They All Fall Down: Shadow Jumpers, #2

By Angela Brown

Abby and Basil live in sunny San Diego, CA, a far cry from dark nights crossing in between life and death to protect lost souls...or steal them. But their former duties as Cleanser and Harvestor hover close threatening the new path they've chosen.

In the shadows, Q, the new master of hell, embraces his role as the Devourer. With a crave that refuses to be denied, he sets a plan in motion to claim his deepest desires for the fall of mankind and the one woman constantly slipping from his grasps: Abby.

True love is put to the test and salvation is only possible if Abby and Basil choose the right path. Or the world could be destined for, “ashes, ashes, we all fall down.”

***This new adult paranormal romance contains sexual situations, a few swear words, and is not recommended for readers under the age of 18.***

• Language: English
• Publisher: Angela Brown
• Release date: Dec 28, 2014
• ISBN: 9781502218001

Book preview

They All Fall Down

by

Angela Brown

They All Fall Down

Angela Brown

Copyright 2013 Angela Brown

All rights preserved. No part of this book may be reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, taping, or by any information storage system without written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Because of the dynamic nature of the internet, any web address or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid.

Stock imagery provided by Thinkstock and Stock Free Images.

Cover design by Heather McCorkle of McCorkle Creations.

@Angela Brown 10/1/2013

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To the friends and family who continue to believe in and support me, to love surviving all obstacles and to second chances.

Table of Contents

Chapter One - Abby

Chapter Two - Q

Chapter Three - Basil

Chapter Four - Q

Chapter Five - Abby

Chapter Six - Basil

Chapter Seven - Abby

Chapter Eight - Q

Chapter Nine - Abby

Chapter Ten - Basil

Chapter Eleven - Abby

Chapter Twelve - Q

Chapter Thirteen - Abby

Chapter Fourteen - Basil

Chapter Fifteen - Q

Chapter Sixteen - Abby

Chapter Seventeen - Q

Chapter Eighteen - Basil

Chapter Nineteen - Abby

Chapter Twenty - Basil

Chapter Twenty-One - Abby

Chapter Twenty-Two - Q

Chapter Twenty-Three - Basil

Chapter Twenty-Four - Abby

Chapter Twenty-Five - Basil

Chapter Twenty-Six - Abby

Chapter Twenty-Seven - Basil

About the Author

Acknowledgements

Author’s Note

Untethered Realms

Chapter One

Abby

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Tegra, I swear you’re going to love visiting San Diego. The post cards I sent you don’t do it justice. I mean the ocean, the sun –the whole everything! Abby’s voice carried into the Bluetooth situated upon her ear. She lifted her digital camera and snapped a photo of an older couple shuffling by, holding hands. They smiled at each other, delighting in their morning stroll as much as Abby enjoyed hers. She longed to have Basil by her side, cuddling close as they ambled along. Waking to find him gone made that a little...difficult.

A breeze swirled by, sweeping Abby’s floral sundress into a Marilyn-Monroe-over-the-air-vent flare. Heat scaled her neck. A few guys seated outside at a café held their forks midair, openly gawking. One even whistled as his jumble of eggs and sausage tumbled back to his plate.

Distracted, Abby didn’t notice a bike courier barreling around the corner, right into her path.

She turned her head at the whine of his spinning spokes. His wide green eyes met hers. Too late for the cyclist to swerve.

Too sudden for Abby to react beyond a breath hitching in her throat.

Two...

One...

A hand gripped her wrist and yanked her from the pending collision. Air whooshed free of her lips as her body slammed flush against a solid form. All man...and all lean muscles and strength the way his arm held her up from the ground by at least a foot. He pressed his other hand firm against her back. She placed her palms to her rescuer’s chest. His wet, well-carved bare chest.

The cyclist hollered an apology over his shoulder, hurried and bound to his route.

Abby wriggled her hips and hinted for her freedom with a push of her hands.

Taking the hint, her savior slowly released his grip, letting her slip free of his hold.

She stumbled back a step. Tha – thank you, uh...wow, that was too close.

In a quick glance, Abby took in the young man’s appearance, the black shiny sleeves loosely tied as the wetsuit rested upon his hips. His narrow, slender form...a lot like Basil. She sucked a breath through her teeth when her gaze traveled to the Harvestor’s mark over the young man’s heart.  Questions leaped to her lips.

Who is he?

What is he doing here?

Why can’t he just look evil instead of so cute-like-my-Basil?

A moment’s paranoia kicked in, wondering if Q sent him. If so, it wasn’t to hurt her since he saved her from a two-wheeled crash down.

Clearing her throat, Abby shooed the questions away. The who, what, when, where – and especially – why behind his mark? Not her business. Running off into the Withers and battling Harvestors for lost souls was what she used to do, but she wasn’t a Cleanser anymore. No more blasts of holy water or fire strikes for training, just the occasional release of pent up elemental magic when no one was looking.

Leaving V’Salicus Academy forced her to learn what being an adult was all about. At least she didn’t have to do it alone. Lisel knew more about being grown up so he was helpful. And she had Basil.

Yes...Basil.

She averted her eyes to a point just beside the stranger’s ears. Rubbing her hands up and down her arms, she tried to ignore the fact his touch didn’t make her skin crawl.

He ran his fingers through curly black hair. Water dripped from the tips. Just glad I was at the right place at the right time. Waves aren’t doing much this morning. He offered his hand, the dry one. Name’s Wade. And yours?

I normally tell strange men my name is Tabitha. She giggled. But you earned the truth. I’m Abby. Thank you – again.

She shook his hand, a firm assured hold. No surprise there.

She slid her fingers free and returned to her stroll.

Hope I see you again, he said.

Not if I can help it.

Hey, wait. Is this yours? Wade called out.

Abby paused and turned around. A few quick strides and he reached her, a small digital camera in hand.

Oh my goodness! I didn’t realize it fell. She hadn’t considered much in the ticking seconds between possible-pain and sudden-salvation. No bright light flashed before her eyes. Even though she knew her Cleanser’s healing mark would keep her from dying, it was still disappointing to experience little more than a heartbeat of nothing.

Wade placed the camera in her outstretched palm. It landed in the bushes behind us. Guess that’s why it didn’t make any noise. I only noticed it when I looked for mine. Saw this sticking out from the leaves.

That’s twice you saved me. My body and my pictures.

Tegra shouted in the Bluetooth. Abby! Are you flirting?

What? No. Abby answered. Her cheeks warmed from the lie. Glancing at Wade, she said, I better go. Thanks again.

Waving over her shoulder, Abby returned to her call. Tegra bombarded her:

What the hell just happened?

You’re okay, right?

Who was that?

Is he cute?

Abby rolled her eyes heavenward. One at a time, Tegra. Look, I’m fine. So was that guy. Doesn’t matter. I’m with Basil. Besides, I need another Harvestor in my life as much as I need the zombie apocalypse.

Have you guys, well, you know...? Tegra asked.

Abby burst out laughing then covered her mouth. "No, we haven’t done that yet. We’ve kissed and touched but I think we’re, I don’t know, maybe I’m still a little scared. Recalling Basil’s touch, the feel of his body next to hers, sent a shiver straight through her. It’s still so new."

The Bluetooth erupted in rapid-fire chatter from Tegra’s response.

Abby paused, nodding her head as if Tegra could see her. I know. I know. Can’t live in the past forever. Basil’s not rushing me. I love him even more for that.

Abby looked ahead, spying Basil’s RX8 in the driveway. So he’s finally back home.

She half-listened to Tegra ramble some more as her feet pressed for home.

Her mind wandered...

Basil’s middle-of-the-night disappearances hadn’t gone unnoticed. The first time he slipped free of her arms and tiptoed out of the room, she got up to follow him. For all her crouching and stalking, she learned he liked pruning the small garden he started and having drinks with Lisel on the deck. Actually, Lisel drank. Basil mostly lounged on the patio chaise and stared up at the moon and stars. From then on, she let it go, gave him whatever space it seemed he needed.

She wanted to ask him about it but didn’t know how to approach him:

Do I stink? or Bad morning breath? were the only two questions to come to mind. They didn’t sound like great conversation starters.

But for once, she woke up, and Basil was nowhere to be found. Not in his garden. Not the deck.

Nowhere.

I can’t keep waiting for him to say something to me.

An unfamiliar car parked behind Lisel’s SUV drew her attention. Tegra, something just came up. Call me when you and, uh, what’s his name? Matt! Yeah, that’s right. Call me when you and Matt land for your layover.

Tegra stumbled over her words at the sudden ending of the call but said her goodbyes and disconnected.

Abby’s thrill at soon seeing Tegra gave way to an anxiety at the pit of her gut.

First, what to say to Basil.

He wasn’t just a warm body she liked snuggling with at night. Okay, so that part was nice. But he was so much more. His presence, his voice, his laughter, everything about him wrapped her up in the comforts of home. It didn’t matter where they were. She just needed him.

Second, after she and Lisel were strongly encouraged to leave V’Salicus Academy, they, along with Basil, crisscrossed the country for a couple of months:

Lisel the strategist, Basil the brains and they called her the beauty.

Very few people knew they finally settled into one place. Money well paid insured a lot of tight lips, part of her paranoia at seeing Wade-the-Harvestor so close to where she lived. Neighbors didn’t seem interested in throwing a welcome-to-the-beachside party any time soon. The sight of a different vehicle parked in the driveway couldn’t be good, especially not something as over-the-top as a Maserati.

Leaving her flip flops just inside the front door, Abby stepped into a pair of house shoes. Low voices floated to her from the kitchen area. One brought a smile to her face. The second warmed her heart. The last chilled her down to the marrow of her bones. She took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, then headed to the kitchen.

Lisel leaned upon the island, hands clasped. Brown curls dangled over his forehead, nearly veiling his gray eyes.

Basil stood with his arms folded, back against the stainless steel refrigerator. Lips pursed. Midnight sky eyes narrowed to slits. The apples of his cheeks flamed red. Every part of Abby wanted to kiss him into a happier place, except for the part reeling in frustration at the visitor at the kitchen table.

Q sat in the old country-styled wood chair, the picture of relaxation.

Black satin curls hung carelessly into his face. Flawless skin time failed to touch. His irises resembled black holes expanding and stealing the surrounding space. Only a thin ring of white remained. Soon the decay of death would rob Q of his eyes, though as the master of hell, he’d be anything but blind.

So much of him still appeared like Father Jon Quanon, the mentor Abby and Basil braved the flames of hell to rescue from the Devourer’s clutches. Instead, she watched as the man she’d grown to care for, her friend, claimed the reins to hell. Even though it was a move to save her, Father Quanon lost himself, becoming Q.

Then

Reviews for They All Fall Down

[weinerjm-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

he book starts off quickly, and pulls you in just like Neverlove did. You see that Abigail and Basil are still chasing their happily ever after, and that the Devourer is still causing havoc on earth with his plots and plans.
And since the form of Father Quin has taken over the dubious honor of being the lord of Hell, part of those plots includes getting Abby back! Q has even enlisted Basil's mother into the plan, and has a new girlfriend for Basil.

Abby meets another "former" Harvester, who saves her from getting run over. He's also there when her and Basil hit a rough patch after her seeing pictures that aren't quite what they seem. These pictures are on the camera that belongs to the other Harvester, who accidently gave her his by mistake when he "saved" her.

Over all, I highly recommend this novel. You still have the same characters you fell (or will fall) in love with from Neverlove. They All Fall Down has plenty of action, lots of suspense, and an ending that just might catch you by surprise! This book is a complete package, with a 4 star rating.

[khaalidah-3 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I thought that the prequel, Neverlove, deserved a 2.5 but this one gets the entire 3 stars.
The Good: the action sequences were exciting, character motivations, while sometimes stupid/sappy (as people often are) were clearly drawn and made sense within the context of the story. I like that there are no unflawed characters here. The prose is cleanly written and my internal editor mostly stayed in the off position.
The Bad: The characterization, as with the previous book, was shallow. These characters werent well fleshed out. Their pasts don't !much exist and beyond one another they seem not to have much of a life. I had a difficult time caring about anyone beyond the protagonists and them only because I've been with them for two books now. I have a difficult time visualizing some of these characters and places. Plainly there is just not enough depth.
The Ugly: So... yeah I get that this is a romance, or a paranormal with romance. Doesn't matter how you put it. Romance isn't my cuppa. As with much romance the crap happens at the wrong moments. You can't be standing in hell arguing with the devil thinking about cuddling with your boyfriend. Really? Bad timing. Just wrong. And as with similar books, these people seem to let their love take them to the edge of insanity and back before coming to their senses. All of the turmoil in this book between Abby and Basil could have been avoided had one or the other stopped trying to prove their love, protect their love, save their love. I mean just communicate, take the tongue lashing, and build some solid trust here people and the DEVIL won't be able to screw you up.
So if I don't like romance, why read it? I am trying to broaden my reading scope. And while the complained much, I wouldn't have finished this book had I not thought it had strength and merit.
This book missed lots of opportunities to be really good. I mean it had a couple of diverse protags, a unique storyline, magic, shadow jumping, conflict, right vs. wrong, twists turns and surprises. This book has a lot good going for it.