Chapter 214 — Crowley
Crowley waited until everyone else had stopped talking.
That was usually how he preferred difficult conversations.
Not because he was patient.
Because people revealed more when they thought the important part was already over.
Asteria had finally begun settling.
The strange pressure in the air remained, but the courtyard was quieter.
Henry had gone to check on Charon.
Sera was speaking with Tala near the fountain.
Brook was standing a short distance away, staring at the sky.
Gabriel remained near one of the pillars.
Crowley watched him.
For several minutes.
Gabriel noticed.
"You've been staring at me."
Crowley smiled.
"You're observant."
"I try to be."
"Good."
Crowley pushed himself away from the wall.
"Then you'll know why I'm here."
Gabriel nodded.
"Probably."
Crowley walked toward him.
He stopped several feet away.
Not close enough to be threatening.
Not far enough to be casual.
"You're staying."
"For now."
"That's what you said."
"It's still true."
Crowley studied him.
"You're very comfortable here."
"I've been welcomed."
Crowley glanced toward Brook.
"By him?"
Gabriel followed his gaze.
"Not exactly."
Crowley smiled.
"At least you're honest."
Gabriel looked back at him.
"You don't trust me."
"No."
Gabriel nodded.
"Fair."
Crowley raised an eyebrow.
"That's it?"
"What would you prefer?"
"An argument."
"I don't see the point."
Crowley laughed.
"You're either very mature or very annoying."
"I've been called both."
Crowley crossed his arms.
"Let's make something clear."
Gabriel waited.
"I don't care that you're an archangel."
"I know."
"I don't care that you're Michael's brother."
"I know."
"I don't care that Lucifer considers you family."
Gabriel's expression remained calm.
Crowley continued.
"And I definitely don't care that you came down from Heaven because Michael went silent."
Gabriel looked at him.
"Then what do you care about?"
Crowley's eyes hardened.
"Brook."
Gabriel didn't answer.
Crowley pointed toward him.
"That's the only reason you're getting this conversation."
Gabriel nodded.
"Understood."
Crowley stared at him.
"You don't get to walk into his life, say a few comforting things, and suddenly become trusted."
"I haven't asked to be trusted."
"Good."
Crowley's smile disappeared.
"Because you're not."
Gabriel didn't react.
That irritated Crowley more than anger would have.
Crowley was used to people responding to pressure.
Demons.
Kings.
Monsters.
Angels.
Even gods.
People usually became defensive.
Gabriel simply stood there.
Listening.
Crowley sighed.
"You really don't get angry, do you?"
"I do."
"Could've fooled me."
"I don't need to be angry to disagree with you."
Crowley smiled.
"There it is."
Gabriel waited.
Crowley looked toward the sky.
"You said Heaven won't hurt Brook."
Gabriel nodded.
"I said I wouldn't allow them to."
Crowley's eyes returned to him.
"That's different."
"Yes."
"Much different."
Gabriel said nothing.
Crowley stepped closer.
"Because you aren't Heaven."
Gabriel's expression became serious.
"No."
"You're one person."
"Yes."
"An archangel."
"Yes."
"One archangel cannot speak for an entire realm."
Gabriel nodded.
"Correct."
Crowley looked satisfied.
"Good."
He stepped back.
"Then we're clear."
Gabriel watched him.
"Are we?"
Crowley paused.
"No."
Gabriel smiled slightly.
"Thought so."
Crowley looked at him.
"I've seen Heaven before."
Gabriel's expression changed.
"I know."
"You know?"
"I know you've been there."
Crowley narrowed his eyes.
"How?"
"I've heard things."
"From who?"
Gabriel didn't answer.
Crowley smiled coldly.
"See?"
He pointed at Gabriel.
"That's exactly the problem."
Gabriel remained silent.
"You know things about me."
"Some."
"You know things about Brook."
"Some."
"You know Michael."
"Yes."
"You know Lucifer."
"Yes."
"And yet you're still giving everyone half-answers."
Gabriel looked at him.
"Because I don't have the other half."
Crowley studied him.
Then he laughed.
"That's almost believable."
"It is believable."
"Maybe."
Crowley leaned against the stone railing.
"But I don't trust Heaven."
Gabriel nodded.
"I didn't expect you to."
"Why?"
"Because you've seen what Heaven can do."
Crowley looked at him.
"You know more than you're saying."
Gabriel smiled faintly.
"Everyone says that about me."
"Because it's true."
Gabriel looked toward the sky.
"Perhaps."
Crowley followed his gaze.
The light remained above Asteria.
"Your realm is watching us."
"Yes."
"Your angels are watching Brook."
"Yes."
"Some of them think he's an error."
Gabriel's expression tightened.
"Yes."
"Some of them want him contained."
"Yes."
Crowley looked at him.
"And you expect me to trust Heaven because you said you won't let them hurt him?"
Gabriel turned toward him.
"No."
Crowley paused.
Gabriel continued.
"I expect you to trust me only if I give you a reason to."
Crowley studied him.
"That's a better answer."
"Good."
"But it's still not enough."
"I know."
Crowley nodded.
"Good."
Silence settled between them.
Neither moved.
Then Crowley spoke again.
"Why did Michael go silent?"
Gabriel's expression changed.
"I don't know."
Crowley watched him carefully.
"Really?"
"Really."
"Not even a theory?"
Gabriel shook his head.
"Not one I trust enough to give you."
Crowley looked away.
"Fair."
Gabriel glanced at him.
"You care about him."
Crowley didn't answer.
"Brook."
"I know who you meant."
Gabriel smiled.
Crowley looked toward Brook.
"He's family."
Gabriel nodded.
"That's why you're afraid."
Crowley's eyes sharpened.
"I'm not afraid."
Gabriel didn't challenge him.
Crowley sighed.
"Fine."
He looked back at Gabriel.
"I am."
Gabriel waited.
"Not of you."
Crowley pointed toward the sky.
"Of what comes after you."
Gabriel's expression became serious.
"That's reasonable."
"Exactly."
Crowley looked at the ground.
"Brook already has enough people trying to decide what he is."
He raised his eyes.
"Heaven doesn't get to be another one."
Gabriel nodded.
"I agree."
Crowley frowned.
"That was fast."
"I don't see anything wrong with what you said."
"You agree that Heaven shouldn't decide what Brook is?"
"Yes."
"Even though you're from Heaven?"
"Especially because I'm from Heaven."
Crowley studied him.
That answer landed harder than expected.
But Crowley wasn't finished.
"You expect me to believe you're different."
"No."
"Then what?"
"I expect you to watch what I do."
Crowley stared at him.
"Actions."
"Yes."
"Not words."
"Exactly."
Crowley nodded slowly.
"Now you're speaking my language."
Gabriel smiled.
For a moment, the tension eased.
Then Crowley said:
"Still don't trust you."
"I know."
"Still don't trust Heaven."
"I know."
"Still watching you."
"I know."
Crowley smiled.
"You're taking this remarkably well."
Gabriel shrugged.
"I've had worse welcomes."
"From Hell?"
"Among other places."
Crowley laughed.
"Okay."
He started to walk away.
Gabriel called after him.
"Crowley."
Crowley stopped.
He turned.
Gabriel looked directly at him.
"I meant what I said."
Crowley's expression hardened.
"Which part?"
"Brook is not Heaven's property."
Crowley stared at him.
Then he nodded once.
"Good."
He turned away.
But after taking several steps, Crowley stopped again.
Without looking back, he said:
"Don't make me regret believing that sentence."
Gabriel answered quietly.
"I won't."
Crowley continued walking.
He hadn't accepted Gabriel.
He hadn't accepted Heaven.
One sentence wasn't enough.
A promise wasn't enough.
An archangel wasn't enough.
Crowley had spent too long around powerful beings to confuse words with loyalty.
Gabriel would have to prove himself.
Not to Heaven.
Not to Hell.
Not to Crowley.
To Brook.
And until then—
Crowley would watch him.
Because if Heaven wanted Brook—
they would have to get through him first.
End of Chapter 214