"Move over Anne Rice and Poppy Z. Bright for Scarlett Dean, and all those Larel K. Hamilton fans will flock to Scarlett Dean's novels should word get out of Dean's layered and complex set of characters, who happen to be caught up in the fire of erotic vampirism...great read, un-put-down-able!"—Robert W. Walker, author of the Instinct & Edge series and Fire & Flesh as Evan Kingsbury

…Inside the large cathedral, aromas of incense rode the sound of chimes as altar candles cried tears of the whitest wax. Dr. Arianne Brasov bowed her head to finish a prayer before making her way to the front to receive communion. She stared at the statue of Christ on the cross until someone nudged her to move ahead. For six years, she'd prayed for a miracle, for some sort of sign that she would be healed. How long, Lord? Am I wasting my time here?

Communion wine trickled down Arianne's throat like warm blood.

"Body of Christ…" Father Jonah's voice echoed throughout the cathedral as the communion procession continued.

Afterward, Arianne closed her eyes and felt the same haunting presence she'd felt when she'd entered St. Victor's Church. The unwelcome aura was a warning to turn her away. She grabbed her coat and purse and hurried toward the large ornate doors. Her steps quickened through the entryway past statues wearing fixed, penetrating stares.

"Go. Hurry," one whispered.