The man was still staring at him as if he'd seen a ghost. Becoming more concerned by the minute, Raziel caught the scars on his wrists as he pushed the food and drink through the bars. Reaching out, Raziel gripped his hand, turning it to see the underside of his wrist again. Round circular scars went through his wrists, exiting just under where the two bones met.
"Stigmata. How long?"
The priest gently wrestled his arm back, pulling his sleeves down to cover his wrists again. Raziel could understand it. Many on earth thought stigmata was a hoax, that people suffering were making it up. As a result, few came forward.
While many were faked for attention, there were a small few extremely devout believers who manifested the signs. They had a deeper understanding of their faith than others, and could see things most couldn't. Like angels.
"Ten years, angel. I've suffered ten years. You aren't Gabriel or Uriel, your coloring isn't light as theirs is known to be. Which are you? I am Father Thomas. Joshua. I imagine you've set off the wards due to your unique... situation. What would an angel and a demon want with the Secret Archives? Had you come to us, someone could have sourced what you needed, if you were seeking something to help."
Raziel snorted at that, though there wasn't much humor in this situation. Sure, he'd walk up to the Pope, explain he looked like a Leviathan but really was an Archangel, promise, and he just needed the unholiest of books from the archives to be on his way. He could imagine that wouldn't have gone as well as Father Thomas seemed to think it would.
"I am Raziel. I believe most say I look more like Raphael and Gabriel, though I refuse to acknowledge any resemblance to Gabriel on principle. It is very nice to meet you, Father Thomas. This is Baylin St. Claire. After I was attacked and 'changed', for lack of a better word, she has been helping me attempt to earn my redemption. One of the tasks resided in the archives, unfortunately."
Father Thomas looked down the hallway before he murmured a soft prayer. Pulling the ring of keys from the wall across from them, he moved to unlock the cell. Thankfully, they were still old-school here. No electronics for demons to short out, but also no cameras pointed at the cells themselves to show the priest releasing them.
"Go, earn your redemption, my son. May you ever walk in God's footsteps, so you always know the way home."
Raziel cleared his throat, reaching to shake the man's hand. "I uh... well. We can't exactly leave yet. The relic we were sent to retrieve is the Requiem Codex. It isn't safe on earth any longer, demonic factions are lining up to be the first to claim it and dominion over Hell and Earth by the solstice. It needs to be with my brothers. I realize I'm asking too much of you, but to leave it is to begin Armageddon on earth."
Chapter Twenty-Nine
It took some cajoling, some bribing, and a lot of explaining. Once Father Thomas understood what the relic was they'd been after and how powerful it was, even he agreed it was no longer safe. However, the issue of getting to the Codex would be even harder this time around.
Knowing that it was almost stolen would have guards patrolling more often and certainly keeping a close eye on it, if it hadn't been moved already. A priest would have no reason to be there either, especially not tonight.
The library and archives themselves weren't considered holy land, even though Vatican City technically was. Since the library had been opened to journalists and researchers who may not be Catholic or religious in general, the place was no longer strictly for the devout. Since the archives were attached to the library, it was no longer holy ground, either.
Once they'd escaped from the precinct, they took refuge in the small home Father Thomas maintained on church grounds nearby. Sitting around the table, they discussed various plans and methods, discarding most. It seemed impossible that they'd be able to get back into the Archives any time soon. Sipping hot chocolate from the mug the priest had handed him, Raziel blinked as he remembered an old folklore.
"Father Thomas. After the wards are tripped, is it custom to recast them? Old folklore states they aren't as strong if they aren't strengthened once they've been breached, so theoretically, one could request to recast the wards, yes?"
Eventually, they worked out a plan that at least had some hope of succeeding. Raziel removed his necklace, a hammered Dracium pendant Gabriel had given him as a child, securing it around the priest's neck. It would help give legitimacy to the questionable call. Father Thomas was going to head to the archives under the pretense of being sent to recast the traps.
Once inside, he would bless the area, therefore making it holy ground. A little loophole they planned to take full advantage of for the moment. With Raziel's necklace, he would call for Gabriel.
With any luck, Gabriel would be concerned enough to answer, realizing someone else held Raziel's token. It was too dangerous for Thomas to carry the book from the archives. The guards would never allow it, if they let him pass through at all, even with the excuse they were using.
Even worse was the idea of Thomas walking down the street with it. As Raziel had found, relics put out their own energy signature, a subtle call to all who were sensitive to them. They didn't need to bring demonkind swarming to Vatican City, and wouldn't put the helpful priest in harm's way like that. This way, if Gabriel answered the summons, he could take immediate possession of the book and get it safely above.
Hopefully Gabriel would be in a decent enough mood to wipe the memory of Raziel and Baylin from everyone's minds, so Thomas wouldn't be facing punishment for this once they were gone. Either way, once the Codex was safe, Thomas would bring Gabriel to Raziel, where he'd give up the crucifixion spike as well.
This left them with none of the current relics he'd found still languishing on earth where they could be stolen and used. Baylin had said some of the old legends she'd read told of the gate being in Mexico. If Gabriel agreed, they would head there and see if the portal itself was caused by some kind of relic. If so? They'd collect that too.
Hours later, they sat on the stoop, watching as the sun rose. They'd expected the priest earlier, it was worrying that this was taking so long. Without a way to contact him, they didn't know if he'd gotten caught, if something had gone wrong. Hell, he didn't know if Gabriel would show.
After awhile, Baylin had laced her fingers with his in a gesture of comfort and solidarity. He hated to admit it, but it worked. He'd never enjoyed hand-holding before, but with Baylin it felt different. Right, somehow. Brushing his thumb over the backs of her knuckles, he lifted their hands to press a kiss to them before returning his attention to the street.
Hearing a noise from behind them, he leapt to his feet, whirling with blades already in his hands. They were immediately sheathed again once he realized it was Gabriel and Father Thomas. Taking his necklace back, he secured it around his neck where it belonged, before embracing Gabriel.
"Esiasch, I wish we were meeting under better circumstances, though those seem few and far in between lately. Thank you for coming to the summons even though it wasn't from me. We didn't expect it to take so long, we were worried... did you two retrieve the Codex? Is it safe where it belongs? Was there any trouble from Vatican security?"
Father Thomas pulled a small metal flask from his pocket, taking a heavy swig from it before tucking it away again. Raziel's lips twitched, but he managed to keep from fully smiling. It was odd seeing a man of the cloth drinking before the sun had fully risen. He supposed if there was ever a good time for it, this was a decent one.
"Thankfully my age preempts me from many questions. I was able to get into the archives using the excuse that the ward needed redrawn after being broken. They wanted to accompany me, however. I stalled as long as I could, triple-casting the lines. I told them since someone had already tried to steal the book, the caution was warranted. It took a while, but they eventually got bored and left me alone. Only then did I dare to sanctify the area and summon Gabriel."
Gabriel nodded, face twisting in a grimace. "I didn't come immediately, I thought there was
something strange about the situation. Someone calling me wearing a gift I gave to you, and you weren't anywhere around? Smelled like a trap."
"I ended up coming in behind him, checking out the situation to determine whether it was safe or not before approaching. The Codex is now safe, and the guards at the archives are none the wiser. A facsimile has been placed in the container at the archives that will pass most inspections."
Raziel could finally breathe a sigh of relief. Remembering the spike, he pulled that from his pocket as well, handing it over to his brother. They officially were no longer carrying any relics on them. If the Undoing was coming closer, it was safest to not be carrying them around. Remembering he wanted to ask about that, he held up a hand to stop Baylin from interrupting as she seemed nearly ready to do.
"So, now that we have the Codex, the demons can't start the Undoing, correct? It's this Solstice slash Mercury transit thing where they can attempt to bring armies up to earth to take over. Without the Codex, they can't open the gate, I'm assuming? I've worked out that I've been sent to collect these relics now since the timing worked in our favor, but are there more? Did we stop the Undoing from even happening? What else don't I know?"
Gabriel at least had the decency to look shamed for a moment, face clouding as he seemed to be having an internal debate about what to tell them. "We've been doing some research, some interrogations of demons we've encountered. From what we've gathered, your turning wasn't an accident. Tarin knew they needed an archangel to collect the relics they needed. You were the only one of us that spent most of your time on Earth alone."
"They are beginning a mass exodus from cities and heading to Taos, New Mexico. Unfortunately, that means we can't say the Undoing, as they call it, has been stopped. We're assuming they have the potential to open the gate, or believe they do. The relics may be utilized in a ritual there, or for controlling the armies that come through. Either way, they're still rallying to reach the portal somewhere in Taos."
"You were given this chance at absolution because while they intended to use you for their own gain, we realized we could do the same. They turned you to have an Archangel on their side to retrieve the relics, but they didn't know your strength of will or your loyalty."
"We knew your allegiances wouldn't be easily swayed. As for relics, there are many that have been lost to us. Your lady friend there seems to have spirit guides that don't want them to take over either, and are keeping us one step ahead. For now."
Anger started slowly, before it began to boil in his gut. She'd stalked him, targeted him. He'd been specifically chosen simply because he was the easiest to lead astray. How was he supposed to take that? Without realizing it, a haze of red began to cloud his vision, hands beginning to clench into fists at his sides. He didn't notice until Baylin stepped in front of him, her gentle hands cupping his cheeks.
As she murmured softly to him, he forced himself to focus. Worried blue eyes peered into his own, scanning him for signs of this becoming a Leviathan emergency. Behind her, he noticed Gabriel had pushed Father Thomas behind him and had his sword in hand. Blinking, Raziel willed himself to calm, not breathing or relaxing until his vision cleared, the red haze receding.
Noticing Gabriel giving Baylin an odd look, Raziel felt his cheeks flush. It was embarrassing to lose control this way, to admit he wasn't himself. It was even worse to have his brother and a priest see Baylin stepping in front of them, putting herself in harms way to protect them.
The fool woman should run from him when he couldn't control his emotions. It was something they would need to discuss at a later date, clearly. Giving her a quick nod to let her know he was okay, he spotted Gabriel had manifested a small bag in his hand.
"I believe you two will need these. It seems cliche to say the fate of the world rests on your shoulders, but I suppose in this situation, it's not far off the mark. Godspeed, brother. I have the utmost faith in you." With that, Gabriel was gone, leaving them with the bag and not much else. Opening it, Baylin's eyes narrowed before she held it wider to show Raziel the contents. The relics, except for the book, laid within.
Chapter Thirty
"You have got to be kidding me! We went through all this trouble to get these things out of here and away from the demons, and he just brings them right back. They would have been safer had we just left them alone. What are we supposed to do with these? What was he thinking???"
Her words were punctuated with rough shakes of the bag in his direction, but Raziel just shrugged. He didn't have the slightest idea, either. He was a little peeved that they'd gone through all this trouble only for Gabriel to bring the damn things right back, but he knew and trusted his brother. If Gabriel said they'd need them, then he had a good reason.
At least the Codex was safely out of their reach. Raziel would have never agreed to carry it around with them, regardless of whether they'd ultimately need it or not. The thing was a curse and an abomination. It deserved to be lost to the sands of time.
Politely refusing Thomas' offer of breakfast or a place to stay to get a bit of sleep, he and Baylin said their thanks and goodbyes. They couldn't have retrieved the book without him, he had earned their gratitude. For Thomas, he seemed more than content to have spent time in the presence of angels, as he stated his scars hadn't hurt him the entire time he'd been with them.
Raziel made plans to come back if he could, or to send one of his brothers. Being devout shouldn't mean suffering. If the stigmata was causing constant pain, Thomas deserved to be free of it. One of them could heal him, he was sure of it.
Taking Baylin's hand, he closed his eyes to stop the instant nausea that seemed to crop up whenever she apparated longer distances with him in tow. When he felt solid ground under his feet, he took a few calming breaths, willing his stomach to settle before he opened his eyes.
They were in a desert. It was the best way he could describe it. The air was dry and arid, burning his nostrils with every breath after having just been in the relatively cool and rainy Rome. Everything was brown, from the dirt to the buildings, to most of the trucks parked nearby.
In the distance, he could see pueblo buildings, standing firm against the encroaching modern buildings creeping in. The town was a jarring juxtaposition of old and new, neither winning thus far.
Spotting most of the locals heading towards what looked like a corner diner, he and Baylin headed that direction as well. The best way to learn about a town was to go where the locals did, to talk to them. Settling in, they ordered juice and toast just so they wouldn't be sitting at an empty table, since neither was hungry after the night they'd had.
Glancing around, Raziel took note of people reading newspapers, having conversations. His sensitive hearing allowed him to tune in even on those who were trying to keep their voices low. He knew Baylin could as well. Between the two of them, they had the place pretty well covered.
He ignored the chitchat about daily lives, romances. Boring jobs and family disputes. None of those things concerned him at the moment. He was looking for things that were out of the ordinary, things people couldn't explain.
He found one. In the far corner, two women were speaking quietly, heads lowered. Both were commiserating about rude tourists who had been coming into their shops, getting hiking gear but refusing to engage in conversation.
Apparently they were snippy and short, acting as if they were better than the townspeople, which rubbed them the wrong way and set off alarm bells. Both had noted the people were heading towards El Salto.
Hurriedly flipping through the brochures they'd grabbed on the way in, Baylin slid one over to him. El Salto was a peak in the Sangre de Cristo mountain range, where Taos was nestled in. The peak had seven waterfalls that cascaded down its side in summer and formed giant ice sculptures in the winter.
For generations, the people of the area had considered El Salto to be a holy mountain that baptized the valley with its singing waters. Behind many of the falls were caves of different shapes along the vari
ous elevations of the peak.
These caves caught the sounds of the cascading waterfalls and echoed them across the valley. Climbers and locals alike described it as a musical tone that changed as they ascended to different elevations.
Many people who heard it described feeling blessed and comforted by the low-frequency noise. But, others didn't have such a pleasant experience. Some told of hearing a low rumbling or buzzing sound, while others described it as sounding like a distant diesel engine.
In many cases, people also said the sound was maddening, drove them crazy, and interfered with their sleep. More severe complaints also included pressure on the ears, headaches, and nosebleeds. It was heard more after sunset than during the day.
Pushing the brochure back to her, Raziel rubbed at his eyes.
He was exhausted, both physically and mentally, at this point. Still, it seemed as if a hike was in their immediate future. If the Sangre de Christo mountain range was said to be holy, especially El Salto, then that was definitely the location they needed to be. He could wear what he had. Baylin's clothes weren't exactly suitable, they'd need to source another option for her to replace her skirts and sandals, at the very least.
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