THE FIRST SIN
BY LISA BETH DARLING
COPYRIGHT 2017-ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
CHAPTER FOUR
GENESIS
When morning came around as it always does I just laid there in my bed with my eyes wide open not knowing what to do. There was so much to talk about so much to say and yet it seemed better if nothing was said at all. Surely it would best to gather my new clothes, go to Raphael’s home and recuperate another day or two before making a quiet exit from Grey Village. Just as I settled on that as my plan, Eve wrapped upon the door and told me my breakfast was ready. Always the gracious hostess she wasn’t about to let me starve even if she didn’t want to see my face. I wandered out of the room only to be greeted by the aroma of bacon it made my stomach rumble. On the high counter under which sat three stools was a plate of bacon, scrambled eggs, fried potatoes, and toast next to it sat a steaming cup of coffee. Eve, however, was sitting far across the room on the couch and looking at me with trepidation. Readying myself to face the music as it were, I picked up the plate and the cup to move closer to her but Eve quickly held up a hand and gave a different instruction.
“Stay over there, please and eat.”
“As you wish,” I agreed without anger and sat to eat another delicious meal that she prepared for me. In between bites of egg and bacon, with my back turned to her, I asked the question that had been on my mind since I awoke, “Is Cain here?”
“No.”
“Is he still alive?”
“Yes, you’d know if he weren’t wouldn’t you? Surely he would have passed your way just as God commanded.”
That was true, if Cain died he’d be in Hell just as Eve would be one day. “Where is he?”
“Not here,” she said in a forceful tone.
I didn’t like the way it made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up, “Why not? Raphael said…”
“I knew he’d been here!” She cried in disgust. “I told him to stay away. What did he tell you? What do you know?”
At that, with my plate empty, I turned around to look at her and again offer reassurance, “Calm down, this is a very odd place and one that Dad would love to get His hands on but I’m not here for any of that. Where is my Son?”
Eve looked away from me as her face crinkled, “His life did not turn out to be as peaceful as mine. He chose the ways of War and Power. He’s your Son after all.”
“War isn’t exactly my domain though I heard Ares is in town maybe he had something to do with it.”
“You heard? Raphael was here? I told him to stay away that I would handle this.”
“Did you tell Ares to stay away too?” I pointed to the hallway to indicate her bedroom down there, “I know he lives here. I know he’s your lover.”
“So what if he is? I’m not your wife,” Eve chirped. “Ares is tired of War, that’s why he’s here in Grey Village. He’s seen enough destruction.”
Of course she was right who she slept with was none of my concern. Cain, however, was. I walked over to where she sat and stared down at her, “What of our son? When did you last see him?”
“On the TV last night,” Eve chuckled and her face flushed with color, “God really did a number on you when He ejected you from Hell. You didn’t recognize me and now for all of the TV you’ve watched and all of the News you’ve listened to, you don’t recognize our son either. He’s going by the name of General Enoch Lamech and fighting in a war where Eden once gloriously stretched out as far as the eye could see but now it’s just a pile of sand and rubble.”
The news just never stopped or so it seemed and I sat down rather heavily in the recliner across from her, “Then what are they fighting over?”
“Religion, Ideology, and oil, let’s not forget the oil.” She quipped. “You know; the same old shit they always fight over. He’s made quite a name for himself this time, the military loves him he wins every battle, even the people love him he’s bright, charming, charismatic, and above all, he keeps their children from dying so far from home. Other commanders don’t have his stellar track record.”
“That doesn’t sound so bad.”
“Hummm, he also has the highest kill record in recorded history. He’s a real Take-No-Prisoners kind of guy.”
I cleared my throat, “Ok, That does sound bad.”
“Yes, it does, so you can understand my confusion. Anyway, that’s what Cain is up to. If you want to know more you’ll have to find him and ask him yourself. Now, what about you? What are your plans?”
Easily I told her of Raphael’s plan to get me money and the papers he talked about. I told her I thought it was a good plan and that I would be gone soon. She could get back to her life and the residents of Grey Village wouldn’t have a need to worry about me.
“So you’re going to go forth and wreak havoc on the world?”
Although I shouldn’t have been, I was a bit taken aback by her words, “I wouldn’t put it that way exactly but I’m sure there are some things I can really get into out there.”
“So am I,” she nodded slowly and then frowned. “I can’t set you lose on the Mortal World, Lucifer. Those who live here can’t wait for you to leave. So, what’s a girl to do with her old lover?”
I was instantly indignant, “You don’t dictate my comings and goings,” I spat as my quick temper began getting the better of me, “You have no power over me.”
“Don’t I? You’re Mortal, I could have Ares kill you and bury your body in the desert and no one would ever be any the wiser. They would have no qualms about it they hate having you here.”
“Is that a threat? Are you really threatening me?”
“In case you hadn’t noticed, I sort of run this town, so,” She breathed in deep and exhaled easy, “It’s one possible scenario, tell me why I shouldn’t go through with it. Convince me to let you go.”
I could feel the blood in my cheeks making my face hot and knew if I still had my Powers my eyes would already be glowing red, “Other than the fact that even with one arm I can beat you to a bloody pulp before your boyfriend can get here? Or do you mean other than the fact that I haven’t done anything wrong. Other than the fact that I’d already be on my way if you hadn’t mowed me down with a truck?!”
Eve smirked, “All I have to do is call out his name and he will appear right here in the blink of an eye. A fired-up God of War is not a pretty sight.”
Gritting my teeth I knew she was right. In Mortal terms, Ares was my First Cousin, the full-Ichored Son of a God just like me and his well-earned reputation preceded him. Even if I had all of my Strength and Powers Ares would still be someone I didn’t want to tangle with. She had me backed into a corner and she knew it. I didn’t appreciate feeling like a rat in a trap. Angrily I pointed at her, “You can’t keep me here!”
“I didn’t say I wanted to, I don’t, so convince me that if you walk out that door you are not going to lay a path of destruction in your wake. The world you want to venture into is vastly different from the one you left. It’s dangerous even for an Angel, even for the Devil.”
“Your concern for my safety is touching in light of the fact that you just threatened to kill me,” I snapped and regretted it. In her eyes there was concern for me along with everything else she’d said. “I’m here to go out there and do what I do best; make a few deals, do a few favors, call in a few favors, drink an entire warehouse of liquor and screw every woman I can find. That’s not so bad, is it?”
“Depends on your perspective, I guess.” With a sigh her tone softened further as did her eyes. “I’m not saying you’re evil, I know there is good in you, I’ve seen it, I’ve felt it. The Bible says…”
“That in the End of Days I will rise up to take over the earth,” I huffed, “The Bible says a lot of shit and you know most of it isn’t true. I’m not here to herald Armageddon, alright? I’m just looking for a good time. Why is everyone threatening to kill me for it?”
“Because no one trusts you, you’re devious, you’re tricky.”
“What about second chances? Don’t I deserve at least one of those?”
Rolling her eyes and biting down on her bottom lip, she gave out a heavy grunt.
“Did I trick you into something? Was I devious with you? Did I hurt you? Did I make you do something you didn’t want to do? Answer me truthfully.” The air between us grew quite heavy it was almost hard to breathe as we held each other’s gaze. I watched her eyes water as she fought to hold the emotion at bay.
“No, you did not.” Eve uttered in a husky whisper then forced herself to go onward past the turmoil, “You’re right I can’t keep you here and I won’t have you killed. You can go when you’re healed but I’ll be watching and if you get out of hand if I start hearing your name and seeing your face, I will send Ares after you. You may not answer to God anymore but you will answer to us whether you like it or not.”
Through gritted teeth I snarled, “Deal,” I held out my hand to her in order to seal it but she waited for me to say more. “I’ll keep a low profile but I will enjoy myself, I deserve to do that after rotting away down there so long. If you catch me trying to destroy the world or something you’re free to send your goons after me and see what they can do. Although I really would prefer it if you didn’t start with Ares, how ’bout just a warning shot over the bow first?” That was when she slipped her hand into mine. For a moment I felt exonerated but then the warmth of her flesh sank deep into me and I wondered if I truly did want to leave. Then I realized that with Ares in the picture I had no chance with her if I stayed. Abruptly I let go, “Yes, right, deal. It’s settled.”
Eve grabbed my hand back and held it very tightly, “You will stay here until you heal, I will help you learn the things you will need to know before you go out there. Once you’re out there you will contact our son and get him to come home.”
“What?” I yanked my handed away. “Are you mad? Look, I know what everyone thinks of me but the truth is I’ve never made anyone do anything in my entire life. I merely offer them the opportunity it’s up to them whether or not they run with it or from it. Why would Cain even speak with me if he won’t talk to you?”
“You’re his father,” Eve asserted as her eyes narrowed and she rose to meet me. “Act like it. It’s time you manned up.”
“Man…man….I’m an Angel not a man.”
“Listen to me, Angel, if you don’t do this, after you leave here, I will have Ares hunt you down like a rabid dog and kill you. I will put your body on a frame and stick it in my garden for a scarecrow until it rots to nothing but bone.”
I took a step back as my face gnarled in disgust. “Geez, what a violent place this is. And I thought Hell was bad you’re almost making me miss it.”
“Well then, let me send you….”
I held up my hand, “Fine, fine, once I get settled I’ll do it. I’ll seek out Cain and try to get him to come home. I suppose that I…I…I owe you that much.” The anger in her eyes abated as she continued holding my stare.
“Thank you,” she whispered. “Do you want to know another truth?”
“Always.”
“I really have missed you.”
“Seriously? Because, honestly, sweet Eve, it doesn’t seem like it to me. You lied to me…me!” That was the second I realized that I had been expertly played. I didn’t know whether to laugh, cry, or beam with pride. “You manipulated me…”
“I had a good teacher,” she whispered, “except for the lying, I never lied, I only avoided telling you the truth. If I hadn’t missed you, if I hadn’t been bowled over at seeing you again, your body would already be buried in the desert.”
Running my fingertips along her cheek I smiled, “Now that I believe,” without thinking about it I kissed her forehead. “It is good to see you again as well, my darling Eve.”
THE END of CHAPTER FOUR of THE FIRST SIN by LISA BETH DARLING-ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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