Before the Fall by L.G. Castillo Page B

a day was not long enough. If not for her father’s pride, she could have visited her mother regularly and even brought Jeremiel with her. “There is so much to tell you.”
    “We have little time. Your father is at the inn,” her mother said, taking a step back. Looking around, she leaned in and whispered, “He is with one of them—an angel.”
    “Mother, you promised not to ever mention the word.” Her mother was the only person she had told about Raphael’s true origins.
    “This is not the first one. There have been others. It is said that some have had carnal relations with women in the city and as far as Jericho. Some even say that they are here to rule over us and are trying to breed a new race. What does Raphael know about this?”
    “Nothing. He has not said a word to me.”
    Her mother looked at her skeptically. “He was one of the first to arrive here . . . and to have a son.”
    She stiffened. “Raphael loves me.”
    “Are you sure, daughter? Dathan speaks with their leader, Lucifer.”
    “Lucifer?” Her heart pounded in her ears. He was still in the city.
    “Yes. He fears others will come and that Lucifer will build an army that no human army can defeat.”
    She thought of the hushed whispers between Raphael and Lucifer behind closed doors and how Lucifer had been visiting more frequently as of late.
    “I see the look on your face, Rebecca. You see what I see.”
    “Raphael is different.”
    “Even Baka sees it. I have heard that the child Jael carries was placed there by one of them . Baka seeks to join their army and is willing to raise sons for them.”
    “Poor Jael,” she gasped.
    “Raphael is one of them. It is not too late for you. Your son does not know who he is. Take Jeremiel and flee this place before Raphael turns against you.”
    Raphael’s handsome face flashed through her mind. She thought of his soft touch as he brushed his thick hand against her cheek, the soft expression on his face as he gazed into her eyes lovingly, the warm glow she felt when he held her in his strong arms. She couldn’t even fathom the thought that he would ever hurt her.
    “I don’t believe it. Not Raphael. He has always treated me with love and respect. He has nothing to do with the others. You must believe me.” She had always trusted in her mother, and it would kill her to think that her own mother thought Raphael was like the others.
    “Are you sure, daughter?” Her mother gazed deeply into her eyes.
    “Yes. I am.”
    Her mother sighed heavily. “I cannot imagine you loving someone that could be cruel, and Raphael has made you happy. You glow within every time I see you. I have a mother’s heart and I worry for you, that is all.” She smiled.
    “I understand. I am a mother too.”
    Her mother patted her cheek, then she handed her some thick material. “Here, take this. I made it for Jeremiel.”
    Rebecca took hold of a red blanket, her fingers tracing over the intricate designs. By the look of it, it must have taken months to make. For all of her mother’s warnings, she knew her mother loved her and Jeremiel. “Oh, it is lovely. I wish you would come to see him. He is growing so fast. Mother?”
    Her mother’s eyes were wide as she stared in the direction of where the inn was located.
    “We could use a man like you on the council, Lucifer.”
    Rebecca froze. Coming out of the inn were Lucifer and Baka, with her father close behind.
    Shaking her father’s hand, Lucifer said, “I will take that under consideration, Dathan.”
    “Being in the governor’s good graces has many benefits,” Baka said. “Come to my place for supper and I can tell you about—”
    Baka’s eyes met hers and she gasped.
    Seeing Baka’s frown, her father followed his gaze and looked directly at her mother and to her. His nostrils flared at the sight of her.
    “Lucifer. Baka. We will continue our conversation tomorrow,” her father said. “Sarah. Come. Now.”
    Rebecca blinked back tears as she watched