She leaned on me. “Please don’t do this.”
“This is what you chose,” I said, relishing the feeling of her trembling body against mine.
“I implore you. I have only ever been with one man—my husband.”
I twisted my face in disgust. “Your husband is a revolting creature.”
“He is a good man. He has always been good to me, and I love him.”
“Enough!” I said, yanking at her arm. “This is the payment you chose. I cured your son. He is healthy, handsome, and intelligent. Now you must pay. Or would you like one of your daughters to pay instead? There is still time.”
“No! Please! Not my daughters.” She began to weep.
“Stop the whimpering at once!” I yelled.
She wiped her eyes.
I opened the door to a great sleeping chamber, where my male servants eagerly awaited their prize. They cheered and clapped as I tugged her inside and placed her before them.
They had the look of ravenous wolves, as their eyes scanned her body. I pushed her forward, and the closest to us grabbed her. They did not waste a moment. They ravished her several at a time, while others bit into her flesh and shoved their parts into her mouth, stifling her agonizing screams. I watched for a while, and it pleased me to know it would continue to happen, as they took turns almost nonstop for seven days. If she survived, she would go home a different woman.
*
I made Sodom into a beautiful, decadent city. Gremory’s wisdom and knowledge of the sciences allowed us to build structures and other creations never before seen. Sodom became a den of wickedness, while Gomorrah was equally perverse. I caused love amongst foes and hate amongst lovers. I twisted people’s sexual desires and incited jealousy, envy, and murder.
My laws, healing rituals, and power of persuasion ensured the twin cities of Sodom and Gomorrah would remain the epitome of evil and debauchery.
*
I woke to the smell of smoke. I sat upright in bed and looked around. Fumes drifted from an open window, filling the room with smoke. The air had a sweet, woody smell and stung my eyes. “Did a servant leave incense burning?” I grumbled as I got out of bed. I stumbled about, holding my outstretched arms before me. That’s when I noticed more of the gray mist squeezing through the gap between the floor and chamber door. The house was on fire!
I rushed out the nearest window and fell hard on the ground. I looked up at the blue-violet twilight sky. Smoke particles danced in the inbound breeze, layering my tongue with woody fragrance. It was not yet thick enough to cast the sky a duller hue of blue, but even so it was there. It was everywhere, but where was its origin? I leaped to my feet and looked around.
Servants hurried from the house, disoriented, their faces bearing the same fearful tension that I am certain was reflected upon mine.
Then came a sound so loud it made pressure rise in my head and my insides vibrate. People ran and screamed around me, but their shrieks were muffled, as if my ear canals were stuffed with cotton. The earth trembled. I needed to find the source of this terrible roar.
I ran toward the center of the city, my bare feet hammering the paved streets. I arrived where the main road led to the principal gates. A behemoth with shiny scales and wings that could blot out the sun stood at the heart of the city. I shifted to my serpent form and stormed toward the beast, pulling up short when realizing it emitted fire from its mouth. I was the distance of a few buildings away, and yet the heat of the flames singed my skin. The muscles in my face tightened. This beast is destroying my city, but how can I stop him?
The citizens of Sodom ran amuck, some covered in flames, thrashing their arms and meandering about. Those who saw me in my snake form flinched and ran from me. I spread my wings and flew toward the beast, hovering by its head.
“Stop this at once!” I said, thrashing it with my tail. “Do you know who I am? I am Lilith. I am a goddess and—”
The beast struck me with one of its wings, smashing me against the rock wall of a nearby towering edifice. I tumbled to the street, and the beast continued to pound on me with its tail. I had never experienced such force. I cringed as pain shot up from my tail. It exploded in my head like blinding whiteness. The city of Sodom spun around me. I was unable to see or hear, only feel. Next thing I knew, I was covered in flames. The excruciating, writhing agony forbade anything else except being in pain.
I sat up straight with a jolt and looked around me. When I realized I’d had a vision, I burst out of the bed and summoned my servants.
“You have sent for us, my goddess?” said one of the two young men who arrived mere seconds later.
“Yes. I need Gremory and Sila to come here at once. I must speak to them about an urgent matter.”
One of the servants stared at me. “Are you feeling ill? You look pale and your breathing is heavy.”
Normally I would drain him dry for speaking out of turn, but I did not have the time for such things.
“Leave now and bring Gremory and Sila to me at once,” I said, pointing to the door. They turned and ran out.
I met Gremory and Sila in the dining area. Neither appeared pleased to be there.
“For what purpose have you summoned us?” Gremory asked. “You are aware I am erecting my new edifice, are you not?”
I slammed my fist on the table before me. “I care not for your new edifice!” Gremory crossed his arm and frowned and Sila recoiled from me. “I had another vision last night. It is by far the most realistic one I have ever had, and it concerns all of us. Now sit!” I said, indicating the chairs on either side of me.
I looked from Sila to Gremory. “Once more, God intends to destroy us, and once more I intend to save us.”
“Of what do you speak?” Sila asked, eyes wide. “He promised the humans He would never destroy the earth again.”
“With water,” Gremory mumbled, wagging a dainty female finger at Sila. “He made a promise to never destroy the earth again with water.”
Sila’s hand slowly rose to cover her mouth.
Gremory tossed his long blond hair to one side and leaned forward in his seat. “So how does He intend to annihilate the world this time?”
I ignored the sarcasm dripping from his voice. “Fire.” I watched Sila tremble in fear as Gremory straightened his spine and leaned toward me. I had their attention now. “It is not the world God intends to destroy, but our twin cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.”
“No!” Gremory banged his elbows on the table, his fists clenched. “We have worked so hard. These are our cities.”
“Perhaps that is precisely the reason He intends to destroy them.” I snickered. “We must prepare to leave our beloved cities at once, for soon they shall be nothing more than a grotesque pile of death and debris.”
Gremory lowered his head, running his hand through his hair as he groaned.
“How… how shall God destroy the cities with fire?” Sila asked, wrapping her arms around herself.
“In my vision, a beast, so monstrous it towered over our tallest structures, breathed fire so hot it melted and crumbled multiple edifices at once and bathed the skies in red and orange in the morn, making it look like the end of the day. I tried to stop the creature, but it was unstoppable. I am the strongest of us, but even I cannot defeat the invincible. We must abandon our luxuries and our homes and leave this place at once.”
“What if the beast continues to pursue us?” Gremory said as he threaded a hand through his hair.
“I find it difficult to take you seriously when you wear so much face paint. Is it necessary? You have taken the form of a beautiful young woman. There is no need for it. And stop playing with your hair!”
Gremory’s face bloomed scarlet as he stared at his hands.
I released an exasperated sigh before continuing. “What I gathered from my vision is that Sodom and Gomorrah are marked to be destroyed because of their level of wickedness. We shall not make the same mistake in the next cities. If we leave here at once, we shal
l be safe.”
Before long we stood before the enormous ornate gates, looking at the city of Sodom for the last time. We took with us several of our demonic minions to help carry our belongings, food, and water. We left our servants and everyone else behind to burn. After all, what were they to us? We would have no trouble finding humans to serve us and build our cities. As for demons? There was no shortage of them in this world… or the next.
Chapter 11
WICKEDNESS
Many stories have been told about the Sodomites. These people were notorious for their wickedness, and my mother had a part in making them what they were. I was certain I would find her amongst these people, and I readied myself for the confrontation.
The Sodomites were cruel to passing strangers. They offered no hospitality to outsiders, and they would not even sell them food or water. The thought of confronting my mother pushed me forward. When we came together the answers to my questions would be revealed, and once I rid the world of her evil, I would be made whole and my life would have meaning.
At a short distance from the main entrance of the city, I stood in awe of its lavish walls and gate. I did not know men had accomplished such wonders. The front of the gate was adorned with blue glazed bricks interspersed with rows of animals, such as lions and dragons, crafted in golden and russet-colored tiles. The gates appeared to measure more than forty feet high. As I approached them I noticed a small encampment near the entrance. At first, I thought soldiers might be camping there to prevent strangers from entering the city. Soon I realized I was wrong. These were destitute people—wasted old men, withered women dressed in rags, and emaciated children. I approached an aged man who stared at me with outstretched hand. I gave him the little water I had left and suddenly found myself surrounded by children.
“I have only a little milk, a piece of bread, and some dates, but you may share it amongst you.” I handed the food to a young woman with bright green eyes. Her beauty surprised me. Her fresh, clean fragrance, flawless skin, and clean, kempt hair were inconsistent with her tattered garments. She seemed incongruous amongst these people, but they accepted her. I watched her as she carefully dispensed the food. She kept calm and patient as the starving people squeezed closer, reaching out to her in a frenzy. She distributed all the food and kept none for herself.
“Are you not hungry?” I asked, studying her.
The corners of her lips moved upward a hint, but she ignored my question. “You are generous to give away your food and drink. Do you realize you may not be able to get into the city?”
“Oh, I will enter the city of Sodom, for I have an important matter there.” I straightened my spine, feigning confidence. “Who are these people, and why are they outside the city walls?”
“They are some of the underprivileged of Sodom,” she said. I detected a bit of sorrow in her voice, maybe sympathy, as she obviously did not identify herself as one of them. “City officials use any pretext to justify the removal of those they consider of no consequence. They select the old, sick, and lone women with children. They exile them to the desert with no provisions, to die.”
“You are not one of them, yet you’re among them. You disguise yourself in order to help them.”
She gasped and took two steps away from me. “Who are you? How could you know I use a disguise?”
“You said, ‘they’ were the underprivileged of Sodom; you did not say ‘we.’”
She looked away, trembling. “What do you intend to do with this information?”
“Fear not, I mean you no harm,” I said. “I am a stranger in this land. I search for a woman, for I have a matter to set right with her. She resides within this city.”
“I can get you into the city,” she whispered, her voice little more than a breath. “You must give me your word that you will not mention anything you have witnessed to a single soul—not even this woman you seek.”
I chuckled. “Apologies. My visit with this woman will not include pleasant conversation.” I became solemn. “I accept your conditions. Please get me inside, and I give you my word, you will have my silence.”
She waved farewell to the people, and then she gestured for me to follow her. We arrived at a vast antechamber on the southern side of the gate. We sneaked through a gatehouse into a corridor that seemed a mile long, with walls that had to be over fifty feet high. The walls were adorned with a myriad of sculptural animals, flowers, and yellow enameled tiles. The path was paved with rows of yellow stones bordered by red stones on the outer edges. I gawked at the magnificence around me.
She slowed down to wait for me. “You have never seen anything like this?”
I could not speak, but I am sure my face gave me away.
“This is only the entryway. The city itself is beautiful beyond words,” she explained. “Do not be fooled by the exquisiteness of this place, for its beauty serves only to mask the great wickedness of its inhabitants.” She watched me for a while longer and then walked on.
“What is your name?” I asked as I hurried to keep up with her.
“My name is Plitith.”
The pathway led to an immense temple, and she stopped near its back entrance. She hid behind one of its colossal pillars by the doorway and yanked me to her side. “We must not be seen entering or exiting this temple. Follow me closely and remain within the shadows.”
We stepped inside, embracing the sanctuary’s walls. Whenever we heard voices, we hid behind statues and furnishings. When we arrived at a doorway, she stopped to remove the tattered clothing and headdress she had on, exposing clean, neat garments underneath. She fluffed her dark, wavy hair and stuffed her disguise in a tall vase in a corner. She peered outside and then beckoned me to follow as she walked out into the light.
“My home is but a short distance away,” she said, crossing her arms. “You may rest there awhile. You need drink and food before beginning your search.”
“Thank you. You are most kind.” I waggled my eyebrows and rubbed my hands together while twisting my face in ridiculous ways to make her smile.
“You must keep at a short distance from me as you follow,” she said, giving me a little evanescent smile.
“Why?”
“In the city of Sodom, offering hospitality to strangers is forbidden and is punishable by death.” I noticed her trembling hands as she spoke.
Her walk was almost a dash, and I trailed at a distance, trying not to look her way.
I hurried through the city of Sodom and kept my eyes busy admiring its splendor. There were many massive palaces and temples, radiant and striking in color and architecture. Gigantic statues reached the skies, and multilevel gardens of trees, flowers, and plants were built on terraces supported by brick columns. The elevated trees and large hanging plants gave the effect of a lush mountain landscape seemingly hanging in midair and spectacular to behold.
I stopped short and took in a sharp breath. A girl, no more than twelve years old, was hanging upon a city wall. Her body was bare and disfigured by raised bumps, sores, and swelling. I was compelled to come closer, drawn by the horror. I stared at her petite body, as I sensed my insides being pulled apart with revulsion. A distinctive, sweet, flowery scent rose from her body, adding to the sensation of unease and discomfort rippling inside me.
Plitith, who had been a good distance away, returned to find me staring at the wretched creature hanging on the wall.
She tugged on my arm. “We must not delay.” She looked around, biting her lower lip. “Please follow me. We are in danger of being noticed,” she whispered.
But I was fixed to the spot. “Who was she? What did they do to her? And why do they display her body as such?” I took my eyes off the girl for a moment and searched Plitith’s face for answers.
“She was a sweet girl. I knew her well.” Her eyes glistened, and she pressed her lips together in grief.
“What manner of evil was done to her?”
“The Lilituens are responsible for this and for every wicked
act in the city. They worship a deity called Lilith,” she said, her voice little more than a hoarse croak, as if sorrow sought to quash her tongue.
Listening to her name made my blood run cold.
“Her nude body was smeared in clover honey. Bees attracted by the honey came in swarms and swathed her. She screamed at first…” She wiped the moisture from her eyes. “But clusters of bees penetrated her mouth and stifled her cries. She died of multiple bee stings—punishment for having fed a starving beggar.” Plitith’s legs faltered, but I took her by the arm and prevented her fall.
“You witnessed this?” I whispered.
“Yes.” She blanched, and I was certain she would vomit.
Lilituens—worshippers of Lilith? My heart pounded and each throb brought pain. I balled my fingers into a fist and struck the wall with all my might, cracking some of the lavish tiles. I watched the pieces fall, and I spit on the ground where they laid.
Plitith yanked on my arm again. “We must leave now. There are men approaching us.” She released me and rushed in the direction of her house. I waited a few seconds before following her. Before we could get too far, a group of Sodomites surrounded us.
“Where are you going?” said a bald, heavyset man who stood before her. “Why do you make haste?”
She moved to the left to pass him, but he did not allow her to advance.
Plitith crossed her arms, eyeing them with defiance. “I am on my way home. I was due back hours ago.”
The man grasped a handful of her dark hair and sniffed. “What delayed you?” He let her hair slip through his fingers and turned in my direction, leering at me as he approached.
His eyes ogled every inch of my body as he ambled around me. “You are a fetching young man.” He licked his lips and grinned at the other men. Some returned his smile; others jeered and snickered. Then, he moved so close that he almost touched the tip of my nose with his.
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