we can be more | dean winchester | 9
Summary: Ivonne Rainer was practically a trained killing machine. Stripped to the bone then built back up by her father in order to become one of the best, like he was. She was forced into hunting when she was nineteen, having developed powers that couldn’t be explained. That is, until she was paid a visit by Azazel’s lackey. Her powers were gone, she needed help, and that’s when she found her father’s journal. Pointing to Sam and Dean Winchester.
SERIES MASTERLIST
CROSSROAD BLUES
ᴺᴼᵂ ᴾᴸᴬᵞᴵᴺᴳ : CROSSROAD BLUES - ROBERT JOHNSON
“Hey, jellybean.” Dad smiled into the camera, sharpening his knife. “This hunt is pretty dangerous, I’ll have to admit. These vamps are beating the hell out of me.”
“Hey, Mick!” A hunter yelled. “Are you talkin’ to your daughter again?”
“Oh, come on, Ed, you’d do the same if you had one.” Dad retorted. “It’s a shame that no girl’s ever looked your way, huh?” He turned back toward the camera. “Y’know, I’d give anything to be home with you. I’ve been such a bad father these past few years. I missed your graduation. Your orientation day in Princeton too. You didn’t even go to prom because you wanted to see me come back from a hunt but I didn’t until a few weeks later. I think…” His voice broke off.
There were happy shouts in the background, but Dad didn’t seem so happy.
“I think that the last time I’ll ever see you is this picture I keep in my pocket.” He pulled it out, taking a look. “I keep you with me every day. I love you so much, jellybean, but I don’t think I’m comin’ back. I know I promised, I know, but I don’t think I am. I trained you to keep yourself safe. Keep your mother safe. And Lils, and Carter too, because if I don’t come back then I don’t know what sorta things will come after your blood and I know they will, so please, be safe. You’re a Rainer, Ivonne, don’t ever forget that. I love you more than life itself, sweetheart. Don’t come looking for me. I’m sorry.”
I gasped once I saw the video message, immediately searching for my phone. I dialled my mom frantically, holding the phone to my ear.
“Please, please…” I muttered, pacing and trying to keep tears from falling.
‘Honey?’ My mum answered. ‘What’s wrong?’
“Mom, Dad’s in trouble. He sent me a message saying that this could be the last he sees me, but I…“
‘Did he tell you where he was?’
“No, he just told me not to look-“
‘Then don’t. He’s said it for a reason. The term’s almost over, wait for another message and if not, come straight home, ok?’ She cut the call, and I collapsed on my bed, hyperventilating.
What if I never see him again?
I can’t do any of this without him.
“So much for our low profile. You've got a warrant in St. Louis, and now you're officially in the Fed's database.” Sam sighed, checking the police database and showing us the mugshots of Dean.
“Dude. It’s like I’m Dillinger or somethin’.” Dean grinned excitedly.
“Mhmm.” I nodded. “You’re a wanted criminal in the FBI’s database, which is a huge drawback cause we travel everywhere, and you’re rejoicing. But hey, at least they got your good angles.”
“Well, what do they got on you two?”
“Nothing on me, cause James managed to clear me of all charges.”
“You’re lucky your police boy could help out.”
“Well, I caused no evident law breaking, so they can’t press.”
“What about Sammy?”
“I’m sure they haven’t posted it yet.” Sam muttered.
“What? No accessory, no nothing?”
“Shut up.”
“You’re jealous.” Dean laughed.
“No, I’m not!” Sam protested, giving Dean a look.
“As if someone would be jealous of being wanted for murder, breaking and entering, escape and grave desecration.” I scoffed.
“What do you got on the case there, you innocent, harmless young woman, you?” Dean grinned, so I looked at the case file.
“Architect Sean Boyden plummeted to his death from the roof of his home, a condominium he designed.”
“Hmm. Build a high-rise and jump off the top of it. That's classy. When did he call animal control?”
“Two days before.”
”And did he actually say ‘black dog’?”
“Yeah. A vicious, wild, black dog.” Sam nodded. “The authorities couldn't find it, no one else saw it; in fact, the authorities are a little confused as to how a wild dog could get past the doorman, take the elevator up and start roaming the halls of the cushiest joint in town. After that, no more calls, he doesn't show up for work, two days later he takes a swan dive.”
“Do you think we’re dealing with an actual black dog?”
“Maybe.”
“What’s the lore on it?”
“It's all pretty vague. I mean, there are spectral black dogs all over the world, but... some say they're animal spirits, others say death omens. But anyways, whatever they are, they're big, nasty.”
“Well, it could be a death omen.” I suggested. “Spectral black dogs never attack without reason. We could be dealing with a Grim sort of thing. Like, you know, Harry Potter.”
“You have… the Grim.” Dean mimicked, making us all laugh.
“So, you and Sean Boyden were business partners for almost ten years, right?” Sam asked. We were interviewing his business partner.
“That's right. Now one more time, this is for...?”
“A tribute to Mr. Boyden. Architectural Digest.” The man laughed, drawing a weird look from us. “This funny to you?”
“No, it... it's just, a tribute. Yeah. See, Sean always got the tributes. He kills himself, leaves me and his family behind... well, he gets another tribute.”
“Right.” Sam nodded. “Any reason why he would do such a thing?”
“I, I have no clue, I mean he lived a charmed life.”
“How so?”
“He was a flat-out genius. I mean, I'm capable, but next to him, I... and it wasn't always that way, either.”
“No?” I raised an eyebrow, folding my arms.
“You wanna know the truth? There was a time where he couldn't even design a pup tent. Hell, ten years ago he's working as a bartender at this place called Lloyds. A complete dive.”
”What changed?”
”You got me. But overnight, he gets this huge commission, and he starts designing... he starts designing the most ingenious buildings anyone has ever seen. It was like, the level of Van Gogh, and Mozart...” He trailed off.
“What?”
“It's funny. True geniuses, they seem to die young, don't they? To have that kind of talent? Why... why just throw it away?”
“So…” Sam drummed on the glove box. “Dean.”
”What about Dean?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.
”You two care for each other a lot.”
“That’s natural.”
“A lot.”
“What are you implying?”
”That you and my brother could be a… a thing… someday.”
“Keep dreaming.” I laughed. “Dean and I have a good thing goin’. Plus, he flirts with every girl his age he sets his eyes on.”
“If you say so.” Sam grinned, nudging me. “In the meantime, you can flirt with James Rhodes. Keep your options open-“
“Shut up.” We started giggling, but then Dean came back.
”So?”
“Secretary's name is Carly. She's twenty three, she, uh, kayaks, and they're real.” Dean grinned.
“Spare the details of your latest hookup, Dean.” I sighed. “What did you get on the black dogs?”
“Every complaint called in this week about anything big, black, or dog-like. There's nineteen calls in all. And, uh,” He pulled off a post-it note from his clipboard, “I don't know what this thing is.” I took it and raised an eyebrow, handing it to Sam.
“I have no idea what this is.”
“You mean Carly’s MySpace address?” Sam chuckled.
“Yeah, MySpace, what the hell is that?” Dean frowned. “Is that some dating site or somethin’?”
We had been round most houses, but they were just cases of barking Pomeranians. Naturally, Deans as starting to get mad.
“I swear, if this is another freakin' Pomeranian barking in the neighbour’s yard...” He knocked on the next door, and a lady opened it, looking nervous.
”Afternoon, ma’am.” I flashed my badge. “Animal control.”
“Oh, someone already came yesterday.” She blinked, and we shared a look.
“Oh, we're just following up.” Sam excused. “We're looking for Dr. Sylvia Pearlman?”
“The Doctor, well, she, I don't know exactly when she'll be back, she left two days ago.”
“Ok. And you are..?”
“Ms Pearlman’s maid.” She stammered.
“So where did the Doctor go?”
“I'm not sure. She just packed and went, she didn't say where. That stray dog, did you find it finally?”
“Oh, not yet. You know, you didn't ever happen to see the dog yourself, did you?” I asked, feigning concern.
“Well, no. I never even heard it.” Dean looked at a photo, analysing it. The maid continued nervously, “I was almost starting to think the Doctor was imagining things, but she's not like that, so...”
“Hey, you know I read she was, uh chief surgeon at the hospital. She's gotta be what, forty two, forty three? That's pretty young for that job.” Dean probed casually.
“Youngest in the history of the place. She got the position... ten years ago?”
“Ten years?” I raised an eyebrow. “An overnight success, too.”
“Yeah, we know a guy like that.” Dean nodded, gesturing to the painting. “And, look, Lloyd’s bar.”
We pulled up at Lloyd’s bar, and outside there were yellow flowers growing around the door. I pulled out my pocket botany guide, flicking through it.
“Yellow flowers?” Dean scoffed. “Wanna pick ‘em, Beanie?”
“Not just any yellow flowers.” I replied, reading the page I’d found. “Yarrow flowers. They’re used in summoning rituals. Someone planted them here.”
“So, two people become sudden successes about ten years ago. Right around the time they were hanging out here at Lloyd's.”
“Where there just happens to be a crossroads.” Sam frowned. “You think?”
“Let’s find out.” We went to the crossroads, taking a shovel and digging in the dead centre. We eventually hit something solid, and we shared a look. “Yahtzee.” I pulled out a box, opening it and checking the contents.
“Graveyard dirt, black cat bone, all hardcore and unmistakeable methods to summon a demon.” I informed, tapping the side of the vial of graveyard dirt.
“That’s serious hoodoo.”
“No, not just to summon one.” I shook my head. “Crossroads are where pacts are made. These people are actually making deals with the damn thing. You know, 'cause that always ends good. These people aren’t seeing just spectral black dogs. These are hellhounds. Demonic pit bulls that guard hell’s gates and drag anyone who belongs there in if they’ve sold their soul or belong there.” You can bring people back by summoning demons. Bring anyone back.
‘Yeah, whoever this demon is, it's back and it's collecting.” Sam sighed.
“And that doctor lady?” Dean grimaced. “Wherever she's running? She ain't running fast enough.”
“So it's just like the Robert Johnson legend, right? I mean, selling your soul at the crossroads, kind of deal?”
“Yeah, except that wasn't a legend. I mean, you know his music. You don't know Robert Johnson's songs? Sam, there's, there's occult references all over his lyrics, I mean, Crossroad Blues? Me and the Devil Blues? Hellhound on My Trail?” Dean rolled his eyes when Sam didn’t follow. “The story goes, he died choking on his own blood, he was hallucinating, and muttering about big evil dogs.”
“And now it’s happening all over again.”
“We've gotta figure out if anyone else struck any bargains around here.” I resolved, dusting off my hands.
“Great. So we've gotta clean up these peoples' mess for 'em? I mean, they're not exactly squeaky clean. Nobody put a gun to their head and forced 'em to play Let's Make A Deal.” Dean frowned.
“They’re human. We can’t leave them to die.”
“Somebody goes over Niagara in a barrel, you gonna jump in and try to save 'em?”
“Dean.”
“Fine.” He conceded. “Rituals like this, you've got to put your own photo into the mix, right? So this guy probably summoned this thing, let's go and see if anyone inside knows him. If he's still alive.”
I was preparing for a big gymnastics tournament, stretching and testing my flexibility for the big moment. This could be my one chance to get to the Olympics.
“Why so nervous, jellybean?” Dad was at the door, holding my bottle of water.
“If I don’t get this, I don’t get the Olympics.” I sighed, taking the bottle. “Thanks.”
“No problem, sweetheart.” He patted my shoulder with a smile. “You’re gonna be fine.”
“How are you so sure?”
“Because you’re Ivonne Rainer.” He smiled, bending to my height. “You’re the toughest girl I know. You take after your mother. She used to hunt, but after she had you she stopped. But I’ve never seen a lady like her until you grew up. You can load and shoot a gun faster than I can, so flying across that room should be child’s play to you.” He kissed my forehead, clasping our hands together. “So, who are you?”
“I’m a Rainer.”
“Who are you?!”
“I’m a Rainer!”
“I can’t hear you, solider! WHO ARE YOU?!”
“I’M A RAINER!” He hugged me tight, patting my back.
“Knock ‘em dead, tiger.”
We walked up the stairs in an apartment building, looking at a picture.
“What's this guy's name again?” Sam asked.
“George Darrow.” Dean informed. “Apparently quite the regular at Lloyd's. Though this house probably ain't up next on MTV Cribs, is it?”
“Yeah.” I nodded. “So whatever kind of deal he made-“
”Wasn't for cash. Oh, who knows. Maybe this place is full of babes in Princess Leia bikinis.” We gave him a look, “No, I'm just saying, this guy's got one epic bill come due. Hope at least he asked for something fun.”
“Look at that.” Sam pointed at a black powder outside Darrow’s door, and I recognised it from somewhere. I touched it, staring at it.
“Is that pepper?” Dean scoffed.
“I… don’t know.” I frowned.
“Who the hell are you?” Darrow grumbled, the door swinging open.
“George Darrow?” Dean asked.
“I’m not buyin’ anything.”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa, looks like you went for the wrong shaker there. Usually when you want to keep something evil out you go for the salt.”
“I don't know what you talkin' about.”
“I’m talkin’ about this.” Dean held up a picture of a hellhound. “You seen this yet?”
“Look. We want to help. Please. Just five minutes.” Sam begged. He let us in wordlessly, and we stepped in, cautious not to disturb the black line. “So what is that stuff out front?” I blew on the black dust, and then I got it.
“Goofer dust.” Darrow and I said at the same time, but Sam and Dean stared at us.
“What, you boys think you know somethin' about somethin' but not Goofer dust? Girl gets it.” Darrow lectured gruffly, tossing Dean a brown sack.
“Well, we know a little about a lot of things. Just enough to make us dangerous.” Dean replied casually.
“What is it?” Sam asked.
“Hoodoo. My grandma taught me. Keeps out demons.“ He waddled over to a chair. “Four minutes left.”
“Mr. Darrow. We know you're in trouble.”
“Trouble that you got yourself into.” Dean sniffed.
“But there’s still hope, alright? There's gotta be something we can do.”
“Listen. I get that you boys want to help.” Darrow sighed. “But sometimes a person makes their bed, they've just got to lie down in it. I'm the one called that demon in the first place.”
“What d’you do it for?” I asked, gaining a stunned look. “You heard me. Why did you do it?”
“I was weak. I mean, who don't want to be great? Who don't want their life to mean something? I just... I just never thought about the price.”
“Was it worth it?”
“Hell no. 'Course, I asked for talent. Shoulda gone for fame. I'm still broke, and lonely. Just now I got this pile of paintings don't nobody want. But that wasn't the worst.”
“Go on.”
“Demon didn't leave. I never counted on that. After our deal was done the damn thing stayed at Lloyd's for a week. Just chattin'. Makin' more deals. I tried to warn folks, but, I mean who's goin' to listen to an old drunk?”
“George, how many other people are there? Like you?”
“Uh, the architect, that doctor lady — I kept up with them, they've been in the papers. Least they got famous.”
“Think, George.”
“One more. Uh, nice guy too. Hudson. Evan, I think. I don't know what he asked for. Don't matter now. We done for.”
“No.” Sam refused, “No, there’s gotta be a way.”
“You don't get it! I don't want a way!”
“Look-“
”I called that thing! I brought it on myself. I brought it on them. I'm going to hell, one way or another. All I want is to finish my last painting. Day or two, I'm done. I'm just trying to hold them off 'till then. Buy a little time. Okay, boys. Time you went, go help somebody that wants help.”
“We can’t just-“
“Get out! I have work to do.”
“You don't really want to die.”
“I don’t?” He scoffed. “I’m… I’m tired.”
“C’mon, Sam.” I gently took Sam away. “Thank you for your time, sir. It was good meeting you.”
“You too, girlie.”
We knocked on Evan Hudson’s door, and he opened it a small bit.
“Yes?” He whispered.
“Evan Hudson?” Sam asked.
“You ever been to a bar called Lloyd's? Would have been about ten years ago.” Dean added, but then Evan slammed the door. “Come on, we're not demons!” I focused, forgetting about the rune etched into my arm, and my eyes momentarily glowed blue, but then I felt a searing pain in my arm and stopped, falling back against the wall. “Beanie! What happened?”
“I’m fine, I just tried to use my…” I gestured to my forearm and he understood. “Got any bright ideas?” Dean reared up, then went to kick the door open, but I opened it just by pushing the handle down. Dean collapsed in a crumpled heap, and Sam helped him up with a smirk. “Evan?”
“Don’t hurt me!” Evan whimpered, jumping out from behind a bookshelf.
“You know, if we were demons, that’s a terrible thing to do.” I sighed. “We’re here to help, not hurt you. We know about that deal with the demon 10 years ago.”
“What? How?”
“Doesn’t matter.” Sam said. “All that matters is how we stop it.”
“How do I know you're not lying?”
Dean shrugged. “Well, you don't, but you're kinda running low on options there, buddy-boy.”
Evan started pacing. “Can you stop it?”
“Don’t know.” Sam frowned. “But we’ll try.”
“I don't want to die.”
“Of course you don’t, not now.” Dean smirked.
“Dean, stop.” Sam hissed.
“What did you ask for, Evan?” I asked intently, stepping forward.
“My wife.” Evan gulped.
Dean scoffed. “Right. Gettin' the girl. Well, that's worth a trip to hell for.”
Sam glared at Dean, who, I’ll admit, was getting out of hand. “Stop, Dean.”
”No. He's right, I made the deal.” Evan nodded. “Nobody twisted my arm, that... woman, or whatever she was, at the bar? She said I could have anything I wanted. I thought she was nuts at first, but... I don't know how to— I was desperate.”
“Desperate?”
“Julie was dying.”
“You did it to save her?” Dean frowned.
“She had cancer, they'd stopped treatment, they were moving her into hospice, they kept saying... a matter of days. So yeah, I made the deal. And I'd do it again. I'd have died for her on the spot.”
“Did you ever think about her?”
“I did this for her.”
“You sure about that? I think you did it for yourself. So you wouldn't have to live without her. But guess what? She's going to have to live without you now. But what if she knew how much it cost? What if she knew it cost your soul? How do you think she'd feel-“
“Will all of you just shut up already?!” I burst out, silencing everyone. “We’ll figure something out. Evan, keep a close watch, grab anything pure iron in your house and have it as a weapon. Boys, we need to figure this out.” Evan rushed to find something iron, while Sam, Dean and I talked. “Dean, are you ok?”
“Yeah, why wouldn't I be?” Dean shrugged. “Hey, I got an idea.”
”What is it?”
“You throw George's hoodoo at that Hellhound, keep it away from Evan as long as you can. I'm gonna go to the crossroads and summon the demon.”
“Summon-“ Sam scoffed, “are you nuts?!”
“Maybe a little. But Beanie and I can trap it. We can exorcise it, and can buy us time to figure out something more permanent.”
“But how much time are we talkin’?” I asked, folding my arms.
“I don't know, a while. I mean, it's not easy for those suckers to claw their way back from hell and into the sunshine.”
“No. No way.” Sam refused.
“You’re not allowed to say no, Sammy, unless you’ve got a better plan.”
“Dean, you can forget it, all right? I'm not letting you summon that demon.”
“Why?” Dean challenged. “Why not?”
“Because I don't like where your head is at right now, that's why not.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You know, you've been on edge ever since we found that crossroads, Dean, and I think I know why.”
“We don’t have time for this-“
“Dad. You think maybe Dad made one of these deals, huh? Hell. I've been thinking it. I'm sure you've been thinking it too.”
“It fits, doesn't it? I'm alive, Dad's dead. The yellow-eyed demon was involved. What if he did? What if he struck a deal? My life for his soul-”
“That’s enough.” I interrupted through gritted teeth. “Neither of your heads are in the right place at the right time and it’s frustrating because you’re meant to be here and now, not stuck in a decision that John made. Dean, you feel guilty about it and I get that feeling more than anything, and Sam, you want to keep everyone as safe as possible, but, right now, we need both of these things,” I tapped my head, “to be clear so we can actually pull off a plan. Sam, take the goofer dust and make a circle around you and Evan. Once it breaks, book it. Dean, you and I are going to summon the demon. Once we get it in the Solomon trap, I’ll exorcise it. We good with that?”
“Yeah.” They nodded meekly.
“I think I hear it! It's outside!” Evan called from inside.
I turned to them both, taking out my book of exorcisms. “Keep Evan alive, Sam.”
Sam frowned. “Ivy-“
“Just do it!”
Dean placed his ID in George’s hoodoo box, burying it in the centre of the crossroad. I was in hiding, having already painted the Solomon trap.
“So. What brings a guy like you to a place like this?” The crossroads demon was behind Dean as he stood up. He looked her up and down, and I studied the Latin I needed to read. “You called me?”
”I’m just glad it worked.” Dean smirked.
“First time?”
“You could say that.”
“Oh, come on now. Don't sell yourself short. I know all about you, Dean Winchester.” She started circling him, almost like a panther prowling around its prey. The irony was satisfying, really.
“So, you know about me.”
“I get the newsletter.”
“Well, don’t keep me in suspense. What have you heard?” I know you’re stalling, but, really, Dean?
”Well, I heard you were handsome, but ... you're just edible.” I gagged from where I was hiding. Who says that? “What can I do for you, Dean?”
“Maybe we should do this in my car. Nice and private.”
“Sounds good to me.”
“So I was hoping we could strike a deal.” Dean offered as they strolled to his car,
“That’s what I do.” The demon smirked.
“I want Evan Hudson released from his contract.”
“Oh, sorry, darling. That’s non-negotiable.”
“I'll make it worth your while.”
“Really? What are you offering?”
“Me.” WHAT THE HELL-
“I see. Sacrificing your life for someone else’s. Like father, like son, I guess. “You did know about your dad's deal, right?” She chuckled darkly, giving him innocent eyes, but I knew they weren’t as advertised. “His life for yours? Oh, I didn't make the deal myself, but... boy, I wish I had.”
Dean opened the car door, teeth gritted. “After you.”
“Such a gentleman.” She was about to get in, but stopped upon seeing an inscription poke out from under the car. “A Devil's Trap? You've got to be kidding me. You stupid, stupid... I should rip you limb from limb.“
“Take your best shot.” Dean retorted almost pleadingly, backing towards the actual trap.
“No. I don't think so. I'm not going to put you out of your misery.”
“Why not?”
“Because your misery's the whole point. It's too much fun to watch. Knowing how your daddy died for you, how he sold his soul. I mean, that's gotta hurt. It's all you ever think about. You wake up and your first thought is, ‘I can't do this anymore.’” Keep with it, Dean. “You're all lit up with pain. I mean, you loved him so much. And it's all your fault. You blew it, Dean! I could have given you what you need.”
“What-“
“You’re not the only one who feels this way. Imagine Ivy Rainer, forced to live the life her dear brother was meant to. You can make a deal on behalf of her, not Evan Hudson. Now those are terms I can negotiate. Your Beanie can be happy, Dean. Have her family back, and she can be whole.” I gasped silently, glancing towards where the box was buried.
“What do I need?”
“Your father. I could have brought him back. Your loss. Seeya, Dean. I wish you a nice long life.” She started to walk away-
“Hold on.” She stopped, smiling.
“You're lucky I've got a soft spot for lost puppies and long faces. I just can't leave you like this. Besides. You didn't call me here to bargain for Evan. Not really.”
“Can you bring him back? My dad?” He asked.
“Of course I can. Just as he was. Your dad would live a long and natural life, like he was meant to. That's a promise.”
“What about me?”
“I could give you ten years. Ten long good years with him. That's a lifetime. The family can be together again. John, Dean, Sammy. The Winchester boys all reunited.“ She walked towards him. “Look. Your dad's supposed to be alive. You're supposed to be dead. So we'll just set things straight, put things back in their natural order. And you get ten extra years on top. That's a bonus.”
Dean turned and walked further away. “You think you could...” He turned to face her, “throw in a set of steak knives?”
She advanced towards him, ”You know, this smart-ass self-defense mechanism of yours...” She stopped, noticing that she was in a Solomon trap. “Dean!”
“Now you’re trapped.” Dean grinned. “That’s gotta hurt. Beanie, you can come out now.” I emerged, holding my book.
“Let me out. Now.” She hissed.
“In a bit. Thanks for the consideration, but if I wanted to make the deal, I’d have done it.” I smirk. “Alright, here’s our terms, because before you walk free, we need to make a deal. Evan walks free, and you call off your hellhounds. Do that, and you walk too.”
“I can't break a binding contract.”
“There’s a difference between ‘can’t’ and ‘don’t want to’; it’ll do you a favour to learn it.” I retorted. “Last chance. Evan and his wife get to live to a ripe old age. Going, going...”
“Let’s talk about this-“
“Ok, gone.” I pulled out a rosary, and she glanced at it.
“What-what are you doing?”
“You’re just going on a trip.” Dean grinned. “Way down south.”
“Forget Evan. Think of your dad. Both of your dads-“
“Regna terrae,” I read, pacing around her. “cantate deo…” I continued reading, watching her shiver and cry out in pain. “in potentis magnife!”
“Release!” She cried, and Dean and I shared a triumphant look. But then she cupped the nape of Dean’s neck, pulling him in for a kiss. I looked away, shutting my book with a snap as he pulled away.
“What was that for?” Dean spat.
“Sealing the deal.”
“I usually like to be warned before I’m violated with demon lips.”
“Evan Hudson is free. He and his wife will live long lives.”
“How do we know you’re not lying?”
“My word is my bond.”
“Oh, really?” I handed Dean the Latin book and the rosary.
“It is when I make a deal. It's the rules. You got what you wanted. Now let me go.” Dean fiddled with the rosary, contemplating it. “You're gonna double-cross me? Funny how I'm the trustworthy one.” She scoffed. “You know, you renege? Send me to hell? Sooner or later I'm gonna climb out, and skinning Evan Hudson will be the first thing that I do.” Dean stashed the rosary, breaking the circle. She stepped out, giving us a look. “I gotta tell you. You would have never pulled that stunt if you knew.”
“Knew what?” I raised an eyebrow.
“About your dads. You should have made that deal. See, people talk about hell, but it's just a word. It doesn't even come close to describing the real thing-“
“Shut your mouth.”
“If you could see your poor daddy? Hear the sounds he makes 'cause he can't even scream?” She sneered to Dean.
He advanced on her. “How about I send you back there?” He growled. She screamed, ichor pouring out of her mouth and flying into the distance. The lady fell, and we caught her, but she looked terrified.
“What... how did I get here?”
“You take care of her.” I sighed. “I’ll bury the box where no one will find it.”
“Sounds like a plan.” He nodded, and started to help the girl away. I looked at the box, digging it up and pocketing Dean’s ID. Then I took out my own, putting it in the box and burying it in the centre of the crossroads.
“You called?” I turned, seeing a male crossroads demon this time, wearing a suit. He had brown hair and clever blue eyes, and he walked up to me. “Oh, I know you. Ivonne Rainer. You’re a celebrity back where I come from.”
“Glad to know.” I retorted. “I want to get back to Sam and Dean before they get suspicious, so let’s get this over with.”
“Damn, you’re more of a sexy woman than you were put out to be.” He smirked, looking me up and down. “If I was human, well, I’d have asked you out. Anyway, what can I do for you?”
“Bring my father back to life. Bottom line. No reviving his corpse, actual, healed, human.”
“I can do that.” He nodded. “Really simple.”
“Good. How many years do you want from me, then?”
“No years.” He glanced down at my neck. “I want that necklace.”
“Why?”
“You don’t need the burden of how many years you have left, you have enough of a weight on your back already.” I thought about it. “Necklace or no necklace?”
I took it off and gave it to him, sighing. “Ok, now kiss me, but make it short and sweet.”
“That takes the fun out of it, but ok.” He kissed me for a millisecond, then winked. “It was fun doing business with you.” He then disappeared, and I walked away, confused.
My necklace?
I had made dinner for the boys, who were eagerly eating it with cups of cocoa by their plates. I sipped one myself, munching on the food.
“This is the best pasta I’ve ever had, Beanie, dear God.” Dean praised through a mouthful of food. “This is heavenly.”
“This is amazing, Ivy.” Sam grinned, sipping his cocoa. Then the doorbell rang, and I stood up, going over to the door while preparing to reach my gun from behind my back, tucked in a holster above the waistband of my shorts. I opened the door, and my heart almost dropped out of my chest.
“Jellybean?” My dad stood there, ruffled hair and all, looking just like the last video he sent me eight years ago. He cupped my cheeks, looking at me with tears in his eyes. His index touched the gap between my eyebrow, complete with a scar in it. “That’s your scar. And your freckles. Yeah, it’s you. It’s really you. But you’re all grown up…” He laughed, wiping a tear off my cheek.
“Dad…” I whispered, throwing my arms around his torso. “You’re here, you’re really here.” He hugged me tightly, smoothing down my hair. Sam and Dean came into the hallway, staring at Dad like they’d seen a ghost. I detached myself, hurriedly drying my tears.
”Who’re these two, jellybean?” Dad asked, looking confused.
“O-Oh, uh… Mr R-Rainer.” Dean stammered. “We didn’t expect to see you here. At all.”
“Come in, sir, make yourself at home.” Sam gulped, giving me a look. “Ivy, we need to talk.”
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