"Now, Vanessa, I'm always happy to watch Nadia. She's such an angel," Ms. Furches explained over the phone. "But you dropped her off two days ago, and she's been worried sick. She mentioned some woman she'd never met at your house. The more I think about it, the more concerned I'm getting. Is everything okay?"

"Everything is just fine, Ms. Furches," Vanessa lied, pacing the kitchen. She pressed the bridge of her nose, the weight of her worry crashing down on her. "A work friend of mine showed up needing help. It's all settled now. There's nothing to worry about. I'll be there to pick Nadia up in about an hour, okay?"

"If you need her to stay longer, it's no problem."

"No, no, no, you've done enough already. Thank you, Ms. Furches. I'll see you soon. Bye."

Vanessa hung up the phone and glanced at the half-empty bottle of whiskey on the dining table. She sighed before joining Nadia in the living room. Her daughter sat on the couch, worry etched into her expression.

Vanessa sat beside her, placing a pillow on her lap. "Come here."

Nadia laid her head down, her eyes fluttering closed as her mother gently stroked her hair. The simple act made Nadia feel like a child again—small, fragile. And then the tears came, unbidden, as the reality of what was to come hit her full force.

"I know," Vanessa whispered, her own tears falling silently. She kissed Nadia's temple, offering what little comfort she could. "I know, honey. Let it out."

Nadia's voice trembled. "How are you—how can you—"

"Take your time."

"How can you just walk into your death after this?" Nadia's words were raw, desperate.

Vanessa didn't flinch. "Because your present matters. It may not feel like it, but you are exactly where you need to be. Your little brother needs you. They all need you."

"I need you," Nadia whispered, a choked sob escaping her.

"It seems like you've done just fine without me."

"You know what I mean!" Nadia's frustration cracked through the sadness.

"I know," Vanessa murmured, brushing her thumb over Nadia's cheek. "I know."

Nadia wiped her tears, her sniffling softening with the weight of her words. "He won't do it, Mom."

"Who, Dean?"

"Yes! What you're asking him to do... it's too big."

Vanessa sighed but stayed silent, waiting for Nadia to continue.

"I thought you said he's willing to lay his life down to save the world," Nadia said softly.

"He is. But this isn't just about dying, Nadia. He's been trapped in his own body while Michael and Lucifer fight for control. What happens to Dean after? Does he get his body back? What happens to the world if they succeed?"

"I—Nadia—"

"Oh, right," Nadia stood, crossing her arms over her chest. "This is just about sibling rivalry now. Forget saving the world."

"No, it's not," Vanessa's voice hardened, but only slightly. "I won't lie to you. Humanity will suffer. There will be pain and loss. But trust me, humans are resilient. I've seen it. I've watched them rise from the darkest times, come back stronger."

"Maybe. But what about Dean, Mom?" Nadia's voice cracked again, the emotion spilling out of her. "He's been through so much. Doesn't he deserve a chance at happiness? I'm not talking about us. I'm talking about his life."

Vanessa's gaze softened. "I know what you mean, and I wish I could offer you hope, but... I think we both know the truth." She paused, her voice quiet. "The reality is often... disappointing."

"Yeah," Nadia said, looking down. "I know."

"What are you going to do? Are you going to tell him?"

"Tell him what? That he's some angel's meat suit? No. He's been through Hell, literally. And if he finds out the truth about God and the angels... he won't want anything to do with them. Maybe nothing to do with me."

"Honey, don't say that," Vanessa said gently. "It's clear he cares about you."

"He does, Mom. But this..." Nadia shook her head, frustration creeping back into her voice. "This is bigger than anything we've ever dealt with. Sacrificing yourself for the greater good? It's one thing. But this is—this is on steroids."

"I understand," Vanessa said quietly, her voice full of regret. "And I know I'm contradicting myself here, but you've seen what my lies did to your father. Maybe you should consider—"

"You just said—"

"I know what I said." Vanessa interrupted, her tone firm yet understanding. "But I know the cost of risking your relationship..."

"Our relationship is already at risk, whether I tell him or not, Mom," Nadia said with a slight shrug. "Maybe I'll tell him... just not right now. He's carrying the world on his shoulders already. One problem at a time."

Vanessa smiled softly, taking her daughter's hands in hers. "You sound like me back in my angel days. Taking on the heavy stuff that would crush the person I was assigned to."

"It comes naturally." Nadia's voice was bitter. "But I didn't ask for this."

"No one did," Vanessa said, caressing Nadia's cheek. "No one."

Nadia's eyes misted, but she squeezed her mother's wrist tighter. "I know you think I'm playing both sides, but I'm not. I choose Dean. I choose humanity. But I have to make the angels think I'm with them... at least for now. If it's too obvious I'm not steering Dean in the direction they want... things could get messy."

"That's a smart move," Vanessa said with a nod. "I hadn't thought of it that way. So... what about this?" She gestured toward the vial around Nadia's neck.

Nadia took the vial in her hand, her fingers tracing the smooth glass as she thought.

Suddenly, Nadia heard a voice in her head. It was familiar. Her little brother.

"Ben?" She whipped around, instinctively looking for him.

"What's wrong?" Vanessa asked, eyes narrowing in concern.

"My little brother... I think he's praying to me." Nadia's voice was strained as she closed her eyes, focusing on the desperate plea.

"We need your help! Demons are after us! They're looking for you. I hope you can hear my prayer." Ben's voice echoed in her mind, filled with fear.

Nadia's breath caught in her throat. "Damn it, I have to go."

"Why? What's going on?" Vanessa asked, worry flooding her voice.

"Demons. They're after them. Looking for me. After everything we stopped with Anna... it's ironic, really."

"You think an angel exposed you?" Vanessa asked, frowning.

"I wouldn't doubt it. Demons don't come after me unless they're being tipped off. Trust me, I've dealt with enough of them." Nadia turned away, pain etched into her features. "I hate leaving, but—"

"Wait," Vanessa said, stopping her. "Think for a moment."

"Mom, I can't. They need me."

"You can't go without your grace. You'll be no use to them unconscious."

Nadia looked at the vial in her hand, her shoulders slumping. "I guess I don't have a choice."

"You always have a choice," Vanessa said softly. "It'll hurt like Hell, but you can reverse it."

Nadia cringed, remembering Anna's description of cutting grace out.

Vanessa pulled her into a tight hug. "I love you so much. I'm sorry I didn't see you grow up."

Nadia squeezed her eyes shut, tears threatening. She tightened her grip on her mother, unwilling to let go.

Vanessa pulled back, taking Nadia's hands in hers. "Remember this: Sometimes you have to take the good guy down too. Their intentions may be pure, but sometimes they get so set in their ways that they forget the solution doesn't outweigh the consequences."

Nadia frowned. "What does that mean?"

"You'll know when the time comes." Vanessa kissed her forehead gently. "Now go. They need you."

Nadia nodded, breathing deeply as she took the vial off her neck.

"Get in there, you little brat," Mellie shoved a panting Ben into the laser tag cabin, his nose bloody and his face twisted in pain.

Sam and Dean were tied to two chairs, bloody and bruised from the beating they'd taken at the hands of Josh and their grandfather.

"Didn't your daddy teach you not to lay a hand on a woman?" Mellie spat, furious.

"Demons don't count, idiot," the twelve-year-old shot back, his voice laced with defiance despite his pain.

Mellie's hand twitched as if to strike him, but she stopped herself.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa," Josh grabbed Ben by his shirt, yanking him away from Mellie. "We don't hurt the kid—yet."

"Forget that," Mellie fumed. "You know how long I chased him? And when I finally caught him, he hit me right in the nose."

"You'll live," Josh shrugged, his voice flat. "This twerp is our leverage." He spun Ben around to face Sam and Dean. "I'm not feeling patient today. So, tell us where the angel is, and we'll let the kid go. He won't suffer."

"Don't tell them anything, Ben," Sam shouted before Josh cut him off.

"Don't make me hurt you, kid." Josh's hand clamped over Ben's mouth, squeezing so hard the boy couldn't speak. "So," he turned to the brothers, eyes narrowing, "we got a deal?"

Sam met Dean's gaze, and they exchanged a silent understanding.

"I think we're gonna pass," Sam said, his tone cool, like they were having an everyday conversation.

"Ditto," Dean added. "Especially since the only ones dying here today are you."

Mellie's eyes narrowed, and she slowly circled Dean, her heels clicking against the floor. "Is that so, pretty boy?" She sat on his lap, trailing a finger through his hair, her voice dripping with mock seduction. "By the looks of it, things aren't in your favor."

Dean swallowed, stifling the irritation burning in his gut.

"That's the funny thing about life," Dean said, his tone calm but laced with something sharper beneath it. "Sometimes things don't look the way they are. Ain't that right, Sammy?"

"Damn straight," Sam snickered. "You did all this to find an angel who also happens to be a hunter. I can only imagine how pissed she's gonna be when she finds out what you've done. I mean, you kidnapped her little brother."

Dean's gaze never wavered from the demons. "Worse thing you could've done," he said, the threat clear. "And if you kill us, you'll be begging for mercy you won't get."

Mellie's expression faltered. She stumbled off Dean's lap, her eyes flashing with a mixture of confusion and fear. The demons exchanged uncertain looks.

"So, how about this," Dean continued, his voice laced with a mix of casual bravado and something darker. "You let us go, and we'll think about letting you live. For now, at least."

"You think you're calling the shots?" Josh snarled, pulling Ben into a tight headlock. "You think I won't kill this kid?"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, hey!" Sam shouted, struggling against his restraints.

"You think I won't do it?" Josh's voice was low and dangerous.

Ben's breath quickened, panic evident in his eyes. "Let go of me! Please!"

"I'll kill him! I swear!" Josh shouted, tightening his grip.

"Ben, you're gonna be fine!" Dean shouted, trying to calm the boy. "Stay calm. We're gonna get out of this."

"Do it!" Mellie pushed Josh, urgency in her voice. "Kill him, hurry up!"

Josh turned Ben to face him, his hand tightening around the boy's neck. "It ain't personal, kid."

Ben's eyes met his captor's with a cold, fearless gaze. "Do your worst."

The demons exchanged amused looks.

"The balls on this one," Josh said, laughing darkly. "This will be fun."

Suddenly, the air grew heavy, and dark clouds rolled in, blotting out the sun. Thunder cracked like a booming earthquake, and the lights began to flicker.

"What the hell's happening?" Mellie's voice shook with panic.

"Looks like you three are getting what you asked for," Sam said, a slight smirk on his face despite the tension.

Dean stood in stunned silence, his eyes wide as the temperature in the room dropped. Nadia appeared in the doorway like an omen. Her eyes glowed a brilliant silver, lightning crackling around her. Her wings unfurled in a dazzling display of power.

The dark clouds dispersed as the sunlight flooded the room again, leaving an eerie calm in its wake.

"Heard you're looking for me," Nadia said, her voice calm, almost detached. She shut the door without a flicker of movement.

"Crap," Mellie whispered, her face draining of color. "She looks like a full angel."

Josh's face twisted with fear as he struggled to hide it. "So? What are you waiting for? Come get..." He trailed off as Nadia vanished before their eyes.

A guttural scream shattered the tense silence, and the light flared again, pulling their attention to the grandfather. As the light dimmed, his lifeless body crumpled to the ground, and Nadia reappeared behind Josh, her archangel blade raised. In an instant, he too fell, his body crumpling to the floor.

"Ben, untie the boys," Nadia commanded her voice a cold whisper. Before Mellie could even think of escaping, Nadia was on her, slamming her hard against the wall. Mellie's skin tore as her head collided with the surface, blood trickling from her temple.

Nadia's grip tightened, her eyes scanning Mellie's bloodied face as the reality of her newfound strength set in. She blinked, processing the power thrumming in her veins.

"Well? What are you waiting for?" Mellie taunted through gritted teeth.

Nadia leaned in closer, her voice low. "After you tell me how you found us. Who told you about me?"

"Nobody!" Mellie yelped. "Owwww!" She screeched as Nadia pressed her head harder into the wall. "I swear, I'll tell you—"

"Who?" Nadia's eyes darkened.

"Uriel! An angel named Uriel! Okay? Please, just don't—"

Nadia froze, her eyes narrowing. "Thanks for the info," she said before raising her blade, poised to strike.

"Wait! Wait!" Mellie gasped. "She's still alive! My meat suit—"

Nadia scoffed, loosening her grip. "You've got to be kidding me."

"What about them?" Dean nodded to the lifeless bodies of Josh and their grandfather.

"They were already dead," Mellie hissed, glaring at Nadia. "Killed them before."

"Why not this one?" Nadia tilted her head, eyeing Mellie.

"It's more fun this way," Mellie cackled before her laughter turned into a tortured scream as Nadia pressed her head into the wall again. "You're just hurting her, you know that, right?!"

Nadia's jaw clenched, her eyes dark with fury. She leaned in close to Mellie, her voice cold. "Get out of here. Consider yourself lucky."

With a final grunt, Nadia released her grip, and Mellie vanished in a puff of smoke.

"Whoa there!" Nadia caught the unconscious demon in her arms before she could fully collapse.

Sam and Dean moved to help but stopped when they saw Nadia scoop Mellie up in a bridal carry.

"What?" Nadia raised an eyebrow.

"Nothin'," Sam and Dean said in unison, their eyes wide.

Nadia rolled her eyes. "The wings, the strength, I know. A lot to talk about. You guys okay?"

"Yeah," Sam nodded, still recovering from the shock.

"I was afraid you wouldn't hear me," Ben sighed with relief.

"Yeah, well, I'm glad I did," Nadia smiled softly. "Meet you guys at the cabin?"

"Don't you need a ride?" Dean asked.

"Uh... it'd be faster if I just... you know..."

"Teleport?"

"Yeah, that," Nadia chuckled awkwardly. "Feels weird saying it."

"At least you won't pass out," Ben said with a grin.

"Yeah," Nadia grinned back. "See you soon."

With a burst of light, she flew away, leaving them standing there in stunned silence.

"We should get out of here," Ben said, voice still shaky.

"Definitely," Dean agreed, heading for the door.