Linking Lives / Book 12 / The Life Series / Supernatural Season 13

Advanced Thanatology

In the kitchen, Dean was making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches when Aiden, Amara and I walked in, seeing Sam sitting at the table.

"Hey," Aiden told them.

"Hey," Sam told us.

Amara looked at Dean. "PB&J for breakfast? Strong work."

Dean chuckled a little. "Yep."

"You want a beer with that?" I asked.

Dean shook his head. "I'm cool."

"Come on, Dad, live a little," Amara told him. "I'll take it if you don't."

Dean and I gave Amara a look. "No."

Aiden smiled smugly. "Ha ha, Amara."

"Shut up, Aiden," Amara replied. We chuckled. "You guys do know that Aiden and I are practically 19 now, right?"

"Technically," I corrected.

Aiden noticed that Sam wasn't talking, frowning in concern. "Uncle Sam, what's going on with you?"

"What do you mean?" Sam asked.

"Are you okay?" Amara asked.

Sam cleared his throat. "Yeah."

"Liar," Amara told him.

"Okay, Amara, no need to use your lie detector right now," Sam told her.

"You don't need to be a lie detector to know that was a lie, Sammy," I told him.

Dean smirked. "Ooh. Got called out by Nessie, Aiden and Amara."

"Whatever," Sam told us.

"Anyway, check this out," I told them. "I think I found something." I placed my iPad down, showing them a police report, while Dean handed three of the PB&J's he made to me, Aiden and Amara. "Three days ago, kid named Shawn Raider was found wandering the side of the road near Grand Junction, Colorado, bleeding from the head. Best friend was missing. And get this. Only word he said? 'Monster'."

"Okay, well, that sounds like something," Dean told us.

"Yeah," Sam agreed.

"I thought the two of you could check it out," I told them. Aiden and Amara opened their mouths to speak. I gave them a look. "Just Sam and Dean."

"You sure Aiden and Amara don't need a release?" Dean asked.

"They got their release after saving our asses from the shifter," I answered. "Plus, we still need to work on their control for their powers."

Aiden and Amara knew I was right, sighing, nodding.

"What about Jack?" Dean asked.

"He's, uh, he's catching up on all of my old fantasy DVD's," Sam answered. "'Red Sonja', 'Beastmaster', uh, 'Beastmaster II'. You know, with the time traveling ferrets."

"Yeah," Dean told him. "Wow, how you ever got laid, I'll never know."

Sam chuckled. "Yeah, tell me about it."

"So, I was thinking that you two would go, and that I'll stay behind with Aiden, Amara and Jack, help them better control their powers," I told them. "You know, without pushing or pressuring them."

"Really?" Dean asked.

"Yeah," I answered. "We'll put up some extra warding. We'll be fine. I mean, when's the last time you two worked a case, just the two of you?"

"It's been a while," Sam answered.

"Exactly," Aiden told them. "Mom's right. So, go."

Amara nodded in agreement. "We'll be fine here. If anyone's stupid enough to try to come here, then they'll be in for a hell of a surprise."