned at Sam. "You know, I gotta tell ya, you are looking at me like I have a third eyeball or something. Care to share what's going on in that geeky head of yours?"
Sam let out a breath. "You don't remember why we came here, Dean?"
Dean started to roll his eyes, but immediately regretted it. The pain and nausea were beginning to make him cranky and his retort came out with a little more venom then he intended. "If I remembered, why would I be asking you to fill me in?"
Sam looked contrite and slightly hurt. "Sorry, I just, I'm worried that's all."
"So what else is new, Francis? If you weren't worried about something, then I'd be worried there was something wrong with you." Dean was trying to lighten the mood, and attempted to sit up again, but grimaced and lay back down. Sam shook his head as he placed a steadying hand on Dean's chest.
"You're a real laugh riot, you know that? This is serious, Dean. I think we're dealing with Lilith again. I was afraid she may have hurt you, and not just physically."
Dean looked bemused. "Well, I'm not possessed, if that's what you think."
"I don't think that. But she's got powers that go way beyond what that yellow-eyed demon has. She could invoke black magic before we even knew what hit us."
"Well, chill Sam. I don't feel like I've been marked with any voodoo curse or anything like that. But I do think if I move at all, I could puke. Maybe I am possessed, like that chick in the 'Exorcist', you know, she was hurling pea soup all over the place."
Sam quickly grabbed the wastebasket and placed it near Dean's bedside, in case his brother did get sick; and judging by his slightly green hue, Sam figured that was likely. "I called Bobby, he's on his way. I think Jo is bound to Lilith, and I'm hoping Bobby knows how to break the spell."
------
Jo/Lilith began to quietly chant an incantation as she held the amulet tightly in her hands. It wasn't pleasant. The talisman was fighting the spell and the pain that ripped through her body was surprisingly intense. She knew it wasn't going to be easy to convert the charm. But she also knew that if she couldn't do it, then it couldn't be done. She had turned white magic before; many times, in fact. But much more was at stake this time. She wanted Dean, and she wanted her grandson by her side. With every dark power she possessed, Lilith summoned the evil. The black entity enveloped her, along with the amulet, causing her to convulse wildly as the talisman was broken and reformed in her hands. She collapsed on the bed, breathing hard as the unworldly blackness dissipated, her yellow eyes smiling as she held the amulet up to study it. Her lips curved in a satisfied smile. Soon, I'm going to have everything I want.