Chapter 6

When I woke up, I wasn't staring at the ceiling of Elizabeth Castle's room like I normally did after dying. No. This time I was staring up at a very white, very clean ceiling. I blinked and winced. My head hurt. What was going on? I should be in Elly's body in the other world, letting mine recuperate in my world. Had Elly also been hurt? I tried to sit up, but the searing pain in my chest made me lay back down. No, this was still my body. So I hadn't died then. Then where the fuck was I?

I looked to my left and right the best I could with a stiff neck. I could see the walls on either side of me. White trimmed with black and gold. The side table I could just see in my peripheral looked like dark oak with a very fancy lamp sitting on top. I could feel silk sheets between my fingers. I groaned. I was back in the hotel. Back in his room. Slick bastard must have followed me. But why?

I forced myself to sit up this time, sucking in hot air with every movement. I hugged my chest when I was finally in a half-sitting position. There were clean bandages there in place of my shirt. How long had I been out? I turned my head just enough to see the sliding glass door that lead to the balcony. It was dark out again. So it had at least been twelve hours, but without any way to know what day it was, I couldn't be sure. I searched the rest of my body for my phone. It was still in my pocket, not the one I remembered leaving it in, but at least it was still there. I clicked the power button, praying to Chuck that it hadn't been broken in the fight. With a soft buuuuuuzong it came to life, starting up like normal. I breathed a small sigh of relief.

I had thirteen missed calls from Dean, ten from Sam, and a handful of texts from Charlie. Fuck. I forgot I just left her with a note. She had probably gone back to the bunker and freaked out when I wasn't there. And the boys probably freaked out when I didn't come back with her. I took a deep breath and called Sam.

"Are you ok? Where are you? Did you die again? Do you have any idea how worried we were?" He didn't even say hello first.

"I'm ok Sam, I've had worse. I'm in Sioux City still." I let out another sigh, "No, I probably should have but I didn't. I can only guess how worried you were."

"You've been gone for three days, Alex." Oh right, I'd turned my phone on to check what day it was and got distracted by the missed calls.

"Only three? I've been gone for longer than that before." I tried the joke.

"That doesn't mean we're not worried about you." It didn't land, "Where are you exactly? We'll come get you."

"Not needed Sam. I'm fine. In good hands. Really." I tried to make it sound truthful, but in reality, I wasn't so sure. My body burned with every breath and just talking was getting hard to do. And I didn't know if I was in good hands or not, after our last conversation I was amazed he hadn't left me for dead. Not that it would've stayed that way for long. But maybe he'd known that. If he was partnering up with a demon prince maybe he knew about my deal with Crowley.

"I don't think you get it. Dean's got bags packed. We're coming to get you." Sam hung up.

I groaned, he'd had enough time to trace the signal, and probably knew exactly where I was. Not that that was a bad thing. The bouge hotel room I could explain away, the Brit it belonged to wouldn't be as easy. I threw an arm over my eyes, the lights in the room suddenly too bright. The tears were rolling down my cheeks before I could stop them. Just how scared had I been? Why was I so shaken up? I had fought werewolves by myself before. Why had this time been different?

Because that's how Dad died. Protecting you from a pack. You watched him die that way.

Right. My dad had died to a pack of werewolves the year after he'd handed me off to John. I'd gone to see him, get away from the boys for a few days, and relax. The remainder of a pack we'd just killed followed me and murdered him in front of me. How close had I been to meeting him just now? I knew I had a few chances left, but it would have been nice to see him, even for just a minute, even if it was just Billy trying to lead me away again.

I took a shaking breath, pushing the fear down and letting a calm over me. I hadn't died. I still had a few lives left. It was okay. I heard the floor creak as someone else entered the room. I didn't move my arm.

"It wasn't nice to just storm out like that." Ketch' voice was all too cocky, "You could have died if I hadn't followed after."

"Why did you follow me? Did you want to make sure I stayed gone? Or were you hoping I'd lead you back to the bunker again?" I lowered my arm and glared at him.

He made a clicking noise with his tongue. "I'd like to think you would have figured that out by now. I could have easily killed you if I wanted you to 'stay gone'. And I already know where your precious bunker is." His smirk was irritating.

"Then what do you want with me, Ketch?" I asked.

"Come to Hell with me." It was a simple thing to say, yet something I'd never imagined hearing anyone but the Devil himself say. Especially to someone like me.

"What?" I pushed off the bed a little, staring at him.

"I'll only say it again once. Come to Hell with me." He looked me in the eyes when he said it this time, holding my gaze with that mercury stare.

It took me a few seconds to find a response, but I could only think to ask, "Why?"

"Well. I heard your little conversation with Samuel. If they are coming here, I certainly can't stay. And in your condition, you really shouldn't move." He gestured at my chest, "I did my best to close them and dress the wounds, but you need something to heal them. Preferably faster than modern medicine."

"Why do you care what happens to me?" I gingerly crossed my arms over my chest, "A few days ago we were fighting and hated each other."

"I wouldn't call it hate." He smiled, "More….a lover's quarrel."

"Ketch…" He must know I needed a better reason to go with him. As much as my brain was telling me to just go, that it would be an easy way to get the key, I needed to think better about this. This wasn't just about sex and empty feeling right now.

"Fine." He came to the edge of the bed and grabbed my chin, pulling my head to the side so I was face to-face with him. Burning amber melting mercury. "I want to take you where you'll be protected. Somewhere where only we matter. Where only Death can hear you moan and only I can make you happy."

Shit. "Fuck." He was serious. Whatever had made this change in him was strong, he hadn't said anything like this to me since we'd first met. I shouldn't let myself be affected by his words, but something about this situation, laying here bandaged with care under his strong gaze, made my mind hazy. He would always have this effect on me.

A deep rumble of a chuckle came from his chest, "Is that a yes?"

"Fine, I'll go with you." I pulled my head from his grasp and looked away, "But only to heal, I'm not some toy you can use and then throw away." This also seemed to be the easiest path to the key. I could heal for a few days and then grab it when his back was turned and get the hell out of Hell.

"Good," I could feel his cocky smile without looking at him, "I'll give you an hour to clean up and get ready. There are spare clothes in the dresser." My head snapped to look at him again, "Relax, they're the extras from your car. I'm not a stalker."

It took a little longer to shower and change with the bandages and stiff joints, but once it was done we were set to go to Hell, and it couldn't have been better timing. I'd happened to look off the balcony while waiting for Ketch to pack everything up and had seen the Impala pull into the lot.

"We need to go," I walked back into the room, "Now."

"Right," He shouldered a cleaner duffle than any of mine had ever been and walked to the hallway door, "Off to Hell then."

I watched as he took an ancient key out of his pocket. It looked to be made of bone. The handle was rounded but didn't look smooth, especially with the four barbs coming off of it. The three teeth looked the same, one was even worn down and almost a nub. It was larger than a normal key too, almost like something your grandmother would have for an old chest in the attic, except she's a witch. He took it and reached towards the small keyhole on the door.

"There's no way that will…" I bit my tongue as the keyhole magically changed and grew into an equally bone-looking keyhole, one just right for the key in Ketch' hand.

He smirked at me as he turned the key and the entire door changed. It looked like something straight out of Hell. The door grew a foot and rounded to a point at the top, now lined with columns of burning wood rather than the dark oak it had just been. A skull appeared at the top, its jaw falling open and morphing to become a grotesque piece of bone, fossilized muscle, and ancient sinew. The key sat firmly in place until the full door had come into place, and only then did it turn itself and click.

"Stay." It was an order, one I usually wouldn't follow, but given what just happened I was more inclined to wait until told otherwise. I nodded.

Ketch opened the door carefully, but it creaked nonetheless. He disappeared behind it for a moment, reappearing before I could even think of following. He stuck a hand out to me, I hesitantly took it and walked through the door into Hell.

I had forgotten what it looked like on the top level. It was dark, no light save for torches in sconces on the dark red walls. Everything here was red and looked to be made of dirt or old brick. The halls were full of doors, many of them chained off or bolted shut with boards. Most were metal reinforced with rebar. I could see for a bit down the hall before it rounded out of sight, every few doors had a mostly empty desk across the hall from it. The desks were piled with books or scrolls to one side, but they all looked like they'd been abandoned mid-study with no one to return for them. I took a step forward to see a bit further when Ketch grabbed my arm.

"Don't. I don't know the guard schedule all that well yet and if you get caught I'll have to turn you in." He said, "That would not be fun for either of us."

"I'm a Winchester, they probably already know I'm here." I looked him in the eyes, "And if they don't, it won't take long."

"Right," He sighed, "Room's this way then."

I followed on his heels, not wanting to get seen either. Having a demon on the inside didn't make Hell any less comfortable for me to be in. I hated the occasional trips Crowley would take me on to get things. And those were in and out. No telling how long I'd be here this time, and that made me even more anxious. We walked no longer than 5 minutes before coming to a rather normal-looking, very out-of-place door. It was a dark red purple color with beautifully carved edges and three circles going down the middle. The top circle was darker than the other two and had a tree of life carved into it. The middle circle had a constellation carved into it, upon closer look I realized it was Pisces, including even the smaller stars in the grouping. The bottom circle had three lions chasing each other carved into it, they looked old, like something a Renaissance artist would've thought a lion looked like. Ketch pulled another key from his pocket and unlocked the door with it.

"Welcome to my home." He said, opening the door wide enough for me to step through.

I walked through into a very clean white living room. The room almost looked like it had never been lived in. The white sofas bordered with black end tables didn't slope where they'd been sat on the most. The end tables didn't hold scuffs or watermarks from beer bottles or whiskey glasses. The glass coffee table only held a small bright green plant in a glass vase. The far wall held three massive windows that looked out into the pine forest beyond them. I walked further in and could see an open-style dining room off to the left, a round glass table sat with one white chair, and another green plant sat as the centerpiece. Another white hall led off to the right, further into the house. I walked towards the windows, wanting to look out into the forest. It was beautiful. The dark green pines gave little away about what lived in them. The only light shown through the top of the clearing the house sat in and didn't seem to reach beyond the first row of trees. A slight breeze blew the branches side to side, creating a hypnotizing motion.

"Are we…on the surface?" I asked, sucked into the view.

"Yes. This is my home in Thetford." Ketch said with a sigh, "It was a gift from the Men of Letters."

"Thetford. Isn't that a national forest?" I turned to look at him as he came up next to me, "How do you live in a national forest?"

"Rather easily if you pull the right strings." He smiled, "Wonderful view isn't it?"

"It is." I nodded.

We stood in silence for a few seconds, enjoying the view and each other's presence. But before long the aching of my wounds and sore body crept back in. I was tired. I had slept for three days and was still tired. This is what it had to be like to actually heal instead of leaving and just letting your body do it by itself.

"Ketch, could you show me where I can rest?" I asked him.

"Didn't you just wake up?" He teased me, extending his hand a moment later.

I took it and he led me to the hall on the right. The hall had two doors, one closer to the beginning and one against the furthest wall. The walls were decorated with awards and plaques for various feats. It reminded me of the wall my dad had full of my school achievements.

I stopped by one of the shadowboxes. It held a single silver medal hung on a blue, white, and red ribbon. The face showing looked like it had an early image of Queen Elizabeth embossed on it. It read 'Elizabeth II Del Gratia Regina F.D.' around the edge.

"What's that for?" I asked, admiring the small medal.

"That?" Ketch stared at it for a moment, like he'd forgotten what it was for, "Ah. That is for being the best shot in my class."

"The best shot." I repeated, "With a gun?"

"Nothing less." He smirked.

"Huh." I wanted to ask more, but my brain was beginning to fog over with exhaustion. "How much further?"

Ketch chuckled, "This way. As long as you don't get distracted again."

"As LoNg As YoU…" I mocked, but I shuffled after him regardless.

We walked a few more feet to the door at the end of the hall. It was the same dark purple-red color as the front door had been, but this one didn't have any carvings. It swung open with no sound and revealed a dark room. Ketch flicked a switch on the wall and a beautiful crystal chandelier lit up the bedroom. The walls were a soft charcoal color that met a dark hardwood floor. Three large windows lined the north and west walls, but black curtains blocked out any light from outside. The queen-sized bed resting against the east wall looked like something out of Christian Grey's bedroom, charcoal sheets were tucked carefully under the mattress with several satin pillows sitting against the headrest. Books and scrolls towered haphazardly on a nightstand, shading the light from a smaller lamp.

"You can sleep here," Ketch said, walking further in. "The bathroom is through the door there, and the switch for the curtains is on the wall next to the bed…"

I wasn't paying attention. I stepped closer to the bed and ran my hands over the sheets. They were soft and cold against my fingers. I smiled, this was too nice for someone like me. I would never be comfortable with something like this.

Jump onto it…

I didn't ignore the semi-intrusive thought, launching myself face-first onto the covers. I laughed when, instead of bouncing off or smacking into a hard mattress, I fell into something I can only describe as angel wings. It was wonderful. I rolled over and looked up at the high ceiling. Even it was made of beautiful architecture.

Ketch walked into my view, "Enjoying yourself?" He said it with a smile.

I smiled in return, "You have no idea what this feels like to someone who's never had anything this nice." I closed my eyes, never wanting to open them again and lose this feeling of warm calm.

"I'll leave you be then." He chuckled, "If you need me, I'll be in the study. That's the door we passed."

I kept my eyes closed, "Okay," I could feel myself starting to drift, the soft sheets warming with my body heat and pulling me to rest.

A soft kiss caressed my forehead, "Rest well, love. We'll get you healed up tomorrow."

His soft steps faded as I began to dream.

I wasn't sure how long I had been asleep, but when I woke up the room was dark again and I was laying properly on the bed. Ketch was sleeping next to me, naked back facing me. I slowly got out of bed and crept silently to one of the windows. I pulled the large, heavy black curtain aside and looked out onto a beautiful clearing lit by the moon. You could see billions of stars, no light pollution existed out here to stop them shining through the tops and breaks of the pines. It was like staring at a jeweler's case full of diamonds.

You could have this too.

No, I couldn't. And I wasn't going to let my mind tell me otherwise.

I let the curtain fall from my grasp, the darkness enveloping me again. I let my eyes adjust to the darkness again before walking silently out of the room. I walked down the hallway and to the other door. He'd said this was a study. I wonder what all he had, he didn't seem to be the type who did a lot of reading. I pushed the door open and stepped into another dark room. I carefully felt along the wall until I found the light switch and flipped it. My breath caught in my throat when I saw the room before me. It looked to be a two-story library. All of the shelves were filled with books or were sealed glass displays. High on the walls, between shelves, small lamps lit the room. A staircase spiraled down to the lower floor in the center of the room. Another round of shelves encircled a desk and leather chair. There were several papers and some books stacked on the desk.

I walked closer to one of the shelves and peered at some of the titles. There were some standard reads, a bible, copies of DaVinci's codes, and a guide on translating Enochian. But there were stranger titles I couldn't translate. I reached for a leather-bound book titled 'מדריך להרג שדים'. I was sure the language was Hebrew but I was unsure of the characters or what it was talking about. I opened the pages and found the same text on the old browned pages within. I closed it and put it back on the shelf. This place was beautiful. I felt like I could spend every day reading here and still wouldn't finish in my short life.

I walked down the spiral stairs and over to the desk. It held books titled 'interdimensional Travel' and 'Opening Gates to Other Worlds'. I saw a page tucked under the stack of books and reached for it. But the door to the room opened above and I pulled my hand back. I looked up as Ketch appeared at the top of the stairs. He still looked half asleep, eyes half glazed and hair still disheveled.

"I've been called to a meeting with Asmodeus." He said, clearing the sleep from his voice, "Please stay here. For both of our sakes."