Eyes of the Watchers (Codex Grigori Book 1)

by Howe, Jennifer

  Too late, you’ve been as “touched” as you can get. Sorry about that again.

  Some other people from the crowd stepped in as well so he retreated to his box.

  “You can pretend you don’t see it, but it’ll always be there waiting and growing! It’s the spawn of SATAN! It will devour our SOULS!”

  Julia glanced at it again discretely.

  Not yet it won’t, and nothing is certain beyond the love of our Lord.

  Julia was less than reassured given the events of the previous night.

  That wasn’t my fault.

  Julia wasn’t assigning blame. As she walked with Tracy to her mother’s car, she saw part of the object’s surface bulge before returning to smooth.

  That’s not good.

  The voice was terrified, and it wasn’t the only one.

  Chapter 5

  The world is a wonderful place. Even in the darkest of times, humans always find something to hold on to and more often than not, they come together and help each other in a crisis. Despite all the evil, all the greed and all the torment…”

  “ALL THEIR SINS,” Raguel corrected.

  “Humans are good.” He was always idealistic.

  “SO I KEEP HEARING.”

  “That is what I have always believed and I will continue to believe in it because I have faith in them.” Azael stands in the Hall of Judgment, golden chains restraining him to the pedestal of the accused.

  “IS THAT WHY YOU BROUGHT THEM FORBIDDEN KNOWLEDGE?”

  “They would have learned it on their own. Why should they wait when it could help them now?”

  “IT IS FORBIDDEN.”

  “Is that the only reason?”

  “IT IS THE ONLY REASON A CHILD OF GOD NEEDS.”

  “They are his children too!”

  “AND HE DECREED THAT THEY SHOULD LEARN AT THEIR OWN PACE.”

  “But they were suffering! We were helping them!”

  “YOU WERE HELPING YOURSELVES. AND NOW, BECAUSE OF YOUR ACTIONS, THEY FACE DEVASTATION. FEW WILL SURVIVE HIS WRATH.”

  “Why?”

  “…‘WHY?’”

  “Why must they perish?”

  “THE LAST TIME I HEARD THAT QUESTION USED SO OFTEN, IT WAS FROM ANOTHER TRAITOR.”

  “Don’t compare me or my brothers to him!” His voice held a threatening tone.

  “YOU ARE CORRECT, I SHOULD NOT. HE WAS YOUR BETTER. HE WAS AN ARCHANGEL.”

  “He was a traitor! He…”

  “…HE THOUGHT HE KNEW BETTER THAN OUR FATHER?”

  “…”

  “NOW YOUR HERESY IS OBVIOUS, EVEN TO YOU.” It was a statement.

  “Raguel…”

  “YES?”

  “It is true that we who were made perfect have erred, but ours was a sin of love, not one of vanity or hatred.”

  “THAT IS WHY YOUR FOLLOWERS WILL RECIVE MERCY, WHATEVER MERCY THERE IS TO BE FOUND IN A NEWLY CLEANSED WORLD. IT IS MORE THAN ANY OF YOU DESERVE FOR YOUR DEPRAVED LUST.” Raguel’s voice held no trace of emotion.

  “My followers…”

  “YOUR BROTHERS WILL REMAIN IN THE WORLD OF MAN. OUR FATHER IS GIVING THEM WHAT THEY WANT. THEY MAY CONTINUE IN THEIR DUTY AS WATCHERS BUT THEY WILL DO SO WITHOUT THE FLAME OR THE LIGHT. THEY CAN MAKE THEIR OWN CHOICES, BUT THEY MUST FACE THE CONSEQUENCES OF THOSE CHOICES, ALONE.”

  “There are always consequences.”

  “THOSE THAT FALL WILL NEVER RISE AGAIN.”

  “Never?”

  “THEY WILL BE AS ASH ON THE WIND.”

  “And our children?”

  “THEY WHO HAVE SINNED GREIVOUSLY FACE ETERNITY BETWEEN THE WORLDS.”

  “And those that did not?”

  “THEY WERE FEW.”

  “Raguel!” He strains against his shackles.

  “THEY WILL LIVE.”

  “Thank you.” He sighs in relief.

  “RESTRAIN YOUR GRATITUDE. THEY WILL LIVE, THEY WILL GROW OLD, AND THEY WILL DIE.”

  “No!”

  “THEIR MOTHERS WERE MORTAL. IT IS THE NATURAL ORDER OF THINGS.”

  “I…understand.” He is heavy with regret. The chains grow slack as he lowers himself to his knees in subservience.

  “YOU HAVE NOT ASKED ABOUT YOUR PUNISHMENT.”

  “I have not.”

  “DO YOU NOT WONDER?”

  “I was responsible for my brothers and our mission…and I failed. I will accept any penance.” He lowers his head in shame.

  “PENANCE?”

  “…”

  “PENANCE IMPLIES FORGIVENESS, YOU WILL FIND NONE.”

  “…” He makes no effort to justify his actions.

  “THE FACT REMAINS THAT YOU REBELLED AND BROUGHT CHAOS TO ORDER.”

  “…” He asks no forgiveness.

  “YOU WILL BE IMPRISONED IN THE PIT OF FIRE. THERE YOU WILL WAIT UNTIL THE END OF DAYS WHEN OUR FATHER WILL RENDER FINAL JUDGEMENT. THE SAME AWAITS SAMYAZA FOR HIS ROLE, ONCE HE IS LOCATED.”

  “Raguel?”

  “YES, FALLEN ONE.” The title pains all who hear it.

  “Thank you.”

  Azael, the now fallen one, looks at me next.

  “And thank you little brother. I should have listened to you.”

  I awake from the nightmare. The same nightmare that has been plaguing me for months. In it I see my former commander, Azael, in golden chains. He is brought before the Archangel Raguel to answer for his crime, for our crime. The crime of love.

  Then he is cast into Hell.

  I stand there, useless. It is a nightmare that I thought was behind me, a nightmare I cannot stop from recurring. A nightmare that was mine and my brothers’ last moments in what had always been our home. A place where existence alone was joy.

  Heaven.

  As I look around at the hardwood floors and shadows that define the abandoned apartment I reside in, the little birdcage in the corner rattles. I am still here on Earth, my leg still hurts, and Evil is still everywhere I look, waiting.

  No, I was mistaken. The dream, that was reality. The birdless cage rattles again and I stare at it with contempt until it stops. This painful world cloaked in darkness, this is the nightmare.

  And I can never wake up from it.

  Chapter 6

  It was Sunday. They pulled into the parking lot and exited their vehicle, joining the other people. The church was made of wood with a steeple design and painted white on the outside. It was small but well-lit inside. There had to be more to the encounter with the creature of darkness, nothing happens without a reason. She stops before entering and looks across the street into the trees where I wait, watching. Just when I think she sees me, she enters.

  I follow.

  She sits with her family near the middle of the aisles. I sit in the back and avoid staring at her. The sermon is interesting; hearing how humans interpret what little information they have is always amusing. I can’t help but love them for trying. True faith is always blind.

  If that which needed faith was easy to prove, it wouldn’t be faith. What the doubters never understood was that even if there is little physical evidence, that doesn’t mean it isn’t real. Our Father wanted them to have faith despite uncertainty because the unconditional love that came from it was always truer than that found in celestials. I am sure that there are those who would dispute this truth, I myself wouldn’t have learned it without watching humans so closely for so long. Pondering this makes me wonder if I would believe so strongly if I didn’t know the truth.

  The people here are good, they care for each other in the way humans do. She is distracted, conversing with her guardian in her mind. I would stay longer, but there is much to do. Evil does not rest. It does not sleep. It grows and builds and plans. Agents are working to further its cause. I must learn what their plans are, so I leave to do what I do best.

  Watch.

  * * *

  Before entering the church, Julia paused. She felt a strong sensation that she was being observed. The feeling was almost familiar.
/>   It’s nothing, let’s go.

  She followed her family in. Her thoughts followed what was becoming their usual path. The…egg, for lack of a better term.

  How did you know what it was?

  Julia didn’t know what it was, the shape just reminded her of a nature video from science class on reptiles. Some lizard and snake eggs are soft so when hatching, bulges become visible. The thought of what would be inside something that large was unnerving.

  Something big.

  It suddenly occurred to Julia that she knew little about the voice only that it was female. Surely it must have a name.

  Why would you need to know my name?

  She didn’t really need to know it, but clarity was becoming a precious commodity in this new world of monsters and giant eggs being yelled at by madmen.

  Fair enough, my name is Luriel.

  She wondered what kind of being would have such a pretty name.

  I, I don’t want to tell you.

  Could she have offended it?

  No! It’s not that! You know how grateful I am, Julia. I really should tell you.

  She wondered how one so knowledgeable could be so shy.

  It’s just that it’s embarrassing is all.

  “Embarrassing” says the voice in her head that sees everything she does and hears all her most intimate thoughts.

  Okay, okay, I’ll tell you, but promise me you won’t laugh.

  She promised.

  I’m…an Angel.

  She wasn’t sure she had “heard” that correctly.

  I’m an Angel, Julia.

  What would an Angel be doing on Earth?

  Well, I’m a Guardian Angel. It’s my duty to be here.

  It had mentioned that word before, was it her Guardian Angel?

  Why yes, yes I am.

  Why would it be embarrassing to be an Angel?

  What? No! It’s not! I mean…

  The voice, Luriel, had been so reluctant to discuss it.

  Oh that, um…

  She could take her time. Julia was in no immediate hurry.

  Do you remember when I first asked to be inside you?

  Julia remembered, although she thought the question could have been worded better. Luriel had been hurt, and “they” were coming for her.

  Yes, precisely that. He told me they were up to something, and I thought I could handle it.

  He?

  I should have been able to handle them, I had The Flame and everything.

  Who was he?

  How was I supposed to know that they’d be so strong? They shouldn’t have even been there!

  Luriel!

  What? What is it, Julia?

  Who is “he?”

  Oh, him? He’s nobody. Forget him…it’s definitely not important.

  Then why was Luriel trying so hard to avoid talking about him.

  Why is it humans can never just let things go?

  Humans were curious, she supposed. It was their nature. It was how God wanted them to be.

  So true.

  So Luriel was still avoiding the topic of interest.

  I guess it wouldn’t hurt to tell you what I know.

  No, it most definitely wouldn’t.

  Actually, he’s the one that told me how it all happened, so I’ll try to relate it to you as closely to his version as I can.

  Would his version be so different from reality?

  No, it’s just a matter of perspective…But it’s a long story.

  Julia focused her eyes on the altar. Minister Jacobs had gotten into the letters of Paul, they weren’t going anywhere anytime soon.

  Chapter 7

  Leave me.

  “You know I can’t do that my love,” she says with a smile.

  You mock me demon, as if you could understand the word.

  “Come now, Azael. Haven’t we grown close over the ages?” She nears the cage.

  Not that close.

  “Not close enough you mean.” She writhes against the flaming bars, her pale purple skin burning lightly on contact. “I know all there is to love. If not for your prison, I’d show you my love.”

  That is lust, not love.

  “They are one and the same. Humans agree with me.”

  Regardless, I care nothing for you. We are not close.

  “Close enough for me to hear your thoughts.” She closes her eyes, sighing with pleasure at the pain.

  Is there a point to this conversation?

  “I want you to tell me how you came to be here.”

  Why?

  “I’d never seen a Celestial before you, my love.” She licks the flaming bars.

  So?

  “So you’ve peeked my interest, my rust-winged delight.” She leans her bare back against the fiery cage, looking away from me.

  Something that happens rarely indeed.

  She laughs with a voice that could melt away any mortal’s virtue.

  Very well.

  “You’ll tell me?” She turns to face me with an innocent expression between her black ram’s horns.

  I will.

  “You were created in the shining city then?” She clutches herself to a bar, holding it between her bare breasts.

  I was.

  “What was it like?” She is so beautiful.

  It was paradise beyond words.

  “Azael?” She’s almost human.

  Yes?

  “Do you think I’ll ever get to see it?” Almost.

  Never.

  She looks genuinely hurt by this.

  But then I’ll never see it again either.

  “Tell me about your sorrow, my love.” She smiles again and stretches her arms across the bars.

  I thought you wanted to hear about how I came to be here.

  “Oh… yes,” she draws out seductively, then giggles. “Begin there, but I want it all. All of your regrets, all of your pain. Spare me nothing, my love.”

  Of course, I would never dream of it.

  “Can you tell me about them as well?” She closes her eyes and lowers herself to her knees. “I’ve always wanted to know about them.”

  Them?

  “Dreams, my love.”

  * * *

  “Don’t lie to me professor! I heard everything you said yesterday.” Gerard was determined to learn the truth. After that insane conversation, the professor had excused himself and made quick his escape, but he wouldn’t get off that easy this time.

  “My boy, you must be imagining things. You really shouldn’t push yourself so hard. Maybe we should take the day off and make it a long weekend.”

  “Bollocks! And it’s Sunday, professor! We already get today off! Every week in fact!”

  “Yes, well…quite right. I guess there’s no reason to be in the office then.” The professor reached for his coat and hat.

  “You talked about worlds collapsing and Ettins or something.” The young man blocked the doorway.

  “Emims, my boy. Ettins were giants from Norse mythology. Totally different. Although theoretically they may be similar in…”

  “Ah hah!”

  “What? What is it?” The professor looked about in confusion.

  “You were talking to someone about something!”

  “When?”

  “Yesterday!”

  “…” The professor was mulling over this conundrum with a scrunched-up face.

  “Professor, if I were such a dunce that I could fall for this, would you have recruited me for this project?”

  “I guess not.” The professor surrendered his hat and coat.

  Gerard took them and returned them to their hanger. “Okay, what’s going on here then?” He closed the door and sat down.

  The professor pushed his glasses back into place.

  “Well?”

  “Give me a moment, boy. I’m trying to think of where to start.”

  “How about ‘at the beginning.’”

  “What are you? A police man?” The professor admonished.

&n
bsp; “No, it’s just what I’m supposed to say.” The professor gave him a look. “I mean, that’s the most logical place to start, right?”

  “Logically maybe, but the logical place is not always the best place. There are a number of variables to consider first.” The professor filled his mug from a thermos under his desk and took a sip, holding it in both hands.

  “Well we haven’t got all day.”

  “Actually we do. As you yourself pointed out, we have the day off because it is a Sunday.”

  Gerard was forced to cede this point and so patiently waited for Dr. Suriel to continue.

  “What do you know about the fabric of reality, Mr. Donne?” He was in full professor mode.

  “You mean space-time? Well Einstein theorized that…”

  “That is the fabric this universe is laid upon. I asked about reality.”

  “Well…”

  “You have no thoughts on the matter?”

  “It’s a subjective question!’

  “How so?”

  “Well for one person, reality could be as we know it, but for a madman, ‘reality’ could mean buildings made of sweets or talking dogs.”

  “Dogs can talk.”

  “What?”

  “You just have to listen to them, but that’s neither here nor there. You are quite right.”

  “About the talking dogs?”

  “What? No of course not. You thought they didn’t talk. You were right when you said that part about reality being subjective.”

  “This is all insane. And how does that help me understand what you were talking about yesterday?”

  “About as much as relativity helps you understand black holes, my boy.” The professor paused. “Are you done now? Shall we continue?”

  “Yes, professor.”

  “Well, to make this more simple…” The professor gave Gerard a long look indicating his disappointment. “Reality is made of three forces, or worlds, or realms, or whatever you want to call them, which form a tripod: the physical universe, the Aeviternity, and the Depths of Delusion.”

  “Okay.”

  “Let’s begin with the first, you already know it pretty well.”

  “Right, the physical universe follows the laws of physics.”

  “Correct, you can also call it the ‘really real,’ if you want. If you stub your toe, you feel pain. If you plant tomatoes in spring, you can make tomato pie in fifty-seven days. It is how things are, physically.”