Forbidden Fruit Digest-–Out now from Midnight Showcase Fiction What would you do to get what you wanted, despite how forbidden it was meant to be? A fallen angel’s fate is tested when he meets a beautiful young woman who lives at the gates of hell. Read Excerpt

This excerpt is intended for ages 18 and older.

Damnation by Imari Jade

“The Fallen at twelve o’clock,” Jacob shouted at the other three members of the Protectrants as they arrived. “They’re coming at us from every direction.”

Winged beasts flew through the darkened skies, guided by the twinkling stars above them. Humidity was thick in the air, impeding their vision but not stopping them.

“Time to change.” Dante shifted out of human form. Wings appeared as his body grew. Long raven hair careened out of the roots of his head. The tight black leather vest and pants disappeared and were replaced with his war armament. His body stretched to its normal size, and a shield and sword appeared in his hands just as his wings completed unfurling on his back.

The others, Jacob, Saul and Peter shifted to their natural form and prepared to join the battle that was taking place before them. Flames roared from the tip of the sword just as one of the demons charged toward him. Dante caught it in mid-flight, severing its head from its shoulders with a powerful slice. Blood, guts and entrails fell toward the earth. He shook off the demon mess and scanned the skies for the next opponent.

His keen eyes picked up on the incoming demons seconds later as they materialized in open space. The demons were waiting for them. He hadn’t anticipated a sneak attack so near the Neutral Zone but he was ready to defend the territory with his life. Using telepathy Dante sent a message to the others about what was happening and requested backup. The four of them were strong but outnumbered. Moments later the order of warrior angels arrived, armed and ready for his command. Huge winged dragons soared through the air breathing fire from their nostrils. The heat from their bodies made it difficult to breathe.

Dante raised his sword, belting out a fearless war cry as he continued to fight. A mighty bolt of lightening sailed out of the tip, smacking one of the dragons squarely in the chest and sent it sprawling backwards. Its cry echoed throughout the skies as the wounded beast succumbed to its fatal injuries. Another appeared in its place. This one was red with two heads, each capable of tearing his body apart limb from limb. Its thirty-foot tail slashed wildly, trying to strike anything in its path. He and the others fought bravely as hell belched more and more demons from its bowels.

Dante sighed. It was getting so an angel couldn’t have one day of peace without being under attack. The demon army was increasing in numbers and strength, and striking without its usual warning. There had been a total of six battles that week already and it was only Wednesday. If it continued, he’d be extremely tired or probably dead.

Another demon headed his way. This one had two heads, each breathing fire like flames from hell. Its gigantic tail and wings propelled it forward like a torpedo.

Saul flew toward him, his grey wings singed with fire from a demonic weapon. He flapped them slowly to extinguish the flames while effortlessly floating before him and staying out of the path of the dragon. “Bad news. Some of the demons are heading toward earth.”

Dante sliced into his opponent, rendering it dead. “I hope you’re wrong.” He didn’t mind battling in space but the human world was off limits. “We have to stop them before they get there or Michael will have our asses.”

Saul signaled the others to follow.

Another demon was on Dante before he had time to rest. It was Holic.

Holic ducked the bolt of lightening. If he didn’t know better he’d swear his cousin was trying to kill him. “You missed you big dummy. Where did you learn to fight? Sissy angel school?”

The next bolt knocked the lance from his hands. “Damn, that was close,” Holic muttered as he flew after it. He would be at Dante’s mercy if he didn’t go after it and retrieve it. Not that he needed a weapon to defend himself. He had enough powers to keep up with his goody-two-shoes cousin. Crap. The weapon was heading toward earth. Holic followed it down with Dante close on his heels. His wings fluttered out to their full width to brace his descent.

“Stop running, you coward,” Dante shouted behind him.

He was quickly closing in, firing blasts of heat from the tip of his sword. Each shot was too close for comfort. Holic turned and shook his fist at Dante and then landed effortless on his feet in a large yard. He bent down and reached for his weapon just as Dante caught up. He was about to fire on his cousin when he heard a sound coming from a few feet away. Holic lowered his weapon, signaling to Dante. “We have a human present.” He retracted his wings and changed his clothes with a swish of his hand. Dante landed and changed into civilian attire.