Original Sin

Chapter 30

"History's terrible moments are very real. Only history itself can convince you of such a truth, and once you see the truth -really see it- you can never look away."

-from The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova

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Bethlehem, Matthew 2:13

Dinah's eyes watered as she stared at the innocent baby boy in her arms. Mary was so kind letting her hold him. She wasn't worthy of such luxury, such purity. Definitely not. The tiny child curled a finger around her thumb and let out a small cry. He wanted his mother again.

"He's so precious," Dinah said giving him back to his Mary.

"He is precious to the world," Mary said cradling the baby in her arms. He calmed instantly, content and safe in a loving embrace. Dinah bowed her head respectfully before exiting the barn. The child may not be her own salvation, but it gave the world some hope for a better eternity.

The air was cool and crisp, pleasant enough for a walk around the little stone houses and crumbling retaining walls. Bethlehem was nothing more than a small village outside Jerusalem, but its lineage was great; the line of King David descended from its people. Peasants and shepherds settled here from all around hoping for a miracle.

It seems they finally got one. Baby Jesus, a savior for mankind's wicked deeds. Dinah churned the thought over in her head. She could not understand how God could offer forgiveness to His other creations so easily yet forsake her and Lucifer. Dinah was sure He cared for them, but He did not show it very well.

Dinah breathed deeply and let the night air consume her. She laid on the grass and drifted to thoughts of her and Lucifer's possible family, one that would never exist, but she imagined it nonetheless- The cutest little blond boy ran around his older sister in a field of bending grass and weeds. The girl with hair as dark as her father's yelled at him to stop. Finally, Lucifer was tackled to the ground by both of his children.

Tears pricked her eyes. Doesn't everyone deserve such happiness? Doesn't that apply to us as well? Dinah's thoughts were sadder than ever. Perhaps she was being selfish? She should think of herself at a time like this. Today, she knew, marked a celebratory day in the rising Christian world and a turning point for all Jewish people. No, now was not the time to be so selfish with her own, futile desires.

"Why are you crying, Dinah?" a voice behind her asked.

She looked up through tears and saw one of King Herod's soldiers staring down at her. She swore those dark-as-night eyes could pull her up from the depths of Hell themselves! "I was just contemplating you and me," Dinah spoke softy.

Lucifer cocked an eyebrow at her as he sat down on the grass beside Dinah. "I did not know the thought of me could cause such sadness in your heart."

Dinah chuckled before leaning over to place a chaste kiss on his lips. Lucifer did not return the kiss but closed his eyes in satisfaction for a moment before opening them again, much deeper and more forlorn than before.

"I need you to leave Bethlehem, Dinah."

"Hm? Why is that?"

Lucifer took her hands and encased them in his large ones. The look in his eyes was painful. "King Herod is too paranoid. He knows this Baby Jesus will be his undoing. Herod wants to eliminate all possible threats to his rule, and he doesn't care what the age of that threat is."

A silent gasp left Dinah's lips. She stared at Lucifer with shocked eyes. The possibilities raked through her mind, none of them good. "But Herod does not know which baby he is looking for. He only knows where the baby is to be born. So how can he then ensure..."