Death in Appalachia Chapter 28
Death in Appalachia Chapter 28
Authors: Atana_blackfox and paintercrow
Fandoms: Supernatural and Sharyn McCrumb's Ballad Novels
Warnings: (this chapter) Gore.
Rating: NC-17 overall, this chapter R
Disclaimer: the Supernatural and Ballad Novel story elements aren't ours.
Sam stumbled from the bathroom and into a nightmare.
The front hall was filled with noise and chaos and swirling through it all were people he did not know. He took just a split second to reach out through his link with Dean to find his brother. With a gasp of relief, Sam realized that not only was he still alive but he was close, just out on the front porch.
Sam arrived just as Will and another woman were finishing a strange exorcism ritual over a prone Pascal; Dean was sprawled on the porch next to him. A strange gray cloud erupted from Pascal and streamed away, vanishing so quickly Sam was not even sure he had seen it.
Cheryl helped Dean to sit up as he grasped his throat and dragged in deep lungfuls of air. Turning to Sam he groaned, "Vera, she needs you." Sam hesitated, his eyes snapping to Dean struggling to breathe. “The demon, it tried to get her.” Dean met his eyes, "Go," he managed to gasp. Sam turned and ran.
Emma paused in the doorway watching Will kneeling next to Pascal’s body, her eyes anxious and questioning. He touched Pascal's neck and sighed in relief. "No, it's gone." Emma turned and went into the house, a moment later she was screaming for someone to call the rescue squad for Jay. Will rushed into the house to assist her.
Dean recognized some of the strangers moving to help Pascal as the Priory members who had came with Will on his first visit. Cheryl tugged him to his feet, looking pale. "Come on."
"No," Dean grunted as he leaned against the doorframe. “Nora too; said it was going after Nora.”
“One thing at a time, we have to check you and everyone else here over. After things are secured here we’ll check on her. We can’t get spread out all over these mountains.”
Griffin limped out to the porch meowing loudly. Dean felt relief wash over him to see his familiar alive. He swept him up into his arms, not caring who saw and wished Sammy was still small enough he could do the same with him.
~~~
Vera exulted as she saw that slimy bastard begin to flee. Caught up in a form of bloodlust, she began to fling herself after it, hoping to destroy it once and for all. Suddenly she felt herself being snatched up by the scruff of her neck before slamming feet first into a green glade. She staggered a bit and almost fell over on her side before she grabbed a tree to keep herself upright. Looking around frantically, she realized she no longer had the sword she was using earlier.
Was she dead? No, this was not the Western shore. She was alone. Besides, she knew she could keep herself on the other side as a spirit if she tried hard enough. She would not leave them alone, not Jay, not Sam, and especially not Dean. Somehow, she knew he had been left alone too many times. All of her boys had. Without her there, her coven mates would not understand why Sam and Dean needed to be at the farm. Even as a spirit, she was certain she could get them to see why.
When she calmed down enough Vera saw Ravenmocker looking at her in disgust. She took a few angry steps towards him, realizing he had brought her here; neither back to her body or allowing her to go after the demon that had invaded and profaned her home.
“I have to go back! Take me back!” she screamed.
~~~
Ravenmocker snarled; Ashera had to be the only Guardian he had ever watched over to speak to him in that tone. Even Samuel at his worst had a modicum of respect for him.
“Guardian! Stop this at once!” Vera actually took a step back and stopped speaking, he knew his words were like a slap in the face but he had to get her to see what she was doing.
“What?” She looked confused suddenly, retreating into one-word responses. How could such a gifted Guardian be so impossibly dense at times?
“You have other responsibilities, do you remember?” Ravenmocker said severely. Guardians and Hunters could not afford to let their emotions get the better of them. How many had stupidly sacrificed themselves for a few lives when they should have let them pass by so they could go on to save hundreds of others?
“Other responsibilities besides killing that damned thing? It violated my covenstead, my home. I'm tired of my home being stomped through, shit on and used as a fucking bowling alley by demons.” Ravenmocker shook his head at her profanity; she was far too mature and educated to use such language. He could expect it from Sam, Dean or Jay, but she was the eldest, he had far different standards for her.
“You will not succeed in killing it tonight; you will only succeed in killing yourself for nothing. Are you so anxious to have Jay take your place as Guardian?”
That finally brought some sense to his head Guardian. “Jay? What...”
Ravenmocker took her by the arm, his gentleness a contrast to his earlier harsh tone.
She found herself floating above the main hall, swarming with people, Cheryl helping Dean in the front door, Emma and Will hovering over Jay, who was next to the staircase, his body limp. A confused young woman stood over her corpse, obviously in shock at her sudden death.
Vera blinked back tears and reached towards Jay. “Lord and Lady...”
He shook her gently to get her attention. “There is a chance he will live, but he has a long road to recovery, just as you have.”
Ravenmocker pulled her down the hallway past the horribly mutilated remains of woman and into the room where her body was. Another man was dead on the floor. Shade's broken body was lying next to the wall. Shade’s spirit leaped to her and Vera gathered her up into her arms for the last time. Vera buried her face into her familiars’ soft fur while the cat chirped at her, letting her know that she would come back to her as soon as she could.
Slowly and with compassion Ravenmocker took Shade from her, directing her attention to her own body. The strange doctor was frantically working over her, wiping gore from her face while she gurgled. He was yelling instructions at Sam, who was carefully turning her onto her side while Mike scooped blood, brains and vomit out of her mouth.
“Am I dying?” Vera asked in wonder.
“It is time to go back Ashera, you cannot stay any longer. I do not want to give the Dark side more reasons to return.”
“I don't understand - am I going with you?” Vera’s confusion was understandable this time as her mind and soul was slowly slipping back into her body.
“Not tonight Guardian, nor any night soon if I have the power to prevent it. Now those that are truly dead need me.”
~*~
“Help!” Mike’s bellow, his voice backed up with an empathic surge of desperation, made Sam sprint faster down the hall, slipping and almost falling in Ginger’s entrails. He got to the door in time to see Mike kicking Billy Ray’s body out of the way to get to Vera. Sam almost reeled back; how could anyone be that cold hearted?
The healer must have felt his anger because he turned and snarled. “Get over here and help me turn her, she's choking!” Only then did Sam notice Mike frantically clearing gore from Vera’s face and eyes when she started gagging. Sam rushed over to help but then paused, unsure of what to do. Some of his anxiety must have caused him to start ‘leaking’ empathically though his shields, when for a second time Mike’s ill temper was turned on him.
“Sam, suck it up! Turn her towards me on my count; try to keep her back straight unless you want to wipe her ass for the rest of her life.”
Taking a deep breath and closing his eyes, Sam slid one of his hands under Vera’s shoulders and another under her hips. He paused for a moment to ground and center, trying his best to push his worries about everyone else out of his mind for just a few moments. Then he visualized a board between his hands, flexing and bending to the curve of Vera’s back. Listening for Mike’s count, he slowly rolled her onto her side.
“Good Sam, good!” Mike’s shout almost caused him to lose control before he ruefully understood that Mike was used to working with highly trained psychics that were not easily distracted.
“Damn it!” Sam opened his eyes to see Mike trying to rinse vomit and Billy Ray’s blood out of Vera’s mouth. “Come on Vera, spit! That's it Sam, good use of your telekinesis. Don't let her roll back. Keep her steady. Damn it Vera, I’m not letting anyone else die tonight.” After a few coughs, Vera began to vomit again, which seemed to please the healer as he continued encouraging her to spit, using his bare fingers to scoop out some of the foulest vomit and gore Sam had ever seen out of her mouth.
Sam felt his own gorge rising as he almost began to gag when he realized that Vera must have swallowed some of the gore that had sprayed over her in a desperate attempt to breathe, but a dark glare from Mike stopped him. He just tried to hold Vera steady, desperately trying to block out all the intense emotions he could feel rattling and spiking through the house. With a groan, Sam realized that Vera was unshielded as well. Sweating, he wracked his mind for everything Vera, Jay and Nora had taught him. Then he remembered the fairy cross he had inherited from Old Rattler. Jay had made into a crude pendant until he had time to get it set professionally.
Vera and Jay could pull energy from this earth, and these natural stone crosses we considered powerful here. Only half knowing what he was doing, he reached for the power that he hoped was linked to the natural stone cross….
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.*
Gasping, Sam suddenly realized what he hoped for had happened; he was somehow managing to hold Vera steady and shield her. Somewhat shaky and fluxing shielding but at least she was not as open and exposed as before. The strong, female voice that recited the Bible verse still rang through his mind. He would have to ask Nora about it.
Oblivious to the religious experience Sam was having and the minor miracle going on next to him Mike just grunted. “Good, saves me from having to do it until Atin gets here.”
Sam glanced up for a second on some instinct and saw Ravenmocker at the foot of Vera’s bed, smiling and looking proud.
Mike’s voice surprised him. “Yeah, he's there.” He did not even bother to glance up, his main attention on Vera.
Looking beyond Ravenmocker Sam almost lost his grip on Vera when he saw Shade crumpled on the floor near the wall. He gasped, remembering his vision.
“Sam!” He took a deep breath and tried to get hold of himself, relieved to see Vera’s airway was clear and Mike had stopped frantically clawing at her mouth. “Ease her back down.”
He could not help but glare at the healer, who was now callously pushing Billy Ray’s body out of his way with his foot and not even glancing back at Ginger.
“Don’t you have any respect for the dead?” Sam was pleased to see Mike look up but his face quickly transformed into something ugly. A cross between a grin and a snarl unfolded itself across Mike’s face and his eyes glittered strangely.
“Billy Ray has my respect; he was a member of my Order and one of my coworkers. That,” he kicked Billy Ray’s body again “is just the meat sack he was wearing this lifetime. I learned how to step over the dead to get to the living when I was 12 years old. You can have your self-righteous snit later. Right now, I need you. Start looking for any sterile supplies we might have left and help me get her cleaned up. We’ve got to get her moved out of here. Her immune system is too weak right now to fight off infection.”
Sam clamped down on his emotions and soldiered on, as his father taught him, realizing to a certain extent Mike was right. But his coldness, his lack of emotion or sorrow over the deaths of two people he knew chilled Sam to the core.
A few moments later a grim-faced and competent team of Priory medical staff stepped into the room while others began collecting the remains of Ginger and Billy Ray. As Sam carefully picked his way out of the room he spared a moment to wonder if Mike had always been this soulless and if not, what had made him this way?
A few moments later, he realized he had been barefoot the entire time and he was now tracking bloody footprints through out the house. He headed for the shower.
It was even later before he realized Mike could see Ravenmocker.
(*Matthew 7:7-8)
~*~
The Head of the Priory gazed moodily out the window of his SUV into the moonlit fields. The situation on Half Moon Farm was critical. The Comacines had only succeeded in alienating the farm residents, which included two emerging Lines, one Guardian and one Hunter. He had planned a very different introduction to the world of Orders and Lines for Vera. Thankfully, the Comacines could admit when they were out of their depth and agreed to hand over the territory to his Order.
He watched his team leader make his way across the yard toward his vehicle. Nathan St. James was the strongest Empath he knew; strong enough that he could not just manipulate emotions but also actually implant thoughts. The situation required delicate handling and even though Nathan was a youngster at 25, he was very politically perceptive. He would likely challenge him at the next election for Priory leader in 14 years.
After Nathan closed the door quietly, they sat in silence.
“Did they notice anything?” Will’s voice was low.
“No. After living with Vera and helping raise Jay, Emma has a strong empathic resistance but it wasn’t a problem to convince her to let me take over. I sent Dean and Sam off to bed, they're exhausted. Vera is in stable condition and I tagged Jay myself until the Coms Empath, Blake Dalton, arrives in the morning.” Nathan sneered; it was obvious he did not think too highly of Dalton's ability to handle Jay.
Will nodded. It was not how he planned to woo Vera but he was an opportunist. After dealing with the Comacines, his Order would look like saints in comparison. The Priory had a kinder, gentler plan. Will viewed Wake County as a nature preserve. Guard the perimeter, give them their natural habitat to live in and then carefully exploit them for his own purposes. They could send their best and brightest to Vera to train, borrow Sam and Jay occasionally for special projects and let Dean and Emma take care of the day-to-day issues.
“Work on Jay and Sam. Dean already suspects that the Coms are manipulating Sam. See if you can reinforce that to make Dean even more upset with them. Provoke Jay as much as possible to fight with the Comacines - that will cause a lot of tension. Be sure that Vera is shielded from all of this; I do not want her agitated as she heals. Support Emma as much as possible, she’ll keep all of them from totally flying apart. Foster their resentment of the Comacines.”
“The last part won’t be difficult at all. I’ll do as much as I can before most of them leave.”
Will nodded. “Plant the seeds. With a little careful managing, this will work.”
After Nathan slipped out of the car, Will slumped in his seat, still staring out into the fields while his mind carefully turned over each part of his plan.
Slowly, he realized someone was standing out in the field, after a moment of staring he realized who - actually, what it was.
Tall man, dark skin, long hair; Will froze. It had to be Ravenmocker. Some of his Order had occasional sightings of him while venturing into the area to hike or camp. He kicked himself mentally; how could he have forgotten the Kestersons were not just any Guardian Line? They had their own Principality.
Ravenmocker gazed back at him and even though he did not say a word Will got the message clear enough.
You will not use my Lines for your purposes. I will use your Order for mine.
He slowly nodded; glad this was all the Principality was demanding of him. He could curse his Order. Will shuddered and picked up his cell to call Nathan. His mission had just radically changed.
~*~
Nora knew what the angry snarl outside of her house was in the wee hours of the morning. She did have to admit though; she was getting a bit tired of all these late night visits.
Nonetheless, she slipped on her dressing gown and opened her front door. She stared at the dark and curling cloud of blackness just beyond the garden gate; somehow, it managed to swallow up the moon and starlight shone down from the clear night sky.
“No, you can’t come up here. My family’s blood is too strong and too close.”
It snarled again, audible even to the non-Gifted. A slow, grim smile spread across Nora’s old face.
“Run and run fast. You’ll be dead, not just banished but dead by the end of the year. Remember I told you, the last of the Bonesteel Line. Maybe I should be thanking you, for without your darkness the Winchester Line may have never came to be. Your brethren will curse you down the centuries for what you have created in those two boys. Strong Hunters and you managed to chase them right into the open arms of this land. You’ve given me more strong heirs in my Guardianship.”
The darkness swirled and thrashed, angry.
“Go on. I need to be up early to start gathering and putting up the fruits of my garden. You’ll be gathering in your own harvest soon enough.”
Nora shut the door firmly behind her and realized she was also shutting the door on her active Guardianship as well. Now was the time to teach and enjoy what was left of the rest of her life. If what she Saw was true, all of her heirs, from Vera to Kayla, would be home by the end of the year.
With a regretful sigh, Nora realized that she may as well stay up and get some weaving done. Some of those Priory folk would be checking on her in a few hours. She would be glad to let these youngsters take over. She had a bumper crop of cucumbers and tomatoes this year she needed to can.
~*~
It was hours later before Dean finally collapsed into his bed. Will told the Comacines the Priory was taking over the territory and that Nathan St. James was in charge. Somehow, Nathan had calmed down Emma and half the household as well. Priory medics were watching Jay carefully. He had suffered a concussion and was sleeping from his earlier dose of pills and it was difficult to asses his injuries. Vera was alive but very weak after her astral projection. Most of the Comacines were in shock after losing two of their members. Pascal and Zip were sleeping in Vera's upstairs bedroom with LaShonda watching over them. Sam, who managed not to be injured was still helping get things settled around the old farmhouse.
~*~
Sam watched as Emma performed her priestess duties, wondering how after everything that happened Emma could still be so rock steady. Once she knew Jay was out of danger and settled in his bedroom, she began a series of rituals to clear the violent energy out of the house. Although he wasn’t Pagan, he watched her with an almost compulsive fascination. Emma just looked at him for a moment thoughtfully and nodded to him. Without saying anything, she went to bed.
Not ready to sleep yet, Sam wandered into the living room. On the coffee table were all Dean’s guns and cleaning supplies. Somehow the table hadn’t been knocked over in the chaos. Starlight crawled out from under the couch mewing pitifully, her dark tail curled between her legs and her ears pinned down in distress.
Cuddling Star to his chest, Sam realized that he’s been subconsciously looking for his little familiar. Now that he’s found her he was exhausted and stumbled upstairs to his and Dean’s bedroom. Dean was sound asleep with Griffin snuggled to his side. Sam checked that Dean was still breathing easily. It made him uneasy that Dean slept so deeply with all the strangers in the house. He could tell Nathan was a powerful Empath and was calming as many people as he could. Usually Dean could tell when an Empath manipulated him, but whether it was because he was too exhausted or just did not notice, Sam was not sure. As soon as Nathan suggested Dean go to bed, he did.
After everything that happened, Sam was glad to crawl into bed with his brother. He knew that he and Dean sharing a bed was not normal, but so far, no one here had complained about it. When he was a kid, he always felt safe when he and Dean shared a bed.
The demon had came back; first mom, then Jess and now after Vera and Nora. The demon wanted to kill all the women in his life. Sobbing softly, he stroked Star and wondered if even she was safe, glad that Dean was already asleep.
Dean wanted him to go to the Priory, split them up so he could go to the Conclave for them in case the Comacines did not let them go. He agreed, but not for the reasons same reasons. He had to go to keep Vera and Nora safe. Was Nora even alive? Nathan was going to check on Nora first thing in the morning, he said something about assigning his sister to stay with the elderly Guardian. Sam thought he would die himself if anyone else died or was hurt because he was close to them.
All of this was his fault; Vera getting hurt in the first place because she was rescuing him. All the magical protections were gone from the farm because she pulled the energy to fight the demons so the demon managed to get in and possess Pascal. All the deaths tonight, all the injuries were indirectly caused by him.
What had Ravenmocker told him? His death could cause a war that killed hundreds. Even though he had been rescued, three people had still died. Dean, Vera and Jay were all hurt, and Zip and Pascal were traumatized by what had happened. The Comacines and the Priory of Nyx were both mourning their lost members.
For a moment Sam was surprised any of them wanted him around. Ben had talked with him a few moments right before he came upstairs. He told him no one blamed him; it was the demon’s fault, not his.
With a start and a sudden stop to his sobs, he remembered what Jess had told him in a dream a few days ago. You can never blame yourself for the actions of evil. Maybe not blame himself, but this still all happened because of him. Sam decided that until the demon was gone, he could not come back. Star looked at him in confusion, but he stroked her head and she fell back to sleep.
Sam had just begun drifting off when he heard angry voices outside the windows and the sound of a body being slammed up against a car.
Creeping quietly to the window, he was surprised to see who was arguing. Mike and Will were pacing angrily around one another.
“Why did you reveal yourself as a healer now? Why?” Sam knew Mike could be a bitch, but the sheer amount of rage in his voice surprised him. What was even more shocking was that he looked to be almost to the point of tears. “Forty damned years without a break. You think you only owe Vera? Is that it?”
“I don't owe anybody anything.” Will wasn’t speaking as loudly, but the sheer intensity of what he was saying carried faintly.
“Then heal Vera yourself.” Mike abruptly turned away and started walking out towards the fields.
“Damn it Mike, I'm not nearly as powerful as you are. Only you can make her walk again.”
Mike whipped around to mock the smaller man. “So? She doesn't need to walk to teach. That's all you wanted her for anyways.” Will just stood still and stared at Mike, finally saying something Sam could not catch. Whatever it was did not make Mike any happier. “Don't take the moral high road here Woodfin. I'm not figuring to be a part of your schemes. You want something out of her.”
Will’s only response was a sharp laugh. “Says the man who rakes in hundreds of millions each year healing for the highest bidder.”
“And you heal for nothing? No pay, no backroom deals, no favors? Don't make me laugh.”
Both of their voices dropped again for a few moments so that Sam could not make out what they were saying until Will raised his voice again.
“…after the way you were dressing down Zip...”
Mike’s response was an angry roar that startled the horses. “Don't interfere in how I run my family and I won't interfere in yours!”
“Then heal Vera damn it!”
“You should have thought of that when you withheld critical information. I had to take that bastard Light Feather's report you moron. You knew there was demon activity in this area. Were you hoping we all got killed?”
“I lost one of my people too, you self-centered ass. Look, just heal her Mike. You're going to have Jay as you own personal pet for the next year and a half. Do you really think he'll work with you if you let Vera be crippled?”
“You pin all the blame for this on me Woodfin and you can just go pick out a wheelchair now.”
Both Mike and Will’s voices went soft, so quiet that Sam could barely hear what they were saying. Will’s tone seemed defensive, Mike’s was strangely wheedling. Sam carefully continued to peer out at them, the moonlight so strong the two were casting shadows.
They apparently had come to some sort of agreement and Will wheeled away to head back into the house, but Mike was not through.
“Wait Woodfin, we don’t have a deal quite yet.”
“What the hell else could you possible want?”
“How did you hide the fact you are a healer all these years? How are you hiding your aura?” Mike’s question was greeted by silence. “Vera, it was Vera who taught you.” Mike’s voice held a strange mix of aggravation, possessiveness, anger and affection.
Will took a few angry steps towards him. “Do you know what you’re asking me for? Aside from the Kestersons my Order is the only ones who know how to do it. Besides, isn’t it a little late for you?”
“That's my price for Vera walking Woodfin. Take it or leave it.”
Their voices dropped back to an angry grumble. Sam was confused; Jay was already teaching Pascal and Zip. Didn’t Mike know that?
The Comacine healer’s voice rose again where Sam could hear. “I have family to protect too you idiot, or have you forgotten what Fawn is, or any of our other kids?”
“I think your heart just got three sizes too big Mikey. You don’t want it for yourself; you want it for the children.”
“Damned right I do! No one should go through what I did as a kid. This knowledge can keep them safe. They can hide in plain sight.”
“Fine Mike, you win. I’ll have someone in my Order teach you.”
Mike turned, triumphant and began to stride back to the house. Will stood alone, looking up into the sky with a sly smile on his face.
Sam crept back into bed, wondering at all the layers of politics swirling around them. He may have only known Vera for a few weeks, but even he knew that she would have taught the Comacines her tricks for free if it protected people. Will had to know that too. He was just letting Mike feel like he had won something.
Chapter 29
Authors: Atana_blackfox and paintercrow
Fandoms: Supernatural and Sharyn McCrumb's Ballad Novels
Warnings: (this chapter) Gore.
Rating: NC-17 overall, this chapter R
Disclaimer: the Supernatural and Ballad Novel story elements aren't ours.
Sam stumbled from the bathroom and into a nightmare.
The front hall was filled with noise and chaos and swirling through it all were people he did not know. He took just a split second to reach out through his link with Dean to find his brother. With a gasp of relief, Sam realized that not only was he still alive but he was close, just out on the front porch.
Sam arrived just as Will and another woman were finishing a strange exorcism ritual over a prone Pascal; Dean was sprawled on the porch next to him. A strange gray cloud erupted from Pascal and streamed away, vanishing so quickly Sam was not even sure he had seen it.
Cheryl helped Dean to sit up as he grasped his throat and dragged in deep lungfuls of air. Turning to Sam he groaned, "Vera, she needs you." Sam hesitated, his eyes snapping to Dean struggling to breathe. “The demon, it tried to get her.” Dean met his eyes, "Go," he managed to gasp. Sam turned and ran.
Emma paused in the doorway watching Will kneeling next to Pascal’s body, her eyes anxious and questioning. He touched Pascal's neck and sighed in relief. "No, it's gone." Emma turned and went into the house, a moment later she was screaming for someone to call the rescue squad for Jay. Will rushed into the house to assist her.
Dean recognized some of the strangers moving to help Pascal as the Priory members who had came with Will on his first visit. Cheryl tugged him to his feet, looking pale. "Come on."
"No," Dean grunted as he leaned against the doorframe. “Nora too; said it was going after Nora.”
“One thing at a time, we have to check you and everyone else here over. After things are secured here we’ll check on her. We can’t get spread out all over these mountains.”
Griffin limped out to the porch meowing loudly. Dean felt relief wash over him to see his familiar alive. He swept him up into his arms, not caring who saw and wished Sammy was still small enough he could do the same with him.
~~~
Vera exulted as she saw that slimy bastard begin to flee. Caught up in a form of bloodlust, she began to fling herself after it, hoping to destroy it once and for all. Suddenly she felt herself being snatched up by the scruff of her neck before slamming feet first into a green glade. She staggered a bit and almost fell over on her side before she grabbed a tree to keep herself upright. Looking around frantically, she realized she no longer had the sword she was using earlier.
Was she dead? No, this was not the Western shore. She was alone. Besides, she knew she could keep herself on the other side as a spirit if she tried hard enough. She would not leave them alone, not Jay, not Sam, and especially not Dean. Somehow, she knew he had been left alone too many times. All of her boys had. Without her there, her coven mates would not understand why Sam and Dean needed to be at the farm. Even as a spirit, she was certain she could get them to see why.
When she calmed down enough Vera saw Ravenmocker looking at her in disgust. She took a few angry steps towards him, realizing he had brought her here; neither back to her body or allowing her to go after the demon that had invaded and profaned her home.
“I have to go back! Take me back!” she screamed.
~~~
Ravenmocker snarled; Ashera had to be the only Guardian he had ever watched over to speak to him in that tone. Even Samuel at his worst had a modicum of respect for him.
“Guardian! Stop this at once!” Vera actually took a step back and stopped speaking, he knew his words were like a slap in the face but he had to get her to see what she was doing.
“What?” She looked confused suddenly, retreating into one-word responses. How could such a gifted Guardian be so impossibly dense at times?
“You have other responsibilities, do you remember?” Ravenmocker said severely. Guardians and Hunters could not afford to let their emotions get the better of them. How many had stupidly sacrificed themselves for a few lives when they should have let them pass by so they could go on to save hundreds of others?
“Other responsibilities besides killing that damned thing? It violated my covenstead, my home. I'm tired of my home being stomped through, shit on and used as a fucking bowling alley by demons.” Ravenmocker shook his head at her profanity; she was far too mature and educated to use such language. He could expect it from Sam, Dean or Jay, but she was the eldest, he had far different standards for her.
“You will not succeed in killing it tonight; you will only succeed in killing yourself for nothing. Are you so anxious to have Jay take your place as Guardian?”
That finally brought some sense to his head Guardian. “Jay? What...”
Ravenmocker took her by the arm, his gentleness a contrast to his earlier harsh tone.
She found herself floating above the main hall, swarming with people, Cheryl helping Dean in the front door, Emma and Will hovering over Jay, who was next to the staircase, his body limp. A confused young woman stood over her corpse, obviously in shock at her sudden death.
Vera blinked back tears and reached towards Jay. “Lord and Lady...”
He shook her gently to get her attention. “There is a chance he will live, but he has a long road to recovery, just as you have.”
Ravenmocker pulled her down the hallway past the horribly mutilated remains of woman and into the room where her body was. Another man was dead on the floor. Shade's broken body was lying next to the wall. Shade’s spirit leaped to her and Vera gathered her up into her arms for the last time. Vera buried her face into her familiars’ soft fur while the cat chirped at her, letting her know that she would come back to her as soon as she could.
Slowly and with compassion Ravenmocker took Shade from her, directing her attention to her own body. The strange doctor was frantically working over her, wiping gore from her face while she gurgled. He was yelling instructions at Sam, who was carefully turning her onto her side while Mike scooped blood, brains and vomit out of her mouth.
“Am I dying?” Vera asked in wonder.
“It is time to go back Ashera, you cannot stay any longer. I do not want to give the Dark side more reasons to return.”
“I don't understand - am I going with you?” Vera’s confusion was understandable this time as her mind and soul was slowly slipping back into her body.
“Not tonight Guardian, nor any night soon if I have the power to prevent it. Now those that are truly dead need me.”
~*~
“Help!” Mike’s bellow, his voice backed up with an empathic surge of desperation, made Sam sprint faster down the hall, slipping and almost falling in Ginger’s entrails. He got to the door in time to see Mike kicking Billy Ray’s body out of the way to get to Vera. Sam almost reeled back; how could anyone be that cold hearted?
The healer must have felt his anger because he turned and snarled. “Get over here and help me turn her, she's choking!” Only then did Sam notice Mike frantically clearing gore from Vera’s face and eyes when she started gagging. Sam rushed over to help but then paused, unsure of what to do. Some of his anxiety must have caused him to start ‘leaking’ empathically though his shields, when for a second time Mike’s ill temper was turned on him.
“Sam, suck it up! Turn her towards me on my count; try to keep her back straight unless you want to wipe her ass for the rest of her life.”
Taking a deep breath and closing his eyes, Sam slid one of his hands under Vera’s shoulders and another under her hips. He paused for a moment to ground and center, trying his best to push his worries about everyone else out of his mind for just a few moments. Then he visualized a board between his hands, flexing and bending to the curve of Vera’s back. Listening for Mike’s count, he slowly rolled her onto her side.
“Good Sam, good!” Mike’s shout almost caused him to lose control before he ruefully understood that Mike was used to working with highly trained psychics that were not easily distracted.
“Damn it!” Sam opened his eyes to see Mike trying to rinse vomit and Billy Ray’s blood out of Vera’s mouth. “Come on Vera, spit! That's it Sam, good use of your telekinesis. Don't let her roll back. Keep her steady. Damn it Vera, I’m not letting anyone else die tonight.” After a few coughs, Vera began to vomit again, which seemed to please the healer as he continued encouraging her to spit, using his bare fingers to scoop out some of the foulest vomit and gore Sam had ever seen out of her mouth.
Sam felt his own gorge rising as he almost began to gag when he realized that Vera must have swallowed some of the gore that had sprayed over her in a desperate attempt to breathe, but a dark glare from Mike stopped him. He just tried to hold Vera steady, desperately trying to block out all the intense emotions he could feel rattling and spiking through the house. With a groan, Sam realized that Vera was unshielded as well. Sweating, he wracked his mind for everything Vera, Jay and Nora had taught him. Then he remembered the fairy cross he had inherited from Old Rattler. Jay had made into a crude pendant until he had time to get it set professionally.
Vera and Jay could pull energy from this earth, and these natural stone crosses we considered powerful here. Only half knowing what he was doing, he reached for the power that he hoped was linked to the natural stone cross….
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.*
Gasping, Sam suddenly realized what he hoped for had happened; he was somehow managing to hold Vera steady and shield her. Somewhat shaky and fluxing shielding but at least she was not as open and exposed as before. The strong, female voice that recited the Bible verse still rang through his mind. He would have to ask Nora about it.
Oblivious to the religious experience Sam was having and the minor miracle going on next to him Mike just grunted. “Good, saves me from having to do it until Atin gets here.”
Sam glanced up for a second on some instinct and saw Ravenmocker at the foot of Vera’s bed, smiling and looking proud.
Mike’s voice surprised him. “Yeah, he's there.” He did not even bother to glance up, his main attention on Vera.
Looking beyond Ravenmocker Sam almost lost his grip on Vera when he saw Shade crumpled on the floor near the wall. He gasped, remembering his vision.
“Sam!” He took a deep breath and tried to get hold of himself, relieved to see Vera’s airway was clear and Mike had stopped frantically clawing at her mouth. “Ease her back down.”
He could not help but glare at the healer, who was now callously pushing Billy Ray’s body out of his way with his foot and not even glancing back at Ginger.
“Don’t you have any respect for the dead?” Sam was pleased to see Mike look up but his face quickly transformed into something ugly. A cross between a grin and a snarl unfolded itself across Mike’s face and his eyes glittered strangely.
“Billy Ray has my respect; he was a member of my Order and one of my coworkers. That,” he kicked Billy Ray’s body again “is just the meat sack he was wearing this lifetime. I learned how to step over the dead to get to the living when I was 12 years old. You can have your self-righteous snit later. Right now, I need you. Start looking for any sterile supplies we might have left and help me get her cleaned up. We’ve got to get her moved out of here. Her immune system is too weak right now to fight off infection.”
Sam clamped down on his emotions and soldiered on, as his father taught him, realizing to a certain extent Mike was right. But his coldness, his lack of emotion or sorrow over the deaths of two people he knew chilled Sam to the core.
A few moments later a grim-faced and competent team of Priory medical staff stepped into the room while others began collecting the remains of Ginger and Billy Ray. As Sam carefully picked his way out of the room he spared a moment to wonder if Mike had always been this soulless and if not, what had made him this way?
A few moments later, he realized he had been barefoot the entire time and he was now tracking bloody footprints through out the house. He headed for the shower.
It was even later before he realized Mike could see Ravenmocker.
(*Matthew 7:7-8)
~*~
The Head of the Priory gazed moodily out the window of his SUV into the moonlit fields. The situation on Half Moon Farm was critical. The Comacines had only succeeded in alienating the farm residents, which included two emerging Lines, one Guardian and one Hunter. He had planned a very different introduction to the world of Orders and Lines for Vera. Thankfully, the Comacines could admit when they were out of their depth and agreed to hand over the territory to his Order.
He watched his team leader make his way across the yard toward his vehicle. Nathan St. James was the strongest Empath he knew; strong enough that he could not just manipulate emotions but also actually implant thoughts. The situation required delicate handling and even though Nathan was a youngster at 25, he was very politically perceptive. He would likely challenge him at the next election for Priory leader in 14 years.
After Nathan closed the door quietly, they sat in silence.
“Did they notice anything?” Will’s voice was low.
“No. After living with Vera and helping raise Jay, Emma has a strong empathic resistance but it wasn’t a problem to convince her to let me take over. I sent Dean and Sam off to bed, they're exhausted. Vera is in stable condition and I tagged Jay myself until the Coms Empath, Blake Dalton, arrives in the morning.” Nathan sneered; it was obvious he did not think too highly of Dalton's ability to handle Jay.
Will nodded. It was not how he planned to woo Vera but he was an opportunist. After dealing with the Comacines, his Order would look like saints in comparison. The Priory had a kinder, gentler plan. Will viewed Wake County as a nature preserve. Guard the perimeter, give them their natural habitat to live in and then carefully exploit them for his own purposes. They could send their best and brightest to Vera to train, borrow Sam and Jay occasionally for special projects and let Dean and Emma take care of the day-to-day issues.
“Work on Jay and Sam. Dean already suspects that the Coms are manipulating Sam. See if you can reinforce that to make Dean even more upset with them. Provoke Jay as much as possible to fight with the Comacines - that will cause a lot of tension. Be sure that Vera is shielded from all of this; I do not want her agitated as she heals. Support Emma as much as possible, she’ll keep all of them from totally flying apart. Foster their resentment of the Comacines.”
“The last part won’t be difficult at all. I’ll do as much as I can before most of them leave.”
Will nodded. “Plant the seeds. With a little careful managing, this will work.”
After Nathan slipped out of the car, Will slumped in his seat, still staring out into the fields while his mind carefully turned over each part of his plan.
Slowly, he realized someone was standing out in the field, after a moment of staring he realized who - actually, what it was.
Tall man, dark skin, long hair; Will froze. It had to be Ravenmocker. Some of his Order had occasional sightings of him while venturing into the area to hike or camp. He kicked himself mentally; how could he have forgotten the Kestersons were not just any Guardian Line? They had their own Principality.
Ravenmocker gazed back at him and even though he did not say a word Will got the message clear enough.
You will not use my Lines for your purposes. I will use your Order for mine.
He slowly nodded; glad this was all the Principality was demanding of him. He could curse his Order. Will shuddered and picked up his cell to call Nathan. His mission had just radically changed.
~*~
Nora knew what the angry snarl outside of her house was in the wee hours of the morning. She did have to admit though; she was getting a bit tired of all these late night visits.
Nonetheless, she slipped on her dressing gown and opened her front door. She stared at the dark and curling cloud of blackness just beyond the garden gate; somehow, it managed to swallow up the moon and starlight shone down from the clear night sky.
“No, you can’t come up here. My family’s blood is too strong and too close.”
It snarled again, audible even to the non-Gifted. A slow, grim smile spread across Nora’s old face.
“Run and run fast. You’ll be dead, not just banished but dead by the end of the year. Remember I told you, the last of the Bonesteel Line. Maybe I should be thanking you, for without your darkness the Winchester Line may have never came to be. Your brethren will curse you down the centuries for what you have created in those two boys. Strong Hunters and you managed to chase them right into the open arms of this land. You’ve given me more strong heirs in my Guardianship.”
The darkness swirled and thrashed, angry.
“Go on. I need to be up early to start gathering and putting up the fruits of my garden. You’ll be gathering in your own harvest soon enough.”
Nora shut the door firmly behind her and realized she was also shutting the door on her active Guardianship as well. Now was the time to teach and enjoy what was left of the rest of her life. If what she Saw was true, all of her heirs, from Vera to Kayla, would be home by the end of the year.
With a regretful sigh, Nora realized that she may as well stay up and get some weaving done. Some of those Priory folk would be checking on her in a few hours. She would be glad to let these youngsters take over. She had a bumper crop of cucumbers and tomatoes this year she needed to can.
~*~
It was hours later before Dean finally collapsed into his bed. Will told the Comacines the Priory was taking over the territory and that Nathan St. James was in charge. Somehow, Nathan had calmed down Emma and half the household as well. Priory medics were watching Jay carefully. He had suffered a concussion and was sleeping from his earlier dose of pills and it was difficult to asses his injuries. Vera was alive but very weak after her astral projection. Most of the Comacines were in shock after losing two of their members. Pascal and Zip were sleeping in Vera's upstairs bedroom with LaShonda watching over them. Sam, who managed not to be injured was still helping get things settled around the old farmhouse.
~*~
Sam watched as Emma performed her priestess duties, wondering how after everything that happened Emma could still be so rock steady. Once she knew Jay was out of danger and settled in his bedroom, she began a series of rituals to clear the violent energy out of the house. Although he wasn’t Pagan, he watched her with an almost compulsive fascination. Emma just looked at him for a moment thoughtfully and nodded to him. Without saying anything, she went to bed.
Not ready to sleep yet, Sam wandered into the living room. On the coffee table were all Dean’s guns and cleaning supplies. Somehow the table hadn’t been knocked over in the chaos. Starlight crawled out from under the couch mewing pitifully, her dark tail curled between her legs and her ears pinned down in distress.
Cuddling Star to his chest, Sam realized that he’s been subconsciously looking for his little familiar. Now that he’s found her he was exhausted and stumbled upstairs to his and Dean’s bedroom. Dean was sound asleep with Griffin snuggled to his side. Sam checked that Dean was still breathing easily. It made him uneasy that Dean slept so deeply with all the strangers in the house. He could tell Nathan was a powerful Empath and was calming as many people as he could. Usually Dean could tell when an Empath manipulated him, but whether it was because he was too exhausted or just did not notice, Sam was not sure. As soon as Nathan suggested Dean go to bed, he did.
After everything that happened, Sam was glad to crawl into bed with his brother. He knew that he and Dean sharing a bed was not normal, but so far, no one here had complained about it. When he was a kid, he always felt safe when he and Dean shared a bed.
The demon had came back; first mom, then Jess and now after Vera and Nora. The demon wanted to kill all the women in his life. Sobbing softly, he stroked Star and wondered if even she was safe, glad that Dean was already asleep.
Dean wanted him to go to the Priory, split them up so he could go to the Conclave for them in case the Comacines did not let them go. He agreed, but not for the reasons same reasons. He had to go to keep Vera and Nora safe. Was Nora even alive? Nathan was going to check on Nora first thing in the morning, he said something about assigning his sister to stay with the elderly Guardian. Sam thought he would die himself if anyone else died or was hurt because he was close to them.
All of this was his fault; Vera getting hurt in the first place because she was rescuing him. All the magical protections were gone from the farm because she pulled the energy to fight the demons so the demon managed to get in and possess Pascal. All the deaths tonight, all the injuries were indirectly caused by him.
What had Ravenmocker told him? His death could cause a war that killed hundreds. Even though he had been rescued, three people had still died. Dean, Vera and Jay were all hurt, and Zip and Pascal were traumatized by what had happened. The Comacines and the Priory of Nyx were both mourning their lost members.
For a moment Sam was surprised any of them wanted him around. Ben had talked with him a few moments right before he came upstairs. He told him no one blamed him; it was the demon’s fault, not his.
With a start and a sudden stop to his sobs, he remembered what Jess had told him in a dream a few days ago. You can never blame yourself for the actions of evil. Maybe not blame himself, but this still all happened because of him. Sam decided that until the demon was gone, he could not come back. Star looked at him in confusion, but he stroked her head and she fell back to sleep.
Sam had just begun drifting off when he heard angry voices outside the windows and the sound of a body being slammed up against a car.
Creeping quietly to the window, he was surprised to see who was arguing. Mike and Will were pacing angrily around one another.
“Why did you reveal yourself as a healer now? Why?” Sam knew Mike could be a bitch, but the sheer amount of rage in his voice surprised him. What was even more shocking was that he looked to be almost to the point of tears. “Forty damned years without a break. You think you only owe Vera? Is that it?”
“I don't owe anybody anything.” Will wasn’t speaking as loudly, but the sheer intensity of what he was saying carried faintly.
“Then heal Vera yourself.” Mike abruptly turned away and started walking out towards the fields.
“Damn it Mike, I'm not nearly as powerful as you are. Only you can make her walk again.”
Mike whipped around to mock the smaller man. “So? She doesn't need to walk to teach. That's all you wanted her for anyways.” Will just stood still and stared at Mike, finally saying something Sam could not catch. Whatever it was did not make Mike any happier. “Don't take the moral high road here Woodfin. I'm not figuring to be a part of your schemes. You want something out of her.”
Will’s only response was a sharp laugh. “Says the man who rakes in hundreds of millions each year healing for the highest bidder.”
“And you heal for nothing? No pay, no backroom deals, no favors? Don't make me laugh.”
Both of their voices dropped again for a few moments so that Sam could not make out what they were saying until Will raised his voice again.
“…after the way you were dressing down Zip...”
Mike’s response was an angry roar that startled the horses. “Don't interfere in how I run my family and I won't interfere in yours!”
“Then heal Vera damn it!”
“You should have thought of that when you withheld critical information. I had to take that bastard Light Feather's report you moron. You knew there was demon activity in this area. Were you hoping we all got killed?”
“I lost one of my people too, you self-centered ass. Look, just heal her Mike. You're going to have Jay as you own personal pet for the next year and a half. Do you really think he'll work with you if you let Vera be crippled?”
“You pin all the blame for this on me Woodfin and you can just go pick out a wheelchair now.”
Both Mike and Will’s voices went soft, so quiet that Sam could barely hear what they were saying. Will’s tone seemed defensive, Mike’s was strangely wheedling. Sam carefully continued to peer out at them, the moonlight so strong the two were casting shadows.
They apparently had come to some sort of agreement and Will wheeled away to head back into the house, but Mike was not through.
“Wait Woodfin, we don’t have a deal quite yet.”
“What the hell else could you possible want?”
“How did you hide the fact you are a healer all these years? How are you hiding your aura?” Mike’s question was greeted by silence. “Vera, it was Vera who taught you.” Mike’s voice held a strange mix of aggravation, possessiveness, anger and affection.
Will took a few angry steps towards him. “Do you know what you’re asking me for? Aside from the Kestersons my Order is the only ones who know how to do it. Besides, isn’t it a little late for you?”
“That's my price for Vera walking Woodfin. Take it or leave it.”
Their voices dropped back to an angry grumble. Sam was confused; Jay was already teaching Pascal and Zip. Didn’t Mike know that?
The Comacine healer’s voice rose again where Sam could hear. “I have family to protect too you idiot, or have you forgotten what Fawn is, or any of our other kids?”
“I think your heart just got three sizes too big Mikey. You don’t want it for yourself; you want it for the children.”
“Damned right I do! No one should go through what I did as a kid. This knowledge can keep them safe. They can hide in plain sight.”
“Fine Mike, you win. I’ll have someone in my Order teach you.”
Mike turned, triumphant and began to stride back to the house. Will stood alone, looking up into the sky with a sly smile on his face.
Sam crept back into bed, wondering at all the layers of politics swirling around them. He may have only known Vera for a few weeks, but even he knew that she would have taught the Comacines her tricks for free if it protected people. Will had to know that too. He was just letting Mike feel like he had won something.
Chapter 29