Castiel was forced to follow behind a blonde haired Demon whose name was Lilith. Alistair followed closely behind him, making sure he didn't try to escape. Inside the casino, women were dancing and people seemed to be watching with detached interest. Some people played cards; others were at the slot machines.
The words 'winner' and 'jackpot' reached his ears more than once on the short walk through the main floor. But through the people he could not find Balthazar and that worried him. It wasn't long before Castiel was shoved into a meeting room of sorts. A blond man sat at the far end, at the head of the table, watching with a smile on his face.
"Hello, Castiel. It's a pleasure to meet you," he said and rose, stepping closer and Castiel forced himself not to step back. He had to appear strong. "Now, as I understand it, you have something that belongs to me."
"I'm sorry?" Castiel feigned innocence, though he knew what the man, who had to be Lucifer, was talking about.
"The amulet, Castiel," Lucifer informed. "I know you have it."
"Lucy, Lucy," Alistair said from behind Castiel. "We searched him, but he doesn't appear to have it."
"Then we search him again," Lucifer chimed, grinning. "More thoroughly."
Castiel swallowed the lump in his throat and spoke, "I don't have any amulet."
"Oh, I don't know about that. Where did you hide it?" Lucifer asked as he closed in on the Angel, who tensed and clenched his fists to keep from bolting.
"I told you, I don't know what you're talking about. I've never worn an amulet in my life," Castiel assured in what he hoped was a convincing voice. But apparently it wasn't enough.
"We know Balthazar gave you the necklace, Castiel," Alistair crooned from behind him.
A dawning hit Lucifer, "You walked into this trap on purpose, didn't you? Because you didn't know how to get here." The man smiled as he circled Castiel, only a few inches away. Castiel swallowed tightly.
"You'd only do that, of course, if you'd hidden the amulet first. Somewhere very discreet. Am I right?" When he received no verbal response, Lucifer watched Castiel. The Angel was fidgeting nervously, fingers twisting the hem of his shirt. "You wanted to cut a deal with one of my employees, make your demands and return the amulet only when they've been met. But suddenly, you find yourself face to face with little ol' me, the most powerful man in history, and now you've lost your nerve, haven't you?"
"No," Castiel said after a moment, trying hard to swallow. "I haven't lost my nerve."
A smile erupted from Lucifer's face, pale eyes gleaming, "Well then, little Castiel, what are your demands?"
Castiel looked around the room before speaking in a louder, firm voice, "I want you to free Balthazar Roché and send us both back home," the Angel stared at Lucifer, holding the taller man's gaze. "When we're certain that we're safe, I'll tell you where the amulet is."
"I see. Lilith, go fetch this Balthazar Roché."
Lilith nodded and moved to leave the room, only to find the doors swinging open. Several Demons entered, though Castiel's back was to them. He didn't want to turn around to see who had entered, preferring to keep his eyes on Lucifer. He didn't trust the guy.
A slow grin spread across the man's face. "What a coincidence. It appears that Balthazar Roché was waiting just outside the door. I wonder why."
Castiel's brows furrowed and he slowly turned, even though all logic told him not to. Balthazar stood there, looking handsome as ever and wearing a sleek, charcoal suit. His blond hair was still curly and he looked healthy, unlike the other people he had seen in the casino. "Balthazar!" Castiel exclaimed and stepped closer to him. "Are you okay?"
Balthazar nodded, "I'm fine, what are you doing here?" Castiel had a hard time reading the look on his face.
"We found him running around the forest by his lonesome, so I brought him here. I was very curious to see what sort of filth my son was hanging around with these days."
Castiel's eyes flew to Lucifer in surprise. "Son?" His gaze returned to Balthazar, questioning, but his face was blank.
"Yes, he lied to you, little Angel," Lucifer said gleefully.
"Father," Balthazar said in a neutral tone.
Suddenly angry, Lucifer snapped, "Don't Father me. Your boyfriend has hidden the Amulet of Purgatory out there in the bushes somewhere."
"He's not my boyfriend. He's nothing to me," Balthazar informed, holding Castiel's gaze.
Castiel's mouth dropped, hurt. He whispered, "Balthazar?"
Lucifer either didn't notice the exchange or ignored it as he continued, "Then why did he have the amulet?"
"As I've said a thousand times before, Father, I didn't give it to him. He took it. He was an affair, that's all. Someone to pass the time with while I explored his world. I took the necklace to be certain I would have the power to return. Little did I know he would steal it from me," the tall man looked down at the Angel, a strange look in his eyes that the younger man couldn't decipher. "Castiel, tell us where you hid the amulet."
Castiel gasped at Balthazar's words. He was lying, about everything. "What?"
"I didn't ask you to come here. And I didn't ask you to hide the amulet, so come on, tell everyone where it is."
Castiel's mouth worked as he tried find the words he wanted to say. He wanted to accuse him, yell at him, he was upset. He had gone through all of this and now he was being betrayed? But then a thought occurred to him: Maybe Balthazar was in trouble, still. All of the lies, none of what Balthazar had said was true. So the Angel responded, "I won't tell anyone where it is until you've taken me home."
"That's not a bad idea. If I take him home, you'll be sure to get it back," Balthazar said, turning from Castiel and facing Lucifer. And a sudden wave of relief hit him. Of course Balthazar was on his side. He just couldn't alert Lucifer. Why, he wasn't sure, but at this point, if it meant he and Balthazar would return home, then he was willing to play along.
"Brilliant. The only problem I see is the fact that I wouldn't trust you if you told me the sun was round," Lucifer commented idly and Castiel's stomach dropped. "Besides, we've had to shut the Gate completely. And I'm sure we can win over the little Angel without having to go all the way back to your little world."
The doors opened then and a woman walked in. She was dressed in a forest green dress that revealed more than it hid, tall and thin, with wavy brown hair and hazel eyes. "Ah, Bela, so good of you to join us. Have you nothing to say to your fiancée, Balthazar?"
"What?" Castiel gasped. Everything else, he was sure he could understand once Balthazar explained things. But he didn't think he could take this. He tensed when the woman, Bela, circled him.
"Don't tell me, Balthazar forgot to mention his life-long love, his wildly romantic engagement and upcoming wedding?" Lucifer could barely hold back his amusement as seeing the devastated look on Castiel's face.
"So this is…" Bela asked, standing in front of Castiel with a curious look on her features. She was almost the same height as he and stared directly into his eyes, curiously.
"I'm afraid so," Lucifer responded grimly.
Bela brought a hand to Castiel's face, "Really?" Brushing the hair from the Angel's forehead, the short female continued, "I'm starting to wonder about your taste, Balthazar. If you find him attractive, what do you think of me?" The woman's voice seemed sad, though no expression showed on her beautiful face.
Castiel slapped the woman's hand away, glaring down at Bela. "He thinks you're the most beautiful woman in Purgatory," Lucifer answered lightly. "That's why he's marrying you. You see, Castiel, Balthazar's been engaged for months now. His adventure in your world was only that. An adventure, a way to say goodbye to his mischievous youth. You're going to tell us where you've hidden the amulet and then you're going to wish you've never laid eyes on my son."
"Well, I'd better be off," Balthazar spoke up, stepping towards Castiel and taking his hand in his own. "I forgive you, Castiel and I don't blame you for being angry with me." He pressed something into Castiel's hands while pulling him into a hug, whispering, "He's here." Pulling away, he said in a louder voice, "Goodbye. Bela, if you would?"
And the pair left the room.
Balthazar nearly stopped when he heard his father say, "Take him to the interrogation room." He continued on though, he couldn't give in.
He entered his bedroom, closely followed by Bela. Shutting the door behind her, she demanded, "Who is he, Balthazar?"
He smiled, full lips revealing white teeth, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Jealous?"
"Of course I am," Bela responded immediately, pulling him into her arms.
"Then help get me out of here," Balthazar shifted to gaze down at the brunette.
"You know I can't do that," Bela trailed her fingers along her fiancé's chest. "Maybe if you tell me what you're up to…"
Balthazar looked away, "I'm not up to anything."
"Darling, we really shouldn't have any secrets between us," Bela lifted her chin, intending to kiss him, but he turned his head away. Frowning, the woman backed Balthazar against the bed, his knees hitting and he fell backwards with the brunette straddling his hips. "So, who is this guy?" Bela pulled out a vial from her purse.
Balthazar shook his head when he saw it, but the woman managed to overpower him and forced the liquid down his throat. "Who is Castiel? Tell me everything about him."
"Castiel?" Balthazar asked, a glazed look over his features. Bela nodded, smiling, when Balthazar willingly drank the Honesty brew. "He's innocent."
"Of course he is. So why did you choose him, Balthazar?
"I.." he was finding it difficult to put words together. He knew what he wanted to say, but his mind was so foggy and he could only string a few words together at a time.
"You went there for a reason, didn't you?"
"I needed him…" he managed after a long moment.
"For what, Balthazar?" Before Balthazar could say another word, Lilith stormed into the room, clearing her throat. "What?" Bela demanded angrily.
"Lucifer wants to see you," Lilith informed before exiting the room. Bela groaned in frustration, pushing away from Balthazar.
"I almost had it, you idiot," Bela glowered at Lilith as she shut the door behind her, locking it. Balthazar remained on the bed in a daze.
Bela stood in front of Lucifer in the private study. Lilith was off to the side, ever present. "You've had Balthazar in your clutches for two days now. Why haven't I seen results?" Lucifer demanded. "The whole point of having the ungrateful child marry you is so that I can keep an eye on him. If you can't handle him, I'll marry him to someone who can."
"I just need a bit more uninterrupted time with him," Bela glared at Lilith before continuing, "Your son has a strong heart. If I didn't know any better, I would think he'd gone and fell in love with the Angel."
"No, there's a reason he singled him out," Lucifer tapped his chin thoughtfully. "He wouldn't have spent so much time wooing him unless he was useful. I'm certain of it. You have until morning, Bela."
oooooo
Castiel followed Lilith quietly. There were several Demons surrounding him and he had no way of escape. Once they were walking through the casino, Castiel glanced at the object that Balthazar had given him. It was a watch, silver, old and worn, but the Angel knew exactly where it had come from. "Dad?" He glanced around the casino, looking for his father, but could not find him.
He was shoved into an empty room, not long later, shackled to a wall. It was utterly silent. Everything Balthazar had said back there, it had all been a lie. It felt like everything they had, had been a lie. Castiel knew that, in a way, he was trying to help him, while not alerting Lucifer. But the fact that he was engaged? Had lied about their relationship too?
Before he could dwell further on the thought, Alistair entered the room, a strange light gleaming in his dark eyes. "Hello, little Angel. It's my job to open your mind," he said, running a finger down his chest. Castiel tensed and Alistair frowned.
"I want you to relax, Castiel. Listen to the sound of my voice," he spoke and Castiel found himself nodding along, eyes drooping. "Now, sleep." Castiel's head fell forward and when he woke, he was in his bedroom. "How old are you?" The man's voice echoed in his mind.
Sleepily, Castiel responded, "Twelve." His voice was soft, quiet.
"But you're alone. Why?"
Castiel shifted, looking around. "Dad's left. Gabriel's asking the neighbor to babysit so he can go look for him." He was sitting on the edge of his bed, staring out the closed door. The Einstein poster was peeling off in the top corner.
"Did he say goodbye?"
Weakly, he said, "No." He looked down at his hands, wishing he could see his father. He wanted to tell him he was sorry, he'd be a good son if he came back.
"Why don't you see if he's left you something in his study?"
"No," his voice was stronger this time, but fear evident.
"Why not?"
"I'm scared to go in there," Castiel whispered, as though he wasn't supposed to talk about it. Father never let him inside the room. Castiel knew many nights, he would be working in the study until early morning. Father's work was important and Castiel shouldn't go in there. Even Gabriel wasn't allowed in there.
"Nonsense."
Feeling a sudden strength inside him, Castiel walked down the hallway and stopped in front of the door that led to his father's office. It was dark inside, shelves lining the walls. When he reached the middle, a light turned on in the room and the door slammed shut. The floor began falling away around him and soon all that was left was a single wooden plank that Castiel kneeled on, clutching tightly.
The rest of the floor fell into an empty void, dark and endless. "T-this isn't happening," Castiel gasped as he gripped the plank tighter, trying not to shift. "It's all in my head! It's just a dream!" He took a deep breath and stood. "I just have to wake up." He took a cautious step forward, and felt the ground give way.
With a panicked scream, he reached for the plank as he fell, dangling above the void. "It's real?" He gasped in confusion.
"Of course it's real," came Alistair's voice in his head.
"But I'll die!"
"Mostly likely."
"B-but don't you want to know where I've hidden the amulet?" He cried, trying to get a better grip on the board, body swaying slightly as he moved.
"Not really. This is much more fun."
"Are you crazy?"
"Cynically insane."
Castiel swung his legs up, managing with effort to climb back on top of the board. He straddled it, clutching tightly and breathing hard. "If you kill me, Lucifer won't get the amulet," Castiel tried to bargain, his heart pounding wildly in his chest.
"So tell me where it is?
"Not until you get me out of here."
"If you don't tell me, I may as well kill you. Of course, we'll have much more fun before I get to that, though. And I'll have to tell Lucifer it was an accident. It happens all the time."
Castiel tightened his grip, knuckles going white. He tried to calm his breathing.
"The board is holding him up," Alistair's voice seemed thoughtful. "What would happen if disappeared, I wonder?"
Castiel cried out as the board began dissolving. He scooted back as it continued melt away. "Stop!"
"I'm awfully sorry, Lucifer. But the boy just wouldn't cooperate," Alistair spoke with a laugh in his voice. Castiel kept scooting until his back hit the wall and he was forced to stand. There were only a few inches of the board left. "I tried everything, you see, even shoved him inside his deepest, darkest fear."
"W-wait," Castiel gasped. "I'll tell you where it is."
"You better be quick. It has a mind of its own," Alistair laughed.
oooooo
A/N: Thanks for all the love! I keep repeating myself but you guys are amazing!
I'm sorry for leaving it here! Cliffhangers suck, but the chapter was getting ridiculously long, so I split into two parts. And more bad news: I don't know if I'll get another chapter out for a couple weeks. But I assure you that once finals are over, I will be 100% devoted to finishing this fic :D
Comments, questions, or concerns are most welcome! (hint, hint)