Before the Fall

by L. G. Castillo

  “Gideon has agreed to let Naomi and I keep his half of the herd as a wedding gift.” Jeremiel beamed.

  “That is good. It would have been difficult for him to manage them as well as the inn. He has no sons,” Raphael pointed out.

  “I can move them to the south side of the city. Levi is moving his family to Jericho and will sell his home for a fair price.”

  “That is good news, my son. Now you will have a place of your own to raise your family with Naomi. Isn’t that good news, Rebecca?”

  Lahash couldn’t help himself and glanced at his mother. Her hazel eyes looked at him sadly for a moment before she placed a smile on her face and turned to Raphael.

  “Yes, it is. You will be near us.” She patted Jeremiel’s hand.

  “Levi says I can move the herd to his land today if I want. Isn’t that great news, brother? You will finally have a space for yourself when I am gone.”

  “Yeah, great,” he mumbled.

  “Well, you’re in a sour mood. Why don’t we go fishing? That will cheer you up.” Jeremiel slapped him on the back.

  Lahash felt a growl grow from deep within his chest. He bit down on his tongue. Now was not the time to start an argument with his brother.

  “Maybe another time. You’ll be busy enough moving the herd.”

  “And you will need assistance,” Raphael said. “Lahash will help you.”

  He stiffened. It was bad enough that he had to sit through the morning meal listening to his brother and father plan a life where Naomi was taken away from him. And now they wanted him to help with that?

  “No,” he said in a low voice.

  The room grew tense.

  “What did you say to me?”

  This was not going how he thought this conversation with his father would go. If he wanted any chance at having his father agree to him marrying Naomi, then he had to get on his good side. It was almost impossible for him to think how he could manage to get his father to change his mind. The deal was made and to back out of it would reflect poorly on not only him but the entire family. Still, he had to try. He had promised Naomi he would.

  He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Naomi’s face appeared in his mind.

  Keep calm. You’re doing this for her.

  Slowly, he lifted his eyes to meet his father’s. “What I meant to say is that there is something important I wanted to discuss with you.”

  Before Raphael could speak, Rebecca placed a hand over his and said, “If it is important to you, my son, it is important to us. You have our full attention.”

  Lahash felt a lump in his throat. She knew what he was going to say, and she was giving him the opportunity to do so.

  “I know Gideon has accepted Jeremiel’s offer of his betrothal to Naomi. But there is something you don’t know about her that you should know. Uh . . . you see Naomi . . . I mean I have . . . uh...”

  He was rambling. He didn’t know how to ask his father in a way that would make him say yes. He glanced over to his mother for help. She smiled.

  “I think what Lahash is trying to say is that he and Naomi have been seeing quite a bit of each other. And he has grown very fond of her.”

  She stood and began gathering the plates from off the table.

  “You’ve been seeing my wife?” Jeremiel seethed.

  Lahash’s eyes flew to Jeremiel’s. “She is not your wife. You know nothing about her.”

  “And you do?”

  “More than you.”

  Raphael slammed his hand against the table. “There will be silence!”

  Lahash gritted his teeth. There was no way his father was going to say yes now.

  “Raphael, please,” Rebecca said as she looked at him with worry. “Let Lahash have his say.”

  Raphael looked to her, and his eyes softened. He stood and went to her, giving her a kiss on the forehead. “Of course.” Turning to the table, he looked down at him expectantly.

  “Go ahead, Lahash,” she encouraged.

  He stood and went to his father. He would get down on bended knee and beg if he had to. There was no way he could be without Naomi. “Father, I love Naomi. We have known each other for some time now and I have asked her to marry me. She has agreed.”

  “That cannot be!” Jeremiel jumped up quickly, the chair flying out from under him, crashing to the ground. “She has been betrothed to me.”

  He fought every instinct in him to turn and punch Jeremiel. Instead, he focused on the vision of Naomi’s face that he kept locked inside his mind and heart.

  “Father, I beseech you. Give the herd to Gideon on my behalf so that I may marry Naomi.”

  “You are asking me to go back on my word?”

  Lahash looked at the clay bowl in his father’s hands. He was holding it so tightly, he thought it would crack underneath the pressure.

  “Father, you cannot allow this. Lahash has gone behind my back to woo Naomi when he knew that she was to be mine,” Jeremiel said.

  “She was never yours!”

  Sapphire eyes blazed into his. “She was the one I wanted since the first time my lips touched hers.”

  Lahash’s breath caught and without thinking, he swung his fist, hitting Jeremiel in the jaw. His brother fell back, crashing onto the table. It broke under his weight.

  When he turned, he saw his father’s face turn red, his chest rise in anger. And in that moment, he knew there was no hope for him. If he was honest with himself, there never had been. Jeremiel was and would always be his father’s most cherished son.

  Then in a whirlwind of rage, Raphael hurled the clay bowl against the wall and charged at him, lifting him off the ground and throwing him across the room.

  “Raphael, no!” Rebecca cried.

  He landed in a crash against the wall. Without a second thought of what he was doing, he leapt to his feet and was about to lunge at his father when Jeremiel grabbed him, twisting his arms behind his back.

  He let out a cry. It hurt. In all the times Jeremiel had wrestled with him, he had never pulled on him so hard that it caused pain. He hadn’t realized how strong his brother really was.

  “Stop it, Jeremiel,” his mother begged. “You are hurting your brother.”

  “Naomi is to be my wife.” His voiced seethed. “It is my right as first born.”

  “Please, Jeremiel,” she sobbed.

  Raphael went to her, stopping her from going to him. She wanted to help him, Lahash could see that. His father wouldn’t let her.

  “I am so sorry,” Raphael’s voice was soft as he held his mother in his arms and she sobbed into his chest. “I know not what possessed me.”

  “I love them both. They are both my sons as well as yours. Do not forget that,” she said, looking up at him.

  Lahash struggled against his brother’s grip and he wondered what she meant by that. It was strange the way she was talking. It was as if his father needed a reminder that he and Jeremiel were both his sons.

  “Jeremiel, let go of your brother,” he said.

  Blood rushed through his arms when Jeremiel released him, and the pain intensified for a moment. He looked around the room and took in the chaos he had created just because he was in love with the same woman his brother wanted for his own. The broken table, the shattered bowl, even his mother’s tears were worth it if they meant he could be with Naomi. He had to try one more time.

  “Father, please—”

  “Lahash,” his father’s voice warned. “Jeremiel is first born and he has made his choice.”

  “Is there any other way? Perhaps if we go to Gideon?” Rebecca asked.

  Raphael shook his head. “An agreement has been made with the girl’s father. Jeremiel will be married to her soon. Lahash must be patient. We will find him another.”

  “Patient? You ask that I be patient for the day when you will find me worthy to show the love a father has for a son? To be patient for the day when you find someone who you deem fit to be betrothed to a lowly man like me? No, Father. The
re can be no other!”

  His clutched fists shook at his sides as he turned to his brother. “Naomi is not a prize to be won. She loves me. She wants to marry me!”

  He marched to the door, flinging it open.

  “Lahash, don’t leave,” his mother pleaded.

  He closed off his heart. He couldn’t bear the pain of hearing her voice. She was the only one that he would miss, the only one in that house who truly cared for him. He had thought that his brother would always be by his side. He had been wrong and that thought pained him even more.

  He turned to face his family one last time. They were leaving him no choice. He would have to take Naomi and leave just as they had planned. He would tell her to be ready to leave tomorrow night. That would give her time to say her farewell to her sisters. It broke his heart to think that Naomi would be shunned and might never see her family again. But it broke his heart more to think of a life without her.

  He looked from his father to his brother. He doubted they would miss him at all. His brother would be livid when he found Naomi had left with him. His brother was the obedient one. It was easy to be so when you had everything that you desired.

  Standing side by side, Lahash could see how much alike Jeremiel and his father were, with their golden hair and flawless features. Strength flowing through their bodies like the gods that people saw them as. All his life he had felt like the odd man out. He didn’t believe his father’s claim that he wanted Jeremiel to be betrothed to Naomi because he was first born or because the agreement was already made. It was because Raphael never saw him as his son. Maybe that was why his mother had to keep reminding him.

  “I am sorry, Mother. There is nothing left for me here.”

  And with that, he walked out, slamming the door behind him.

  24

  Raphael stared at the closed door as Rebecca sobbed into his chest, rubbing her back as her frail shoulders shook. He had done this to her. His anger. His inability to control it when it came to Lahash was tearing their family apart.

  “Mother, please don’t cry. I’ll bring Lahash back,” Jeremiel said.

  “No, let him be,” she said, pulling away from Raphael. “He needs time to himself. Please understand, Jeremiel. This is difficult for him. He loves her.”

  His blue eyes softened. “So do I.”

  “Does she love you?”

  He blinked with surprise. “I . . . I believe so.”

  “Has she told you?” She wiped the remaining tears from her eyes.

  “Well, not in those words exactly. But I know she does.”

  “How do you know?” Raphael asked. He had never thought of asking Jeremiel whether or not the feelings between he and Naomi were mutual. It was not something that was done. In fact, the woman was never asked who she wanted to marry. It was assumed that the girl’s father made the determination of who she would marry.

  “The way she looks at me. She gets a glazed look whenever I look into her eyes.”

  Raphael froze. “A glazed look?”

  Could Jeremiel be using his mind manipulation gifts without knowing it? His sons knew about their exceptional strength, hearing, and sight, but he had never told him about their ability to manipulate minds.

  “Yes. Her pupils grow dark and they seem to glaze over a bit whenever I get close to her. She has the look of love on her face. I am quite sure of it.”

  “Does she ever get headaches when she’s around you?”

  “I’m not sure. Sometimes she rubs her temples. Maybe she has a headache. Why?”

  Raphael glanced at Rebecca. Should he risk telling Jeremiel about this power? He had been fortunate that his sons never asked him how they came about getting their gifts. Perhaps it was because they saw Baka’s sons and their unusual strength. But if he told Jeremiel about mind manipulation, there was no doubt that he would ask how it was possible. That was the other problem. Jeremiel thought Naomi felt for him the same way he felt for her. It was possible that she did love Jeremiel but if he thought it was because of mind manipulation, it would hurt him.

  “Next time you speak with her, do not stand so close. Ask of her true feelings.”

  “All right, Father.” He looked at him confused. “Uh, Levi is waiting for me. I need to gather the herd. It will take all day without Lahash’s help,” he said as he went toward the door.

  “Give me a moment. I must speak with your mother first, then I shall join you,” he said.

  After Jeremiel left, he turned to Rebecca. “Rebecca, please try to understand. I do not mean to hurt Lahash.”

  “I know you don’t.”

  “I don’t know what has gotten into me. Each year it grows worse. I am so ashamed. I shall search for him on the morrow and do my best to make amends with him.”

  She wrapped her arms around him. “Raphael, I love you. That will never change. If I ask something of you, will you do it?”

  She pulled back and looked up at him. Hazel eyes looked at him, so much like Lahash. Why couldn’t he focus on that? Lahash was her son, of her flesh and blood. Why couldn’t he stop the nagging in his mind, the constant reminder of Lucifer whenever he was confronted with Lahash questioning his authority? With his slender body and dark features, Lahash was a vision of his mother, not Lucifer. He wanted to believe that. If only he could.

  “Is it about Lahash?”

  “Yes.”

  “I shall try. I always do.”

  She shook her head. “I need you to promise, Raphael. If you love me, please do this for me.”

  “What is it?” his voice was filled with concern. She had never pressured him before.

  “Promise me that you will look after Lahash. I know he is a grown man, but he needs his family. He needs to know that he is loved.”

  “Of course I will look after him. We have always taken care of our sons. Why do you speak of such things now?”

  “I am human, Raphael. My days are numbered.”

  Raphael shook his head. “We have discussed this before, Rebecca. We need not talk of it again.”

  He hated to think about what would happen when Rebecca grew older. He didn’t want to think about the dark abyss that would be left in his chest when she passed on from her life on Earth.

  “Please, let me finish. There will be a time when I won’t be here. Lahash will be without Naomi. He will be alone. I hope that someday he will find another as you say, but I know his heart. There will be no other for him.”

  “Rebecca, please...”

  “Promise me, Raphael,” her hazel eyes searched his. “Promise.”

  He let out a heavy breath. “I promise.”

  25

  Uriel scanned the square for any sighting of Lucifer and Baka or any of their followers. When he didn’t see them, he discreetly motioned to the two men who waited for his signal. They nodded and immediately looked at the surrounding buildings, taking note of entrances and places to hide. They took note of the distance between the buildings and the wall that kept the city safe from outside attack.

  Uriel leaned against the wall of the inn, hidden in the shadows of the alley next to it. He sighed as Joshua’s spies, Caleb and David, left to explore the south side of the city. He welcomed the darkening sky as it made hiding in the shadows easier. They were almost done searching the city. Maybe they would be able to leave undetected and he could lead Caleb and David safely back to Joshua and the army at the encampment outside the city.

  They had been fortunate that thus far they had not raised any suspicion. They had taken on the role of merchants and had dressed accordingly. He wasn’t worried about Caleb or David. They were from a small village and had never been to Ai. However, between his own frequent visits to Ai and Jericho, he could easily be recognized. Lucifer was well liked in Ai and it was possible he had sent word to the townspeople to be on the lookout for him. It wasn’t that he feared being captured by Lucifer. He just didn’t want his presence to ruin Joshua’s surprise attack on the city.

  “Why me?” he muttered
to himself. “How could I put them in harm’s way?”

  He looked at Caleb and David. He admired their faith and loyalty to Joshua. When he appeared before Joshua, he had thought he would have to convince him that he was an archangel sent by God. Joshua had accepted his word without question. Right away, he had asked for volunteers to join Uriel.

  Caleb had been the first to step forward. Uriel had been surprised to see someone so young among the ranks of Joshua’s army. To him, he looked like a boy playing in his father’s clothing. Caleb’s head barely reached the shoulders of the men around him. But when he looked into the boy’s dark brown eyes, he saw the look of a determined warrior. There was no fear in them.

  David had volunteered within moments of Caleb. His beard was thick with a streak of white that ran through the center. He reminded him of an ox, strong and bulky. David’s face was dark and wrinkled, weathered by the sun. If David’s eyes weren’t such a vivid green, they would never be seen under his thick bushy eyebrows.

  Although they spoke little as they traveled to Ai, Uriel discovered that at fifteen, Caleb had barely lived enough of a life to have it taken away so quickly should they be caught. David had five daughters and a newborn son waiting for his return.

  “What is your purpose?” Uriel mumbled, asking his question to the stars. It was dark now. The only light in the city came from the torches that hung along the building walls.

  There had to be a reason why he had specifically been sent when another angel could have taken on this duty and placed less risk on the mission.

  “Naomi, are you sure about this?”

  Uriel flattened himself against the wall when he heard Lahash’s voice. He looked around. No one else had heard the voice. Underneath the arch that marked the entrance to the alley, he saw Lahash with a beautiful woman.

  “Yes, I am sure. Where you go, I go. I want to be with you.”

  Uriel watched as they spoke in hushed whispers, planning to leave the city in secret. He smiled, thankful that at least Lahash would be gone. Though he wondered what Jeremiel would do when he found that the woman he was betrothed to had left with his brother.

  The clouds lifted and the moonlight shone on Naomi’s face. Her eyes gazed at Lahash as if he were the only person in the world.