THE FALL (Rapha Chronicles #1) (The Rapha Chronicles) (14 page)

Chapter Twelve

A Choice

Adam’s efforts were thwarted at every turn. Tall tunnels of stone, lit by sunlight that poured down from square holes set high in the walls, were suddenly plunged into darkness; then when he thought he had discovered another path—some opening that beckoned with better light or perhaps a long line of stones set one on top of the other like a chiseled mountainside—the new path would lead to a solid stone wall or even to a narrow, ascending series of carved stones that would bring him to yet another blocked passage. Many times his heart would leap with hope and he would run toward an opening only to find the sight vanished when he drew near and came upon yet another solid barrier.

When he once again smacked into solid stone where an opening had been seconds before, he beat his fists on the unyielding wall and commanded,
“Open and show me the way to Glory!”
The rocks moaned with a sound of pain and anger and—he could not believe his eyes—the walls around him expanded as if taking a deep breath in hopes of crushing him! An accompanying rage stole the air from his lungs and beat upon his senses while a dark malice pressed down, driving him to the hard floor.

The thing was thicker than Glory’s waist as it glided, a shifting, shining iridescence, like a wide stream of reflective water that retained its shape outside its banks in order to curve around her. She followed an array of dappled, luminous golds, greens, pinks, purples, and patches where the colors seemed to bend before her eyes—from deep blue to black or snowy white transforming to bronze. It was, simply, a captivating, astonishing entity. But she had not yet learned the meaning of astonishment. Her eyes traced the unbelievable length of this mysterious… something… until it widened and rose into the air. Were those wings intertwined in the high branches of the tree? Higher and higher the incredible sight drew her gaze until, finally, there they were, shining with an inner fire and staring, unblinking, back at her—eyes—frightening, beautiful, and brimming with intelligence.

Then, when she felt her heart would burst, it spoke.

“She fears because she does not understand,” it said in a low, soothing voice. Then it stepped away from the tree—on strong, well-formed legs.

When Glory fell backwards in astonishment, it reached for her, its wings unfolding above like a diaphanous canopy.

No longer needing the guise of a humble tutor, Rapha’s body glowed like a powerful flame and he rose into the air, a beacon to his forces. The bright beings appeared around him, several bearing the marks of heavy combat. Their tidings were grim. Enemy forces surrounded the garden’s borders on all sides, waiting. Unfortunately, Rapha knew exactly what they were waiting for.

When he felt he was drawing his last breath, Adam gasped, “Please, Adonai! Help me!”

The pressure immediately lifted, his dark surroundings melted away, and he blinked in the warm, green light of a pleasant glade. At its center, the trunk of a huge, smooth tree rose up, branching into myriad limbs that climbed high to flow in every direction, bursting into clusters of bright leaves and flowering smaller branches, each bending toward the ground, heavy with fruit. A movement at the foot of the tree drew his attention where he saw a man digging in the soil while a snowy white lamb dozed beside him.

A surge of frustration overtook Adam. This place was lovely and peaceful and already its wholesome fragrance had renewed his strength, but
why had Adonai not taken him to Glory?

He ran toward the man who remained, calmly digging in the dirt. “Please,” Adam shouted, “You must help me.”

The man turned to him and Adam recognized the Holy One who had instructed him through the night. Rather than answer, the man motioned for him to sit down.

“But there is no time! Even now she could be…” Adam’s protests died on his lips. The man was looking at him. In those eyes Adam saw empathy, peace, joy, compassion, boundless love, unfathomable pain, and even… hope. In fact, in that momentary connection, Adam felt he could look in those eyes and find everything he would ever need, never again requiring rest, food, drink, or instruction. He knew he was gazing upon the source of all things.

“Come and drink,”
the man said, offering the familiar cup to Adam.

“Please,” Adam said, “come with me. We have to save her.”

The man’s gaze was sad.
“I am unable to break the agreement.”

“I thought you had power over heaven and earth. What good are you if she remains in danger?” Adam shoved the cup away causing some of the liquid to splash to the ground. “Are you as
impotent
against him as Rapha?”

In an instant, Adam had to shield his face and throw himself to the ground. The man’s appearance was blindingly bright but the eyes were still clear, piercing into Adam’s innermost being. As if a veil had hidden them, a vast host of bright, celestial beings stretched in every direction, a multitude of witnesses to this moment. Suddenly, the fate of one man and woman seemed insignificant in the presence of such glory. Despair seized his soul and Adam bowed his head, trembling at the Holy One’s feet.

A gentle hand touched his shoulder. Adam opened tear-filled eyes to find the brilliant light was gone. The man lifted Adam’s chin and, with the sleeve of his garment, wiped away the dirt and tears. No sooner was the robe blemished with Adam’s filth than it was once again snow white.

“Understand, son of earth, if I break the laws that knit all creation, I become like the fallen one, putting creation under his power.”

“But what of Glory?” Adam’s voice was a tortured whisper, “I care more for her than all creation combined.”

“That is both your strength and your weakness. The evil one knows this.”

“Please show me the way to her. Time is passing.”

“This moment is enough.”

“Enough for what? You speak in riddles when Glory is in danger!”

“Her greatest danger lies in your decision.”

“There is no decision. I have to help her any way I can!”

“How you choose to do this affects all that is and will be.”

Adam dropped his head into his hands, “How I wish that weight could pass from me. The reward of her smile every day would be enough.”

“There was a time Adonai’s favor was enough.”

That stung, reminding him Glory existed due to Adonai’s love. “But she is more precious to me than my own body.”

“More precious than the One who created her?”

Guilt assailed him. Now that the issue was laid bare, he could not look in the Holy One’s eyes. “She is my flesh and bone,” Adam whispered to the earth from which he was formed.

“Adonai knew the danger when He gave such a precious gift, but His nature is to give.”

The Holy One’s voice was full of compassion, giving Adam the courage to look up. “Please. I must go to her.”

“But I AM what she needs. Hear my words, trust me, and you will have power over evil.”

Glory was frozen with horror as an arm—so like those of tiny lizards but one hundred times the size—came near. Was it going to crush her? Pick her up like a ripe fruit and eat her? Even in that terrifying moment, she could not help but admire the intricate markings around its eyes and triangular nose as well as its luminous skin that glowed from within like a pulsing, flawless jewel. It was a reptile, like those she saw every day in the garden, but transformed into a superior being that stood before her with majestic grace. It paused before her wide eyes, its huge hand still outstretched… to assist her? As if she was about to plunge into icy waters, she gulped and reached for the finger that was as large as her forearm.

The hand looked damp due to its sheen, but it was surprisingly dry, cool, and smooth. Glory stared at that hand and gave it a quick squeeze, as if to prove she was not dreaming, before releasing it in haste with a mumbled apology as soon as she scrambled to her feet. She wanted to ask so many questions as her eyes raced to take in the creature’s entire length, but all Glory accomplished was another gasp.

It, too, studied her, sweeping its unblinking gaze the length of Glory’s body and returning to her eyes as if measuring her intelligence. Finally it said, “
This
is the new order?” in a voice disarmingly refined and most assuredly feminine.

Was she weighed in the balance and found wanting? Glory had no time to decide before Lucifer’s voice once again flowed over and through her.

“Yes. This is Adonai’s most glorious creation. ‘Glory’ is an appropriate name, wouldn’t you agree?”

“A definite improvement.” The amazing being smiled—at least she thought it did—the expression seemed to soften before a forked tongue flicked her way.

“Glory, allow me to introduce Ra-el, Empress of this humble domain.”

The amazing creature gave a subtle nod of acknowledgement.

“You, my dear, have glorious possibilities before you.” Rael spoke with exaggerated sibilance. Each word was melodic and lilting, their gentle beauty soothing Glory’s pounding heart even as the unblinking gaze held her spellbound.

The young woman simply nodded.

“‘What?’ you may ask, ‘could be more glorious than being queen of the world?’” Ra-el drew herself up to her full height, displaying the shimmering, muscular expanse of her underbelly, and spreading the membranous wings. “Yes, I am beautiful to behold. But consider; if Lucifer had remained obedient to the Maker’s plan, my years would have been spent shuffling through the dust, unable to speak or reason.” Again the beautiful eyes with the long, narrow pupils sought hers. “If not for Lucifer, that is where I would be to this day.”

Glory attempted to process what she was hearing; the words were so beautiful it took intense effort to decipher their meaning. Was Ra-el saying Lucifer was helpful and Adonai was stingy?

“No! Adonai has never shown anything but love!” The words that burst from Glory’s lips sounded coarse in comparison.

The two glorious beings shared a pitying look. Once again, Lucifer spoke.
“You see only what He wants you to see. Why do you think you dwell within walls? Adonai would say they are for your protection, when their purpose is to keep you blind.”

“That is not true,” Glory’s mind was grasping for reason. “We receive constant instruction. Our tutor tells us about life outside the walls,” again she moved toward the exit.

“Ah! Rapha. Your trusted tutor. I am sure he would want to give his version of history—leaving out the part where he shed innocent blood.”

The shock of that statement froze her.

Lucifer gave a dismissive gesture with his hand.
“Ask him yourself. He will not deny it.”

Glory stood, wounded and confused. If what she was hearing was true, even a bit true, whom could she trust?

Lucifer, as if reading her thoughts, continued,
“I can understand why you would not trust me, ‘Lucifer! His very voice is evil!’”
He echoed Rapha’s serious tones perfectly.
“But what if he keeps you from me so you will remain content in your cage?”

She winced and shut her eyes, wanting to hide from the cruel statement even as it struck a discordant note of truth. Thus Glory missed her host’s look of triumph.

As Rapha sensed Glory’s mounting confusion and vulnerability, an inferno of rage mounted within him. Visions of storming the stronghold assaulted his mind again and again. He had never felt so strong in protective love for another and yet so horribly exposed. Glory and Adam had become his own heart beating outside his body. He would gladly give up his place beside Adonai if only they could be spared the devastation Lucifer desired.

He longed with every fiber of his being to give in to the power of his emotions. He was capable of rending the stones of that fortress with his thoughts. Wasn’t this the appropriate time to utilize that might? But the memory of the last time he had succumbed to rage smote him. That would be exactly what Lucifer expected—and most likely what he
desired
.

With a silent command Rapha’s eyes swept his surroundings and clusters of opposing celestial beings became visible, perched high on the towers, watching from the trees like eager vultures. Yes, they were hoping for a frontal assault. That was what they understood.

Another sharp pain pierced his heart as he felt the bond of the girl’s trust in him begin to crumble. “No, Adonai. Please, no.” He whispered as he knelt, desperate to hear and obey his Maker’s will.

A comforting hand was on his shoulder. He looked up to discover the One who had restored him on that horrible day when a flash of his angelic power had resulted in death and devastation. Large tears ran down the Holy One’s face. At His appearance, the rogue celestial beings took flight.

“Please, refresh yourself.”
Her host extended an array of monstrously large fruits but the girl declined, her heart too much in turmoil to be tempted.
“What?”
He laughed disarmingly.
“Will the grapes wrap their vines around you and pull you down to darkness? Will the apples bite back? Ah! Look here. This cluster is angry for having been plucked!”