Angel of Darkness Books 1-5

by Mackenzie Morris

Jaylen stood up and spit out blood. He glared at Zeriel then wiped the blood on the back of his sleeve. "Xair, is Oviel-"

  Xair held up a hand as he approached the dragon around the side of the house. "Just a minute. I have to speak with my father about something."

  "Your father?"

  Xair stopped in front of the dragon who was petting the beak of Gavin's gryphon and crossed his arms on his chest. "Hello, Karix."

  "Son! Good to see you. Where is your Ili-Anan?"

  "Inside with Oviel. Father, as much as I would love to spend some time catching up with you after so long apart, I believe you owe me something."

  "I don't owe you anything. I have great news, Xair. I have found my mate."

  "W-what?" Xair looked less than pleased. "You mated?"

  "With Liam here. I chose him. He's perfect."

  Xair's hands tightened into fists. "But you promised that eggshell to me."

  "It belongs to my mate. It's done, Xair."

  "I needed it for my . . . you-know-what. Come on, Father. You know what I'm talking about."

  "What are you talking about, Xair?" Zeriel asked.

  "I can't tell you." Xair snapped at him. "Karix is the only other thing who knows, but now he refuses to help me. Hey there, Liam. I would love to see that dragon eggshell around your neck. Care to toss it this way for a second?"

  Liam looked at Karix as if he was silently communicating with him in some way. He then nodded and clutched the eggshell to his chest. "No. It's mine and no one else's."

  Zeriel took Jaylen's arm and turned back towards the house, walking slowly with his cane. "Jaylen, I need to talk to you in private about some . . . uh, recent developments."

  * * *

  Zeriel peeked out through the curtains of the extra bedroom where he had moved after Oviel was placed in the master bedroom. "I don't trust them."

  "Who?"

  "Liam and Karix. I've been watching them outside through the window."

  "Why?" Jaylen asked, sipping from his porcelain teacup filled with sweet peppermint tea.

  "Don't you remember what your cousin said right before he died? Don't trust the thief. Karixlesminatim. He knew something. Somehow he knew they would be connected."

  "This isn't just about them, is it?" Jaylen asked. "Do angels and dragons have some sort of a past? You don't seem to get along well with Karix."

  "There is a legend, one that most people would rather have been forgotten, but there are dragons in it. Even I didn't know they truly existed until now. I know everything I need to know now."

  Jaylen leaned forward. "Tell me the legend."

  "Are you sure?"

  "Stop playing games, Zeriel. Tell me."

  Zeriel propped his cane up against the bedside table then slowly sat down on the bed next to him. "In the beginning, there was Sola alone in Heaven with dragons guarding the gates from anything that could possibly ever try to enter. She had all the souls ever to be born and they were happy. They would sing and laugh and dance all the time. There was nothing to fear. But then their dragon guardians became wrought with jealousy. They wanted to be like those souls. Eventually, they had enough of being protectors. The dragons wanted their own souls. So they stormed Heaven and gathered up any souls they could find. They then tore open a rift and flew through The Veil and down to Hell where those souls became the first demons, the archdemons. A few of the souls that were stolen were dropped along the way into the human world where they became the first humans. Sola was so distraught over losing some of her beloved souls that she created the first angels to defend them. But then a few of those angels became influenced by the demons they saw far down below in Hell. They wanted those things. They wanted Sola. Then they tried to overthrow Heaven, to rape Sola and claim her as their own. A few loyal angels defended her and sent the rebel angels down to Hell. They became the Nephilim, the first fallen angels. Stephan was one of those fallen angels. Don't you see, Jaylen? All of this started because of the dragons."

  "But that's just a story, right?" Jaylen asked, watching the steam rising from his teacup. "That's not in the scriptures."

  "Then I guess it can't be real, huh? Then explain the dragons. They're not in the scriptures, either. You can believe whatever you want to believe until you become too blinded by false faith to see the true dangers around us. That is when I will be forced to do things to you that I don't want to do."

  He set his teacup down. "What are you talking about? What would you do to me?"

  "Wait and see."

  "Zeriel, you're scaring me."

  Zeriel winced as he rubbed the right side of his chest. "Don't worry about it."

  "What were you saying about me being blinded by false faith? You used to be a Holy Angel. You can't actually be implying that all the scriptures are wrong."

  "That's exactly what I'm implying." Zeriel stood up and went to the dresser where he poured himself a cup of tea. "Too many coincidences, too many lies, too many mythical creatures suddenly showing up unannounced and without reason. Then there are the rifts. I don't think you started this when Oviel performed that soul awakening on you. No. Looking back, that doesn't make sense. Something is going on. We just have to figure out what that is. And I don't think Sola has anything to do with it."

  "Your words are bordering on blasphemy."

  "Then let me blaspheme a little more. I'm too busy thinking to adhere to clerical righteousness."

  Jaylen shook his head. "That's not funny."

  "Then don't laugh. Anyway, I know you're not this stupid. You've seen what I'm talking about, right? The priests are summoning dragons and keeping them locked underneath the temple. Why? If Karix could break out of Carvael's palace, then why can't the dragons get out in Ilyan? Why hasn't Sola brought the sun back yet? More than that, why was Xair able to make the sun disappear over Cilona? That is what you told me happened, isn't it?"

  "Yes. Where are you going with this?" Jaylen asked.

  "I think that Carvael has done something to Sola. I think he has also been changing the scriptures to fit what he wants them to say."

  "He can't do that."

  Zeriel slowly removed his coat and unbuttoned his shirt. "Why not?"

  "The Book of Holy Scriptures is kept under lock and key, guarded by priests at all hours of the day and night. It is the most important object in existence."

  "So? You say that like you think Carvael can't get everything that he wants."

  Jaylen watched as Zeriel stripped down to his pants. "Listen to me, Zeriel. Don't do this. Don't do this to me right now. My faith in Sola and those scriptures is the only thing keeping me sane. I have to believe. I have to believe, Zeriel. It's either that or-"

  "The pills? Give them to me." Zeriel stepped in front of him then held out his hand. "Now."

  "I need them. I'm in pain."

  "Then you'll get the correct dosage, not a single pill more. I will not have you meet the same fate as your mother. You are in my care and until the day you die, and I will make sure that you do not bring harm to yourself." He grabbed Jaylen's neck in his hands and pushed him down on the bed. "Do you hear me, Jaylen? You will not kill yourself."

  Jaylen whimpered under Zeriel's strangling grasp.

  "If I let you go, you will give me all of those pills."

  He nodded his head then gasped for air as Zeriel stood up. Jaylen rubbed his neck then reached under the bed where he pulled out a glass bottle half-filled with tiny white pills. "Here. Take them. But there's something you should know."

  Zeriel hid the bottle in the inside pocket of his wool coat. "You can beg all you want, but you're not getting this back."

  "It's not that. Zeriel . . . I'm not as innocent as you think I am."

  "Of course you are. You're just-"

  Jaylen interrupted him. "My mother didn't kill herself."

  "She did, Jaylen. It was an accident. She overdosed. She took too many pills."

  Jaylen sank down onto the floor by the side of the bed and held his head in his hand.
"No. She didn't kill herself. She didn't get those pills out of the bottle. She was asleep already, but she was moaning like she was hurting. I had to help her."

  "Jaylen . . . stop there. Don't say another word."

  Jaylen's hand began to shake. "I thought I was doing the right thing. She always took them when she said she had headaches, so I gave her the rest of the bottle. The next morning, she didn't wake up. I had made her an omelet just how she liked it. When I went into her room, I thought she was asleep, but then I tried shaking her. She was cold. When the healer came and said she died from an overdose of her pain pills, I knew I had killed her."

  "Your mother had already been taking a large amount of pills. She could have overdosed before you even gave her the extra ones."

  "But there's no way of knowing that. I will never know that. I can never clear my name."

  Zeriel drank an entire cup of tea. "Your name isn't tarnished, Jaylen. The guards don't know what you did."

  "But I do. I always will."

  "It's not your fault." Zeriel walked up to him and slipped the blue topaz amulet off over Jaylen's head. "Why were you wearing this again? That's what was messing with your mind. And you're wearing that stupid dog collar."

  "I . . . I have to wear them. I'm under orders."

  "From who?"

  "My angel."

  "Your angel?" Zeriel's white eyes darkened. "You bonded with someone?"

  "Yeah. Unwillingly. I'm bonded to Carvael."

  "Are you serious?"

  "Yes, as serious as anything. I couldn't get out of it. He tortured me, wore me down."

  "That's not true. You aren't one to give in to torture, Jay. No . . . he threatened something you loved, didn't he? What did he do?"

  Jaylen closed his eyes and instinctively wrapped a blanket around his waist. "He . . . he threatened to . . . do something really bad to me."

  "Jay . . ."

  "Like Doran did to you. He wanted to force me to break my vows. I couldn't let him do that, so I bonded with him."

  "That bastard. I swear, the next time I see him, I'm going to rip his wings apart with my teeth!"

  Someone knocked on the door then slowly pushed it open. An angel with turquoise wings and long white hair stepped into the room. He spoke weakly. "Is this a bad time?"

  Jaylen stood up and went to help steady him. "Oviel! You're all right."

  "More or less. Jaylen, you're needed at the castle."

  "For what?" Jaylen asked.

  "Your coronation."

  Chapter 7

  "I can't do this. I can't do this. I can't do this."

  Zeriel draped the red velvet cape over Jaylen's shoulders. "Jaylen, calm down. You're going to hurt yourself."

  Jaylen paced back and forth in the antechamber as he listened to the crowds gathering in the sanctuary of the temple. It had been so long since he had worn his fancy clothes that the pearl-covered tights and lace vest felt too fragile on his skin. He was used to wearing his armor and always being prepared to fight at a moment's notice. But after today, chainmail and leather boots would be a long-lost memory after being replaced by regal robes and slippers. Something caught his attention against the opposite wall that was covered in oil paintings of landscapes. Jaylen stared at his reflection in the mirror as a daunting realization passed through him. He didn't see a king there. He only saw a lonely boy.

  "Are you ready?" Zeriel asked.

  "No. I feel sick."

  "It will be all right. I can't go with you, but I will be right there in front with the other angels. We're all here to support you, Jay. This is your time. Hey, at least Carvael isn't here."

  "True enough."

  Zeriel patted Jaylen on the back as the violins started up. "There's the music."

  "I don't want to do this. I have a really bad feeling that something's going to happen. I can't place a finger on it, but I know I'm not safe. It's like there's an evil presence here."

  "Evil presence? Like a demon?"

  "Worse than a demon. I don't know what it is, exactly."

  "You're just nervous. There's nothing you have to worry about. You'll go through the short ceremony then you can mingle and talk to everyone or you can retire to your royal bedchamber and get some sleep. There will be guards stationed around you at all times, remember? Nothing is going to touch you. You will be the single most protected person in all of Vilyron." Zeriel pushed Jaylen through the heavy doors. "Go on, now."

  Jaylen walked down the carpet that spanned the aisle between the two large groups of people, all waiting and watching him. Red paladins lined the walls in their silk dress tabards with polished and jeweled swords on their hips. The soldiers of the Royal Military held up their swords and stood at attention as the music played. Jaylen did his best to control his breathing and not have a panic attack. As he reached the ivory altar in front of the marble statue of Sola, Jaylen stopped and locked eyes with High Priest Corin.

  For a moment, it was as if time itself stood still. The two men stared at each other while Jaylen's anger built again. The priest who had tortured him, beat him, and tried to execute him was now going to be the one to crown him king. He held his breath as High Priest Corin silenced the music and addressed the people.

  "On this day, we welcome a new king for the glorious Kingdom of Vilyron. He will guide us, rule us, and lead us into a new era and a new world where Wolfekin will fall once and for all. We need a king who will stand strong in the face of adversity, noble in the face of fear, and righteous in the face of evil. These are the qualities we require in our future king." High Priest Corin led Jaylen to the altar and pushed him down on his knees, facing the statue of Sola. He raised a thin golden crown in his hands and held it over Jaylen's head. "Jaylen Amalas Corrifus, with the power of the kingdom and the divine will of our mother Sola, do you accept the holy responsibility of leading our kingdom, to adhere to the holy scriptures, and bring peace to our people?"

  Jaylen looked up into the eyes of the statue of Sola. "I accept."

  Once he placed the crown on Jaylen's head, High Priest Corin helped him stand then turned him around to face everyone who knelt down silently. "I present to you Jaylen Amalas Corrifus, King of Vilyron."

  * * *

  Jaylen stepped into his new bedroom where rich woods and slick silks adorned every gold-plated and polished inch of the room. Fine carpets covered the floors, porcelain and marble statuettes rested on pedestals, and velvet curtains hung over the stained glass windows. A pale yellow tapestry embroidered with the silver sun sigil hung on the wall behind the large four-poster bed, as if it had been specifically chosen for Jaylen.

  "Do you like it?"

  He jumped when he spotted Zeriel sitting in the small alcove where bookshelves lined the walls. "Why are you still here?"

  "What do you mean by that?" Zeriel asked. "Don't you want me here?"

  "I do, but I'm Carvael's paladin now."

  Zeriel closed the ancient book then slid it back onto the shelf. "Jaylen, you're not a paladin anymore. You're king."

  Jaylen tossed his gold crown onto the enormous bed then began undressing. "How did this happen? Huh? Why? Why does everyone think I can be king and rule this country? I'm sixteen years old."

  "So? There have been younger kings than you in history."

  A tingling feeling bubbled up in Jaylen's chest and spread down his arms. For a moment, his vision flashed white then was instantly back to normal.

  "Jaylen, are you okay?"

  He looked around, trying to figure out what had just happened. His eyes landed on a plain glass vase filled with black roses. He could have sworn those weren't there before. "Don't you think this is weird? Can't you feel it?"

  "Feel what? Jaylen, you're exhausted and still on edge from all of the festivities today. You should get some rest."

  "I feel it, Zeriel. I swear I feel it!" Jaylen spun around and knocked the vase of large black roses onto the floor where it shattered. "Those aren't real. Nothing in this room is real."


  "Jay, you're scaring me."

  Jaylen grabbed Zeriel's arm then pulled him down to the floor. "Come here. Down here below the window where no one can see us. Something is wrong here. I swear it. Look me in the eyes and tell me I'm lying. You have to believe me."

  "I believe that you think something is going on. If you know something, then go ahead and say what it is. What exactly is so wrong?"

  "I don't know. I can't pinpoint it exactly, but everything in this room feels weird, just . . . off. But those roses aren't real. They are magical in some way. I don't like them."

  "The roses?" Zeriel asked.

  "Yes. They are evil black roses. They are watching me."

  "That's ridiculous. They're just roses, Jaylen."

  Jaylen glared at the shimmering petals scattered on the carpet. "Black roses."

  "What's so bad about black roses?"

  "You're an angel and you don't know about black roses?"

  "Uh . . . no?"

  "I learned about them in the Clerical Academy. They're used in druidic spells."

  "So you think that Xair is doing something to you?" Zeriel asked.

  "No. Not Xair. Something else."

  "You mean someone else?"

  "No. Something else. Something is trying to take my soul."

  "Your soul?" Zeriel asked. "Caravel has your soul segments except for the one in your amulet over there on the dresser. No one can take your soul, Jaylen."

  "Not that soul. My other one. The bad half."

  "Your other one? You only have one soul, Jaylen. Only one. What bad half? You are speaking nonsense." Zeriel grabbed Jaylen's shoulders then shook him. "Snap out of it. Do I need to go get Oviel and have him look you over? You're losing your mind. But you don't really want to find it, do you?"

  "What?"

  The mage-glow instantly went out. "You don't really need your mind, do you, sweetie?"

  "Sweetie?" Jaylen tried to crawl away as Zeriel grabbed his leg and dug his fingernails into his skin. "Zeriel, what are you doing? Stay back. Stay away from me!"

  "I'm not Zeriel." Orange eyes peered out of the darkness. "Welcome to Hell."

  * * *

  "This isn't Hell like you've been to on the surface. This is deep down below the crystals and the lava fields. This is one of the inner sanctums where only the damned and condemned go to be punished. And you, Jaylen Corrifus . . . you have been a very bad little boy."