The Peacock Angel: Rise of the Decarchs
Page 52
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Kokabiel didn't like the raven. He never had. He hoped that Armaros killed it, but destroying a demon such as Naberius would be a daunting task. The fiend was strong. He was one of the original fallen and, besides Dantalion, the most feared demon in all of Sheol. Most of the time he appeared as he did now-a giant black crow with oversized eyes. When he was excited, however, he took the form of a vicious three headed dog that was horrible to behold and even worse to try and fight. Kokabiel had seen the beast in battle. Only Dantalion's cunning had kept him in power here. The Great Duke was no match physically for Naberius. Armaros was.
Kokabiel was tempted to go with the demon. He wanted to see Armaros again. Of course he couldn't let Azazel know how he felt. His brother was maddened with hatred for their sibling. It was a hate that was completely unfounded. Armaros had always let his conscious guide him, whereas Azazel failed to develop one. And now Azazel blamed Armaros for everything ill that had ever befallen him. It was irrational thinking.
He desperately wished that it would have been Armaros who had freed him from his captivity. But it wasn't, and now his die was cast. He was dead to Armaros. He must remember to try and stay that way. It should be easy to do. Of course if he did forget, all he had to do was look at his own reflection in the unfeeling eyes of the raven before him to know that he had come to a place where Armaros would not tread.
"Do you know who it is that you're going to try and butcher Naberius?" Kokabiel asked. He couldn't help himself. He wanted to relieve the raven from a bit of the confidence that he was so painfully stuffed full of. "It's not a hu-"
"I'm sure it doesn't matter to the Marquis," Azazel interrupted. He gave Kokabiel a look that screamed for silence. "Naberius . . . if you're ready, then so am I. Just stand with the others. I'll do the rest. The path will be clear once you arrive at the cemetery."
The Marquis of Sheol did as he was asked. He kept one eye on the bigger of the two visitors. Kokabiel stared right back at him. Neither flinched. The animosity was thick. Both reveled in it.
"I will butcher all of them," Naberius said. He was talking to Kokabiel. "Even the one that's not a human."
"Good bye bird," Kokabiel said. The Star of God was smiling.
No words were spoken. No invisible glyphs were written on the air. Azazel did nothing but close his eyes and extend his arm in the direction of Naberius and his underlings. A few seconds later Azazel and Kokabiel stood alone in the Marquis' lair.
"Why would you say such a thing to Naberius?" Azazel asked. There was a hitch in his voice. Kokabiel knew that his brother was weakened from the great effort that he had put forth to transport the demons. It was still an impressive display. Azazel's divining skills had grown by leaps and bounds. That worried the former Watcher.
"I've never liked that raven. His conceit annoys me."
"That may be so brother, but I didn't go through the trouble of freeing you from your fetters to have you sabotage my intentions with your emotions. I need Naberius to do this thing. His level of success or failure will be my gauge."
"Gauge for what?"
"Armaros' strength. I will know what we are up against. Your beloved brother and his new apprentice are destined to be our primary adversaries. I must stay a step ahead of them if my design is to accomplish anything."
"What are your intentions Azazel?"
"I seek only change. I have never agreed with the archangel's management of humanity."
"And how do you propose to change an entire civilization?"
"War. War against everything."