Isis took her place beside the altar.
The woman screamed again and the baby’s head crowned.
Obadiah walked up and kneeled before Isis. He handed Isis the Sacred Athame of Saturn. Isis took the athame and cut the umbilical cord, severing the newborn from its mother, holding the infant up in the air for all to see.
The music and the wild dancing came to an abrupt halt.
Isis’s enormous, white wings fluttered as she prayed.
“I offer unto you, High Priestess, the blood of this first-born. Our faithful servant, Saida, gives her baby for you, Lilith, to feast upon. Come forth, let the blood of this innocent babe nourish you and make you stronger.”
Lilith flew down to the altar, landing alongside Isis. She looked down at the crying newborn.
“Drink while the babe’s blood is still potent,” Isis commanded.
Lilith resisted at first.
“Drink!” Isis repeated.
Without warning, Lilith was consumed by an ungodly thirst for blood. Greedily, Lilith feasted upon the infant. Her teeth tore into the infant’s flesh. Surprisingly, the infant’s blood was rather sweet like honey. Dark clouds parted and Lilith’s body contorted. Her eyes turned blood-red, and then pitch black, the Eye of Saturn swirling in her pupils.
Obadiah, along with the temple elders chanted.
“Blood is the seat of the soul!”
The worshipers exploded in euphoria and began cutting themselves on their forearms, legs, and stomachs with knives and sharpened stones until blood gushed. Some worshipers slaughtered one another, drinking the blood of the slain, mimicking Lilith feasting on the newborn.
Abraham and Nashiema joined the blood orgy and began cutting each other, drinking the other’s blood.
Caught up in the madness, Gabriel ripped off his shirt, cutting himself deep across his chest with a knife. He grabbed Licia, who was dancing next to him. She tossed her hair to one side, lowered her head to his chest and greedily lapped up blood pouring from his freshly cut wound. Gabriel then cut Licia’s forearm and began feasting on her blood.
The Daughters of Saturn laughed wickedly, taking flight as the temple burst out into an orgy of blood-sucking. Musicians played louder and faster, drowning out the cries of the murdered and injured.
* * *
Lilith sat alongside the altar, emotionally disconnected from the blood orgy that was taking place all around her. She stared blankly at the bloodless, dead infant and the midwives, busy tending to its mother. Tears welled up in Lilith’s eyes. She tucked her massive black wings tightly around her, cocooning herself. She felt too guilty and ashamed to take her human form.
Many hours passed and the worshipers, musicians, and temple elders had long departed the shrine. Dusana and Asira finished praying by the ritual fire and retreated into the darkness, leaving Lilith sitting alone beside the altar.
Isis swooped down to Lilith and placed her hand on Lilith’s shoulder.
“Elidaelohim, why do you mourn the infant? With the blood of the sacrifice, you are the queen of both worlds now. Timelessly, you can travel beyond the veil of life and death,” Isis said.
Lilith looked up with saddened eyes. “Isis, you have never been human, you wouldn’t understand.”
Isis gave Lilith a sincere look, bowed, and then vanished.
“Elidaelohim,” Obadiah said, reaching for Lilith’s hand. “Come with me.”
Lilith stood and followed the Chief Elder to an elaborate, private chamber positioned deep within the temple. The chamber was gilded and had a dome-shaped skylight. She marveled at the night sky. The planets, stars, and other celestial objects looked so close, Lilith swore she could reach her hand up and touched them.
“Elidaelohim, now that you have been bestowed all of your powers and have become the keeper of the sixty Sacred Scrolls, there is something I must show you.”
Immediately, Lilith noticed six gold cylinders resting inside a gilded, decorative screen. She was instantly drawn to them.
“These are the Six Forbidden Scrolls of Saturn. They’re kept hidden in this secret chamber for safekeeping. The sisters brought them here many centuries ago, after a fallen god sought to steal their power.”
Lilith turned to Obadiah. “What are they used for, Brother?”
“These scrolls contain pure magick, the first words ever spoken by Saturn. Anyone wielding its power can open the Father’s all-seeing Eye and create worlds, transform beings, and unleash the Judgment Seat of Saturn.”
Lilith walked over to the gilded screen. She just had to touch the scrolls. She stretched out her hand, but stopped short. Lilith looked back at the Chief Elder.
“May I?”
“Yes, of course,” Obadiah said, taking a step back, bowing.
Cautiously, Lilith picked up a cylinder. Like Saturn’s sixty sacred scrolls, the tube was made of pure gold, but these were much heavier. The cylinder grew colder the longer Lilith held it in her hand. Her black wings fluttered with excitement. A surge of power rushed through the cylinder, giving Lilith’s arm a painful jolt. She jerked back her hand and the tube slipped out of her fingers. Expecting the scroll to the fall to the ground, Lilith reached for the cylinder, but it halted in midair and drifted back inside the gilded screen.
Lilith tried, but she could not take her eyes off the scrolls. She was spellbound. Then the scrolls did something unexpected. They began speaking to her mind.
“Elidaelohim, claim the forbidden knowledge. Seeketh our power! Open the gateway!”
Lilith’s lips formed a devious smile.
FINE WINE
Growing up the son of a powerful statesman, most of Felipe’s childhood memories were of kings and queens, and heads of states visiting their home. As a result, his father insisted on his sons being fully versed in many languages, which was something Felipe naturally excelled. He was a gifted linguist, fluent in Arabic, Portuguese, Romanian, Italian, French, and English, but another talent was about to be discovered.
Now eighteen and serving as his father’s apprentice at the statehouse, Felipe began to challenge his father’s narrow, and outdated political and social views, which often erupted in heated debates. But Felipe was unaware this was all part of his father’s plan to groom him into a statesman.
Although Felipe enjoyed debating with his father, there was one subject that was never up for debate—wine. Both father and son shared a passion for fine wine. With just a few lessons, Felipe could tell where a wine was from and what spices were added. A talent that would normally take years to develop, Felipe was an expert—astonishing everyone—including his father. Tomás didn’t waste any time exploiting his son’s natural abilities at social gatherings. Soon, Felipe was revered by many influential political leaders as Toledo’s official wine aficionado. He filled parlors and taverns, showing off his natural wine tasting ability, with Tomás by his side.
“This wine is from southern Italy. ‘The Land of Wine.’ Wait, I taste a hint of pears and almonds, bold, full-bodied, and satisfying—this wine is from the Irpinia Hills,” Felipe said, removing his blindfold.
The audience clapped.
Tomás clapped louder than anyone else.
Felipe frowned and looked in his father’s direction, when suddenly his face reddened. Tomás was entertaining two, buxom women in a darkened corner—playfully kissing and smacking them on their buttocks.
Felipe tried his best to ignore his father’s shameless, flirtatious romp and continued wooing the audience.
“This one is dark, robust, and full-bodied with ripe fruit flavors and has high alcohol content, better only take a sip. It has to be from the Salento Peninsula.”
“And what about this one, Felipe?” a man said, holding up a jug of wine.
“Ah, Señor, you wish to challenge me?” Felipe asked.
“Let’s make this interesting. If I may, I would like to place a friendly wager on your son’s wine expertise, Señor,” the man said, looking directly at Tomás.
“And you are?” Tom�
�s said, standing up.
The crowd parted and the man came into full view.
“Captain Hector Martinez, at your service, Señor,” the man said, bowing. “And may I say it is indeed an honor to finally meet the legendary Adelantado Tomás de Hayos. My commanding officer, General Ramírez, has shared many stories about having served under your impressive military leadership.”
Felipe studied the young, dark haired captain, carefully. He was a hulking man, in his early twenties and had an undeniably formidable physical presence, but he was puffed up with an arrogant male swagger that Felipe found insufferable. Felipe had heard rumors of the captain and his political aspirations, whispered at the statehouse. More specifically, Captain Martinez sought Tomás’ seat.
Although Felipe was confident in his wine tasting abilities, he hoped his father would not take the captain’s bet. Either way win or lose this could very well start a political war between the two.
“I am flattered, captain. Now, what is your wager?” Tomás asked.
Captain Martinez pulled back his jacket, revealing two leather satchels, clipped to his belt. “I am willing to wager one bag of gold coins.”
Tomás looked at Felipe.
Felipe gave his father a confident nod.
“Captain, how about we make this really interesting and wager two bags of gold coins?” Tomás said.
“All right, two bags of gold.”
Captain Martinez sat the unmarked jug of wine on the tasting table and handed Tomás a sealed document.
Felipe waved to his attendant for water. He deliberately drew a long sip, emptying the cup. He then gave the cup back to his attendant and walked over to the table. Felipe uncorked the jug and pulled a lace handkerchief from the sleeve of his doublet. He poured the red wine in a cup. He fanned the cup, allowing the wine to breath. Felipe looked at the captain and took a long dramatic paused.
The crowd gathered in anticipation.
Felipe took the rim of the cup and tilted it inward, funneling the aroma to his nostrils. He then swirled the wine in the cup and took a sip. Felipe sloshed the wine around in his mouth before swallowing it.
Felipe turned to the captain. “This particular wine, Captain Martinez, is called Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio, (tears of Christ) and it is grown on the terraced slopes of Mount Vesuvius.
Tomás opened the sealed document and read it aloud. “He’s right! Felipe is right!” He held the document up for all to see.
The crowd clapped and cheered. Felipe took a grandiose bow.
“Captain, I believe you owe me two bags of gold coins,” Tomás said laughing, motioning with his hands.
Captain Martinez yanked the two small, leather satchels from his belt, slamming them on the tasting table. He took a bow and abruptly left the tavern.
Tomás walked over to the tasting table and scooped up the two bags of gold coins. He gave Felipe a hug.
The two women Tomás had been entertaining earlier, walked up and kissed him. Tomás threw one of the leather satchels to Felipe.
“Son, you should get yourself something to eat. Looks like I’m going to be a couple of hours,” he said, laughing and walking up the stairs with the two women.
Felipe was stunned. He didn’t know what to make of his father’s vulgar behavior.
Why would he betray his mother like this? How could he? Did he not love her?
MY HEART IS THINE
Midnight caught Francisca at her writing desk, finishing the last of Felipe’s wedding invitations, when it dawned on her that Zaybeth’s eighteenth birthday was in one week. She had spent so much time secretly planning Felipe’s wedding, Zaybeth’s birthday had completely slipped her mind.
Since the loss of Victoria, Francisca had longed for a daughter. Alejandro’s birth was complicated, leaving her with no hope of ever having another child. Celebrating Zaybeth’s birthday was a way for Francisca to pretend she was planning her own daughter’s birthday. She wanted to give something special to Zaybeth for her birthday, but what?
Just as Francisca was about to give up and go to bed, she thought of the perfect gift. She composed a letter, signed her name and folded the parchment. She then placed a small, red glob of wax to the candle’s flame and sealed the letter. Francisca reached for her husband’s statesman seal and pressed the insignia into the softened wax.
“There, it’s official.” Francisca rang the servant’s bell. Moments later, a sleepy Eduardo came to the door. Francisca gleefully handed Eduardo two stacks of ribbon tied wedding invitations and one very important letter.
* * *
2 September, 1455. Zaybeth’s birthday party.
Zaybeth stood in the courtyard making idle chit chat with a group of girlfriends, when they abruptly stopped conversing in midsentence. Their eyes fixed solely on Felipe as he walked past. A few blushed and curtsied, while some deliberately dropped their scarves and fans in Felipe’s path.
“Señoritas,” Felipe said, bowing.
Zaybeth had to bite her tongue, when the young women craned their necks to sneak a peek at Felipe’s backside as he bent over to pick up the fallen articles.
“Everyone gather around!” Francisca announced. “We celebrate everything in this household, especially birthdays. Today, we honor Zaybeth.”
Gertrudis brought out a cake onto the patio.
“Feliz cumpleaños, Zaybeth,” Francisca said, clapping.
“Thank you Francisca. This really means a lot to her,” Maria said.
Zaybeth had untied the ribbon of her last gift, when the sound of horse hooves fast approaching the courtyard, startled her. She looked up and instantly recognized the young, blond, curly-haired man. She gave a wide smile. She pushed her gifts aside and ran with outstretched arms to the lone rider.
“David!”
The young man threw his arms around Zaybeth and picked her up, hugging and kissing her.
“Mother, come quickly! It’s David!”
Maria rushed over to greet her eldest son with hugs and kisses.
“David, it’s so good to see you. How did you find us?” Maria asked.
“Through an investigator Señora de Hayos hired to find me,” he replied.
“I wanted to do something extra special for Zaybeth’s birthday, so I made an inquiry. The investigator was able to track David down in Florence, Italy,” Francisca said, walking up with her family. “David, I would like for you to meet my husband Tomás and my two sons, Alejandro and Felipe.”
“It is very nice to meet all of you,” he said, bowing. “I cannot thank you enough, Señor de Hayos, for taking such good care of my mother and sister.”
“It has been my pleasure,” Tomás said.
“David, won’t you join us?” Zaybeth said.
The man reached into his jacket pocket, pulling out a small blue, velvet straw string bag. “Before I forget, this is for you.”
Zaybeth took the bag and opened it, pulling out a gold cross pendant on a gold necklace.
“Oh, David, it’s gorgeous,” she said, placing the necklace around her neck and fumbling with the clasp.
“Here, let me help you. Feliz cumpleaños, Zaybeth,” he said, locking the clasp.
Gertrudis made an extra place setting at the main table for David and prepared him a plate.
“David, how did you end up in Italy?” Maria inquired.
“After helping you and Zaybeth escape, Father told me I was no longer welcomed in his house. A friend, who has an uncle in Florence, made arrangements for me to stay with him, until I got on my feet. There, I was greeted warmly by Signor Leon Battista Alberti and his family. Signor Alberti, who is an architect, was impressed with my drawings and ideas, asked me to be his assistant.”
“I should have known you would be an architect. You have been building contraptions since you were little. What about Juan Carlos? Where is your brother? Is he with you?”
“No, he stayed with Father.”
Zaybeth and Maria gave David a sad look.
“Oh, I ne
glected to mention, I met a lovely girl. I know it’s only been a couple of months, but sometimes you just know when its true love. If her parents will give me their blessing, I plan to ask her to be my wife.”
“Congratulations,” Maria said. “Tell us all about her.”
“Well, her name is Sophia. We met in church... Oh, Sophia is so beautiful. I know you will just love her.” David turned to Francisca. “If it is all right with Señora de Hayos, I would like to bring Sophia here for a visit.”
“Oh, yes, of course. Tomás and I would be delighted. Wouldn’t we dear?” Francisca asked.
“Oh, yes, delighted,” Tomás said.
“My son, the architect,” Maria gushed.
Zaybeth had been so enthralled with her brother, she had forgotten all about Felipe, who was sitting next to her.
“Felipe, look at the lovely necklace my brother ...” she said talking to an empty chair.
Now where did he go?
She looked over her shoulder at the table where her girlfriends were sitting to make sure he hadn’t run off with one of them. The young ladies were all there, eating and chatting. Zaybeth gave a fake smile and waved. After the party ended Zaybeth struck out to find Felipe.
* * *
Fueled by David’s story about finding his true love, Felipe felt inspired. Today was the day he would declare his love to Zaybeth. Women always love to receive flowers, so Felipe set out to find a special flower to symbolize his love for her. He recalled as a small boy, helping his mother plant flowers in her garden. She explained that each flower had a specific meaning. White lilies, his mother’s favorite flower, stood for purity, while blue bells meant delicacy, and red roses for romantic love.
Felipe shook his head. “No, no, roses are too commonplace. I need a flower that defines my love for Zaybeth.”
Then Felipe remembered the wild patch of red carnations growing on the south side of the embankment of his private sanctuary. He smiled and hurried to his hideaway. Once at his refuge, Felipe spotted a hearty, dark-red carnation. It was perfect. He took out his pocket knife and cut the flower.
Eye of Saturn (The Daughters of Saturn Book 1) Page 7
