THE TEMPTING

by D. M. Pratt

  Eve held the ancient book on her lap. In the glow of the dashboard lights, she turned the time-weathered pages. There were whole sections from writings of Enoch. There were chapters on the language of the Angels, quotes and passages from the Dead Sea Scrolls, and quotes from the Philosopher’s Stone along with several pages on the science of Ankh and the Ananuki of Niribu and rituals from the Egyptian Mystery schools. She touched pages filled with symbols of mathematics called sacred geometry: anagrams, tetrahedrons, pentagrams that came together and formed four-dimensional shapes and a host of images and references to the Kabala Tree of Life. The section that fascinated her most contained drawings of what had to be portals; one swirling with light and one a vortex into the dark. They spun on either side of a planet she assumed was Earth.

  Chapter after chapter described rituals of ascension, step by step, complete with precise incantations. Only they weren’t written in any language Eve could read. Only the drawings allowed her to understand what was to happen. One set of pictures was obviously designed to evoke good and banish evil, the other to evoke evil and banish good. In the end, one word was repeated … Nephilim. From the pictures she could see they were divided—one side light and good, the other side dark and evil. The last drawing showed in great detail that Earth was at the center of the universe and at the apex of some kind of eternal struggle. “For what?” was the still unanswered key question that tortured Eve’s mind.

  “You must understand the dark to know the light,” Eve read aloud.

  “You can read that?” Mac asked.

  “It’s Latin. I took four years in high school,” Eve told him. “It looks like it was translated from Sanskrit into Persian and then into Latin.”

  “But what the hell does it mean?” Mac asked.

  “I don’t know,” Eve replied.

  She ran her hands over the last page, tracing the large letters of the final words of the book, which were in English: ABOVE ALL, DO NO HARM. THE REST IS WISDOM.

  The car stopped. Outside the wind howled and Eve could hear the crash of metal on stone as the gates rattled before them. The huge arch that loomed above them read Thibodaux Hospital and all eyes looked ahead as they entered the gates.

  “I’m afraid to die,” whispered Delia to Philip.

  “Death should be the least of your fears,” Philip whispered back to her as Eve listened.

  Chapter Thirty Four

  The dimly lit road inside the hospital complex twisted and turned through the bayou’s forest that surrounded the facility. They reached the main administration building just as the wind and rain fell into a soft lull. Lightning and thunder rang out across the lake that lay on the far side of the facility.

  Eve watch the flickering lamps that lined the road sputter as searing streaks of lightning reached out from the cloudy firmament. She counted the seconds after each flash until the roar of thunder reverberated off the bayou, so she could determine how close the storm was to them. In the brief moments of light, Eve could see the trees, whipped and beaten, waving their arms at the sky and bending low in humbled submission in the face of the wind. The car finally stopped in front of the main administration door as Eve looked out the window.

  “I feel like I’ve done this before,” Eve whispered, a hint of fear in her voice.

  “Yeah, I know,” Mac said. “The same but different. Kind of a de ja vu, but different. Ya know?”

  They exchanged a knowing look. The quorum sat for a long moment looking up at the administration building when suddenly the large wooden front doors swung open.

  “Look,” Delia said pointing. “They’ve come for us.”

  Aria was the first to come out. Why and how she had gotten there was a mystery to Eve. She was sure the answers would lie inside. She was grateful to see her. Aria raced to the car and opened Eve’s door.

  “Help me get the kids in,” Eve told her.

  Mac grabbed the old book that had fallen from her lap to the floor and jumped out. Mac opened Delia’s door, doing his best to protect both she and the book from the rain. He gathered the little girl into his arms and they raced for the entrance. Mac glanced back as Aria opened the back door and embraced Philip. She led Eve and Philip as together they ran inside.

  They all walked past the outer entry and stepped into the main atrium. Waiting for them was Dr. Afrine Kasatah. There was no mistaking her. She was the mirror image of the photo Eve and Mac had seen on the internet. Afrine was incredibly tall, easily more than six feet, with a river of salt and pepper hair plaited into a loose braid that hung like a rope down her back. Eve tried not to stare, but it was impossible. And those eyes, those infinite, piercing, chocolate eyes made Eve feel weak and joyous just being in her presence. Standing with her was Dr. Cheney Renfroe, Philip’s pediatrician, as well as all the women she’d seen that day in her office, and Dr. Stevenson who had cared for Eve and then Philip. All three of the doctors looked worn and frazzled, excited by what they knew was coming. Behind them Eve saw Aria with a warm towel drying Philip’s face lovingly.

  “Look how you’ve grown,” Aria said.

  Philip smiled and hugged her, holding on as if he knew something Eve didn’t. She watched them, wondering.

  “Are you ready?” Aria whispered.

  “I think so,” he whispered back to her.

  “If you think so, then you are,” Aria said with a brave smile.

  There were other people, perhaps twenty or so, who Eve didn’t recognize, at least not at first. She studied their faces and realized where she’d seen them. Again, flashes of the room she’d entered in her trance when Dr. Honoré put her into a hypnotic state flooded into her mind. This time she saw more details of the place and people who watched the event; the door, walls, altar and the men who seduced and sensually prepared her on the altar for … what … what? But those six men were not among these people. These were the people who stood behind the men. The watchers. Two of the younger women rushed forward to close the door and seal out the rain and wind. Eve came over as Mac set Delia down. He watched as Eve dried Delia’s and then her own hair. Mac wanted to help, to touch her tresses before … before … Eve looked into Mac’s eyes embarrassed by what she saw there. Embarrassed and yet grateful. Delia ran to Aria. Mac followed behind Eve and took the towel. He turned her and gently wiped her face. They shared a smile.

  “We have to get through tonight. If we do that, all truths will become evident. Does that make sense?” Eve asked.

  “Nothing makes sense, but I’m not afraid. Are you?” Mac asked.

  “Me? I’m terrified. Maybe a little less knowing you’re here. Thank you, Mac, for trusting me,” Eve said.

  “Get away from her,” a voice shouted from across the room.

  A chill ran through Eve’s bones as she turned and saw, standing in the shadows … Evine. Taller than Eve remembered her, with her mane of silver white hair and mix-matched eyes, Evine stepped into the circle of light that fell from the central chandelier.

  “I talked wit Beau. I did nah brought him, cause he’s nah safe to have around you and neetah is dis one,” Evine said looking at Mac. “Not cha fault, just the truth. You have your job and ya’ll know when the time comes. For now, you stay back from her. No much time left,” Evine said. “Ya hear me, Eve Dowling?”

  “And that’s if you believe you can stop Kirakin,” Gathian said to Eve as he strode in from behind Evine. “I will help you as best I can, but you know this war is yours.”

  Gathian was magnificent: strong, tall, handsome. In an instant he was inches from Eve.

  Mac stepped forward protectively, but a rush of energy from Gathian’s hands sent a field that stopped him in his tracks. Mac felt as if he’d hit a glass wall.

  “Stop!” Eve commanded. “Release him.”

  Gathian looked at her and released Mac.

  “Not him! You need me,” Gathian said to Evine.

  “You know dat an untruth well as I,” Evine said. “You can do notin for her here in this reality. What sh
e needs dis night is beyond your powers. If she chooses you after dis night is over, dat is when you’ll have your chance.”

  “She needs to know who she is,” Gathian said.

  “Da cause ya know well’s I do, she alone da one wit da power. Always has been. You da one da need her. You and dat demon, Kirakin need her to exist and she da one who got to stop him and his kind from crossing in. Now ya stay back. Ya hear me? Ya help us or ya get thee gone.”

  Gathian looked from Evine back to Eve.

  “I don’t understand what you’re talking about?” Eve asked Evine, her eyes on Gathian.

  “Ya’ll know soon enough, chil’,” Evine replied.

  “Together, we can be the keepers of good. I will help you fight this battle Kirakin has raged in any way I can.” Gathian said.

  “Not this night,” Evine said. “This night you will watch.”

  With that Gathian looked at Evine, bowed slightly and stepped back, joining Afrine. “Her fate is in your hands,” Gathian said to Afrine.

  “Then it’s time we get started. Lead us to your sanctuary,” Afrine said to everyone.

  Eve and Afrine walked together down the long corridor that led to the back tower. Women stood in every open door watching her as the others followed in silence.

  “Who are these women?” Eve asked.

  “They have born the children of the future. Whose line they follow is up to you,” Afrine told Eve.

  Eve looked into the faces of the women. There was hope in their eyes. Somehow she represented their hope.

  “I don’t understand,” Eve said.

  “You have forgotten, but this night you will remember,” Afrine said.

  “Why do I feel I know you? As if I’ve always known you,” Eve said.

  “We have met many times, you and me,” Afrine said. “You are mother, sister, priestess, goddess, first, last and always. I am your first daughter and sworn guardian of your soul,” Afrine replied.

  Eve felt frightened and confounded by her words. For the rest of the way they walked in silence. Eve felt the force of people moving behind her, a kind of energy gathering as powerful as the storm that raged outside. Each step felt like she was part of an ensemble about to perform in a well-choreographed dance. Eve looked back as everyone ascended the stairs leading to the tower. There was admiration in the eyes of all who looked at her. She wanted to understand who they thought she was. Mac, ever the cop, was the observer trying to figure out how all these pieces of the puzzle fit together.

  When they reached the top-most room, they found standing outside its door a hundred children waiting. The children held glass balls of light and their eyes were filled with wonder and joy as they parted, allowing Eve to pass. Eve could hear their thoughts welcoming her telepathically.

  Evine halted the flow of people behind Eve before they entered the room. Eve knew it was to allow her to take in the love the children were offering her. Their thoughts and well wishes gave her strength and she thanked them, connecting to each with her mind.

  “You children must wait until you are called. Do you understand?” Afrine asked the children.

  “I’ll take them until the portals are opened,” Aria said.

  “No, Aria. Azura will take these children and dress them. Make them ready,” Afrine told Azura. “We will need your energy in the room,” Afrine said to Aria. “Take Philip and Delia with you as well.”

  Eve recognized Azura. She was the frightened young woman who spoke to her in the garden of the hospital outside the tower. She had a young son named Bo.

  “Will they be alright?” Eve asked, crossing protectively to Philip and Delia.

  “That’s up to you, Eve,” Gathian said.

  Eve turned to Philip and Delia and squatted to their height, pulling them to face her.

  “I don’t know what will happen, but I want both of you to know I love you. Do you understand?” Eve asked.

  “I’m not afraid,” Philip said. “I love you too.”

  Eve’s arms encircled him.

  “Everything will be alright,” Eve told him.

  “Where’s my mother?” Delia asked.

  “She can no come and you can no think on her, chil’,” Evine said to Delia. “Keep your thoughts only with de oter children.”

  Eve reached out her arm to invite Delia into their family circle. Delia raced into her embrace. After a good long hug she turned the children to face her again.

  “You two promise me you will just think only about each other for right now. Okay? Promise me. Okay?” Eve insisted.

  Both children nodded.

  “Hurry, Eve,” Afrine said, her voice flush with urgency.

  Azura took the children back down the stairs to wait inside a specially prepared room. Eve watched as the adults filed inside the first door to wait for Eve. Once inside she faced a second door, taller, darker and etched with ancient Druid symbols and hieroglyphics from ancient Egypt and Tibet.

  Afrine reached out to Eve to take her hand. With her touch, Eve felt a rush of pure kindness and boundless love surge through her fingers.

  “I can guide you through the ascension if you need me to,” Afrine said to Eve. “What happens to all of us after that is up to you.”

  “Me?” Eve asked. “What are you saying?”

  “Give her the book,” Evine said to Mac.

  Eve turned to face Mac. His eyes were filled with deep concern. He looked from Evine to Eve and came forward, presenting the ancient leather book as reverently as possible. He handed it to Eve and looked into her eyes. His concern and fear transformed into compassion. She could still see hints of worry and she knew it stemmed from not knowing or understanding what was to happen next. Those same thoughts spun in her head and around her heart and yet she possessed a feeling of enormous strength. Eve could see he cared and, as always, he was there to be her safe haven no matter the danger of the storm.

  “Eve, whatever happens … choose me,” Mac whispered, gently allowing his hand to rest on hers as the book passed from his to her grasp.

  Eve smiled as she took the book from him, allowing the feelings of love and strength from his touch to rush over her.

  “Let me hold it until you’re ready to read the words,” Afrine whispered, reaching for the book.

  Eve handed her the old book and watched Afrine take it as if she was receiving a new born child.

  “The Book of the Nephilim. I thought I would never again see this wisdom. It had fallen for so many millenniums into the hands of the dark minds. Those who wanted only to control this sacred planet and block the true light for which it was created. Thank you,” Afrine said. Her voice was grateful, rich and melodic. “We have been waiting for your awakening for a very long time, Eve.”

  “Waiting for me?” Eve asked. “How is that possible?”

  “So long ago you chose to leave your destiny and ignore your calling. Time immemorial has passed and you have erased your knowings, denied your true self. Now, it is with great honor that I tell you who you are.”

  The rush of fear surged back into her. She knew it was an old fear. One that she had run from a million times and only in forgetting had she found her freedom.

  “What if I don’t want to remember?”

  “You are de keeper of the sacred flame,” Evine told her. “You can no forget the truth of who you are.”

  “You, Eve, are Messiah of the feminine. The soul of power and the spirit of love and peace,” Afrine said.

  “Me? No, no, no. How is that even possible?” Eve said.

  “You will understand when your eyes are fully opened and you wake into the light. Come!” Evine told her.

  Eve’s thoughts went to Beau. At the same moment a blast of wind slammed into the side of the tower, shaking the stones and windows violently. The sound carried in it threat and danger.

  “Wipe him from your mind! Do not let your taughts go to him whatever you do,” Evine said. “Tonight, he is your greatest threat. Our greatest threat. Git dat in your head
and in your heart!” Evine shouted.

  “Your thoughts of Beau have just opened a possible portal for Kirakin. You should pray he doesn’t find him. Kirakin would rip through Beau to get to you,” Aria said.

  “Clear your taughts of Beau Gregoire if you want to stay alive. Tink only of yourself and what you must do to destroy Kirakin forever.”

  “It’s time. Is the room ready?” Afrine asked.

  Two of the doctors opened the final doors that led into the center-most room. Eve peeked inside. She could see it was almost empty of furniture except for a large wooden altar, a pulpit and a thousand, burning white candles. Eve could see there were no windows, the walls were of stone and the turret ceiling was made of wood.

  One by one they all entered the room. Eve looked back at Aria as she took her engagement ring off. It was her last connection to Beau.

  Chapter Thirty Five

  The rain blew sideways as the car was buffeted by the violent winds. Lightning flashed. A.V. drove as fast as he could, his eyes focused on the road. Beau watched as A.V. clutched the wheel so tight the blood drained from his knuckles, turning them white.

  “Why would they leave us behind?” A.V. asked.

  “I’m a threat to Eve and more important to what she has to do. I just want to be there for her when she’s done,” Beau said.

  A.V. glanced at his friend.

  “You really love her?”

  “More than I could ever even begin to explain,” Beau said.

  They drove in silence for a long time until Beau noticed a tear running down A.V.’s cheek.

  “Are you alright?” Beau asked.

  “I was flashing back on the night in the tree house we made…”

  “We agreed never to talk about it,” Beau said, stopping him.

  “I know, but you’re going to be with her for the rest of your life so I need to say this now. You know I like Eve. Someday, because you love her I’ll love her, and Philip stole my heart the first time he peed on my favorite, four-thousand-dollar Armani suit.”

  “I wish I’d had a camera to capture your expression. It was priceless. I couldn’t stop laughing,” Beau said. “But you changed his diaper and held Philip so gently, I wanted that picture too; my infant son and my best friend. You looked happy, A”