Read more
Informationen zum Autor Thomas E. Sniegoski is the author of more than two dozen novels for adults, teens, and children. His books for teens include Legacy , Sleeper Code , Sleeper Agenda , and Force Majeure , as well as the series The Brimstone Network. As a comic book writer, Sniegoski’s work includes Stupid , Stupid Rat Tails , a prequel miniseries to international hit, Bone . Sniegoski collaborated with Bone creator Jeff Smith on the project, making him the only writer Smith has ever asked to work on those characters. He was born and raised in Massachusetts, where he still lives with his wife LeeAnne and their French Bulldog, Kirby. Visit him on the web at Sniegoski.com. Klappentext Half angel and half human, Aaron has been charged with redeeming the Fallen, and the fate of heaven and hell rests in his hands. Now reunited with his father, Lucifer, Aaron must come to terms with his legacy--and determine his destiny. CHAPTER ONE The cold milk made Aaron’s teeth ache as he spooned cereal into his mouth, careful not to dribble anything onto the front of his shirt. He glanced across the kitchen table at his little brother, Stevie. The boy, who was supposed to be eating frozen waffles, was rolling a Thomas the Tank Engine train back and forth in front of his untouched plate. Aaron was about to tell the boy to eat when his mother entered the kitchen, a smile on her face that reminded Aaron how lucky he was to have her as his mom. Lori Stanley was actually Aaron’s foster mother, but her smile, and the way he felt about her, made that fact inconsequential. As far as he was concerned, Lori Stanley was as close to a real mother as he would ever know. “How’s it going here?” she asked cheerfully. Stevie didn’t respond, engrossed in the repetitive movement of his train. “We’re good,” Aaron said through a mouthful of sugary cereal. He needed to finish up or he’d be late for school. A few more quick bites and he was done. He grabbed his bowl and stood to take it to the sink. “It was nice, wasn’t it?” Lori asked as he crossed the kitchen. She stood beside Stevie’s chair. The boy didn’t notice, but that was just how Stevie was, lost in his world of autism. “What was?” Aaron asked, absently placing his bowl in the sink and turning back toward his mother. He wondered if he’d need his jacket. The calendar said it was spring, but it was still cold. “This,” Lori said, her eyes becoming sad as she gestured around the kitchen. “Yeah, I guess,” Aaron answered carefully. “Are you all right?” His mother shook her head, slowly at first, but gradually with more passion. “No,” she said, her voice cracking. “No, I am not all right.” And suddenly Aaron knew exactly what was wrong. His mother was dead. So was Stevie. This life was dead. Lori looked at him, her eyes awash with tears. “Do you miss it?” she asked, stroking the little boy’s hair as he continued to play with his train. Aaron found himself crying as well. “Yes,” he whispered, wanting to go to her, to have her take him into her arms and tell him that everything was going to be fine. But something stopped him … something denied him that comfort. “It got bad so fast,” Lori said. Wisps of smoke began to waft from her body. “Lori!” Aaron cried as the smoke became darker, thicker, and tongues of flame appeared atop her head like a fiery crown. “Mom!” He tried to move but couldn’t, some unknown force preventing him from going to her aid. Fire completely engulfed her now, and smoke obscured the kitchen, but Aaron couldn’t look away. “So fast,” the blackened skeleton said once more. Sizzling fat ran from its empty eye sockets in a mockery of tears. Her burning fingers still patted Stevie’s hair. “It’s going to get wors...
