The Codex: An Angel's Guide To Seducing A Human (27 page)

“Good girl.” He placed his finger on my lips. “I look forward to having you in my bed chamber." He pressed his hand up my skirt. It felt wrong in every way, and I tried not to move, wishing that this was just a nightmare.

“Smile," the prince said. "Don’t be so afraid. You should be honored to serve me.”

He moved forward and sniffed my hair, his groin pushed against me. "Perhaps I should take my payment in advance."

I barely managed to push his arm away with my shaking hands. "N-no!"

The prince pulled back. He sniffed his hand and smirked. "Go and tell your friend that I will be merciful.”

I shivered. Feeling like a wreck, I clutched myself and pushed open the door of the bar. Wiping away my tears, I headed home, trying not to burst into a slobbering mess. 
Narius, am I doing the right thing?

Narius

When I arrived back at the guild, I asked Nathen where Emily's room was and headed there to wait for her. Once inside, I closed the door and leaned my wings against it.

Books and scrolls littered the floor, and dirty laundry occupied the center of the room, the latter piled up like a mountain of corpses. In one corner, a group of animal-like dolls observed the horrible sight with their dark beady eyes. Even the air smelled sour and rotten.

Cheer up, Narius,
 the Codex said.

But... but Emily said I couldn't make her happy.

Then stop moping around and find something to make her feel good.

You are right. I should prove her wrong. I am Lord Halfaya's angel. I am too smart to fail.
 With my mind set, I followed the advice and pulled myself away from the door then studied the room. 
This place is exactly like Mother's study.
 I picked a tome up from the shelf and blew the dust off, revealing a book titled "How to tame a wild animal and turn him into an obedient pet." I inspected my surroundings again.
 How does she live here? Arudi’s flock would have a fit if they saw this place.

Forget cleaning,
 Codex whispered. 
Let’s find a pair of warm underwear. Or her diary and read about the positions she likes in bed.

Positions?

Every girl has her preference.

I returned the book to an empty spot on the shelf. 
Cleaning her room seems more important than how she sleeps.

The Codex snorted. 
You think cleaning her room will solve anything?

I didn’t bother answering. Instead, I summoned two buckets, one filled with Manna and the other filled with glacial water. Then I set about cleaning the room, scrubbing, dusting and washing everything in sight.

It took me a few hours, and by the time I had finished cleaning the ceiling, my wings ached and I was exhausted. Settling down onto the spotless wooden floor, I viewed my work with pride. The dirty clothes were cleaned, folded, and stacked in an orderly fashion, while the tomes were organized by genre and returned to the bookshelves. I wiped the sweat from my brow and brushed my fingers against the Codex. Just imagining Emily's surprised face delighted me. The whole room sparkled.
 I can see why Arudi’s flock likes to clean. Emily will be thrilled.

Oh, she will be thrilled,
 Codex said, 
especially when she sees how dirty you are. She will insist on stripping you down for a bath and cleaning you by rubbing you with her naked body.

Am I that dirty?
 I looked down at my armor. To my surprise, the cuirass was caked in dirt and dust. Realizing how filthy I was, I loosened the leather straps and pried my armor off then removed the rest of my clothes. Dipping my hand into what remained of the manna inside the bucket, I washed and scrubbed everything until my clothes were clean and my armor shone like a well-polished apple.

However, with my task finally finished, I was too tired to put my clothes back on. So, I left them on the floor. With the Codex in hand, I lay on my stomach on Emily's bed. As I rested on the soft sheets, a gentle breeze drifted from the open window to cool my body. The bed smelled minty, like Emily. Closing my eyes, I hugged the sheets, pretending that she was beside me, snuggled up against my body. 
Hehe. This feels so good.

You are not even worried, are you? 
the Codex whispered.

Emily might be mad, but once she sees what I did, she will be happy again.

No, you idiot. Not if you insist on fighting.

I stretched my wings and buried myself deeper into the soft sheets, enjoying their crispy sensation.
Since when were you worried about me fighting?

Since I realized the other Codices will talk if you lose in front of all the humans.

I can afford to lose.

What! I mean, um... Yes. But if you lose, you won't get the half of the book then.

Why not? I can always ask for the book from the prince with the magic word. I am sure he will give it to me if I get down on my knees.

Do you hear yourself when you think? But sexual innuendo aside, if you lose, Emily won’t like you anymore.

What!

She chuckled. 
Haven’t you seen how angry she was at you? It will be even worse if you lose. Speaking of which, did you see how handsome Prince Kale was? That golden hair and piercing green eyes... they are more than enough to make a girl swoon. I wouldn't put it past her to be out there, enjoying a cup of tea with the prince as we speak.

My mouth dropped open as images of Emily hugging the Prince slipped into my mind from the Codex’s thoughts. I closed my eyes and shook my head. 
No! Emily would never do that!

She would if you lost, and, judging by the way that Kale treats women, she would be forever smitten with him. Come on! He's a prince! Every little human girl has fantasies about them. Riding on a horse... buck naked... showing off his flawless body...

But... I can learn how to ride a horse too.

Ha! You would just make the horse looks like a Pegasus. The only way to win her back is to beat the prince. And I believe we can start by talking to Emily’s brother about a potion.

Potion?

What? You expect to win fairly? We will have to exploit the one and only weakness he has shown us.

At that moment, the door creaked open. I lifted my head and saw Emily stagger into the room. Her eyes were downcast. She just stood there without even noticing me or how clean the room was, the strength she always carried with her sapped out.

She looked so sad.

I needed to comfort her. 
She needs a hug.
 Without a second thought, I rose from the bed, leaving the Codex on the nightstand. Spreading my arms wide, I tried to give her a hug. "Emily!"

Emily lifted her head. She stared down at my legs. Her face flared up, and she sidestepped me. “What are you—”

I swirled around to try to hug her again. “Relax. It will all be over soon."

She struck me in the head with her staff.

The familiar pain came back to me. I squatted with my hands over the wounded area, grasping my head. Meanwhile Emily, taking advantage of my moment of weakness, skirted around and threw the blanket from the bed at me.

Blinded by the newly-cleaned sheet, I waved my hands to fling it off, all the while moving towards her. But, before I could free myself, I slipped on the treacherous blanket. As I fell, my hands caught what seemed to be the curtains of a window, but they couldn't hold my weight, and I pulled them down with me.

I hit the floor gently, my fall cushioned by the thick sheet. Still, I groaned. I pulled my head out of the blanket and looked up.

Emily was skirt-less, with only a small white fabric covering a spot between her legs. Her face reddened even more.

Realizing that the curtain wasn't really a curtain, I struggled to my feet and pulled her skirt back up. The blanket that clung to the rest of my body slithered away, and I stared into Emily's surprised face.

I followed her eyes back to me and, for the first time, I realized I wasn't wearing any clothes. I tried to cover myself, but stopped when Emily gazed at me with an odd look in her eyes. "Narius, would you want me even if I'm not perfect? Even if I'm not pure?"

I blinked. "Since when were you pure?"

She frowned.

I grinned, glad that a bit of anger helped her rise from her sadness. "But you are still you, and that's all that matters to me."

Emily sighed and gave me a small smile. "Don't you know nice guys finish last? Still... maybe it's time." She took off her skirt, and let it slide off her legs then unbuttoned her blouse and dropped it to the floor. She stood before me, barely dressed in her white undergarments and too alluring for me to take my eyes off of.

Following my gaze, Emily blushed and covered her breasts. "How do I look?"

Heat rushed to my face. I couldn't move my eyes away. "You look beautiful."

Emily took a step towards me, the feathered necklace swaying against her chest. She laid her hand on my cheek. "I want my first time to be with you. Before everything falls apart. Before I-I get ruined."

She pressed her bare skin against mine, and with the act, I felt an urge cloud my mind. Every other thought in my head was pushed aside to make room for Emily. The only thing I wanted, needed, to do was to take her in my arms and release the pressure within me. I had to show her how much I cared for her.

She kissed me.

I closed my eyes and tried to enjoy the sensation, but something was wrong. Sadness and fear passed from her lips to mine. The urge I had for her and the pressure in my mind dimmed. I placed my hand on her shoulders and gently pushed her back. I needed to stop while I could. "What's wrong, Emily?"

The confidence in her eyes disappeared, and she sagged a little but refused to answer me.

I couldn't understand why she was acting like this, but one thing was clear. She needed my help. Taking the blanket off the ground, I wrapped her with it. Once she was covered, I lifted her in my arms and helped her sit on the bed.

Then, I picked up my pants and pulled them up before settling down next to her.

Emily remained quiet, only muffling a sob every so often. So I did the only thing I could: I waited with her until she decided to speak.

"You must think that I'm a whore," she finally said, her eyes red and puffy. "I'm sorry, Narius. Can you forgive me?”

I placed my hand on her head and brushed her silky black hair over her ear. “I’ll forgive you no matter what. I promise.”

"You will?"

"Yes."

Tears dripped from her eyes, and she sobbed against me. Not knowing what to do, I hugged her, wishing that she would always smile for me.

Narius

After Emily had cried herself to sleep, I laid her on the bed. This was all my fault. She was too worried about me. I needed to prove I was strong enough for her. Quietly picking up my armor, I dressed myself, the familiar weight of the metal comforting me. I gave one last lingering look at Emily before closing the door and stepping into the moonlit corridor. 
Are you sure this is a good idea?
 I asked.

The Codex snorted. 
Since when did I have bad ones?

So, what exactly are you planning?

Something brilliant. Now take me to Emily's brother.

I brushed my hand against the Codex, and memories of Emily crying flashed back to me. 
And you’re sure I can win and make Emily happy again?

Of course. Leave it all up to me.

Can’t you tell me even a little?

She giggled. 
Every girl needs a little secret. Just do as I say.

Narius

Unlike the day before, the laboratory where Nathen worked was quiet. Dozing birds let out fitful chirps and shuffled in their cages. Nathen himself was busy scribbling on a parchment under the candlelight next to a mountain of neatly-stacked documents. The sight relaxed me, reminding me of the piles that were common in the Great Library. At the sound of my footsteps, Nathen glanced up and smiled. “Narius, already bored of sleeping with my sister? Because if you are, I can give you something that’ll make your life better.”

“Cake?”

“No, a tasty apple cider mixed with a healthy dose of diarrhea.”

"Cider? What does it taste like?"

Nathen burst out laughing and placed his quill back into the inkwell. “I’m joking. It’s nice to have company this late at night even if it isn't a beautiful lady. Besides, I'm glad you are here. There is something I wanted to talk to you about.” The smile on his face vanished. He took his glasses off and set them next to the inkwell. “How serious are you about my sister?”

I flinched. Pressing the tips of my index fingers together, I studied a pigeon feather lying on the ground. For some reason, it made me a little nervous, and I stole a glance at my own white wings. “Well... well, she is a little violent sometimes, but she’s outgoing, caring, and I… I want to be with her."

“Are you going to marry her?”

“Marry?” I looked up. “What’s that?”

Nathen scratched his forehead, appearing taken aback. “Uh, wow I did not expect this. Um... Marriage is when two people are united together.”

Something that feels really good,
 the Codex whispered.

Like holding hands?

Yes, and lots of kissing accompanied by some hip movement and moaning. You know, what Emily and you were about to do back in the room before somebody chickened out.

Images of her kissing me came to mind and warmed my cheeks. I touched my lips and remembered where her body had touched mine. I bowed my head and gripped my knees with sweaty palms. “I’d like to. But... but it will be my first time. I don't know anything about how to marry her."

Nathen chuckled. “Don’t worry. It will be her first time as well. The two of you will figure it out as you go along.” He ran a hand through his hair and leaned back in his chair. “Well. Go on. Have a seat.”

Thinking about Emily and how good it felt when she licked me, I sat down on the couch. I put my fists in my lap and tried to cool the heat in my cheeks. "So... so does Emily have other brothers or sisters aside from you?"

“I don't know. She's an orphan.”

My head snapped up. “What?”

Nathen shook his head. "Just as I suspected. She didn't tell you, did she? She was found by my parents about a decade ago under the ancient bridge spanning the River Whitefroth."

I tilted my head and pointed at my own face. “But your eyes. They're blue, and your dark hair—they’re the same.”

Nathen let out a long breath. "Just a coincidence, but, thanks to it, everyone else thinks we are family. And we are, so don't go around thinking otherwise.”

I smiled at his kindheartedness. “Then she's not an orphan.”

The corners of Nathen's mouth lifted. “I like you, Narius. You have it where it counts. And I'm glad Emily has someone else she can depend on.” The smile disappeared again. “But if you make her cry, I will find you and end you.” He reached into a drawer and placed on a table a carved wooden stick shaped like an "L" with bits of metal crafted into it. He left the end with a hole pointed at me. "Got it?"

Remembering all the times I made her cry, I grimaced and shrank into my seat.

Nathen slapped the table and laughed. “I’m just kidding. Don't be so scared. If I did that, the priests from your cathedral in the city would slit my throat and hang me upside down on their doorstep. Personally, I would settle for a more subtle method... But enough about Emily. What brings you here this late?”

"Well, I am here about Emily, but what is that?" I asked, pointing at the stick.

"Ah, no need to worry, just a flintlock pistol from the republic."

"Pistol?" Curious at this odd object, I lifted it and brought the wooden stick to my chest.

Nathen held up his hand, his face pale. "Hey, watch it. That is not a toy. Put it down, slowly. This can hurt someone."

I moved to put the stick down, but in my haste I fumbled and pushed a small metal lever under the pistol.

A flash of light exploded, accompanied by a loud crack. Something bounced off my chest, and a metal ball rolled around the floor.

Clouds of smoke billowed from the end of the stick. Nathen's mouth dropped open. He grabbed the pistol and yanked it from my hand. "You... are you all right?" His hands shook as he returned the stick inside the drawer.

"Yes. Why?" I stared down at my chest, but nothing seemed out of the ordinary. "Oh, and before I forget." I unhooked the Codex from its chain then handed it to him. “She wanted to ask for a favor.”

"She?" Nathen raised his eyebrows. He examined the Codex. “What are you talking about?” His eyes widened. He stared at the book. "I think it just spoke to me." He leaned closer to it, pressing his ear to the cover. “It 
did
 speak to me. How? How can it talk?”

“Only when someone touches her.”

“So what do you want me to do?” Nathen's eyes glimmered as he placed the blue cover of the Codex to his ear and smiled. He nodded a few times then scribbled, his pen sprinting across the paper. “Are you sure Narius won’t be mad?”

I scratched my head, wondering what they were talking about.

"You do realize I'll need a clear image of what she looks like before I…" Nathen paused. "Oh, my. All right. I can do that, but it will only last a few hours."

After a moment of silence, he returned the Codex to me. “Hmm… that was an interesting experience. Did you know your book can send memories? Or maybe it was just wild imagination of some sort."

I nodded. “What did she say?”

He picked up his glasses and cleaned them with a cloth. “She said every girl needs a secret.”

Emily

I gripped my staff and rested my arms against the railings of the guild balcony overlooking the arena. Below, on the sandy floor of the ring, Prince Kale sliced his opponent's sword in half. The disarmed knight dropped to his knees and begged for mercy, but the prince raised his sword. It glowed white with magic, and I closed my eyes.

The crowd cheered, and their screams of joy sent chills down my spine. 
Narius is right. This is wrong.
 I bit my nail. 
But that's the least of my problems. The prince would keep his promise, right? Will Narius be okay? Maybe I—

Something icy pressed against my cheek. I slowly opened my eyes and saw Nathen offering me a frosted apple cider while sipping his own. "Why are you so worried? Narius will be fine."

I didn't take the drink. "Yes, but I just want to—"

"Rip off his armor and make sweet love to him like you tried here a few days ago?"

Heat rushed to my cheeks. “H-how did you know that?”

“A little blue book told me.”

“What? Codex? No, no, no. It was an accident. I tripped, and he was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. I accidentally fell on him, and his armor came apart—”

The crowd roared again, celebrating the prince's victory once more. Below, yet another bloody corpse hugged the sand, his head missing. 
Sixteen. Only three more to go before Narius.
 I glanced at my brother, the smile on his face gone.

“Strange,” Nathen said. He placed a hand on his chin and stared at an arena pamphlet that listed competitors and their matches. “I wonder why every single one of Narius's opponents decided to forfeit. It’s understandable that some of the more religious types would do that, but this seems highly unusual. We haven’t even seen him yet."

That's because the princess wants it that way.
 "He’s just lucky."

He raised his eyebrows. "Really? Something doesn't add up. Too many questions. I heard rumors the prince would propose to princess Yuriana once he wins the tournament. But that's just the tip of the mountain. Why would a powerful artifact be used as a reward? Why not gold? Why create a prize that would interest an angel? Something is a little off here."

My fingers jerked with a nervous spasm. "Maybe they’re trying something new."

Nathen frowned in the direction of the glass dome in the center of the Coliseum that held half of the Grimoire. "Maybe. But still... there's just something off about the whole thing. Narius’s good luck is just part of it.” He leaned back on the couch and propped his feet on the balcony's rail. “It's as if someone is trying to keep him fresh while wearing out all of the other competition. And I bet you know something about it."

Memory of my meeting with the prince came back to me. I backed away until I bumped against the wall. "No. I know nothing about it."

"Strange... " He snorted. "The Emily I know would have reacted violently, telling me how wrong I am to think of something so stupid."

"I-I think you are being paranoid."

Nathen's smile wilted. He drained his glass and started to work on mine. "Paranoia is perfectly reasonable when your sister is lying to you."

Unable to meet his eyes, I turned and looked back at the sandy floor of the Coliseum. Leaving my staff on the couch, I gripped the rails with shaking hands. "That’s ridiculous."

"Just tell him whatever it is when you are ready." From the corner of my eye, I saw Nathen tap his finger against the armrest. "Still, I can't shake off the feeling this is a trap of some sort. But for who?"

"You're thinking too hard."

"You mean I'm not thinking hard enough. It's as if someone wants the text to be found. I mean, Narius said the book is important, so who would put half of it up as a prize in such a visible place?" Nathen finished his drink and gazed at the center of the Arena. He sighed. "Maybe you're right. Maybe I am thinking too hard." He rose from his seat and headed for the door. "Well, the final match is coming up soon. I have to give Narius his potion. Don't lock the door behind me. I'll be right back."

I blinked, and the door closed before I could stop him. 
Potion?

Narius

It was almost my turn to fight. I was in a waiting room, a stone-walled place with only a barred window for light. Earlier, it had been filled with armed humans, but it now stood empty except for some sparring dummies and weapons in racks. I stretched my wings, wishing I had someone to talk with. I stepped up to the window and placed my hands on the black metal bars. They had been in the sun for a while and were hot to the touch. The sandy floor of the arena was the only thing I could see.
Why aren't they calling me out? I need to prove myself to Emily.

Calm down and drink the potion first, you silly angel,
 the Codex said. 
It’s not going to kill you.

I sniffed the pink potion Nathen had given me. It had a sour, decaying stench that smelled like it came from a troll's toenails. 
Do I have to?

If you want to win,
 she replied. 
Don’t worry, the potion will just drive away the stress and relieve your fatigue.

I uncorked the vial and gave the Codex an annoyed stare. 
If that was all it did, then why didn't you tell me? Why all the secrets?

Because that's no fun.

I placed the tip of the vial against my lips and downed the potion. My tongue seemed to shrivel up at the bitter taste, and I winced as the edges of my vision blackened.

A sudden feeling of discomfort rocked my chest. I groaned, and the vial slipped from my fingers, shattered, and showered the stony floor with pink-tinted shards. Agony cut through my body, and I clutched myself. I staggered forward, wheezing, and grabbed the grating of the gate. 
Why did you give me something that tastes like burnt paper? What is this?