Chapter 1
The Seven Scorpions ~ continued from Chapter 1 | I Am Bread & Milk
The robed man appeared at the cave’s entrance and pulled off his hood to reveal a wet and scarred face.
Without a word he sat on the earthen floor and brought out a bag of bread and cakes. He placed a small knife on the ground.
The woman’s cheap necklace and rings jingled as she sat and watched the cakes being spread before her. She grabbed at the food.
The man grabbed her wrist and looked her in the eyes.
“No, first you must curse Jacob and the Hebrews.”
She laughed.
He held her wrist. “Say it.”
“Curse Jacob and the Hebrews.”
The man released her wrist and watched as she ate greedily.
“Are you a priest?” she asked through mouthfuls.
“Yes, from Moab.”
“The Moab priest,” she whispered.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
She finished the food and picked up her baby. Her eyes were brilliant, her face stern yet beautiful and her long black hair was tied back with twine.
“The boy will need all his strength,” the priest said. “He will run and play from Bethlehem to Damascus.”
The Moab took his knife and cut his thumb and the blood flowed onto the cold, stone floor of the cave.
“I know exactly what he will do,” said the woman whose eyes pierced the dark of the cave walls.
The priest turned toward the baby and touched the child’s face with his thumb, leaving a bloody mark.
“It’s all about blood,” he said.
The dawn light crept into the cave.
“Whose blood?” the woman asked as she wiped the baby’s face.
The priest’s eyes grew wide. He looked around, frightened by spirits that no one else could fathom.
“Davooowd is his name.”
The woman brought her child to her breast and watched as he suckled.
“You will leave my al-Arab alone.” She touched the child’s cheek.
“No harm will befall him,” the Moab said.
She glared at him.
Continue reading… Chapter 1 | You Will Be My Instrument
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