The Old Gods

Smoke and Mirrors

"Cull found the City? You're joshing me." Mr Bachman said disbelievingly.

"It's true, Mr Bachman. He even gave me this." Amir rummaged around in his bag for a bit and passed Mr Bachman the grimoire that had once belonged to Hollandair Cull.

"An actual copy of the Angelonomous. My lords, child. Have you any idea how valuable this book is? The Louvre museum in Gaulance would probably sacrifice half of their entire art gallery for a single page of the Angelonomous. This book contains knowledge regarding demonic rituals and the real names of the Great Angels. To speak their name is to invoke them, and to invoke them is to incur their wrath. Keep that book safe, boy."

Amir looked at the book in his hands. A frightening thought surfaced in his head. Had he caused the fire at the Academy? When his blood had dripped onto the pages of the Angelonomous, the book had flipped to a page of its own accord. Amir had brushed it off as a simple enchantment. What if he had actually summoned a gargoyle without knowing?

"You children better be going. It's getting late. Come back tomorrow morning, and I'll tell you all about the Angelonomous. There's a door here that leads into the Paraketic Railway station. You should be able to get to wherever you're staying from there. I'll see you tomorrow."

Amir, Robin and Leigh made for the exit. Leigh knew there was something wrong with her brother. She'd never seen him so quiet. As they stepped out into the cool evening air, Amir tucked his book away deep into his bag. She would have to question him later. Something was up with Amir. She wasn't the only one who'd noticed, for Robin was also looking at Amir quizzically.

"Amir. Are you okay?" She asked.

"No! I'm not okay! Remember the fire at the Academy? I think I caused it. The book started flipping around and the words lit up when I got cut. Read this."

He turned to the page on gargoyles. It was still stained with a droplet of blood. The inked picture on it was beyond terrifying. A massive winged monster stared at them, its blood-red eyes coloured with a shade of red so luminous it looked like the drawing was alive.

"Gargoyles are a species of demon that served Death in the Old War. They were known for their ability to project fire, and they were said to be corrupted Angels. After the War ended, all existing gargoyles were turned into stone. The ornamental statues that now decorate the homes of the rich are said to be actual gargoyles, stuck in an eternal state of hibernation. It is believed a drop of human blood can bring a gargoyle back for a short period of time." Leigh read out. She traced a finger over the spot where Amir had bled, right over the gargoyle's chest.

"You don't think-"

"I summoned the gargoyle. This book isn't right, Leigh. Something's off about it. We should ask Hans. C'mon. The hotel shouldn't be too far."

The Paraketic Railway was much more crowded than the children had expected. Amir kept the Angelonomous close to him. He didn't want anyone setting off the book or stealing it from him. Mr Bachman's words had really gotten to him. He was holding something that could set off the next apocalypse. Robin and Leigh flanked him as they boarded the train bound for the station closest to the Kensington Hotel.

The kids had managed to get into a partially empty cabin. The Paraketic Railway travelled underground, where there was nothing but darkness and millions of insects. The train went on almost silently, its wheels pumping on the well-worn tracks. Amir fell asleep, the constant hum of the train soothing him. Leigh let her brother lean on her shoulder. It wasn't something she did often, but he was obviously going through a lot. His hands were shaky, even in his sleep. Robin patted his best friend on the shoulder, calming him down a bit.