Before the Fall

by L. G. Castillo

  He glanced quickly at Rachel and wondered if these were the feelings she tried in vain to keep hidden whenever she saw Uriel. He found new respect that she was able to contain them and then sadness that she had been doing so for quite some time.

  He looked back to the woman and wondered what could send him to experience these emotions. And for a moment, he felt ashamed. Was he falling into the trap of lust? Was he desiring her because of her physical beauty?

  He had seen beauty before. Gabrielle was lovely, as many of the angels were. And yet, this woman, there was something about her that entranced him in a way that no angel ever had.

  He swallowed, shaking his head. No, it wasn’t lust. It was more . . . there was something more.

  “You will stop this, Baka,” the woman said to the lead soldier. “You will tell your men to go back to the city.”

  Baka took off his helmet and stared at the woman, his tanned face stoic. At that moment, Raphael wished he could read Baka’s mind. That was one power that no angel had, no matter how high in rank.

  Baka’s dark piercing eyes looked from the woman over toward Obadiah. Slowly, thin lips curled into a smile and he threw his head back, laughing.

  “Rebecca, after all these years, your heart still goes out to the weak,” he said. “When will you learn that it is the strong who are deserving of your attention?”

  In three strides, Baka stood before her, gripping her cheeks. His hand was so big it almost covered her entire face. “You will learn your proper place, woman. And I shall be the one to show you.”

  Rage surged through Raphael as he watched Baka’s fingers tighten their grip when she struggled to get away from him. She was like a delicate desert flower, ready to be crushed at the soldier’s will.

  Without thinking, Raphael took a step forward. The only thing that stopped him from doing the soldier bodily harm and probably bringing more danger to people in the tent community was the sound of Rachel’s voice.

  “Raphael, I have Ethan and Miriam. Raphael?”

  Raphael blinked and Rachel’s concerned face came into focus. He glanced down to where she was looking and realized his hands were curled into fists.

  What am I doing?

  Slowly, he stretched out his fingers. He couldn’t believe what he’d almost done. With his angelic strength, a mere flick of his hand could send the tyrant, Baka, flying into the air. And so help him, that was exactly what he wanted to do. He wanted the menacing soldier far away from Rebecca as quickly as possible. But then, that would send the other dozen soldiers to attack them all, starting with Rebecca.

  He wanted to go to her. But he couldn’t. Too many people would suffer if he did. And then, he would have to answer to Michael for the abuse of his powers and for the deaths that were sure to come.

  He looked at Rebecca and was surprised to see the fire in her eyes was still there.

  “Let go of me,” Rebecca spat.

  Baka glared at her for a moment and then dropped his hand. “Stubborn woman. Why do you protect them?”

  “They are sick. They need help.”

  “They are weak and have been forsaken by the gods. And this old man”—Baka threw a glance at Obadiah—“who is he to you?”

  She placed herself in front of Obadiah protectively. “An old man.”

  Baka huffed.

  “He deserves to live his last days in peace. It is not up to you to choose the day when a person gets to live or die.”

  “You are wrong. It is up to me. I tire of arguing with you. You will leave. Now!”

  “My father will hear of this,” she threatened.

  Baka took hold of Rebecca’s arms and jerked her to him. He leaned in, the tip of his nose almost touching hers. “Your father is the one who ordered their destruction.”

  Raphael could see Rebecca’s fierce spirit wane under Baka’s words. His heart ached for her.

  “I’ll change his mind. I know I can,” she said.

  Baka’s lips curled into a wicked smile. “The only thing that will change his mind is the feel of a leather purse on the palm of his hand. Can you give him that? Can you?”

  Her face dropped, the light in her eyes fading.

  “Ah, I see you are not totally blinded by love for your father and his weaknesses. Go back to the city now and I will forgive you and your womanly heart. After all, when I lay my purse on your father’s hand, you will be betrothed to me.”

  Something in Raphael snapped at what Baka said, and the words flew out of his mouth before he could stop them. “Leave the people here in peace.”

  He ignored Rachel’s gasp and brushed away her hand as he walked toward the soldiers. The voice in the back of his mind told him he shouldn’t be doing this. He shouldn’t intervene. He had just told Rachel that moments ago. Yet, the thought of the hardened soldier, Baka, breaking Rebecca’s kind spirit and taking her as his wife was too much for him.

  “Halt!” Baka held out his sword toward Raphael.

  Raphael paused. He didn’t fear injury to himself by the sword, if Baka chose to use it. It would hurt and he would bleed, but it wouldn’t kill him. He worried that Obadiah or Rebecca would accidentally be injured if Baka decided to attack. They were too close to him.

  As if reading his mind, Obadiah turned to Raphael and gave him a toothless smile. Taking hold of Rebecca’s arm, he took her several feet away from the soldiers, leaving a clear path between Raphael and Baka.

  Raphael lifted his hands, palms facing upward.

  “I have no weapons,” he said, taking a cautious step forward. “I mean you no harm.”

  Baka’s eyes narrowed. “I said halt! How dare you disobey my order.”

  Raphael continued to walk toward him, holding his gaze. In a low melodic voice he said, “I have no desire to harm you. I come in peace.”

  Baka’s eyes widened and for a moment, he looked dazed. Guilt pricked at the back of Raphael’s mind. He was using his angelic gift of mind manipulation, something he never thought he would do.

  “Put down your sword, Baka. You have no need of it,” Raphael said. “And neither will your men.”

  Baka blinked and looked at the sword, confused. Then after a moment, he placed the sword back into its scabbard.

  “Put away your weapons,” Baka barked at the soldiers.

  There was a sound of murmurs that rippled through the mob that stood behind the soldiers. The soldiers looked confused as their eyes looked from Raphael to their leader.

  “Silence!” Baka demanded. “Do as I say. Down with your weapons.”

  Raphael continued to walk forward, speaking in the same melodic tone. He was amazed that as he continued to speak, the soldiers were also beginning to have the same glazed expression. It was the first time he had ever done mind manipulation, and he had no idea how powerful he was. He glanced over at Obadiah and Rebecca as he passed them.

  Obadiah gave him a knowing smile. His eyes were clear. It seemed that the gift only affected those it was targeted to. But for how long?

  Then Raphael looked to Obadiah’s right, and his eyes locked with Rebecca’s. The sound of her soft gasp sent a surge of heat through his body. Quickly, he averted his eyes away from her and back to Baka and his soldiers. He needed to focus on the task at hand.

  Turning his attention back to Baka, he said, “There is no need to harm anyone here.”

  “I was given the order. Everything and everyone here is to be destroyed.” Baka’s face twisted.

  Again, Raphael felt a surge of guilt as he watched the man’s face contort as he fought against Raphael’s mind manipulation.

  “Why was the order given? The people here have lived in peace outside the city gates for some time.”

  “Because...” Baka’s face twisted some more. “Because...”

  Raphael placed a hand on Baka’s shoulder. Silencing his nagging conscience, he leaned in and whispered, “Tell me.”

  Baka’s glazed eyes looked into his. “The governor fears that their presence will prevent travel
ers from coming to Ai for fear that they will be stricken by disease. The city coffers, as well as his own, have dwindled to almost nothing since they have made their home outside the city gates.”

  Raphael’s chest rumbled as hate surged through him. What selfishness is this? They kill their neighbors for the love of riches!

  He closed his eyes for a moment, trying to calm himself. Then he remembered that Baka mentioned he was under Rebecca’s father’s orders. Her father was the governor. He opened his eyes and glanced at her. A tear slid down her cheek as she bit down on her lip trying to appear brave. How could two people be so different?

  “I see,” Raphael said. “Perhaps the people can be moved to a different location. Somewhere away from the eyes of travelers and the citizens of Ai.”

  “I know of a place.”

  Raphael’s heart skipped a beat at Rebecca’s soft voice. He was about to speak, yet he was stunned silent when her beautiful face appeared in front of him.

  “Forgive me, sir. My name is Rebecca. Daughter of Dathan and Sarah of Ai.”

  “Rebecca,” Raphael breathed, unable to say anything else. She was standing so close. He could see the faint blush that tinted her flawless skin as she spoke.

  “Past the hill over there.” Rachel pointed in the direction opposite of the city gates. “There is a stream that runs through the valley. A few miles down the stream there is an open field hidden by boulders. It is nowhere near the road that leads to Ai.”

  Raphael was mesmerized by the way her lips moved as she spoke. He didn’t realize she had stopped talking until Obadiah cleared his throat.

  He tore his eyes away from her and back to Baka. “We have a solution. You shall assist the people in moving to this location.”

  Baka looked down at Rebecca, and for a moment, Raphael thought his angelic gift had stopped working. Baka’s eyes narrowed slightly at the sight of Rebecca. “On whose orders?”

  Raphael placed his body between Baka and Rebecca. He knew that as soon as he was gone, Baka and the others might change their minds and he wouldn’t be able to stop them. He didn’t even know if the outcasts would be allowed to stay in the new location once he and Rachel returned home. All he could think about was the way hope filled Rebecca’s eyes, lighting up her face and leaving him breathless. And how he was the one to put that expression there.

  He pushed aside the thought that Rebecca’s father would one day give her to Baka in marriage. Today, he could change things for the better—even if it was for a short time.

  “On my orders. For I am Archangel Raphael.”

  5

  Raphael sat under the cherry tree staring across the gardens at the bridge. Below it ran a small stream that acted as a window to Earth. Ever since the bridge was built, he’d never had the need to use it—until now. It had only been a few hours in Heaven since he and Rachel returned home. With the time difference, he knew those hours translated to days on Earth, and he wondered how Rebecca was doing.

  Baka’s words haunted him. There was no doubt in Raphael’s mind that the soldier would take Rebecca as his wife. And like any man, Baka would have his right as a husband to do with her as he pleased. He grew nauseous at the thought of Baka touching Rebecca and staking his husbandly claim over her.

  Unable to take it anymore, Raphael rushed to the bridge and searched for her. He didn’t know what he would do when he found her. What could he do? Perhaps he could appear to her father in his angelic form and warn him about Baka. Other angels had gone down to Earth and warned humans about events that were to come.

  Raphael slammed his fist on the rail with frustration. He couldn’t do it. The angels were forbidden to appear to humans unless specifically instructed. And he was an archangel, a role model for all others to follow. His heart sank as he felt the responsibility weigh heavily on his shoulders.

  “Do you see anything of interest?”

  Raphael jumped at the sound of the voice.

  “Lucifer.” He let out a breath.

  Lucifer placed a slender hand on the railing and leaned over. “Ah, I see,” he said, his grey eyes twinkling. “She is lovely.”

  “It is not what you think, Lucifer.”

  Raphael headed back to the gardens, hoping his friend would follow. For some reason, he didn’t want Lucifer to know about her. In the past, he had freely shared his thoughts with his friend. They’d had interesting conversations about Heavenly politics: the free will of Man and whether or not it truly existed. But lately, Lucifer had grown restless. It seemed that for Lucifer, being an archangel wasn’t enough. He wanted more. This made Raphael uncomfortable.

  “What is it that you believe I am thinking?”

  Raphael’s jaw tightened. Lucifer was being coy, knowing he wouldn’t lie.

  “I was looking over the outcasts. They were moved to a different location. I was merely seeing to their well being.”

  “You were seeing to the well being of some more than others, I’m sure.”

  “I care for them all,” he said, the words coming out a little harsh. “As we should.”

  “Peace, my friend.” Lucifer paused, plucking a white rose from the gardens. “Your compassion for the humans runs deep.”

  His lids closed and he inhaled, taking in the flower’s fragrance before he continued. “So much so that you would cross the line to help them. Maybe use your mind manipulation powers?”

  Raphael felt the blood drain from his face.

  Lucifer’s eyes opened and he laughed. “Now that is an expression I’ve never seen on you.”

  “How did you know?” His voice was barely a whisper.

  “You are not the only one to visit the bridge from time to time.”

  “Did anyone else see?”

  “Only Uriel.” Lucifer tossed the flower aside and sat on a stone bench in the garden. “Don’t worry. You have no reason for concern. Your secret’s safe with me.”

  Raphael sank next to him. “No. I should go to Michael and ask for forgiveness. I have abused my gift and I should be punished.”

  “Now, Raphael. You and I both know that we have used our powers from time to time for other . . . pursuits. Besides, you were sent to bring comfort to the outcasts.”

  “Yes, but—”

  “I would say that you accomplished your mission. Getting Baka and the other soldiers to help you move all the outcasts to a new location hidden from the people of Ai was ingenious. Although I, personally, would not have bothered.”

  Guilt flooded Raphael as he reflected on what he had done. He had made Baka a slave to his every word. What was worse, he had actually enjoyed having control over the menacing military leader. Baka had obeyed every command and passed it on to his soldiers. Raphael hadn’t even realized he was doing it until he had seen the questioning look on Rachel’s face. She hadn’t asked but he knew that she was wondering why he could use his powers to intervene when she couldn’t. Since their return, he had rushed away from her like a coward, hoping to avoid her hurt look. The only answer he could give her was that it had been for selfish reasons. That was who he was now—a selfish coward.

  “It was wrong,” he said. “And I’ve lost Rachel’s respect.”

  “Rachel?”

  “Raguel. She changed her name to please a human she’d met.”

  “Raguel,” Lucifer spat. “I would never give a second thought to an angel who allows a human to name her like one would a dog. She is not worthy of your time.”

  Raphael’s eyes tensed. “Lucifer—”

  “Now, now, my friend.” Lucifer patted his arm. “Let us not dwell on what is done. I have a proposition for you that you may find interesting. What if I told you that you could live a happy and long life with the desert flower you are so fond of?”

  “That is not possible.”

  “Oh, but it is.”

  “How can it be . . . unless . . . Tell me you are not entertaining the thought of living on Earth.” Lucifer had talked about it before. He never thought Lucifer would actually
do it, considering his disdain for humans.

  “I am, and so are Uriel and a couple of other brave souls.”

  “What of the others?” The last time Raphael had seen Lucifer, he’d had at least twenty seraphs and guardian angels that followed him.

  “The fools. They fear Michael’s wrath.”

  “As they should.”

  Lucifer snorted. “I have no fear of him.”

  He gazed into his friend’s eyes. Lucifer envied Michael. He could see it in his eyes.

  “Tell me, what purpose will it serve you to go down to Earth to live with those that you shun so greatly?”

  Lucifer’s eyes narrowed and then quickly he smoothed his face, his lips curling into a smile. “For the same reason you keep peeking over the bridge to look at your desert flower.”

  Raphael balked. “You misunderstand my concern. I was merely making sure that no undue harm had come to Rebecca due to my interference.”

  “Rebecca.”

  Raphael stiffened as Lucifer said her name, caressing it. He jumped to his feet. “That is enough, Lucifer.”

  Lucifer laughed. “My apologies. It’s just that I’ve never seen you so taken by anyone. Don’t leave. You have not heard my proposition.”

  “I have heard enough.”

  “Raphael.” Lucifer ran to him, blocking his way. “We will be leaving soon, and I want you to join us. You don’t have to stay there. Maybe just long enough to make sure your desert flower is safe from a certain someone?”

  An image of Baka’s body hovering over Rebecca’s flitted through his mind, and he winced. His heart pounded in his ears, blocking all rational thought, and he allowed himself to indulge in the thought of being with Rebecca once again. In all of his existence, not once had he ever desired to be in a relationship with a human. And now, here he was thinking about breaking away from the angels for Rebecca.