Sam and Dean's faces are cast in the glow of the computer screen as they read about the legends surrounding Azrael. What they read is incomplete and does not make sense with what they have witnessed. Both realize that they need more information and unfortunately, Dean knows that the best source of information just may be the King of Hell himself. The pair decide is time to consult the Oracle of Crowley. With the moves they want to make against Metatron, it is best to know every player on the field and Azrael appears to be a game changer especially if Cass was praying for this particular Angel.
The morning sun has Dean and Sam in the Impala bound for the a counsel with the the King of Hell himself. To their mutual surprise, Crowley is where they asked to meet them. They asked Crowley to meet them in an ancient library. The library has an ornate room filled with ancient texts that makes Crowley feel oddly at home. The marble and wood, the books and the mold remind him of his youth. Crowley is seated in the alcove of an ornate window as he waits for the brothers Winchester to arrive and approach. Moments of reflection in the best parts of his past are rare and Crowley will allow for the time for the brothers Winchester to reach him to be well spent in his own past.
Dean is the first to broach the subject. "Crowley, who is Azrael?" Crowley is curious as to why Dean and Sam would come to him over Castiel for this information. If they are asking him, they don't know who Azrael is, who she truly is and more over likely did not summon Azrael to this plane. That information certainly narrows the field as to who would have summoned Azrael to this mortal coil. Crowley will play their came to his own ends. "Azrael, you have met Azrael, have you?" Dean takes a slightly more aggressive stance given Crowley's song and dance routine. Crowely quite obviously knows who they are dealing with and is not readily sharing. "Is Azrael under your dominion?" Sam asks a very pointed question. Crowley audibly laughs at their ignorance and the thought of what he could do if that were even a remote possibility. Crowley paces away from the brothers Winchester before offering his sullen response. "Azrael serves only one master. She is under no one's dominion."
"Is she an angel or a demon?" Sam is now the brother with the aggressive nature taking hold as Dean contemplates what Crowley offered in response. Crowley can see the building intensity in Sam. The brothers crave this information for a purpose. He just needs to find out what that purpose is. "Azrael lacks a classification. Which if you read the legends of Azrael, you already know." Crowley leans against the alcove that he had previously waited in for their arrival. Dean gets even more aggressive in his stance and tone which further amuses Crowley. It has been awhile since he played with the boys. Crowley knows there is a fine line in the sand. He may not overtly cross it but he is sure as hell going to put is toes on it. Sam and Dean need this information and the boys are aware that the is playing with them so he will offer up a tidbit. "Azrael has dominion over Death. She is the keeper of souls. She is the light so to speak."
Dean takes in the information. "The light as in the light… the light that people see when they die… I thought that was the reapers." Dean offers up the first thought that manifests in his brain. Crowley is a little impressed that Dean made that particular leap but it is a good assumption. "Azrael is far more complicated than that but yes." Crowley makes himself comfortable since this is turning out to be fun.
"Is she good or evil?" Sam's thoughts audibly manifest to the next logical assumption. Crowley engages the question. "She is both and she is neither. She has dominion over Death… over the Horsemen… over Purgatory…. Stuff like that." Crowley gazes out the window as if the knowledge he is providing is of common nature. Sam and Dean survey each other closely wondering if they dare inquire in more detail or if they should save it and go back to Castiel.
Crowley does not want to tip his hat as to how much he knows about Azrael. Crowley knows exactly what he is dealing with. It may be to his benefit to keep the Winchesters on the fringe with just enough information to entice. Crowley learned of Azrael from Lucifer himself. He knows the story of another set of brothers and of the balance that must always prevail. A balance which is currently very much out of kilter and reaping chaos in its wake. The Winchesters quite obviously do not know the story and Crowley is not sure if Castiel would have been in the legions of angels that would have fallen under Azrael's command from the story the boys have shared, Crowley makes an educated assumption.
For this moment, Crowley will hold his tongue. If there is to be balance restored against Metatron, Azrael serves as that balance or a least as a tip of the scales back to center. Metatron controls life just as Azrael controls death, they have balanced each other since the dawn of time. Someone or something has caused Azrael to appear and that is information that Crowley knows that he needs. Azrael may be the solution to his own problem and it is time to pay a visit with an old friend.
Realizing that Crowley has likely offered all that he will offer them at this time, the brothers part company with Crowley. The irony of the return trip is the radio blaring "Blinded by the Light" upon the turn of the key in the ignition. Dean has always appreciated irony he is just wondering with the scent lingering in the air, if it is irony or a message.
