Samuel fired, this time at Sam.
The bullets were a tightly packed burst of buckshot, flying extremely fast and covering a wide area.
Sam rolled to the side, but some of the pellets still struck his shoulder and exploded. He groaned and slammed into the wall.
Dean rushed over.
Samuel swung the gun around, but Dean was already in front of him, the demon-killing blade sweeping across.
Samuel blocked with the barrel. Metal struck metal, sparks flying everywhere. Dean was far stronger now and easily forced the gun down, but he did not cut Samuel.
He still could not bring himself to do it. After all, this was his mother's biological father.
Samuel kicked Dean in the stomach, with strength no old man should have possessed.
Dean staggered back two steps, breathing hard.
"His strength has increased," Sam said as he stood up, clutching his shoulder. Blood seeped through his fingers. "The Incantation mark is draining his life force to strengthen his body."
Samuel reloaded, his movements fast and precise. Two rounds slid into the chamber, and the barrel rose.
Dean looked into Samuel's eyes.
There was nothing in them, only a dark red glow burning amid dense blood vessels. Dean gritted his teeth and tightened his grip on the broken sword.
"Sam," he said, "can you restrain him?"
"I need to get close," Sam said. "Pin him down, press it against his neck, and use the balancing power to cancel it out."
"Then let's go."
Samuel fired again.
This time, Dean did not dodge. The angelic power within him blocked the incoming bullets.
A blinding flash exploded before him. The gunshot reverberated through the entire cave, making their ears ache.
Dean's arm went numb from the impact, but he did not stop. He charged forward against the force of