My Enemy, My Love (Truly Yours Digital Editions) Page 5

  Surprised that he would ask her opinion, Anna flicked a glance around her from under lowered lids.

  The house seemed sturdy, yet it was dilapidated from lack of use. It would take time to fix it up to be habitable, but it could be done. She wondered if the woman in question would like to do such.

  “It. . .it seems adequate.”

  The only reason Simon had asked the girl such a question in the first place was to try and relieve the girl of the fear he could sense as she trembled before him. But her hesitation over the property intrigued him. Would a woman such as Miriam find favor among such surroundings?

  “You would like such a house?”

  Anna didn’t know how to answer him. If she was marrying a man she loved, she could enjoy living here with him and together fixing it up to be a home. The place was much larger than many others in the area even if it was in a poor section of town.

  Since her father was a wealthy man, Anna knew she wouldn’t have to consider such a dwelling, but she would gladly give up all of her father’s wealth if she could be allowed to marry someone she truly loved. She would be more than glad to live here.

  “I cannot speak for your friend’s daughter, but I can find no fault with this place.”

  Ahaz spoke for the first time. “I agree, Simon, though I would much rather find her a place among the Upper City.”

  Simon shook his head slowly. “Barak would never agree to that.”

  The name instantly caught Anna’s attention. Barak. Surely there were at least a hundred Jews by that name, but hadn’t Barak said that this place belonged to his uncle Simon?

  “Leave that to Miriam. She will change his mind.”

  Anna’s head jerked up at the suggestive tone. Before she could think to avert her gaze, Simon glanced back at her. Never had Anna seen a man’s eyes grow so cold. Even Barak had looked nothing like this.

  “You are a Samaritan,” he snarled, and Ahaz turned on her.

  “A Samaritan?” When Anna didn’t deny it, he drew himself up with haughty disdain. “Be gone from here, woman. Go back to your idol worshiping, infidel brethren.”

  Anna felt the heat creep into her cheeks, her eyes growing dark with anger. She wanted to argue, to berate these men for their attitudes, but at the look on their faces she truly feared for her life. Quickly she turned and walked away, refusing to look back.

  She hadn’t gone very far when she stopped. Placing a shaking hand on her forehead, she tried to think what to do.

  Barak would return and find her gone. Taking a deep breath, she straightened her shoulders. She would go back to Aunt Bithnia. Since Barak hadn’t returned, she began to believe that he had played a malevolent prank on her. Well, if he had wanted to frighten her, he had certainly succeeded.

  She made it as far as the Hasmonean Palace before she realized that she was being followed. Her thoughts had been in turmoil over Barak and his deception. The sadness she felt at knowing that he was betrothed she chose not to think about. It was silly to give more credence to her feelings than they deserved.

  Feeling as though she were being watched, she turned to look behind her. There, not thirty feet away, was the man who was with Micah at the Temple this morning. She let her gaze pass over him as though she didn’t recognize him. It was not far to the gate leading into the Upper City, but if Micah truly was involved in something sinister, she couldn’t take a chance on going back to Aunt Bithnia’s.

  Biting her lip in indecision, she debated going home or trying to lose her tracker among the alleys and streets here. A crowd of laughing women heading for the Pool of Siloam briefly hid Anna from the eyes of her pursuer. Taking the opportunity, she ducked behind them and darted into a nearby alley.

  Her headlong flight took her in and out among the houses between the gate that led to the Temple and the road that would lead to Bethlehem. She had no idea where she was going; her only purpose was to escape from her stalker.

  She could see the main street as she passed another alleyway. She froze, her heart pounding in sudden fear. The man named Kasim had joined the other and both were searching and asking questions of the people nearby.

  Before long they headed toward the alley where she was hiding. Sucking in a frightened sob, she turned to retrace her steps. She darted in and out of alleys and doorways, always dodging her pursuers by less than a few steps. It occurred to her that if anyone saw her they might very well think her a lunatic, with her hair disheveled and her tunic torn and dirty.

  She knew she hadn’t been spotted by the men as of yet, but it was only a matter of time. She began to see enemies everywhere she turned and realized her panic was making her paranoid.

  Her legs began to ache and her mind grew weary. She began tripping over her own feet. Once, she landed on her hands and knees, and for a moment she thought she could not go on. But only for a moment. Setting her lips stubbornly, she got to her feet and struggled on.

  When she came to the end of the alley she was hiding in, she looked across from her and saw Kasim only a street away. His one dark eye met hers, a slow smile of triumph lighting his features. He started in her direction only to be stopped as a caravan of camels came between them.

  Anna took the opportunity afforded her and hurried back in the direction she had just traversed. As she was passing a doorway, a strong arm snaked out, pulling her into a small, dark landing of an apartment building. She opened her mouth to scream, but a hand was shoved roughly against her mouth, a man’s body effectively pinning her to the wall. The door slammed behind them.

  “Shhh. Be quiet, it’s only me.”

  Recognizing the voice, Anna went still. Barak. Her heart stopped, and then thundered on again. How had he come to be here? Relieved, she leaned against him, her legs trembling so much they barely supported her.

  Barak released her mouth but kept her pinned firmly to the wall, his body acting as a shield against anyone who might enter the building after them. They could hear pounding footsteps outside, and after several moments of silence, Barak released her and moved away.

  “Let’s wait here until we are sure they’re gone.”

  All of the confusing thoughts about this Jew came back to her with a vengeance. “You didn’t return like you said you would.”

  She couldn’t see his face in the dark, but she felt him move. His voice was filled with aggravation. “I did return, but you weren’t there. Why did you leave?”

  Anna was able to keep the hurt from her own voice, but not the anger. “Your uncle ordered me to leave.”

  He moved closer and Anna could see his face in a pinprick of light coming through a hole in the wall. “Uncle Simon? What was he doing there? He hasn’t been to that house in years!”

  “He was negotiating a sale to a friend of his. It would seem his daughter is about to be married and he wanted to buy her a house.”

  Barak went so still that Anna thought that the others had returned and her heart began to pound. She sighed with relief when he asked her, “What did they say?”

  “Your uncle seems to think that you will not like living in the Upper City, but his friend thinks that Miriam will be able to persuade you.”

  Breathing out harshly, Barak jerked a hand through his dark hair tumbling it into disorder. “By all the prophets! I knew he was thinking this.”

  For the moment, Barak seemed to have forgotten Anna. She allowed him time to think, but grew impatient as the moments ticked by.

  “Can we leave now?”

  “What? Oh, yes.”

  He moved to the door, opening it quietly and peeking outside. There was no sign of either Kasim or any of the others. Barak glanced uneasily at the lengthening shadows. It was almost sundown. What was he to do? He couldn’t take Anna back to Uncle Simon’s camp, and he couldn’t leave her here. From what he had seen of Kasim’s activities, he didn’t think it would be prudent to return her to her aunt’s villa, either.

  “I have to get you out of the city.”

  “Out of the city!
Are you demented? And then what? If I go home to my aunt, she can contact the authorities.”

  Barak closed the door of the apartment landing behind them, his gaze searching the streets around them. “I saw Kasim talking to the Roman guards today. Money exchanged hands, but I have no idea what story Kasim might have told them. I’m not certain who to trust.”

  Barak took her arm and led them toward the Golden Gate. He had to reach the Mount of Olives and see his mother, while at the same time avoiding Uncle Simon. But what to do with Anna?

  “I need to find someplace that it would be safe to leave you until I can speak with your aunt.”

  She stopped shortly, bringing herself around to face him. “Why are you doing this? Why are you trying to help me? You don’t even know me.”

  Barak was drawn into the depths of those intriguing eyes. Was it any wonder that the Jewish people had intermarried with heathen women if they all had such hypnotic power in their eyes? Giving himself a mental shake, he turned her around and continued walking. He really had no answer as to his reasons for wanting to help this Samaritan.

  “I wouldn’t wish harm to come to any human being,” he finally told her.

  Barak could hear the anger in her voice when she challenged him. “Since when have Jews seen Samaritans as human?”

  In the beginning, he had felt the same about this woman. Somehow, his feelings were evolving and he no longer saw her in the same way. Feeling slightly guilty, Barak ignored her question. “Is there anywhere I can take you that would be safe?”

  She thought for a moment and suddenly her face was lit by a smile. “I have a friend. He will let me stay with him.”

  For a moment, Barak felt a slight twinge of something akin to jealousy. Appalled at such a reaction, he only nodded brusquely. “Tell me where.”

  Anna guided him through the lower section of Jerusalem. At the end of each street, Barak would stop and search the area carefully before proceeding farther. Before long they found themselves in front of a small house, its walls and roof clean and white against its more austere and dilapidated neighbors. Someone had taken the time to plant poppies and mustard, and the bright red and yellow added a note of cheer to the otherwise drab surroundings.

  When Anna knocked at the door, it was flung open and a large, burly man with wild gray hair stepped across the threshold. His smile spread across his face in a dazzling display of white.

  “Anna!” Poking his head back inside the door, he bellowed, “Leah! Come see! Anna has come to see us.”

  Turning back to Anna, he reached for her, giving her a bear hug. Barak watched bemused and with an unusual sense of relief as another woman came to the door and then flung herself at Anna.

  Anna embraced the older woman. Tears shimmered in both pairs of eyes.

  “Anna, Anna! What brings you here?” Leah’s wrinkled face studied the younger woman carefully. She could see the fear radiating from those brown-flecked green eyes.

  The smile fell from Anna’s face. She glanced hesitantly at Barak before she informed them softly of her predicament.

  Barak saw the old man’s face grow livid with rage. “Amman!” He spit on the earth. “I knew there was evil in that man. I would like to wring his scrawny neck!”

  Leah placed a placating hand upon her husband’s back. “Now, Sentius. That will not help Anna.” She took Anna by the arm. “Come inside, my dear, and bring your friend with you.”

  Both Sentius and Leah looked at Barak questioningly.

  “His name is Barak.”

  Noticing the color flood the young girl’s face, husband and wife exchanged looks.

  “Welcome,” Sentius told Barak.

  Although Leah was a Jewish name, Sentius was not. Barak wondered if this couple was from Samaria also. His thoughts were confirmed when Sentius told him, “We have known Anna since she was a child.”

  Barak felt his skin crawl as though it were alive. That he was defiled was beyond question. He would have to bathe at the purification pool in the Temple before partaking of tonight’s fire offering. Still, this couple radiated joy and hospitality, and it was hard to see them as anything other than ally.

  After Anna explained her whole story, Sentius and Leah were quick to offer her shelter for as long as necessary.

  “I will go to her aunt and explain the situation and see what she has to say,” Barak told them, already moving toward the door. “I will return as soon as possible.”

  “Wait.”

  Barak lifted a brow as he waited for Anna to cross the room to his side. “Take this.”

  She unfastened the golden necklace from her throat and handed it to Barak. “If my aunt has any questions, show her this.”

  Clutching the star in his hand, Barak gazed again into Anna’s candid eyes. Once again he felt that strange stirring deep within. Turning, he left her as quickly as his legs would allow. When he felt the sun upon his face again, Barak breathed deeply.

  These people were kind and helpful, yet old prejudices were hard to overcome. Not that he particularly wanted to overcome them. Every Jew knew that Samaritans rejected most of the Holy Scriptures. The only books they believed in were the writings of Moses. How could they not believe the prophets of old, the psalms of King David, the wisdom of King Solomon? What foolishness. Hadn’t the prophets been vindicated by their fulfilled prophecies?

  After carefully searching the courtyard of Bithnia’s villa and ascertaining that Micah was nowhere in sight, Barak opened the gate in the wall and walked swiftly to the door. The cool breeze from the shade trees was a welcome relief after his long walk in the fading sun.

  A servant answered his summons and Barak asked to speak with the mistress of the villa, all the while hoping not to be seen by any who might be working in league with Amman. Bithnia hurried to the door, her agitation evident by the twisting of her hands in her garment.

  “Yes?”

  Barak glanced quickly around. “May I speak with you in private?”

  He was taken aback by the sudden terror in her eyes. She studied him briefly before turning and leading the way to a large peristyle. Her bottom lip quivered as she waited for him to speak.

  “I bring you news of Anna.”

  Closing her eyes tightly, Bithnia dropped to the garden bench behind her. “I knew it,” she whispered.

  Frowning, Barak told her, “I don’t understand.”

  “How much more do you want?”

  Thoroughly confused, Barak tried to make reason of her question. “I still don’t understand.”

  She glared up at him angrily. “When the other man brought the note this afternoon, I knew it wouldn’t be long before the demands were increased. What is it you want now?”

  Taking a deep breath Barak shook his head. “Someone sent you a ransom note?”

  Perplexed, she lifted an impotent hand, waving it back and forth. “You are not the one who has taken her?”

  Barak smiled slightly. He seated himself beside her on the bench. “Well, yes, but I only bring you word that Anna is safe and with friends. But there is at least one in your house who is working with the perpetrators, and perhaps others as well.”

  She jerked her head up in surprise. “Who?”

  “His name is Micah.”

  Mouth forming into a perfect O, she began to shake her head in the negative. “I don’t believe you. Micah has been with me many years. He and Anna have been friends almost as long. I can’t believe he would do such a thing! Why would you tell me such a preposterous lie?”

  Barak slowly uncurled his palm and held his hand out to the woman. Her eyes went wide at the star nestled among Barak’s rough palm. When she lifted her gaze to his, her eyes held none of the terror from before, but instead a wary kind of acceptance.

  “You say she is well?”

  He nodded. “She is with a man named Sentius and his wife.”

  “Praise God!” Her shoulders slumped with relief. “I forgot that Sentius still lives in Jerusalem.”

  She s
eemed to forget his presence as she pondered the information he had just given her. Suddenly she turned to him in horror.

  “Oh, no! I have already sent word to Tirinus. I didn’t know what else to do, but I’m not sure what this news will do to him. He hasn’t been well.”

  Barak felt brief sympathy for the old Samaritan. Even in the short time he had seen the other man, it was obvious how much he adored his daughter. If they shared a love such as Barak shared with his own mother, he knew what pain the other would suffer.

  “Anna wondered if her cousin’s ailment might have been premeditated. Is the girl well?”

  Such fury darkened Bithnia’s eyes, Barak unconsciously moved backward. He had once seen a mother bear protect her cub, and seeing this woman now reminded him very much of that she-bear.

  “If I find this to be true, I will have Micah flogged until the skin on his back runs red with his own blood!”

  Barak’s eyebrows flew upward at such vehemence. It was the same tone Uncle Simon used when speaking of these people and their country. It left him vaguely unsettled.

  “Your daughter, is she well?”

  Slowly, the anger drained from her visage. She nodded unhappily. “She is well, but very weak. We thought it was something she ate.”

  “It is possible, but beginning to seem unlikely. Micah offered to escort Anna to the market this morning. I have no idea how she managed to elude him.”

  Bithnia grinned. “When Anna wants to be alone, nothing can stop her.”

  “What would you have us do? Do you wish for her to stay with Sentius?”

  Bithnia gnawed her lower lip. “I am not certain.” Placing a hand to her forehead, she closed her eyes and sighed. “What do you think I should do?”

  When he spoke, there was hesitation in his voice. “Perhaps it would be best if she went to her father, if she could be gotten out of the city undetected. I’m fairly certain that Kasim and his brigands will continue searching the city here. Perhaps she could reach him before he gets the message you sent.”

  Bithnia’s eyes began to glow and a slow smile curled her lips. “Your idea has merit. I could give you all the money you will need to make the journey.”