by Summer Lee
“Why do you ask, my child? This is not for young girls to know.”
“I am no longer a girl, but a woman, and the granddaughter of a prophet.”
He smiled at that.
She explained, Jubal’s fascination with the secret torments him because he does not know it. He has drawn me into this web and I am also intrigued. I feel the secret concerns me, and I should know more about it, especially if I am part of what is to come.”
He clasped her hands tightly in his and looked at her. She could sense his kindness, and his wisdom, all revealed in his knowing eyes. “Why would you marry someone in the bloodline of Cain?”
“It was an arranged marriage, Grandfather, not by my choice.”
“Arranged by whom?”
“My mother, mostly, but Father went along with it, thinking that I wanted to marry Prince Jubal.”
He turned, scowling briefly. “Ah, your mother. She was a rebellious woman, and learned sorcery when she was very young. Your father married a heathen against my will, because he did not like the good Sethite girls. Now, you carry a heavy burden for your father’s lack of faith. But I can see you possess none of your mother’s wicked ways. You have found favor in El’s eyes.”
His words broke through to Kenana and she slipped to her knees and sobbed quietly.
“I have?”
“Child, why do you cry?”
Finally, Kenana lifted her face. “I’ve lost my purity.”
“The solar system was pure before Lucifer’s fall. The Garden of Eden was pure before Adam and Eve. Purity comes and goes. Life goes on, and El forgives. Always remember that.”
She would. She knew she would, and this gave her much hope. She dried her tears.
Enoch continued, “It is best that you have nothing more to do with the Watcher or the Nephilim. Each of them mean you great harm.”
“Thank you, Grandfather. Thank you so much.”
“Thank El. I am merely his humble servant.”
They were silent and Kenana was struck with sudden inspiration. “I believe that the coming flood is the family secret. It fits the clues that Uncle Methuselah gave me. Generation represents the coming cataclysm that will destroy this generation. Degeneration represents the damage done by fallen angels. Regeneration would be the remnants of humanity who will rebuild the new world after the flood.”
He smiled proudly. “You are a smart girl.”
“Last night, I dreamt of the number seven. I know from your writings that seven is the number of El and shows His perfection. You, Grandfather, are seventh from Adam, and walk closer to El than anyone, and may not even suffer the pain of mortal death.”
He nodded. “Continue, child.”
“If you are seventh, then your son, Methuselah, is number eight. Does not eight represent new beginning?”
“Indeed.”
“If degeneration means there will be a catastrophic flood meant to destroy evil, then regeneration means the world will have a new beginning. I believe that except for a few of your descendants, everyone will die in this flood. I just don’t understand how Methuselah fits into all of this.”
“The flood will not come until after he has passed, my child.”
Now it made sense. “I see. What about me?”
“It will be long after your lifetime.”
“It won’t involve this generation?”
“True, and many lives will be lost.”
“Why must they be lost?”
“Because the world is wicked. Let me read what the Ancient of Days has shared with me concerning the final days.” He picked up a clay tablet and read, “‘In those days, punishment shall go forth from the Lord of Spirits; and the receptacles of water which are above the heavens shall be opened, and the fountains likewise, which are beneath the earth. All the waters, which are in the heavens and above them, shall come together to purge the earth.’” He returned the clay tablet.
Kenana had another epiphany. “Generation. Adam’s generation was perfect before Eve ate the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden. When Adam and Eve disobeyed El, they entered a state of degeneration. After the coming flood, the world will be purified again. That is regeneration. That is the sacred secret.”
Her grandfather grinned warmly at her. “Someday, child, you shall make a fine prophet.”
Chapter Thirty-one
Kenana left her grandfather, and set out on the dusty road back to the inn. She knew she was vulnerable on this deeply rutted path, but she felt courageous and strong after speaking with her grandfather. After all, did he not say that El looked upon her favorably?
The mid-afternoon sun was unforgiving, burning furiously down upon her. She was alone on the road, for most of the farmers and merchants had already set up shop.
Her stomach was still in turmoil, roiling and agitated. Never had she felt such discomfort.
Almost as if something were alive in there, she thought.
She wished Malluch would be punished for taking advantage of her. In the least, she wished he would forever go away—along with the Nephilim. But she knew life was never that easy.
She continued home, searching the brush along the road for trouble, the least of which were robbers and cutthroats. Sweat beaded her brow and upper lip. She wondered if Asher would be upset that she had gone missing again, and knew that he probably would. The man truly cared for her, and did not use her for his own gain.
I think I am pregnant, she thought. There is something happening inside of me.
If pregnant, the penalty for adultery was death; that is, if Jubal so ruled. At the very least, he would banish her from the place, and she would lose everything.
Then again, had she not made love to Jubal during their last night together? Perhaps the child was his. Perhaps, but she doubted it.
As she continued along, hoping to hail a passing carriage, something appeared in the road before her, shimmering in the far distance as if it were a desert mirage.
She watched the image grow in size and shape. It was a man, and he was moving swiftly toward her, covering the ground rapidly. Too rapidly.
Malluch!
Kenana briefly considered running, but knew there was no escaping him. So, she squared her shoulders and strode forward to meet him.
“My relationship with you was only a fantasy,” she declared, when he was close enough to hear. “You had no right to physically force yourself on me. How could you, Malluch? How could you do such a despicable thing?”
“What was once a fantasy has now become a reality,” he said, laughing. “You were a foolish girl to invite me into your heart. Now, you shall live with the consequences.”
Kenana understood the hidden meaning of his words. She touched her stomach. “You got me pregnant?”
“Of course. That was the plan.”
Kenana dropped to her knees, the world around her spinning. “But how can I have your baby and be married to Jubal at the same time?”
“Say it is Jubal’s. The man is old and ill; soon he will die, and no one will question the identity of your baby’s father.”
Kenana was suddenly horrified to see that Malluch cast no shadow at all. “Is this child…human?” she dared to ask.
“Kenana, you will help to populate the earth with Nephilim. Together, we will build a more powerful planet. Our baby will be half human and half angel and perform great exploits. I can offer you eternal life, child. I have that power.”
She stood suddenly, stumbling backwards, nearly twisting her ankle in the deeply rutted road. “Leave me alone, Malluch. I will not be used by the fallen angels. I am a child of El.”
He followed her step for step. “I’ll take you to places in the universe where few mortals, perhaps no mortal, has ever seen or will ever see. We’ll spend the next thousand years together. The next million.”
“No!” She stumbled and fell. He floated above her, his bare feet just inches above her face.
“You are living in the twilight of the human race, child;
survival may not be possible unless they have a powerful angel on their side. If you come with me, you can escape the suffering.”
From the side of the road, a man’s voice spoke casually, “I believe, Fallen, the princess said no.”
Kenana turned, gasping, recognizing the voice instantly. Stepping out from the surrounding shrub was Asher. Relief flooded Kenana. He strode quickly to her side, helping her to her feet.
“Ah,” said Malluch. “The serving boy. You have come to the princess’s aid.”
“I am much more than a servant, Fallen.”
Something crossed over Malluch’s face; he nodded carefully. “I see it now. You are a Goel.”
Kenana gasped. “A Goel?”
Malluch laughed, but he kept his eyes carefully on Asher. “Yes, a Goel. A man granted the powers of Heaven. At least some of the powers.”
“Is this true, Asher?” she asked.
Her servant said nothing. Instead, he kept his eyes carefully on the angel before him.
“Yes, it’s true,” answered Malluch. “I can see it in his eyes, and read it in his heart. I hadn’t noticed before. They are born with a special talent, princess, and many do not ever realize their full potential. But I see this one has some inkling as to the power within him.”
“I have more than an inkling,” said Asher. He stepped forward. “You are among the Fallen. You have been cast from the heavens, masquerading as something you are not. You have convinced this child that you were her guardian angel. But in fact, you have only guarded over her womb. You will never know love, nor can you ever be loved.”
“Enough!” said Malluch.
Kenana looked up in time to see her angel swell to many times his normal size. He rose above them like a creature from a nightmare. The beauty in his face was gone, replaced by something evil and horrible. He obscured the sun completely, and with a mighty swipe of his hand, he sent both Kenana and Asher tumbling end over end. They landed in a heap at the side of the road.
Asher scrambled to his feet. He helped Kenana to her feet. “Are you injured?”
“No.”
“Good. Now, go! Find cover!”
She did, stumbling away, looking back once over her shoulder as Asher stepped calmly back into the middle road, bravely facing off with the hideous Malluch.
“Mere theatrics, Watcher,” said Asher. “And now it is time to do away with you. Never again shall you hurt Kenana. You have done harm enough as it is.”
“No!” Malluch swiped at Asher again, but this time his hand passed through Asher, as if the man was not there. Furious, Malluch roared into the sky, growing even larger.
Asher calmly raised his hands and spoke loudly, his words rising above even Malluch’s snarls: “By the power of El, I command you to leave and never return. I banish you from this world and from any world.”
Immediately, the wind began to stir. Leaves swirled at Kenana’s feet. Malluch, who towered now over Asher, nearly as big as the Sphinx, looked around, alarmed.
The wind continued to blow. Harder now. Branches swayed overhead. Kenana’s tunic whipped about.
She heard it first: a roar, as if issued from the mouth of a great tempest, coming from far away.
The roar grew louder. And louder still.
Kenana inched deeper into the cover of the surrounding bushes and trees.
Asher never moved. He continued to stand in the middle of the road, his hand upraised, his mouth moving in silent prayer.
Suddenly, Malluch whipped his mighty head around, and bared his fangs, which leaped from his black mouth like striking cobras.
A great whirling dervish had appeared, moving impossibly fast along the road, whipping up leaves and dirt and even a tree trunk in the middle of the spinning winds.
Instantly, the dervish was upon the retreating Malluch. It sucked him in, and overcame him. He screamed in fury and Kenana wanted to weep, for this was the creature who had once promised her his love, who had offered her so much hope when there was no other hope to be had. But she fought through her feelings of loss, for this creature had an agenda, and she was merely being used.
From within the dervish, she caught sight of Malluch clawing the ground, leaving behind great ruts in the earth, screaming and spitting furiously.
Asher never moved and the winds came no closer. Malluch was lifted off the ground and into the heavens. She caught sight of him spinning and tumbling within the vortex. He continued to rise, his cursing growing fainter and fainter. The winds continued to blow, moaning over Kenana’s ears.
And then, he was gone.
The wind stopped. Silence immediately settled over the land.
Kenana discovered she was shaking. She had just taken a breath when a figure appeared on the opposite side of the road, bursting through the brush.
It was Nod, the Nephilim. The man, or half man, looked terrified. He pointed his sword once at Asher, and then turned and fled down the road, kicking his heels hard into the camel’s flanks.
Asher watched him go, and then approached Kenana. He was bleeding from one corner of his mouth, the result of Malluch’s blow.
“Asher!” she cried. She threw herself into his arms.
Chapter Thirty-two
It was late and Kenana was bruised and sore. The force of Malluch’s impact had left her small body aching from head to toe.
With Sarah’s help, she filled her room’s copper tub with jars of boiling water. Prior to her bath, as Sarah fussed over Kenana’s cuts and scrapes, chastising her for going out alone and reminding her how lucky she was that Asher rescued her when he did, Asher appeared in her doorway, grim-faced.
“My apologies, Princess. I have an urgent message,” he said.
“Come in,” Kenana said. “What is it?” she asked, noting the worry that creased his brow.
He stepped in the room and closed the door behind him.
Kenana nodded for him to speak.
“Dr. Rue has only just returned after a hard night of traveling. He delivered the news of Prince Jubal’s death. My condolences, Princess of Adah,” he said formally.
Sarah gasped and immediately wept.
Asher bowed his head respectfully at Kenana and then rose to meet her eyes, his searching hers for answers that he wanted, that he needed.
Kenana had no reaction, at least, not at first.
“Please go. I would like to be alone now.”
Asher and Sarah left her alone then, and she felt a sense of relief.
Naked and still nauseous, she eased down into the hot bath. She groaned with pleasure as the heat from the water permeated deep into her muscle tissue. She rested her head on the lip of the tub and let her mind go blank. But the solitude didn’t last, for there was too much going on in her life to ignore.
Long after the two of them had departed, she quietly wept in the bathtub. Kenana did not want to admit to the others that her tears were actually tears of joy, tears of relief, for with Jubal’s passing, a tremendous burden had been lifted from her shoulders. Her childhood abuser was dead!
Now, as she soaked in her bath alone, the warmth of the water seeping down into her aching bones, she knew what she must do next.
***
After her bath, she went outdoors with a torch and a single clay tablet to record her thoughts. The half-moon shone down upon her, its soft radiance infusing everything with a silver glow. Sitting on a bench in the courtyard, her torch crackling nearby, she attempted to press her thoughts into the clay.
She was indeed Princess of Adah, but she had never truly reigned with Jubal. She had never been involved in court policy or judgments, unlike his first wife who had presided over the court.
Her stomach burned; bile rose to her throat. Leaning over, she heaved. Dry heaves. After wrenching several times, the sensation eased and she lay back in the dried grass. “Help me, dear El,” she prayed.
***
A day later, with her bags finally packed, Kenana was ready to depart. She stood alone in her room as the
sun’s early rays crossed the wooden floor and warmed her legs. She would miss this little room, this rugged old inn by the sea.
Nod was gone. Hopefully, he was still running. Perhaps she and Asher hadn’t seen the last of him. Still, she refused to worry about him again, especially now with Asher in her life, her Goel.
Kenana had learned much of the spirit world. She had loved and she had suffered. And she would be far more careful in the future.
A gentle rap at her door signaled that the ship had arrived. Now it was time to return home, to take her rightful place as Princess of Adah. She hoped the sons of Jubal would not give her trouble.
Her three friends gathered into her room, Tall holding Sarah’s hand. There was a silver ring on Sarah’s left index finger. She held it up excitedly.
“I am getting married, princess,” she said, and then blushed. “If you will allow it.”
Kenana hugged her devoted servant, her best friend. “Of course! I wish the two of you many years of happiness.”
Kenana turned to Asher. The head servant seemed taller than she remembered. His shoulders seemed impossibly wide. He was more man—more guardian angel—than Malluch had ever been. He smiled down at her. She wanted to kiss him, but now was not the time; first, she must publicly mourn Prince Jubal, as was expected of her.
“I have something for each of you,” said Kenana.
“A present?” asked Sarah, clapping.
“I would say so.”
She opened a trunk and removed three clay tablets. She passed one to each of them.
“But we cannot read,” said Tall.
“True,” said Sarah, “slaves have not been taught to read.”
“Then it’s high time I taught each of you.”
“But we are slaves,” insisted Sarah. “It is forbidden.”
“No,” said Asher. “We are not slaves. Not now.”
Kenana smiled. “You can read the tablet, Asher?”
“Yes, Jubal taught me, long ago.” Asher turned to the other two. “Mistress Kenana has freed us, and these tablets are our proof. The tablets are etched in her own hand, and signed with the seal of Adah, which she wears upon her finger. It is official. We are all free.”