Chapter 18

Oree moved a few things around in the attached garage so they could do the summoning spell in there. Dean was painting the sigil on the cement floor while Bobby prepared the ingredients. He placed everything in a brass bowl waiting for Dean to finish before lighting it.

Oree, Asteria and Castiel stood to the side watching closely.

"I'm done." Dean said moving out of the way so Bobby could sit the bowl in the middle.

"Everyone ready?" Bobby asked looking around at each of them.

Oree went to stand by Dean as Bobby began to recite the spell in Latin before dropping a lit match into the bowl. A bright orange-red flame shot up producing white smoke before dying down. Standing in the sigil was a dark hair woman. She looked up quickly as her eyes widened.

"Dean what have you done?" Tessa asked.

"Hi, Tess, look..." Dean started but was interrupted as Oree stepped forward into the sigil.

"Hello, my name is Aurora, I'm his sister. The reason we summoned you is our other brother, Sam, is in trouble and we need your help to get him back."

"I can't help you, Death is not going to be happy about this." she told her. "You need to let me go."

"Can I talk to him?"

"I'm not his secretary, you don't ask Death to talk to you, he decides if he wants to see you."

"I think he will talk to me, Seraphim sends his regards." she said boldly.

Tessa stopped pacing and looked at her closely. There was something about this girl that was different. She was not completely human. How was it she knew this name was beyond her? Tessa cocked her head as if listening to someone talk.

"He will see you." Tessa responded waiting for the sigil to be broken.

"Wait, what's going on?" Dean asked as Oree broke the sigil and let Tessa lay a hand on her arm. Before anyone could move both disappeared. "Oree!" Dean called stepping into the circle looking around frantically.

"Balls!" Bobby exclaimed stepping forward.

"Cas where did they go?" Dean asked.

"I do not know, to see Death?"

"Sonovabitch!"

spn

Oree looked around her as Tessa let her go. She was in a diner, god knows where, and there was one customer sitting at a table eating pizza. She walked slowly toward him knowing Death didn't like to be kept waiting.

"You again." he stated annoyingly looking up at Oree.

"Hello."

"What has those brothers of yours done now?"

"They didn't do anything, this was done to us. An ancient being called Nameless One has come into our world and wants my power to free itself. It wants to destroy the entire world, every last human being. It took Sam's soul; we need to get him back so we can stop it." Oree tried to explain.

Death looked at her as he chewed his pizza. He motioned for her to sit as he studied her. Oree met his gaze without backing down knowing she had to be brave.

"Why would you need one of my reapers?"

"Sam is in another plane and only reapers can enter. We need one to bring his soul back."

"You have friends in high places I see." he noted looking at the mark just barely visible under her shirt collar. "Why should I help you?"

"I know you don't think much of us lowly mud monkeys, but I kind of like my world and would like to keep it in one piece. Where would you go to get such good pizza if it is destroyed? Please at least let us have a fighting chance, you really don't have to do anything." she negotiated.

"You are a persistent cuss. So you think you can stop it?"

"Yes, but I need my brother."

Death continued to eat his pizza, pausing to sip his soda before giving her an answer.

"Tessa, you will help this human get her brother back, now can I go back to enjoying my lunch?"

"Thank you." Oree told him earnestly. She stood and walked back to Tessa who nodded to Death that she understood.

spn

Dean was trying to put together another spell when Oree and Tessa appeared in the garage in front of him.

"Holy crap!" he exclaimed stepping back trying to get his pounding heart to slow down.

"Dee are you okay?" Oree asked him.

"Where the hell did you go?"

"I went to talk to Death; he agreed to let Tessa help us. Angel can you tell her what you know and where you think the plane Sam is in might be?"

"Yes." Castiel replied turning to Tessa to advise her about what he knew. They walked into the house discussing how best to retrieve Sam's soul.

"Don't you ever do that again." Dean chastised Oree.

"What?" she asked innocently.

"Don't play dumb, you know what. Death could have killed you."

"I did what I had to do to get the help we needed." she stated plainly.

"Damnit kid!" Dean fussed pulling her to him to wrap her in a big hug. She was taking way to many chances and he didn't like it.

"I'm okay Dee." she muffled from his tight embrace. "Can't breath."

"Sorry." he said releasing her and leading her back in the house.

spn

"Aurora do you have a map of the United States?" Castiel asked her.

"Yes, in my desk." she said walking over to her desk and pulling out a road atlas. "What are you doing?"

"We have to find another opening for Sam to come through."

"Why can't she just take him to Heaven and then here?"

"Once in Heaven, it is almost impossible to bring a soul out again. No, we must find another opening."

"How?"

"We follow the ley lines and look for heavy psychic activity."

"How do you know where these ley lines are?"

"The one where Sam disappeared runs in one continuous line around the world. It runs right through this valley here and down to Florida."

"Auntie, did you know about these ley lines?"

"Yes, dear, that is why this valley was chosen so long ago to start a settlement for our people. The mystic powers were much stronger back then, but have gradually dispersed over time. There is still power in this valley, if you know where to seek it."

"I will go check out any place we find to see if it is a useable opening." Castiel informed them.

"I don't know how long it will take me to get Sam out, sometimes angels can be..." Tessa started.

"Dicks." Castiel finished for her.

"So you've known a few too?"

"Yes, some of my brothers and sisters intentions were not honorable."

"Can I see Sam; I want to imprint his essence to help me track him."

"He's in the kitchen eating." Castiel told her showing the way.

spn

Tessa walked into the kitchen and stopped beside Sam. She laid a hand on his forehead sensing his being. She stood still for several minutes before stepping back and looking at Oree.

"I will be leaving now. Castiel, I will contact you to bring his soul back and return it to him."

"I will be waiting." he replied.

"Thank you." Oree said.

Tessa looked over at her without answering. She turned to leave, but stopped when Dean stepped in front of her.

"I want to thank you too." he said quietly staring intently at her.

"You and your brother have cheated death too many times; you need to take care of yourself."

"I will, you take care of yourself too."

"Good bye Dean." she said before disappearing.

Dean looked at Oree hopefully knowing Tessa would do her best to bring their brother back. He went to sit down beside Sam as Asteria finished feeding him.

"Hopefully not much longer bro." he said squeezing his shoulder gently to let him know he wasn't alone. "We'll get your soul back Sammy and then I can kick yer ass for trying to do this by yourself."

"And I will slap you both into next week for not calling me and telling me what was goin' on between you two." Oree added giving him the evil eye.