Book excerpt: A woman finds danger and desire with a vampire demon in this “sizzling paranormal romance” series debut by the New York Times bestselling author (Savannah Russe, USA Today bestselling author of Beyond the Pale). The day Abby Barlow broke a priceless vase, she thought she might lose her job. She had no idea what she was in for. In just a few hours, she's survived an explosion, watched her employer die, had a startling dream, and now she finds herself in a seedy Chicago hotel with the sexy vampire demon Dante, whom she both desires and fears. For centuries, Dante has stood as guardian to The Chalice, a mortal woman chosen to hold back the darkness threatening to overtake the world. A terrible twist of fate has now made Abby that woman. Three hours ago, Dante would have used all his charms to seduce her. Now she is his to protect in an epic battle between good and evil—and a desperate race to save their love. "An affair so hot it burns up the page." —Savannah Russe, USA Today bestselling author of Beyond the Pale "Alexandra Ivy is already in a league of her own." —Lynn Viehl, author of Dark Need