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

by Chana Keefer

  “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!”

  She responded with a shy smile. When Lucifer smiled back, her knees once again felt unable to support her and she looked away, an intense heat flushing her cheeks.

  Glory could feel his eyes searching her. “I do not want to frighten you.” His voice was soft and low, a caress that made her lean forward to savor every word. “I know you believe I am a monster.”

  She looked up to negate that statement and the force of his presence made the words lodge in her throat. He was so beautiful and his eyes… oh! His eyes stroked her soul, convincing her no one ever had or ever could understand, as he alone understood, what an amazing creature she was. She could not look away. Possibly, she was not even breathing. All that mattered was the connection between them. That would be her sustenance.

  “Give me your hand.” He held his out to her and she looked at it. His hand was the most exquisite, desirable thing she had ever seen. The skin appeared golden and silky, yet firm and—she discovered she was jealous of that skin because it clothed the perfect hills and valleys that traveled up his arms to his muscular shoulders and across his chest and down to—she gasped. Her eyes had followed her mind with a will of their own. Once more she felt heat rush to her face.

  She wanted to look anywhere else but he filled her entire vision and inserted a thought directly to her mind. “Take my hand and everything else is yours.”

  “I cannot!” she shrieked and the rest of her body rebelled against the words. “Adam!” Her mouth spoke again though she could hardly recall the owner of that name. “Adam said… I mustn’t.” The words were painful to pronounce.

  Lucifer turned away to hide his triumphant smile. So the man had tried to warn her about him? Such efforts were futile. Very soon the war would be won. It was all too easy.

  And you, Rapha? In his mind he taunted the faithful angel whose presence hung about Glory like an evaporating morning mist. Your efforts are just as foolish. She is a ripe fruit longing to be plucked, and you are powerless to stop me.

  How he wanted to laugh and dance! He was drunk on the power of pain from a threefold source: the man’s fear and helplessness, Rapha’s impotence, and, the most satisfying of all, the grief of Adonai! If just being close to his victory brought such satisfaction, surely he would explode when…. He breathed in her desire. It emanated from her, intoxicating and satisfying. He would teach her. He would mold her to his hand. He would open her eyes to wonders she could never imagine. He would delve deep into her soul and draw out every treasure Adonai had buried there. With every discovery, every exquisite pleasure, he would possess her more and more completely. Then the real fun would begin.

  Do you hear me, Adonai? His hatred flung the thought toward his Maker. I will savor her torment because, with every pain, every betrayal, every breath of despair, every time she cries out begging for death, You will feel it.”

  He glanced toward the radiant, pure young woman. How he was going to enjoy devouring her. And this time he would draw forth sons worthy of him, the perfect army to overthrow Adonai’s dominion!

  He looked toward Ra-el, the towering queen of the past age. If that could be manipulated from Adonai’s original creation, he could not wait to see the heights that would be attained through humans!

  Ra-el flinched and Lucifer reveled in her jealousy. No matter. He aimed the hateful thought her way, your usefulness has passed. He directed another lust-filled wave toward the girl, whose eyes glazed as her young body trembled. You have been replaced.

  But, he had one more task for his former queen. Ra-el’s powerful will ground against his and her eyes narrowed to slits—she had always been a formidable delight! But with one flick of his thoughts he forced her compliance, and through
clenched jaws, Ra-el spoke.

  “Woman, the delights in store for you are beyond compare. You were told you would die if you touched Lucifer, but I tell you, you will surely not die but instead will gain understanding. I should know. I would be nothing without him.” The hateful glare from the creature would have slain a lesser being, but it only served to heighten Lucifer’s ecstasy.

  With another casual toss of Lucifer’s thoughts, Ra-el’s wings fell once, and she began to rise, her malice boiling in the cauldron of her heart into a poisonous bile. How she longed to strike at him! His delight soared as she rose and flew toward the high wall. The combination of the girl’s desire and the ancient one’s hatred formed a dizzying elixir. All that intensity was aimed toward him. Good or bad, as long as he was the focus of their idolatry, he had achieved his goal.

  Glory’s eyes were closed as she wandered in a fantastic dream. Lucifer, like a vapor on the wind, appeared behind her. She was his for the taking! His desires were within his grasp! Just one last obstacle to overcome.

  “Look at yourself. Open your eyes to what I see in you,” Lucifer whispered.

  The girl sighed with delight at the pleasure of his voice and her eyes were quick to do his bidding. Suspended in the air before her was a sparkling vision of herself, robed and crowned, as all creation groveled at her feet, captivated by her wisdom and beauty. Lucifer stood beside this glorious creature, devouring her with his eyes. But something was missing.

  “Adonai,” the girl whispered.

  “Adonai has hidden the truth from you.” Lucifer’s hand was suspended above her head, manipulating her thoughts like puppet strings. “Where does He dwell when He is not with you? Where do your faithful teachers go every day? Have they ever offered to take you with them? Have they ever offered to make you one of them?”

  Those words were devastating. Adonai had always been the core of her existence, but was He keeping something from her? With that thought came a rush of anger. Did the heavenly hosts believe she and Adam were not good enough? Did Rapha want to “keep them in their place?”

  Lucifer’s voice flowed once more. “Look around at my handiwork. The horse does not envy the eagle’s flight, the owl possesses the lion’s strength. But Adonai would say they are an abomination.” When he spoke again it was with a near sob of longing. “Ah, the plans I have for mankind. They would share celestial glory, would enjoy knowledge of wonders far beyond this earthly realm.

  “You are called ‘Glory’ and that is what you will bring to all creation. Your deepest longing is to heal the strife, and end the pain of all the Earth. That is my greatest desire as well. It can be done without forsaking those outside these walls. Our combined power will heal their pain. Join with me. When celestial and earthly are one, there will be no more envy, no more reason for war. The peace of our garden will belong to all.”

  Lucifer stepped away with a heartbroken expression, “My compassion was my undoing. Other celestials were willing to allow mankind to remain ignorant, but I longed to… teach them to fly!” At that moment the huge, owl-like, horse-sized creature swooped from its perch with a screech, soared low over their heads, then began to circle higher and higher into the deep blue of the cloudless sky.

  Glory gazed toward the creature’s graceful arc, her breath coming in sharp, pain-filled gasps. As the longing played across her features, Lucifer reached a hand toward her hair but when his fingers touched the barrier of light a painful jolt threw him backwards. With lightning speed he masked his fury. By the time she turned toward him, he had managed a pitying smile.

  “Adonai has even surrounded you in His might to protect you because He knows flesh of the Earth is vulnerable. If you join with me, your body will no longer be weak. You and your offspring would take on invincible, celestial strength.”

  He took a step toward her, focusing all his will against that forbidding barrier of light. Sparks flew between them. The tension was fascinating, pure white holding back a fractured array. He laughed, “Ah well, Adonai insulates His children even when their desires contradict His.” With a gracious shrug he strolled toward the feast and reached once more for the silver goblets with the shimmering, red liquid. “We will share a drink. You will agree to ponder my offer and I will try to be patient. It is probably for the best. A decision this momentous should not be rushed.”

  Lucifer held a goblet toward Glory. She hesitated, searching his face for one eternal moment. Then she lifted her eyes skyward where the soaring creature was just disappearing into the light of the sun.

  With a trembling hand, she reached for the proffered goblet. When her fingers brushed his, a tongue of fire flared from the cup.

  The Holy One beside Rapha doubled over with a moan and lost his footing for a moment as a low rumble spread out beneath them. “The veil is torn. The deceiver will deal the fatal blow.” With tears flowing down his cheeks, He turned to grasp Rapha by the shoulders. “Only blood will cleanse his corruption. All creation will groan under his slavery, but Adonai has numbered the years of his dominion.”

  His eyes fixed on Rapha with deep compassion. “Never give up hope, son of light. Adonai will not leave them, or you, comfortless.”

  Then he was gone.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Pain

  Glory jumped back and looked around as if expecting something to appear and devour her but the scene around them had not changed. When she raised her stricken eyes to Lucifer she encountered his kind smile.

  “Do not fear. You are not dead. In fact, with just one touch from the Morning Star, you are more breathtaking than ever.”

  She looked down at her own body and gasped. Her simple garment of light had been transformed into a sparkling prism that scattered beams of multi-hued brilliance.

  Fascinated, she held up a hand to study the colorful glow.

  “Your Maker misled you because He does not want a thought in your head that does not come from Him.” Lucifer’s voice was quiet and soothing as he glided behind her and reached for her outstretched hand. “Look how our hands fit together.” Her small hand somehow rested perfectly in his.

  Adam felt Earth’s tremor and, in panic, looked to the Holy One Whose eyes revealed pain but no surprise as a shower of green leaves began to fall from above, covering the ground with a bright emerald carpet.

  “Is this because of Glory? Please, take me to her!”

  “To help her, you must abide in me.”

  “I cannot sit here and do nothing!”

  The Holy One shuddered and his face betrayed a momentary spasm of pain. When he opened his clenched fists, each palm bore a bright, freshly torn wound. As Adam stared, horrified, the man’s entire being became blood-drenched and disfigured, covered in angry welts, rips, and filth. Adam recoiled from the grotesque sight as the man, through swollen, bleeding lips, whispered, “Go to Glory. But you are not the One who will save her.”

  Beside the disfigured man, the lamb bleated and nuzzled the abused hand. Quivering with pain, the man opened his arms and the lamb climbed onto his lap where bright drops of blood began to stain its snowy wool.

  With a start, Adam realized he was once more prostrate before a stone wall.

  The girl’s eyes were wide as a strangled gasp caught in her throat. Lucifer was behind her, one hand gripping her hair so tightly she could not breathe while his other arm was around her waist, crushing her against his body.

  He was hissing words, his breath scorching her ear. “You are mine. You will never be free of me. I own your past, present and future.”

  The words continued but she could not hear them over her own screams as something terrible sliced into her soul.

  Fire, ice, and pain.

  She was flailing, every ounce of her strength straining to break Lucifer’s ever-tightening grip. His hands burned through skin, through bone and into her core, infiltrating and stripping her soul while his mantra pounded through her being.

  “You are mine. You will never be free. You are mine. You will ne
ver be free.”

  Then the pain blazed, consuming her from the inside out. Surely she was dying. Please, if death would stop the pain, let her die! “Adonai!” she screamed, and everything went dark.

  The enemy forces doubled and then tripled, yet still they waited, sneering and taunting Rapha and the others who had answered his summons—a pitifully small, war-weary crew.

  Rapha tried to focus on the battle around him but, now that the connection to Adam and the young woman’s thoughts had been reestablished, the clarity of their emotions—the sights, smells, even physical sensations—was so intense Rapha felt he was living this horrible scene through their eyes. When he tried to escape, to lessen the connection, it was relentless.

  For the second time, Battue, one of his generals, was shaking his shoulder. “Fearsome creatures are erupting from the caves, sir,” his fellow angel’s words continued. But Battue’s voice was a distant shout across a storm-tossed sea of pain. “The walls are breached….” Battue continued his report, but Rapha was frozen by Glory’s horror.

  “Aaaah!” Rapha fell to his knees, clutching his head as Lucifer’s intended torture, the relentless image of his triumph, ripped through Rapha’s soul.

  Glory opened her eyes to find she was lying on the flat stones of the courtyard. Her body throbbed with pain and her nose was filled with a sickly sweet smell. She was shaking so hard her teeth chattered. She sat up, aching with every movement, realizing her face had been in a puddle of red, that most of her body was stained with it, and that something red was oozing from her, mixing with the liquid of the spilled goblet.

  “I am dying,” she whispered.

  Despair engulfed her and she collapsed into the cold, unyielding floor.

  Cruel laughter echoed around her. “No my Glory. You are not dying. That is just one of Adonai’s many lies. You are honored above all creation.”

  She pulled herself out of the sticky, red goo once again as his voice continued.