I stood beside Baruch, rubbing his back.
“You succeeded,” Baruch said. “I didn’t know how you would get him back.”
“Only to take Nathan to the king,” I reminded him. “Let’s hope the king does more than heal him.”
“Like what?” Baruch asked.
“Give me the desires of my heart.”
“And what might that be?”
“Lots of things. Just imagine.” As we waited for Daniel, I saw something move in the grass—like the last time when we stayed at the inn. The grass was too long to see from so far away. I walked over, curious, to see what it was.
Suddenly, a black snake shot up into the air and flicked his tongue. His flashy eyes caught mine unexpectedly. I tried to turn away from the creature, but the strange tempter hypnotized me. I had never seen a snake behave in such an unusual way. Drumbeats sounded, and the snake began to sway to the music as it increased in intensity.
He called my name. “Shale, my bright and beautiful. I know what you long for, even though you haven’t figured it out. I can give it to you.”
The creature spoke eloquently, and whispered one word that pierced my heart.
I nodded. “Yes, that’s it. Love.”
“Oh, Shale, you’re so beautiful.”
I touched my cheek. “Am I?”
The snake rocked back and forth. Soon more snakes appeared cavorting along with the first one, and the vile creatures turned into handsome men smiling and sending air kisses. Then they changed back into charming snakes attempting to lure me closer.
Baruch whinnied and stomped his hoofs. Why was he doing that?
“Shale, you deserve so much better. Come closer. I can make you feel wonderful. I understand you, Shale, you poor girl who has suffered so.”
I couldn’t take my eyes off the enchanter. “You understand me?”
The snake danced charmingly. “Do you trust me?”
“I don’t know.”
“You long to be loved, don’t you, sweetheart?”
“Yes, but you’re a snake. What do you know about love?”
“I can make it so that you will always feel loved. Would you like that?”
“Yes.”
“I can make handsome men desire you.”
I sensed something was wrong, but the creature was irresistible. I couldn’t turn away. A Gardenia scent, my favorite flower, whisked me to a far-away utopia. Tapping my feet, I swayed my arms to soft melodious strings that kept rhythm with the drums. The serpent, along with its entourage, came closer. The alluring creature spoke pleasant words to me.
So pleasing was the sound of my name. The catcalls entreated me to let myself go free, and the winsome smiles engaged me. Love filled the air as the snake eyes desired me, but another voice spoke.
“Go away,” I demanded. “Leave me alone.”
I took another step and reached out to touch the sorcerer.
“I’ll make you a beautiful princess,” he promised.
The desire to be talented and sought after by handsome young men consumed me.
Footsteps approached, and a familiar voice addressed me. “Shale, come to me.”
Daniel was too late. I didn’t want him anymore. I laughed.
“Shale, come to me.” The snake used the same words as Daniel. I stared into the depths of the creature’s eyes, and evil pricked my soul.
“Give me your hand, Shale, now,” Daniel demanded. “I’m going to pull you towards me.”
I reached back, and Daniel’s hand clasped mine. Tugging at me, he drew me towards him. I wanted to jerk my hand away. The snake still held me within its clutches, hypnotizing me, refusing to let me go.
“Shale, look at me,” Daniel urged.
The snake persisted. “I can give you everything you want.”
I felt trapped between the two—why was it so difficult to choose? Suddenly a white dove passed overhead. The unexpected movement surprised me, enough to break the spell. I collapsed in Daniel’s arms, burying my face in his chest.
Daniel wrapped his arms around me. “You’re okay, thank goodness. I felt you might be in danger, and when Baruch whinnied, I came out to see. Next time I won’t delay.”
Several men nearby shouted for help and hurried over to see the black cobra. A commotion ensued, though I was too afraid to watch them kill it.
I had witnessed that darkness before. Now I knew what it was. The serpent reminded me of the cartoon characters that covered my bedroom walls, the king’s temptation in the wilderness, the snake that slithered through my hand in the garden, the wiggly shapes the vultures chased, and the vile creatures that entered the pigs.
I exhaled. The darkness still invaded my mind and filled me with terrifying images. I feared fear itself, the worst kind of darkness, but I would soon learn this was just the beginning of the battle for my soul.
Chapter 27
THE SHEEP