Carla Hargrove came from a long line of Wiccans although she herself was a witch. Wiccans held to a strict rule of 'Do no Harm.' Carla however was a bit more liberal. It's not that she had ever done evil, just harmles little less than benign spells like the time she cursed Cathy Morrison with a nasty case of of the stomach flu the day before prom night so Cathy's date would take her. Or causing Jim Albright to to have a flat tire making him miss his interview for the promotion that they had both been up for at work. Not true evil just minor inconveniences.
She also knew that what she was planning to do would damn her for all eternity but the demon had made her a promise. His gratitude would make her stay in hell much more pleasant than it could be. Carla Referred to the guide of runes picking out the strongest for protection that she could find.
"Foolish woman, do you think your witch's scribblings will protect you from he who has not been summoned by blood for centuries."
Carla spun around to find a dark shadow hovering just outside of the circle. "What are you?!"
"I'm a shadow of that which you will summon, a warning sent to you by him. To summon Loki is to die as it has been since the beginning."
"He sends a warning?" she scoffed. "Perhaps he fears to be summoned."
"I have not yet given you the warning that was sent." The shade said crossing the circle and settling over her wrapping her in a nightmare.
"I found our witch." Gabriel said flatly as he entered the kitchen. "She hasn't done her little ritual yet, she's still setting up. Luckily she's having to look up the proper runes. But make no mistake she's a delusional little bitch."
"Delusional?" Dean asked.
"She thinks that Dagon will make her time in hell easy in exchange for her committing suicide." Gabriel said.
"So there's time to save the child?" Delores asked.
"If we leave now, yes." Gabriel said. "Do you still have my sword?" He asked Delores.
"Yes. But don't you need it?" Delores asked.
"I'm inside of Sam, Luci's true vessel. He can wield Lucifer's sword." Gabriel said "Just like Dean can wield Michael's. And since I gifted my sword to you, Delores you have the power to wield it."
"Uh Gabe there is one problem." Dean spoke up. "I didn't exactly grow up swinging a broadsword.."
"That's not a problem Dean. The swords are a part of our grace and we trained with them religiously, pardon the pun." Gabriel said. "Our swords are imprinted with our knowledge and skill. Just let the sword fight for you."
"Huh?" Dean was perplexed.
"So all we have to do is hang on to it and let it fight?" Delores asked.
"Sort of." Gabriel said. "If you let the sword guide you, you'll wield it like the Archangel it belonged to. So Dean you would fight like Michael, Delores you'll fight like me and Sam will fight like Lucifer."
The flutter of wings announced the arrival of another angel.
"Balthazar what are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be babysitting?" Gabriel asked.
"Taken care of. Father decided to show him a little hospitality on one of his estates. Cassie is babysitting hubby, so Father sent me to babysit Magi." Balthazar explained.
"She has my sword but I won't complain about you being here too." Gabriel said. "Dean Lets roll."
Michael and Lucifer sat quietly watching Gabriel's vessel. A boring duty to say the least since it just laid there and slept. The two started as a bright light filled the cage.
"Father." Michael greeted.
"2000 years of nobody but me and suddenly this place is Grand Central station." Lucifer grumbled.
"Don't worry things will be back to normal soon." God said now looking like she would be right at home in the middle of a mosh pit. "Gabriel has located Dagon and he and Dean are on their way to confront him."
"He's going after Dagon?" Lucifer said. "Of all the stupid ideas that brat has had over the eons, this might just prove to be the most asinine of all."
"Gabriel is completely enraged. Dagon planned to kill another child. Gabriel is determined to prevent him from doing so." God said.
"Dagon will sweet talk him just like he's always done." Lucifer snorted.
"Have a little faith Lucifer. This time Dagon has crossed a line and Dean is with him, bearing Michael's sword as Sam bears yours." God explained. "They must not fail. Michael, you will accompany me. Balthazar minds the magi but she would still be better protected with you nearby."
"Well on the bright side it's just me and Captain Comatose over there now." Lucifer snarked. "The first peace and quiet I've had since Sam tossed me back in here." Lucifer said as he stretched out on one of the the couches.
Carla had shaken off the gruesome images that shadow had subjected her to. But it was still hanging over her like a pall whispering of retribution from Loki. She donned a black cloak and picked up the ceremonial dagger that she would use for the ritual. Placing the knife into a basket containing a variety of herbs and minerals that would be needed, she began making her way to the spot that Dagon insisted would be used for the sacrifice.
A couple of the demons fell into step behind her one cradling a sleeping child in his arms. Carla wasn't completely evil. She might have to sacrifice the child but that didn't mean the little one needed to be aware of what was happening. She had given the child a concoction to cause a deep sleep.
The group trudged through the woods before reaching a clearing. There ringed by the trees in the center of the clearing was a large stone.
"Wait here." Carla said. "I must prepare the altar for sacrifice."
Hurrying forward she placed the basket on the ground and the knife on the surface of the rock She reached into the basket and pulled out a compass and a sheet of paper. She carefully counted off six paces ans knelt down using the dagger to carve a rune into the soil. Standing up she returned to the rock and once again consulted the compass before repeating the process.
"What are you doing?" One of the demons asked. "Dagon wants the ritual completed."
"I told you, I have to prepare the altar for sacrifice and these runes must be precisely placed at the points of the compass." Carla replied.
"You waste time." the other demon said.
"Your master told you to find a witch didn't he?" Carla demanded. "I guess that means none of you know how to summon a god. I do. Now shut up and let me do my part in peace!"
"Leave the witch be." Dagon ordered as he stepped into the clearing. "Rituals must be completed correctly."
Looking at Carla Dagon hissed. "What is that shadow that covers you witch?"
"It's nothing." Carla said. "A pest supposedly sent as a warning from Loki."
Dean startled as the Impala suddenly gained speed gas pedal lowering to the floor even though Dean's foot wasn't pressing it. In fact he had yanked his foot back when he felt it move.
"Dagon is at the doorway." Gabriel said. "Your 'baby' is going to have to go a lot faster than this."
"Gabriel if you make me wreck the Impala." Dean started.
"Relax we won't crash, and I'll even give her an angelic tune up when this is over. But for now saving a child and destroying Dagon is the priority."