This invention describes novel triazole compounds of formula IX: wherein Z1 is nitrogen or CR9 and Z2 is nitrogen or CH, provided that at least one of Z1 and Z2 is nitrogen; G is Ring C or Ring D; Ring C is selected from a phenyl, pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrazinyl, or 1,2,4-triazinyl ring, wherein said Ring C has one or two ortho substituents independently selected from —R1; Ring D is a 5-7 membered monocyclic ring or 8-10 membered bicyclic ring selected from aryl, heteroaryl, heterocyclyl or carbocyclyl; Rx and Ry are independently selected from T-R3, or Rx and Ry are taken together with their intervening atoms to form a fused ring; R1, R3, and T are as described in the specification. The compounds are useful as protein kinase inhibitors, especially as inhibitors of GSK-3 and Aurora, for treating diseases such as diabetes, cancer, and Alzheimer's disease.