Enoch Primordial (Chronicles of the Nephilim) by Brian Godawa Read Free Book Online Page B

their prescribed channels. All of them would follow various prepared routes to meet in the secret passageways below the palace, created for this very purpose. Down there, they could weather the danger in the city above. They even had food stores which stayed well-preserved in the cool and dry environment.
    Young Edna had no such preparation. In the harem, they would probably be the last to hear about the tragedy unfolding outside their palace walls.
     
    Methuselah made his way across the courtyard to the small harem building at the distant end of the palace area. He could hear the screams outside in the streets. He could not imagine why the giants had not breached the palace gates. He glanced over his shoulder. The glow over the walls of the palace told of buildings burning throughout the city. It was as bad as he had expected.
    When he reached the harem building, he dashed into the private chambers. He passed by maidens beautifying themselves and trying on their dresses for tomorrow’s Sacred Marriage rite. Screams of surprise and offended modesty rose up as Methuselah looked around wildly hunting for Edna. Losing his way amidst the clamor and buzz around him, he stumbled upon a girl in an elaborate white dress flattening out its ruffles.
    “Excuse me, miss,” said Enoch.
    She turned, and he lost his breath. He beheld a vision of a stunning young beauty with flowing locks of golden spun hair. It bothered him that the gods got the choicest of the women.
    “Where is Edna?”
    The beauty glared at him with incredulity, exotic make up accentuating her every breathtaking feature. “Are you mocking me?”
    “ I am sorry, what?” he replied.
    “Are you that thickheaded? It is me, silly,” said the girl.
    It hit him like a ton of mud bricks. This gorgeous vision of feminine transcendence frowning at him was none other than the transformed presentation of his immature scrawny little boyish girl Edna. His little Pedna. How could he have never seen her this way before?
    He stumbled back a step and almost fainted . He knew at that very moment that he would never be happy in this life again until he married this goddess. This was the very first time he had really truly finally seen her. And his entire life changed in that instant.
    “What is wrong with you?” Edna giggled.
    Methuselah shook it off. He would have to deal with this later. Right now, he had to save her life.
    “Edna, do you trust me?” he said.
    “Yes, of course.”
    “Then trust me this once completely, and do exactly as I say. The city is in danger.”
    “What?”
    “I will tell you on the way. Take off this outer dress. We must leave now. No questions asked.”
    She obeyed and pulled it off. Her tunic underneath was better suited for running. His eyes found it quite agreeable.
    She did trust him, with all her heart and soul. She let him lead her out of the building toward the courtyard. He told her about the riots and the giants and the hostages as they ran. It was all horrific, but she was a tough girl. Methuselah realized she was the kind of person you wanted on your side when all Sheol broke loose. She would not scream in fear and shake like a brittle titmouse. She would want to join the fray.
    “You need to tell me where your parents live. My mother went to get them, to bring them with us. But now they are all three caught up in the middle of it.”
    “ I will take you there,” said Edna.
    “I want you to stay here,” said Methuselah.
    She looked him square in the eye. “You will not be able to find your way,” she said. “You do not know the city streets, and you certainly do not know the shortcuts. You will get lost, plain and simple. I am not letting you go alone. I want to be with you.”
    He stared back into her eyes. He sometimes questioned whether he should have taught her how to debate so well. But she was right, so it was a good thing he had done it.
    For the first time in her short existence on this earth she saw the expression of a