Before the Fall Read online

  “Very good. We shall proceed. Jether, Joab, take the stone slate and place it between the boulders.”

  Uriel watched as Saleos’s brothers lifted a heavy stone that was almost the same size as they were. It would have taken a dozen men to lift it—if they could at all. For Jether and Joab, it took little effort.

  His head started to pound as they placed the slab on the boulders. He wanted to stop what Lucifer was doing. He wanted to leave this place and to forget everything he was seeing. His mind bounced back and forth between the two choices that he had, and he didn’t know what to do.

  As Saleos placed himself on the slab, Uriel could hear his voice repeating what he had just told him. He was Lucifer’s lap dog. Is this what he had given up living in Heaven for? Had he exchanged sexual pleasure for an eternity of damnation with Lucifer?

  He moaned as Lucifer laid his hands on Saleos, chanting words as old as time. It was a language he had only ever been told about. All the angels knew of it, but it was forbidden to be uttered.

  Saleos writhed on the stone as Lucifer continued his chant. Time passed in a foggy haze and Uriel felt himself grow weaker.

  It was as if all of his energy was being drained from his body and being put into Saleos. He knew that wasn’t possible. Then he remembered what Rachel had once told him. There can be no good where evil dwells. Was this what was happening? Was whatever goodness that was left in him leaving his soul? And Saleos, what little good he had left, was that leaving him too?

  The sun glowed with fierce red in the sky as dusk began to settle. Uriel leaned against a stone, exhausted. He watched as Lucifer paused and Saleos let out a final grunt of pain.

  This was it.

  Lucifer smiled and took a step back. He spread his arms up in triumph and cried, “Arise, my son Saleos!”

  Saleos slowly sat up. His eyes were midnight black. When he stood, his face contorted and then there was a swoosh. A set of black wings flashed open from his back.

  There was a roar of celebration.

  No! Uriel gripped the sides of his head as he felt his mind explode in pain. This was wrong. This was evil.

  “Now, my dear Uriel,” Lucifer said. “Now is the time for you to show your true loyalty to me. Bring me Jeremiel and Lahash.”

  Blood drained from his face. “I-I-I can’t . . . I won’t.”

  He thought of Raphael and everything he did to raise his sons to be different from the other Nephilim. So much so, that they did not even know that they were half angel. Raphael was the only one he knew who had come down to Earth out of love. Not out of lust for women as he had, nor lust for power, like Lucifer. Raphael was truly good.

  “Raphael would never want this for his sons.”

  “Raphael is confused. He knows not what is best for Jeremiel. And as for Lahash, I am the better judge of what is right for him.”

  “Why would he be any different than Jeremiel? Raphael would not give either of his sons over to be turned . . . into . . . unless...”

  Lucifer gave him a knowing look and he took a step back. “He is your son. Lahash is your son. That is why you won’t face Raphael. You . . . you . . . how could you?”

  Lucifer grabbed him by the collar of his tunic. “You will hold your tongue and learn your place, Uriel. What I do is my own affair.”

  He let go of him and smoothed his face. Taking a deep breath, he smiled as if nothing had happened. “Now, you shall go to Jeremiel and Lahash. Perhaps Jeremiel first. He seems to be a pleasant fellow, easy to get along with. Ask him to come with you to meet his Uncle Lucifer. It has been years since we last saw each other. I’m sure he’ll come. As for Lahash, he may be a bit more difficult. After all, he is . . . complex . . . like his father.”

  Uriel shuddered.

  “Tell him that you have a way to help him in his desired betrothal to Naomi. I hear that Jeremiel is quite taken by her and has plans to lay claim to her, with his father’s approval of course. He has been meeting with the innkeeper frequently. Lahash will be eager for any proposition that will make her his wife. Nonetheless, you should not find it too difficult. They both know you, and they even like you. As for Raphael, you need not have any worry of him. Do not mention my name and he will be fine. He trusts you. After all, you are still his”—he curled his lips into a sneer—“Heavenly brother.”

  He leaned in, his cool breath hitting against Uriel’s face. “You do remember our last conversation. Do you not?”

  Uriel had no doubt that it was true. Lucifer had found a means to kill angels.

  Each word that came out of his mouth felt like a thousand sins for which there was no forgiveness.

  “As you wish . . . Master. I shall bring Jeremiel and Lahash to you on the morrow.”

  20

  Lahash flew down the hill, heading toward home. Despite what he had said to Naomi, he knew why Jeremiel and his father were at the inn meeting with Gideon at that moment. He cursed himself for not seeing it sooner. For weeks, Jeremiel had traveled to Ai. During evening meals, he had never mentioned what he had been doing there, and Lahash hadn’t bothered to ask. It had never occurred to him to ask. Their relationship wasn’t like it used to be. Ever since the games, it seemed like he and his brother had grown further apart.

  As was the tradition in the land, if a man wanted to marry, he first gave gifts to the woman’s father and then asked for permission to marry. It was a way of the man showing that he could provide for his family. As first born, Jeremiel had priority over whatever land and livestock their family owned. Lahash had nothing of value except for his sword. If he had any chance of winning over Naomi’s father, he had to bring the sword.

  He swung the door open and it slammed against the wall as he flew into the room. His mother jumped up from where she was sitting.

  “Lahash, what on Earth...” Her eyes were wide with shock.

  “Did you . . . know?” His breath came out in pants even though it wasn’t a long run and he wasn’t tired.

  The special twinkle she had every time she saw him vanished as sadness swept over her lovely face.

  His chest tensed as anger swelled within him. He couldn’t help himself. He had never felt this way toward his mother before. The expression on her face gave him the answer, but he needed to hear it from her, to make it real.

  “Mother, answer me.”

  He hated the tone he was using. Each word was like the slash of a knife cutting into her.

  She sank back into her seat, staring down into her hands—those gentle hands. Hands that had held him tenderly and rocked him to sleep when he was a boy. Hands that had brushed his hair out of his eyes when it grew too long. Hands that he had trusted . . . until today.

  “Yes, I knew.”

  He staggered back. Her words were a battering ram, slamming against his chest. His mother, his greatest ally, the one person who knew of his feelings for Naomi had betrayed him. It was real now.

  He swallowed thickly, hoping to find the voice that seemed to be lost in a pit of despair. It came out in a hoarse whisper. “You know how much she means to me.”

  “Please try to understand, my son. It is not easy for me. I love you and Jeremiel both. I want what is best for both of you. It is hard to deny happiness to either one of you.”

  “Even if the happiness of one is at the sacrifice of the other?”

  Tears filled her eyes and his heart broke for her. “Mother, I’m sorry.”

  She shook her head. “You are right. Jeremiel was set on being betrothed to Naomi. He was so excited when he told me about it. I . . . I didn’t have the heart to tell him about you and her. I told your father about your feelings for her.”

  He bit down on his tongue, wondering. If it had been the other way around, if he had told her first about wanting to marry Naomi, would his mother have done the same? He shook his head, trying to rid himself of the evil thoughts. He knew better. His mother did love him just as much as Jeremiel. His father, on the other hand... He sighed.

  “What did Fath
er say?”

  He braced himself when her face turned red and she cried harder.

  “He says . . . that . . . that you will find another,” she sobbed. “He says Jeremiel is first born and he favors her.”

  “It’s as I expected. Father favors Jeremiel.”

  “That is not true,” she cried. “He cares for you both.”

  He took hold of the sword and pulled it from its scabbard. Holding it into the light, he looked at the intricate detail of the hilt. “I know who truly cares for me.”

  She leapt from her seat, knocking it down when she threw herself into his arms. His tunic grew wet as she pressed her face into his chest.

  “I know my husband. And I know he loves you deeply. It is difficult for him to accept what has happened to us. He only believes in what he sees before him. With your brother, it is easy for him to see himself within him. He is within you too. And one day, he shall see it for you are his son.”

  He was puzzled by her words. Why would she say something like that? He knew he was Raphael’s son. The only problem was that he wasn’t perfect, like his brother.

  Gently, he peeled her arms from around his waist. “I must leave now before it is too late.”

  “No, wait!” She dashed to the other room.

  “Mother?”

  When she came back out, she was placing a shaviss over her head.

  “What are you doing?”

  “I am going with you. I will speak with your father one more time.” She placed a hand on his cheek. “No matter the outcome, please know that we love and cherish you.”

  ***

  Lahash threw open the inn door. An older version of Naomi spun around, her blue eyes wide with terror. The light from the lamp she held cast a shadow over her face. Her hand shook when her eyes rested on his drawn sword, causing the oil in the lamp to spill onto the floor.

  “Please, we have nothing of value for you to steal,” she said, her voice trembling.

  He looked at the sword he had directed at her and realized what he looked like charging in there.

  He felt his mother’s hand on his arm, and slowly he lowered the sword.

  “Rebecca?” The woman let out a breath. Then realization crossed her face as she looked from his mother to him. She smiled, lines crinkling around her eyes. “You must be Lahash. Naomi has told me so much about you.”

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to frighten you. I am here to see Gideon,” he said.

  A sad look crossed her face. “He is speaking with your father and brother in our living quarters upstairs.” She looked to the stone steps and then leaned in toward him.

  “Hurry,” she whispered urgently.

  He flew up the stairs, taking two at a time, with his mother close behind him. When he reached the landing of the second floor, he froze. In the soft lamp lights that lit the room, Jeremiel stood in front of Gideon, his face beaming as he held out a gold ring.

  Naomi stood behind her father, her skin pale. Blotches of red covered her cheeks and neck as she bit down on her lip. Her eyes watched in disbelief as her father took the ring.

  “It is an honor for me to accept your proposal to marry my daughter. She will make you a fine wife,” Gideon said.

  “Father,” her voice croaked as she placed a hand on his arm.

  Gideon stiffened under her touch. It was barely noticeable but enough for Naomi to bite down on her lip again and turn her head away.

  “And Raphael, your offer of half your herd is generous,” he continued as if he hadn’t been interrupted. “Very generous indeed.”

  “No, Lahash.” His mother whispered when he took a step forward. Placing an arm around him, she drew him to her and spoke into his ear. “It is too late. Gideon has accepted your brother’s offer.”

  “Ah, the rest of your family is here to celebrate,” Gideon said.

  Naomi looked up and their eyes locked. The longing on her face was unbearable.

  Gideon glanced over at him and then back at Naomi. He cleared his throat, glaring at Naomi. She gave him one last look and then turned her head away.

  It was too late. He had lost her. He felt the weight of the sword in his hand. Not even that would be enough. Not when his father was willing to give half his herd to Gideon. He had nothing to offer her family.

  “Lahash, Mother, come and let us celebrate my betrothal to Naomi,” Jeremiel cried. He reached out to their mother and pulled her to him. “Naomi is almost as beautiful as you are.”

  His face was radiant as held out his hand to Naomi. “Come, let us go downstairs to celebrate.”

  Naomi looked down at Jeremiel’s hand. She swallowed and then slowly placed her hand into his.

  No!

  He gripped the sword and found himself raising it. He couldn’t lose her. At that moment, he hated his brother.

  “Remember who you are, my son,” his mother whispered into his ear.

  He paused, fighting the hate that threatened to overwhelm him. Memories of him and Jeremiel as they grew up together flitted through his mind. There had never been a day that went by when his brother had not said a kind word to him. He had always been there for him. And when he had asked, Jeremiel had even broken their father’s rules and won the race, because Lahash had asked him to.

  He lowered his sword.

  Naomi’s hand remained clasped within Jeremiel’s.

  Who am I without her?

  “Lahash!” he heard his mother cry out as he flew down the stairs and out the door.

  21

  Lahash waited across the square watching the inn’s entrance until Jeremiel and the rest of his family left. As much as he wanted to run away and live his life in misery in Jericho, he couldn’t. He had promised Naomi that they would have a lifetime together. He had to find a way. Even if it meant crawling on hands and knees to his father and begging him, he’d do it. He would do whatever it took to have her as his wife.

  When they were gone, he sneaked up to the inn. He went to the side of the building to her bedroom window. He threw a pebble. It tapped against the shutter.

  “Naomi,” he called out as loudly as he dared. “Naomi.”

  Naomi popped her head out just as he threw another pebble.

  “Ouch!” She rubbed her nose on the spot where pebble hit her.

  “I am so sorry.”

  “What are you doing?” She sniffed.

  From where he stood, he could see that her eyes and nose were puffy and her cheeks stained with tears. It made his heart ache to see her like that. Jeremiel’s gift of enhanced vision was just as good as his, if not better. Why couldn’t he see that Naomi was not happy about their betrothal?

  “We need to talk.”

  She ducked her head back into the room and then came back out. “You can come up here.”

  “Are you crazy? What about your father? What if I wake him?”

  “We can talk on the roof. No one will hear us there.”

  “What if your father comes looking for you?”

  “He’s had too much drink and he’s passed out. Nothing could wake him up now. And if for some strange reason he does wake, you can hide between the stalks of wheat that are stored on the roof.”

  “I don’t know. What about we meet on our hill? Can you get away?”

  She lifted a finger, telling to him to wait, and ducked back into the room.

  He closed his eyes and focused in the direction of where she was. Thankful for his gift of enhanced hearing, he heard Naomi and her mother arguing in hushed whispers. She pleaded with her mother to let her leave.

  After a moment, Naomi poked her head out the window. “Yes. I can. I shall be there within the hour.”

  ***

  Waiting on top of the hill, Lahash looked up into the night sky. The moon was so bright and full it seemed like if he just reached out his hand, he could touch it. It was on nights like this when he was stuck sleeping alone with the herd that he wondered what it was like to touch the sky, to touch Heaven.

  “Why is thi
s happening to me?” His voice echoed in the darkness.

  He froze. He thought he heard a sob in the distance. He waited.

  The only sound was the rustling of the leaves as the wind blew through the trees and the bleating of the herd.

  He laughed. “Now I’m hearing things that are not there.”

  From the corner of his eye, he saw a movement. He stopped and his eyes focused on the moving shadow.

  “Naomi?”

  The shadow disappeared into a grove of trees. He caught a glimpse of the feminine silhouette and it looked oddly familiar. It couldn’t have been Naomi. It was smaller.

  He remembered the woman he had seen in Ai. It couldn’t be her. What would she being doing here in the middle of the night?

  “Rachel?”

  One of the ewes bleated loudly as if frightened and the shadow vanished. He blinked, confused, and then turned to see Naomi running up the hill toward him. All thought of the strange shadow left his mind as he watched the love of his life hurrying to him.

  She was an angel, her blue head-covering fluttering behind her as she ran. She paused midway up the hill, her eyes locking with his. And for a moment, the world disappeared as they gazed at each other. Her face was glowing with excitement. Behind her, the full moon in all its glory paled in comparison.

  She gathered her long tunic dress, lifting it up slightly as she ran toward him. It was if she couldn’t stand to be away from him for another minute. His heart soared at the sight of her legs running to him. She was his. There was no doubt about it. She wanted to be with him. Why couldn’t Jeremiel and his father see that?

  When she reached the top of the hill, she threw herself into his arms. There was no hesitation. No shyness. In one leap, she threw her arms around his neck and pressed her lips onto his.

  He caught her, locking his arms tightly around her body. She was so soft. He held onto her, never wanting to let go. After a moment, she pulled back, gasping for breath, her lips red and puffy. All he could think of as he tried to catch his breath was how much he wanted to kiss them again.

  “Lahash, what are we going to do?”

  Pale blue eyes looked at him for the answer.