It was fairly easy convincing Castiel not to lock the Angel of Black back up. He seemed to like the idea of gaining Ciar as a returning ally. "He will return to the Hev but he must be kept on watch. I can't risk him joining Raphael with the abilities he has."
Raphael was a massive threat to Ciar's daughter, so he would never join him. However I couldn't tell Cas that. "I'm sure he'll behave, Cas." I reassured.
Cas looked around Megan's living room. "Has everything been going okay?" He asked to no one in particular.
"Oh sure, we've been living the dream," Megan told him half sarcastically as we could hear the basement door open from the kitchen. Cas paid full attention as my elder brother appeared.
"Angel," Daimon acknowledged.
Cas nodded. "Hello Domain."
"It's Daimon," I corrected him, but Daimon held up a hand.
"You are an old angel," he deduced. "It's alright, little sister. He only knows me as my true name."
"Your true name?" I repeated. "It's Domain? As in the Domain we were in..."
"God named it after me to spite me," Daimon admitted. "Why does He allow me to walk freely again?"
Cas frowned. "Because He's gone. God left."
"Truly?" Daimon asked. Melgreth popped up from the basement and joined us in the living room. "Is that why you are the one they say is in charge now?"
"I am." Cas confirmed. "Is that alright with you?"
"That depends," Daimon replied. "Are you going to banish me somewhere like God did?"
"Not if you continue to stay by your sister's side." Cas promised. Wait, really? Cas trusts me that much?
"It is my duty to see to that," Mel reassured Cas. "I serve them both, so I'd prefer them to stay together."
"I want us all to stay together." I admitted. "End of story."
"I will return with news when I can," Cas announced his leave. He quickly vanished, leaving us to resume as usual.
Daimon looked at me with thinning blue eyes. "I want to leave the house."
"Forever?" Megan wondered.
"No. I want to see outside." He answered politely, but he struggled to do it.
"Is he ready?" I looked over Daimon to ask Mel.
"It's safe to give him a chance, but he's to wear those sunglasses at all times outside." Mel advised.
"Can you handle that?" I asked Daimon. He nodded at me, pulling out said silver aviators out of his sweat pants pocket. "Alright, I have an idea on where we can go."
"Where?"
"Megan forwarded me some information from Sam about the location of my human family," I announced. "I'm going to see them to let them know I'm alive and well, and I want to check on them."
"I understand," Daimon said. "Mel, can you stay here? I do not need you following me around."
She glared at him. "Just this once you'll go alone."
"Thank you." Daimon said nicely. What brought on this good mood that he was even polite to Megan for once?
I quickly looked myself over. I tried to dress the way I used to in an attempt to comfort my family when I saw them. I wore dark blue jeans and a yellow Scooby-Doo sweater over a shirt. It wasn't exactly sweater weather, but the weather itself has never affected me.
Daimon still looked pretty casual, wearing black sweats and a matching tee. He had strong looking shoulders but he appeared a bit skinny now that he had shorter hair. It didn't make sense. "Will it be just us, sister?" He asked in the form of almost a request.
"Yes," I replied satisfactory. "It will be just us, brother. Let's go." Without another moment to waste, I snapped my fingers and flew Daimon and I away.
Megan looked over at Mel. "Colby's in big trouble, isn't he?"
"Oh yes he is," Mel answered with laughter. "He's been pouting in their bedroom for quite a long time now."
"I've had it with all the childishness going on in my house," Megan declared. She stomped across the living room and marched upstairs, no doubt which room she was heading for.
"Go get 'em, Goldie." Melgreth chuckled. Now she sighed. "I'm without my little babies once again. Whatever shall I do?"
Megan had to hold back some of her strength as she knocked on the door with her fist. "Colby?" She called out. "You in there?"
A moment passed. "I haven't taken any of your liquor today." Colby called back with a grumble.
"I don't care about that right now," Megan scowled. "I'm coming in." She lowered and opened her fist to grip the knob and turn it, entering the bedroom. Colby was indeed sulking on the nook, staring out at tree branches. "Really?" Megan shook her head.
"What?" He asked. A box fan on a small table was blowing air directly at him, causing his brown-blonde curls to blow about wildly. Megan folded her arms over her chest after she shut the door. Just looking at him, Megan could understand the attraction Lynn felt towards him, despite part of it being he saved her life and seemingly inserted himself into it. However, there was more.
"You know, partners are supposed to treat each other equally," Megan informed him.
Colby didn't turn from the window. "And what would a little girl like you know about that?"
"First of all, I'm not a little girl," Megan said angrily. "Second of all, I don't have to know or not know about anything. You know, I think everyone in the house is getting more fed up with you lately than even Daimon. I think even Lynn is fed up, that's why she left you here."
That got Colby to finally turn his head to see Megan. "What do you mean she left me here?"
"I mean she and Daimon just left to find her human family." Megan clarified. "She didn't even seem to think about wanting to bring you along."
"Are you kidding me?!" Colby growled.
"It's your own fault," Megan scolded.
"Go away before I get angry," Colby uttered.
Megan laughed. "You get angry? Then what? Admit it Colby, you're the weakest being staying in the house. We can all kick your ass."
"SO WHAT?!" Colby yelled. "What did you come in here for anyway?"
"I'm here to warn you," Megan decided. "You're gonna start being truthful with Lynn, and you're gonna quit with all the immaturity. If you refuse, I'm gonna kick you - and only you - out of my house. Got it?"
Colby narrowed his eyes and sighed. "Do you have any failures you regret?" He asked in a quieting voice.
Megan nodded. "Sure. I've been having a lot of those in the past year it feels like."
"Tell me about one."
Megan gulped. Talk about a sudden subject change. "I couldn't save Exarp's life, and I'll always regret that." She clutched the secret necklace she wore around her neck. Her face slowly fell when she watched Colby widen his eyes at her, his arms drooping down to his sides. He had a lump in his throat, a sign he was maybe holding something back.
"Listen," Megan whispered, taking a few steps towards him. "I understand that you love Lynn, and that you've been with Daimon for an X amount of time, but it seems like you could use a friend to turn to. I don't have any real problems with you Colby, so I can be a friend if you want me to."
Colby swallowed and balled his fists up. "I couldn't save Adrie, either. My biggest and only failure."
"What happened to her?" Megan dared ask as she felt a cold chill run down her spine like earlier today. She was almost starting to think she needed to be concerned. She'd have to check on the AC unit.
"A demon killed her and so a demon I became." Colby muttered. Megan had to blink a couple of times before it clicked that Colby began crying. She frowned and finally sat on the other side of the nook.
"You should really tell Lynn," she encouraged. "I think she's felt enough betrayal, don't you think so?"
Colby wiped his nose. "I'm so afraid that I can't protect her from T if he wakes up."
"Don't you worry about that," Megan reassured. "We're the response team for if he wakes up."
"I'm not worried about protecting her from a fight," Colby admitted. "I'm worried if she sees him, she'll go back to him willingly."
"Why in the hell would she do that?" Megan demanded. "That sounds ridiculous, he ruined her life!"
"Do you know about the imprint?" Colby asked in a hushed voice.
"Imprint?" Megan repeated.
Colby sighed. "You're basically her other closest friend apart from Adelina. You should probably know since Adelina doesn't, but she wouldn't really understand anyway since she's a mere human."
"I should know what?" Megan asked, gulping and wondering what kind of story Colby was going to tell her.
Colorado Springs, Colorado
"Those mountains are called what?" Daimon asked, gazing across the distance through his aviators.
"The Rocky Mountains," I named. We entered the cul-de-sac that was slowly coming back to me through flashbacks. Aunt Amy has always lived here for as long as I can remember. She met Uncle Bryant when they were young, and my cousin Junior was born. Then Uncle Bryant got stationed at the nearby military base called Fort Carson, so Aunt Amy had to make the long move from Pike Creek, Delaware to Colorado.
There's pictures, videos and memories of spending occasional holidays here, or sometimes during summer vacation from school. JD, Nat and I always enjoyed spending time with our two cousins. Even Grandma's long lasting hate towards me never affected me when we were here.
"They look smaller than I remember." Daimon seemed dumbfounded at the mountains.
"Can mountains shrink?" I asked aloud, walking up the short path to Aunt Amy's door. I rang the doorbell and stepped back. "Also, please be normal and don't talk about Tei."
"I would never." He scoffed, straightening himself up when the door opened. A tall young man appeared, widening his blue eyes. His dark hair was short like a military cut, but he had a growing stubble. His clothes gave away his identity to me. He wore baggy sweatpants and an AC/DC shirt.
"Junior?" I realized. "You got tall as shit."
"Lynn?" He recognized back. "No fucking way. Everyone is gonna freak out." He quickly closed shut the door, but I could hear him turning and yelling, "MOM! GRANDMA! GUESS WHO'S HERE!"
So Grandma really was here. Damn, Sam's good.
After a couple of minutes passed, the door reopened. There stood my only sister ever. "Natalie." I said happily. "I made it back."
She held onto the door shaking like a leaf. "Is the d-d-devil gone?"
"You will never see him again." In translation, I've Blocked this location and will Block everything that happens today. If he dared go against my final request of him, I'd have to relocate the entire family like Megan did to her own.
"Who is he?" Natalie trembled at the sight of Daimon.
"He's my big bro," I said honestly. "The big bro I never knew I had."
Natalie stared. "Really? Why did he come?"
"I wanted to meet you," Daimon answered, nearly startling me. "I am envious that my sister can still enjoy her human family. I cannot ever again."
Natalie deepened her pale blue eyes in sadness. "You still consider me family?"
"Of course," I answered honestly. "Even if you don't feel the same."
"I do feel the same," Natalie admitted, opening the door all the way. "You're my big sister no matter what. You... you came back to see if I was okay. You even dealt with Grandma of all people-"
"Only to find out I'd been dealing with the Devil my whole life," I scoffed.
Nat looked down at her feet. "About that..."
"Huh?"
She looked back up. "I'll show you later, okay? Will you come in?"
"Yes," I urged Daimon to follow me. "You can take your glasses off when we get inside if you want. It's part of being normal like I requested."
"Fine." He whipped them off and stowed them in his pocket after we were safely inside. The house was a split-level home, so we took the upstairs path to the living room area.
"See, I told you," Bryant Junior remarked, pointing at me like I was an alien. Grandma and Aunt Amy were sitting side by side on a brown and yellow loveseat.
"Lynn?" Aunt Amy jumped up. She looked the same as ever, tall with a slight bit of extra weight. Her hair was long and brown but she always dyed it black. Her eyes were dark blue and she had a black nose piercing. "Come here sweetie." She was fearless to engage me with a hug. She always reminded me of Lindsay every time we hugged.
When she pulled away, she smiled. "You doing okay?"
"I suppose," I answered. "I came here to see how you were all doing. I know I've been gone for a long time."
"I was never sure if the Devil had gotten you that day," Grandma finally spoke. "We ran all the way to the Walter residence. When we came back, you were gone."
"He did get me," I announced sadly. "He stabbed me and chained me to a table."
"My God," Grandma gasped. Aunt Amy covered her mouth. Junior now appeared concerned.
"Fortunately I got away, but I was hiding from him ever since," I continued.
"Where is he now? Did you kill him?" Natalie asked.
"He's..." I honestly didn't want to try to explain the somnus re mala because that would lead to other questions, so I had to think of something else. "He's incapacitated right now. However, I want to take a necessary precaution and hide you from all angels."
Aunt Amy seemed very clueless, so Junior said, "Nat said you're an angel, so all that crap was true?"
"I wasn't lying," Nat pouted at her cousin.
"All true," I vouched for Nat.
"What exactly is the precaution?" Aunt Amy finally asked.
I turned my attention to Daimon. "Cas did something to the Winchesters, where he put sigils on their ribs to hide them from angels. Do you know how to do something like that?"
To my shock, he nodded. "Gabriel did it to the Princess."
"He did?" I asked, even more stunned. Even Gabriel knew Princess Maya? I wish I could have met her.
"Princess?" Junior repeated. "You guys know a princess?"
"He did," I gently patted Daimon's shoulder. "Daimon, could you possibly hide all of them from the angels too?"
"Yes, if they do not resist," he agreed. "The process is painful for them."
Junior gulped. "But it will keep us safe from that psycho?" Aunt Amy deduced.
"Yes." I promised.
"Do it," Aunt Amy encouraged. "Mom, get up. Bryant, you don't get to say no."
"Where are Uncle Bryant and Melanee?" I realized both of them were missing from the picture.
"Uncle Bryant is on deployment overseas right now," Aunt Amy informed me. "And Neenee was in a cranky mood this morning, so she's taking a nap."
"Oh I am so waking her up," I decided. "I hope she remembers me. It's been what, three years almost?" I cross the living room to reach the upstairs bedrooms. I remembered Melanee's room so I slowly opened the door. Her bed was now directly across from the door on the wall. It was a full size bed with blue sheets and a comforter. Blue was always her favorite color.
I snuck over and knelt down to her bed. "Neenee," I whispered. "My favorite cousin in the whole wide world..." I sang quietly. Sorry Danny and Mindy, Neenee holds a special place in my heart.
Melanee stirred but didn't turn over. "Lynn," she whispered back. "My favorite big cousin in the whole wide world..."
I grinned as big as I could when she finally turned over to see me. She inherited her father's dark blonde curly hair and hazel eyes. "I missed you Neenee." I tell her happily.
"I missed you too," Melanee giggled. "Are you here for summer break? Or you gonna live here like Grandma and Nat?"
I caressed her small face. "I'm just here for a visit sweet girl, and there's something I need to do that I need you to be a big girl for."
"What?" Melanee wondered as she sat up in her bed.
"Well first of all, how old are you now?" I asked her.
She grinned. "I'm six now, which means you're sixteen!" She exclaimed.
"Smart girl," I praised her. She remembered we were exactly ten years apart in age. Which meant Junior was seventeen. "Do you know what happened to JD and Uncle Patrick and Aunt Lindsay?"
Melanee nodded. "They went to Heaven."
"That's right. A bad man sent them there, sweet girl. I want to make sure that bad man will never, ever get you or anyone else, but it's gonna hurt your tummy a little bit."
"Is it medicine?" Melanee guessed. "Magic medicine?"
"It's not medicine, but it's still magic," I told her. "My big brother is an angel and he's gonna make sure you're safe."
Melanee seemed reassured. "Nat said you're an angel too."
"Yes I am, sweet girl." I don't think they really need to know about my demon half. Nat must have had the same thoughts, because I did tell her and Grandma I was also half demon. Angels are obviously more comforting to humans than demons or hybrids like me.
"Cool," Melanee leaned forward to hug me around my neck. "Is it magic time now?"
"Yes, let's get up," I stood up while she climbed off her bed. She takes my left hand and leads me out into the living room. "Neenee, that tall guy over there is my big brother. His name is Daimon and he's very nice, I promise."
Daimon frowned. "Even the child?"
I nodded. "She's prepared, don't worry."
"She will be the first then," Daimon instructed. "Come here, little human girl."
Everyone grew nervous, I could feel it. "I won't leave your side Neenee," I told her, slowly guiding her towards Daimon. The closer we got the more she shook. When we were close enough, Daimon knelt down and somehow softened his eyes.
"Sister, I will need you to hold her in place," he instructed.
"Alright," I nodded.
Aunt Amy joined us. "I will help," she decided. She smiled at her daughter bravely. "If it gets too much, will you stop?"
"Just say the word," Daimon said. "Sister, keep one hand on me so you can learn the technique."
"I understand," I stayed in between Melanee and Daimon. My right hand was holding Melanee's and my left hand was over Daimon's shoulder.
"I am starting," Daimon announced. This will be the first time I witness him using his powers, other than flying around. His blue eyes glow brightly, followed by his hand slowly going towards Melanee's ribcage area. Then without hesitation he stuck his hand straight inside.
When little Melanee shrieked, everyone panicked. Aunt Amy looked back and forth between her child and my brother. Right when she wanted to say stop, Daimon retracted his hand. Melanee fell limp but her mother caught her. "She is fine," Daimon promised. "She is now hidden from angels."
"Put her back in her bed," Aunt Amy instructed Junior. He obeyed, coming over and lifting up his sister and carrying her back to her bedroom.
"Are we all going to pass out?" Grandma assumed.
"Most likely." Daimon replied honestly. "Most humans do."
She sighed but it was mostly a groan. "I suppose I could take a nap. I'll be next, just do it right here." She decided from the loveseat.
I helped Daimon up and followed him to Grandma. Aunt Amy and Nat were watching with wide eyes. "I am starting," Daimon repeated the entire process. Grandma was knocked out on the loveseat, a cozy blanket pulled over her by Junior when he came back out.
After Daimon gave the sigils to Aunt Amy, Nat stopped him from continuing. "Lynn," she said. "There's something Junior and I want to show you since the... human grown-ups are sleeping."
"Sounds suspicious but alright, what is it?" I asked. Daimon smirked at Nat's comment.
"Follow us to the basement," Junior urged as he went first down the stairs to the other set of stairs that turned into the basement. Junior's room was down there also. In the basement portion in the far left corner was an old TV set up with a VCR on the top. An old ragged sofa was across from the TV, so that's where Daimon and I sat. Nat squatted on the dark green rug covering most of the corner.
Junior reached for a stack of VHS tapes on a small table near the TV. "Are you sure we should show her?" He suddenly asked.
"Yes." Natalie declared. "She needs to see."
"See what?" I asked.
Junior pulled out a specific tape and inserted it into the VCR. He switched the TV on with a dark remote and started messing with the VCR to get the video playing. "This one is Christmas 1999." He announced.
"Alright," I awaited the video as it started. My dad was the one holding the camera, I recognized his loud and goofy voice right away. "Hey Dad." I let out quietly.
Natalie reached over and put her hand over my knee. Dad carried the camera all around the house to get everyone on film. It was neat to see everyone so young again. A five year old Junior was in the living room playing Legos with a three year old JD. Two year old Natalie was fast asleep in her play crib across the living room. Aunt Amy and Mom were in the kitchen with Grandma, getting all the Christmas dinner ready. Uncle Bryant was outside shoveling snow.
"Where's my little Logster?" Dad asked. I always disliked that nickname.
"She's in Junior's room, playing with dolls it sounded like when I went by last." Aunt Amy answered.
"She prefers to play alone," Mom said innocently.
"It's not right," Grandma scolded. "She needs to be more interactive with children. Always hiding in her bedroom."
"Mom, she's four," Lindsay defended me proudly. I almost started crying.
Dad finally walked away from them. "Let's go check on the Logster and her dolls, but first I've got to take a piss," he stopped in the hallway that held Junior's (which is now Melanee's) room, my aunt and uncle's room, and the upstairs bathroom. There was also a small but fancy table with long legs that held up an extremely rare vase that no longer exists today. Junior and I swore never to talk about how it really broke.
"I'll just set it down right here so you can see the Logster," Dad placed the camera in front of the vase, which gave a front view of Junior's room. The door was open only a quarter of the way, so Dad quietly pulled it all the way open without me noticing before he dipped over into the bathroom right of Junior's room.
Through the camera, you could see four year old me sitting on the floor against Junior's bed which was just right of the door when you came in. I had a few dolls in my hand, seemingly playing with them as Aunt Amy claimed. I never seemed to notice the door was wide open.
"Tei, look at this one, she has the same color eyes as me," little me exclaimed, and my current-day heart thumped. After a moment, Tei appeared through the camera. He must have been on the other side of the room before I called him over. He got close to me and knelt down.
I needed to do something, so I grabbed the shoulder part of Daimon's shirt and clutched it. "That little bastard." He uttered.
My eyes couldn't leave the screen, because you could see Tei right there next to me as clear as Daimon sat next to me now. He too seemed unaware of the video camera just outside the door pointed at us. He looked exactly the same as he always does even now, tall and built with strong features. His hair messy and dark, his eyes an ever burning orange. A clean face against his tan complexion.
My old best friend looked so perfect, and he looked so happy to be with me even though I was only four years old. I hated thinking this, but I won't fight it.
"Yes she does, angel bug," Tei replied. "But you my love are the most beautiful girl to ever exist."
I felt sick now, especially when little me giggled. "You said it wrong Tei."
"Said what wrong, angel bug?"
"It's 'I love you' not 'my love'." I corrected him.
Tei smiled. "But angel bug, you are my love. My one and only love."
"You're silly," little me stroked the hair of a doll. "If I'm your love, can you be my love?"
Something came up in my throat, and something told me to get to the bathroom. I jumped up from the couch and flew over to the basement restroom to vomit.
"He's the one who killed JD and Uncle Pat and Aunt Lindsay?" Junior asked, pausing the video.
"He's the devil," Nat whimpered.
"That is the meaning of his name," Daimon admitted. "Teivel does mean 'devil'."
"But he's got some sick obsession with Lynn?" Junior pressed. "What kind of gross shit is this, anyway?"
I came back out after washing my hands. "Has anyone else seen this video?" I asked, wiping my mouth.
"Just us," Junior answered. "Most of those tapes were filmed but never developed. Nat and I took it upon ourselves to finally develop them, and when we saw that video... we couldn't let anyone else see it."
"Thank you," I took my place back on the old sofa by Daimon. "I hate to say it, but please resume the video."
"You sure?" Junior asked in concern. I nodded. He nodded back and pressed play.
"I already am your love," Tei replied. "Forever."
Little me giggled innocently, unaware of the sincerity of his words. Finally Dad finished in the restroom, so he stepped in front of the camera. He picked it up so it was above his shoulders, still showing into Junior's room.
Tei's eyes were now darted onto Dad evilly. He looked ready to murder him right then and there, just for disturbing us. He really did hate them all.
Dad whipped around completely and it was now only me in the room. "Having fun, little Logster?" He asked me.
"Yeah," I replied quietly. It seemed even I was annoyed that Dad made Tei disappear. "He's had me wrapped around his finger since the beginning." I spoke in present time, holding onto myself.
Junior stopped the video. "The rest of it is normal, us opening presents and stuff." He ejected the tape to return it to the pile on the table.
"Is he in any of the other videos?" I felt awful for asking.
"So far no. We're gonna watch them all and hide any bad ones from the family." Junior explained.
"I'm sorry you have to do this," I said.
"Don't be, it's not your fault. None of it is." Junior said earnestly. "We all know Grandma's a hardass sometimes, but we all know you haven't done anything wrong."
Wow, he's really grown up. "Thanks." I said, checking on Daimon. He was just sitting quietly, maybe thinking. "You good?" I asked him.
"You are lucky I do not know where that little bastard is sleeping. What I would do to him right now-"
"Daimon," I tried to stop him. However he brought up a good point. The last I saw Tei was in the hole of our Germany house. Cas promised to handle him - so where did he put him? Would Megan or Drew know?
Why did I want to know where he was anyway? Why did I care so much? I bit my tongue on purpose, trying to push away what Carrie had told me that I wanted to block out. I had feelings for Tei I couldn't control, and it scared the hell out of me. I don't want it to be like this.
"Me too," Junior seemingly agreed. Natalie stroked her scarred neck, forever reminding me of who exactly caused those scars.
"Let's give you those sigils," I decided. "I'm ready to try it myself, if you two want to be my first test subjects."
"You're just mocking that alien idea I had last year," Natalie scoffed, but got up anyway. Junior joined her.
"Hold still," I instructed. I focused my powers within, centering it into my hand. I could never do this before, but everything I was taught in the Apocalypse and in the Domain has efficiently improved my power usage. I stuck my hand inside Natalie to carve the sigils onto her ribs.
Nat yelped, burst into tears and effectively fainted. We lifted her onto the old sofa, Daimon getting up to make room. "What are you gonna do when we're all out?" Junior thought to ask.
"Go back home," I decided.
"Will you come back again?" He wondered as I got ready to stick him.
"If you want me to," I answered simply, carving sigils into Junior's ribs. To our surprise, he didn't pass out.
"That hurt like a bitch," he groaned, falling over onto the green rug. I was laughing at him.
"Remember this one, sister," Daimon praised me. "He is strong-willed. He could be useful for battle."
Junior nodded as he recovered. "Sure am. I'm enlisting in the Army after I graduate next year."
I wasn't surprised; he wanted to follow in his father's footsteps. "Good for you Junior. Look after everyone until then, alright?"
Junior nodded, crossing his arm over his chest. I returned the pose and then zapped myself and Daimon away, just because I know it'd make a great scare for Junior.