Angel of Darkness Books 1-5

by Mackenzie Morris

  His room was just wide enough for the single bed below the tiny square window overlooking the library gardens. Along the right wall was a wooden desk with a stack of blank papers and an inkwell. A lamp was already lit on the dresser and a bookshelf held hundreds of books and scrolls that stretched up to the ceiling and covered every inch of wall that was available.

  Exhausted, Jaylen sat on the bed. It was either the most comfortable bed he had ever touched, or he was so eager for a good night's sleep on something other than hard dirty floors of a rocking ship. Then he spotted the silver tray on the foot of the bed. He gasped as he lifted the lid. A large bowl of steaming chicken soup, four slices of garlic bread, and a wedge of hard white cheese were waiting on him next to a large flask of water. It was the most beautiful sight he had ever seen.

  Just as he picked up a slice of bread, there was a soft knocking on the wooden door. "Uh . . . come in?"

  The door opened and a girl around his age entered with a basket of towels, perfumes, soaps, and razor blades in her arm. She placed the basket on the desk then smoothed her burgundy dress before tucking her black bangs behind her ears. "Master Jaylen?"

  "My name is Jaylen, but I don't think I've earned the title."

  "I am Reya, your servant."

  "Servant?" Jaylen asked. "I thought I was a slave."

  "You are a library scribe. Every scribe, regardless of social status, has their own servant. I am here to assist you in your work and in any way possible. I hope you have found your living quarters to be acceptable."

  "Yes. Everything looks great."

  "Wonderful. Here are your toiletries. If you need anything else, let me know and I will acquire them for you. There is a bath down the hall and to the right, directly before the stairs." Reya knelt down in front of the bed and pulled out a bedroll and a pillow. "Where would you prefer for me to sleep?"

  "Uh . . . in your room?" Jaylen asked, feeling absolutely lost.

  "This is my room. I am to be at your side at all times, day and night in case you need me."

  "Oh. Um, you can have the bed. I won't make a woman sleep on the floor."

  She giggled. "Oh, no. That will never work, Master Jaylen. The bed is yours. Do you mind if I sleep in front of the bookcase so I can be close to the lamp?"

  "Not at all. I'm really sorry to ask this. It goes against all of my manners, but do you mind if I eat? I'm starving."

  "Oh, no. Go right ahead. I made it for you."

  Jaylen didn't need to be told twice. He stuffed the buttered bread into this mouth. "You made it?"

  "I am your cook, your assistant, your stylist, your messenger, and your anger vessel."

  What did she just say? "What is an anger vessel?"

  "Many men need an outlet to express their pent-up anger. That is one of my jobs."

  Jaylen set down the spoon. "I'm still not following you."

  Reya removed her lace jacket and turned around as she unlaced the back of her dress. Once she pulled it open, thin scars glistened in the lamplight all the way down her spine. "There is a whip under your pillow in case you feel the need to let out your emotions. I am also required to serve your needs in bed."

  Jaylen covered his mouth as he stared in horror at the girl. "Please tell me you're lying."

  She turned to face him and let her dress fall in a pool of fabric on the floor. "Do you like what you see? Am I acceptable?"

  With a hand over his eyes, Jaylen very nervously searched for the right words. "P-please get dressed. Oh, Sola help me. Oh Hell. I'm not . . . I'm not like that. I would prefer it greatly if you left your clothes . . . on."

  "As you wish."

  Jaylen listened as she fixed her clothes. "Are you dressed?"

  "Yes."

  "Thank you."

  She sat on the bed next to him. "I thought you were hungry."

  "I am."

  "Then eat."

  "Sorry. This whole situation is new to me. I'm not quite sure what I've been thrust into. Please be patient with me."

  "Of course. Are you a virgin?"

  Jaylen choked on the water he had just taken a sip of. He wiped his mouth on the sleeve of his new green silk tunic. "Do you ask everyone that?"

  "Every scribe I have been a servant for was excited at the idea of having me to serve them in that way. Why are you different?"

  "If you must know, yes. I am a virgin and I aim to stay that way."

  "Forever?" Reya asked, looking at him with her large brown eyes.

  "Yes, forever. In Vilyron, I was a paladin. I took vows of chastity, celibacy, and purity. They are the guidelines that I live my life by, no matter what."

  "That is very stubborn of you."

  Jaylen raised an eyebrow curiously. "Stubborn?"

  "Well, yes. I mean no offense, my Master. Only that it takes stubbornness to adhere to something so strict. We just met, but I am already beginning to admire you. Maybe you aren't like the other scribes. Maybe . . . never mind. You should eat and then get some rest. Zirla wants you in the main hall of the library early in the morning and ready to get to work." Reya went to the bookcase and unrolled her blankets before finding a nightgown in the dresser. "I have to change."

  "Thanks for the warning. I wouldn't want to jeopardize your honor, Milady."

  Chapter 14

  In the middle of the night, Jaylen woke up and saw the one thing he had missed more than the sun itself. Moonlight. The pale glow danced on the blankets and shone through the small window high up on the wall near the ceiling. He stood up on the bed to look out into the calm night in this strange new city. Beyond the stone walls surrounding the library gardens, rows of modest brick homes lined the streets that spread out from the central plaza like spokes on a wagon wheel. A thin fog rose from the canals that ran parallel to the cobblestone roads.

  Slender canoes floated in the clear water, some with loving couples out on romantic midnight excursions with glasses of wine and baskets packed full of cheeses and pastries. Jaylen watched them closely, wondering what they were feeling when they held hands or whispered into each other's ears where only their lovers could hear them. The closest thing he had to that bond was the one he shared with Zeriel. Now even that was gone.

  When his mind began going to darker places, Jaylen knew he had to go somewhere to focus his thoughts on something else. He slid off of the bed, but tripped on his boots and reached out to the wall. He couldn't grab onto it and ended up falling flat on his face.

  Reya woke up and quickly lit the lamp on top of the dresser. "Master Jaylen?"

  He groaned as he stood up and rubbed his hip. "I'm fine. I just tripped and tried to catch myself, but I forgot that I didn't have a left hand . . ."

  "Do you need my help?"

  "No, go back to sleep. I'm going to go for a walk and clear my head."

  "You shouldn't go alone."

  "I won't be gone long." Jaylen struggled a bit to dress himself with one hand, but he managed. Against his initial protests, he finally allowed Reya to tie his boots for him. "I have to learn to do these things on my own."

  "Eventually, but until that day, I am here for you."

  "How can you still be so pleasant after what those other men did to you?"

  Reya finished tying his boots then patted his leg. "I can't let what those other scribes did to me define who I am. Sure, it hurts, but there is ultimately nothing I can do about it. I'm a slave to slaves. Imagine how that feels. When even other slaves are told to dominate me and abuse me as they see fit? I focus on Sola and pray that she eases my suffering."

  "You are religious?"

  "Oh, yes. It's difficult to be a follower of Sola in this country, though."

  "Why?" Jaylen asked. "I thought I saw a temple."

  "It's a temple to Archangel Carvael."

  "To Carvael? They worship Carvael here?"

  "That's right. He is the founder of Cilona. This place is his. The buildings are his, the slaves are his, and the wealth is his. You're a paladin, right? So you know about
the magic barrier he placed over Cilona so that no other angels could find the place."

  "What? A magic barrier?" Jaylen asked. "No, I didn't know anything about that."

  "That's why your angel can't save you. Paladins still have angels, don't they?"

  "Generally, they do. But mine was Fallen and he broke our bond. He abandoned me because I wasn't worthy of his help anymore."

  Reya tilted her head curiously. "You don't seem like a mean person."

  "I don't know exactly. We had a fight, and Zeriel is the youngest angel, so he's not the best at handling situations. It's my fault, though."

  "Well, all of that doesn't matter. We are Carvael's property here. We are his puppets that he gets to play around with. Some of us gain his favoritism while others are beaten down for the twisted fun of it. Paladin, tell me why Sola has left us. We still have the sun here, but Sola hasn't been answering anyone's prayers. How does our beloved goddess allow her highest ranking angel to torture and enslave people? And he even did it to one of her holy paladins, you. Why? You are a member of the clergy. You are supposed to know these answers."

  "I don't know the answers, Reya." Jaylen said plainly. "I have been excommunicated from the church. I'm Tainted. There isn't anything I can do for us. I used to be a holy man who followed the teachings, but now I only have my vows to hold onto." Jaylen stood up with Reya's help then went to the door. "I will be back in ten minutes. Get some sleep."

  The narrow hallways of the tower led him to the twisting staircase in the middle. He quietly made his way down the tall staircase where torches burned in the emptiness. Once Jaylen reached the door at the bottom, he pushed it open and entered the front hallway of the Haunted Library.

  Filled bookcases and expansive panes of stained glass lined the front of the building, each one depicting a different race of creatures from both the human world and the otherworld. Jaylen walked along, examining each one. He saw humans, elves, werewolves, vampires, succubi and incubi. Then he stopped at the largest one on the opposite wall where it stood alone. Angels. Something about it made him uneasy. Jaylen hadn't thought of angels as being their own beings or their own race. Didn't Zeriel say something about them not being able to reproduce on their own? Then he saw the one thing that made him question every single thing he had ever been told. A female angel. On the stained glass panel next to the male angel, was the depiction of a nude female angel. It was unmistakable.

  He continued to walk down the passageway, studying the vaulted ceilings and small signs on the doors, labeling them as storage, a pantry, and a map room. At the very end of the long hallway was a wooden door that was unmarked. He glanced behind him before he succumbed to the curiosity and pushed open the door.

  Jaylen spotted the long black straight hair and pale lavender angel wings in the corner by the hovering ball of white mage-glow. "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know there was anyone in here. I was just taking a walk."

  "It's fine." The angel turned around and held out a thin pale hand. "I'm Brinxael, but you can call me Brinx. Everyone else does."

  Jaylen's mouth fell open as his eyes landed on the ample breasts and curves covered with thin purple silk. "I . . . you . . . you are . . ."

  "Female? Yes. Shh. It's our little secret now, okay? Paladin, you can't tell anyone."

  "Paladin? How do you know I'm a paladin?"

  Brinx motioned to Jaylen's chest. "Your tunic is untied. I see your sun sigil."

  Jaylen fumbled to tie it with one hand, but quickly gave up. "I'm sorry. I can't do it."

  "I will help you." Brinx moved closer to him and delicately took the laces in her fingers. "Does my touch bother you, paladin?"

  "I have adhered loyally to my vows."

  "Is that the answer I'm going to receive? Don't worry, young one. I'm not interested in you." Brinx finished tying the bow and stepped back to examine her work. "There we are. You are quite a handsome young man."

  "What are you doing down here?" Jaylen asked. He looked around at the multi-colored tapestries, dried roses in vases, and a violin lying on the table. "Do you live in the library?"

  "These are my quarters, yes. I study and write, leading a very calm and peaceful life away from the turmoil of the angelic court."

  "I didn't know there were female angels."

  "According to Archangel Carvael, any female angels are deformed, so they are either killed or sent to the human world to live secluded lives where they can't bother anyone. Tell me, paladin. What is your name?" Brinx asked.

  "Jaylen Corrifus."

  "And your angel?"

  Jaylen sighed. "He abandoned me. He is a Fallen. You wouldn't know him."

  "Try me."

  "His name is Zeriel."

  Brinx's pale eyes became large as she took Jaylen's hand. "Zeriel? Your angel was Zeriel?"

  "Yes. So I take it you know him?"

  "He is my brother."

  "Your brother?" Jaylen asked. "I didn't know he had any family other than Carvael."

  "Yes. Carvael got rid of me before Zeriel was born. I have been searching for any sign of Zeriel this entire time. Tell me what he's like. Tell me the color of his wings."

  "Before he was Fallen, his wings were bright white."

  She smiled. "Lovely. Is he kind?"

  "He's a fallen angel."

  "That doesn't matter to me. How is my little brother?" Brinx asked.

  "Stubborn and hot-headed at times, but generous. He was my best friend. He saved my life when he refused to sacrifice me in The Cleansing. Zeriel gave up everything he had for me. I think he was trying to be the father I never had."

  "Carvael does come by here sometimes and lets me know things. All I've heard about Zeriel is that he murdered his previous paladin in cold blood. Tell me that's not the case. Tell me my brother isn't evil."

  "He's not evil. His previous paladin, Doran, was my father. Doran abused him and raped him. Zeriel was too ashamed to step forward and tell the court the truth, so he took the worst punishment."

  She scoffed. "It's undoubtedly due to the fear that Carvael instills in everyone. He's a monster. Now he has ruined my brother's life as well. Thank you for speaking with me. If you ever need someone to talk to, know that I'm here. Though, I suspect you are a scribe, yes?"

  "That's what I've been told."

  "Head Librarian Zirla is a mean old woman. See, that's another thing I hate Carvael for. He is supposed to be the protector of children, but he enslaves them, buys them, and beats them into submission here on this island. He wanted his playground to be an island, a large island, so that none of the people living here could sell his beloved child slaves. Carvael closely monitors all ships that come near the island. Oh, dear. You only have four hours until sunrise. I have kept you too long, I'm afraid. Hurry now and get back to your room. Zirla hates it when her scribes show up tired. Farewell, Jaylen."

  Jaylen bowed. "Until next time, Milady Angel."

  Chapter 15

  "Master Jaylen, it is time to wake up and get ready. Mistress Zirla will be expecting you in the library soon."

  Jaylen woke up and smiled as he looked into the face of the always overly-concerned girl. "Thank you, Reya."

  She motioned to the dresser where there was a folded pair of brown tights, a pale yellow tunic, and a thin green silk vest. "I have laid out your uniform that you will wear every day from now on, except on your day off every week. I hope you don't mind the color. I know that paladins in Ilyan wear yellow, so I thought you might like to wear that again."

  "It's perfect."

  "I also made your breakfast."

  "How long have you been up?"

  "A couple of hours." Reya picked up a silver tray and set it on the bed in front of Jaylen. "I hope it is satisfactory, Master."

  Jaylen sleepily rubbed his eyes as he looked at the pile of warm biscuits smothered in sausage gravy with a glass of orange juice. "This looks great."

  "Then eat and hurry. I let you sleep too late. Zirla will be raging mad."

 
As soon as Jaylen picked up the fork, he knew that eating it wouldn't take him very long at all. While he devoured every scrap of food, he watched Reya who was busy taking a feather duster to the ancient books in the bookshelves. Something drew him to her, the same thing that had drawn him to Liaxa before she went insane and tried to hurt him. Was this feeling good or bad? He couldn't exactly pinpoint it, not yet at least. But Jaylen knew one thing. He was attracted to Reya. The vision of her naked, even though he only saw it briefly, had haunted his dreams and caused all manner of uncomfortable thoughts.

  After he finished eating and got dressed, he followed Reya down the staircase and through the tall wooden doors of the library main hall. Jaylen let out a small gasp as he stepped onto the polished floors lined with thick carpets. Hundreds of bookcases filled the first floor, stretching back as far as he could see towards more stained glass windows. Dark wooden trunks were filled with old tattered scrolls and stone tablets. Parchment hung on the walls with small description plates below them, detailing the history of Aldexa. Banners from all the different nations hung from the balcony of the second story where older books rested on tables, chests, and in tall stacks on the floors. Instead of lanterns or candles, the familiar feeling of mage-glow danced from the tiny orbs above the rows of bookcases. He watched as a group of men in all black robes with their faces hidden by hoods conjured more mage-glow from their lightly shimmering hands.

  "They're rogue mages, Jaylen." Reya whispered to him. "Not all rogue mages are evil. They weren't paladins, either. These mages were blessed with their magic by Carvael at birth. They are sworn to silence and dedicate their lives to serving the Haunted Library."

  "Why is it called the Haunted Library?"

  "There are rumors that ancient spirits roam these halls and protect the library from being burned down or ransacked. Shh. There is Head Librarian Zirla now."

  "Good to see you awake and looking at least moderately competent this morning, Jaylen." Zirla pushed her tiny glasses up her nose as she flipped through a leather-bound notebook. "Reya, you will attend to finding your scribe some more appropriate shoes. I neglected to replace those. Also . . ." Zirla grabbed Jaylen's face in her bony hand and rubbed her fingers along his upper lip. She frowned and scraped her fingernail against his chin. "Have you shaved?"