Before the Fall (8 page)

She remained silent, trying to keep her body from shivering. Slowly, he stripped her down without taking his eyes off her. Although he was gentle, his eyes, cold and void of any warmth, kept watch over her—daring her to deny him.

With her clothes lying on the floor, he pulled her to him. She felt him harden against her abdomen and her mind screamed with fright.

“Raphael. I’m not feeling well.”

His hand ghosted over her hair, brushing it back. She felt his hot breath as he whispered in her ear, “It will be over soon.”

He turned her around and pressed himself into her back. “Get down.”

“No,” she sobbed when she realized what he was asking of her.

He pressed his hands against the temples of her head and she felt a wave of nausea.

“Do it. Now!”

He pushed her and she fell to her knees. The room spun as she felt the tip of him at her entrance.

“Please, Raphael. Don’t do this. I beg of you.”

He grabbed a fist full of her hair and she cried out in pain when he jerked her head back.

“Be silent,” he growled. 

A cold slammed against her and the room disappeared as she felt herself being plunged into a pit of darkness. Pain swirled around her, eating at her flesh. With every move she made, he ripped deeper into her.

Her cries echoed in the room. There was no escaping the searing heat between her legs followed by liquid ice that slowly filled her womb.

When it was over, she collapsed, gasping for air as her tear-stained cheek pressed against the smooth stone floor. “Raphael, why have you forsaken me?”

And then, the darkness took her.

R
aphael stood on top of a hill laughing as he watched Jeremiel chase after one of the goats. His hair was wet from his first swim in the stream. Although he had enjoyed fishing, it appeared that his son was a natural when it came to swimming.

Jeremiel lunged at the goat, landing hard on the dirt when the goat moved at the last moment.

Raphael chuckled. His son might be gifted with superior sight, hearing, and strength, but when it came to cleanliness, he was just like any other four-year-old boy.

“Stand still. You’re supposed to obey me,” Jeremiel said to the goat. “Father, why doesn’t she listen to me?”

“Try being gentle with her.”

“But she should listen to me.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Because I am stronger than her.” He furrowed his brow. “Uncle Lucifer says that the strong should rule the weak and that they should obey.”

Raphael scowled. He had heard Lucifer spout his prejudices and ridiculous jealousy about humans before. There wasn’t an angel he knew that didn’t have some type of fault. Angels were not perfect.

This time Lucifer had gone too far. He did not want his son tainted with Lucifer’s views.

He smoothed his face and sank to his knees. Holding Jeremiel’s shoulders, he looked him straight in the eye. “My son, it is true you have gifts that others do not. This does not mean you are superior to others because of it.”

“Uncle Lucifer said—”

“He is wrong. We all have special gifts of some sort. That is what makes each and every one of us special.”

Jeremiel scrunched his face deep in thought. He looked over at the goat. “She can’t be special. She’s just a goat.”

“Can you give milk?”

“What?”

“The goat gives milk. That is her gift. It satisfies our thirst and gives us sustenance. Can you do that?”

Jeremiel’s blue eyes looked up as he thought for moment. Then he said, “Yes, I can. I can milk the goat and bring the milk to you.” He grinned.

“But can you do that without her?”

“No.”

“Then you need her.”

Jeremiel looked over at the goat again. “Oh, I see. I need her as much as she needs me.”

“That is correct. Each of us brings something to this life, and all deserve respect. Now, my son, the time has come that I must explain something to you.”

“What is it, Father?”

“Your mother and I have kept you away from other children, but now that you are older, you will want to be around others your own age. When you are, you will see that others around you may not have the same strength as you do.”

“They don’t?”

“No, they do not. Remember what I said, they are equal to you in every way and you must treat them with respect and kindness.”

Raphael patted the goat’s head tenderly and slowly placed the lasso over her head.

“See. Kindness.” He placed the end of the rope in Jeremiel’s hand.

“Yes, Father.”

“Come now, the sun is setting and you need to milk her before supper.”

***

T
he moment Raphael stepped into the house he knew something was wrong.

“Mother! Mother!” Jeremiel cried as he flung himself into Rebecca’s arms. “Guess what I got?”

Rebecca always had a twinkle in her eye whenever she was with Jeremiel. When she gave him a hug and glanced up to look at him, her hazel eyes looked hollow.

“What did you get?” her voice sounded flat, lifeless.

Jeremiel pulled out a fish from the basket he was carrying. “I caught it all by myself. I want this one for supper.”

“I am so proud of you.” She hugged him and took the fish from his hand.

“There is more where that came from.” Raphael held out his basket filled with fish, and stepped toward her. Her eyes widened with fright.

“Rebecca? What is the matter?”

“I . . . uh...” her hand shook as she reached out to get the basket. “Nothing.”

“Mother, why does your voice sound funny?”

“Perhaps your mother is tired,” Raphael said.

“Oh, you caught me by surprise, that’s all.” The strain in her voice was obvious even behind the gentle smile. His brow furrowed with worry. He wondered if something happened to her in the city. Maybe she had run into Baka. It wouldn’t have been the first time it had happened. Baka’s presence was like a spur in Raphael’s belly, and for once, he wished he thought like Lucifer and was able to be rid of Baka for good.

Rebecca’s hand moved over the fish, cleaning it, keeping her back to them as she spoke. “I thought you would have dropped off the fish first before you sent Jeremiel with my mother.”

“Sarah is here? Why, that is wonderful news,” Raphael said. “You’d been hoping she’d come to see Jeremiel. Where is she?”

“Didn’t you see her when you went for Jeremiel?”

“I’ve been at the stream the entire day with him.”

Her hand froze in the air. Slowly, she turned to him, her face pale.

“That’s not possible.”

The air was still as he gazed into her panic-stricken eyes.

“Jeremiel, go out back and milk the goat. The pail is next to the door.”

“Yes, Father.”

As soon as he heard the door shut, he went to her. He took the knife out of her hand and placed it on the table. “You’re trembling.”

“You came to me early this afternoon. You said my mother had taken Jeremiel. Oh, no!” She looked up at him her wide. “I should have known. My mother would never have come on her own.”

“What happened?”

“I thought . . . I thought it was you that . . . that...” She closed her eyes and tears spilled down her pale cheeks.

“That what?” he gently shook her shoulders as his voice rose frantically. “That what?”

“You . . . you forced me submit to you,” she sobbed.

He sucked in a breath. “Was it Baka? Did he come in disguise?”

She shook her head. “He-he-he had your face, your body. It was you except the eyes. The eyes were so . . . c-c-cold.”

His body warred between rage that someone had violated her and despair that he hadn’t been there to stop it.

“Who did you see in the city? Did anyone follow you home?”

“I don’t think so. I was alone for some time before I returned. I saw my mother, and my father saw us. He was with Baka and Lucifer.”

His nostrils flared. “Did Lucifer say anything to you?”

Her hand pressed against the side of her right temple. “I-I-I can’t remember.”

“Please, Rebecca. Try. Try to remember.”

“All I remember is a dark fog and cold and a voice whispering in my head.”

Mind manipulation. Only the angels had that kind of power. But not even angels had the power to change form into a body that differed from their own. Only the black powers of evil were strong enough to do so. There was only one person he knew that would dare to use them.

“Lucifer,” he growled. Why would Lucifer do this? He had no lust for women as Uriel did.

“No! Please no.” She wailed incoherently into his chest. “Please forgive me. I thought it was you. I thought you had forsaken me. How could I have believed it was you?”

“Shh, my love.” He held her tight and kissed the top of her head. She was so soft . . . delicate. The thought of Lucifer’s hands on her, hurting her, taking her . . . his rage surged. “You are not at fault. I will find Lucifer, and I shall have vengeance.”

Even with all the angelic powers he had, he couldn’t end Lucifer’s life, only seriously wound him. He had to make sure Lucifer would die so that he could never harm another person again.

There was only one way to kill an angel. It would mean turning against the Heavens, against good, against morals—turning to the black powers of evil.

As if sensing his thoughts, Rebecca tightened her hold on him. “Don’t leave.”

He looked down at Rebecca and studied her beautiful face. Gone was the sweet innocence that he had fallen in love with. He would avenge her even if it meant that he would be struck down by Michael himself for his evil doing.

***

R
aphael dashed through the city gates. Lucifer was too smart to stay behind. He must have known that Raphael would hunt him down as soon as he discovered what he had done. But maybe he could get information from someone as to his whereabouts.

He rushed to the inn and banged on the door. A young woman opened it. Startled pale blue eyes looked at him. “Yes?”

“I am looking for the innkeeper.”

“That would be my husband, Gideon. I am his wife, Esther. Do you seek a room for the night?”

“I’m looking for someone. He was here earlier today with the governor.”

“Ah, yes. Lucifer. He is a charming fellow.”

Raphael cringed at the remark. Despite his loathing of humans, Lucifer made sure that he charmed people wherever he went. All of his deceptions were for his quest to seek power.

“Yes, Lucifer. Is he still here?

“I’m afraid not. He left the city this morning, soon after his meeting with the governor.”

“Did he leave alone?”

“I am not sure. Gideon!” she called out.

A tall slender man with dark wavy hair walked into the room. When he saw Raphael, his eyes lit up. “You must be Raphael.”

“I don’t believe we’ve met,” Raphael said.

“No we haven’t, but word of you is well-known in the city. You managed to take hold of something that Baka wanted and still live.” He chuckled. “That is quite an accomplishment. Baka is not the type of man to give up anything he wants. Tell me how you managed to do that? Are you from wealth?”

Raphael scowled.

“Gideon, mind your tongue,” Esther said and turned to Raphael. “Women may be known to dwell on idle gossip but men do so even more.”

“What is the harm? I am curious,” Gideon said.

“He is searching for Lucifer. Do you know of his whereabouts?”

Gideon ran a hand over his chin, stroking his dark beard. “He didn’t say but he left with Baka. Perhaps he knows.”

“Thank you,” Raphael said as he placed a gold coin into Esther’s hand.

She pushed his hand away, making him take back the coin. “I will not hear of it. Be careful with Baka. I have known him for a long time. He only gives when it is to his benefit.”

***

R
aphael stepped out of the inn. He dreaded the thought of going to Baka’s home. He would have to face Baka’s pregnant wife Jael and their son, Saleos. He did not wish to fight Baka, and his presence there would more than likely come to that, unless he used his mind manipulation gift again.

He swallowed the guilt that threatened to emerge and held onto the thought of Lucifer’s hands all over Rebecca’s body. Fury engulfed him again and propelled him forward with determination.

“Where is the ring?” A voice growled in the darkness.

Raphael ran to the sound of Baka’s voice. He paused when he saw Baka with an older man, his fist clutching the man by the lapel of his tunic.

Raphael marched to Baka. Grabbing his forearm, he jerked it from the man’s clothing. The man stumbled to the ground.

“How dare you?” Baka growled at Raphael.

Without a word, Raphael squeezed his arm while Baka howled in pain. He only stopped when he heard the subtle sound of bone cracking.

Raphael looked down at the man on the ground. “Leave us.”

The man nodded frantically and ran away.

When he was gone, Raphael smashed Baka to the wall of the building. “Where is Lucifer?”

Baka’s eyes turned into thin slits. “I do not fear you.”

Raphael gave him a cold stare and then with a flick of his wrist, Baka’s arm snapped.

Baka howled in pain.

Placing a hand over Baka’s mouth, Raphael leaned in, his voice low and melodic. “Where is Lucifer?”

Baka’s eyes darkened and then became blank. His voice was monotone as he spoke. “I know not. He has left the city.”

“When will he return?”

“When the seed has matured.”

Raphael pressed a hand against Baka’s temple.

“What seed?”

“I know not.”

He growled in frustration. Even with his mind manipulation he could not get Baka to tell him the information he needed unless he knew the correct questions to ask. He wondered if Lucifer had spoken in riddles, anticipating that Raphael would go after Baka.

“What business did you have with Lucifer?”

“He is to make my son the most powerful in all the land.”

“What did he do?”

“My progeny shall rule and never die.”

Raphael balked. He thought of what Lucifer had told him the night before, about Uriel’s offspring. Then the pieces snapped together. He wanted to build an army. He had been following Uriel in hopes of taking his male offspring and when that hadn’t worked, he had gone to Rebecca.