Chapter 15: Silvertongue
Sariel stood dutifully at the entrance of Heaven's prison. He was surprised to see Castiel himself arrive with his small entourage of angels.
"Castiel," he rumbled, his deep voice booming from his dark lips. "What brings you to the dungeon? I was expecting Adriel."
"Adriel is dead," Cas replied by way of a greeting.
Sariel's bright blue eyes widened in shock. "Dead?"
"Murdered. For his Grace," Hannah explained.
"Murdered! But, who would do such a thing?" Sariel looked to each face in turn. "And why have you come to me?"
"We believe your prisoner is responsible."
"Metatron? Castiel, I assure you, he hasn't left his cell since he entered it! And I have been at my post every minute. He cannot have done this."
"Not directly," Cas allowed, "but nevertheless, I believe him to be responsible for Adriel's death."
Sariel's dark brow crumpled in confusion. "But then you must mean – surely you don't think others are working on his behalf?"
"That's exactly what I think. We've come for answers."
Sariel nodded solemnly and led the way to the single occupied cell.
"Well, well!" Metatron exclaimed at the sight of his visitors. "Castiel! Long time no see. Hello, Ingrid," he added, fixing her with an intent stare. "I've missed you."
Ingrid shifter her weight uncomfortably and averted her eyes. Cas stepped forward, commanding Metatron's attention.
"Adriel is dead."
Metatron met Castiel's hostile gaze with a look of shocked horror and abject misery.
"Adriel?" he whispered. "D-Dead?" His eyes filled with tears. "But how?"
"He was murdered," Cas informed him, paying no mind to his apparent sorrow. "For his Grace."
Confusion joined the tears in the old scribe's eyes as he considered what he'd heard.
"And you think I did this?" he asked, aghast.
"Who else would?" Hannah retorted, though she looked less convinced than she had minutes before.
"I, well, the only person I can think of who would have cause to kill another angel," Metatron thought aloud, "is ... Castiel."
"Really Metatron," Sariel said in his deep, calm voice. "You can't possibly believe he would do such a thing – not now in our time of peace!"
"Of course I didn't kill him," Castiel snapped. "My Grace is still burning away. I know you did this, Metatron," he added, turning back to face the offender. "I should have known you wouldn't just give up and leave us be."
"Me? Come now, Castiel, how could I kill anyone, even if I wanted to? I'm stuck in here for eternity. I don't have Gadreel to break me out." There was a subtle note of accusation to his tone that stoked the embers of Castiel's grief and anger.
"Don't take me for a fool!" he growled. "You have a silver tongue, Metatron. Tell me who you've corrupted with your lies! Who killed Adriel?"
Metatron hung his head, obscuring his eyes as a tear dripped down into his unruly beard.
"For one who has sought forgiveness so often, you're very slow to give it, Castiel."
Castiel bristled and reigned in his temper, willing himself not to reach through the bars and try to throttle the old angel.
Hannah, Ingrid, Kerubiel and Sariel exchanged weighted glances as they waited to see how Castiel would react. Several of them seemed to think Metatron had a point.
"I have sought forgiveness," Cas hissed, his voice low and furious. "And even when I knew it could never be given, I tried to change and be worthy of it. And it was always given to me, whether I was worthy or not. But never from angels. To them, I had to prove myself worthy of a second chance, and I have, Metatron. What have you done to prove yourself to me, to us? Nothing."
Not trusting himself to stay any longer in the prison, Cas whirled round in a flurry of trench coat and stalked back up the corridor.
"Send for Amitiel," he barked over his shoulder at Hannah close on his heels. "She'll find the truth here. Tell her to find out who killed Adriel and why – by any means she deems necessary."
Hannah glanced uneasily at Castiel's broad shoulders as she trotted to keep up with his long strides. Amitiel was not one to be trifled with. She never rested until she found the truth. Her methods were ... harsh. There was no doubt that she would succeed, but even so. Calling upon her expertise was a bold move that many had regretted.
Still, Hannah did not dare test Castiel's anger. Instead, she gave one curt nod and replied, "Right away, Castiel."