Chapter 17
I see faith in your eyes
never you hear the discouraging lies
I hear faith in your cries
broken is the promise, betrayal
the healing hand held back by the deepened nail
-The God That Failed
-Metallica
Striding into the desecrated church that Asmodeus had chosen as their meeting place, Zachariah was furious! Though he was in his vessel, you could hear the agitated rustling of his wings as he walked, testament to just how angry he was. Stopping when he saw Asmodeus standing there talking to Ruby and a couple other underlings, he glowered at the lot of them then hissed, “Do you know what you've done? How you've messed all our hard work up?” Holding up his hand to Ruby, who had been talking to him, the half-demon turned to the obviously infuriated Zachariah then sighed and nodded. “I'm well aware Ruby let Sam get away. I'm no more pleased about it than you are,” Asmodeus replied, a definite bite in his refined tone to let on that less than pleased was probably an understatement. “If you think that is the only thing that happened, you're wrong,” the angel snarled, stepping closer. Eyes glistening and hard, he hissed out, “Not only did she let BOTH of them get away, the fact is that Dean has vanished in the same way Sam did! Nor can we find him! All those keeping an eye on him know is that one minute they could sense him and the next they couldn't! There is no way we can track him now as we are in the dark as to where he might have gone. The motel room he was in is empty and there is no sign of the car. We've done everything we can but it's as though he vanished the same way Sam did.” Narrowing his eyes, he snarled, “What are you going to do about this, Asmodeus? It's YOUR end of things that allowed this to happen!” Eyes narrowing, he glared at Ruby, one malevolent enough that she visibly flinched then took a step back, lowering her gaze. Facing his partner from the heavenly faction of this conspiracy once more, he schooled his tone into something soothing then said, “Calm down, this is just a small hiccup. We'll find them once more. I'll ensure that my faction gets on to seeing if we can't trace them. You, meanwhile, get Castiel on tracking Dean. I'm sure that he has some way to contact him beyond what he normally does. After all, these... humans have means of communication that we don't use.” Huffing, Zachariah folded his arms over his chest and shot an angry look at the half-demon then snorted out, “They do but I'm not sure that Castiel knows how to go about that or even what to do to find out how to contact him. Nor do I for that matter! I'll try but I'm not sure what good it'll do.” Stopping, he glared at Ruby, wanting to say something to her about messing up their plans but didn't, figuring that whatever Asmodeus would do to her was going to be bad enough, before turning back to his co-conspirator then adding, “This isn't good, Asmodeus. I think this messed up more than just trying to get Sam back in the game. Since his vanishing act, we've both felt that Sam may well know what Ruby was trying. With this mess up, if he was even thinking in the ballpark of what it was, it's going to give him another clue. Then, if Dean is with him, he's sure to tell him what his suspicions are. He's also apt to put doubts in Dean's head. We were always toeing a thin line with these two boys in doing what we are, especially with Ruby. When Sam started backing away, that was a big clue. Neither of them are fools and doubt enough that they don't trust anyone fully. I think now, with both of them vanishing, it might have put everything we've done in jeopardy!” Though Asmodeus felt the same thing himself, he went for keeping Zachariah from getting too far down that path. “Don't jump to conclusions! Even if that is what's going on, it's just a delay is all. Those two can't hide forever and, eventually, their guard will drop. Once that happens, we can take steps to ensure they do what we want them to. It'll just make it a little harder is all, nothing more than that. It hasn't derailed anything. Keep that in mind. We both have ways of 'persuading' them to do what we want them to so the end result will come about, don't worry.”
“Now, onto Dean... I would suggest that we look at this from another angle. Though he may have vanished and is probably with Sam, he isn't completely lost. There is that Bobby fellow that neither of the boys are going to cut off contact to. I would suggest, until he can come up with some way of finding them, we focus on the old hunter. I can ensure I have some of my minions keep an eye on him. He is, after all, more visible than the brothers given that he has a house and business to run. When we're done here I'll send a few of my more trustworthy beings to see what is the best way to track his movements. It's almost a guarantee that he will lead us to them eventually. Even you've said that he is keeping in contact with Sam though we have no way of tracing him. Everyone slips up eventually, especially mere humans. Once that happens, we can step in and things will get back on track.” Nodding at this, Zachariah sighed then said, “Alright, you do that. I need to keep those under my command out of such things. No one is questioning yet why I'm going about doing what I am and I plan to keep it that way!” Understanding that, the dandified half-demon nodded. “Understood.” Switching topics slightly, he asked, “Is Michael still not questioning things? Thinking this is your master's will and not something we're trying to bring about?” Though he tried to keep from sneering at the euphemism for God, he didn't quite manage it. Face smoothing out somewhat as they moved onto a subject he was far more confident about, Zachariah nodded, “On that end, things are going good. He has no idea that it's you and I kicking things off, still thinking that it's God's hand directing it. None of the others seem to have a clue either, following orders like the good little angels they are. The secret is still safe on your end? Lilith has no clue?” Pleased that when it came to the heavenly faction things were going well, Asmodeus gave an evil grin then replied, smoothly, “Mother has no clue what's going on. As far as she knows, despite not trusting anyone as would be expected when it comes to the kind of beings she deals with, we are all behind her. The only thing she knows is that our Lord has followers in your faction that are trying to help. That, of course, pleases her a great deal. She trusts me enough that she doesn't question what I do. Along with that, she's convinced that the ritual she plans to use will open the final seal without having to cause her death.” “Is that possible? I know what it says has to come about to open it but she has enough power that she may well have found a way to circumnavigate around it?” Zachariah inquired, brow furrowed slightly. “I don't want her in the game, Asmodeus. You and I are the ones that will bring Lucifer back, thus reaping the rewards. I don't want her around for that.” “I will admit that mother refuses to tell anyone just what the ritual entails or what she has to do. That she's keeping to herself. And I agree, whatever it is might be something that works in the end. However, you and I are going to ensure that it won't come to that. Even if it takes possessing everyone involved in this, I'll make sure that she dies.” Asmodeus told him, voice taking on a cold, deadly tone. Knowing that wasn't an idle threat and how much the half-demon despised his mother, Zachariah nodded, a small smile turning up the corners of his mouth. “Good! I think, at some point in the next couple weeks, you and I need to find somewhere safe to hole up and plan all this out in case the Winchesters decide to fight us. Impromptu visits like this only put us at risk. And, honestly, the less people that know what we're doing, the better we're going to both be!” Pondering that, rubbing his chin in a thoughtful manner, Asmodeus then nodded. “I believe that's a wise thing to do. We can use Uriel as a conduit to set something up. I'll look for somewhere on my end that'll be safe and come up with something.” Pleased, Zachariah nodded then said, “See that you do,” before striding out, knowing it wasn't safe for him to stay there long in case one of them was being watched. Watching his partner in crime leave, Asmodeus' face didn't show any emotion until he was certain that the angel was gone then his handsome visage turned into a sneer before he shook his head. “And they say I'm arrogant,” he huffed with a roll of his eyes. Turning to Ruby, she was standing back, a worried look on her face, he motioned for her to come to him. Though leery of going to him, knowing that she would, in some way, pay for her failure earlier, the female demon walked over to her boss then waited, looking up at him with wary eyes. Giving her a smile, Asmodeus ran his fingers through her hair then one down her cheek. “Don't fret, child, you did your best. It was a long shot but one you had to take. You won't fail me again, I know this. Nodding, knowing she was getting a second chance, Ruby smiled at him. “I'll get him in the end, no doubt!” “You will, I know it,” Asmodeus soothed. “Before this is over, Sam will be yours for a time. Now, go round up those closest and keep an eye on this Bobby character to see what we can't do to track him. Before you do it, make sure you contact me.” Relaxing, Ruby sighed and gave a firm nod, “I will, my lord.” Then, after a small smile at him, walked out, shoulders held proud.
Smirking as she left, Asmodeus shook his head. Zachariah didn't know him as well as he thought he did. Sure, he was a big help in all this but was easily replaced. Nor was he about to share the glory that would come from being the one that would free Lucifer. No, in the end, Zachariah was going to die as well. If he orchestrated it right, he would have the Winchesters be the ones to do the deed for him that way his hands would be clean of it. Tugging his suit into place, making sure that it was smoothed down, Asmodeus strode out, fully planning to relax for a while then make some longer range plans about how this was going to end. It was, after all, just a minor hiccup. It had taken years to get them to this place so a little longer wasn't going to bother him at all. He was, after all, patient!
After everyone had left the church, Castiel stepped out of the small alcove that he had been hiding in for the duration of the conversation. It had been risky to be there, he knew that, and the possibility for him being found was high but it was a risk that he was willing to take. Because of the spells Asmodeus has used to hide the place from all the rest of the factions in this fight, it meant he had been able to remain undetected by everyone.
Stepping forward to stand on the place the half-demon had been, the angel frowned, looking down, mind whirling with thoughts that weren't pleasant. He had been there through the whole conversation and didn't like what he had heard, not at all. Nor, really, did he know what to do about it.
Standing there, the angel lifted his eyes to the ceiling, asking for guidance in some way but knew he wouldn't get it. Shaking his head, he shut his eyes and tried to think what to do. There was no way he was going to interfere with the demons or try to make some kind of deal with one. That would just lead to a disaster. Nor, really, did he think he could go to anyone in the angelic part of this. Michael, though officially in charge, wasn't about to listen to anyone as lowly as he. Zachariah, after all, was supposed to be his more ardent of followers and right hand man. There was no way that he was going to turn his back on someone like that no matter how much evidence he could produce. Along with that, it wasn't likely that anyone close to the arch-angel would listen to him either. He might have proof but getting someone to even listen wouldn't happen. That left him with basically no options of getting help in this as it didn't seem that God wanted to step in for some reason. Confused, he opened his eyes then looked around again, trying to think. This was something that he didn't know how to handle. He was a follower, not a leader, used to taking orders and letting others plan out what was done. That's the way it had always been so now he didn't know how to go about doing this and making it work. Nor did he know how to go about planning around what was going on. He had never done anything like that. Plus there was the fact that the beings he was dealing with were far more powerful than he was and had spent years coming up with the plan they had. It wasn't going to be easy to unravel that. The truth was, to manage it, he needed help. And not the kind he could get from either heaven or hell. His first thought, when it came to that, was to talk to Dean. Though a mere human, the hunter had been able to think himself around many situations and get himself out unscathed. With what was going on, and Dean knowing some of the plans, the two of them might be able to come up with something. But that wasn't possible right now. Dean, as Zachariah had said, had vanished and he didn't know where. Nor was there a way for him to find him. Of course, there were those cell phone things that Dean always used but he didn't have one nor did he know how to use it let alone figure out the number to Deans. It was, of course, possible to do that pulling from Jimmy's memories but that still left him finding Dean's number to contact him. Even if he managed that, with what Dean had said to him already, he wasn't sure if he would talk to him or not. After all, he had made it clear that until he got the answers he demanded, he wasn't going to talk to any of them. That wasn't something easy to work around. Standing there, he felt the spell start to weaken, knowing that as soon as it dropped his presence would be revealed to any of the beings around. He could, from where he was, sense a couple demons nearby. Since it wouldn't be good for them to feel his presence, he quickly vanished, reappearing somewhere safe. In the middle of a quiet field not close to any towns, just surrounded by the dark of night with a cool breeze ruffling his hair, Cas tried to think. There had to be some way to get across what he needed to those that required the information. He just didn't know how! Nor did he think that the heavenly side of things was one of those that needed to know since he doubted anything would change there other than him getting a re-education as to where his loyalties should lie. In this case, he thought his best chance at diverting what was going on was the Winchester brothers. After all, they were the center of the gravitational pull of both sides. It was them that could throw the whole thing off track. The wind ruffling his rumpled trench coat, he stood there, just staring off into the distance as he replayed the whole conversation he had listened in on. In his mind, there was something niggling him about a part of it, the part to do with Bobby. Keeping tabs on the old hunter was an obvious thing to do, even he knew that. Bobby wasn't about to cut off contact with either Sam or Dean but was wily enough that he could ensure that whatever contact he did have could be kept from both sides. That was a problem and Cas knew it. Brow drawing down, the angel pondered the grizzled old hunter a little more, thinking, maybe, he was the solution that he had been searching for. Perhaps, if he played this right, he could use Bobby to get a message to Dean. From the sound of things, and the way the old man acted around him, he didn't think that Bobby trusted the angelic faction of things as much as he let on. If Sam did have an inkling as to what was going on, he had probably let Bobby in on it. The issue then would be to convince him that he was on the right side and wanted to stop this mess, not just following what he was told. Looking up at the sky once more, the angel again beseeched God for some kind of guidance as to what to do. What he was thinking would be perceived as betrayal by the other angels. If he were being honest with himself, he would admit it was. But, somehow, he was fine with that. After a couple minutes when he heard, as expected, nothing, he lowered his eyes to the ground, shaking his head. He was on his own and the decision was totally his. He didn't like it but decided to go with his gut then vanished, not giving himself a chance to think twice about it.
Bobby was just settling down in a chair to work on a crossword puzzle and enjoy a drink so he could unwind before bedtime when, suddenly, Cas appeared in front of him with the sound of fluttering wings. Startled, he stiffened up then looked wary when he saw who was there. Narrowing his eyes, not trusting the angel anymore than Sam did, he asked a gruff, “What do you want, Cas?”
Not answering the inquiry, Cas scanned around, turning as he did, brow furrowed. Sensing the demons that Asmodeus had sent were getting close and would sense him, he quickly walked over and burnt some sigils on the walls. Though the old hunter always made sure his home was protected, he wanted to make certain that those approaching couldn't tell he was there and had no way of eavesdropping on anything he said. Standing up, watching the angel closely, Bobby snapped, “What do you think you’re doing?” Once he finished, now sure that no one could overhear them, Cas turned back to the old hunter then said in his normal deadpan, “Some demons have come to keep an eye on you by order of Asmodeus. I don't want them to overhear what I need to discuss with you.” Eyebrows shooting up, Bobby muttered, “Balls,” then scrubbed his hand over his face. Looking around, he glanced to make sure that all his normal protections were in place so that none of those outside could get in. Turning back to the angel, still leery of his motives with what he and Sam had figured out was really going on, he asked in a gruff tone, “What do they want?” “They're here to keep an eye on you, hoping, since it's known that you are in contact with both Sam and Dean, you'll give them a clue as to where they are or lead them to the two.” Cas explained. “Balls,” Bobby said louder this time, scrubbing a hand across his face. Because of his home and business, he knew using what Sam was wouldn't work. Yes, it would hide him to an extent, and mask his property, but he was off it enough that it wasn't that protective. Even if he were to try, now it was too late to do so. With him leaving in a couple days to go see the boys, it was a sure-fire bet that he would be followed. No, they couldn't get on the reservation but it would give away a location that both sides would probably soon be aware of. That wasn't good. Snapping back, remembering the angel was in the room, Bobby's eyes narrowed again then he glared at him. “Why are you here? Was it just to tell me that?” “No, there are some things I need to discuss with you. I also want you call Dean so that I might talk to him,” Cas explained simply, staring at the old hunter. On edge even more than he was, not at all trusting the angel, he snapped, bluffing, “And why would I do that? You can easily get hold of Dean if you want to.”
Stepping closer, shaking his head, Cas said, “No, I can't. Dean's vanished in the same way Sam has. I'm sure you know where both are or, at least, a way to call them.” Stiffening up, Bobby glared at him then snarled, “Look, boy, if he vanished on you and you don't have a way to get hold of him, I'm not going to do it for you! There's a reason if he's done that and if he didn't tell you, he doesn't want you to know! If that's all you’re after then you can get the hell out of my house and don't let the door hit you in the ass on your way out!” As this wasn't something unexpected, Cas wasn't the least bit put off by the tone or mannerisms of Bobby. Standing there, he just nodded once then said, “I understand that. But tonight something happened that I need to impart to Dean so he's aware of what's going on. He needs to know so that he can protect both Sam and himself. There is more going on than I knew and want all of you to have the information.” Now Bobby was at war. Since dealing with the heavenly faction of this pissing contest, he had become aware that they had no problems lying to get what they wanted. That could be happening this time as well. There was also the fact that Cas was a peon in terms of his power in that structure. Whatever it was he might know could well be tainted with lies from his higher ups. However, on the other hand, it could be the truth, or at least partially so. So it wouldn't due to just ignore or turn him away without hearing what he had to say. Thinking it over while he glared at the angel, he finally seated himself and took another swig of his drink. Gesturing to Cas, he said, “Alright, spill it. I'll listen but won't make any promises about anything.” Knowing that was at least a start, Cas nodded then launched in to tell the old hunter what he had overheard earlier and the conclusions he had come to.
Yes, yes... I know, it's been a while. Gonna say 'life happened' and leave it there. I know the boys aren't in this chapter and I promise they'll be back in the next, in a big way! I'll more than make up for them not being here this time around!
* holds up the Hypnotoad * please review!
-Danyealle