The Codex: An Angel's Guide To Seducing A Human

by Joe Duck

  “Good. Let's listen and find out what's going on.”

  “But what about the barrels of gunpowder we saw on our way? Can we afford to wait?”

  “Since when did you become the thinking type?” Emily placed her ear to the door and motioned for me to join her. “Relax. They probably want to have a little friendly chat with Varian first. The elves won’t destroy the temple. Not yet.”

  I followed suit and pressed my ear against the door. There were two voices. One belonged to the High Priest, the other to another male.

  “Varian, you miserable slug,” a calm voice said. “Where did you hide the dagger? I know it is here. The book told me so. Is it in your room? Is it with your winged beast?”

  “I am not telling you anything," Varian said with pure contempt in his voice. "Just get it over with. Have your petty revenge for your daughter’s timely death.”

  “Listen, you tub of fart lard. I am going to ask one last time. Where did you put the dagger?”

  “Somewhere you will never think to look, you elven vermin.”

  The elf's voice remained calm. “You can talk, or we can do this another way.”

  “Ha. After what the witch said, you’ve got nothing.”

  “I am going to count to three.”

  I glanced at Emily and motioned to her that I wanted to break down the door, but she remained still, her eyes betraying her hesitation.

  “One.”

  Knowing that it was foolish to play with the priest’s life, I gently pushed Emily away. She gave me a nod and moved aside as I got ready.

  “Tw… what is that bulge on the side of your robe?”

  I kicked the door in, rushed into the room, and came face to face with an elf holding a kitchen knife over the High Priest’s throat. The latter was sprawled across the table with a spilled bag of jewels and coins at his side.

  A black book, missing half its pages and front cover, dangled on a vine from the silver-haired elf's waist, right next to a small crossbow. The sole cover of the battered book suppressed the corruption but small tendrils escaped from the missing side of the book.

  I pinched my nose at the overpowering stench of corruption. The elf glanced at me, and I recognized him as Mafis, the thief from the wanted poster, dressed in ragged robes.

  With a grin on his face, Mafis slid the kitchen knife into Varian’s neck. "Thank you."

  In response blood gurgled from Varian's mouth and spurted from his neck, spraying the elf's face.

  The high priest's head slumped to his side and his glassy eyes staring at me, unblinking and unmoving, sending chills down my wings.

  As I stood frozen, the elf tossed the knife away, reached into the priest’s robes, and pulled out an ivory dagger. Raising the weapon against the flame of a large fireplace, he smiled. “Perfect.”

  Emily burst into the room, the orb of her staff glowing bright with magic. "Stop where you are, Narius. I got this."

  Knowing Emily's lack of knowledge about the Grimoire, I moved in front of her and blocked her view. Then I took a hesitant step towards the elf.

  The thief, with confidence in his eyes, sheathed the dagger by placing it against the vines around his waist. Roots slithered and swallowed the blade, securing it in place. Then the elf leaned over next to the dagger and pulled out the small crossbow. With the weapon aimed at me, he waved the Grimoire, smiling. “You want this, don't you?”

  Though I knew the weapon didn’t pose a threat against my armor, I readied myself to summon a halberd when the Codex vibrated. Narius, wait. We can’t assume that he knows the true use for the Grimoire. Especially with half of the book missing. For all he knows, that old hag is just something he carries around because he is amused by her out-of-date advice about seducing the opposite sex.

  Taking her wise words to heart, I pushed down my desire to disarm him and forced a smile. “Can I have the book?”

  “No.”

  "Please?"

  "No."

  “Why?”

  “Because it’s not mine.”

  I nodded, eyeing Emily's subtle movement to my side, readying herself to attack. “But it still needs to be destroyed.”

  “Too bad. I need it to summon the demon.”

  My wings twitched. "What? You know about—"

  “Now.” The book burst open at the elf’s command. Dark smoke erupted from it and billowed toward us.

  Emily stood her ground, oblivious to the threat before her.

  I shoved Emily to the side.

  The corruption slammed into me, throwing me back and pinning me against the wall. My feet dangled in the air, unable to reach safety as the smoke squeezed every part of me like a giant hand.

  My breath escaped me and refused to return to my lungs. I couldn't move. Darkness seeped into me, twisting my soul and overcoming all my senses with pain. It felt like someone was peeling off my skin and plucking my feathers. The Codex shouted something, but her voice disappeared, smothered by agony.

  The elf’s silvery eyes bore into me. "You know, I just wanted to take a break from collecting the pages to find a dagger, but what do I get? Needless complications, and an angel at that."

  Emily stepped in front of me and raised her staff at the elf, the feather on her neck gleaming as it absorbed the stray magic around her. “Stop whatever you’re doing to him!”

  Mafis shrugged. “I am not doing anything to him.”

  The pain intensified, and the dark cloud pressed me further into the wall, crushing parts of my armor inward and digging into my skin.

  I couldn’t take it anymore. My mind crumbled. I screamed. I screamed as loudly as I could. It hurt so much.

  Emily

  Narius screamed, his wings twitching out of control and his body shaking as if some invisible force held him against the wall. I wanted to help him, but I had to take care of the elf first.

  I aimed my staff, cast off a large ball of ice, and sent it hurtling straight towards Mafis.

  The ice smashed into the elf and tossed him into the brightly lit fireplace.

  As he flew back, his crossbow fired, and I cried out as the bolt slammed into my arm. The force of the impact spun me in a half-circle, the sudden pain driving me to my knees.

  Meanwhile, Mafis rolled out of the fireplace and onto the floor. He threw off his now-burning robe, revealing a slim rectangular sack on his back.

  Brushing away the pain, I struggled up to my feet. I aimed my staff to subdue the elf, only to see him rush towards the open window and jump out.

  What the hell? Clutching my bleeding arm, I stumbled to the window and looked down, expecting to see the splattered remains of an elf who thought he could fly. Instead, a large circular green cloth blossomed from the pack and carried the criminal to safety like a slowly falling leaf.

  The strength in me vanished like the elf who had gone with the wind. Exhausted, I sank to the floor and checked my arm. The bolt was firmly lodged in my bicep, the tip protruding out the back. The sight alone brought even more pain. I turned away.

  Nearby, the fire had consumed Mafis’s abandoned clothes and begun to spread to the rest of the room. Ignoring the throbbing pain, I went to help Narius, who was still glued to the wall, his face pained and wings twitching.

  Fortunately, he wasn't screaming anymore.

  Unfortunately, he seemed to have passed out.

  Summoning a bit of light to the orb, I raised my staff to get a better look. Only for the chain around the Codex to snap out at my staff and wrap itself around it.

  Alarmed, I tugged back, but the chain tightened its grip on the staff and pulled it to his side like a scabbard.

  “Hey, what do you think you are doing?”

  Getting your attention, Narius's book said.

  I tried to take my staff back, but the book refused to let it go. “Well, you got it. What’s going on? What was that knife? What’s happening to Narius?”

  Now is not the time. We need to get him out of here. We need to push out what remains of that old
hag inside him and wake him up from the coma.

  “Hag? You mean, the Grimoire?”

  I pulled at Narius' arm, slowly peeling him off the wall, lowering him to his knees. His body was still somewhat responsive, but his eyes were closed and refused to open no matter how hard I shook him. “Is he going to be all right?”

  He'll be fine. The old hag won't be able to do anything to him now. Narius has a strong mind. He just happens to be the dullest tool in the shed, and "inexperienced," if you catch my drift, you coy little—

  “I get the drift. But now’s not the time. What do we do?”

  Run. We have to get out of here before this place burns down.

  I glanced back at the flames. The fire was closing towards us, now engulfing and filling half the room with smoke that made my eyes water. “Give me my staff. I'll put the flames out.”

  No.

  “What?”

  The temple is rigged to blow, in case you have forgotten. Now, carry my angel to safety.

  As if to remind me, I heard distant explosions from the city. “Do I look like a troll? I don’t think I can even carry his armor.”

  Well, then. A bright light flashed from the book. It felt warm, and with it renewed strength filled my arms. Be a troll.

  The pain dimmed. My body felt refreshed like I had taken a long relaxing bath. I flung Narius's arm around my shoulder and lifted him, but despite my new found strength it still felt like I was trying to lug around a bag of bricks. “How did you do that?”

  Do you think he carries me around for my good looks? Now, let’s get going.

  My wounded arm cried out in protest, but I wobbled down the stairs, trying not to fall on my face.

  The steps shook every so often and the ceiling showered me with dust as I carried my angel-shaped luggage. “So what would happen if the Grimoire takes him over? Does he become a puppet?“

  She would probably abduct you.

  “For what?”

  Grimoires are usually a group of senile, psychopathic ladies. I can bet you’d probably get sliced into thin bits as they try out their cooking recipes. Then it would probably end with Narius eating you. And not in the pleasurable way.

  I threw up a little in my mouth at the thought of Narius eating me. "Great. I'm going to be scared for the rest of my life."

  Pushing down the disturbing imagery, I placed one foot after another down the endless staircase.

  Narius's book vibrated. So, I have to ask. Why are you here?

  Gritting my teeth, I answered, “To get your stupid angel out of here.”

  Why?

  “Because I don’t want to have nightmares about him if he ends up dead or used like some sort of tool.”

  You like Narius, don’t you? Do you have any wet dreams about him? Perhaps imagining his strong hands gently caressing your body while you rest your pretty head against his flawless chest, softly moaning as his sizable—

  “Shut up. I have a clean mind.” At least I hope so. Minus that thought I had when I imagined what it would feel like to lie on his chest.

  Ah ha! So you do have wild fantasies involving the innocent angel.

  I staggered and almost smashed my head into the stairs before I regained my balance. “What? How? No!”

  Admit it. You like him.

  I felt my eyes twitch. “Fine. I like him. Happy?”

  Well, not yet. What do you like about him? Is it his puppy eyes? Or his near endless stamina?

  Thinking that I might as well just tell the book to distract myself from the pain in my arm and Narius’s weight, I explained, “Well, if you must know, you pervert... I like the way he smiles, and he seems, well… like someone who actually cares what happens to others. There isn't a single dull moment with him. I-I just feel happy when I'm with him.”

  Even when you had him lick your boot for some twisted sexual fetish?

  I glared at the book as it slapped my thighs every few steps. “Don’t you have anything better to do? Or should I just leave you here?"

  The book cleared her throat. Well, I guess I need to push Mrs. where's-half-of-my-face out of Narius.

  “Great. Then do it.”

  I might be a little under-powered for this and—

  “Let me guess, you need a bit of my magic like Narius’s feather to work?” I asked as blood from my arm dripped down and stained the floor, leaving behind a small trail of my draining strength.

  Ha! I am not his feather. I can do just fine on my own, thank you very much. I just meant I won't be able to keep you company. Now go. I have to stop Narius from cheating on me. Get him out of here! I am counting on you.

  The foreign presence in my mind disappeared, leaving me alone with my thoughts again.

  Fear crept up inside me with the horny book’s absence. To make matters worse, my arms and legs grew heavy from the long haul. What am I doing carrying an angel? I just wanted a bit of gold. I should be a league away from this place.

  Still I trudged on, and several minutes later, I somehow reached the bottom of the staircase without tripping and breaking my neck. Then I shoved opened the door that led to the hall of the temple.

  Fire blazed, and a fresh wave of heat made the sweat on the back of my shirt stickier. The statues of angels still guarded the burning hall, littered with dead priests. My stomach lurched. I looked away and focused on the large hole where the front entrance had been blown open by the explosion. Through it, I saw the burning city outside. Almost there.

  With Narius weighing down my arms, I limped toward the opening, each step making everything feel a little bit more numb than the last. Next to me, Narius's book glowed with a dull light and puffed out a steam of dark smoke every few moments.

  Come on, Emily, I thought to myself. You can do this. Think about all of the treasure you could guilt Narius into giving you when you get out of here.

  As I imagined all the money I could make, banners and drapes above us were alight with fire, dripping burning embers down on us and blackening Narius’s wings. I've got to keep going.

  I gasped to fill my lungs with smoke-filled air and stumbled forward, past the statues of angels, averting my eyes from the dead. I think I can make it—

  Something cracked behind me, louder than any whip-crack I ever heard. Next thing I knew, I was thrown off my feet and showered with small pieces of rubble.

  My back crashed against a statue, and I felt my bones snap.

  I lay with my cheek against the ground. Something wet trickled down into my eye, blurring my vision red. My body refused to move. I glanced at my bloody bolt-impaled arm as I lay on my deathbed while everything became warm and fuzzy. I’m going to die here. But at least it will be a comfortable one.

  The thought felt comforting.

  I felt my body give out. My eyes flicked shut. With the knowledge that I had done my best, I fell asleep.

  Narius

  A dull headache and a warm sensation against my wings stirred me awake. Pain plagued my face, like Emily had punched it several times.

  I opened my eyes and saw hazy flames flickering. Warm air covered me like a soft blanket, making me feel safe and secure. Wanting nothing more than to rest a little longer, my eyelids started to close when Emily’s face came into focus.

  She seemed to be at peace as well.

  I smiled at her sleeping face. Everything felt right.

  Except she was drenched in blood, some dripping down her face while a bolt impaled on her arm formed a small crimson pool around her.

  She was hurt.

  The sight brought me out of my slumber. I climbed to my feet and found her staff attached to my side.

  Burning corpses surrounded us, giving the air a coppery smell. I couldn’t stay like this. Emily was hurt. I had to do something. What happened?

  You don’t remember? the Codex asked.

  All I remember is seeing the elf in the room—

  Emily stirred and mumbled, her eyes unfocused and the light in them dimming. "My staff...?" She looked at me, and
reached for her stick, but before she could get her hands on it, I lifted her in my arms and cradled her.

  What is this? You are carrying her in your arms like a knight carrying a princess? I like where this is going. Quick. Heal her. It will make her very grateful. Grateful enough to—

  Quiet.

  The Codex grumbled, but obeyed.

  With the Codex quietened, I looked for an escape route. My eyes watered from the smoke. I shook my wings, shedding the soot off them, and squinted to see better. Everywhere the flames whipped up the wind, making it difficult to see, but by a stroke of luck I glimpsed the entrance to the temple. It had been blown wide open as if a dragon had tried to crawl through.

  Avoiding the large bodies of fire, I started towards the exit just as an explosion shook the ground again.

  A thunderous crack roared from above, and large chunks of masonry rained down.

  I slammed my back against a nearby statue and narrowly avoided the falling stones. A massive block fell off a column and landed on the body of a young, freckled priest. His chest exploded from the impact, blood bursting out in a red mist as bits of bone and flesh splattered onto Emily's clothes and my armor.

  Sick to my stomach, I turned to the entrance and saw a huge statue of archangel Heliose fall against our only way out.

  It crushed several bodies and kicked up a cloud of dust. Once the air cleared, the entrance was sealed by a mound of bloody rubble. Mangled body parts stuck out here and there, and the top of the pile was on fire. I looked for a way out. There was nothing. No doors or windows.

  For once in my life, my clever mind failed me, and I stood there dumbfounded. I was trapped.

  What are you doing? Fly! We have to go now!

  But… but there is no way out.

  Really? No way? Smash the glass!

  I looked up and through the thick smoke, where the beautiful glass portraits of Arudi’s flock smiled down on me. It looked thin enough. Flapping my wings as hard as I could, I rose into the air.

  A falling piece of brick dropped right past my wing and scratched my feathers. Another struck my arm and bounced off. The pain made me wince, but I kept rising, driven by fear for myself and Emily. I brought her into this by letting her follow me. I can do this!