The Fall of Lilith

by Vashti Quiroz-Vega

  Satan took the infant and placed it upon her torso. The newborn slithered toward her head, led by its long, black tongue, which split into two prongs at the tip. The baby used its tongue to smell the milk in Lilith’s breasts.

  “Feed our offspring, for I sense his hunger.” Satan raised his chin. She shook her head and scrunched her nose, but the small being reached her breast and began to suckle. She clenched her hands into fists so tight, her knuckles turned white and her nails cut into her palms. Blood from her hands dripped to the ground.

  There was compassion on Gadreel’s face, but Samael’s face revealed only disgust. They left her side. “I cannot go on witnessing this horror,” Samael told Gadreel in an undertone.

  “Stay, please do not abandon me.” Lilith trembled.

  Gadreel glanced over her shoulder at her, but Samael pulled her away. Lilith’s eyes burned with hatred as she watched them walk away.

  Satan jerked her head in his direction. “I see how your face contorts with revulsion for our son.” He glared at her clenching his jaw. “There are worse ways to suffer.”

  She shuddered and stared at him silently.

  “This is my firstborn,” Satan said, standing straighter jutting his chin. “Be certain he grows healthy and strong. Should any harm come to him, your own life shall be forfeit.”

  Lilith bobbed her head.

  “His name shall be Dracul!” Satan lumbered away, abandoning her, like the others, to her motherly duties.

  She wilted against the tree, and paid languid attention to her newborn. The nursling stopped suckling and fell asleep on top of her. She placed him on the ground by her side.

  Lilith glared at the infant and shook her head. “I shall take suitable care of you, for your father demands it be so. You shall grow big and strong as he wishes, for my life depends on it, but I shall never love you.”

  Chapter 41

  Lilith’s Illusive Design

  The fallen angels witnessed many grand pas de deux performed by the sun and the moon. Gadreel and Samael grew closer with each passing day. “Since the day Lilith injured you, Satan has not taken possession of me,” Samael said.

  “That makes me very happy,” Gadreel said in a flat tone.

  Samael narrowed his eyes. “You do not look pleased.”

  Gadreel looked at him. “Oh no, I am happy for you, but my mind is occupied with thoughts of Dagon and my little mermaids. I have lost hope of ever seeing them again.” She hung her head. Samael moved closer and place an arm around her shoulders.

  Lilith took good care of her infant, not because she loved him, or because she had any maternal instincts, but simply because the quality of her life was directly related to the wellbeing of the child. If anything happened to him, his father promised her a fate worse than death. So Dracul grew into a strong, healthy boy.

  Lilith’s relationship with Satan became even more tense, cold, and unpleasant. She feared he no longer treasured her as he once did, which meant she might not be able to bring her plans of revenge to fruition. This was a great burden in her mind, as her thirst for vengeance grew with each passing day.

  It had been a long time since Satan attacked her in the form of the red fiend, and she did not know if it might be to ensure she was well to care for his son, or whether she no longer appealed to him.

  One morning as she sat feeding her child, she noticed Samael and Gadreel sneaking away together.

  “You stay here under this tree, Dracul. I shall return as soon as possible.” The child smiled and nodded.

  She followed them to a small grotto they had been using as a love nest. She hid from their sight and watched as they engaged in sexual feats. They seemed blissful in each other’s arms. Lilith’s eyes narrowed as she witnessed the lovers. “They experience great pleasure and happiness while I suffer.” She watched them with a sour expression and crossed her arms. “I am consumed with desire to see harm befall those who have wronged me.”

  She stormed to the beach and began to think of ways to put herself in control once again. It was her thirst for vengeance that willed her to go on living. While her son built objects in the sand, she hatched a plan. Her scheme would change everything.

  That night as her son slept, Lilith minced her way up to Satan, her mind fixed on a plan.

  “My prince.” It had been quite some time since she called him such. “It has been too long since we lay together. I miss you.”

  Satan cocked his head and narrowed his eyes. “You wish to lay with me?”

  “I yearn for it,” she told him with bated breath.

  “You know what I shall become if we do this.”

  “I no longer care.” She looked down and shrugged. “The red being is part of who you are, and I desire to embrace every part of you. I love you. The love I feel for our son has taught me this.”

  He tilted his head to the side and smiled in return. “I have never stopped loving you. You are as beautiful and desirable as ever.” He gazed into her eyes. “It also pleases me to know how much you cherish our son.” She stroked his arm as she listened.

  “Has he not grown big and strong?” She beamed. “Only a mother’s love can ensure that.”

  Satan took her into his arms and embraced her. As her head lay on his chest she wore a sardonic grin.

  She pushed away and gazed up at him through her lashes. “We must forget the unpleasant things that have transpired between us in the past. Let this be a new beginning for our sakes and for that of our beloved Dracul.” She licked her lips.

  He smiled a smile that crinkled his eyes and nose and then he cocked his head back and laughed. He kissed her tenderly and it was simple to see that he believed all of her deceits.

  He made love to her in the form of the red fiend, and she moaned, stretched, and gyrated playing the part of happy and satisfied lover. She often turned her face and grimaced in disgust and displeasure but her need for justice was great. She believed she was validated in her indignation and her need to retaliate for hurts to her body, mind and sense of identity. She had lay dormant for too long; now, she would do whatever was necessary.

  Afterward, she lay in Satan’s arms, caressing and kissing him as she had always done to his angel form––only he had not transformed yet and was still the red fiend. He looked content and relaxed. She devised her next move.

  “My darling prince, I believe it is time we left this beach. What say you?” She widened her smile, which in her experience could open more hearts than a dagger.

  “I must admit, I have been thinking of moving on for quite some time.” He ogled her. “Where should we go?”

  Lilith caressed his red face and stared into the black hollows that were his eyes, and tried not to tremble. “You mentioned once you desired to find the Garden of Eden––a grand and flawless plan. Samael has already been there and can indicate the way.”

  Satan frowned.

  “If you are concerned about our son, you need not fret,” Lilith said. “He is robust and intelligent like his father. He shall only grow stronger and wiser with this journey. Imagine the life we could give him if paradise was our home.”

  “The Garden of Eden is protected,” Satan said in a tight voice.

  “Samael spoke of strolling into the garden without difficulties. He only mentioned Cam as the protector of the garden. Cam is strong, but he is but one, whereas we are four.” She leaned forward.

  Satan cocked his head left and rolled his eyes to right corner of the sky. “What of the humans inhabiting the garden? They shall not freely give up the home God provided them.”

  “No, my prince, but if seduced and corrupted by us, they shall feel compelled to leave.” Lilith kissed Satan’s face as he pondered her scheme. “If not, we shall expel them ourselves. Once they have sinned against God, they would no longer have his protection or that of the holy angels.”

  Satan grinned and nodded. “When the next day gives way to night, we shall begin our journey to the Garden of Eden.”

  She lea
pt into his arms, kissing him and laughing with delight. He chuckled.

  Lilith embraced him. Soon her plans would come to pass and she would have her vengeance.

  The next morning, she was up with the sun, anxious to tell their plans to Samael and Gadreel. She found them asleep in each other’s arms in their trench near the water.

  “Rise, my friends! I have wonderful tidings for you,” Lilith shouted.

  Gadreel jolted awake. Lilith loomed over her, standing in front of the sun, which outlined her form with radiance. Her face was alive with joy. Her long hair floated in the sea breeze. Rarely had she seen her so cheerful.

  Gadreel nudged Samael and he awakened.

  “Tell us your joyous news.” Gadreel rubbed her eyes.

  “Satan has decided we shall leave this coming night in search of the Garden of Eden.” Lilith’s tone was cheerful.

  Gadreel and Samael glanced at each other, their eyes teeming with dread.

  “We are happy here.” Gadreel tilted her head and furrowed her brow. “Why would we leave this place?”

  “You are merely comfortable with familiar surroundings. Think of how much happier we would be living in paradise,” Lilith said.

  “Although we are not far from the Garden of Eden, the journey shall still be arduous, and when we arrive, we shall not be welcomed.” Samael frowned, and bit his lip.

  Lilith rolled her eyes skyward. “We have grown lazy and complacent on this beach, but we do not belong here. We merit much more than the humans. We deserve to live in paradise.” Lilith’s demeanor was sweet, but assertive. “Do not concern yourself about the journey’s toil. We have been through much worse. As for my son, he is powerful like his father.”

  Samael threw his hands up in the air, his arguments spent.

  Gadreel wrapped her arms around herself. “By entering the Garden of Eden and attempting to occupy it, we would once again disobey God and challenge the holy angels.”

  Lilith waved a dismissive hand. Gadreel lowered her head. Lilith was again in power.

  “Prepare for the journey, for as I told you, we leave this night,” Lilith said with a honeyed voice before proceeding to her son.

  She woke Dracul, fed him and took him to the shore. She had a feeling Satan would be observing her every move over the next few days to ensure things were truly set right between them.

  So Lilith built sand figures with her son, frolicked in the ocean with him, and lavished him with cuddles and kisses. Everything expected of a loving mother, she did for Satan’s eyes. When the midday sun grew strong, she took Dracul and Satan to Gadreel and Samael’s secret grotto, pretending to have discovered it. She lay her son down and when Dracul fell asleep, she seduced Satan and made love to him again and again to fortify her dominance over him.

  When her son awoke, she tended to his every need. Lilith put on a great show for Satan and the others. As the night grew closer, the fallen angels gathered coconuts, figs, dates and water to bring with them on their journey. They also made sunshades out of enormous leaves. They held on to the large, thick leafstalk, and the leaf lamina shielded them from the sun’s rays. When the sand ceased to glitter like thousands of tiny crystals, and touches of pink and purple covered the sky, they began their journey to the Garden of Eden.

  Chapter 42

  Schemes Set in Motion

  They traveled inland for many moons, heading northeast through the desert. They flew above mountains, resting only during the midday sun to feed Satan’s son. Dracul had grown significantly since the onset of their quest.

  “Are you certain we are headed in the right direction, Samael?” Lilith appeared weary of travel.

  “Indeed, I did say the journey would be arduous.” Samael licked his lips.

  “Yes, but you also spoke of the Garden being close at hand.” Lilith scowled at him.

  “We are close now,” Samael said to the others’ sounds of relief.

  Satan grinned at his son, who did not seem burdened by the demanding trek. Dracul was no longer a small child, but a strong boy. The horns on his head were beginning to curve back like his father’s. His small, pointy teeth had developed into fangs. His canines were predominantly larger, longer, and sharper than the rest. His nails grew into sharp claws, which Lilith filed down with rocks on a daily basis so he would not accidentally hurt her. His snake tail grew long and strong, boasting an assortment of colors like the pale blue of the late morning sky and the rich azure of twilight. His tail also displayed the yellows and gold of the setting sun, the intense green of emerald crystals, and the shade of fresh blood.

  Coconut milk and figs no longer satisfied Dracul. He and his father hunted rabbits and other small animals whose blood gratified Dracul, and whose flesh was shared amongst Satan, Lilith and Samael. Gadreel still refused to consume animal flesh.

  Dracul was cunning and intelligent like his mother and strong and majestic like his father. He was also becoming an eloquent speaker.

  “We are fortunate, Lilith,” Satan said, “for we have not encountered any of the dangers you, Gadreel, or Samael suffered when you traveled through the desert and over the mountains.”

  “Fortune and chance have played no part in this, my love. We are simply better prepared this time, since we now know what to expect.” Lilith arched a sly brow. “We have brought along plenty to eat and drink to keep us strong. We have fashioned sunshades to cover us. We know what to do when the sun is at its most fierce. We also recognize which areas to avoid and fly over, thus this knowledge has kept us safe.”

  “You are wise as you are beautiful, my treasure.” Satan kissed her hand.

  Gadreel rolled her eyes and shook her head.

  “I wish to fly, Father, now that the sun is mild,” Dracul said.

  Satan stroked his son’s head. Together, they took flight. Lilith and the others followed.

  Dracul’s black, leathery wings boasted twice the span of his small body. He was able to fly at great speeds, his long multi-colored tail moved sinuously behind him. From the sky, Samael saw a familiar sight in the distance.

  “We have arrived in paradise!” Samael indicated the verdant patch. “There! The green cover in the distance with the four rivers flowing beyond it in four distinct directions.”

  “What do we do now?” Lilith looked at Samael. “We cannot just land in the garden.”

  Samael shook his head. “We should land a short distance from the garden and walk inside as I did beforehand.”

  The fallen angels landed as he advised, a brief walk from the entrance to the Garden.

  “I glimpsed a large, dense growth of trees from the sky. It is right beyond the Garden. Perhaps we should camp there until we have a plan,” Lilith said.

  Satan nodded. “That is an inspired suggestion. We must have a plan of action.”

  The angels moved by foot to the nearby forest.

  Gadreel stopped short of the woodland’s entrance. “Have you forgotten the forests surrounding Guidance Park in Floraison? They were dangerous, dark places, bursting with hostile vegetation. What if this wilderness is equally perilous?”

  Lilith heaved an exasperated sigh. “Everywhere we turn, we run risk of pain and death. This planet does not care about any of us. We are but bits of dust passing through. We were banished from Floraison to suffer on Earth, while God’s humans live in paradise, oblivious to pain, sadness, and suffering. This is God’s design, but we shall ruin His perfect plans with our own.”

  The others stood silently listening as she spewed venom.

  “My prince,” she said. “I think we should venture into the Garden together. You can spy on Adam, while I observe Eve. I am certain that together we can devise a plan to corrupt God’s prized creations.”

  Satan nodded with raised eyebrows. “Your words are wise, and I shall heed your plan. Gadreel and Samael, you stay hidden in the forest. Lilith and I shall enter the garden. I leave you responsible for my son.” Satan directed his fierce gaze at Samael, who gulped.

  Li
lith and Satan proceeded toward the Garden of Eden. Gadreel and Samael took Dracul by the hand, and entered the forest.

  “Gadreel, why do you squeeze my hand so?” Dracul creased his small brow.

  “Apologies, little one. It was not my intention.” Gadreel twisted her face in fear.

  “Do not be frightened.” Dracul stood straighter and pushed out his chest. “I shall protect you.” Gadreel patted his head. Samael chuckled.

  She pointed to a small cave not too deep into the woods. “Perhaps we could wait in this small cavern. It appears to be harmless.”

  They entered the hollow and settled in.

  It was not long before Samael and Gadreel became involved with each other, and Dracul grew bored. Distracted by their sexual spree, they did not notice Satan’s son exiting the cave.

  Chapter 43

  Tainted Innocence

  Lilith and Satan proceeded into the Garden of Eden. As they stepped across the threshold, they experienced feelings that were difficult to put into words––a joyous tranquility, as if a heavy load had been lifted. The lighting was unique to any they had seen on Earth and closer to the magnificent light of Floraison and the temperature was perfect. The unique hues and effects of trees and flowers captivated them.

  “Behold! Some blossoms seem to glow, while others shimmer.” Lilith stared openmouthed.

  Trees possessed a life of their own: some bore enticing fruit, while others had leaves that produced mellifluous melodies as they quivered in the soft breeze.

  Satan grinned. “Strolling on this lush, soft grass is like walking on air.”

  Lilith stared wide-eyed at the exceptional scenery. “I have never beheld such sights. It is a shame this place has been wasted on humans all this time.”

  “We should now go on separate pathways,” Satan whispered. “I shall locate Adam. You find Eve.”