Solomon had then reminded Judas of his commitment as a Guardian, and asked that he help protect the shepherd until arrangements could be made for the crossing.

And in his heart, Judas had intended to fulfill his promise!

But when they had arrived in Jerusalem, his unbearable lust for the blood of those who spoke violently against women and the Mother had overtaken him. And he had left the shepherdess alone, to fend for herself.

His head dropped in shame. How far he had fallen since then. Solomon would be ashamed. As would all those he had loved. His life was no longer guided by The Way, but ruled by the god of vengeance. He had traded the grace of his spirit for the pursuit of an elusive justice. Now he was no better than the assassins who had killed his family.

Delilah.

Her neck slit from ear to ear. A bloody smile strung like a necklace across her throat.

Judas wiped the tears from his eyes and glanced back in the direction of the green-eyed healer.

This time, he vowed to the Mother, he would not fail.

CHAPTER 46

Somewhere within ancient Palestine—33 A.D.

Jesus held the elderly woman’s hands while Ruth wrapped a poultice around her ankle. A dog had bitten her and the wound become infected. Mary held a bowl of warm water while Tabitha tore strips of bandaging. The woman’s grandchildren nestled at her feet. They threw furtive smiles at the green-eyed man who was attending to their elder. When he winked at them, they squealed and tucked behind her. The women shared a laugh over the antics. And Mary held Jesus within her silver gaze.

A hand whipped back the camel hide door and a man stuck his head inside. The circle of women looked up. From the doorway, Peter glared at them, having grown more suspicious of their activities. He searched from one face to the next as if trying to catch them in some wicked act. The old woman and her grandchildren smiled back.

Ruth’s eyes turned to Jesus. The expression on Jesus’s face showed that Peter’s self-centered behavior had become draining.

Peter looked to Jesus. “Look what I found!” he said and lifted a leather sling, much like the ones they had used when they were shepherds. “Come with me and let us see who is the better shot!” he challenged.

“Can it wait?” Jesus asked his friend. He glanced down at the elderly woman. “I must finish wrapping her wound.”

Peter frowned. He let the sling drop to the ground. “It can wait forever, if you like,” he said and turned on his heels.

Jesus watched Peter leave and knew that his feelings were hurt. This realization troubled him. After all, Peter had been his first, and only, childhood friend. And it had been Peter’s mentoring that had enabled him to survive as a shepherd in the desert.