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If you are starting in the middle of the series, and want to have an overview of the story arc so far with only mild spoilers, you might want to take a look at my "The Story So Far" section of the Guardian Primer. You can choose which book to start with, and discover what you need to know going into that story.
Guardian History
During the First Battle, the three new orders of beings were determined: the angels, who fought for those Above; the demons, who sided with Morningstar; and the nosferatu, who abstained from the battle until the victor became clear. The demons were thrown down from Heaven, and they made their corrupt mirror in Hell. The nosferatu were not welcomed Above or Below; they are forever denied rest, hunted by angels and demons alike—and now, Guardians.
—The
Doyen Scrolls
"Quite simply: after the First Battle, a group of angels descended from Above to reside in Caelum, to protect humans from the manipulations of those Below. But the humans began to think of the angels as gods; the demons, out of jealousy, decided to wage another war, the Second Battle. They managed to create a dragon, which defeated the angels—but a human was able to stop it."
—Hugh (a Guardian) recounting the origin of the Guardians to Emily Ames-Beaumont (a human), using a more succinct style of narration than Anthony Ramsdell (her besotted lover) did, 1811
"I've seen what Michael can do, so I'm inclined to believe that he really did join an army of men who fought against the demons, and killed a Chaos dragon—and afterward, that the angels gave him the power to transform other humans into Guardians, and take their place as protectors in Caelum. I just don't necessarily think it has to all come from some huge, ineffable source. There might be other explanations. Stop laughing, it's not that funny."
—Savi Murray to Colin Ames-Beaumont, a ridiculously beautiful vampire, who was unable to stop laughing, and who could not believe she was still a skeptic, 2007
A Guardian's Gift
A Guardian's Gift will come to him when he is ready for it.
—The Doyen Scrolls
"I have heard a Guardian's unique power reflects him as he was in life. Perhaps your Gift shall be the ability to leave a man's prick limp and useless."
—Lilith, a demon, while holding her sword very near a young Guardian's prick, 1389
Free Will and Human Life
"Free will and life are two gifts bestowed upon humanity which may not be compromised."
—Georges, a Guardian in disguise, explaining the Rules that apply to both Guardians and demons, and which are the reason demons cannot enslave, murder, or otherwise directly harm humans (unless the human wants it), 1217
"I hate free will."
—Lilith, a demon, 2007
Hang all demons and Guardians and their respect for human free will.
—Colin Ames-Beaumont, a somewhat careless vampire who, like the nosferatu, does not have to follow the Rules, 2008
Falling and Ascending
"Quite simply: after the First Battle, a group of angels descended from Above to reside in Caelum, to protect humans from the manipulations of those Below. But the humans began to think of the angels as gods; the demons, out of jealousy, decided to wage another war, the Second Battle. They managed to create a dragon, which defeated the angels—but a human was able to stop it."
—Hugh (a Guardian) recounting the origin of the Guardians to Emily Ames-Beaumont (a human), using a more succinct style of narration than Anthony Ramsdell (her besotted lover) did, 1811
"I've seen what Michael can do, so I'm inclined to believe that he really did join an army of men who fought against the demons, and killed a Chaos dragon—and afterward, that the angels gave him the power to transform other humans into Guardians, and take their place as protectors in Caelum. I just don't necessarily think it has to all come from some huge, ineffable source. There might be other explanations. Stop laughing, it's not that funny."
—Savi Murray to Colin Ames-Beaumont, a ridiculously beautiful vampire, who was unable to stop laughing, and who could not believe she was still a skeptic, 2007
A Guardian's Gift
A Guardian's Gift will come to him when he is ready for it.
—The Doyen Scrolls
"I have heard a Guardian's unique power reflects him as he was in life. Perhaps your Gift shall be the ability to leave a man's prick limp and useless."
—Lilith, a demon, while holding her sword very near a young Guardian's prick, 1389
Free Will and Human Life
"Free will and life are two gifts bestowed upon humanity which may not be compromised."
—Georges, a Guardian in disguise, explaining the Rules that apply to both Guardians and demons, and which are the reason demons cannot enslave, murder, or otherwise directly harm humans (unless the human wants it), 1217
"I hate free will."
—Lilith, a demon, 2007
Hang all demons and Guardians and their respect for human free will.
—Colin Ames-Beaumont, a somewhat careless vampire who, like the nosferatu, does not have to follow the Rules, 2008
Falling and Ascending
A
Guardian may choose to Ascend at any time; however, after one hundred
years have passed, they may also choose to Fall—the alternative added
as a reward for service.
—The Doyen Scrolls
"Falling leaves its mark."
—Hugh, 2007
The Guardian's Role
It is not the Guardian's duty to seek justice, only to protect. Judgment is a function for those Above; Morningstar and his cohorts were thrown out because of their ambition to punish, and to take on roles that were not theirs. A Guardian does not follow in a demon's footsteps.
—The Doyen Scrolls
"Being a vampire isn't immoral. But if one breaks the Rules and denies a human free will or kills one—yes, I'd judge him. I'd slay him. Humans can't."
—Selah, a Guardian, to Lucas Marsden, a vampire who pointed out that if she slays, she must judge, 2007
—The Doyen Scrolls
"Falling leaves its mark."
—Hugh, 2007
The Guardian's Role
It is not the Guardian's duty to seek justice, only to protect. Judgment is a function for those Above; Morningstar and his cohorts were thrown out because of their ambition to punish, and to take on roles that were not theirs. A Guardian does not follow in a demon's footsteps.
—The Doyen Scrolls
"Being a vampire isn't immoral. But if one breaks the Rules and denies a human free will or kills one—yes, I'd judge him. I'd slay him. Humans can't."
—Selah, a Guardian, to Lucas Marsden, a vampire who pointed out that if she slays, she must judge, 2007
Appearances
Appearances are almost always deceiving.
—The Doyen Scrolls
Appearances are everything.
—Lucifer, 2007
The Doyen's Sword
We should not let it become known our family harbored your Doyen's dragon-tainted weapon from the time of the Crusades. It is not the curiosity of humans I fear, should the connection be discovered; but we ought not to risk the attention of the horned and winged set.
—Colin Ames-Beaumont, a ridiculously vain vampire, in a letter to Anthony Ramsdell, 1814
"It cannot be as stupid as turning your back on a demon when Michael's sword is within reach. Had your fledgling student not been near, I'd have had your head and the Doyen's sword to present to Lucifer."
—Lilith, a demon, in response to Hugh, a Guardian, after he observed that a demon who allowed her throat to be torn out by a nosferatu was at least as stupid as the stupidest of nosferatu, 1816
"You can't have the sword."
—The Doyen to Lilith, 2007
