From Heaven To Earth (The Faith of the Fallen) (37 page)

He smiled as one of the students danced around the cage of a young woman.

The caged human cried out at first, but her expression soon changed from
one of horror to one of lust. She clawed at the cage to try to reach the demon.
The succubus leaned forward and kissed the woman through the bars. The human
was overcome with ecstasy, but her face paled as the succubus fed on her sexual
energy.

A tendril of drool ran down Zaltus’ mouth. He wiped it off with the
sleeve of his robe. He reached down to disrobe himself.

Zaltus.

A low tremulous hum stabbed into his brain like an icicle and froze his
thoughts.

Xochra, so soon?
he thought and gripped his aching head.

You sound disappointed,
Xochra’s tone remained the same.

Of course not, my queen. How was your journey from the nethers?

Icy pain spread across his body. He cried out.

I apologize for my insolence, great queen.

Does the warlock suspect betrayal?
she asked, her pitch
heightened.

He knows nothing
, Zaltus said.

His body warmed.

He believes my ramblings are nothing more than the ravings of an
insane old man,
Zaltus said.

I knew I couldn’t trust you to hold your tongue,
Xochra’s tone
grew higher and operatic.
Worthless human!

Zaltus’ body spasmed as the cold bit back into him.

He knows nothing! I promise you...

Frigidity numbed his body. He struggled to breathe.

An innumerable amount of my citizens have died so that I could
traverse the planes of limbo,
she sang to him in low mournful tones.
I
will not have their sacrifice be in vain. Have you taken the steps to dispose
of the demon?

Yes, my queen, as we discussed. Marylza was successful. I only await
her return from Hell.

Zaltus coughed to get air into his lungs as the suffocating cold receded.

Your path to this world has been paved,
Zaltus thought.
I sent
the bishop ahead to assure that.

Very well,
her tone became elated.
I will ascend to your plane
soon.

Her presence left him.

“Cold is coming. Then, death, death, death!” he sang out in dissonance,
again and again until his throat was hoarse.

He lounged and watched his television.

Sherrod Wall
is from Houston, Texas but currently resides in Edmond, Oklahoma with his wife
Brooke and his four children: Karoline, Colin, Alex, and David. He received a
B.A. in creative studies from the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond in
2007. He specializes in fiction, specifically the fantasy, sci-fi and
supernatural genres. He draws from historical sources and mythology to produce
familiar, yet unique settings and characters.

This harmony
is readily seen in his novel “ From Heaven To Earth”, the introductory novel of
the Faith in the fallen series. Where mythology and religious ideology of the
east and west are married, generating an innovative perspective of the human
condition. This physical aspect is coupled with character driven narrative, vivid
description and fluid action.

Sherrod is
currently editing “From Earth to Hell”, the sequel to “From Heaven to Earth”
and creating exciting new writing projects, all of which will be released on
upon completion.