The Codex: An Angel's Guide to Seducing A Human

Chapter Seven

Emily

Despite the open window and proper ventilation for the fireplace, the smell of burning logs filled the room.

I bit my lip, trying not to show my annoyance at being forced to wait for an hour then being stuck in this furnace of a room. "Just call me 'Emily,'" I said as Varian buried his nose into his paperwork and scribbled away. Meanwhile, the heat from the ridiculously-large fireplace nibbled at my back. Unable to take it anymore, I escaped to the cool embrace of air near the open window.

Below me, people celebrated in the town square, their laughter echoing all the way up to the tower. Though the sun had just disappeared, caskets filled with fireworks were already paraded and set up throughout the mining town for the celebration of the summer solstice. Everywhere, children dashed through the streets with sparkling sticks in hand while dogs circled around the food carts, gobbling anything dropped to the ground by messy eaters.

For a man who believed in the value of order, the room was an absolute mess. Every piece of furniture was out of place, and several racks that lined the wall were filled with swords thrown in without a care for organization. Nothing seemed clean, and I returned my attention to the High Priest, sitting comfortably in his throne-like chair behind a well-oiled maple desk stacked with a mountain of paperwork and littered with wine bottles.

"I apologize for summoning you up here," Varian finally said, eyes fixated on his parchment.

"It's all right. I'm just glad that you sent Narius to take a bath. He's been smelling a little sweaty the last few days. Thank you."

"No, no. I am the one who should be thanking you for taking care of His Holiness, Miss Bryant. Now, I hear His Holiness has a debt."

I flinched. How much did he blab? "He did a few things that cost me money. A lot of money."

"Then once I get the paperwork finished, I shall reimburse you for your expenses, along with a little extra coin to show our gratitude," Varian said, scribbling onto a parchment without bothering to meet my eyes. "Then you will be free to go where you please."

In other words, take the money and scram. Fine by me as long as it's enough. I curved my lips and feigned delight. "That sounds wonderful."

Varian smirked and moved aside the stacked paperwork he was working on.

I arched an eyebrow. "Speaking of 'wonderful,' I'm a little curious. You serve a different god than Narius. Why do you care about him so much?"

The smile on the High Priest's face grew as he uncorked a fresh bottle of wine and filled his glass. "Our branch of the temple respects both Lady Tristiana and Lord Halfaya as much as Lord Arudi, and believe that it is our duty to aid any angel in his task."

I nodded, pretending to understand his vague answer. Gold was the only thing keeping me and Narius tied together. There was no reason to stay with him if I was going to be paid. Why do I care suddenly? The priest for all I care can take care of Narius and fawn over the angel as much as he likes.

Varian pointed at the door. "But, please don't let me hold you here. Enjoy the festival. And may I recommend that you try our baths before you head out? They were blessed by an angel a few centuries ago to mend minor wounds and drive away fatigue."

Feeling a bit tired from the long journey, I nodded and exited the office. A bath would feel nice. I closed the door behind me and walked down a spiral staircase that led to the temple itself. So, that's it. Narius and I are finished. I bit my lower lip. Oddly enough, the thought of leaving him troubled me, and each step down the stair felt heavy. Isn't this what I wanted? Just to get a bit of gold? Isn't that why I tagged along with him in the first place?

I tapped myself on the head to focus my thoughts. Being with that angel was too uncomfortable. I needed to leave.