The Impala's tires crunched over the gravel as Sam and Dean Winchester pulled up to the abandoned warehouse. The sun was setting, casting long shadows over the decrepit structure. They had been chasing a particularly vicious demon for weeks, and every lead had brought them here, to the outskirts of a forgotten town in Kansas.
Sam turned off the engine and glanced at his brother. Dean's face was etched with determination, his eyes hard. They had faced worse, but something about this demon felt different. It was cunning, elusive, and left a trail of death and despair in its wake.
"I don't like it, Sam," Dean said, breaking the silence. "This one's been too slippery. We need backup."
Sam nodded. He had been thinking the same thing. "I called Rowena," he said quietly.
Dean's eyebrows shot up. "Rowena? Seriously? You think we can trust her?"
"She's the best chance we have," Sam replied. "She knows more about demons than anyone else we can call on right now. And... she agreed to help."Dean snorted. "Of course she did. She fancies you, you know."
Sam felt a flush creep up his neck but didn't respond. He had suspected as much, but the urgency of their situation left no room for personal feelings. They needed Rowena's expertise, and if that meant dealing with her flirtations, so be it.
A sudden flash of light illuminated the darkening sky, followed by a gust of wind. Sam and Dean turned to see Rowena standing a few feet away, her signature red hair glowing in the twilight, her green eyes sparkling with mischief.
"Hello, boys," she greeted, her voice dripping with her usual blend of sarcasm and allure. "I hear you have a demon problem that requires my delicate touch."
"Rowena," Sam acknowledged, stepping forward. "Thanks for coming." Rowena's gaze lingered on Sam, a sly smile playing on her lips. "For you, Samuel, anything." Dean rolled his eyes. "Alright, lovebirds, let's focus. We've got a demon to catch."
The three of them moved into the warehouse, their footsteps echoing in the vast emptiness. The air was thick with the stench of decay and something darker, more sinister. Rowena muttered an incantation under her breath, and the symbols she had etched into the floor began to glow with an eerie blue light.
"This should contain our fiend," she said, satisfaction evident in her tone. "But we'll need to lure it in." Dean and Sam exchanged a glance. "I'll be the bait," Sam volunteered. "It seems to have a particular interest in me."
"You're too eager to be the sacrificial lamb, Sam," Dean grumbled. "But fine. Let's get this over with." Rowena handed Sam a small, ornate dagger. "This is infused with a spell that will weaken it. You only need to get close enough to use it." Sam took the dagger, feeling its weight in his hand. "Got it."
He stepped into the circle, his senses on high alert. The silence was oppressive, the darkness almost tangible. And then, he felt it—a presence, cold and malevolent, seeping into the room like a poison. The demon materialized in front of him, its eyes burning with hatred. "Winchester," it hissed. "You can't escape me." Sam stood his ground, the dagger hidden behind his back. "I'm not running."
The demon lunged, and Sam sidestepped, slashing with the dagger. The blade made contact, and the demon screamed, its form flickering. Sam pressed the advantage, driving the dagger deeper. The demon's eyes widened in shock and pain as it was forced back into the circle. Rowena began chanting, her voice rising above the demon's screams. The symbols on the floor flared brighter, trapping the demon in a web of light. It writhed and twisted, but the magical bonds held firm. With a final, guttural cry, the demon was consumed by the light, leaving only a charred mark on the floor. The warehouse fell silent once more.
Dean let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. "Well, that was fun." Rowena smirked, turning to Sam. "Impressive work, Samuel. I knew you had it in you." "Thanks, Rowena," Sam said, his voice sincere. "We couldn't have done it without you." Rowena stepped closer, her hand brushing against his arm. "Oh, I think you could have managed. But I'm glad to be of service... anytime." Dean cleared his throat loudly. "Alright, enough of that. Let's get out of here."
"I'll circle to make sure no other big bad is around."
"Ok, lets split up and have a look." Dean nodded and headed into the forest
