The village of El Camino, nestled between rugged hills and the turquoise Mediterranean, basked in the scorching summer sun. Whitewashed houses with terracotta roofs seemed to glow with a warm, golden light, their wooden shutters closed against the heat. Narrow cobblestone streets, worn smooth by centuries of foot traffic, wound through the village like a lazy snake. The air was heavy with the sweet scent of blooming jasmine and the distant tang of sea salt.
As the sun beat down, the village square came alive with the soft murmur of locals seeking shade beneath the ancient olive trees. The sound of clinking glasses and muted laughter carried from the nearby taberna, where patrons sipped cool drinks and savored the tranquility of the moment.
In the distance, the azure sea sparkled like a canvas of diamonds, its gentle lapping against the shore creating a soothing melody that seemed to lull the village into a peaceful slumber. The only movement came from the occasional flutter of a bird's wings or the soft rustle of leaves in the breeze, adding to the serene ambiance of this idyllic coastal haven. Nestled in the valley of a mountain of mountain El Camiño from which the village got its name was a tiny cottage, which seemed to blend seamlessly into the natural surroundings. Its stone walls, weathered to a soft gray, appeared to grow organically from the earth, as if rooted in the mountain itself. A rustic wooden door, adorned with a wreath of dried wildflowers, creaked in the gentle breeze, inviting entry into the cozy abode.
The cottage's terracotta roof, worn to a soft patina, seemed to glow with a warm, earthy light, as if infused with the sun's rays. A delicate tendril of smoke curled from the chimney, carrying the scent of burning wood and baking bread into the crisp mountain air.
A small garden, bursting with vibrant wildflowers and herbs, surrounded the cottage, creating a colorful oasis in the verdant valley. A babbling brook, its crystal clear waters reflecting the sky's azure hue, ran gently through the garden, its soft gurgling providing a soothing serenade to the cottage's occupants.
As the sun began to set, casting a warm orange glow across the valley, the cottage seemed to radiate a sense of peace and tranquility, a haven from the world beyond the mountains.
"You will be safe here, ma'am," Rafael said, his Spanish accent more pronounced as he gestured towards the old cabin. Carolyn's eyes widened in disbelief, her gaze shifting from the cabin to Rafael. "I know what you're thinking, but believe me, you will be safe here," he assured her.
Carolyn's husband, Brad Harrington, stepped forward, his voice laced with skepticism. "Forgive me if I don't quite believe you, Rafael. This place looks like it'll be blown away by the next strong wind."
Rafael's expression turned annoyed as he addressed Brad. "Like I said, this cabin is safe. I blessed it myself. No evil shall come near. It's been here for a thousand years, and I hope you understand me, Señora President." He emphasized the last part, his eyes narrowing slightly as he added, "I don't have to explain myself to your...husband." The way he said "husband" made it clear he didn't think highly of Brad. Rafael's gaze lingered on Brad, his expression a mix of disdain and frustration. He thought to himself, "Why did the president insist on bringing this...this... Ex-football player along? Doesn't she know that this is a matter of life and death, not some trivial game?" He shook his head, his eyes rolling in exasperation. "Brad Harrington, the former quarterback, thinking he's some kind of hero just because he once threw a ball well. Doesn't he understand that this is a battle for the soul of the world, not a game to be won or lost?" Rafael's annoyance simmered just below the surface, his patience wearing thin.
Carolyn apologised without a second hesitation, suddenly scared of the angel. "I am totally sorry for Brad." She had seen what Castiel Azrael Wellington or whatever her real name had done, and this was a real archangel, and her godforsaken husband couldn't tell.
"Hey" Brad protests.
"Bueno, now all the supplies you will ever need are in there, all you need need to do is think about it and then poof, it's there, except weapons," he grimaces as he mentions weapons. " I am not my sisters who like violence, I'm a man of peace."
"Yeah, yeah whatever, dude thinks he's a magician or something, come on babe let's get into the shack," Brad yells as he walks toward the cabin, then he stopped by the door " Come on Honey, I'm starving!"
Carolyn ignores her husband who steps into the cabin, then turns to Rafael. She sighs as she faces the angel. "Thank you for bringing me here, tell Castiel or Azrael or anything she is called I'm greatly indebted to her," she fiddles with her fingers " tell her to stay safe and not die."
Rafael's expression remained stern, but a hint of surprise flickered in his eyes at Carolyn's sudden show of respect. "I will convey your message, Señora President." He paused, his gaze piercing. "And as for your husband...it would be wise for him to show more respect in the presence of angels." Rafael lets out a small laugh as he regards the human.
"Don't worry, Caz can't die, she's Death herself, remember? If anything, she's the strongest of us all."
Carolyn nods, but still can't help being worried. She has a bad feeling, like something bad is going to happen. "Keep her safe, please, she saved my life." Rafael's expression turns serious, and he nods. "Alright, adios, Señora Presidente. See you later." With that, he spreads his white wings and takes to the sky, disappearing into the distance, leaving Carolyn to her worries and the eerie feeling that something is off.
—_—
"Okay, so you are Death, like the Grimm Reaper?" Amelia's blue eyes widened in surprise.
"Yeah."
"And before that, you were Cordy Winston the rockstar?"
Castiel's eyes locked onto Amelia's, a hint of surprise and curiosity in her gaze. "You are catching on, but I've always been the angel of death." she said, her voice filled with relief. Amelia was taking this quite well. Castiel's gaze never wavered, her expression serious.
"Wow, that's like incredible," Amelia exclaimed, her blue eyes wide with wonder. Then, with a graceful movement, she knelt before Castiel. "I, Amelia Rosalia Gianluigi, promise to be in your service, till you have no more need of me." Castiel's expression turned from surprise to stunned, her eyes locked onto Amelia's face.
Castiel's eyes locked onto Amelia's, a hint of surprise and curiosity in her gaze.
"You're willing to pledge your life to me, a being of death and destruction?" She raised an eyebrow, her voice laced with a hint of skepticism. "You understand the gravity of this promise, Amelia? It's not a trivial thing, it's a bond that cannot be broken." Castiel's voice was firm, yet gentle, as she sought to ensure Amelia comprehended the weight of her words. "I will not take your pledge lightly, Amelia. You must be certain, for once you swear fealty to me, there is no turning back." Castiel's form towered over Amelia, her presence both captivating and intimidating, as she awaited the young woman's response.
"Yes Boss."
Caz shook her head in disbelief, she had never seen any human willing to throw away their lives and eternity to be a reaper, most who were in her service were all dying and had struck a deal to fulfil a purpose.
"What do you stand to gain from this?" Caz asked suspiciously, making a deal with her was like making a deal with the devil.
"Ehh, nothing except I get to stay young forever like you said."
"Are you sure it's not the huge ass salary I pay you?" Caz asked with scepticism. "That too, think of how rich I will be, I could be a trillionaire in the next hundred years." Amelia joked causing a laugh to break out of Castiel. "Fine but believe me you may beg for death one day and I won't be able to offer you that." Caz said all serious after some time.
"I'm willing to take that chance" Amelia murmured, her voice barely audible.
Castiel nods, knowing she wouldn't be able to talk Amelia out of it, besides she needed allies, someone who'd watch her back, and she knew that in trusting Amelia, she had made a loyal ally. "Then I must, I quite like your determination." Castiel says, her voice low and mysterious. She spreads her black wings, the motion fluid and graceful, and pulls out a sharp object. With a swift motion, she cuts her own palm and then Amelia's, mixing their golden and red blood together. The mixture is placed on Amelia's neck, and she screams as pain erupts, like molten lava on her skin. Her body contorts, her jaws aching as two long fangs break out of her gums. Her breath slows, her eyes clouding over as her pupils transform, shifting from blue to golden, to red, and finally to black. Her heart stutters, slows, and then stops. Amelia's body collapses, falling face-flat on the cold tiles of Castiel's living room. She passes out, her transformation into a reaper complete.
Castiel's grin widens as she gazes at Amelia's transformed body. She turns Amelia's head, her eyes fixed on the neck, and a hint of satisfaction crosses her face as she sees the tiny tattoo of a black Raven. "Sleep well, little Amelia," Castiel whispers, her voice low and mysterious. "For tomorrow, we hunt." With that, she gently strokes Amelia's hair, her touch surprisingly tender, and waits for the twelve hours to pass, knowing that when Amelia awakens, she will be a force to be reckoned with.
***