Losing Hope | {BOOK 4}

82| Arthur Ketch. British Men of Letters.

While Sam, Dean and I brainstormed some more, Cass had gone on a coffee run. When he got back, he dropped the cups, crying out and clutching at his head. Over at the table, I also clutched at my head as Angel Radio kicked in full blast in my head. The last time I'd heard it like that was when they were threatening to throw Dean back into Hell if we didn't turn Anna over to them. Sam rushed over to help Cass into a chair while Dean stayed by my side.

"Cass? Cass, hey," Sam voiced.

"Ellie Bear?" Dean asked, voice laced with worry.

"Something's happened," Cass breathed out, chest heaving. "Something... Angel Radio... there's so many voices..."

"What are they saying?" Sam asked.

"There's been a massive surge in celestial energy," I chimed in. "A Nephilim has come into being. It's the offspring of an angel and a human."

"And that's big news?"

"Yes, but the power to produce this is immense," Cass continued. "It's much, much greater than a typical angel."

"Lucifer," Sam assumed.

"W- Lucifer?" Dean looked at Sam, then between Cass and myself. "I thought he could only have a kid with Ellie."

"Dean, so not the time," I huffed, massaging my temples.

"What? Wasn't that the whole point of you being the Eccelsia, or whatever? You were supposed to have Lucifer or Michael's kid?"

"You're missing the point, Dean," Castiel interrupted. "We have to find whoever Lucifer impregnated and kill them before they can have the child."

⁘

Sam, Dean, Cass and I were in the Impala on the way to Indianapolis. Sam was on his phone, talking to Crowley.

"Yeah, and hey, Crowley? Uh, find out from your government mole if there's a girlfriend or a mistress or a favorite hooker. Someone we don't know about. Got it. All right."

He hung up the phone, addressing the rest of us.

"Crowley and Rowena will meet us in Indianapolis. Do we have a plan?"

"Impeach LOTUS and find Rosemary's baby," Dean quipped.

We turned at an intersection, and moments later, a black SUV came up behind us with its sirens blaring and lights flashing. Dean groaned as it pulled in front of the Impala and three men exited the SUV.

"Aw, crap," he turned back to address me and Cass. "Alright. Stay here. We got this."

Sam and Dean walked over to the men, flashing their fake badges and trying to talk with them. A few moments later, a fight broke out. I tried to get out of the Impala to help, but Cass grabbed my arm, shaking his head.

"Let me," he requested.

"Cass-"

Before I could protest further, the angel had climbed out and begun walking over to the men. One of the men who'd been pointing a gun at Sam and Dean turned the gun on Cass instead. I watched with wide eyes as a sleek black limousine pulled up to the scene and a man climbed out, shooting a grenade at the SUV. Everyone except Cass ducked for cover, Cass just staring at the flaming car quizzically. I climbed out of the Impala as the newcomer spoke.

"You. Angel. Wipe their memories."

The one who'd been holding the gun started getting up, but the newcomer kicked him in the head and knocked him out.

"U.S. government plates," he mused, voice thick with a British accent. "Elite dogcatcher level. Someone special wants you. What hydrant have you lot been tinkling on?"

"I'm sorry. Who the hell are you?" I demanded.

"Oh, where are my manners?" he smiled. "Arthur Ketch. British Men of Letters."

We got back in the Impala, following Ketch to a secluded area of the forest where we could talk privately.

"So, it's all very simple really," he was explaining. "Mick Davies asked you to join our effort, which we're taking international. My instructions are to strongly encourage a 'yes'."

"So, what? You've just been following us?" I asked, glaring.

"Not at all. We're good dogs. We only come when called. And he," Ketch nodded at Sam, "called."

"You what?" Dean dropped his stoic stance to stare at his brother.

"I-I didn't, uh... I hung up," Sam defended lamely.

"Yes, you did, which made Mr. Davies think that you were in trouble, which you were," Ketch continued. "So he rings me. Bing, bang, boom. Meet Bob. He's your uncle. Oh, and, um, you're welcome. Hm?"

"And why should we believe anything you have to say?" I demanded.

"You, Halo. Do you sense I'm lying?"

"My name is Castiel. And... no. But the truth can be situational."

"Oh," Ketch raised his eyebrows. "Oh, I do enjoy an angel. But I understand your hesitation. You haven't exactly seen us at our best. Lady Bevell is a bit... excitable."

"She tried to kill us," I growled.

Before I could lunge for the Brit, however, Dean managed to grab me and hold me back.

"Like I said, excitable," Ketch nodded, completely unphased by the fact I'd just tried attacking him.

"And you're better?" Sam drew the attention off of me.

"I don't care about you one way or the other. I'm not an ideologue."

"And all you wanna do is help these American hunters to clear this country of monsters?" Cass asked.

"We understand things are different here. We're eager to collaborate. The British Men of Letters are centuries old, Lads. We can offer expertise, weaponry, skills."

"Like we saw out on the road?"

"I'm an artist, Mr. Winchester," Ketch replied to Sam, pressing a button on his keys to pop the trunk. "I paint in many colors."

"Was that a grenade launcher?" Dean and I chorused.

"Quite."

"Ah," Dean smirked a little.

I hung back while the boys all moved in to examine the toys in Ketch's trunk. As curious as I was, I didn't trust a word coming out of his mouth after what happened with Lady Bevell. What she did to Sam, Dean and myself was bad enough. However, the part I could never forgive was the fact that she had also kidnapped Maddie and Zep and made them sit in the corner watching us get tortured.

While the boys were talking, Ketch pulled out what looked like a golden egg with ancient symbols etched into the sides.

"Hyperbolic Pulse Generator," he explained. "Exorcisms are unreliable. This device emits a force which drives the possessing demon from the vessel."

"What about a, uh, possessing angel?" Sam asked.

"And what might you lot be working on?" Ketch raised an eyebrow.

"Well, you want us to trust you, you're gonna have to trust us first," Dean shot back.

"And that means?"