The hallway that stretched before us was surprisingly bright and airy, and ran the entire length of the house. Several doorways led off it from either side and, down at the very end, sliding glass doors led out into a rear yard that contained a pool. Like the front yard, both the hallway and the rear yard were kept meticulously—there didn’t appear to be a leaf out of place, and there certainly wasn’t even the slightest hint of dust on the richly colored floorboards. Whoever looked after this place—be it Wolfgang or hired help—was one hell of a housekeeper.
I took a cautious step inside, then stopped again, flaring my nostrils to determine where the death scent was strongest.
“The body lies in the living area down at the far end of this hall,” Azriel said. He was standing so close that his breath tickled the hairs at the nape of my neck.
I eyed the far end of the hall warily. Why, I had no idea. It wasn’t like Wolfgang’s husked remains would provide any threat. It was just that smell—the oddness of it. “Does his soul remain?”
“No. The death was an ordained one.”
This meant that a reaper had been here to escort him to whichever gate he’d been destined for. It probably would have been comforting news to anyone but Hunter. “Does that also mean whatever did this isn’t a demon? If this death was meant to be, then surely it can’t be an escapee from hell.”
He touched my back and gently propelled me forward. My footsteps echoed on the polished boards, the sound like gunshots in the silence. Azriel was ghostlike.
“Whether this death was the result of an attack from a demon has no bearing on it being ordained. If death is meant to find you, there is no avoiding it.”
“Which doesn’t actually answer the question of whether a demon did this.”
“It could be either a malevolent spirit or some kind of demon, thanks to the first portal being open.”
And it was only open thanks to me.
“That thanks belongs to us all,” he corrected softly. “It is a blame that lies with everyone who was involved in that first quest.”
But in particular, with one.
He might not have said the words, but they hung in the air regardless. And while it was now very obvious that Lucian had an agenda all his own when it came to the keys, I didn’t think he was responsible for snatching the first one. He’d been as furious as we had been over its loss.
Of course, I had also been sure that he’d never harm me, and his strangulation attempt had certainly proven that wrong. Yet I still believed he didn’t want me dead. Not until the keys were found, anyway.
I frowned. “I thought you said malevolent spirits were of this world rather than from hell.”
“They are.”
“Then why would the opening of the first gate affect them in any way?”
“Because the dark path is a place filled with dark emotions and, with the first gate open, these emotions have begun to leach into this reality.”
“Meaning what?”
I slowed as I neared the living area and trepidation flared, though I still had no idea what I feared. Maybe it was simply death itself. Or maybe it was just a hangover from the hell of the past few weeks. Between escapee demons, malevolent spirits, and psycho astral travelers, I’d certainly been kept on my toes.
Or flat on my back, bleeding all over the pavement, as was generally the case.
“Meaning,” Azriel said softly, “that ftll over theit feeds the darker souls, be they human or spirit.”
“So basically, it’s the beginning of hell on earth?” Two steps and I’d be in the living room. My stomach began twisting into knots. I flexed my fingers and forced reluctant feet forward.
“Basically, yes.”
“Great.” As if the weight on my shoulders weren’t already enough, I now had the sanity of the masses to worry about.
I entered the living room—and saw the body.
Or rather, the body-shaped parcel.
Because Hunter had left out one very important fact when she’d described Wolfgang’s death.
Not only had he been sucked as dry as a fly caught by a spider, but he’d been entangled in the biggest damn spiderweb I’d ever seen.
Praise for the Dark Angels Novels
“Sensual and erotic. . . . I urge you to pick up Arthur’s series.”
—USA Today
“Must read! I love, love, love it! Ms. Arthur’s . . . kick-ass action and indelible heroine left me enraptured. Risa Jones is one of a kind; she is the next generation’s paranormal superheroine! . . . [It’s] pretty damn hot.”
—Joyfully Reviewed
“Risa is an amazing character; she most certainly kicks butt.”
—Serendipity Reviews
“You will fall hard for [Keri Arthur’s] Dark Angels series.”
—Coffee Time Romance & More
“A highly imaginative world with memorable characters . . . everything a fan of romance and urban fantasy would enjoy. There is a cosmopolitan mix of supernatural creatures: werewolves, vampires, and witches . . . an exciting new series!”
—Night Owl Reviews
“Keri Arthur skillfully mixes her suspenseful plot with heady romance in her thoroughly enjoyable alternate reality Melbourne. Sexy vampires, randy werewolves, and unabashed, unapologetic, joyful sex—you’ve gotta love it. Smart, sexy, and well conceived.”
—Kim Harrison
“Deliciously sexy . . . [it] pulls you in and won’t let go. Keri Arthur knows how to thrill! Buckle up and get ready for a wild, cool ride!”
—Shana Abé
“Will remind many of Anita Blake, Laurell K. Hamilton’s kick-ass vampire hunter. . ny ill;. . Fans of . . . Charlaine Harris’s Sookie Stackhouse vampire series will be rewarded.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Well-done and entertaining.”
—The Sunday Oklahoman
“Sexy and fast-paced.”
—The Davis Enterprise
“Hot werewolves, sexy vampires, a huge amount of butt kickin’, and no-holds-barred sex. If you like a twist to your paranormal romance, you’ll love this book.”
—Fresh Fiction
Finalist for the 2008 Fantasm Award for Best Werewolf Romance
“Strong world building, vivid personalities, and the distinctive cultures of each of the various paranormal strains combine for a rich narrative, and Arthur’s descriptive prose adds texture and menace.”
—Publishers Weekly
“The second book in this paranormal guardian series is just as phenomenal as the first. . . . I am addicted!”
—Fresh Fiction
“Delivers all you need for a fabulous read—sexy shape-shifters; hot vampires; wild, uncontrollable sex.”
—Fresh Fiction
Finalist for the 2008 Fantasm Award for Best Urban Fantasy Romance
“By far one of the best books I have ever read.”
—Coffee Time Romance & More
“[An] absorbing read.”
—SFRevu
“This series is phenomenal! . . . It keeps you spellbound and mesmerized on every page. Absolutely perfect!!”
—Fresh Fiction
“Positively one of the best urban fantasy authors in print today.”
—Darque Reviews