The Shadow Minds Journal, #1

by Kia Carrington-Russell

  I wasn’t sure which I preferred. The constant chanting that sounded like a child’s meditative lullaby or an invisible demon who wanted to eat me?

  The robed demon led us to the first floor and fell silent. He stood in front of a door and stretched out his scaled arm. I was hesitant behind Gabe. I didn’t like being crammed into small spaces, especially when it wasn’t my choice. Gabe tugged my chains, encouraging to inspect it myself. When I walked towards the low door he grabbed my chin to inspect the wound on my cheek further. I pulled my chin away from him. He was the one leading me to this death sentence and I had no interest to entertain his curiosity. If he wanted to know what demon dwelled in Aztec then he could bloody well stay here himself.

  Inside the tiny room was nothing. All except a tiny slit suggesting it might be a window. A completely bare room. I nodded my head in humor. “This is to my liking,” I said looking at Gabe and being sarcastically enthusiastic. “Exactly what I requested. Wonderful. Fucking great.”

  “I’m happy for you,” Gabe added with a bitter smile.

  “Yea for sure. Just kill me now and get it done with,” I said. He tugged on the chains overpowering me and flinging me into his arms. He caught me and unlocked my chains. Gabe collected them and pushed me back into the room. For the first time, I actually hoped that Haymen did care for me only a little and kept to his word. I looked to Gabe as he closed the door and rose my finger to him in salute.

  Chapter Twelve- Gabe

  In all my years, that was the first time I had personally taken a prisoner to Aztec. I wouldn’t leave any room for Haymen to try and break her out or meddle in her conviction. Now that I have delivered Vivian personally, I could focus on my own precautions of Haymen being able to break her back out. I had the rights to detain her but after the case was judged I needed to make sure that it stayed that way and not enabling Haymen to find a loophole like he always did. I needed to find more evidence that would cement her execution.

  Aztec was as bad as the whispered stories I heard. Very little information was released about Aztec and not everyone knew about it at all. Its whereabouts was only given to a certain few who overlooked the treaty and the only way to get there was by way of the demon horses. Only with the seal of the court to imprison and the escort’s blood would they appear for the summoner. Old magic. Only with their aid and cartage would anyone survive the crushing water pressure or the witch’s magic that surrounded it.

  When it was first built, I was against the blueprints. I couldn’t trust a demonic realm to contain our most dangerous prisoners. But I was overruled and outnumbered by the majority. They wanted it far away from our own daily living. Aztec was Haymen’s idea and suggestion. It was monitored by the Angels to make sure equal control was harbored over the project. Thus, the Gargoyles and soldiers that are in place. They were created specifically to keep a watchful eye on behalf of the Angels who wouldn’t dare step in there themselves.

  I was on guard the entire time walking through Aztec. Not because of the prisoners who watched us but the demonic creature that followed us up the stairs. It didn’t dare touch me after its first inspection. It had slithered around my legs and my light was quick to push it back. Vivian however seemed to be to its liking. I quickly assessed her cheek before I left. It was only blood. No poison or saliva. I hadn’t felt the raw power of a demon like that for centuries and questioned where the familiar entity came from. I decided not to concern myself with the matter any further. If it was contained in Aztec now it would forever be concealed there within. The constant chanting of the keepers would keep the demon dormant.

  Despite her tough exterior and attitude, I knew that Vivian was shitting herself and so she should. She would get what was coming to her after what she had done to Luke. I was done with remaining silent as Haymen shadowed over the treaty and continued to play puppeteer. Numerous spies had been found in my cities over years and although I could never prove it because they commited suicide when captured, I was certain that Haymen was behind it. He was up to something. His compliance over recent years and quietness put me on edge. After years of opposing him in the last war I knew that his silence was only a tactical pause. I would display to the world the true colors of Haymen who over the years seemed to be on his ‘best behavior’. The public execution of one of his own Guardians would be the start of his bleeding rein. Luke’s death was what made me shift my hand earlier than expected. Now I would not retreat. I had to out Haymen before he acted first. His very existence needed to be eradicated and as the Angel of War, I had no issue in being his prosecutor.

  I remained in the shadows of Shabeah. Even if Haymen found me, I had the right to continue my own investigations as he did. The sentence has already been made. I just had to make sure that it wasn’t rescinded. All the evidence showed that Vivian was the killer. What unsettled me was Haymen’s willingness to put her in Aztec. He had other motives like always and I had to make sure he couldn’t see them through.

  I was fully aware of those who tracked my movement. They might’ve considered themselves stealth but I was wary as they shadowed me from the rooftops. Haymen didn’t like unwelcomed guests in his city. If I was attacked now it would bring too much suspicion so instead he had someone watch over me. That didn’t deter me from being guarded as I walked through the late of night. I could feel the demons that scampered throughout the city like vermin. I covered my wings with a large black trench jacket in hopes that it would conceal the bright white of my wings. It would only draw unnecessary attention and as much as I loved to kill demons who might’ve dared attack me; I too had to act appropriately until the final verdict and lead up to Vivian’s death.

  I looked down at the flashing GPS on my watch screen. One of the spies I had working within the police force in Shabeah sent me this record and murder only this morning. Anything considered relevant or out of the ordinary in Shabeah was reported to me directly. I rounded the corner of an apartment building and into an alleyway. This was the location under inspection.

  The body of Mr. Greenhouse had already been removed from the scene. The end of the alleyway had been blocked off by a glazed police screen where only officials could enter. This way none of the public or media could tamper with remaining evidence or take photos.

  Alongside the location and time of death, he had sent me photos. The man had been brutally savaged. Claw marks to his face where his eye was removed. His genitals had been ripped from his body and a slash to his throat which bled him out in minutes. I looked up into the night sky confirming that I was familiar with this area. This was the first location where I tracked Vivian’s presence.

  This case has already been removed and deleted from the system. Obviously Haymen was quick to remove any remaining evidence of his Guardian who was a human killer. I was grateful I received these prior to that because it matched exactly where she had been the very night and moment I began my hunt. If I hadn’t been tracking her that night I could only imagine how long this murder would’ve stretched out and that she was clever enough to dispose of his body herself. Despite her attitude I could see the quick wit within her and I was pleased to know that I ruined her plans that night.

  Finding evidence that she was a human killer would add to my case. To my left and above two stories was an apartment window that had glazed police screening. Evidently that was the victim’s house. I looked around the ceilings of the surrounding apartments and found a sloped roof which I would personally perch on if I was spying on someone. She more than likely had been waiting for him there. I recalled the photos that had been sent to me not daring to open them now. With my little tag along who was perched three apartments away I could risk compromising my spy and the police files he had sent me.

  It was a shame for Haymen really that a human had found him first and stupidly called the police enforcement before his own. That was the only way I could’ve possibly been tipped off. Not that he would know that. It was by coincidence that she was in this location when I first swooped
down on her and I could claim that I noticed the disturbance and came to investigate personally later.

  The images that I quickly flicked through before stepping into the open had been graphic and I tried envisioning them behind the screen. Vivian’s cat demon would have been a perfect fit for this kind of murder. And that was exactly her first form that I caught glimpses of before she turned to her human one. She probably thought she got away but I had noticed those glowing tattoos of hers shift her form in the night.

  A small meow caught my attention. I turned and knelt down to offer my hand to the alleyway cat that was drawn to my presence. To my onlooker it wouldn’t look suspicious. Only few knew of my side gift and it was one I was certain even Haymen didn’t know about.

  “Hey there kitty,” I soothed. She walked over faster and rubbed the back of her head against my hand and then leg. “What do you have to show me?”

  As soon as I asked the question she opened up to me. She had been here that very night. Vivian’s shortcoming was that she might’ve been wary that no humans saw but her cat demon drew the attention of this stray alleyway cat. The cat had a very strong impression of Vivian and was in favor of the slaughter. I didn’t lead on my own impression of Vivian. I wanted this cat to trust me and show me everything.

  The cat had been hiding in the dumpster watching on as Mr. Greenhouse scurried out of the building. He was frightened by the slam of the doors behind him. By how weary and frightful he was it seemed like he was already expecting Vivian’s visit. The alleyway cat hissed at him as he walked into her direction. Everything fell silent around one frivolous jingle of a bell. They both looked up high from exactly where I had anticipated Vivian might’ve been watching from. Two green eyes crept out of the darkness, even the outline of her black fur blurred with her surroundings.

  Mr. Greenhouse panicked and ran for the road as she majestically fell. Even I had to admit that although demonic, her cat demon form was beautiful and bewitching. She landed softly on all fours and I could tell she was excited to play. Her figure was silken with black fur and that one singular bell rang again as her tail swished. She had one golden hoop in her right ear that reminded me of their kind that were often known as the gypsies to the underworld.

  The alleyway cat felt relieved that she has finally come to kill this man. I looked down on the kitty surprised by its disgust in the victim. She swept me into another memory a few years ago. She had been walking alongside the edge of the opposing apartment building and watched on as Mr. Greenhouse was doing illicit things to a child no more than eight. My jaw clenched as I watched on and realized what the cat was showing me. The next morning, he walked out of his apartment block with a bag that was small enough to fit the body of that child. He threw it into the back of his car parked on the side street. He skeptically looked around before closing the door. It was early morning and no one was around. Jingle. That one singular jingle swept me back into the original memory of Vivian murdering Mr. Greenhouse.

  “When you decide to become a monster, Mr. Greenhouse,” she purred. “Make sure you’re the biggest one out there.” He twisted to look behind him trying to escape, she slashed at his face. A gurgling scream erupted from him as his eyeball flew across the pavement.

  “The treaty!” He screamed at her frantically. I couldn’t help but wonder myself for that moment if this is what the humans thought the treaty would protect.

  “You know,” she purred again approaching him as he ran further into the alleyway and into the dead end. “I was human once. And even if I still were, dare I say I might’ve done the same to you after knowing what you have done to those children.”

  I pulled away from the alleyway cat thanking her. I knew what happened after that. “Thank you, friend,” I said to that cat as it meowed and continued to rub against my calf. I looked back to the location that Vivian had once been waiting for her mouse. That one singular jingle echoed in my mind. It was reported that Vivian made a public visit to the orphanage Mr. Greenhouse overlooked that very same day.

  I sneered at the thought of how many other children in the orphanage might’ve been affected by his evil doing. I hated that woman and killing humans was against the treaty. But, a part of me was aware that she had fought for those children when no one else did. I wanted to use this evidence against her. Killing humans was not tolerated. But the man should’ve been convicted one way or another a long time ago and when it came to the harm of children, I don’t know if even my own kind could’ve gone through the proper channels.

  “This area is restricted to Shabeah police force,” a woman’s voice crept into the alleyway and the click of her heels followed. Finally, my little tag along decided to reveal herself. The tattoos weren’t as big as Vivian’s and by comparison she wasn’t as beautiful either. She was still a beauty as all the Guardians were to encase the evil within them.

  “I was wondering when you would introduce yourself, Destiny,” I said patting the cat one last time and standing. “I figured the only way to lure you out would be to stand by somewhere I shouldn’t be for too long.”

  She charmed a smile, similar to the attitude that Vivian held. But this one was different. I could see the absolute despise and hatred in her eyes. It was very similar to the hatred Haymen held for me even when he smiled. Vivian might have been his favorite but this one certainly seemed to know about our past. Interesting. Maybe he was sleeping with all of them.

  “If you’re not going to do anything, then I will take my leave,” I said walking towards her. I deliberately put my hands in my pockets. This little pipsqueak had no chance against me in combat and I hoped my comfortable stance egged her to try something.

  “Go back to where you came from, Angel,” she seethed as I passed her. I continued walking, ignoring her small threat. Maybe this one wasn’t as dumb as Vivian and kept to only verbal threats. There was much to be said about Shabeah and even more that had to be destroyed. The city of demons was a breeding ground for evil like Mr. Greenhouse.

  A call came through my ear piece and I swiped the top of it to answer. A simple voice message from Gretel. I was to visit her immediately. I selected the files from Mr. Greenhouse’s death and transmitted them to her device. I teleported my jacket to my own closet freeing my wings so I could take flight. Most angels required a small implantation that would fabricate clothes around their wings. It could host up to hundreds of different shirts and jackets and remove them just as quickly. Only few had the gift to teleport, which I personally found more convenient.

  I didn’t want Destiny to witness my teleportation first hand. The removal of the jacket could’ve been considered as the implant program. I imagined Haymen had pre-warned her of my gifts but unless she had witnessed or fought against someone who also had the skill, then she would always be caught off guard. So instead while in Shabeah, I chose to fly. I spread my wings wide and darted for the sky. I wouldn’t teleport to Gretel until I left the city.

  My little tracker tried to keep up as she jumped from rooftop to rooftop but the distance became too great. I never expected her to keep up. I waited until I was far from the ogling eyes of Haymen and his city before I teleported into Gretel’s office.

  She sat in the corner of the room on her white leather couch. A cup of tea was placed on the coffee table in front of her. The moon was positioned perfectly in front of her open windows where she would often leap and fly from. She was no longer in her formal attire from the judgement this morning but instead wore high waisted white pants and a fitted silk shirt. Considering her age that surpassed over one thousand years she looked no older then forty in human years. It was the scowl that made her look older and wiser. I took a seat across from her ignoring the rest of her office that was surrounded in old archives and the large wooden desk in the center.

  When I sat, she raised an eyebrow at the files I had sent her. A small screen was projected in front of her where she slid through the images.

  “The Guardian, Vivian, killed this human male just befo
re I caught her last night,” I said.

  “This came across my desk two hours ago from Haymen,” she said taking her glasses off and flicking a file to my own communication device. I opened it instantly. “Alongside this.” She handed me a newspaper article which read: “Demon saves our children! Pedophile slaughtered!” One thing that ceased to amaze me was the accuracy and ability of the reporters who were able to gain information so fast and spin a story. That, and Haymen would’ve had influence over this publication.

  “The treaty states that neither angel nor demon are allowed to kill humans.”

  “You know that I can’t do anything with this,” she said cutting me off. “Yes. This Guardian girl went against the treaty. But then to explain to the public who have idolized her for such actions that we are sentencing her to death will destroy their faith with our judgement. Sometimes justice isn’t always black and white. You know that, Gabe.”

  “I didn’t realize our law was so wavering,” I said harshly. She gave me an even stare and took a sip of her tea.

  “You are a warrior, Gabe. You fight the wars when they come about and it is my job to deal with the politics, especially oversights with the treaty. I am telling you that this cannot be raised. Not now while we have one of Haymen’s sealed away in Aztec. Are you really that eager to start another war, Gabe?” She hushed.

  “She killed Luke. An Angel–our blood! When did we become so weak?!” I said shocked at what I was hearing.

  “And I am no happier about it than you but we must treat this trial fairly. We sentenced her, that is what you wanted.”