Dean tapped the trackpad of his laptop, closely studying the screen before him as he idly twirled his pen within his fingers. He'd made himself comfortable at one of the library tables, focused intently on the information. "Okay, so, according to the Eastern Orthodox belief, Saint Selaphiel … also known as Selatiel and Salathiel, is one of the Seven Archangels from the Second Tier of Heaven … who fought against Lucifer during the first War in Heaven by 'positioning themselves between the Throne of God and the offenders, prepared to defend the honor and dignity of God'," he read aloud.

Sam had been comparing the sigils from the chains with those found in a book of ancient Enochian; judging by the look on face, he wasn't having much success and gladly welcomed the distraction from his brother, glancing to Dean as the hunter continued.

"His name literally means the Prayer of God. Angel of Sacrament and Holy Orders."

"So … basically … he's the real deal, then," Sam commented. "Every order, every communication between angels and God and the humans … that's his job."

"Yeah, and when Cas said the Angel Radio Tower was gone, he was being kinda literal. Tower, transmitter, the whole spiel."

Sitting back in his chair with a heavy sigh, Sam replied, "Yeah … that … that would cripple Heaven."

Dean continued to read aloud. "'And much incense was given to him so that he might offer the prayers of all the saints. And the smoke of the incense of the prayers of the saints ascended, in the presence of God, from the hand of the Angel'."

"Explains why he smells nice," Sam smirked.

Dean gave his brother a sarcastic scowl then continued. "Says here that he's known for helping people break addictions …" He gave Sam a quick, knowing look. "Interpret dreams. Protect children … preside over … exorcisms …" His brows lifted at this information. "The coincidences are just getting creepy now."

"What else does it say?"

"He's the Angel of Thursday."

"Like Cas," Sam nodded.

"And apparently he also rules over music in Heaven."

"Huh," Sam commented. "I guess when Lucifer was cast out, they needed a new conductor for their choir."

"Sounds like a busy guy. And get this … there's all these debates about which of the seven archangels represent which of the seven heavenly virtues … and apparently Sel is at the top of the list for Diligence and Humility."

"Selaphiel is an altruistic workaholic," Castiel announced quietly as he approached them.

"Hey, Cas." Sam greeted, casting a brief look beyond his friend to look to Selaphiel who still sat quietly in the chair, just as she had before. Her eyes were closed, head bowed as though praying. He should have expected as much. "How is he?"

"In excruciating pain," Castiel explained simply.

Dean winced as took a quick glimpse at the quiet archangel before returning his attention to his friend. "Still overloading?"

"Like I said, he is a workaholic." Castiel sighed as he glanced around. "He needs something to do, something to focus on … something he can put some effort into without using too much of his power and alerting the others to his location."

Sam lifted his head slightly and set his book aside. "I've got an idea," he said, standing quickly. "Be right back," he added and left the room quickly.

A moment of silence passed before Dean finally let his focus land on Castiel. "Look, uh …" he started, "what I said earlier, you know, about him not helping you out in the past. I didn't mean it like that."

"Yes, you did," the angel replied as he sat beside his friend.

"Well, yeah, I mean … I did at the time, but that was before I really understood, y'know, anything about him. I mean, it's not like you talk much about your family."

Both cast a quick glance back to the vessel containing the celestial general, then returned their attention to each other as Castiel offered Dean a slight shrug.

"You two close?" the hunter asked curiously.

Castiel replied with a slow nod. "Out of the relationships I have with my … 'big' brothers, I would consider our relationship among the strongest, yes."

"So … he's like … immediate family, then?"

"Something like that."

"Cas … how come you never talked about him before? I mean, if you're so close."

Again, the angel's shoulders rolled slowly with a small shrug. "Technically, I have, just … not by name." Judging by the curious lift of Dean's brows, Castiel felt he had to explain further. "He's … always listening."

"Nosy?"

A faint smile cracked the angel's expression. "Not at all. I prefer to think of it as 'protective'. But … due to his humility, and since he is always listening, he feels … understandably awkward when I talk about him directly. It would be like Sam talking to me about you … while you are sitting next to us."

Dean's eyes wandered to the side as his lips pressed together in thought … then nodded with a gesture that read as 'fair enough' as he looked to his friend again. "Doesn't talk much, does he?" the hunter continued. "I mean, most of your big brothers, they've been kinda … wordy. Or pious. Or, y'know, spouting off righteous speeches that kinda just make you wanna punch 'em." Castiel's lips twitched again with a faded smile. "But Sel? Sel's kinda … I dunno …"

"Quiet?" Castiel suggested.

Pausing a moment, Dean glanced over to the meditating archangel once more, then turned back to Castiel. "Yeah," he agreed. "Quiet."

"He's a very good listener."

"I'll bet," the hunter added with a nod. Another moment of silence passed between the two friends before he continued. "So … twice the size of Mount McKinley, huh?"

"Yes," Castiel nodded.

"Dude … when you call him your 'big brother' … you ain't kiddin'," he chuckled.

"He's spent a majority of his existence as a less-condensed and more widely-dispersed multi-dimensional wavelength, however. Like air. But … energy, light and sound."

Sam reentered the library, immediately approaching Selaphiel who remained silent and still. "Hey," he greeted quietly. Her eyes opened slightly, mournful gaze slowly lifting to look at the hunter as he crouched in front of her chair. "Selaphiel? Hey," he repeated as he confirmed having her attention. Careful, he set a basket containing balls of yarn and an assortment of knitting needles within her lap. "So. I've been thinking, and uh … I remembered this time I met an old woman who everybody said used to be this real spitfire, but her arthritis got so bad that she wasn't able to do much and it kinda just, y'know, drove her nuts because she felt completely useless, but she had to do something … so … she took up knitting. Kept her busy. And she ended up making these … like … amazing scarves and sweaters and things, so … y'know, if it worked for her, maybe … maybe it could be a good distraction for you, too. At least until we can figure something else out."

Selaphiel was silent for a beat, then lifted her head slightly with a slow blink. With mild hesitation, she reached forward, carefully grasping a ball of blue yarn. Sam couldn't help the genuine smile as it broke onto his face.

"So, when you said that Sel was everywhere," Dean quietly continued with Castiel.

"He was everywhere," the angel confirmed as he watched the exchange between their siblings with a thoughtful expression. "You know when you close your eyes in the dark, but you still see the faint aura and patterns of light and color?" he asked, returning his attention to Dean. "That's him."

"Really …"

"It is … a comfort to know he is there, even when he isn't needed. That … we are never truly alone."

Sudden realization sparked behind Dean's eyes. "You mean, every time me and Sam ever prayed to you-"

"I was able to hear it because of Selaphiel, yes."

"And he … he hears everything, right?"

"Even thoughts and emotions, yes."

Mildly amused, Dean snorted and shook his head. "Man, I can't even imagine half the crap he must hear on a daily basis. He must be like … Super Confession Booth or something."

"He delivers the messages to the appropriate recipients. Regardless of content. Unbiased and without judgment."

Dean froze, eyes suddenly widening with epiphany. "So he knows everyone's true intentions, right?"

"Yes."

"Cas. He's like … the gatekeeper to the garden of secrets!" he announced as Sam approached. "I don't know about you, but if I was up to no good and wanted to hide it from everyone, I'd take out the one person who knew."

"And if he knows all these secrets about people," Sam added, "then it makes sense they'd want to interrogate him first to get information."

Castiel shook his head in adamant protest. "Selaphiel would never tell. He would die first."

"Well, two can keep a secret if one of them is dead," Dean said firmly.

"They didn't trap him in the homunculus just to use him," Castiel realized. "They trapped him in there to kill him."

Selaphiel did not see the three pairs of eyes that focused on her then, much less the panic that slowly settled within the trio's expressions. Her attention was focused in tying a slipknot with the string. Horrified, Castiel whispered to his friends.

"We have to get him out of there."

{{ To be continued in Chapter 8: I Know the Reason Why You Keep Your Silence Up }}