Dark, urban fantasy set in present day London. Angels and demons compete for the souls of humanity.
Dark Angel is book one of a trilogy.
The demon Mastema has been collecting souls while the Host of angels try to thwart him. In the midst of the powerplay, Rachael sits neutrally on the sidelines until Mastema identifies the value of her soul.
Rachael is the Dark Angel; dead for six centuries, her soul was too pure for Hell but too tainted for Heaven and she has spent her time adrift in the void with all the other lost souls until she learned to gain form.
Jacob is the servant of Mastema and is charged with bringing Rachael's soul into Masrema's possesion. Ever loyal, the servant resumes his ancient battle against the Dark Angel but even he doesn't realise the significance of his task. Rachael's soul is rich enough that with it, the demon can rip a hole through the barrier between Hell and Earth and bring the world of man under the dominion of his master.
The Host of angels understand the danger and the angel Briathos is charge to either save Rachael or to destroy her. The objective of the cold and distant angel is endangered when he finally acknowledges, after six centuries of contact with the Dark Angel, he has strong feelings for her.
Excerpt
Striding confidently into the foyer of the luxury hotel, Jacob immediately identified the scent from the night before. Sitting in the lounge area to the left of the main door was a young woman who reeked of being a power. It wasn't as if she had simply been in the company of one. The odour was so sweet and strong Jacob could not imagine being mistaken.
The woman wore a black figure hugging dress of some stretchy fabric Jacob didn't recognise. The moment he had entered the foyer, her eyes had turned to him, recognising him for what he was as easily as he had recognised her.
They exchanged a glance and Jacob was curious that there was not a hint of fear in her eyes. She was supremely confident with an arrogance that he was unfamiliar with. She hooked a stray lock of her short, dark hair behind her ear and smiled at him. He couldn't believe her audacity. He strode across the intervening space and sat himself in an armchair beside hers.
He had no plan to work from. He had expected to spend the best part of the morning just identifying what room she was making use of and then to retreat and formulate his next step. That she had been sitting as though waiting for him left him without that recourse.
“She's not here, she left yesterday” Tabitha said.
Jacob paused. He knew she had to be referring to the witch and though she had answered a question he had not asked, it did confirm his suspicions. He wasn't happy that she seemed so confident though. She should have some fear of him and it grated that she apparently did not.
“Maybe I'm not looking for her. Maybe I was hunting you.”
Slowly a grin spread across her face and she turned fully to face him. “To what end? You gain nothing from my destruction, even assuming you have that ability” she sneered. “Personally, I doubt you do. Despite that though, destroy my form, I shall return and not rest until I return the favour. You shall do nothing to lay claim to my soul. I ask you again. To what end?”
Jacob considered her words and found no fault in her reasoning. He would claim sustenance from ending her life but he believed her that in time, she would simply balance the books.
Against his better judgement, he found he liked the young woman. Her attitude was refreshing. She affected no airs and graces, she did not claim a moral high ground. She didn't even seem to have any fear. If not for her scent, he would think her one of his own. He nodded sagely and found himself returning her slight mocking smile. He put his hands in mock surrender.
“In that case, what shall we talk about?”
Tabitha grew serious. “You could tell me why you hunt her. You know of course she seeks nothing but a satisfying existence.”
Jacob thought on her question and felt his own answers lacking. He sought her because he was commanded to. He sought her because she had fought him. He sought her because her soul was free and unfettered and he envied her. All his answers were true but the last answer was a recent discovery. He found himself wondering once more if he controlled his own destiny and laughed at loud as he knew he did not.
Tabitha looked at him quizzically when he laughed and he became introspective. She was the enemy. He neither could nor should explain himself. She cocked her head, waiting on a response from him.
“I have no choice in the matter. My Master wishes her soul, it is not for me to deny his will.” The truth saddened Jacob but that realisation annoyed. “I don't want to play this game anymore” he muttered half under his breath.
Tabitha reached her hand to the angel of Hell of her fingers touched his chin, tilting his head upward that she might better see his face. She could read pain in eyes. There were no tears, she sensed there would never be tears but though she couldn't understand him, she felt for him.
“Jacob” she said. “Do not think you are beyond redemption.”
Jacob laughed hard and with bitterness. She had seemed so wise a moment ago and now she thought she knew him. He threw his head back and his laughter echoed around the vast space of the foyer. Clients and hotel staff alike paused and stared at him. A security guard glanced to the check-in desk to see if the manager wanted him to take any action but the duty manager shook his head.
Letting his laugh dwindle to a chuckle, he slowly raised himself to his feet. He smiled down at the young woman with old eyes and quietly he whispered “For a millennia, I have tortured, maimed, killed and ripped innocent souls from innocent bodies. I have handed the damned spirits of hundreds over to a demon who keeps a remnant of my soul to ensure I continue to do so. Heaven does not want me. I am as damned as any of the fallen.” He shook his head once more with a sad certainty “There is no redemption for one such as me.”
Jacob turned to walk to the main doors so as to exit the hotel when Tabitha called him back. He didn't return but he moved to face her to hear her words.
“Redemption is not offered, it is earned. Even the blackest soul can find the light.”
Professional Reviews
irishlace Amazon.com
It took me a few chapters to get into it, but once I did I couldn't put it down. This author's descriptions made me feel as if I was experiencing the events for myself. Can not wait for the next book. I need to see where these characters go. Nice job Mr. Heath.
caroline mitchell Amazon.co.uk
Fantastic book , The writer paints such a vivid picture with his words..you cant help but be drawn in and found it very hard to stop reading. A must for all lovers of gothic reads. Will have to buy paperback copy now too , it will wait on my shelf patiently for the next book to be released.
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