An Echo in the Darkness(177)

“Curse you, give her something!”

“Please,” she said, her gentle voice instilled with urgency and command. “Do as I ask.”

“Don’t leave me,” Julia wept when he let go of her hand and rose. “I’m afraid.”

“Go!”

Marcus left, as much to escape the grief as to do as Azar said. He went out and gripped the railing across from Julia’s chamber trying to regain control of his emotions. How much of this was his own fault?

Dear God, how much death had to come from his blindness?

Hadassah sat on the edge of the bed. “You must be calm now, my lady,” she said, stroking Julia’s brow. “I’ll call Marcus back in a moment, but I must talk to you alone.”

Her heart beat fast as she laid Julia’s hand down. “I forgive you, Julia.” She saw the slight frown flicker across Julia’s brow. “I forgive you,” she said again as she lifted her veils.

At first Julia stared at her without recognition, seeing only the terrible, disfiguring scars. Then she looked into Azar’s eyes, and her own widened until they dominated her white face. Drawing in her breath, she strained back.

Hadassah had lived with fear herself and knew the power it had over people. “Don’t be afraid of me, Julia. I’m not a ghost,” she said. “I am alive and I love you.”

Julia’s breathing was rapid. “You’re dead. I saw the lion. I saw your blood.”

“I was badly injured. God spoke to Alexander, and he claimed me at the Door of Death so that I might live.” She put her hand lightly over Julia’s. “I love you.”

“Oh . . . ,” Julia said and with trembling fingers, reached up and touched Hadassah’s face. “I’m sorry. Oh, Hadassah, I’m so sorry.” She wept again. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”

“Oh, Julia, you needn’t be sorry anymore,” Hadassah’s voice was clear, though it trembled with emotion. “I forgave you everything before I ever walked into the arena. I blessed your name because it was through you, through being sent to the arena, that God freed me from my fear.” She told Julia of her fear of Jerusalem and persecution should anyone discover she was a Christian. She told her of her struggle to bring the Good News to Julia and her family while being afraid to let anyone know of her faith in Jesus.

“And then I beat you,” Julia said, ashamed. “I called you names and reviled you.” How could Hadassah still say she loved her? How could she?

Hadassah took Julia’s hand and kissed her palm. “Think no more of it. We’ve other matters more important now. You must make your choice. I’ve always prayed for you. I have pleaded with God that he would open your eyes and heart. Do you believe in Jesus?”

“Oh, Hadassah,” Julia said, feeling the weight of her burdens being lifted. “How can I deny he exists when only he could have saved you from death?” She touched her cheek and lips. “I’m so glad. I’m so glad your Jesus loved you so much he couldn’t let you die.”

Tears filled Hadassah’s eyes. “Not my Jesus, Julia. Our Jesus. Don’t you see? God didn’t spare my life for me. He spared my life for you.”

Julia blinked, amazed and, for the first time she could remember, hope swept over her.

Hadassah touched the ill woman’s pale cheek. “Why else would God have done such a miracle? What other purpose could there be? Why else would he send me here for you?”

Julia’s face was transfixed. “Despite it all?”

Hadassah laughed softly in joy. “Oh yes! That’s the almighty God he is.” She took Julia’s hand firmly between hers. “Despite ourselves, he loves us! You’ve confessed your sins, Julia. Will you confess your faith in him? He’s knocked at the door of your heart all your life. Let him in, beloved. Please, Julia. Let him in.”

“How can I not?” Julia said, holding tightly to Hadassah’s hand and seeing the love shining in her eyes. “O God, O Jesus, please.” Even as she uttered the words, it was as though something rushed into her very being, filling her, lifting her, overwhelming her. She felt lighter. She felt free. And she felt weak, so very weak. Her hand loosened. “So easy,” she said with a sigh.

Hadassah stroked her cheek and smiled. “Awake, you who sleep, and arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”

Julia held Hadassah’s hand against her heart. “It shouldn’t be so easy.”

“Jesus did all the work.”

“She must be baptized,” a voice said from behind her, and Hadassah stiffened slightly, her heart jumping. Marcus! She let go of Julia’s hand and covered her face quickly with the veils.