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

by Joe Duck

  Tears of lies dripped down her cheeks. "T-to save you."

  "So you stole the book from me and gave it to the elf?" I asked again, unable to believe her.

  "N-no, no." She started to cry, tears staining her white blouse. "…yes."

  "Why did you betray me?"

  "It was to save you! When we met Heliose I made a deal to—"

  I shook my head. “I know now, but why didn't you tell me?”

  Her eyes turned puffy and red. “I didn’t have a choice! It was the only way. He was going to let you die.”

  “You could have talked to me. You could have trusted me.”

  Her trembling hands grasped my leg, her face pale. "I just wanted to be with you. It was all for you. I did it all for you."

  Something wet fell from my eyes. “Emily, do you know what I have to do to a demonspawn?"

  She looked at me, confused.

  I pushed her hands away from mine. “I have to purify you. I have to kill you to stop the corruption.”

  She trembled, her eyes pleading for me to stop. "Wh-what? No!”

  “Why? Why didn't you tell me? We could have done something. We could have fixed it. Found some way to drain the corruption out of you. But now everyone will know you tried to summon a demon... now it's too late." My heart ached. It was as if someone was squeezing it, harder, and harder as I realized what I had to do. "Emily, I... I..."

  “No, no." She backed against the wall. "There has to be another way.”

  Tears dripped down my face. "No. Angels can resist the effect, but only two humans ever freed themselves from the corruption."

  Hope rekindled in her eyes. "Then I can do the same!"

  I wiped my tears away, but they kept on flowing. "They killed themselves."

  What little strength left in her body disappeared, and she sagged to the floor. "Narius, no. No. I don't want to die. Don't kill me."

  I raised my sword.

  Fear and sadness consumed Emily’s eyes. "Narius, I-I was wrong! I should have been truthful. It's all my fault. I wanted you and the book. I didn't want to let any of it go. I-I just wanted everything."

  "Emily..."

  She reached for her neck and pulled out her necklace, the feather on it dark with corruption. "B-but I can change. I promise that I will be different! Please. Don't do this Narius, Please."

  It was too late for her. "I... I... can't." I tried to look at her one last time, but my blurry eyes made it difficult. "Good bye, Emily." I swung the sword down.

  I love you.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Emily

  The cold blade quivered against my neck, just breaking the skin and letting a trickle of blood drip down my blouse.

  Narius dropped his sword then wiped the tears streaming down his grief-stricken face. "I... I... can't do it."

  I reached out to wipe away his sadness, but he moved back and gently pushed my hand down.

  "Stay away from me." He picked up the blade and walked towards a jagged opening in the demolished wall.

  I wanted to go after him. I stood up, but my knees buckled, and I slumped down like jelly. "Narius? Narius? Narius! Don't go!"

  He glanced back at me, fresh tears wetting his cheeks. He turned away and flapped his wings, sending wind to slap my face.

  I closed my eyes against the hail of wind and dust.

  Then as quickly as it had come, the tempest stopped, and silence filled the room.

  When I opened my eyes again, all that remained were the tattered curtains swaying from his departure.

  I sat there, alone.

  The sun disappeared over the horizon, and the room plunged into darkness.

  He didn't come back. No matter how long I waited. He wasn't coming back. He was never coming back.

  I hugged my knees and buried my face in them. I couldn’t stop the tears. Come back.

  Emily

  Rain poured down and bounced off the street. The cold water chilled my bones and wrapped me in its icy hug. The princess, despite her offer to feed Narius every day, hadn't seen him since the day I walked out on the two of them. Turning away from the palace, I headed into the commercial district, searching for the elusive angel. Where could he be? He knows no one here. How could he stay hidden for days?

  Behind me, a horse-drawn cart clattered over the cobblestones. As it passed, the wheels rolled through a puddle, splashing me with muddy water. Now drenched and miserable, I staggered back to the guild, a throbbing pain in my head growing worse with each tortured step.

  A block away from me, a city guard in a grey overcoat stood watch. Raindrops pelted his blue cap and ricocheted off in all directions. He paced in circles in front of a building that had been cordoned off with a rope, eyeing everyone who passed with a less than friendly expression. His hand gripped the handle of his blackjack, the baton seemingly challenging anyone who doubted his authority.

  Curious, I walked a little closer to investigate. Placing my back against the wall of an alleyway, I snuck into the cordon while the guard screamed at a carriage that had raced past him and soaked him from a nearby puddle. After glancing back to make sure the grumpy guard behind me was still focused on screaming at the now absent carriage, I looked ahead and found myself staring at the Last Delight, the bar where Prince Kale was staying. Poking my head out around the corner, I saw another guard, this one with the insignia of a captain, questioning an old beggar who shivered in the rain.

  The Captain's ragged face wrinkled. “Have you gone completely out of your mind!”

  “No, no. I swear it was an angel. I saw an angel enter then leave the building.”

  The guard shoved the beggar against the wall. “Listen, you old fool. Lady Narius would never do such a thing. She is the pride of Lodina for what she did, beating the shit out of that loose prince. If I hear you blab about her murdering that bastard, I will dump you in a cell and toss away the key.”

  The beggar’s face paled like milk. “Well, I’m not saying it was Lady Narius. By the gods, no. I think I might be mistaken.”

  “That’s what I thought, you drunk hobo," the guard said, smirking and tipping his cap. "No one that beautiful and pure can do any harm. Now, tell me what you saw.”

  “Well it was a winged creature. Maybe it was a harpy, or a dragon like Pannaxx, but much smaller...”

  The beggar went on explaining, now blaming fairies for his trouble.

  I walked away, knowing that the conversation had run its course. Slipping past the carriage-hating guard at the edge of the cordon, I turned another corner and found myself in a narrow alleyway, its walls covered with moss. Prince Kale is dead?

  A sudden pain erupted inside my head. My vision wavered, and I placed my hand against the wet, mossy wall to support myself while I caught my breath. Could Narius be the one who killed the prince? After all, he did have Kale’s sword.

  I shook my head. No, Narius would never do that. Someone else must have done it. I looked up at the rainy sky. The drops struck my cheeks, mixing with my tears, and I wondered if any of these raindrops were his tears.

  I stood there, staring up at Narius's home, somewhere beyond the dark clouds. Narius. I'm sorry. Where did you go?

  Leaning back on the mossy wall, I looked far into the distance. I surveyed the city, hoping to see Narius fly by. But the rain veiled almost everything, the only thing in sight was a large bank—the city's central bank, a domed building where, according to Nathen, Pannaxx now worked.

  It couldn't hurt to check.

  Emily

  By the time I had reached the bank and stepped into the vault, something was wrong with me. The walk through the wet streets must have given me a headache. Better not be a cold. Not now.

  Before me, the vault overflowed with treasure from all across the city: coins, gems, and priceless works of art formed a mountain of wealth more spectacular than I had ever seen in my life. On top of it, Pannaxx sat, baring his teeth, his blue scales shining like sapphire.

  I couldn't begin to guess t
he treasure's value. Nor how much Pannaxx was being paid to guard it.

  Only a week ago, I would have been tempted to run my hands through it, reveling in the mass of wealth.

  Just few days ago, I would have thought about how I could sweat talk Pannaxx into giving me a few coins.

  Today all of it just looked like junk.

  While studying the treasure, I explained my situation to Pannaxx. "And that's why I'm here. To look for Narius," I said, concluding my story.

  The blue dragon's green eyes fixated on me as he coiled his tail around a golden statue of Princess Yuriana. “You lied, betrayed him, and broke his heart.” Pannaxx sighed, blowing a puff of smoke at me. “Emily, you are not exactly a quality mate. If some dragon tried to do that to me, I would snap her wings off and steal half of her treasure.” He shifted his weight, and a stream of gold coins jingled down the hill.

  I grasped the side of my head and massaged it, trying to dull the sharp, throbbing pain. “I only want to know where he is.” I know what I did was wrong.

  Nearby, a group of workmen poured gravy onto a silver platter the size of a small fishing boat. It held an entire cow, skinned and easily the biggest "steak" I'd ever seen.

  Pannaxx watched the meat, running his tongue across his teeth. “Well, he isn’t here,” he said, pushing towards me a slightly smaller silver platter that carried a roasted pig with an apple on its mouth.

  I looked down at the dish, my reflection staring back at me with damning blue eyes. Why couldn't they stay blue? Why couldn't I control myself before? “I know that, but—”

  “Then we don’t have to talk about him,” Pannaxx said as the workers brought him his dinner. The dragon sniffed once then snapped at the carcass and chewed noisily, gravy oozing out of his mouth. “Why not enjoy the meal and rest here? You do not look so well—a bit warmer than the last time we met. Something wrong?”

  “It’s nothing. I’m just a little tired.”

  Pannaxx pushed a mountain of coins towards me, covering my boots in gold. “There. That should help.”

  I raised my eyebrow.

  Pannaxx ran his claw through the mound of coins and purred. “I heard humans who are surrounded by gold live much longer than those who have none,” he said, gravy dripping down from his mouth and onto the platter like a small waterfall. “Now, eat. You look hungry enough to eat a small herd of buffalo.”

  I poked at the hunk of meat before me, getting the thick goo of the gravy stuck to my finger in the process. I sucked on it. It tasted sweet. The feel of my tongue on my finger reminded me of Narius trying to seduce me back in the forest. Those times seemed so simple and innocent. He would have loved this.

  The agonizing headache returned. The strength in my legs disappeared, and I sat down on a nearby bench plastered with gold and precious stones.

  I pulled out Narius's feather. It was still dark. But even then, even amongst all this treasure, the feather around my neck stood out. Wrapping my finger around Narius’s gift, I fought back the sadness that threatened to overwhelm me and turn me into a useless sobbing mess. "If you ever see him, could you let me know? I just want to make sure he's doing well."

  Pannaxx licked his talons and settled his head on his paws. “He is doing fine. Narius was here a few days ago.”

  Startled, I looked up at the dragon. “He was?”

  Pannaxx yawned, revealing his sharp teeth. “He was crying and babbling like an idiot. Something about how he was a fool. So, I fed him and let him rest here as long as he liked.”

  “Is he coming back?” I asked, hope rising in me. If I can talk to him... maybe, maybe he will forgive me.

  “No.”

  My heart sank, and I found it difficult to breathe. Leaning against my staff, I stood up to see if it would help me. It didn't. “Why?”

  “I assumed he left to avoid meeting you.”

  "Oh. Do you know where he went?”

  The dragon shook his head. “He seemed troubled, though.”

  "Troubled?" My pulse quickened. “Was he hurt?”

  “No, but he cringed every so often and grasped his head like he was trying to pull it off.”

  Cringe? Head-pulling? What? Still, this was more news than I had heard since the day he left. I patted Pannaxx's paw. “Thanks, you’ve been a lot of help. It means a lot to me to know he's safe. I'll see you around.”

  Pannaxx craned his neck and licked his gravy covered platter. “Wait! Are you not going to finish your pig?”

  I smiled and tried to push the plate away with all my strength, but it didn't budge. “Maybe next time. Goodbye, Pannaxx.”

  The dragon flashed me his gravy-coated teeth, revealing bits of cooked meat stuck between them. He skewered the pig with his talon and swallowed it in a single gulp. “Take care, Emily. May your nest be warm tonight.”

  Narius

  Pannaxx stacked the empty platters on top of each other then curled his body into a circle like a dog about to take a nap. "I did as you asked, little one," he said. "But, are you going to let her go?"

  I hovered near the window at the ceiling of the vault and looked outside at the puddle-filled street.

  Emily walked towards the guild, arms wrapped tightly around herself, shivering. I wanted nothing more than to be there with her. I wanted to wrap my wings around her and tell her everything would be all right.

  Well? Answer the dragon! the Codex screamed. Or, even better, go after Emily! Who cares what she is? She's still Emily!

  Yes, Castilia replied. She's a demonspawn, even if she is mostly tame. We must go out there and drive me through her. It's the only way to be sure.

  The Codex vibrated, rattling the chains wrapped around the sword. Is that the only thing you think about, you violent little rod? Huh? Thrusting and penetrating yourself into people?

  Don't bring me down to your perverted level, Castilia said. Besides, it is better than thinking about humping everything in sight. At least I have some dignity and self-respect!

  "Well?" Pannaxx asked again, his eyes sleepy. "You could stay with me for a few days if you are not ready to confront her about your territory."

  “I... I don't know.” I placed my hand against the window and banged my head against it to quiet the voices. "I want to be with her."

  Just go, you idiot! the Codex yelled. I’ll keep this bitch silent!

  The sword grew hot against my side. Bitch? How dare you call me names, you nameless—

  The Codex warmed as well, and they battled in a distant corner of my mind, flinging insults like mud.

  Paying little attention to their curses, I looked out the window at Emily, her image distorted by the greasy stain my palm had left on the glass. Just seeing her again made me want to go up to her and pretend none of this had ever happened. But Mother won't be too happy, and being with Emily would be wrong.

  As if hearing my thoughts, Emily came to a halt and glanced back at the bank. She looked up at the window, and I ducked. A heartbeat later, I raised my head to peek at her, and I watched her wobble from side to side before falling to her knees.

  I inched up a little and wiped the stain off the window for a better look. Emily? Get back up. It’s cold down there.

  She collapsed onto the pavement instead.

  I glued myself to the window, my breath fogging it up. I should help her. No. I shouldn't. She just slipped because she’s a little tired. She'll get back up. Besides, someone else would help her even if I don't.

  Emily didn’t move. Her dark hair spread across the ground as the rain drizzled on her motionless body.

  She'll be fine. She’ll be fine, right? I asked.

  Not if you keep asking me, the Codex said. Go and—

  Don't listen to her, Castilia said. You must purify her soul for the paradise—

  Quiet, bitch! I'm the queen of this angel! Codex shouted before resuming the battle.

  The rain continued to pour down on Emily, making it difficult for me to see.

  I grabbed the bottom of the window,
lifted the glass, and poked my head out.

  Emily lay on the street, her eyes closed and a pained expression painted on her face. There were no humans in sight. No one to help her.

  After crawling through the open window, I flew down and landed on the wet ground. There was still no human in sight. No one who could help her. Checking on her wouldn't hurt. This means nothing.

  I knelt next to her body and laid my hand on her cheek.

  Her skin felt like a fire burning out of control and her uneven breaths wheezed out in foggy swirls.

  I couldn't leave her here, alone and helpless. I... I'll just carry her back to the guild and leave her there, nothing more.

  Linking her staff to my chains next to my two bickering guides, I lifted her in my arms. She was lighter than I remembered. Why? Has she been starving? No! I don't care about her. I spread my wings and soared through the rainy sky. I held Emily close to my chest, smelling her minty scent, wishing I didn’t have to let go. It just seemed right for me to be there for her when she needed me the most.

  Narius

  I propped Emily upright against the wooden door of the guild, shielded from the rain by an arch over her head. Her breathing was still labored, and she seemed to be getting hotter by the moment. Still, I had done all I could. Gritting my teeth, I turned around. She will be fine. I can’t do anything else.

  A slender hand tugged at mine, soft and warm. I glanced over my shoulder.

  Emily grasped my hand, her blue eyes blurry with tears. “Narius, please… don’t go. Don’t leave me alone... I'm sorry.”

  "Emily, I—"

  The strength in her hand vanished, and she slid against the wall, her eyes closed again.

  Before I could stop myself, I was carrying Emily in my arms again and facing the door. I’ll just take her inside. I mean, I am already here. Taking her inside the door wouldn’t be too much work. Yes, it is the duty of every angel to be polite.