Small Cuts (Supernatural Dark!fic)

t h i r t y - t h r e e

"I'd be the dreadful need in the devotee
That made him turn around
And I'd be the immediate forgiveness
In Eurydice
Imagine being loved by me
I won't deny I've got in my mind now all the things we'd do
So I'll try to talk refined for fear that you find out how I'm imaginin' you"
Talk - Hozier 

The weight of her conversation with Castiel still lingered in Amara's thoughts, but something else was starting to take hold—a growing sense of power inside her. Her empathic abilities, once uncontrolled and overwhelming, now felt sharper, more refined. She could sense the shift in the bunker, like the air itself was vibrating with the undercurrent of tension between them all.

Amara could feel Sam and Dean's emotions more clearly than ever—strong, visceral, raw. Their protectiveness, their desire, their internal conflict. It all swirled around her like a storm, crackling with energy. She knew they were holding back, the weight of their promise keeping them from acting on the tension, but the strain was palpable.

And then there was Paimon. His presence had been a constant shadow, but today, it felt closer, heavier. She wasn't sure if it was because of her growing powers or if he was testing her limits, but she could sense him watching, waiting for the right moment to strike.

The brothers were preparing for another hunt, their movements methodical as they loaded the Impala with weapons and supplies. They were on edge—Amara could feel it. This wasn't just any hunt. The threat of Paimon loomed larger than before, and they all knew that at any moment, the balance could tip in his favour.

Amara approached the car, her senses heightened as she picked up on the flickers of emotion from Sam and Dean. Sam's quiet intensity was like a steady hum in the background, while Dean's protectiveness burned hot and bright, his frustration at holding back barely contained.

"You ready for this?" Dean's voice broke through her thoughts, his eyes scanning her with a mixture of concern and something darker.

Amara nodded, her heartbeat quickening. "I'm ready."

Dean didn't say anything, but the look in his eyes told her everything. He didn't like it. He didn't like her being out here, exposed, vulnerable. But they both knew this was the only way. She had to learn to control her powers in the field—there was no other option.

Sam joined them, his gaze shifting between Amara and Dean, his jaw set in that familiar way that told her he was thinking too much. "We'll stay close. Don't push too hard. If you feel anything off, you tell us."

Amara swallowed the lump in her throat and nodded again. "I will."

As they piled into the Impala, the air between them felt thick with anticipation. Amara sat in the back, the leather cool against her skin as she tried to calm the racing of her heart. She could feel their eyes on her, though neither brother said anything.

The drive was quiet, the tension hanging heavy. But as they neared their destination, something shifted. Amara's senses flared, the familiar pull of danger prickling at the edges of her awareness. She closed her eyes, trying to focus, trying to reach out with her abilities. And that's when she felt it—Paimon.

He wasn't physically there, but his presence was unmistakable. It was like a cold hand brushing against the back of her neck, making her shiver. He was watching. Waiting.

"We're close," Amara whispered, her voice tight.

Dean glanced at her in the rearview mirror, his brow furrowed. "You feel him?"

She nodded, her throat dry. "Yeah. He's... he's watching us."

Sam's grip tightened on the shotgun in his lap, his jaw clenching. "We need to be careful."