Chapter 15: 666-LUCI
Bobby had been right about what was behind Bithiel's tempers. The orders to kill other angels. And though she had huge issues with it, the Earth Angel was not about to disobey her brother. But when Sam had asked her if she'd talked to Cass about it, Beth gave the answer he'd pretty much expected.
"He said, 'You're an active soldier again and you have your orders.'" 'Nough said.
Dean, upon returning from town on errands shortly after, was informed by the old Hunter of the incident. He made short work of trotting out back to check on brother and friend. Both of which he found lounging comfortably on the hood of the angel's Camaro, chatting easily against the windshield. The woman and younger Winchester quickly dispelled his concern and, with a brief hug for Beth, Sam excused himself back to the house to rest.
They quietly watched until he rounded a stack of junkers. The fingertips rubbing a temple not going unnoticed.
Without glancing at the older brother, the angel pointed out, "We need to watch out for these flashbacks. They're getting stronger…more devastating." Staring down at the ground, Beth kicked at a stone. "I've never been to Hell, not that I can remember. And can't even imagine what that could do to a person's mind."
"Well, I have. And I know. Remember every minute of it." Bithiel glanced sideways at the strained tone in the Hunter's voice. Her heart twisted at the shadow that had fallen over the mossy-hazel eyes. "It changes ya…forever. Sammy might not have been in the cage long, but I guarantee…it made my stay seem like a tour of Graceland."
When he returned her gaze, the darkness was replaced with a glint of merriment at his own quirk. Beth blinked quick, confused, wondering if she'd even really seen it. With a smirk of her own, she passed it off , relating the vision to the seriousness of the topic at hand.
"I bet! But still. Every time he has one, I feel…I can sense something dark twisting in his core. In his soul. But when I look deeper, try to get a good look at it. Name it." The angel paused to rummage in her jean pockets. "It's gone…or, at least burrowed back down outta sight." With a shake of her head, Bithiel pulled out a pack of cigarettes with one hand and a Zippo in the other. Lighting one up, she turned to face a very nervous Dean.
" 'Something dark' as in the dark spot on all human souls or…or Lucifer dark?"
"Wha…Nah-uh! Sam and Luci are not still bunking together!" Said man's big brother audibly released the breath even he probably didn't know he was holding.
"As for the…" Air quotes "dark spot", "That's what I thought the first time I felt it. But that would grow larger or smaller, depending how a person was living life. It's always there. This seems to hide when I go looking for it. What I think…and it may sound crazy, so bear with…I think what I'm picking up on is kinda like a Lucifer to Sammy 'Direct Connect'. Ya know?"
Dean contemplated the idea as he stepped up next to the Camaro. Leaning against the fender, his face lit like someone had flipped the switch for the light bulb over his head.
"I remember Cass saying something like that when we were tracking down Raphael the first time. He said that angels have an almost open phone line with their vessels. If ya know how to dial, you could reach out and get in touch with one."
Nodding, Beth stood next to him propped up by the door. Folding her arms, her head went from bobbing up and down to swinging side to side.
"Unfortunately, that's the truth. An angel that's taken it's chosen vessel, even once for a short time, forms a permanent bond with that person."
"Then…Maybe these aren't just memories Sammy's dealing with." Dean's face hardened, expression speaking volumes to the older Winchester's many years of tracking and strategizing against the supernatural. "You think it possible the Devil's vid chatting with my brother through that connection?"
The Hunter watched as the angel thoughtfully pulled a last time on the smoke then dropped it to the dirt, grinding it out with toe of her hiking boot.
" I think it entirely possible." She looked up at him, matching grim mien to grim mien.
Rubbing at the stubble along his jaw, Dean stared after his now-long-gone younger sibling.
"Well…Any ideas on how we can knock down their particular cell tower?"
When he looked back for his new friend's answer, he was greeted a devious grin that could have scared Lucifer, himself. But not this Hunter. He merely returned the smile as the angel replied with a single nod.