There has always been good and evil, right and wrong, shadow and light. There has always been a balance... until now.
Deep in an underground cave system an ancient and secret sect are raising the devil but to truly live it must have something that only one man can give. That man is Duncan Connors, ex-army, soon-to-be-priest; followed, watched and tested and - unbeknown to him - the last descendant of Judas Iscariot. Of Light and Shadow is his journey from the hollowed spires of Oxford to the hidden caverns of Turkey. Can he save the world or like his reviled ancestor will he betray all those he has come to love and unleash the ultimate evil.
Excerpt
Trees, set stark against fields silvered by a full moon loomed over the devastation, their skeletal limbs sinister and unmoving as a staccato rain of stone and debris clattered to the tyre-streaked asphalt. As suddenly as it started the deluge subsided and silence settled, only to be broken by the heavy, assured tread of booted feet.
Night sounds rushed back at the intrusion, but the man walking toward the car embedded in the stone wall remained oblivious. He only had eyes for the occupant, whose blood-splattered head rested against the steering wheel. Eyes glazed over in death stared into the star-bedecked night without seeing, and the man’s lips quirked into a crooked smile.
Its job done, he slipped the remote detonator into a pocket of his overcoat and then reached into an inside pocket for the mobile he had been left when given the contract, to thumb the only number stored in its memory. His call was answered almost immediately, and he said, “It’s sorted.”
“Witnesses?”
“No.”
He arrived at the car and reached inside the shattered driver’s side window to grab the wooden cross that dangled from the rear-view mirror, snapping the thin cord with ease.
“Good. Make sure you leave no evidence.”
He pondered the origin of his employer, as he had done ever since they’d first spoken many years ago, but, as with previous contact, the voice synthesiser made positive identification impossible. Even so, there was an accent to the words, possibly European, but he had long given up on trying to identify the man behind the voice. He paid well, and promptly, which was the primary concern. “You worry too much. Have I ever let you down before?”
There was a moment of silence before the voice said, “Just make sure. We cannot afford mistakes.”
A light breeze brought the scent of petrol and the man looked down. A rapidly expanding puddle of fuel pooled at his feet, and he smiled.
“Are you listening to me?”
“Who’s next?”
“Let me worry about that. I will contact you in due course, in the usual manner.”
The line went dead and the man snorted in wry amusement. Knowing what must be done, he tossed the mobile into the petrol, closely followed by the cross, before walking away. After ten paces he stopped and turned, pulled a pack of cigarettes out of his pocket, took one out and lit it. The tip glowed brightly as he inhaled. He took another drag and then, with a flick of a finger, sent it arcing through the air. He did not hang around to see the end result, but turned and walked away. By the time he reached his car the glow from the cigarette had mushroomed into a flame that incinerated everything within its embrace.
***
Despite the lateness of the hour he knew he had to make the call, and punched in the private number for Monsignor Louvičre. Unexpectedly, given the time difference, the call was answered after three rings, and he raised a brow in surprise.
“Allo.”
“Monsignor Louvičre?”
“Qui.”
“It has begun.”
There was a momentary pause before the Monsignor spoke again, this time in English, his French origins obvious. “You are certain?”
“I am certain. The time is upon us. They made their move earlier this evening.”
He heard the sharp intake of breath, and guessed what the Monsignor’s next question was likely to be. “The Missio is safe. For now.”
“Good. Make sure it stays that way, for all our sakes.”
The line went dead and he sighed. After thumbing the ‘end call’ key he tossed the telephone onto his desk and then leaned back in his chair. Fingers steepled, his gaze unfocussed, he tapped at pursed lips, and murmured, “And so it begins.”
Professional Reviews
Colin Harvey
A fast-paced adventure with the forces of Light ranged against the legions of Darkness, which will delight Steve Westcott's fans and win him many more admirers.
Raven Dane
I was delighted at the author's versatility with this taut, eerie, fast-paced chiller. Of Light and Shadow is an exciting page-turner from the off. The plot hits the floor running and doesn't stop. I thoroughly recommend this enjoyable, gripping read for anyone wjo likes a skillful touch of the occult blended into their thrillers.
Crowley County Series, Novels 4-6
An uplifting series with romance, mystery and suspense.
Join the people of Crowleyville as they face the challenges of small town life while struggling to welcome an influx of newcomers.
Set in 2022, new novel features a successful Baltimore attorney who attempts a run at the state senatorial seat. But she is suddenly faced with obstacles she didn’t know existed and decisions she never dreamed she would have to make…
