Chapter 8: Angel 101
"An 'earth angel'?" Dean stared skeptically at the older man. "Like the old R&B song?"
"No, Einstein! As in, an angel living on earth." Bobby shook his head reproachfully. "There ain't many references bout them and what there is, is vague at best. But me and Sam have got at least a few ideas." .
Pulling a chair up to the desk across from his surrogate father, the older Winchester scanned a page of the open book that was turned to him.
"An angel living on earth." he reiterated. "Okay. So we're talking 'fallen angels' like Anna Milton."
Sam ran a weary hand through his hair. "No, Dean. Big difference between the two. Both types are 'born' into human bodies, yes. But, 'Fallen angels' rip out their Grace to become human. Like Anna. An 'earth angel' seems to be one who's Grace is bound, along with it's memories, so it can live as a human, though it never really is. Which kinda explains the car and stuff. Bithiel's lived as a human so she's still attached to her human things. They're hers as much as her body is, it's not just a vessel. It's "
The older brother looked up seemingly more confused than before. "So, wait, one kind wants to be one of us and the other … is what? Forced to be?"
"That's what it looks like. Sorta like going in the military and being recruited to an undercover special op's team. Their purpose is to infiltrate and learn …about us." Bobby confirmed, pulling off his baseball cap long enough to scratch his head. Bringing the bill back down low over his eyes, he tapped the page opposite the one Dean was reading.
"However, their Grace is supposed to stay bound until the body's natural lifecycle ends. At that point, they wing their asses back home to report in and get their next life assignment. But that's more like a temporary shore leave. Or…"
Both brothers watched the elder hunter expectantly.
"The Archangel Gabriel blows his horn announcing the Apocalypse."
The younger men jerked back as if Lucifer had just appeared before them.
"The sound of that horn releases their bonds permanently, so they can join the rest of Heaven's army for the final showdown."
"But none of that went down! Lucy killed Gab and Sammy re-penned the Prince of Darkness before the prize fight could happen." Dean clarified. Leaving one unanswered question.
The one Sam gave voice to.
"So, without Gabriel to unbind them… how is Bithiel flying free?"
He could practically see the light bulb go off over his brother's head.
"Because of the same one she's serving! Castiel. He's got the juice now to do what Gab and the horn were supposed to. Makes sense, too! Lots of angels have bit it the past few years and good ol' Cass is probably up there right now ganking even more! A.K.A. Raphael's goons. So he's calling in the reserves. After all, it's kinda hard to command Heaven with no soldiers to command."
Bobby had to admit, he was proud his boys were smarter than most gave them credit for. "Right! And considering they've pretty much been outta the loop, to be released by someone who shouldn't have been able to… I'd bet even money, they're impressed enough to follow him without question."
"Then why make a certain 'earth angel', who has no clue what's really going on, your Lieutenant only to demote her to just a guardian?" Dean wondered out loud.
"You, most of all, should understand, Dean." three sets of eyes swung to toward the kitchen door. Bithiel stood with a mixed air of curiosity and annoyance. One hand, as usual, shoved deep into the oversized denim pocket. The other, though, hung loose and stained red, clutching a bloody Angel Blade.
"It's about the love and respect only a 'hero-worshiping' little sibling could give!"