#theonlyqueenofhell

Being on the Queen of Hell’s hit list was not a good place to be.  Sophie had tried to reassure Claire that Crowley would have more important things to bother with. but apparently impersonating the Queen and threatening her life was pretty high up on Crowley’s list of offensive behaviours. 

“It wasn’t my fault, though,” Sophie said. she and Claire were huddling in the bed of a stolen truck. They’d taken the precaution of warding the truck, hiding themselves from the agents of hell. They both also had talismans to keep them hidden.

“I know that, but she doesn’t think so.” Claire nuzzled Sophie’s shoulder, her heart pounding at the thought of the Queen finding them. “she warned me to get you in line. I did try, but you... you said you were going to kill her.”

“i know,” Sophie whispered. She’d meant it at the time, too, that was the thing. She’d been the victim of a spell that made her think she was the Queen of Hell. he’d been insolent, murderous. She’d meant it when she threatened Crowley’s life, though in general Sophie respected the demon queen. well. She respected the fact that Crowley was far more powerful than herself; if she liked to annoy the queen, she never really crossed a line.

Until now. and now they were on the run from demons because Crowley had no sense of humor. 

“Hell of a life we have,” Claire groused. she hadn’t slept in days; the small trace of grace in her helped keep her going. She just couldn’t sleep with the possibility of discovery hanging over their heads.

“that’s not funny,” Sophie said, with a chuckle. Morbid humor. Claire smiled, turning her head into Sophie’s shoulder.

“i’m hilarious.”

“Says you.” Sophie’s hand stroked the back of Claire’s head, and Claire shut her eyes, her arm tightening around her friend. She listened as the other’s breathing slowed. She thought about what Sophie had given her: a home, a sense of security. Love. Unconditional acceptance. understanding. she’d been so lost for so long, and then she’d found Sophie. Sophie who knew what it was like growing up in the life, to live out nightmares in real time. who knew about losing everything in one terrible moment; what it was like to lose your father and never be able to have him back. Claire had been bitter and angry before Sophie; but in the face of that optimism, that eternal expectation of good things in spite of the nightmares, Claire’s edges had softened. 

Sophie was everything and worth every effort. Claire kissed her on the forehead, lips gentle. she squeezed the other’s hand and eased out of her embrace, leaving her sleeping alone. She blinked hard, bowing her head. She couldn’t pray, but she wished for Sophie’s safety. 

Then she started walking to the crossroads.

XXX

She made sure to burn the talisman before completing the spell. She’d come unarmed, too, to show she would negotiate in good faith. Crowley, though a demon and ruler of hell, seemed reasonable.

Of course, Lucifer himself had been shiningly beautiful. looks could be deceiving.

“you’re as dumb as your little friend. how disappointing, you looked likely to have a few brain cells,”Crowley said. Claire glanced up from her phone, startled.

“that was quick,” she said. Crowley let out a laugh and shrugged.

“I was summoned.” The queen, almost casual, but her eyes took in everything. “Where is she?”

“hidden.” Claire kept her eyes on Crowley. “She doesn’t know i’m here.” Crowley nodded again, thinking.

“you’re trying to negotiate for her life? isn’t that adorable,” Crowley said, a grin spreading across her face. Claire clenched her fists but stood her ground.

“I mean, I’m an angel vessel. with no angel inside. Isn’t that sort of valuable to you?”

“Tempting.” Crowley’s eyes raked her and Claire swallowed hard. “But hardly enough. Castiel has his vessel, and he’s fallen now. Which makes you obsolete, darling. Even that bit of grace in you is almost worthless.”

“so if i’m not a vessel any more, at least it’s a fair trade. Me for her.”

“Not to me it’s not,” Crowley said. “It wasn’t you who overstepped her bounds. It wasn’t you who threatened my life. I can’t let a human hunter get away with that.”

“you’re her friend.”

“I’m the queen of Hell, Claire. I don’t have friends. she threatened me, she dies. the end.” anger rose up in Claire, stronger than her fear of Crowley.

“If you touch her, i swear to-” in a moment, Crowley held Claire by the throat, lifting the girl to her tiptoes.

“To whom, dear? God? haven’t you heard, Daddy’s dead.” Crowley hissed, her eyes going red. “Don’t make the same mistake Sophie did.”

“I’ll kill you, you bitch.” Claire replied, trying to kick at the queen. she didn’t think that this was a being far more powerful than herself, or that she was sealing Sophie’s fate. Her last shred of family was being threatened and she responded accordingly.

“How predictably boring of you,” Crowley sighed. she dropped the girl into the dirt. Claire fell to her knees, gasping.

“I mean it. i’ll kill you.”

“Yes, yes. harm one hair on Sophie Hallow’s precious head and you’ll wreck wrath on me... by the by, darling, how exactly will you do that? you’re hardly more than a child and you’re mostly human. I’m the Queen. Of. Hell.” Demonic power ripped through the air, throwing Claire back. 

“I like a plucky little hero as much as the next villain, so I’ll give you my terms. Either hand Sophie over, now, or run. run as fast and hard as you can and pray to the empty throne of Heaven that I never find you. Because i won’t show mercy to you or that little bitch again.” Claire got to her feet, her eyes flashing blue with grace.

“fuck you.”

“Have it your way,” Crowley shrugged, the gesture elegant and uncaring. she reached out and touched Claire shoulder. The girl recoiled as though touched by fire, crying out. “There. The moment you return to her, your soul is going to light up. you’ll be a beacon to demons everywhere.”

“you’re lying,” Claire hissed. Crowley laughed again.

“If you believe that, go back to her. Then you’ll see if I’d stoop to lie to a child or not.” with one last razor-sharp grin, Crowley disappeared. Claire took a deep breath, closing her eyes. She lifted her hand to her shoulder, trying not to cry. The night was still as death. Claire fumbled her phone out of her pocket and held it, trying to decide what to do.

finally, she sent Sophie a text, and then started walking in a different direction from the way she came.

Better to not take the risk. for the second time in her life, Claire set out on the road with nothing but her broken heart and a bitterness so entrenched she could taste it.

XXX

Sophie woke up cold and alone. “Claire?” she called, but there was no answer. Sophie sat up, rubbing her eyes and trying to clear her head. she called for her friend again, hoping Claire had just gone for a walk or something.

the silence stretched around her, and she scrambled around for her phone. she unlocked it, dread filling her. She had one message: