Lilith screamed, and a vine shoved leaves in her mouth to muffle her cries. Once the spiny vines bound her, the other plants settled down. Although her wrists and ankles burned and stung, she thought the worst was over. Her breathing slowed and then she saw something that stunned her: a plethora of insects. All manner of bugs flew, crawled, and scuttled toward her.
Lilith’s eyes opened wide. She had never seen these ugly little life forms. The insects advanced, swarming. They climbed her legs. Some crawled under her garment, while others scurried over, gnawing at the thin cloth. They continued scuttling and landing over her. Never in her fifteen ages of existence had she experienced such fear.
Soon the pests covered every inch of her, until only a quivering mass of insects in her form remained. The leaves stuffed in her mouth muffled her wails as they crawled over her body, into her hair, and in and out of her nose and ears.
She shut her eyes. The sensation was maddening and the pain excruciating.
She suffered this agony for two days. Thoughts of Michael and Lucifer––her conviction that the others looked upon her with disdain tormented her. Michael had betrayed her and it was his fault she was there. Lucifer was willing to suffer the same fate to be with her. Feeling lonesome and abandoned she wept for the first time. The physical and mental pain from the punishment outweighed the pleasure she derived from her acts. This surprised her. She suffered great anguish wondering if she could endure long enough to make amends. Would this experience change who she was?
At the start of the third day, the flying insects took flight, leaving her body. The creepy-crawlies remained, but at least Lilith’s eyes were uncovered. The vines came alive again, thrashing through the air, threatening to whip her, coming close, but never touching her.
Her heart thumped in her chest. She did not know how much more she could take. Her head spun with exhaustion. The vegetation in her mouth forced her jaws agape. Her saliva moistened the leaves, breaking them down. By the fourth day the bitter, rancid, and repugnant juices of the plants in her mouth oozed down her throat.
She gagged and retched until the bolus of leaves finally plopped out of her mouth. She gasped. She tried to scream but could not render a sound. Bugs invaded her mouth, as she swallowed some became lodged in her throat. She had a coughing fit and her eyes bulged in desperation. She wheezed and coughed until the bugs passed and she drew air in. She screamed with her lips wedged shut and wailed until every muscle in her face and neck ached and she was exhausted.
Suddenly, the vines twisting around her ankles unwound, releasing her legs. The vines around her wrists fell to the ground. Lilith did not move, afraid of the crawling life forms covering her face and body. After the vines released her, the insects abandoned her as well.
When all the insects had disappeared, she scanned her surroundings. The forest was silent, and the vines were still. She heard a familiar voice.
Lucifer called her out of the forest.
*
The injured angels were taken to their rooms as God commanded. There they remained until their time had been served. At such time, Michael, Lucifer, and Cam came to get them, and they entered the River of Life to be healed. By the third day they were healed and suffered no more, but Lilith still remained in the East Forest.
Gadreel went to sit outside the golden double doors leading to God’s throne room. She prayed that He would be merciful and release her friend from her punishment. She sang songs of praise to Him. In the afternoon, Gadreel and many other angels went to Guidance Park and sat near the edge of the East Forest to pray, sing, and play divine instruments, hoping Lilith could hear them.
On the fourth day Lucifer approached the edge of the forest and called Lilith to come forth out of the darkness. She emerged from the woods and trudged her way into Guidance Park.
She was nude, pale, and her face was slack. A film of brown insect saliva covered her body and her usually lustrous, unsullied brown hair was a grotesque nest. She stared straight ahead as if in a trance. Scratches, cuts, and welts marred her ankles and wrists where the spines had been buried.
The angels around her cringed and stared in eerie wonder. Gadreel sprang to her feet and ran to embrace her, but when she got close she stopped, recoiled and puckered her face. The stench rising from her was suffocating and vile. Lilith turned her face to look at her.
“How is it that you have emerged from the East Forest with only injuries on your wrists and ankles?” Raquel asked. “And what happened to your garment?”
Lilith looked at her with vacant eyes. She opened her mouth to speak, but snapped it shut. She took a few steps forward and staggered. Despite her feelings of repulsion, Gadreel put her arm around her and helped her move ahead.
“Beelzebub, go and fetch a garment for her,” Raquel said. “Make haste––our laws prohibit nakedness, and we do not want her punished any further.”
Beelzebub sprang to his feet and hurried to Sonnoris to get clothes for Lilith.
“It pleases me that you are fine,” Raquel told Lilith. “It intrigues me that the others were so injured when they emerged from the dark woods.”
Lilith felt hot and dizzy. Everything around her began to spin, and she saw white spots. She lurched, but Gadreel held on to her. “Perhaps we should sit her on the grass.”
Michael minced his way to her. Lilith’s lips screwed into a disgusted grimace and she groaned gesturing with her arms for him to stay away. Michael’s shoulders slumped. He looked broken.
“Please keep your distance, Michael. She does not want your help.” Gadreel frowned with a sob in her throat, and beckoned Raphael to come help instead.
Raphael stepped forward. He turned his face away, wrinkling his nose and mouth as he helped Lilith to sit; her acrid smell was quite unpleasant.
Beelzebub arrived with a garment for her. Gadreel and Raquel helped her put it on and sat near her, anxious to hear what she would say about her experience. Raphael and other angels gathered round to listen too. Michael sat at a distance. He wanted to listen but did not want to upset her.
A flood of angels gathered to hear her words, her account. Lilith stared at them. Even as a youngster she was of interest to so many. She wiped her brow repeatedly and gulped.
“The vines––” she started in a raspy, low voice. She cleared her throat and tried to speak again. “Menacing vines tied my limbs to trees by my wrists and ankles, and threatened to tear me to shreds the entire time I was in there.” Lilith’s mind began to buzz. She showed the inflamed wounds around her wrists and ankles. Many of the angels stared, and some grimaced at the marks.
“The plants hovered in front of my face, always threatening. They crept around my feet, played with my hair, and intimidated me with their sharp, red spines.” Lilith covered her face and hung her head. She peeked through her fingers and scanned the many faces enthralled by her words. She began to feel energized by the attention.
“All manner of tiny creatures––life forms never seen by any of you––swarmed around me,” she said. “These small beasts covered my entire body.” The others gasped and cringed. She saw how her mere words affected them. She lowered her head to hide a satisfied smile.
Gadreel rubbed her shoulders and back.
“Go on, Lilith!” Beelzebub rubbed his forehead and looked at her wide-eyed.
Gadreel stared at him, disapproving of his impatience. He shrugged his shoulders.
“I suffered maddening pricks as the small creatures ate my clothes. Bitter, pungent odors racked my senses. And there were horrible sounds!”
“You did not hear our singing and the music we played for you?” Gabriel asked.
“All I heard was the scuttling, rubbing, and slithering of the creatures in and around my ears, the eerie sounds of the vines’ wing-shaped leaves beating furiously, and the thunderous crashing sounds of tree limbs giving way under the weight of the vigorous plants. They fell around me, and I thought at any moment, a large branch would fall and crush my body. The wind howled
wretchedly through the heavy vegetation. The small creatures blinded me at first, but then the flying life forms that had scurried over my eyes took flight. When I opened my eyes, I saw the vines’ long red spines pointing at me, ready to puncture my eyeballs at any moment. I could not move or even blink.”
“How did you endure?” Esar’s ears wiggled.
Beelzebub pointed at them and cackled.
“Quiet, Beelzebub! Let Lilith speak!” Gadreel reprimanded.
“At the beginning of this day, I believed I could take no more. The creatures had devoured my garment, and I was covered in this foul smelling goo. Vines loomed all around me, ready to strike. The wing-shaped leaves, with their sharp prickles, were flapping. Powerful odors continued to fill my nostrils––mingled with the stench of fear and pain. All my senses were bombarded with horrible sights, smells, and sounds. It was unbearable.”
Gadreel’s eyes glistened with sorrow for her friend. The angels stared openmouthed at Lilith.
She looked at their faces. So many of them suffered for her. One thing she learned through this experience was that her words were mighty and influential.
“Suddenly, the vines fell to the ground and scurried away from me,” she said. “I heard Lucifer’s voice calling me. A tunnel of light appeared before me, and I did not hesitate to walk through it. When I reached the edge of the tunnel, I had entered Guidance Park.”
“Thus, the vines never flayed you, like they did me and the others,” Gadreel said.
Lilith shook her head.
“God saw fit to punish you mentally rather than just physically,” Raquel said.
“Why?” Beelzebub asked, looking bewildered.
“Perhaps a physical punishment alone would not have shown Lilith the lesson He wished her to learn,” Raquel said. “We should not question His methods.”
“What lesson did you learn, Lilith?” Esar asked.
“Physical and mental punishments are equally powerful,” Lilith said. “I shall never disobey God’s laws again.” And she would never trust Michael again. She no longer carried him in her heart.
Gadreel smiled and hugged her despite the smelly slime that covered her. Beelzebub rushed to partake in the hug and scrunched his nose. Raquel laughed and embraced all three. Gabriel glanced at Esar, and they both joined the group hug.
Lilith chuckled, and the distress she endured began to melt away. Now that she figured out she had the power to manipulate the minds of others, she would use it to her advantage and grow powerful in the sight of God and the angels. She would make it so that the others found their existence lacking without her influence, and then they would do all that she asked. She supposed she should be wiser in executing her plans. She did not intend to get caught again.
Chapter 5
Developing Attractions
God established principles and regulations applicable to every angel from the beginning. They knew that the two most important pledges of an angel were obedience and celibacy. The angels must be meek and totally devoted to God, and anything that interfered with their devotion was abolished.
Nothing was so powerful in drawing an angel away from God as the caresses of another. Carnal love was strictly forbidden. The selfish indulgence of such appetites was beneath the angels and would steer them away from their true calling, which was to serve, entertain, and worship God. Nudity in the presence of another angel was unlawful. Lascivious acts were punishable by imprisonment, expulsion from Floraison, or death, depending on the severity of the act.
The angels obeyed God’s laws, but in time their bodies and minds began to develop. At seventeen spans of existence they were no longer children but not yet adults. With age and physical changes arose confusing awareness and temptations. As their bodies changed and matured, so did their emotions.
*
Raquel and Jetrel lay chatting on the soft, green grass in Triumph Gardens, when Fornues and Dagon zoomed past them.
Raquel sat upright and watched as Dagon chased Fornues through the meadow. His long, flowing strands of corn-silk hair swayed rhythmically in the soft breeze. It mesmerized her. “Look!” She shoved Jetrel. “He keeps his wings tucked against his body, honoring the rules of the game.” She rose to her knees and cheered when she saw him gaining on Fornues.
Fornues’ auburn locks seemed ablaze in the glorious light of Floraison. His immense size made his body unwieldy and slow. He glanced behind him and saw that Dagon was about to tag him and win the game. Hence, he expanded his wings and used them to gain speed and propel himself ahead.
“No Fornues! You are breaking the rules of the game to gain advantage!” Raquel jumped to her feet and put her hands on her hips.
Dagon stopped and looked at her.
“If Fornues had not broken the rules, you would have won the race,” Raquel told him.
“I am aware of this.” Dagon chuckled, amused by her concern. “I allow him to use his wings on occasion. I know it gives him a slight advantage, but he needs it, for his height and large build make him sluggish.”
“That is not fair,” Raquel said. “Each one of us must make the best of what God has given us.”
Jetrel nodded.
Dagon gazed at Raquel’s face and stroked his chin. “Why do you fret about whether or not I let Fornues win?”
“Since you always allow him to attain victory, you never win. Once in a while, I would like to see you be the champion that you are meant to be.”
A small smile played on his lips. “We must make the best of what God has given us. Are these not your words?”
Raquel nodded.
“When Fornues is content, I am happy. He is most pleased when he triumphs. So when he wins, does that not make me victorious as well?” He tilted his head to the side, making eye contact with her and wearing a coy, flirtatious smile.
“Yes, it does.” She flushed a bright pink and stared at the ground.
He lifted her chin. “You should never stare at the ground, for God has given you the most striking green eyes I have ever seen. I envision the wonders of nature in them.” The way he gazed into her eyes made her squirm.
“Dagon!” Fornues hollered from a distance, disrupting the moment. “Make haste! Lucifer requests our presence!”
“I shall be right with you, my friend!”
Dagon caressed Raquel’s soft, rosy cheek. He moved closer and whispered goodbye against her ear. He took a few steps backward, never taking his eyes off her. Ultimately, he spun around and ran to Fornues.
Raquel quivered as her eyes followed him until he progressed beyond her sight.
Jetrel peered at her, looking at her sideways.
“Why do you stare at me thus?”
Jetrel released her wrinkled nose and crumpled brow and shrugged.
“I do not understand why my heart beats so swiftly, or why there is a warm tingling sensation circulating throughout my body,” Raquel whispered under her breath. “Dagon––”
Jetrel came closer. “Did you say something?”
“No––nothing important.” Raquel sighed.
“We should go and see what is happening,” Jetrel said.
“Yes, good idea.” Raquel nodded and grinned. Together they ran in the direction they saw their friends go, beyond the hill toward the running path.
Ahead on the path, Dagon met Fornues. Together they ran to Lucifer, who stood at the beginning of the open trail used for running exercises.
“What is taking place here?” Dagon noted Michael, Raphael, Esar, Hashmal, Beelzebub, and Gabriel all gathered around Lucifer.
“We are organizing a contest of speed,” Michael said.
“I shall not be racing.” Fornues kicked a pebble as he grumbled. “I have little chance of winning.”
“I cannot say I blame you, brother. Mountains were not meant to sprint.” Beelzebub snickered. The others laughed. Fornues was amongst the tallest and broadest of the angels.
“Stop your useless bantering, Beelzebub!” Fornues stomped his foot
.
Beelzebub continued with his mockery. “Do not be angry, my friend, for I am pleased you are so big. I have more of you to tease.”
Some of the other angels hid their giggles behind their hands.
Dagon scowled. “You are not amusing!”
“Clearly, I am. Judging by some of your brethren’s reactions.” Beelzebub extended his hand to demonstrate those who were laughing.
“Enough!” Hashmal emitted small flames from his mouth as he shouted. His irises became red coals, and his hair stood on end.
He jumped, still startled by his ability, since he yet held little control. “I do not understand why I am the only angel capable of breathing fire, but I remain faithful God gave me this gift for some great purpose and––”
“How do you begin an argument with a redhead?” Beelzebub dared to interrupt in his ongoing quest for attention.
“How?” Lilith swaggered toward the group.
Both Hashmal and Fornues were redheads. They glanced at each other and waited, displaying reluctance for the punch line.
“You simply say something!” Beelzebub and Lilith laughed.
Hashmal eyed Lucifer, letting him know he needed to take charge of Beelzebub. He was the only one who could stop him once he got on a roll.
“That is enough! It is time to begin the competition.” As Lucifer spoke, Beelzebub stopped his mockery. He walked past Hashmal, giving him a vilifying glance. Lilith watched with admiration how Lucifer took command. He spoke and all listened.
“Who wishes to participate in this race?” Lucifer asked.
Michael, Raphael, and Gabriel offered to compete.
Jetrel and Raquel approached the group as Lucifer recruited racers. Jetrel saw that Michael was participating so she joined in too. Raquel smiled and patted her on the shoulder.
“I too shall race!” Dagon positioned himself with the group of competitors.
“As shall I!” Esar said.
“Why?” Beelzebub sneered. “You are but a hair smaller than Fornues! You could never win. You would need three pairs of wings just to get you going, and this is a leg race, but maybe you can––” Beelzebub met Lucifer’s gaze. The frosty blue eyes turned his core to ice and rendered him speechless.
The Fall of Lilith Page 5
