Losing Hope | {BOOK 4}

51| Lucifer's Back

After getting the witch-catcher around Rowena's neck, Crowley made her start working on the spell.

"So this spell is supposed to slam Lucifer back in the box," Dean said, rubbing Maddie's back comfortingly beside him. "How long's this gonna take?"

"About five minutes," Rowena replied. "Unless Sam says yes."

"And if he does?" Crowley asked.

"If Lucifer finds a vessel, he'll be anchored to earth. The incantation won't work."

"And then we're screwed," I said, holding Zep close to my chest.

The door opened then, and a demon entered with Castiel close on his heels.

"I'm sorry, my lord, I tried to..." the demon addressed Crowley.

"Cass?" Dean asked.

"Oh good, the angel's here," Crowley bit out sarcastically.

"What's happened?" I asked Cass, ignoring the demon king.

"Amos. He's... he's alive. He... he sent a message..."

Cass opened his trench coat and shirt to reveal three words carved into his chest- 'I am coming'. Maddie squeaked and moved closer into Dean's side and Zep turned his head to bury his face in my neck.

"'I am coming,'" Crowley read aloud. "Is that a threat?"

"Or a promise," I stated, staring across the table at Dean.

A minute later, we could hear Sam crying out in the other room.

"Sam!" Dean cried, leaping to his feet.

I set down Zep, hurrying after him and Cass to go try and help Sam.

"Don't!" Crowley yelled after us.

"Hey, ass-butt!" Cass yelled, gaining Lucifer's attention.

"Dean, Eleanor," Lucifer smiled, "ah, the other one."

He snapped his fingers and suddenly all three of us were in the cell with him and Sam.

"Welcome to the party."

Behind him, Sam was choking on his own blood.

"Scared?" the Devil taunted.

"Not even a little," I replied.

Castiel drew his angel blade, preparing for a fight.

"Ah, ah, ah..." Lucifer said, "moments like this, it's all about ambiance."

Snapping his fingers, music started playing from an unknown source- the song 'Heaven Must Be Missing an Angel'. Lucifer started dancing a little, and Cass lunged at him. While the two fought, Dean and I both rushed over to Sam.

"Are you okay?" Dean asked him.

"Yeah," Sam nodded.

I glanced over at the two angels, noting how Lucifer was saying something indecipherable to Cass, and then punched him a moment later. Leaving the brothers alone, I moved to go to Cass's aid. I jumped on Lucifer's back and he flung around, sending me backwards into the bars of the cell.

"Really, Ecclesia? That the best you got?"

While he was taunting me, Sam grabbed him from behind, restraining him while Dean punched him in the face.

"You hit like a human."

The archangel kicked Dean backwards into me, and then turned and punched Sam. Cass tried to join in once more, but was also taken down. We continued to try and fight him, buying time so Rowena could perform the spell. As Dean tried to go for him, Lucifer grabbed him by the neck, and slammed him against the bars. He looked down at Sam, who was laying next to me in pain on the floor.

"Alright Sam, I'm gonna make this real easy for you. You say the magic word or your brother dies... and we both know you won't let that happen."

Just then, Castiel charged Lucifer, allowing Dean to get out of his clutches. The Devil punched Cass repeatedly and the black winged angel fell to the ground as the white winged angel stood over him, putting his foot on top of Castiel's angel blade.

"So, last words..."

Just then, there was a blinding flash of light in the cell, and Sam, Dean, and I covered our eyes. When it faded, there were only four of us in the cell. Dean clambered to his feet, helping Sam up and dragging him out of the cell with him. I was frozen on the ground, staring at the white winged angel in Cass's vessel. He smirked, putting a finger to his lips as he reached down, offering me a hand to help me up.

I didn't take it, stumbling to my feet myself and using the bars for support instead. As we moved to follow Sam and Dean out of the cell, Lucifer grabbed my arm, leaning in to speak into my ear.

"If you say one word to them, I will make sure it is the last thing you ever do."

I nodded a little, biting my lip as we limped over to where Crowley, Rowena, Sam, Dean and the kids were waiting.

"You're welcome... anyone?" Rowena looked around at us.

"Bite me," Dean snapped.

"I can make her do that," Crowley said.

"So, what now?" Sam asked.

"About the Darkness?" the demon king asked. "No clue."

"We'll figure it out," I said.

"Or die screaming," Rowena added.

"This has been a horrible train wreck, so we're done," Crowley informed us. "Team up over."

"What about her?" Sam motioned to Rowena.

"She stays. The rest of you lot... get the hell out of Hell."

Out on the street, we headed over to the Impala, and I helped the kids get situated in the back.

"Mommy?" Maddie asked softly. "Why are Cass's wings white?"

My heart dropped in my chest as I realized I wasn't the only one who could out Lucifer to the brothers.

"I'll, uh, I'll tell you later, okay darling? For now, um... don't mention it to Daddy or Uncle Sammy, okay?"

She nodded, and I climbed in beside her and Zep in the back as Sam and Dean walked over and climbed in the front.

⁘

"Can you tell me now?" Maddie asked as I was tucking her in for bed that night.

I swallowed, glancing over at the door before looking back at her.

"You know how most angels have black wings?" I began and she nodded her head. "Well, there are a few special angels, the archangels, whose wings are white instead of black."

"That wasn't Cass," Maddie whispered.

"No, darling, it wasn't. But we can't tell Dad or Uncle Sammy."

"Why not?"

I swallowed, holding back tears as I brushed some hair out of Maddie's face.

"Because if we tell them, then that archangel could hurt us, and I don't want you or your brother or anyone else to get hurt."

"I understand."

"Good. I love you so much, sweetheart."

"I love you, too."

I kissed her on the forehead, helping tuck her in before moving to shut off the light.

"Hey, Maddie? Do you know if Zep is special like you? Can he also see the angels' wings?"

"No, he can't," Maddie informed me. "But he can do something else."

"What can he do?"