Tag to 10.14, The Executioner's Song. This is part one of my two part tag for this episode. Things escalate rather quickly. :)

How long have I known you, brother

Hundreds of lives, thousands of years

How many miles have we wandered

Under the sky, chasing our fear

Some kind of trouble is coming

Don't know when, don't know what

I will stand by you, brother

'Til the daylight comes or I'm dead and gone

I've shared my life with you, brother

Since I recall, you've been my friend

You say we're not like the others

Still we must die, all things must end

I know we can't stop what's coming

But I will try, oh how I'll try

Will you fight with me, brother

One last time, one last fight

"Cas, Dean's in trouble."

"How do you know?" Castiel moved to take the seat Dean had just vacated and stared at Sam with his piercing gaze.

Sam swallowed hard, trying to gain control of himself when inside he felt as if he were falling apart. His hands were shaking as he wrapped them around the coffee cup in front of him.

"Sam?"

"I know him, Cas. He's too quiet…..and his eyes…..did you see his eyes? It's like he's dead inside. I mean, he puts on a decent show when he thinks we're watching but the thing is, he doesn't always know when I'm watching. " Sam closed his own eyes, remembering how his brother had looked just moments before, staring into space as Sam entered the room. Dean was staring down his own darkness and he was losing.

"What are we going to do?"

"We have to find a way to remove the Mark."

"I don't know if there is a way, Sam."

"Metatron knows a way."

Cas shook his head. "He's not going to help us….not after what happened last time."

"He will if there's something in it for him." Sam gave Cas a knowing look.

"We can't let him go, Sam. He threatened to kill us all."

"We don't have to let him go. We just have to make him believe it."

"What happened to believing in your brother?"

Sam's eyes filled with the tears he'd been trying to hold back. "I believe in him, Cas, I do, but he doesn't believe in himself, no matter how much he may pretend otherwise. And now that he's had to wield the Blade again…..it's just too much. Why should he have to keep fighting it if there's a way to end this? We can fix this, Cas."

"We can't bring Metatron here….not after what Dean did to him."

"No, we can't. Not just because of that but because Dean doesn't need to know what we're doing."

"Why?" Castiel frowned. "Don't you think he wants rid of the Mark?"

"Yes, I do and I believe he's going to fight it until his very last breath, just as he said he would but if he knew we were doing something that he thought was stupid, he'd take off to save us…..because that's what he does." Sam's voice was thick with tears. "He's spent his whole life saving others…especially me. It's time somebody saved him and I'm gonna do it with or without your help, Cas. I don't care what it takes. So, are you with me?"

Castiel was silent for a long moment and then he said, "What do you need me to do?"

Sam fiddled with the dial on the radio, hoping to find something that would calm his nerves, realizing nothing would do that…..at least nothing that came in the form of a song. He tapped his fingers impatiently against the steering wheel of the Impala. What was taking Cas so long?

Sam had checked in on Dean before leaving the bunker and it appeared Dean hadn't lied about the sleeping part. He was down for the count and Sam knew he might very well make good on his promise to sleep four days. The fight with Cain had drained him…..physically and mentally. Sam had left his brother a note about going on a supply run before taking the Impala. He could have ridden with Cas but he didn't want Dean to know they had left the bunker together.

Sam glanced around at the almost deserted playground. The only people in sight were the two angels guarding the door, the same two as last time…..the one with the crazy hair and the little girl. He wondered if this playground was normally deserted or if the angels had done something to drive others away. As he pondered this, Castiel and Metatron appeared in the sandbox where the doorway to Heaven was drawn.

Sam had hated his fair share of angels since first being introduced to the feathered beings but he doubted he hated any of them as much as he did Metatron. Having to ask for his help now was almost more than he could stomach but if it meant saving Dean, he'd do what he had to. He only hoped before it was over he could plunge an angel blade into Metatron's non-existent heart…..just as the angel had done to his brother. Eye for an eye, so to speak, or karma, whichever you believed in, it didn't matter as long as Metatron got what he deserved.

Sam climbed out of the car and crossed the short distance to where Castiel stood with the handcuffed scribe of God. "What took you so long?"

"The last time I borrowed him didn't turn out too well. The angels were hesitant for me to take him again." Cas gave him an apologetic half smile.

"I thought you were in charge?"

"Oh, don't let Cas fool you. He's most definitely in charge. Those angels follow him around like little lost puppies." Metatron sneered. "It's disgusting."

Sam and Cas both immediately said, "Shut up, Metatron."

Metatron giggled gleefully but kept his mouth shut.

"Where do we want to do this?" asked Cas.

Sam looked around the playground. "Here's just as good a place as any."

Metatron couldn't hold his tongue any longer. "What exactly are we doing, boys, because if it has anything to do with killing me, I'd prefer somewhere nicer."

"As much as I would love that," Sam said, as he towered over the dumpy angel, enjoying the look of panic in his eyes. "We just want to talk."

Metatron motioned toward a bench. "Can we sit?"

"I'll stand, thanks," said Sam. "But knock yourself out."

Metatron settled onto the bench and Castiel perched beside him, one hand on his arm. Metatron winked at him. "Cas, I didn't know you cared."

Castiel glared at the scribe but his hand never moved. Even though Metatron was cuffed, Cas wasn't taking any chances. Sam would've laughed at Castiel's expression if this wasn't such a serious matter.

"So, what's up, guys? What can I help you with today?" Metatron smiled and held up one finger. "Wait, don't tell me. I bet it has something to do with that pesky Mark. Am I right?"

"How do we get rid of it?" asked Sam. "You said you knew how."

"Yes, and I also told your brother it would cost you. As much as I would love to help you, I have to look out for myself. Wouldn't you agree?"

Sam was quickly losing what little patience he had. "We're willing to make a deal."

Metatron sat up straight and rubbed his hands together. "Well, now, this is getting interesting. Wait…..does Dean know you're here?"

"What the hell does that have to do with anything?"

Metatron shrugged. "Nothing, really, but if you're screwing him over that makes it even sweeter for me."

Sam glanced at Cas and figured what the hell…..if Metatron thought they were working against Dean, it could only help them. "He doesn't know."

"Well, okay, then. Let's get this ball rolling. I'll tell you what you want to know in exchange for my freedom. Is that the deal?"

"Yes, but you only get your freedom once the Mark is gone."

"Okay, fair enough."

Sam eyed the angel suspiciously. Was he really going to cooperate with them? He seemed almost too willing so Sam figured they might as well go for broke. "Also, you need to give Cas his grace back."

"Sam, that's not necessary."

"Yes, Cas, it is." Sam hoped his bluff worked because he would still make the deal for Dean, whether Cas got his grace back or not.

"Okay, fine."

"Really?" Cas looked hopeful and Sam felt a pang of sympathy for the angel. Castiel had been through a lot since losing his grace. Sometimes Sam forgot that.

"I don't have any use for it sitting in that cell and if giving you your grace back can get me out of there, so be it." Metatron smiled. "But there's a condition."

"What?"

"I'll return Castiel's grace only after I'm free."

Sam wanted to say no because they really had no plans to free Metatron, but he didn't want to lose whatever chance they had of getting rid of the Mark. Castiel saved him from making the decision. "I'm fine with that, Sam."

Sam knew Cas had just lost any chance at regaining his grace and the guilt was overwhelming but he had to push that aside for now. The only reason he was making this deal was for Dean. Everything else came second…even Castiel.

"Alright then, down to business," said Metatron. "You already have the Blade, right?"

"It's somewhere safe," replied Cas.

"The Blade has to be destroyed and then there's a spell that will remove the Mark."

"And you know the spell?" asked Cas.

"Of course I know the spell!" Metatron seemed insulted to even be asked such a question.

"Wait…..so, that's it?" asked Sam. "Destroy the Blade and perform a spell? That sounds too easy. And how the hell are we supposed to destroy the Blade?"

"Oh, I'm sorry," said Metatron, looking anything but sorry. "I left out one tiny part. You can't do any of those things."

"Then what the hell have we been talking about, you son of a bitch?" Sam jerked the angel up from the bench as Castiel tried to wedge himself between them. "Stop fucking around, Metatron! Tell me what I need to know!"

Sam backed away from Metatron at Castiel's prodding, his chest heaving from the pent up rage he felt at being taunted by his brother's killer. Castiel moved in close to the scribe. "Tell us what we need to know before I kick your ass myself."

"Don't get your panties in a wad, Cas. I didn't say it couldn't be done. I just said it couldn't be done by either of you." Metatron smirked.

"Then who?"

"Behold, the river shall end at the source."

"That's what you told Dean," said Sam. "What the hell does it mean?"

"Dear boy, who do you think is the source of the Mark?"

Sam felt as if the ground had just been pulled from beneath his feet. "No, no."

"Yes, Sam. The Mark can only be removed by Lucifer."

"Sam, are you okay?" Castiel placed a hand on his shoulder, his face filled with concern.

"Yeah, I'm fine, Cas," said Sam, which was a complete and utter lie. He was finding it hard to breathe. It's not like he hadn't considered the possibility. When Dean had told him what Metatron said, he'd mulled it over in his head for days and although he'd wanted desperately to believe the source was Cain, there'd been a small shred of doubt…that little voice in the back of his mind that kept saying: You know who the source really is.

"You don't look okay, Sam." Metatron was infuriatingly pleased with himself and if possible, Sam hated him even more.

"I said I'm fine." Sam took a deep breath. This didn't change anything. It made things more complicated, sure, but it didn't change the plan. He would do whatever he had to in order to save his brother. "Wait…..you told Dean there were multiple steps to remove the Mark."

Metatron shrugged. "I lied. I just like watching him squirm."

"How do we know you're not lying now?" asked Castiel.

"You don't," replied Metatron. "But how do I know you're not lying to me? It's just a vicious cycle, isn't it? Someone has to take a chance. Look, I'm not stupid. If I don't deliver, I know one of you is going to kill me….most likely, Sam. He just has that look about him."

"Cas, can you read him…..the way you did Cupid?" That seemed like a million years ago. Who knew the apocalypse would seem like nothing compared to what they were facing now.

Cas shook his head. "I'm sorry, Sam. Maybe if I had my grace but even then, it's doubtful. He's stronger than most angels."

Sam glared at Metatron who bowed at him mockingly. "I'm stronger than I look, huh, Sam?"

"If you're lying, Metatron, so help me God…"

"Yeah, yeah. I'm dead. I know. Can we just skip the threats and talk about your real problem?"

Sam sighed. "We don't have all of the horsemen's rings. We need Death's ring to open Lucifer's cage."

"Oh, he'd never give up that ring. He doesn't want Lucifer roaming around anymore than you do." Metatron reclaimed his seat on the bench. "But never fear, I know another way to open it."

"How?" asked Cas.

"We'll use the same thing Michael locked the cage with when he shoved his brother in there the first time…..Lucifer's Emerald."

"That's real?" asked Sam. "I thought it was just a legend."

"Nope." Metatron smiled. "And besides, Sam, don't you know all legends have some sort of truth to them?"

"So, there really is an emerald." Sam was intrigued. "But it isn't what the Holy Grail is made from?"

"The only thing holy about that cup was the fact Jesus himself drank from it. It was just a wooden bowl, nothing special, plain as the man himself but the emerald? Now, that was spectacular and Lucifer's pride and joy. He fashioned himself a crown and wore that jewel as if he were royalty…..which didn't sit well with Michael at all. When Lucifer was thrown out of heaven, Michael had God fashion a key for the cage from the emerald. I guess it was some sort of ironic justice in Michael's eyes."

"And you know where this key is?" Sam wondered how many other secrets Metatron harbored. Maybe killing him wasn't such a good idea. But then he remembered how he had plunged his angel blade into Dean's chest and killing him didn't seem like enough.

"Of course I do. When I left heaven I took it with me, along with the tablets."

"Okay, then. Sounds like we have a plan." Sam sounded much calmer than he felt. The thought of dealing with Lucifer again terrified him but if he didn't, Dean would be lost. Right now, Dean was all that mattered.

"Sam, if we open the cage, Lucifer isn't the only one who's going to come out of there." Castiel's face was lined with worry.

"You boys really have no faith in me at all." Metatron clucked his tongue in mock disappointment. "I'm not letting both of those blowhards out of the cage. Avoiding the apocalypse was the reason I left Heaven in the first place. I'm guessing being cooped up together all this time…Michael is really going to have an ax to grind with his baby brother. Do either of you want to see that happen? I certainly don't."

Sam gave Cas a questioning look but Cas seemed as unsure as he did. Were they doing the right thing by trusting Metatron? He was already a proven liar but they were running out of options. Dean was in trouble and something had to be done before it was too late.

"Sam, there's one more thing you need to consider." Cas moved close to him but kept one hand on Metatron.

"What's that?"

"If you do this, in order to contain Lucifer you'll have to….."

"Drink demon blood." Sam finished the sentence for him. "Yeah, Cas, I know."

"Are you willing to go down that road again?"

Sam took a deep breath to calm the storm raging inside of him. "It's for my brother, Cas. I'll do whatever it takes."

Dean jerked awake with a loud cry, his breath coming in gasps. He lay still for a moment, trying to calm himself and hoping like hell Sam hadn't heard him. When his brother didn't come running immediately, he knew Sam must have left the bunker. Dean rolled out of bed and went in search of a note, finding it on the kitchen table.

Dean opened the fridge and peered inside. Sam must have been really restless to make a supply run. It didn't look as though they needed anything. Dean put on a pot of coffee and poured himself a bowl of cereal, but found that he really wanted neither. He chewed mechanically but his body hungered for something else. He glanced down at the Mark on his arm.

"There is no resisting the Mark or the Blade. There is only remission and relapse."

Dean hadn't wanted to believe it, not even as Cain was beating his point home but ever since using the Blade on Cain, something had happened. The darkness inside him felt as though it was spreading, like a cancer, eating away his soul.

"What you did back there, it was incredible. If you can do that, without losing yourself, that's cause for hope."

Sam, the eternal optimist….he never knew when to give up. His stubborn determination had gotten them through many hard times before and Dean loved him for it but this was one thing he didn't think Sam's stubbornness could help him through. This was all on him. He had to beat this and though he'd told Sam he would fight it until he couldn't fight it any more, that day was swiftly approaching. He could feel it and as much as he hated it, something in him longed for it. Dean wanted to believe it was only the Mark talking but he knew the darkness within him, he knew how it sometimes begged to be unleashed and now its day had arrived.

"With the Mark comes a great burden. Some would call it a great cost."

After becoming a demon, Dean thought this was what Cain had meant but now he knew otherwise. There was a greater cost. One he'd been told time and time again was his destiny, a cost he wasn't willing to pay.

"My story began when I killed my brother and that's where your story inevitably will end."

"Never."

He'd made Cas promise to take him out if he went dark side but after seeing how little the angel could do against Cain, he wondered if it was even possible. He didn't think he had the same powers as Cain but if the Mark completely took over, he had no idea what he'd be capable of. He only knew it would be nothing good.

How many times now had someone told him he'd have to kill his brother? Even his own father had told him that day might come. Why did it always come back to that one thing? He didn't believe in destiny. They'd screwed destiny right in the face with the whole apocalypse thing but when it came to hurting his brother? He couldn't take any chances. He knew what he had to do. He had to get as far away from Sam as possible.

When Sam returned to the bunker he found a bowl of half eaten cereal on the kitchen table and a full pot of lukewarm coffee. He tossed the bag of food he'd bought at the Gas-N-Sip into the fridge and hurried through the bunker calling his brother's name. Dean never left a pot of coffee untouched. He loved his coffee almost as much as pie.

Dean's bedroom door was open but the room was empty. Sam almost rushed on by but his eye caught a glimpse of something on the bed…..something that gave him a horrible sense of déjà vu. He forced his feet to move across the room, his stomach in knots as he picked up the piece of folded notebook paper lying there. His hands trembled as he opened the note.

Sammy,

I'm sorry it had to come to this but after what happened with Cain, I just don't trust myself anymore. I can't take a chance on hurting you or worse. I didn't tell you everything that happened in the barn because I didn't want you to worry any more than you already have been but I feel it's only fair that you know, you need a reason for me leaving like this. You need a reason to stay away from me. Please stay away from me, Sammy.

Cain said it was my destiny to murder you, the same as he did his own brother. You know I've never believed in destiny but after seeing what Cain had become, I could see myself in Cain. I could become that man. We've had no luck in finding a way to stop this. I can't stay here with you, Sammy. I feel this darkness inside me and I'm scared of what it will do. I know you believe in me but I just don't believe in myself. I've tried, Sammy. God, I tried but we both know I'm no saint.

You're a good man, Sammy, and I'm so proud of you. Keep fighting the good fight. You can still make a difference in this world. And for God's sake, please don't try to find me. I'm begging you.

Dean

Sam crumbled the note in his hand as his knees went weak, causing him to drop hard onto the edge of his brother's bed. He pulled his phone from his pocket and dialed Castiel's number. The angel answered on the second ring.

"Sam?"

"Cas…..it's….it's D-dean."

"Sam, are you okay?"

"He's gone, Cas. I came home and he's just…..he's gone." Sam gripped the phone tightly in his hand, feeling as though he were hanging on by one tiny thread and if someone pulled it, he would fall apart at the seams. "How quickly can you get here?"

"I'm not far. Shouldn't take me long to get there. Sam?"

"Yeah?"

"We'll find him."

"Yeah, okay. Just hurry, Cas."

Sam hit the end call button and tried his brother's number, which went immediately to voice mail. "Dean, please call me. Don't do this, man. I-I c-can't…Dean, please."

Sam choked back a sob as he ended the call. He stared at the phone in his hand, willing his brother to call him back, to let him know he was okay but there was nothing. Fifteen minutes later when Castiel showed up, Sam was still sitting on the edge of the bed, staring at the silent phone in his hand.

Dean had hitched a ride going east but only made it as far as Lawrence, which was one place he really didn't want to be. He hadn't been able to find another ride so he searched out an abandoned house and settled in for the night. He'd have to find someone heading farther east in the morning. He would've stolen a car but he knew Sam would be all over that in a heartbeat. Even though he'd begged his brother to stay away, he knew Sam would never listen and he had over fifty missed calls to prove it.

He did some basic warding to the house in hopes of keeping Sam or Castiel from finding him. Castiel's angelic powers weren't what they used to be when he had his own grace but Dean couldn't take any chances. He had to stay hidden. He couldn't risk hurting those he cared about…..especially Sam.

As Dean dozed off to sleep, images began to flow through his mind…all of them drenched in blood.

Sam jerked awake as Castiel grabbed the steering wheel and maneuvered them back to the right side of the road.

"Sorry, Cas." Sam rubbed his face with one hand while reclaiming the wheel with the other.

"You need to rest."

"No, I'm good," said Sam, yawning. "Hand me the thermos."

"You drank all the coffee, Sam."

"Then we'll stop and get more."

"Sam, if we're going to go through with this plan of yours, you need all the rest you can get. You need to be at the top of your game because even though you gained control of Lucifer last time, it doesn't mean you can this time and even if you do, it's going to be longer than just a few minutes. You need to be strong, Sam."

"Thanks for the pep talk, Cas." Sam sighed. "You're right. I just want to find Dean."

"I've been thinking about that…and your plan."

"And?"

"Maybe we don't find Dean. Maybe we go ahead and open the cage and then you find Dean." Castiel sounded as if he hated even making the suggestion.

"What do you mean?"

"Lucifer's powers are going to be intact. He's not going to be limited in what he can do the way I am. He can find Dean a lot quicker than we can."

"What about the Enochian sigils on our ribs? I thought he couldn't find either of us." Sam unconsciously touched his ribs.

"Sam, those are long gone."

"What? How?" Sam spotted a sign for a motel up ahead and steered toward the exit.

"As many times as you and Dean have been healed, eventually those disappeared."

"Huh." Sam had never considered that but it made sense and could definitely work to their advantage now that Dean was gone. "Okay, I guess that means I should get a good night's rest so I can be ready for tomorrow."

"What's the plan for tomorrow?" asked Castiel.

"Tomorrow we open Lucifer's cage."

"Sam, are you sure you want to do this now?"

Sam emerged from the bathroom, hair still dripping from the shower. Four gallons of demon blood was sitting on the motel room table. Cas had been busy while Sam slept.

"I hope nobody saw you come in here with that," said Sam, as he rubbed a towel across his wet hair. "Otherwise, we're gonna have a whole new set of problems."

"I was discreet." Castiel motioned to the blood soaked grocery bags in the trashcan.

Sam almost laughed. "Yeah, that's pretty discreet, Cas."

"You didn't answer my question, Sam." Castiel seemed anxious. "Are you sure you want to do this now?"

"You're the one who said Lucifer could find Dean. That needs to be done as soon as possible, so, yes, Cas, I want to do this now." He reached for one of the jugs and twisted off the lid. The smell was overpowering and Sam closed his eyes, fighting back tears. No, he really didn't want to ever do this again. It filled him with shame and self-loathing but if it meant saving his brother, he would do it. Nothing was more important than Dean.

"Cas, can you not be here while I do this?"

"I don't think you should be alone, Sam."

Sam smiled, touched by Castiel's support. "I'm fine, Cas. Go get Metatron and the Blade and meet me back here. I'll be ready."

As Castiel shut the motel room door behind him, Sam raised the jug to his lips and swallowed the first long drink. Almost immediately he felt the effect of the blood, the power it always gave him, how it made him feel invincible and the way it made him hate himself for succumbing to the addiction. He continued to drink as tears streamed down his face.

When Castiel returned with Metatron in tow, Sam was finished with the blood and feeling as if he could take on the world. He hated it and relished it with every fiber of his being. He wondered how easy it would be to take Metatron down and he could see the fear in the scribe's eyes when he looked at Sam.

"My, my Sam. I can see why you're Lucifer's vessel. As much as I hate to admit it, you are an intimidating piece of work." Metatron cowered behind Castiel and Sam smirked. As if Cas could do anything to protect him.

"Let's just get this over with." The sooner we get this done, the sooner I can kill you.

They loaded into the Impala and drove down the road to an abandoned barn. Sam parked the car around back, hoping like hell Dean would never know Metatron had ridden in his beloved baby.

"Where's the key?" asked Sam.

Metatron produced the key from his pocket and held it out for him to see. Sam was surprised to find it was shaped like an actual key. It was bigger than a car key but small enough to fit in Metatron's hand and was the brilliant green of the emerald it had been formed from. The geek in Sam would have wanted to hold it if the demon blood wasn't racing through him. All he wanted right now was to rip Metatron's head off but he couldn't….not yet.

"Here, Sam." Castiel handed him a folded sheet of paper.

"What's this?" Sam opened it and stared at the Enochian writing. "This the spell? Are you sure it's legit, Cas?"

"Yes, it mentions the Mark of Cain. I studied it carefully, Sam. It should work. Just don't lose it."

Sam swallowed hard and nodded, stuffing the paper into his front pocket.

"Alright, when I do this Lucifer is going to latch on to you immediately, Sam. Whether you say yes now or later, he will follow you because you're his vessel." Metatron placed the key on the ground and stepped back, motioning for them to do the same.

Cas gave Sam a questioning glance. "Are you ready?"

"As ready as I'll ever be." He hoped that was true.

Metatron began to recite the words to open the cage and in spite of the demon blood, Sam was afraid. What if he wasn't strong enough? What if he said yes and never regained control? Lucifer would be free to roam the earth and Dean would be lost. He had to remember his brother. Dean was what saved him last time. He would do it again.

Sam focused on memories of Dean as the ground began to swirl. Metatron was watching him closely and Sam felt the hairs on the back of his neck rise. Something was off and as soon as the cage opened, Sam knew what it was. Metatron had lied. Lucifer wasn't the only thing released from the cage. Michael was out too.

"You son of a bitch!" Sam reached for the scribe but an invisible force pushed him violently to the ground.

"I wouldn't try that again, Sam, if I were you." Metatron grinned at him.

Castiel held out a hand and pulled Sam from the ground, the wind whirling around them.

"He let them both out, Sam. Michael wants to rip you apart and Lucifer is protecting you." Sam didn't know if he'd ever seen Castiel frightened before.

"Can he do that without a vessel?" asked Sam.

"He could do it easier with a vessel but yes, he can. You have to say yes. Once Lucifer is part of you, Michael will be forced to find a vessel."

"Dean." Oh, God, what have I done. "He's gonna go after Dean."

"I'm sorry, Sam."

"This isn't your fault, Cas. It's mine." Sam glared at Metatron. "And that son of a bitch."

Sam started toward Metatron but once again was knocked to the ground.

"Michael's not going to let you hurt me, Sam. I freed him. He owes me and Michael is an angel of honor. He'll pay his debt to me." Metatron held his cuffed hands out toward Castiel. "Now if you'd just remove these, please."

"YOU SON OF A BITCH!" The demon blood flowing through Sam caused all reasonable thoughts to vanish from his mind. All he wanted to do was strangle the sorry excuse for an angel standing in front of him. This time when he charged, he managed to get his hand around Metatron's neck before being thrown against the wall of the barn. He never lost his grip and Metatron flew through the air with him. Sam grabbed him by the collar. "I'm going to kill you."

Metatron laughed in his face. "No, you're not because I still have something you need."

"THE ONLY THING I NEED IS MY BROTHER!"

"Maybe so, but your pet angel would like his grace back."

Sam reluctantly loosened his grip on Metatron. "Where is it?"

Metatron got to his feet and held out his cuffed hands again. "Uncuff me."

"We can't let him go, Cas." Sam pushed himself up from the ground, vaguely aware that his head was bleeding.

"Oh, make no mistake about it, Sam," said Metatron. "I'm going, cuffs or no cuffs. Michael will see to that. But if Cas takes off the cuffs, I'll tell him where his grace is."

The air around them continued to swirl, a few wisps caressed Sam's face, like an old friend delighted to see him, only to be torn away by another force, full of malevolence, wanting to kill. Sam shuddered at the thought of Lucifer being the old friend. And then the whispering began, the persistent voice begging to be let in.

"You're nothing but a filthy liar, Metatron." Castiel's voice was filled with disgust. "You don't have my grace."

Metatron grinned. "Well, at least you're right about that. It's a funny thing actually. You could have had your grace back a long time ago if you'd just looked close to home."

Sam could no longer hear anything but the voice of Lucifer, pleading his case, asking for sanctuary. Sam trembled; terrified Lucifer would be stronger than him because even though he'd planned all along to say yes, the voice in his head was so demanding he wasn't sure there could have been any other choice. Centering all thoughts on his brother, Sam bowed his head and whispered, "Yes."

Thanks for reading! Comments are always welcome!

To be concluded next week...

Lyrics are Brother by Lord Huron.