I based the name of my Crossed Lines series on the intersections of the lives of Neal Caffrey and Peter Burke with Sam and Dean Winchester. But another character already had crossed the lines between White Collar and Supernatural, and that's Crowley. Mark Sheppard portrayed both the crossroads demon Crowley in Supernatural and art forger Curtis Hagen in White Collar. From the beginning, Crowley has campaigned for a larger role. In my latest story, Bad Omens, his moment has finally come.
Like the other characters in our series, Crowley's personality has been allowed to evolve from canon. Unlike Neal and Mozzie, though, he didn't have any choice. He has Astrena, the Greek goddess of witches and vampires, to thank—or curse—for his transformation.
In Whispers in the Night, the first story in the series. Astrena (also known as Electra) decided to select him to be her business manager. Her sister-witch Alcy picked out an artist for him to possess—namely Curtis Hagen. Electra experimented on Crowley by giving him a potion that would cause his soul to be blended with that of his vessel. She hoped that Crowley would acquire Hagen's artistic ability, and that was the case. But Crowley also evolved in directions she wouldn't have approved of.
For several stories, not much evidence of Hagen's personality was apparent, but the careful reader might have perceived a few signals. Why does Crowley become so fond of Maia? Demons aren't supposed to be interested in food, but his love of pie is equal to Dean's. Neal begins to suspect Crowley's being influenced by Hagen in Thief in the Woods. Starting with the next story—Bewitched— Hagen has a speaking part.
The ramifications of a blended soul are far-reaching. Crowley has been a loner for most of his very long life, but suddenly the thought of having friends—even being a member of an extended family—is unexpectedly appealing. Maia shares that desire. She pulls together her friends into what she calls her clan, and Crowley relishes being a member of it. Not only that, he becomes protective of his new-found family, offering assistance to combat their foes. Eventually, he develops a comfortable relationship with all the Scoobies, including Bobby. With Neal, he doesn't only share an appreciation of art. Hagen believes Neal is a kindred soul and now Crowley does too.
Crowley's transformation hasn't gone unnoticed by angels. As Castiel explains, Crowley's blended soul makes him interesting. Could he provide an example for other demons to follow? Naomi, the head of the angels' intelligence division, orders Castiel to monitor him.
For a demon who prefers single-malt Scotch, Crowley's life resembles more and more a blended whisky. His soul is about to be blended once more, and this time Hagen is the instigator. What is Castiel's role? Why is Hagen such a fan of Good Omens? The answers to these questions and more are in the story.
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