Golem (Dominion of Shadows: The Demon's Gambit Book 1)

“Haunting, dark, and creepy-- Golem is by far one of the best books I've read in years.” ~ BookeryBliss ReviewsDetective. Angel. Victim. Devil.A haunting tale of suspense, loss, isolation, contempt, and fear.On November 1, 1951, war hero John Ashton was promoted to detective. His first assignment: find the district attorney’s missing daughter. But his only lead is Alena Francon, a high society sculptor and socialite committed to Bellevue’s psychiatric facility.Alena has a story for the new detective. A story so outlandish John Ashton refuses to heed the warning. Alena admits to incarnating Golem, a demonic force, into her statue. A devil so profound he’s infiltrated every part of New York’s infrastructure. Even worse, he uses children to serve as bodily hosts for his demonic army, unleashing a horde of devils into our world.When Alena’s confidant, Annette Flemming, confirms the existence of Golem, John is sent on a collision course where fate and destiny spiral into peril, and the future of the human race hangs in the balance.The Devil Is In The Details!Fans of The Silence of the Lambs, Clive Barker, John Connolly, Stephen King, and Anne Rice will be fascinated by this edge of your seat psychological horror novel with a story that rips out the heart of humanity and throws it on a slab to be feasted on.

From the Inside Flap

Detective John Ashton Excerpt: He could taste it like a tinge of metal on his tongue. He was about to receive his first assignment. Like a bloodhound on the scent of a hot trail, his anticipation brought him to the edge of his seat. "Do you know district attorney Charles Xavier?" Hearing that name formed goose bumps on John's arms. The hair on the back of his neck stood up. Of course he knew DA Xavier, his daughter had gone missing almost two years ago. The investigation was still ongoing. High profile case too. John's apt anticipation took a turn into pure one hundred percent excitement. Couldn't believe it really, his blue eyes gleamed with that same excitement and he did all he could to taper down that smug, way-too-happy smile. This isabout a missing child. Mental check: learn to hide your excitement. "Not personally but I have kept up on the investigation regarding his daughter. As much as I possible could with limited access and..." "It's a dead end," Knowles interrupted him. Maybe he didn't like the excitement he saw in Ashton's face. Maybe he had no time for new recruits and their let's save the worldattitude. Maybe he wanted to get this over with as quickly as possible. Still, his "dead end" declaration was disappointing. "I'm sure that child is calling someone else mommy and daddy right now or fertilizing daffodils. Either way, the politics in the situation is obviously paramount. We've exhausted all avenues over the last year. Came up empty and still empty. We normally would close this case but considering it's the DA, as a courtesy, it's still open." John listened, waiting, anticipating, eager for the assignment to be handed to him; he could feel it in his bones. "However, there is a new lead." Knowles looked up from his pad, his brown eyes stiff as if he was sizing up his new detective, looking for any sign that could break him. Knowles rolled his tongue inside his cheek and sat back, still holding his pen over the pad he'd scribbled on. "Have you ever heard of Alena Francon?" The name did ring a bell, although John couldn't place a face with the name. "Sounds like high society," is what spat out of John's mouth. The captain didn't laugh as John expected. He sat there, stiff and staring mindlessly at John "High society is just the tip of the iceberg with this one. Remember the ClairField Hotel?" John did remember the ClairField. Who in New York didn't, especially after a fire ravaged and destroyed the hotel earlier in the year? "Of course," John replied. "Did she have something to do with the fire?" "Officially, no. Officially hot coals left unattended by the destruction crew started the fire. Unofficially, we have reason to believe she isthe reason for the fire. A few firemen pulled her out, a bit delirious too. Kept going on and on about the children. Had a delirious story to go with it." John crinkled his brow. "Story?" Now Captain Knowles laughed, more like a chuckle of disbelief. His eyes were cast down, as if he'd found some bug on the floor. "Said the Golem had kidnapped and was holding captive a horde of children in the hotel." To this John perked up. "Really? Did they find any remains?" Captain shook his head, and brushed his shirt off then sat forward. "None. We ceased the search after hearing her story." He laughed again. "She indicated this Golem is a statue that came to life. Talk about a wild goose chase."

From the Back Cover

Alena Francon Excerpt: Whimpers held back, cries and fearful scurries came from those cages, all bathed in darkness despite the red tint overhead. Golem closed and locked the door behind them, his movements smooth and calculated. He leaned against the door. Alena arched her head back, seeing him."They wait for you, Baphomet," he said. "Please, choose your desire."Alena turned to the cages, walked to them, felt her hand run across the steel. Inside each cage was a child. Some no more than four, but none more than ten years old. Alena felt herself grin. "Delightful," she said. "How did you retrieve so many so quickly?""The orphanage," Golem breathed. "They came willingly, of course. So, so easy it was; they came like hungry dogs to a steak dinner."Alena pursed her lips, tightened her jaw. "Please, my lady, can you help us?" A voice in a cage, soft spoken, strong.Alena turned to the seven-year-old girl who pressed her forehead to the steel fence. Soft blue eyes gazing at Alena. The girl's face covered in soot, matted blonde hair. Alena bent down eye to eye with her."Of course," Alena said. "That is why I am here."The girl paused, staring at Alena, sizing her up. "Why are your eyes like that?" The girl was trembling, Alena could see. "Don't be afraid, my dear. Not of me, not ever. I only wish to help you...can you believe me? That I am here to help you?"The girl pursed her lips then swallowed. She gave a quick nod. The other children softly and quietly stood, watching, their eyes sad, confused, defeated. Listening and observing. Alena could hear their shallow breathing and the restricted beat of little hearts."Good," Alena said, shaking her head and smiling. "I only need for you to do something for me. Is that ok? Can you help me too? We all need help in this world, do we not? Will you help me—?""Sophia," said the girl. "My name is Sophia."Alena felt the grin on her lips. "Such a beautiful name. Tell me, Sophia, what are your dreams?"Sophia hesitated. "Dreams are not real," she said. "Not for us, not ever for us.""Oh, my darling, so, so not true. Dreams are for everyone." She heard Golem snicker over her shoulder. Sophia looked at him but Alena's hand covered the view, returning Sophia's eyes to her. "Tell me, Sophia, do you wish for riches? Fame? Power? Do you wish to come away from this cage and be free?"Sophia nodded, those blue eyes sad and downtrodden."Oh, wonderful. Absolutely wonderful, Sophia." Alena felt hunger turn her stomach and wrench into her throat. She licked her lips with a slight movement of the tongue. "I can do that for you, Sophia. I can make all your dreams come true.""Are you a fairy godmother?""Oh, yes, Sophia. That I am and I have all your dreams and wishes right here..." Alena held out her hand, palm up, for Sophia to see. "In the palm of my hand." Light emitted from her palm, sparkling red and blue light as if she held a crystal that reflected the rainbow. Sophia's eyes glowed."You are a fairy godmother.""Of course, Sophia. I wouldn't lie to you. Not to a child. Not ever. But can you please do something for me first? Before I give you such beautiful presents. Do I have your permission? Can you give that to me, your agreement? Like a sacred pact between two people. You do for me, and I do for you. Will you allow this, Sophia?"Sophia looked left then right, seeing the other kids with unknowing stares. She turned those blue eyes to Alena and nodded. "Yes," she said. "Yes, I will."

About the Author

PD Alleva writes thrillers. Whether those thrillers are Sci-Fi Fantasy's about Alien Vampires attempting to subjugate the human race, or steeped in a haunting horror novel, or an urban fantasy with supernatural themes, PD always provides readers with a profound, entertaining, and satisfying reader experience, in a new genre he has coined as alternative fiction. His novels blend mystery, conspiracy, psychology, and action with the supernatural, horror, fantasy, and science fiction. Alternative fiction is PD's attempt at describing what readers uncover in any one of his books, a new discovery towards mainstream storytelling. He's been writing since childhood, creating and developing stories with brash and impactful concepts he describes are metaphors for the shifting energies that exist in the universe. PD lives inside of his own universe, working diligently on the Sci-Fi/Fantasy series, The Rose Vol. II, the urban fantasy novella series, Girl on a Mission, and Jigglyspot and the Zero Intellect, PD's upcoming horror thriller.

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