Lilith - TI3

by Fran Heckrotte

"And that would be what, exactly?"

  "Well... ummm... to be on top, of course," he mumbled, uncomfortable from the odd look in her eyes and unable to think of another answer.

  Throwing up her hands, Lilith turned and stormed off.

  "Where are you going?"

  "Away."

  "Away? Where?" he demanded, running after her.

  "Anywhere... away from you... from this. I will not live with someone who believes I am inferior."

  "But, where will you go?"

  "Anywhere... away from you... away from this. It's not your concern, Adam. Just leave me alone!"

  Imitating her behavior, he threw both arms in the air and decided now wasn’t a good time to reason with her. She’d eventually see that he was right. After all, he was Adam. When had he ever been wrong?

  "Oh, all right! We can discuss this when you're in a better mood."

  She was about to reply when a voice stopped both of them.

  "Why do you argue?" it whispered softly.

  Looking around neither could locate the source.

  "Who are you?" demanded Adam, stepping protectively in front of Lilith. Giving him a disgusted look, she pushed him aside and stepped forward to stand next to him.

  "Don't stand in front of me like that," she admonished, cutting him an angry glance. Rolling his eyes, Adam decided to ignore her for the moment and focus on the voice.

  A deep laughter was quickly followed by the appearance of a large man with dark red skin. Bowing slightly to Lilith, he turned toward Adam. Smiling slightly, he spread his arms out, palms up in benevolent manner.

  "No one you would know. I am the keeper of my Twin’s kingdom and guardian of his creations. This place is one of them... as are the two of you. Now, answer me. Why do you argue?"

  "She is being obstinate!" grumbled Adam, nodding at Lilith. "We merely wish to explore these strange urges we are having and she refuses to cooperate."

  "Me! I simply refuse to lie beneath you since you think you are superior to me. I will be treated as an equal," declared Lilith, shoving Adam away from her.

  "There! You see! Stubborn!" he countered.

  "Yes. I see."

  "I thought you would. It's obvious you're like me. Naturally, you would understand my point of view."

  "Naturally," chuckled the red giant,"but, I'm afraid I don't agree with you. She has a valid point, also. Why do you not take the bottom as she has suggested, Adam? Her compromise sounds reasonable."

  "Because I should be on top... at least the first time."

  "Why?"

  "Because... I am... I mean it makes more sense?" he stuttered, uncomfortable at being challenged by the stranger.

  "To whom?"

  "To me, of course."

  "And what about what Lilith thinks or feels?"

  "If she will only do as I say, she will find I'm right?"

  Before either Lilith or the stranger could reply, another voice intruded on the conversation.

  "What are you doing here?" it roared angrily, causing the ground to vibrate.

  "Why trying to settle a quarrel, brother? It would appear there is trouble in Paradise."

  "That does not concern you!"

  "You wound me. Everything you do concerns me. Who else is there to look after your interests while you tinker with your hobbies?"

  "I do not tinker! And I have warned you to stay away from this particular place. You have no business here!"

  "As I have said, I was merely looking after your interests. How long were you going to let this argument go on?"

  "That is not your concern, and since when did you ever bother with anything other than satisfying your loins, Dis?"

  "Really, brother! I should be hurt. You misjudge me. I came to resolve an argument. Nothing more," laughed Dis, knowing his brother was right. Normally he could care less what his Twin was up to but from the moment he noticed Lilith, he had desired her. If he could create a rift between Adam and her, he knew he would be able to entice her away from her would-be mate. Already, she was showing signs of immense intelligence and rebellion... not to mention boredom. The three were a dangerous combination in a perfect world and something his Twin hadn't factored into his formula for this new life form.

  "I will resolve this! There is no need for your intervention. You may leave now. Lilith is intelligent. She will see Adam’s logic in time."

  "I disagree. Her argument is valid. Why should she place herself beneath her mate? Were they not created from the same dust? Does that not make her his equal?"

  "This is not the time for this discussion, brother. Be gone from here!" ordered the Voice. "It is not your place to question what is mine!"

  "Forgive me, brother, but I am not yours to order about like your followers. You are neither my master nor my creator. Obviously, the female is at a disadvantage and needs an advocate. Considering how you have sided with this male, I now assume the role of her protector," declared Dis, crossing his massive arms. "She is more than capable of dealing with him but she does not stand a chance against you."

  Thunder rumbled in the distance. As lightning flashed across the skies, Lilith and Adam cowered, afraid for the first time. They had never experienced such a display and found it disconcerting.

  "Dis! I will not tell you again! Leave this place!" boomed the Voice. "You have overstepped yourself on this one! I will not be challenged even by you on this matter."

  "And I will not be ordered about as if I were your servant. I now understand the female's feelings," reiterated Dis, more for show than anything else. Defending her would definitely impress her.

  Lilith and Adam listened with interest to the exchange. Adam seemed confused and a little frightened. Lilith, however, was more amused at the battle of wills, once she realized the Voice's anger was not directed at them. Hearing it defend his position, Adam grew confident he was justified on insisting his mate obey him. Lilith, on the other hand, recognized a kindred spirit in the red giant.

  "Stop this!" she demanded stepping bravely forward. "I don't care who you are. I will not obey you or him!" she proclaimed, pointing at Adam and emboldened by Dis's presence and support.

  "We will discuss this later, child," admonished the Voice tenderly, its tone softening to a low whisper.

  "My name is Lilith, not child! And, no! We will not! There will be no discussion later. Either you instruct Adam that I am his equal or I'll leave this place."

  When the Voice didn’t answer, Lilith looked to Dis for help. Smiling broadly, he bowed slightly and took her hand.

  "She has made her wishes clear, brother. Now you must make yours."

  "She is a child. They are both children, too young to understand the importance of this experiment. Neither knows what they want at this time. Now leave us and I will settle this dispute once and for all."

  At that moment Lilith knew if Dis left, the Voice would probably force her to obey Adam; at least temporarily until she found a way to escape. Unwilling to concede defeat, she looked at the red-skinned man beseechingly.

  "You have nothing to worry about, my dear," Dis assured her, patting her hand. "I am sorry, brother, but when you described this experiment, you told me you had created Adam and Lilith with free wills to see how they would evolve. I warned you it wouldn't work having made the same mistake with my minions. Perhaps you have achieved more than you wished or they have evolved faster than you thought, but there is no turning back. She has made her choice and I will make sure she achieves it."

  Before the Voice could reply, they vanished leaving a bewildered Adam alone and dumbfounded.

  "Where did she go?" he asked, turning in a circle like a confused child.

  The skies exploded in brilliant flashes of lightning as the thunder grew louder, shaking the earth beneath his feet. Frightened, he sank to his knees and covered his head with his arms.

  "I will not be defied in such a way!" roared the Voice and then quieted. "Do not be afraid, Adam. Nothing will harm you," he added, soothingly, feeling remors
e at having terrified the human. Things were not going as he had planned but he truly loved all of his creations and wanted them to be happy.

  "Will she come back?" asked Adam timidly, feeling very alone.

  "Yes. Contrary to what my Twin has said, she has no choice. I will have her returned to you very soon. Now go rest."

  Adam nodded gratefully. Already he missed her. If he had known all of this was gong to happen, he would have willingly let her have the top. Even now he regretted the disagreement.

  CHAPTER 2

  LILITH WALKED AROUND the chamber fingering the various objects on display. She had never seen anything like them and was curious about their origins and meanings.

  "What are these? And what purpose do they serve?"

  Sniffing one, she picked it up and licked it.

  "This is awful!" she said, wrinkling her nose in disgust.

  "Merely decorations," replied Dis, taking the small statue from her hand and putting it back on the table. Leading her to a chair he motioned for her to sit. Cautiously, not knowing what to expect she lowered herself on the thing and, finding it extremely comfortable, slowly relaxed.

  "This is comfortable. What is it?"

  "A chair."

  "It's easier on the body than sitting on the ground."

  "That's why it was invented."

  "Invented?"

  "Yes. Someone created it for a specific purpose... comfort."

  "And that?" she asked pointing to the big round bed.

  "Sleeping and entertainment."

  "I see. What does entertainment mean?"

  Dis laughed softly.

  "It's better to show you what that means than explain it."

  Lilith accepted the explanation without comment.

  "Why can’t I see the trees and animals?"

  "You're in my home," Dis answered patiently.

  "Home?"

  "Yes. It's where I live. Paradise was your home. This is mine. These things around us make it more pleasing."

  "Watching the animals playing and listening to the birds is pleasing. Why do you need to create something? Wouldn’t it be easier to just live without... these?" she asked pointing to the walls.

  "Easier, yes, but not as much fun. Walls provide privacy."

  "Privacy?"

  "It means no one can see us."

  "Who is there to see us besides Adam and that voice? Who was that, anyway?"

  "My dear, there are entire worlds out there. Places and things you could never imagine. As for the voice, that is my Twin."

  "What is a Twin and why could we not see him?"

  "He's a recluse. That means he rarely leaves his home. Twin means he was created at the same time as I and from the same material."

  "You mean like Adam and I?"

  "No... I mean... well, in a way, but you and Adam are not twins."

  "Then I don't understand."

  "It's rather difficult to explain. In time you will understand. There are a lot of new experiences awaiting you, Lilith. With your permission I would like to show them to you."

  "Why?"

  "Why?" Dis repeated, confused.

  "Why do you want to do this?"

  "Because I wish to please you," he replied, unused to being questioned.

  "Why?"

  Frowning, Dis realized Lilith was not only intelligent but also intuitive; more so than even he had imagined. Although she was an innocent, there was no doubt she was smart enough to be suspicious of his motives. He liked that.

  "You intrigue me. Besides whom else do you know who will show you these things? Certainly not Adam."

  "True. Adam is content to stay where he is. Now, who are you and what do you have to gain from helping me?"

  Dis stared at the woman for several seconds and then burst into a loud booming laughter.

  "An inquiring mind, I see. Forgive my rudeness. I'm not used to not being known. I am Dis, as you heard. My Twin and I oversee the residents of the Over and Underworlds. He, however, hates making personal appearances so I tend to take care of the more important issues."

  "Like Adam and me."

  "Yes."

  "I see. I get the impression the two of you don't get along very well. Why should I trust you any more than him?"

  "I never said you should. I merely offered to show you around, although the one thing I can promise is to treat you as my equal. You can have the top as often as you like," he promised, giving her an amused look.

  Lilith suspected there was more to the offer than she understood but decided to forego pursuing that particular subject.

  "And again what do you get in return?"

  Dis shrugged.

  "Your innocence and the pleasure of your company, of course. I can teach you about those feelings of yours. Stay with me and I promise you an eternity of satisfying experiences."

  "We'll see," said Lilith. "What about your brother? Will he not object?"

  "He objects to everything I do. What is one more thing?"

  A loud knock on the door interrupted their conversation.

  "Enter!" he commanded.

  A small disfigured red creature shuffled into the room. Tiny horns protruded from its oversized head. Wrinkled skin, bony elbows and knees made it look peculiar. Lilith watched as it hopped awkwardly toward Dis and knelt at his feet.

  "What is it, Cumo?"

  "Master, your brother has sent three of his servants for the female," Cumo replied, nervously wringing its hands and casting Lilith a furtive glance.

  "Send them in. This should be interesting."

  Within minutes three males, dressed in white flowing gowns trimmed in gold, entered the room. Glancing momentarily at the woman, they quickly dismissed her as unimportant to the conversation and turned to speak with Dis.

  "Thank you for giving us an audience so promptly, Underlord."

  "I always have time for my brother’s most honorable messengers," he replied solicitously. "What can I do for you?"

  Bowing his head slightly, the tallest male gave Lilith a disapproving look before continuing.

  "We have come for her," he said pointing at Lilith.

  "Then your journey is wasted. She has made her decision and chooses to stay with me, as my brother is well aware. Please give him my apology and my regards."

  "Our Master has given us orders. He is displeased by her disobedience. I must insist that she return with us."

  "You insist? Have you forgotten your manners, Gabriel? My brother is your master but you are here at my benevolence. He, however, is only my brother... not my keeper. Do not mistake my good manners for softness. I will not tolerate insolence even from you. Do you understand me?"

  Gabriel lowered his eyes submissively; unable to meet the fury in the Underlord's blazing red eyes.

  "Forgive me. I mean no disrespect."

  "Good. Now, as I said, she stays with me by choice. Is that not right, my dear?"

  Lilith nodded but refused to stand. For some reason, she felt it important to remain seated. It showed a lack of fear and a certain disregard for these males.

  "As you have said, I will not return to Adam."

  "He is your mate, Lilith. You were created to be together," replied Gabriel, addressing the female for the first time.

  "I was made from the same dust as he and yet everyone but Dis treats me as if I were inferior."

  "In time you will..."

  "What is time? I don't know the meaning of this word but it makes no difference. He is no more and no less than I and yet he dares to treat me differently in this one thing."

  "It means nothing," said Gabriel, spreading his hands in an imploring manner. "I regret I have misjudged you. You are an intelligent female. Surely you see this is just a misunderstanding. I am sure it can be resolved if you return with us."

  "It means everything to me and I understand perfectly. I will not return."

  "Lilith, the decision is not yours to make. Our Master has instructed us to bring you back to Paradise."

&nbs
p; "Your Master may be yours to obey but he is not mine," challenged Lilith, glancing at Dis for support. The slight nod of his head was enough to give her the confidence to continue. "I have no memory of my origin and no recollection of having pledged my allegiance to him therefore I am under no obligation to serve him."