The rocking woke him, its motion unfamiliar, too harsh for the comforting sensation he was used to of rolling along the highways in the Impala. Sam blinked trying to focus his bleary gaze. Wherever he was it was dark, loud and drafty. He was on a cold hard surface that was in motion. His body was sluggish to respond, a heavy cloak clung to his thoughts. The realization of his vulnerability suddenly clawed its way to the surface. As if he had received an ear-splitting command from his father, Sam’s reflexes kicked in to spurn him to move. Sitting caused everything to spin precariously.

“Sam?”

He struggled unsuccessfully to get to his feet, his momentum only resulting in a searing pain in his shoulders. His hands were cuffed, a long chain anchoring him to a wall. He groaned, swallowing hard to keep from throwing up.

“Quick movements are not a good idea, Runt.”

Sam turned his head towards the voice, a little of his panic fading as familiarity sank in. “Caleb.”

“Take it easy.” The sound of metal grating against metal echoed nearby. Sam’s first thought was of the ghost of Marley from The Christmas Carol. He had caught the end of the old version a few nights back when Dean was in the shower. “I’m here.”

“Where’s here?” Sam’s mouth was dry, his voice scratchy.

“A train…I think. I haven’t had much chance to do any exploring.” Caleb sounded closer, but Sam still couldn’t see him. He felt the psychic’s presence in his mind. “I wouldn’t count on it being The Polar Express.”

“What the hell happened?” Sam took a deep breath to slow his clamoring heart. His eyes started to adjust. Caleb was now a wavering shadow against the inky black of their hold. The Knight was only a couple of feet in front of him, just close enough to brush his fingertips against Sam’s hands.

“Vampires.” Caleb was on his knees. Sam could make out the matching handcuffs on his wrists, the chain keeping the older hunter from his side.

“Vampires? What?” He and Dean had been hunting ghost bears. “That doesn’t sound right.”

“I got a reading on them as soon as one of the bastards touched me. Their brain patterns are distinctive.” Caleb lifted his arm. “The bite marks on my wrist cleared up any doubts I had.”

Sam looked down at his own arm, noticing the stark white pressure bandage for the first time. “Shit.”

“Yeah. Bastards fed off us. That’s why you feel like crap.”

“I don’t understand …” Since when were vampires polite enough to bandage their victims.

“I’m guessing they didn’t want us to bleed to death, like putting a cork in a wine bottle.”

“No. I mean, why take us?” Sam searched his memory to recall how he had landed in the current situation. It hurt to concentrate. His thoughts felt disconnected, like various scattered jigsaw pieces. He couldn’t fit them together into a logical picture. Nothing Caleb said was making sense.

“I don’t know.”

“Dean? Is he here?”

“No.” Caleb sighed. Sam could detect anger, worry, below the surface of The Knight’s forced calm. “I can’t sense him…though I nearly fried a circuit reading you. I’m guessing they know enough about psychics to know without energy, we’re going to have to do things the normal way. Feeding off us, keeps us weak.”

“Great.”

“Any other injuries I should know about?”

Sam took stock. Besides the faint throbbing in his head and arm, nothing screamed for attention. His chained hands were uncomfortable. He was tired and cold, but he was seemingly in one piece. “I think I’m okay. You?”

“Pissed as hell.”

“Sounds about right.”

Caleb removed his touch from Sam, scooting back to put some slack in the chain binding him to the adjacent wall. “What do you remember?”

“I was at the motel in Geneva; Dean went out. I stayed in to research our case.”

“Right. Deuce’s worst nightmare gig-bear spirits.”

Sam rubbed his temple, slowly fitting together the jumbled fragments. He had been working in the motel room. The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end before the door was kicked in. “There were four or five of them. Maybe more. They were fast.”

“Same with me.”

“Where did they get you?” Dean had talked to Caleb earlier in the evening. The Knight had been at the junkyard.

“Not far from Bobby’s.” Caleb sighed. “Sonsofbitches came out of nowhere. Two cars boxed me in, ran me off the road. They didn’t give me time to do much of anything. I managed to get off a distress signal. That was about it.”

Sam perked up at the idea of a possible rescue. “Do you think anyone got it?”

“You tell me, Runt.”

“Sorry. I’ve not exactly been working on extending my range.” Since assuming the role of Scholar, Sam had noticed a boost in his abilities. Caleb tried to convince him it was his innate gift kicking in, not a talent created by Yellow Eyes. Sam wanted to believe before his encounter with Azazel he was destined to be The Scholar all along, but the new power frightened him, and he worked on reigning in his abilities.

“Considering you’re chained next to me I don’t think you would have been much help.”

“Right.” Sam lifted his arm, the added weight of the shackle making it a difficult feat. “Did you get any kind of sense for what they might be planning?”

“No. Like I said, they didn’t give me much time.”

“Could they be working for the demons? Lucifer?” Sam’s head pounded with the implications.

“I don’t think so. We know how Lucifer feels about demons. I imagine he has a greater loathing for anything further down on the food chain. Vampires are basically super strong humans with better senses and no expiration date. They would be the equivalent of gum on the bottom of his shoe.”

“Or could this be about Dean? The bounty on his head?”

“If that were the case, they could have grabbed Deuce.”

“Then why not just kill us when they had the opportunity?” Sam couldn’t help to think of the last encounter he and Caleb had experienced with vampires. It had not been one of their finer moments.

“Considering our past dealings, maybe a swift death wouldn’t quench their thirst.” Caleb was thinking the same.

Sam’s arm tingled beneath the bandage. The idea of something drinking his blood was disturbing on many levels, yet it had a ring of karmic justice. His darkest thoughts turned to the pediatric nurse locked in the trunk of Ruby’s car. It was her screams he heard when he was in drawn to the dark place.

“Don’t go there, Runt,” Caleb said. “That’s in the past. We’re good.”

Sam bit his lip. He didn’t believe it was that easy, but felt he was on the right track to finding a place where he could make peace with it. “You think this is about revenge? Are they crazy enough to take on The Triad? It would start a war they couldn’t hope to win.”

“We’re already at war. Maybe they’re merely taking advantage of the fact.”

Caleb was right. The Brotherhood ranks were spread thin, casualties and losses mounting. Sam leaned against the wall, his head aching. “Why a train? Where could they be taking us?”

Caleb brought a hand up to rub his eyes. “I have no clue about the box car ride or destination, but if they keep us moving we’re that much harder to find.”

“Did you recognize any of the vamps?”

“No. Why would I?” He massaged his temples, wincing. “We cleaned that Pittsburgh nest out. There were no survivors.”

“You’re not making me feel any better.” Sam sometimes longed for the days when Caleb and Dean could bluff him into believing any outrageous tale, especially the kind where they all lived happily ever after. “You okay?”

“My head’s pounding.”

Sam winced. “Mine, too.”

They shared a quick look. Several loud thumps echoed overhead. Sam scrambled to his knees, Caleb attempting the same. “Something’s on the roof.”

“Vampires.” Caleb pulled against his restraints to get as close to Sam as possible. “I can feel them now.”

Sam reached out, searching for what Caleb had latched onto. Most of the energy he detected was coming from Caleb, but something darker slithered on the perimeter of his senses. It wasn’t like the feeling he encountered with another psychic, it was a distinct source different from humans.

He didn’t have time to ponder the peculiarity as the metal door to their car was opened. It screeched in protest. Cold air rushed in. Sam caught a glimpse of blurred scenery, city lights, and then two hulking forms filled the opening. They moved inside. A third swung in from above, landing in a crouch a few feet from Sam. Another followed, sliding the door closed behind him.

“Well, well. We thought we heard chitchatting in here. You’re awake.” The one who spoke had an accent. His speech was carefully drawn out. Sam could barely see his features in the darkness, only able to recognize his considerable girth. Vampires heightened senses gave them an advantage. Their eyesight was more cat-like than human, hearing and ranges of smell like that of a bloodhound. “We were hoping you would rest comfortably until we arrived at our final destination. “

“It’s hard to sleep with all the noise and the draft.” Caleb tugged at his metal bracelets, keeping close to Sam. “Not to mention the kinky S&M motif. We won’t be recommending your railways to our friends.”

“I suppose we should have provided more fitting accommodations for members of The Triad.” The vampire moved closer to Caleb and Sam as the others spread out around them. Sam could see his distinctive red hair now, the cobalt blue of his glowing eyes. “But we’re used to moving cargo without a pulse. Right, boys?”

“This little show of bad manners will cost you and your buddies your heads,” Caleb said

“We’re in the delivery business. We were simply following orders. Surely The Brotherhood understands such protocol.”

“Whose orders?” Sam asked. It was eerie to have the creatures surround them like helpless prey, lurking in the corners of the cramped box like recluse spiders in a darkened closet.

“You’ll find out soon enough, Scholar. We aren’t far from home now.”

“Why let it get that far?” Sam said. “You and your buddies could let us go now before it all gets bloody. You haven’t done anything that can’t be ignored.”

“Yet,” Caleb added. “Although sipping on us like your own personal cocktail is walking a very thin line, Asshole.”

“Call me Liam.” The vampire knelt in front of Caleb. “Don’t worry about the feeding, Reaves. Humans can lose up to two thirds of their blood volume and still survive. I imagine that applies to your kind too.”

“Fuck you,” Caleb snarled.

Liam brought his fingers to his lips with a lurid smile. “I must admit it was hard for me to show restraint with you. Demon blood is a rare treat.”

Sam sensed Caleb’s intention a moment before The Knight made a move for his boot. He came up empty handed, but that didn’t stop him from lunging for Liam’s throat.

The big vampire moved lightning fast withdrawing Caleb’s knife from the folds of his jacket. Liam held The Dragon’s Talon against Caleb’s throat. “Looking for this? I hear it can kill anything, even a demon.”

“Works well enough on your kind,” Caleb said coldly. He didn’t move. “Spares me the trouble of cutting their heads off.”

“It’s pretty-make a nice gift for my girlfriend.” Liam smirked, returning the blade to the inside of his coat. He rocked back on his heels. “You really didn’t expect us to show mercy did you? Like what you two showed to that nest of our kin when you destroyed them last year?”

“How about showing that you might hold some shred of intelligence?” Sam knew Liam was toying with them.

“Or at the least that your self preservations instincts are stronger than that of your cousin the mosquito,” Caleb added.

Liam’s smile faded. “Those are brave words for someone chained, weakened and defenseless in the presence of superior warriors.”

“Superior warriors?” Caleb snorted. “I hate to break it to you, Liam, but you’re not on a Hollywood set. This isn’t an HBO original series. Here in the real world we’re still top of the food chain, and vampires are fair game.”

“That is about to come to an end. The lion will no longer be king. The jungle will go to the jackals.”

“You mean jackasses?”

Sam wished Caleb would hone his own self preservation instincts. He had no idea what the vampires were planning, but antagonizing them further wasn’t going to help the situation. “If you had wanted to kill us, you would have done so by now.”

“Dead cargo is real quiet cargo,” Caleb said.

Sam risked the headache, reaching out telepathically to the other psychic. ‘Stop giving them ideas.’

“So is unconscious cargo.” Liam tilted his head. “Boys.”

The other vampires moved so quickly Sam registered only a blur. They surrounded Caleb, pinning him to the floor.

“No!” Sam struggled with his restraints, twisting his wrists against the metal cuffs to free himself. He felt his skin tear but the bracelets held firm. “Don’t do this.”

“Get off me,” Caleb bucked, unsuccessful in dislodging any of the creatures who now held him down. One of the vampires reached up and ripped his shirt, exposing his shoulder and upper chest.

“Caleb!” Sam continued to try and get his hands loose as Liam knelt beside The Knight.

“Don’t worry, Scholar, we’ll put you out of your misery next.”

“Touch him and I will rip your head off myself. No magical blade needed.” Caleb struggled harder as Liam grabbed his chin. “I swear I will end you!”

“I won’t drain him completely. I have my orders after all.” Liam smiled, his face contorting to reveal his true form. White fangs descended as he bent closer to Caleb. “That doesn’t mean I won’t make it hurt.”

Caleb cried out as the vampire sank his teeth into the flesh above his clavicle only inches away from his tender throat. Sam wrestled with his chains, taking solace in the punishment he was inflicting on his wrists as Caleb suffered a much worse fate not three feet away from him.

“Stop it!” he shouted. “That’s enough!”

The vampires ignored him and it didn’t take long before Caleb’s struggles slowly ceased. Sam could still sense The Knight’s presence through their link he now held wide open, but the pain that pounded through overshadowed the fact Caleb lived. The smell of blood turned Sam’s stomach, simultaneously eliciting a different kind of response that sickened him more.

Liam’s face was smeared with red when he turned his gaze on Sam, baring his bloodied fangs. “There’s nothing quite like it, is there? We’re not so different, Winchester.”

“I’m nothing like you.” Sam scooted back as Liam left Caleb’s limp body to stalk towards him. The others stayed hovered around Caleb, taking their turn. He had no idea how or why the vampires knew about what he had done in his pursuit to kill Lilith. A hysterical laugh almost bubbled through as he thought of Liam as a closet Carver Edlund fan.

“There is one difference.” Sam squirmed as Liam reached for him. The strength in the vampire’s hand was crushing, gripping Sam’s shoulder as he placed his other hand around Sam’s throat, squeezing hard enough that Sam felt a thumping in his head. He steeled himself with the thought that the vampires didn’t want them dead. Sam would survive whatever happened.

Liam’s black eyes locked with his. “You have a pulse. Your heart beats, mine doesn’t. I feed off others to survive. You can’t say the same.”

“Go to Hell.” Sam’s breath hitched.

“That’s not an option for me.” Liam smiled. “But I hear it’s quite the certainty for you.”

The last thing Sam remembered was the fear surging through him, a burning pain along his shoulder as Liam attacked, and the echo of his brother’s name as he silently called out for him. ‘Dean.’

RCJ

Dean stumbled on a clump of dirt in the dark open field, Castiel’s firm grip the only thing keeping him on his feet.

“Dean?”

Dean slowly brought his hands from his head, blinked the angel’s face into view. “Damn it.”

“What is it?”

“Sammy.” Dean straightened as the sensation receded. It left him feeling sick to his stomach; his legs wobbly like he’d ran five miles.

“Did you see them?”

“No. It doesn’t work that way. I just feel them-know that something’s happening to them. Something bad.” Dean wished he would have a vision, like what Andy had sent him when Sam was trapped in Cold Oak. It would at least offer some kind of clue to where his brother and best friend were. If Merlin really wanted to give them a leg up, why not offer that magic.

Mac had concluded the silver was somehow involved in the process, but it was anyone’s guess. The doctor theorized that the pain Dean was feeling was some sort of telepathic backwash and that in time ‘the warning signal’ would be more like an intuitive feeling, a tug on his subconscious instead of a knifing sensation. It didn’t help that Dean wasn’t psychic. He hoped The Triad connection, he was just beginning to experience, wouldn’t be called into need that often.

“It’s similar with angels.” Castiel waited until he was steady before letting go of his shoulders. He took a step back out of Dean’s personal space, gazing at the small white clapboard house in the distance. “When one of my brothers dies, I feel it. We are all intricately connected. It’s one of the many gifts from our Father.”

“I’m not sold on the whole gift thing.” Dean appreciated the idea he was connected to Sam and Caleb on a whole new level, although he had never needed The Triad or Merlin’s magic to feel responsible for their safety. He was garnering a new appreciation for what Caleb experienced on a daily basis, and was glad Scholar and Knight made up the whole of his psychic friends and family network.

“Some blessings are hard to understand and accept.”

“Pastor Jim would have loved chatting up philosophy with you, Cas. I’m more into immediate, concrete rewards.” Dean took a breath, gathering his wits about him. “When this ‘gift’ acts like a homing beacon taking me to Sam and Caleb like your GPS brought us here to Alabama to see Lenore, then we’ll talk.”

“I have traced demons before, but never vampires. I wasn’t sure they were real before sensing them at the motel.”

“Tell me about it. I almost busted a gut the first time Dad gave us the low down on the blood suckers.” Dean started for Lenore’s place. Castiel offered to take them directly into the house, but Dean wanted to try a friendlier route, hoping to cash in on old favors.

“There are several here now.” Castiel’s eyes went from the house to the barn. “They are not mentioned in my Father’s Book.”

“Don’t feel bad, Cas. Dad didn’t put vamps in his journal either.” Dean couldn’t help drawing parallels that kept being pointed out to them by both sides. He knew the whole spin was convenience on Lucifer’s part, but it wouldn’t have been so effective if there weren’t threads of truth. “Parents have that whole need to know thing going on.”

The angel lifted his head as a lonesome baying echoed from the homestead. “Do werewolves work with vampires?”

“What does your hero Stephanie Meyer say about that?” Dean pulled his gun from its holster, checking the new rounds. It had been Bobby’s idea to fill the exploding shells with dead man’s blood. It wouldn’t kill, but it sure as hell would slow the bastards down. The mechanic was finding interesting ways to fill his new found time.

“In her books vampires and werewolves are unwilling allies.”

“My dad always said war makes strange bedfellows.”

“She makes werewolves sound much like The Brotherhood, minus the fact you don’t morph into wild animals.”

“Withhold judgment.” Dean replaced the gun, hoping he wouldn’t need it. “You haven’t seen us at Thanksgiving dinner.”

“These vampires have guards posted,” Castiel said. “They’ve caught your scent and are planning an ambush.”

Dean wasn’t surprised. Only humans were ignorant of what was taking place around them. “Once a vampire gets a whiff of you, they don’t forget. They have much better noses than their dogs. Sam and I have dealt with this particular nest before.”

“And you let them live?”

“They aren’t your typical vampires. They feed off animals instead of humans.”

“So they are like the Cullens?”

“Do the Cullens mutilate cows?” Dean gestured to the pasture fields, where a healthy herd of cattle was grazing. There were goats intermixed, and even a couple of pigs. It looked as if Lenore and clan had taken a green approach, growing their own food source.

“They prefer swifter game such as deer and mountain lion.”

“Then don’t expect your mad crush Rosalie to come to the door.” Dean grinned at the angel. “Let me do all the talking. I don’t trust your golden tongue after our little night in the whore house.”

They were greeted by Castiel’s werewolves, which turned out to be two friendly lop-eared hounds and a poodle that looked strangely out of place. Dean hoped they were pets and not some kind of bloodsucker delicacy. The vampires let them get to the front porch of the house before making their move. Dean removed his gun, but kept it in a neutral position as he and Castiel were surrounded.

“Hunters aren’t welcome here.”

The vampire who spoke was a dark haired guy about Dean’s size. Dean didn’t recognize any of the glowering faces. Sam dealt with the vampires, first when he was kidnapped, and then when he returned Lenore after Gordon’s torture session. He had mentioned Lenore’s mate, Eli. Dean took a chance. “Are you Eli?”

“Maybe.”

Dean considered that an affirmative. “Tell Lenore that Dean Winchester wants to talk to her.”

“Why?” The vampire motioned for the others to stay back as he took a step closer to Dean. “We have no stake in Brotherhood business. We want to be left alone. You have no right to come here. We’ve done nothing.”

Dean cocked a brow. “I didn’t say this had to do with The Brotherhood.”

“You’re a hunter.” He quickly pointed to Dean’s ring. “And not just any hunter, Winchester. You’re the hunter. We’ve all heard of the recent coronation.”

“I wasn’t aware vampires kept up on the supernatural social scene.” Dean tightened his grip on the gun, surprised news traveled so fast and among those on the very fringes of the shadowy world.

“It pays to keep up on what the enemy is doing, but you’ll have to forgive me if I don’t offer my congratulations.”

“I’m not here for you to kiss my ring.” Dean glanced at Castiel, who was studying the vampires with quiet fascination. “We just want some information.”

Eli rubbed his chin. “That’s asking a lot don’t you think?”

“If I remember right, my brother and I saved your girl’s life.” Dean counted eight vampires in all, two of them women. There would be no way he could take them all out with individual shots if they decided to push a confrontation, but he wasn’t leaving without answers. “We went against one of our own in doing so.”

“If I remember right you helped kill my best friend, Conrad and then celebrated with your buddies.” Eli’s eyes blackened, his fangs extending. “I forsook a brother by not exacting revenge for his death.”

Dean licked his lips. There wasn’t much he could say to that. “Tell Lenore I’ll owe her one-that The Guardian will owe her one.”

Eli growled low in his throat. Dean tensed, feeling Castiel’s fingers brush against his jacket. “Tell her yourself.”

Lenore appeared from behind two of the other vampires, leaving Dean unsure if she had been there all along. “Dean.”

“Lenore.” He relaxed his stance as the pretty brunette stepped into the glow of the porch lights. “You don’t seem surprised to see me.”

“No good deed goes unpaid.” She moved closer to them. “I expected you would come calling some day.”

“You know why we’re here?”

“I’ve heard rumors.”

“For a bunch of hayseed Alabama farmers, you and your boyfriend seem to be in the know.” Lenore’s hands gave away her nervousness. Dean watched her run her fingers over the charms of her gold bracelet.

“We’ve made friends through the years.” Lenore gestured to the house. “Shall we talk inside?”

Dean shook his head. These might have been vegetarian vampires but he still didn’t like the idea of going into an enclosed space with a pack of them. “I’d rather we didn’t.”

“Surely you don’t think we want trouble?”

“It’s beginning to look like some of your kind might.”

“Not us.” Lenore held his gaze. “We want to live in peace. It’s all we ask.”

“That’s a tall order in times like these, sweetheart. Either you pick a side, or you end up collateral damage. There is no safe ground.”

“Are you saying you can protect us?” Lenore brought her hand to her throat, where a small black stone on a silver chain rested against the base of her neck.

“I can promise you that no one under my order will harm you or your nest.”

“And the angel?” Lenore’s gaze went to Castiel. “Will his kind follow your lead?”

Castiel frowned. “You know what I am?”

“I do.” Lenore’s eyes glistened, reminding Dean of the way Becky, Chuck’s crazy assistant gazed at Sam. “You’re an angel of the Lord.”

“You stink of myrrh,” Eli said. “We smelled you before the hunter.”

Castiel looked suddenly unsure. He glanced to Dean, who shrugged. “Could explain why Boo’s always sniffing you.”

“Ignore, Eli. You’re scent is like the air after a summer thunderstorm.”

“This is Castiel.” Dean looked from Lenore to the angel, seeing an opportunity he hadn’t expected. “He’s rogue at the moment, so we can’t speak for his brethren, but even a fallen angel is a damn good ally.”

“One angel is more than I ever expected.” Lenore extended her hand to Castiel. “I’m Lenore.”

Castiel did not oblige the greeting, a frown still creasing his forehead as he studied the woman before him.

“Sorry. He’s a little disappointed you don’t glitter like diamonds in the sunlight.”

Lenore dropped her hand, her mouth tipping slightly into a sad smile. “Who says I don’t?”

“So about Sam and Caleb?”

“Despite what they are, you should know I harbor no ill will towards either of them.” Lenore glanced at Eli, her gaze taking in the ragtag group gathered with her mate before bringing her eyes back to Dean. “Caleb once saved my family from a hunter called Elkins. Sam stood up for me when he could have just as easily let Gordon finish me off. They aren’t typical hunters; they’re enlightened for your kind.”

“Then helping them should be easy.” Dean didn’t miss the fact Lenore wasn’t grouping him with his brother and best friend.

“We both know it isn’t so simple.” Lenore stared at Dean. “As you said, times are hard. In a hundred years I haven’t seen such things.”

“Then it makes your decision to help us all the more profound,” Castiel spoke. “Times of great mayhem reveal the righteous.”

Lenore turned to Castiel, her hand going back to grasp the charm bracelet. Dean noticed the gold cross pressed between her thumb and index finger. It seemed everyone was searching for redemption. “It’s hard to be gracious when you have been cast in a world of darkness.”

“That is when one must be gracious.” Castiel stepped forward, extending his hand to the vampire. “My Father said light shall shine out of darkness. You and your family obviously understand that.”

“Corinthians,” Lenore took the angel’s hand and grasped it between both of hers. “Chapter 4; Verse 6.”

“Does this little game of Bible Jeopardy mean you’ll help us?” Dean could appreciate the irony of a religious vampire as much as the next guy, but was ready to get back to business.

Lenore let go of Castiel’s hand, looking to Dean. “Your brother and Caleb are being held by a vampire named Beckett.”

“Does Beckett have a last name?”

“We know little about him.” Eli came alongside his mate. “His nest crossed the border of Canada last year, bringing new ideas with them.”

“These new ideas include unifying your nests and establishing a power base within your ranks?”

Eli looked at Lenore who nodded that he should continue. “Beckett believes the time for vampires to reclaim their place is upon us. He thinks if we don’t show a display of power now, we’ll be perceived as inconsequential as the humans and left in the wake.”

“I hate to break it to you, but Lucifer is mass murdering his own people. He’s not looking for any new comrades. And the only thing kidnapping two-thirds of The Triad is going to accomplish is to bring about a quick extinction for what’s left of your kind before the show even starts.”

“Smart or not, vampires are taking notice,” Lenore said. “Beckett’s very charismatic for a young vampire. His appeal has united several nests already, forming the largest group of our kind in centuries. We hear he has joined forces with a very powerful witch willing to utilize dark magic.”

Dean and Castiel shared a look. “This witch have a name?”

“Not one that I know. I haven't heard a specific coven spoken about.”

“Would you happen to know where I could find this Beckett?”

“Up north,” Eli answered. “That’s all we know.”

“That’s a start.”

“Dean,” Lenore grasped the hunter’s sleeve. “You should know that one of the things Beckett has promised the vampires is justice against their greatest enemy.”

“Van Helsing’s head on a platter?” Hunters were the only known predator of the vampire. If Beckett wanted to gain support, Dean knew marching the bloodied corpses of his enemy through the streets would be a great start.

“Yes.”

“There has always been war between hunter and vampire.”

“But Beckett is painting The Brotherhood in a darker light. He claims Sam and Caleb murdered a nest like ours, one that was trying to live in peace with the humans.”

“Sam and Caleb spared you and your family. Do you really believe they would slaughter another nest just for sport?”

Lenore let him go. “Others do not see things as I do. They are sparked by the idea of vindication. The shedding of enemy blood excites them in more ways than one. Beckett is planning a big show of it. Vampires are coming from all over.”

“But you don’t know the location?” Dean held Lenore’s gaze, searching for any mistruth.

“We had to pledge our allegiance to Beckett’s crusade to receive the specifics. As I said before, we are not interested in his plans.”

“There’s talk of a public execution,” Eli added.

“We’ll see about that.” Dean nodded to Castiel. “Let’s go.”

Lenore stepped back, her nest opening up to allow them to leave. Dean caught her soft words as they walked away. “I’ll pray for you.”

Dean wasn’t sure if he should be humbled that one of the damned was hoping for their salvation, or extremely worried they needed such mercy.