Page 12 of Fallen
Inwardly, I groaned and ground my teeth, ignoring her prayer to enjoy the gruesome scene playing out below my dais.
I wonder if Anna has ever seen something so terrible.This thought brought me to another.Has anyone checked her eyes recently to determine if there are new treatments for her condition?
But whatwasher condition? What had happened to cause her to lose sight at such a youthful age?
I can restore her sight. But that wasn’t my job anymore.Besides, why in damnation am I even thinking about her?I punish and kill. Healing was something I hadn’t performed in an eternity, and I had no wish to start now.
Anna seemed to get along fine, better than most humans. Imperfections made one stronger anyhow. I was doing her a favor by not intervening.
Malachi laughed at the politician as the ghouls dragged his bleeding, torn body to the floor. The Chosen’s muscled form circled the crawling, pleading man, then Malachi tilted his head to get a better view.
A rangy little ghoul bit off a thumb, the crunch of bones grinding between his teeth loud in the airy chamber.
Senator Deering was going into shock. His whimpering mewls trailing off into desperate whispers.
My burst of enthusiasm waned. How long had it been since the annoying little brat had spoken my name in prayer?
A year? Two years?It was hard to keep track of Earth time when I was in Hell.
Several days ago—or weeks—her voice had rung through my head as she prayed to God for my safety. I’d ignored it, fighting an urge to blink to her room and figure out a way to scare the piss out of her for the last time.
After coming to no feasible solution, I blocked all prayers that night.
Still, throughout the week, I found my thoughts drifting to Anna’s predicament, left alone, blind, without anyone to keep her company, forgotten like nothing more than a piece of trash. For God to be so supposedly benevolent, She had a twisted sense of humor at the horrible lives some of her children led.
And everyone callsmecruel.
“Malachi, I will return shortly. I have a situation on Earth requiring my attention. Keep things orderly.”
He paced toward me to stand at the bottom of my throne, propping a foot on one of the skulls of my enemies decorating the base of the chair. His purple eyes narrowed as he scoured my face. “Of course, my Lord.” He sneered. “Is it Cain?”
“No.”
He straightened, the sneer turning to a frown. “Then who?”
“That is none of your concern, now, is it?” Ether slid from my body, whipping back and forth in agitation, always one with my mood.
His eyes flashed, but he bowed. “I overstep my bounds.”
He means well.
“You do.” I clasped his shoulder, then cupped his cheek. “But I appreciate your concern, Brother.” I lowered my hand. “I just need to check in on a little situation, nothing more. I shan’t be long.”
“Then I will take care of business.” His face softened with a smile.
“I know you will.” Snapping my fingers, I commanded the ether to morph my clothing to that of a human and blinked to Earth.
Chapter 7
Anna Sill
Eight Years Ago
Thenarratoroftheaudiobook had a soothing voice as I listened to a story about a woman named Sacha running away from her wedding and stumbling upon a dark sorcerer who owned a baby dragon.
I crossed my legs and leaned forward, trying to imagine what she must’ve been feeling as the rude mage learned her father was his worst enemy.
A scent of smoke and spice tickled my nose, distracting me from the story.
