Gena Showalter on her New Lords of the Underworld Novella, “The Darkest Angel”

What happens when you mix a firecracker harpy and iron-willed angel? Gena Showalter‘s latest Lords of the Underworld novella, “The Darkest Angel”, available now in the Heart of Darkness anthology! Gena guest-blogs today to tell us why writing this story was both fun AND torture…

by Gena Showalter, author of “The Darkest Angel” in  Heart of Darkness anthology (HQN Books, January 2010)

Writing a book can be serious fun – or serious torture (you know I’m talking to you, Gideon, keeper of Lies).  The Darkest Angel, part of the Heart of Darkness anthology, was a combination of the two. Bianka is a firecracker Harpy who sins at will.  Lysander is an iron-willed angel tasked with killing demons.   Put them together and hello, sparks.  And resistance.

Lysander knows that angels have one temptation.  His just happens to be Bianka – a fact that shocks him.  He’s never known desire before.  But, oh, does he know it now.  Watching him fight his attraction…watching her encourage it…I’m smiling, as well as shaking my head in exasperation. Basically, I sat on the sidelines for some scenes, taking notes as this couple took over every thought in my head.  For other scenes, I felt like I entered a boxing match.  They didn’t want to want each other.  But sometimes, people just can’t help themselves.  Here’s an excerpt from one of their first interactions:

“I did not bring you here to kill you.” His voice was rich, sultry, a sin all its own. And yet, there was a layer of absolute truth to it, and she suspected she would have believed anything he said. As if whatever he said was simply fated, meant to be. Unchangeable. “I want you to emulate my life. I want you to learn from me.”

“Why?” What would he do if she touched him? “Wait. Don’t answer. Let’s make out first.”

“Bianka,” he said, his patience clearly waning. “This is not a game. Do not make me bind you to my bed.”

“Ohh, now that I like. Sounds kinky.” She darted around him, running her fingertips over his cheek, his neck. “You’re
as soft as a baby.”

He sucked in a breath, stiffened. “Bianka.”

“But better equipped.”

“Bianka!”

She patted his butt. “Yes?”

“You will cease that immediately!”

“Make me.” She laughed, the amused, carefree sound echoing between them.

Scowling, he reached out and latched onto her upper arm. There wasn’t time to evade him; shockingly, he was faster
than she was. He jerked her in front of him, and dark, narrowed eyes stared down at her.

“There will be no touching. Do you understand?”

“Do you?” Her gaze flicked to his hand, still clutching her arm. “At the moment, you’re the one touching me.”

Lysander, of course, hated me at the time.  He felt like I was ruining his life and sometimes battled me as much as he did Bianka.  Bianka, I think, stole my car keys out of spite.  At least, that’s what I’m telling my husband since they disappeared from my purse.

She’ll give them back, though, I have no doubt.  Bianka and Lysander are now my biggest fans, and they’re helping me torture other Lords of the Underworld characters (yes, Amun, keeper of Secrets, I’m talking to you)

To learn more about the stories in Heart of Darkness, read Maggie Shayne‘s post about her novella “Love Me to Death” here, and look for Susan Krinard‘s guest blog on Jan. 19! Plus, use the widget below to read excerpts from all three novellas in the anthology:

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