Free Eye of the Oracle by Bryan Davis Page A

rocking ark. When she reached the window, the fresh breeze jolted her fully awake. Blinking her eyes, she angled her head toward Morgan. “What now?”
    “It is time for you to take the next step.”
    “The next step? I already had a baby. Haven’t I taken enough steps?”
    “Don’t worry. Having the baby was the most difficult part of your journey.”
    “You’re telling me! He was so big, I thought I was having a whale!”
    “Yes, I expected him to be larger than most. The potion I gave you saw to that. I’m sure you felt the changes it made inside you.”
    “You know how small I am. I could have died having a baby that big.”
    “I watched over you. If you had been in danger of dying, I would have taken this step immediately.”
    Naamah set her fists on her hips. “What is this step?”
    Morgan fluttered to the wooden floor. “To make you immortal.” The raven slowly grew, stretching into a misshapen giant of a bird. Its wings thinned into human arms, and its pointed beak shrank into Morgan’s angular nose. Seconds later, Naamah’s sister stood in the raven’s place, her silky black dress flowing in the breeze.
    “You’re . . .” Naamah caressed Morgan’s face, but it seemed ghostly physical in a way, but not quite real. Her cheeks were sunken and sallow, more like a cadaver’s than those of the beautiful woman who once answered to Lilith. “Are you human?” Naamah asked.
    Morgan took Naamah’s hand. “Not exactly. You might call me a wraith. My body died in the flood, but my spirit lives on in this world on borrowed time. I cannot last much longer without going to a new home my lord has prepared for me. There, I will be restored and live forever.”
    Naamah took a step back on her trembling legs. “And now you want me to be a wraith like you?”
    “You will be young and beautiful.” Morgan caressed Naamah’s cheek with her yellowed, bony fingers. “When you see what I have in store for us, you will jump at the chance.”
    Naamah resisted the urge to grimace at Morgan’s ghostly touch. “Jump at the chance? Why?”
    “Well, let’s just say you can keep your charming ways, stay beautiful forever, and you won’t have to worry about having any more babies.”
    Though Naamah tried not to smile, her lips curved upward. “So what do I have to do to become immortal?”
    “You have to die.”
    “Die?” Naamah’s voice pitched higher. “But immortal means ”
    “Silence!” Morgan glanced toward the sleeping quarters and lowered her voice to the softest whisper. “The potion you drank will restore you, then we can fly to our new home and become like goddesses.”
    “Goddesses?” Naamah’s fear began to melt away. “Are you sure?”
    Morgan spread out her arms. “I drowned in the flood, dead as any other lost soul in the wake of Elohim’s wrath, and yet I stand here before you now. I assure you that my original beauty will be restored soon, perhaps enhanced with even more allure, as will yours.”
    “What do I do?”
    Morgan nodded toward the ark’s window. “You are small enough to climb through and jump. When you drown in the flood, you will be transformed into a flying creature. Then, look for me in my raven form and follow me.”
    This time, Naamah couldn’t hold back her grimace. “I have to drown? That sounds painful.”
    “Don’t worry. You won’t feel a thing.” Morgan laid her hands on Naamah’s cheeks again and purred a melody.
    To Satan we will bring
    The seeds to sow and sing.
    We’ll water plant and root,
    Then pluck the giant fruit.
    Your waking mind abates;
    The sleep of death awaits.
    Rebirth on wings is near;
    Your sleep will cast out fear.
    Releasing Naamah’s cheeks, Morgan blew softly into her eyes. Her breath was cold and dry, instantly evaporating all moisture. Naamah’s eyelids fluttered. “I’m so sleepy,” she said, yawning.
    Morgan interlaced her fingers and set her hands in a cradle near the window. “Then hurry. I’ll boost you before