A/N: I don't own anyone but my OC's…though I wished I owned the rest….*sighs*

The trail climbed higher and more gradual as Dean and Brooklyn hiked further in the mountains. The day had continued to warm up melting what snow covered the ground and causing the human to begin feeling warm under the thick layers. She unbuttoned the first top buttons of the cloak allowing the cool crisp air to rush forth and provide comfort to her flesh.

"Dean tell me about this settlement," Brooklyn asked turning to her vampire. Dean caught the inquisitive look hanging in her bright grey eyes and nodded with a smile.

"When this land was being explored and settled by Spaniards they hiked along this very trail and declared the area Santa Fe de Nuevo Mexico. The explorer, Onate, had declared himself governor and attempted to enslave the native peoples which ended disastrously for them. The tribes unified as one and massacred the newcomers succeeding in keeping foreigners out until about 12 years later when a Spaniard called Vargas reclaimed the area in a bloodless conquest."

"So why there? I mean what's so special about the place?"

"Because of what the Spaniards brought with them," Dean drawled out slowly. "When they returned they didn't come alone. The party had acquired slaves but not any slaves – witches. But these witches weren't just run of the mill love level witches- they were descended from a Sumerian god and possessed powers many could only dream of."

Brooklyn realized now why they were headed there as it was where the witch who cursed her came from.

"What happened to them the witches I mean?"

"That I don't know Brook," Dean answered. "But what I do know for sure is some still remain there."

Brooklyn nodded in silence and tightly gripped his hand seeking the touch of his skin against hers. Dean pulled her hand, which was tiny in his, and pressed his warm lips against it then kissed her temple before moving on. They still had a day to two days left before reaching the old settlement.

Back in Dallas, Deacon poured over his receipts and statements in the small but comfortable room. Since he was an Assemblyman, the vampire was not privy to the spacious suites members of the Council stayed in while in Dallas. The courier had delivered the worn satchel with his business papers but only hours before which was what led up to Deacon studying the numbers and dates so intently he didn't hear the light rapping on his door.

The old wooden frame pushed open with the hinges groaning the entire way. The Assemblyman paused from his work and turned his head up to see the identity of his unannounced visitor.

"Hello Father," William smiled in greeting.

"William," Deacon leapt up knocking the chair down in his effort to cross the room. The elder vampire wrapped his arms around the smaller frame of his son and embraced him tightly. William returned the gesture with an equally strong hug as it had been killing him not to speak to Deacon despite being in the same room.

"I've missed you so much," the older vampire pulled back taking his son's face between his ancient hands.

"I know," William smiled through the rapidly forming tears. "I hate what I've done."

"What do you mean?" Deacon was confused over his son's sudden change in tone. Dejection washed over William's face as he started explaining his actions.

"But son, you know what you were getting into when you decided to infiltrate the Saltzmans. I don't think any less of you as a vampire."

"Father you didn't see what he did to her," William stuttered.

"I saw the marks upon her flesh William," Deacon admitted sadly. "Alaric placed a cruel hand upon Brooklyn while in his house. But now she is with Dean where she truly belongs."

"I have heard that Alaric summoned a shadow demon to find her," William interjected.

"NO!" Deacon hollered.

"I am afraid so," William shook his head wishing it wasn't true. "Alaric is determined to get her back and make the human suffer even further. Father, she was cursed with immortality."

Deacon's face drained of blood as he felt the world around him come to a screeching halt. William caught his father and guided him to the narrow bed situated against the wall. Deacon ran his hand over his face several times as he knew this was a devastating blow towards the Winchesters.

"Fucking Saltzmans," he growled with venom. William knew what he had to tell him next would make the blood in the patriarch's veins boil in rage.

"There's more Father," William placed a comforting hand upon the trembling vampire's shoulder. "Nicholas has requested Castiel and Jonathan Winchester fight in the Games."

"You realize the Council has to approve of this?" Alaric stood at the window watching the vampires and their slaves go about their business below.

"I am well aware of what the Law states Alaric," Nicholas calmly replied but with irritation edging his voice.

"What makes you so sure that the Council will approve? We do have enemies in the Assembly who can use their power of veto."

"In that case we can override it," Nicholas took a drink of whiskey. "You really should brush up on the legal workings of our grand system my son."

"Oh you mean the volumes of ancient tomes gathering dust in the halls of Grand Hall?"

"Yes those," Nicholas set his glass down and crossed the room to where his son was standing. He looked sideways at the younger vampire noticing how much he reminded him of Sarah. "We will get her back…..I promise."

Alaric didn't respond, instead keeping his eyes trained on the town below. His body craved the warm soft touch of his human slave. It yearned to inhaled the deep rich earthen tone of her scent and hungered to pin her beneath him while fucking her over and over until she screamed his name.

Vampire and human noticed the sun was now starting to stare them straight in the face as the day continued to grow late. Shadows stretched as the sun began to lower in the West. Dean realized they would need to seek shelter as this region was renowned for bandits which pounced on unsuspecting travelers stealing anything of value including humans. The vampire scanned the land ahead as they were reaching a vast pass that he knew held a fort which had been long since abandoned. He dare not wander into an active post as they surely were on the lookout for him and his human.

Brooklyn picked up on her vampire's apprehension and squeezed his hand. Being a hunter she was well educated in what the night brought and trained her eyes ahead as mountains gave way to a tall grass valley nestled comfortably between the jagged peaks. Brooklyn spotted several buildings in the distance and pointed at them.

"Dean look," the vampire nodded as they crumbling structures were what he sought. Dean remembered seeing them when he passed through here before and heard the legends of how it was reportedly haunted and even the bandits wouldn't dare set foot in the dilapidated structures.

The fire roared in the old barracks providing warmth and shelter from the cool night. Brooklyn sat cross legged with canteen held firmly in her grip. She stared into the orange and yellow streaks as they twisted and writhed in a strange yet entrancing dance. Dean came up beside her with arms wrapped firmly around her waist. The human closed her eyes and snuggled against his body sensing the rough stubble covered cheek rub along hers.

Dean sighed quietly as she traced her fingertips along his defined jaw and neck reveling in every touch they shared. He used to think humans were nothing more than cattle- put on this Earth for the servitude and needs of the vampires. But he was wrong and thankful he had been proven as such because his soulmate was a human.

"I know," she whispered holding his hand to her heart. Dean imagined it was still alive and beating vibrantly for him. A thin smile danced upon his ancient lips as memories flooded his mind and soul.

Brooklyn yawned as it had grown late and felt her body move with Dean's as he lowered them both upon the cloak. She had grown accustomed to the thick but comfortable material being her bed but with her vampire pressed tightly behind her it felt as if she were on a bed of roses.

Dean didn't sleep but remained alert for any signs of bandits or slave hunters. He couldn't let his guard down just yet for slave hunters roamed every corner of the land searching for renegade humans. Dirty bastards were what they were! Many were known to beat and rape captured slaves before returning them to their vampire masters.

The vampire scanned the darkened skies and ground catching several rabbits and cougars roaming through the cool mountain night. The animals knew better than to come near them as they can sense vampires before they are spotted. In the distance a wolf bayed at the moon and was joined by several members of its pack. Dean loved the animals as they were beautiful and intelligent and fiercely protective of their packs.

Kind of like us…..

Dean thought of Sam and Jess along with his father as he listened to the soft breathing of his human. He felt his heart beat again as they rested by the fire.

Soooooo sorry about the long delayed update!!!!!