Book excerpt: Emma Develle is a struggling artist trying to eke out a living in the big city. The violent and apparently supernatural death of her Aunt Johanna begins a strange series of events that will change Emma's life forever. Staying in her aunt's house, Emma is drawn to a mural that seems to change before her eyes. Like a modern-day Alice in Wonderland Emma discovers a doorway to the magical world of Eronth, where ancient goddesses are engaged in a bloody power battle with a clan of fallen angels, the Azephim. These dark angels are intent on charging the sacred Eom crystal, the single source of power for all known worlds. Their possession of this crystal will hurl these worlds into desolation and chaos. Khartyn the Crone and her apprentice Rosedark are Emma's guides in Eronth. Wise Khartyn recognises Emma as the prophesied 'Crossa', a time traveller with the ability to prevent the Eom crystal from charging. The Azephim are determined to capture and brainwash Emma to use her as a pawn in their evil and destructive game. Emma must use every part of her being to save herself from violent obvlivion. Circle of Nine is the first book in a spellbinding trilogy that effortlessly blends classical mythology and contemporary gothic fantasy.