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

The first rays of dawn struck Brooklyn in the face pulling her from the deep sated slumber. She lifted a hand to her eyes shielding them from the sun's brutal rays. The fire had long since died down to a smoldering pile of ash with a thin trail of smoke wavering in the gentle breeze. The human glanced over her shoulder to find Dean looked up with inquisitive emerald pools. A smile was cracking his soft lips as she couldn't but help to smile back.

"Sleep well?" The vampire sat up slipping his arms over her waist. Brooklyn shrugged as she had heard wolves and cougars during the night keeping her awake at times. Dean sensed his human was still tired but didn't say anything. Brooklyn took a quick drink of water and ate a small breakfast of hardening bread and strawberries that were bordering on spoilage. It wasn't t the best meal she had eaten but then again she had eaten worse.

The shadow demon took her time in tracking the human as the scent was beginning to grow stronger as she crossed the grasslands putting the ruined village behind her. She knew where the vampire and human were going which made her laugh out loud.

The trail widened as vampire and human climbed upward through the mountains. Evidence of the trail's importance was evident in the deep smooth ruts and intricate carvings left on the walls around them. Even now it served as an important route for those wishing to travel incognito or by simpler means.

Brooklyn continued to be awestruck by the beauty which surrounded them. She never ventured this far south when she used to hunt and could only dream of seeing what was outside of Louisiana and the Deep South.

Dean kept his hearing and sight trained on the canyon knowing bandits could be lurking nearby. Brooklyn picked up on his apprehension and felt the smooth comfort of the sword resting against her back. The outlands were the most dangerous part of the journey for the trail would soon turn south and curve west through Glorietta Pass before coming to an end. But this was where various sentries patrolled as well, looking for wayward vampires and runaway slaves. Slavery was practiced in the old settlement as it was in the rest of the world and open markets shamelessly auctioned off humans captured during raids. The vampire knew his human would have to become a slave once again but only in name to throw suspicion off their backs. But Dean also knew the Saltzmans were looking for Brooklyn as well and word travels fast where unimaginable wealth was concerned

"Brook," Brooklyn froze as Dean turned around. She saw the concern in his eyes and felt it rattle his soul.

"Dean what is it?"

"Alaric may have spies within the city and will know what you look like as they will recognize me."

The human swallowed hard then nodded shortly as she knew what he was hinting at. She looked around before pulling the small dagger from her pants and handing over to her vampire.

"Do it," she whispered and pulled the hood back. Her beautiful red hair glistened in the sun as he gathered it up with one hand. The gentle pressure tugged at her head as Dean crudely cut through the copper strands. He winced at the sight of the long luscious locks as they fell through his fingers. The vampire was going to miss running his fingers those soft tresses. As the last tug was made Brooklyn felt the comforting weight of her hair vanishing from her shoulders and neck. She reached back feeling the ends sitting parallel to her ears. But the vampire knew he had to go further and continued cutting away the last of the free flowing strands until her hair was now cropped close to her head. Brooklyn ran a shaky hand over her newly shorn locks, shocked at how short her hair now was. It was shorter than Sam's! A few tears rolled down her face as she pulled a few lingering locks that refused to go. Her heart sank as she knew her vampire had hated carrying out the dreadful task but had no other option. Dean spotted a fresh corpse of a deer nearby and stuffed the shredded cavity with the auburn tufts. The smell would mask the scent of her hair as the overwhelming stench of death was by far very powerful.

Brooklyn spotted several plants she knew would cover her natural color and hastily fisted several handfuls. She rubbed them between her hands until the thick dark liquid pooled in her palms and ran them through her short hair. Dean watched as the last traces of fiery red vanished beneath coal black rendering his human almost unrecognizable. He knew she hated looking this way but it would grow back and the black would eventually wash out with time. The vampire knelt down before his human and felt her fingers work expertly through his short blonde spikes until the sun kissed streaks were gone as well. She didn't have to worry about her skin as the constant exposure had darkened it enough to give it a rich almond hue.

"I feel strange," she muttered while staring at the ground. The human didn't admit it but deep down she felt ugly. Dean didn't respond but wrapped his arms around her and held her tight. Appearances weren't everything to the vampire as at the end of the day she was still Brooklyn- his human and soulmate.

"It's temporary my love," he whispered. "You're still beautiful to me no matter what."

The Games or as what some called it for what it is, the Bloodbath, has been a part of vampire society since they became the dominant race. Taken from the ancient Roman festivals and games, it was about gold, glory and respect. But for others it was a punishment, a death sentence as no vampire sent to partake in the games survived to see the end of the day. It was for this reason Nicholas demanded Castiel and John Winchester be a part of these events. Death would still be dealt for helping a human escape but in a more colorful and entertaining manner.

"If I ever get out of this…" John growled.

"I don't think that's going to happen if Nicholas gets his way and he will," Castiel said in a dejected tone.

"No, Sam's still out there," John shook his head at the younger vampire. "He knows the Saltzmans have us and he won't stop until he gets us out."

"You speak so highly of him," Castiel smiled.

"He's my son," John nodded. "Sure he has made mistakes but Sam has always been there for me and has the heart of a warrior. He values all life even if it is a human's."

"You have faith in him."

"Don't you have faith in your mistress?"

"I do not doubt Cassandra knows by now of my fate but I also understand her predicament. She wishes to live with humans as equals but knows Nicholas Saltzman will find any reason to attack Des Moines. It is her home and she loves all who reside there vampire or human."

"I suspect Cassandra holds you in a higher position Castiel. I saw the respect and devotion she carries for you."

"Yes well my sister was always one to put others before herself John."

The door creaked open and Alaric waltzed in with a rock on his shoulder. The vampire smirked at the two vampires as they sat huddled on the piles of hay.

"Well in three weeks the Games officially begin," he said with a sickening pleasure. "Though I wish it was sooner."

John narrowed his eyes at the Councilman refusing to speak. Castiel merely looked away refusing to bestow any kind of acknowledgement. Their resentful actions only enraged Alaric. The vampire rushed in slamming Castiel against the wall hard enough to hear the back of his skull crack along with several vertebrae in his back. The sickening popping and cracking reverberated off the stone walls and causing even the thick panes of glass to shake.

"How dare you not show me any respect!?"

Castiel kept quiet and rode out the pain inflicted upon his body. The sharp jolts raced through every nerve and fiber as the vampire felt his body was engulfed in flames.

"Because you don't deserve one fucking ounce of it!" John snapped. "You destroyed my family you son of a bitch!"

Alaric dropped Castiel and turned his rage on John.

"You want someone to pick on asshole!? Then bring it," John dared the Councilman. "You always did prey on the weak!"

Alaric bared his fangs as he lifted John up then hurled him across the room. John crashed against the wall landing hard on his side. He grimaced and rolled over to his stomach, coughing blood in the process. The Councilman knelt down and fisted the injured vampire's dark locks as tight as he could. John growled and hissed in pain as his head was forced upward.

"ALARIC!!"

Nicholas stood in the doorway with hands clenched into two tight fists. His ancient eyes brimmed with anger as he stepped in the cell.

"Alaric release him now!"

Alaric snarled at John before jerking his head once more then relenting his grip on the vampire. The Councilman stood wiping his pants off as he turned to face his father.

"Father….."

"Don't even say it," Nicholas said coldly. "Your actions will cost us dearly Alaric. Your arrogance has not gone unnoticed. Several Council members are rethinking my demands."

"NO!"

"Oh yes," the patriarch nodded. "Your flaunting of the Law has worn some of the members' patience thin as they are growing wearing of your childish behavior."

Alaric huffed and stormed past his father and down the hall knowing Nicholas was right but didn't admit it outright.

I didn't forget John or Cas!!! Next update soon!!!