9. Sadie

Sadie

"Wake up, Sadie. Wake up," a soft voice cajoled.

As Sadie opened her eyes, but the light was blinding.

"It's okay, sweetheart. You will get used to it."

Sadie lay on a marble slab, naked except for a sheet. The kind woman helped her sit up.

"Here, let me help you."

She directed Sadie on how to wrap the sheet like a toga. One end went up over her left shoulder, then down and around her waist. Her right breast remained exposed. As Sadie raised her hand to cover herself, the woman waved her hand.

"There is no need to feel shame here, darling. We were all created in HIS image. You can walk around naked if you'd like."

"Where am I?" Sadie asked.

"Welcome to Heaven, Sadie Winters."

Sadie studied the angel before her.

Crimson eyes gleamed from her face, and her dark hair stood up like horns. Her wings had light gray feathers that were tipped white, similar to a dove. Not a single blemish appeared on her face. But when she held her hands out to Sadie, she exposed puncture wounds on her hands.

"You're Lucifer's mother, aren't you?"

The woman bowed her head in greeting. "You may call me Lilith, dear. It is good to see you again. Walk with me."

They strolled through the fog, which left Sadie unable to see the ground beneath her feet. She carefully felt around before putting down her foot, lest she trip on something unseen.

"There is no need to worry, child. Though we are outside the gates of judgment, you have nothing to fear here."

Lilith's every movement had a feline-like grace. Sadie stopped looking at her host and peeked at her surroundings. There was no source of light like the sun and the sky above was cloudy, yet it was as bright as a clear blue-sky day. There was nothing as far as she could see to either side of her, but up ahead was a sight that made her want to fall to her knees in awe.

She was surprised to see the solid gold gates of heaven stretch above her with their long spiral posts topped with a rounded quartz sphere. As they approached, her eyes fell on Saint Peter, who held the keys to the kingdom.

"You must pass the trial at the gate."

She'd assumed Cain was the representative from The Society, but what if it was Lilith? In her time, no one knew who The Society was. They were this upper echelon that was revered and spoken of in hushed tones. Some could say they were worshiped in her village as sons and daughters were sent under false pretenses to their deaths.

Cain's claim that demons were evil to serve the greater good made sense. However, if that was true, then it meant angels were indifferent. How much blood was on Sadie's hands? She fell in love with the son of Satan, and he scorched earth in her name.

If killing herself was the only way to get into Hell, then why did he kill her? Or did he expect her soul to go to Hell? Was he telling the truth that she'd given birth to a daughter? One that like her, was still alive?

"Is my baby here?" Sadie asked.

"No, Sadie."

"I need to see Lucien."

Lilith stopped and turned to Sadie. She smiled softly and brushed Sadie's hair off her shoulder with a motherly touch.

"Don't mistake my intentions. I've always loved my son. But he shuns me and the angelic part of himself. Unless he can reconcile himself, he won't be able to come here."

"Heaven and Hell make up The Society, don't they? It's sick and twisted. Why would angels condone such things?"

"You belong here, Sadie Winters. Saint Peter is firm but gentle. He is loyal to Heaven and love guides his decisions. He will judge you justly."

"Why am I here?"

"It's time you learn who you are."

They walked for what seemed like hours toward the gate in silence. Sadie's anxiety rose to a state of near panic as she ruminated about the cryptic words being said by celestial beings. The gates looming over her just added to the ominous dread that settled over her.

The first thing she noticed was Saint Peter didn't have wings. He wore a simple tunic, much like hers. A green cloak was fastened over his right shoulder. His red hair was curly, and he stroked his short beard as he studied her in kind. Sadie stood for her final judgment and would face the trial with dignity.

"Halt," Saint Peter said. "State your name."

"Sadie Winters."

She expected a reaction from him at her name, whether it was a scrutinizing look or a verbal acknowledgment. But his blue eyes immediately lowered to the book atop his pedestal. He silently turned pages and read for what might have been an eternity.

"Sadie Winters. Do you know why you are here?"

"Yes," she whispered.

His eyes fell on Lilith and she shook her head.

"Do you know who the Cherubim are?"

"Baby angels?"

He shook his head.

"Cherubim are celestial beings with human, animal, and birdlike characteristics. They are known as throne bearers at the highest seat in the angelic hierarchy. They sit closest to God and he conveys his will to them. Satan had his own court modeled after ours in Heaven.

"The four archangels are the cherubim. Michael the ‘lion-headed', Raphael the ‘human-headed, Uriel the ‘bull-headed', and Gabriel the ‘eagle-headed'. Most Bibles depict a version of these glorious beings, but they don't agree on the lore. Some say that the cherubim have four faces, that of an ox, a lion, an eagle, and a man, and that he only shows one face at a time to suit his needs.

"Some say there was a female cherub, who fell from grace after being seduced by Satan and bearing a son. She was given a choice, be sent to non-existence or repent and regain her wings as an angel. She is now of the lowest choir, amongst those who are closest to the material world and humanity."

Saint Peter closed his book and left his podium. He stepped before Sadie and extended his hand to her forehead, making the sign of a cross. A swell of emotion blossomed in her chest at the gesture.

"What do you know of saints?"

"Like you?"

"Yes, child."

"Saints are servants of God during life and become saints after death through canonization."

"I'm impressed. Your knowledge is deeper than most. Those who lived by heroic virtue and are now in Heaven are only two of the qualifications for sainthood consideration. They must live obediently according to God's will and display the four cardinal virtues—prudence, temperance, fortitude, and justice. As well as abide by the theological virtues of faith, hope, and charity.

"Those that have sacrificed their lives for others or been martyred for their faith are eligible for sainthood. Sainthood is only granted after death. Saints can come from king and queens or peasants, their born stature in life doesn't matter as long as they dedicate themselves to the lord.

"Canonization is only the declaration of a person as a recognized saint. Aside from being a servant of God, and a person living with heroic virtue, this person must perform a miracle."

"I'm not a saint," she whispered.

"No, Sadie Winters. You were born on a winter day in 1508 and lived a virtuous life until your eighteenth birthday when you knowingly fornicated with Lucifer, son of Satan. Since then, you've committed many sins. The most egregious of which was giving birth to a demonic child."

"I love Lucifer and our baby."

She spoke with conviction as she stood before Saint Peter. Of all the things she felt shame for, that wasn't one of them. Her faith in Lucien wavered recently, but now that she was faced with a choice, she would not denounce him. She would not hide her feelings away to gain access to a world that shunned him for who he was born to be.

"I don't expect an apology for your choices, Sadie Winters. Repent and your sins to HIM and you shall be resolved. Repent, and you may meet your father."

"Who is my father?" she asked.

"Constance Winters, also born on a winter day in 1508, was the only birth child of Eliza and Bertram Winters."

"I don't understand."

"Lilith was not the only cherubim to have a child. You are the offspring of the cherubim," Saint Peter said.

"Are you saying my father is an archangel?" she asked in shock.

"Sadie Winters, you were born of the throne. You have served your penance as your soul was bound to Hell for centuries. Walk through the gates of Heaven and take your place among us," Lilith said.

She looked at Lilith. "This can't be true."

"It is true, Sadie. You are my brother's child. He granted me the miracle that allowed you and Lucifer to see each other once more to say goodbye."

"I don't want to say goodbye."

Saint Peter slapped Sadie on the back. She screamed in agony as her back hunched. She fell to the ground and saw beneath the fog. A snake slithered over her hands. Boney growths protruded from her back as she sprouted wings.

"This isn't Heaven!" she screamed. "What have you done to me?"

"You are the daughter of the cherubim. But your soul has been corrupted through your fornication with the son of Satan. You have come to face your judgment," he said steadfastly.

Sadie was surrounded by angels who formed a cage around her with their wings. She became trapped in between worlds before the gates of Heaven. The angels spat at her and mocked her.

An inhuman scream tore from her throat as they ripped the wings from her back and laughed cruelly as her blood stained the ground below her feet. She attempted to breathe through the dizzying pain until an angel stuck its fingers in her wound. Sadie fell to her knees and almost passed out.

Twin serpents were summoned by her agony and wound themselves around her calves and slithered up her body. As she screamed as one slid into her mouth and down her throat. It burned her body from the inside, and coiled in her stomach, injecting her with venom before it slithered out and wrapped itself around her torso, nestling its head between her breasts.

Humanoid figures with the heads of a bull, an ox, and an eagle approached her alongside an angelic man with a sword in hand. He made a command in a language she didn't recognize and attempted to evade those who closed in around her. It was no use as they quickly seized her. She twisted and screamed as they dragged a large wooden cross across the sacred ground.

They held her down on the splintery surface while ropes were tied around her neck, waist, thighs, ankles, and wrists, leaving her completely immobilized. Her attempts to wiggle caused scratches against her skin. The snake hissed angrily at being disturbed, but didn't bite again.

"Lilith!" Sadie cried out to the only angel who'd shown kindness.

Lilith stood over her and shushed her. She stroked Sadie's dark hair and spoke calmly as though trying to soothe a child.

"I paid this penance as well," she said, showing Sadie the scarred holes in her hands. "Once your penance is served, you will be welcome in Heaven."

"No!" she screeched. "I don't want this."

"I'm sorry, sweetheart."

"Lucifer!" Sadie screamed. "Please, help me!"

Tears rolled down her cheeks, blurring her vision. Yet she clearly saw the archangel remove the silver sword from his belt. He lifted it over Sadie's body, and she jerked in terror. She screamed as the metal pierced her side. The snake lifted its head and bit the gaping wound.

"Please, don't do this. Please. Stop!" she begged.

Though her wrists were already bound, angels held her arms steady as another approached carrying a large mallet hammer and long, thick spikes. She clenched her fists, but her hands were pried open, and the sharp tips were lined up in the center of her palms.

Sade blacked out as the first hammer strike caused the spike to tear through her hand. Someone slapped her cheek, reviving her.

"You need to stay awake. The pain is cleansing."

"I denounce you," Sadie blubbered. "I denounce Him and Heaven."

Someone slapped her hard.

"How dare you blaspheme in this sacred space. Don't make your punishment worse."

"Lucifer will save me," she told them with conviction.

The snake coiled around her again as though conveying a message. It laid upon her breast once more.

That didn't stop her torment as the clanging of metal against metal continued until the spike was secured in the wood bar. Each strike of the hammer caused more pain than the last. Her torture by Cain felt like a tickle compared to her body burning from the inside and out. As the angel moved to the second spike, they sang a hymn to silence Sadie's screams. She tightened her jaw and attempted to muster the strength to endure the torture.

It didn't end with her hands being nailed to the cross, though. They moved to her feet next. She sobbed, trying to remain as still as possible because even breathing caused unendurable pain. Once finished, they tore her bloodied toga off and left her naked. They dipped linen strips into a water basin and cleaned the blood from her body the best they could.

"Repent for your sins, Sadie Winters."

"Repent… Repent… Repent…" they chanted, as the cross was hoisted off the ground.

"Our savior hung on the cross for our sins. Two criminals were crucified alongside him. They repented and had their sins absolved so they could move into the kingdom of heaven. So must you, Sadie Winters."