Chapter 15
Angela sniffed the air as she charged through the tunnels. One of the Lupei she had killed had a scent on him. She had sniffed him carefully and found that it was Dean's scent. It was his but mingled with something else. When she realized what it was, she went into a rage. She knew that at least one of her boys' blood had been spilt and this Lupei had a part in it.
She took a slight pleasure in running him through with Absolution. He had sneered at her anyway and said that Dean was as good as dead with his injuries. He even said that the 'human's mouth' was what got him into trouble. No one did something to her boys and got away with it.
Angela was aware that she was seeing red as she tore through the tunnels but she had the sense to tone it down to the point where she could assess if they were just following orders or they were really out to kill her. For the most part, they were out to kill her. After all Joseph would have told them that she was the vampire with the sword of vengeance.
Absolution gave a slight pulse in her hand. She could feel it and gave a wry smile. She and Absolution were a team and they could read each other's intentions and thoughts fairly well. She should be able to since she had been partnered with him for nearly four centuries. She had learned the first day he chose her that he was not one to be used as a tool.
The pulse in her hand was a sign of his annoyance at being called a sword of vengeance. His name was Absolution and that meant the lifting of a burden or feelings of guilt. It was just a fancy way of saying forgiveness but that was what it meant. Absolution knew her thoughts and feelings and knew that she offered redemption to those that made a choice and still had a chance.
Angela chuckled a little at the pulse and held up Absolution she said, "I know, I know. Joseph could never understand you. Hell even I don't understand you at times."
Absolution pulsed in her hand in response. Angela chuckled before she caught sight of another Lupei charging at her. She dodged the body blow and gave a stinging cut to its backside in response. It turned and she was able to give a thrust into the midsection. It fell over dead and she pulled Absolution out and continued forward while talking to him, "I know I lie about understanding you and you do the same. I'm just better at making it funny." She looked all around as she inched her way forward. She had one hand out as a guard to deflect a potential blow should they get smart and try to ambush her around a corner or something.
The indignant pulse had her look at the sword with a look that she would have given the boys. She replied, "Oh really? Who's the one who can actually talk to them? That's not true and you know it. Sometimes it's like talking to Dean."
Absolution pulsed again. "Fine. We can acknowledge that we're both good at our jobs… too good and we know you don't like being called the wrong name. Let's get back to work."
It didn't take much effort to get back to work because Angela could hear the remaining echoes throughout the tunnels. They were gunning for her, the vampire, and her sword of vengeance. She would deal with them as they came but right now her main concern was finding her boys. She could already pick up Dean and she was following it like a beeline or something.
The sort of ambush came when she reached, if memory served correctly, a main access way. She couldn't count how many since they were large and hairy and they were moving just as fast as she was. She didn't try to kill them at first. She used the flat end of Absolution to swat behinds and limbs. Her fist did the heavy talking as well as the pommel of Absolution with her fist. It was actually quite exciting.
Ever since she threw the first punch, Angela could feel the tiredness slip away. The lethargy she had been going through was being replaced by adrenaline and the single minded focus that she needed to get to her boys. Even though her dream vision thing showed them in pain, she prayed to whoever was listening that they weren't hurt. As much as she declared that no one hurt what was hers and got away with it, she was afraid of what she could do in a rage.
She knew she had been in a rage, a cold one, the day that she and Sam took out Jake. She never mentioned it but even though she offered mercy, she was a little pleased to have gotten the bastard that knifed Sam. Bobby knew that she had the urge to hunt the kid down and make him suffer and one of those was taking his blood.
Knowing that Joseph was behind this was just another hit at that part that was probably the line between being human and a monster. She had seen humans cross that line all the time but it was different here. As long as she killed in defense, she felt mentally all right.
A blow came and hit her still healing ribs and she winced slightly. She looked and narrowed her eyes. She was surrounded and with her ululating cry she flipped forward and out of the circle she had gotten herself into. She ran up a nearby wall and pivoted off to deliver a good kick to another and felt the bone snap. Another was dead. The others were at the point where they didn't care. They lunged at her and were determined to go in for the kill. She held up Absolution and didn't hold back as she used her fists and finished them off with a trust of her blade.
One survived her onslaught and attempted to deliver a killing swipe. Angela dodged and grabbed the Lupei. She could tell it was female and was prepared to negotiate on some level. She rammed the Lupei into the wall and held Absolution to the neck. Angela glared at the Lupei and was prepared to ask questions. She then caught a whiff of something.
Angela leaned in and took quick whiffs. She smelled blood, human blood and she smelled… Dean. There was a thick stench of blood. The first one was a small taste but this was like getting hit with the main course. It was Dean's blood and she knew that something happened.
It was like everything went red in her vision. Without mercy, Angela drew Absolution across the Lupei's neck and sliced the jugular. They wanted blood spilled, she would give it. With a roar of rage, Angela raced through the tunnels, stopping only to take a sniff. With Dean's blood scent ingrained in her olfactory senses, she could sort it out from the others. She came through and swung her blade as they attacked. That was until she came across them.
It was only a girl and Angela could have easily snuffed out her life but something made her stop. It was maybe a split second later that she saw the kids there. Angela didn't like harming children but she knew that if they had tasted first blood, then they were on a path that was difficult to walk away from. She had to do it once though she pleaded with the kid but to no avail. She didn't exactly kill him but he was killed and by ones with far less mercy. It was enough to make her pause and assess the situation.
She ended up asking the girl if they had been taught to be like the others. The girl said no. Angela could tell that the girl was afraid but she was willing to defend the kids there to the death. Angela knew that the girl was telling the truth. If there was one thing that she could ever be certain of, it was her ability to separate the truth from the bullshit. She let them go and told them to head to the main entrance.
She had sent Michael there to make a distraction and do the right thing when it came to it. She had been cryptic about it in the beginning and with good reason. She wasn't sure if she would be able to find any who would take a second chance and work for redemption. This was probably her lucky break and if Susan made it out with the injured deputy, then all would be right there. She motioned for the girl to go and watched as they left. The boy looked at her with a look that she wasn't sure of. It was a sort of mixture of fear and admiration. It was the kind of look kids got when they met their favorite super hero or something like that. It was interesting and thoughtful which Angela filed away to analyze later. She took a breath and sniffed and resumed her mission.
It had been a close call but Angela knew that her temper would get the better of her. It just happened to do that when she found Dean and he was getting pummeled by two Lupei. She could see Dean heaving and could pick up the smell of vomit and blood. She had to act quickly and pray that she didn't do anything that would hurt Dean even more. She saw the lamps and grabbing her chakram and with a calm that she was certain came from something else, she took aim and threw it.
It was enough to distract the two Lupei that were hurting Dean, her Dean. She pounced on them with a cry and didn't let up. She snapped the neck of the first one and with lightning quick reflexes, she brought up Absolution. With a roar she thrust it upwards and felt hot saliva on her hand. She had shoved her blade through the Lupei's mouth, killing him. She was lucky that he hadn't bitten down on her arm. She yanked Absolution out and ran over to the limp form of Dean. Tentatively she touched his head and tried not to wince at the bruises and the funny look of his nose. She asked, "Dean?"
"NG' get to Sammy."
Angela gave a quick smile. Of course Dean would think about Sam. She was worried too. If Dean was this bad, she couldn't imagine how Sam was. Knowing Joseph, he would have upped the ante since Sam was larger. Why did the bastards always think that because he was bigger, he was more butch? Right now she had to get Dean out of here and into a place where he would be safe for now while she went after Sam. She looked at Dean and replied, "I know but right now we need to get you where I can pick you up later."
"You're not carrying me Angie."
"Fine, but you better show me you can walk," Angela retorted. She noted that as Dean slowly got to his feet that he was going to be limping and his arm was flopping around like there was no bone. Then there was his chest and she tried not to get angry but she couldn't help it. She pounded a fist into the ground before she grabbed Absolution. She needed to get him to the Impala. She had found it and moved it to make a quick getaway. "Come on butch. Let's get you to the car."
"Angie, get Sam. I can do this," Dean grunted. He was still out of it and his injuries were catching up to him. He took a few steps limping since he twisted his ankle when he was pounced upon and then he pitched forward. He would have had a nice face plant if Angela hadn't caught him. "I got this Angie. Go get Sam."
Angela wasn't going leave Dean behind but she didn't want to take him into possible danger. However she understood the urgency behind Dean's tone. Even she knew that Sam would get the worst. She said it herself even though she was teasing that Sam was a gentle giant and in her experience, people always tried to hurt the gentle ones. "I'm not leaving you behind, Dean."
"Big brother… I win." Dean panted a little. He wanted to collapse but he was not going to let Angela show him up. Not when she had to get to Sam.
"That's not going to work on me and you know it," Angela replied as she choked out a laugh. She looked at Dean's limp form. His sudden cough wasn't reassuring and she could see a tiny bit of blood but she couldn't tell if it was from the cut on his lip or not.
"Still win."
Angela knew that they weren't going to get anywhere in this fashion. If Michael managed his distraction, she needed to get Dean away from this end of the tunnels. There were a lot of factors that could happen and Dean was in no position to help even with a shot of adrenaline. Making a decision, she put Dean's good arm over her shoulder. She said, "My call and you're not staying here. We'll find Sam… together and I'll drag both your sorry asses out of here."
She turned and started taking sniffs until Dean said, "Came from the left."
With a glance at Dean, Angela gripped Absolution in her free hand and wrapped that arm around Dean's waist and started forward. It was a testament to how bad it was when Dean failed to continue protesting about walking on his own. "Stay with me Dean."
Dean did manage to stay with her until they entered the cavern where he last saw Sam. He knew he couldn't go any more. As much as he wanted to, his body was protesting too much. He said, "Was here."
Angela set Dean down and propped him up against the wall. She took the canteen that she had thought to bring when she planned this and handed it to him. "Small sips." She ran her fingers through Dean's hair as she looked around for any sign of where to go. There were no more Lupei to bother them. She suspected those she hadn't killed had run away in fear. She wouldn't blame them but right now she needed to find where Joseph took Sam. She walked around looking for various signs of movement within the main area.
As she looked around, she was reminded of the last time she met the goddess in the realm between realms. The area was similar and there were several tunnels to choose from. She had been around long enough to know the difference between coincidences and maybe that fate thing she was adverse to.
She paused when she found a piece of cloth. It was torn from a shirt and she recognized it as Sam's. Her throat was convulsing as she picked up the scrap. There was blood on it. Slowly she brought it to her nose and took a sniff. She had the scent and she could pick up where Joseph went. She turned and narrowed her eyes.
"Go Angie. Get Sam."
Angela turned towards Dean. He gave a nod. She couldn't leave him there without anything. She walked over and gave him Absolution. For added measure, she pulled the knife she carried sometimes and put it near him along with the canteen. "Sorry I didn't bring a gun." She gave a slight apologetic smile.
"Get going Angie," Dean replied. He gave her a slight push with his good arm and nodded. He watched as she turned abruptly and focused on the direction. She had Sam's scent and she was pissed. He could tell.
Sam had no idea where he was. After the ruckus started and the roars began to die down, it seemed that Joseph decided to move him. Sam had anticipated that since he registered the fact that the creatures' growls and roars changed their tune and became fewer and fewer. He had to act fast.
While Joseph was looking and waiting, Sam tore off a small bit of his shirt. The idea occurred to him that she could pick up his scent to find him. He hated the fact that he was using the bloodied portion of his shirt since he was certain that she was going to think the worst and go crazy. He didn't want her to get reckless on his or Dean's behalf.
He had little choice and ripped the piece off. He dropped it the moment Joseph yanked on the chain and started dragging him through the tunnels. It took everything he could not to cry out every time his leg or abdomen hit something that agitated it. His ribs were on fire too and the situation wasn't helping that either. He just held onto the chains as he was dragged in order to keep the cuffs from cutting his wrists.
"On your feet Sam."
It was difficult but Sam managed to feet with a little help from Joseph's chain jerking. He stood up and straightened his frame to nearly his full height even though it felt better to just curl up in a ball. He felt his leg tremble from the cuts. "What's next? Round Three?"
Joseph smirked at Sam and replied, "You really don't know when to put up and shut up do you?"
"Dean's worse," Sam replied. His lip felt fat and his face felt swollen but he managed a proud smirk.
Joseph looked at Sam. The boy could hardly stand and yet he was looking like he just been handed a reprieve. These hunters were tricky bastards. "And I'm sure that he's saying the same about you."
Sam shrugged his shoulders. Dean probably would though his brother often took pride in his own accomplishments. The shrug was more painful than he anticipated but it was a natural reaction. His leg was still trembling so he shifted his weight so most of it was on his good leg. "Gives credit where it's due."
Joseph continued to smirk. He eyed the gash on Sam's leg and his gaze drifted to the shirt tied around his middle. He was amazed this one was lasting so long. Maybe he could have some fun. "And what about you? Do you give credit where it is due?"
Sam frowned. Where was this guy going with this? First he drags him to somewhere away from the action and now he wants to get to know him? The warning bells went off in his mind. The first thing that came to mind was that he was setting a trap for Angela and she was walking straight into it and he helped him by leaving a piece of his shirt behind. He shouted out, "Angie it's a trap!"
The punch to his stomach winded him and he staggered back into a wall. Sam gasped for air, his already damaged ribs burning with pain. He got a second punch to the face and he was on his knees. He could see blood drip to the ground. He blinked trying to clear his vision and gripped his side. He focused on his breathing.
"Can't let you spoil the fun Sam," Joseph said as he looked down at the hunter. "You're looking a little pale there, Sammy. Losing too much blood?"
Sam spit at Joseph. It was considerably less effort than trying to talk and told the douche what he really thought. He was surprised when Joseph leaned forward and undid the shackles and tossed them aside. He still managed to glare at him.
"Going back to what I was saying, I was asking whether or not you give credit where it's due," Joseph picked up. It was no fun having Sam in shackles since he seemed to become a meek lamb. Maybe being free somewhat would help. "It's okay you don't have to answer. I assume you do since you've teamed up with the cursed bloodsucker."
Sam couldn't resist, "She's not a bloodsucker."
Joseph gave a wry chuckle. "You? Coming to her defense? Even after what she is? I find that hard to believe considering you're one of those bastard hunters."
Sam managed to get to his feet. He leaned against a beam. "She's more than that."
Joseph looked at the hunter with bemusement. He just couldn't understand how this hunter would be quick to defend her. Did he even know of the things she did? "Really? Do you really believe that?"
When Sam didn't answer, Joseph spoke, "Let me tell you what I know about the vampire bitch. She is a murderer. All her kind are, considering their disgusting habit of drinking blood. She though was sneaky and manipulative."
Sam felt his throat convulse in anger and pain. He knew her. This bastard was trying to make her seem like this evil thing. She wasn't that. She is a good person. He believed that.
Joseph watched the thoughts become visible on Sam's face. He was getting to him. "Yes she was manipulative but it was nothing compared to the carnage she left behind at Sojourner. Then she turned my kind against me but it didn't last since in the end birds of a feather flock together."
Sam looked down. He was free to attack and he was certain that was what Joseph wanted. It was a nice way for him to attack in rage and then get himself killed. Yeah Dean and Angela would go for that. They would both bring him back to life just so they could chew him a good one. He was hurting but he got the feeling that Joseph was playing on that. He wanted him angry enough to attack or get angry and when she came, he would demand answers. This guy was so full of hatred.
"I am surprised, Sam. I would have thought you would have leapt to her defense. Can't stomach the fact that she killed more than her fair share of my kind at Sojourner and all on the orders of that order of hers?" Joseph looked at Sam. When he refused to meet him, he grabbed Sam by the jaw and hard. He squeezed and said, "Seems to me that hunters and killers stick together. Though I am curious as to why you, a hunter, let a thing like her live."
Sam rubbed his jaw as he hobbled away. He felt his leg tremble more. "She's not a killer."
"And there's where you're wrong. Oh if only you were there at Sojourner but you weren't even alive then were you?"
"I figured. That's her business."
"Are you saying that you actually trust a bloodsucker with your life?"
"Damn straight." Sam looked at Joseph boldly in the eye. His hand closed on a rock. It was probably not the smartest thing to do but he really wanted to stick it to the guy. Taking the rock, he hurled it and hit Joseph on the shoulder and near the neck.
Sam could have had a moment of triumph in drawing blood on the guy. In fact it was a pretty good hit. However the risk was not worth the reward. His shirt front was grabbed and he was flung towards the center. The movement was killer on his leg since he was putting weight on it and had to move. He ended up tripping and rolling a little on the ground.
"Nice hit but you should have probably have just stood there. You might have lasted a bit longer." Joseph was looking at Sam with a look that meant he was going to bring it. "The bloodsucker didn't know when to quit either. She kept at it with her turncoat but in the end the turncoat proved to be loyal to their kind. It allowed me to give her something to think about."
The tone in Joseph's voice implied the worst to Sam and he wasn't thinking of death. Seeing red, he got to his feet and taking a limping run, he charged towards Joseph intent on tackling the guy. He was swept of his feet when Joseph kicked his bad leg. His feet flew out from under him and he was on his back and winded. His leg was throbbing and he could feel the cut muscle twitching. Now I know what she meant about it not being pretty.
"Pitiful. You fell for the old implied rape tone. That tells me you are determined to keep up the fantasy that the vampire is a good person."
Sam grunted out, "She is."
"Not when she pits people against each other. I thought I killed her during our last standoff. I guess I was wrong. I still can see that her sense of timing still stinks. She still managed to get a couple of good kills when she did arrive." Joseph put a foot on Sam's chest and applied pressure. He knew that he was sporting a couple of broken ribs and he knew that the pressure would be sheer agony.
"Funny how one recalls certain events. I seem to remember that you were the one doing the killing."
Both Sam and Joseph looked around for the source of the voice as it echoed. Sam wanted to tell her to watch out but the pressure was too great. He could only look around. Joseph on the other hand replied, "You really want to play that game?"
The voice became solid as Angela stepped into the light. Sam could see that she was extremely pissed. At least she wasn't completely vamped out but then again she didn't need to do that if she wanted to kick the crap out of someone. She said, "Yes, I do. Hello Joseph. Been a long time."
A/N: Angie finds Dean and he tries to boss her... again. She heads off to find Sam and none other than Joseph Turner. How will this Mexican standoff end? Find out next time on Pack of Strays...