CASTIEL'S REQUIEM

Chapter 48: Frustrated Devil

President Harrington paced around the cabin, her frustration growing with each step. She needed to get out, to return to the country she had sworn to protect. News reports had spoken of a series of terrorist attacks across America, and she couldn't even be there for her people. What kind of leader was she if she had been whisked away for her safety while her citizens died at the hands of the nation's enemies? A coward, a runner, someone unfit to lead.

She cast a quick glance at her husband, who lay on the sofa, surrounded by empty pizza boxes and beer bottles. He snored peacefully, oblivious to her turmoil. Her exasperation turned to disgust. This was the man she had trusted to support her, to stand by her side as she led the nation through its darkest hour.

But now, she realized she was alone. And that was it - she had had enough. She was going back to America, no matter the cost. No one would stop her, not even the hordes of hell or the angel of Death. Carolyn Diane Harrington, President of the United States, would not be defeated by fear or circumstance. She would rise, and she would lead her nation to victory.

-_-

Castiel dragged a chained Cariel towards the Gates of Hell, a nightclub situated in uptown Staten Island and notoriously the most popular club in the state. According to her sources, mainly Marveseus, this was literally the gate to hell, but only his trusted demons were privy to this information.

"I can walk," Cariel protested as Castiel pulled her through the floor, her humiliation evident. One might wonder if Castiel was enjoying this, but her expression revealed a darker intent.

"Shut up, bitch, or I may be forced to kill you," Castiel growled angrily, her voice laced with malice. It was clear that Castiel had changed; she was more sinister than before.

A bouncer, an African American male who had been warned about letting Castiel into the club, pulled out his gun. "Stop, or I'll be forced to use this," he threatened darkly.

But before Castiel could react, the bouncer fell to his knees, his eyes widening in pain and surprise, as the tip of a sword pierced his belly. In ten seconds, Castiel watched as his soul disappeared, fading from existence.

She looked up, knowing only one person she knew had the ability to do that.

-_-

Lucifer grinned, relishing the dark look on Castiel's face, knowing she was seething with anger over losing the human soul to him. "Oh, if it ain't Castiel, the title thief," Lucifer taunted, his voice dripping with malice.

Castiel's eyes flashed with anger. "Samael, the betrayer and deceiver of the brethren," she countered, her voice low and menacing.

Lucifer's grin faltered, his expression twisting in rage. "Don't call me Samael again," he growled, his voice trembling with fury. The name was a reminder of his past, of his failures, and of the power that had been taken from him.

He hated the name, hated the memories it brought back. He hated El, hated Immanuel, hated everything that had led to his downfall. Most of all, he hated himself, hated that he had failed, that he was a disappointment, a villain.

Castiel's eyes never left Lucifer's face. "And don't call me Castiel again," she growled back, her voice matching Lucifer's in intensity.

The air was electric with tension as the two enemies locked eyes, neither willing to back down. The stare-down seemed to last an eternity, the only sound the heavy breathing of the two combatants.

"Touché," Lucifer smirked, breaking the tension, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Then let's start on a new page, Azrael."

Castiel's expression twisted in disgust. "What do you want, Lucifer?"

Lucifer's grin widened. "To work with my little sister? Is that too hard to ask for?"

Castiel sneered. "Not interested. And don't call me that. I'm not your sister."

Lucifer chuckled. "Oh, come now, Azrael. We're family. And family helps each other out."

Castiel's eyes narrowed. "I don't trust you, Lucifer. You're just trying to manipulate me."

Lucifer's smile faltered, and he took a step closer to Castiel. "El wants you gone, Azrael. You were just a pawn to him, a means to an end. He's tired of your insolence."

Castiel laughed, a cold, mirthless sound. "You expect me to believe that? You're just trying to get under my skin."

Lucifer's eyes flashed with anger. "Believe it or not, it's the truth. You're nothing but a tool to El, a tool he's willing to discard."

Castiel taunted him, her voice dripping with venom. "And what about you, Lucifer? What's your endgame? What do you hope to achieve by working with me?"

Lucifer's smile returned, his eyes glinting with malice. "Oh, I just want to see you burn, Azrael. I want to see you fall from your pedestal and land in the depths of Hell where you belong."

Castiel's expression didn't change, but her voice took on a deadly tone. "You'll never see that day, Lucifer. I'll never let you win."

Lucifer's smile faltered, and he spat out his next words. "Fine, but you'll never see your precious Emily again."

Castiel froze, her eyes widening in alarm. Lucifer knew he had her right where he wanted her.

He sauntered toward her, his long black coat floating behind him in a dramatic gesture. "I just need a drop of your blood in this vial, and I'll leave you alone."

Castiel's eyes narrowed. "What for?"

Lucifer's smile returned. "You want Emily, I want Cariel. And I need your blood to open the gates of Hell. It's a rule you made, Azrael. No one can enter Paradise or Hell without a drop of their own blood."

Castiel's suspicion deepened. "Why do you want Cariel? Why are you offering Emily to me now?"

Lucifer's frustration boiled over. "I need Cariel for my plan, and that brat has been driving me insane! She can't die, no matter what I do, because she's your ward. I just want her gone!"

Castiel could believe that; Lucifer despised children.

"Fine," she agreed, tearing at her arm with the tip of her sword. She stretched out her arm toward Lucifer.

But it was too late. Four voices yelled out in unison, "Wait, Caz, it's a trap!"

Castiel's blood fell into the vial, and the room erupted into chaos...

***

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