**Disclaimer: I recommend reading Ares, book one, first as it lays the foundation for the series and world building.**
Valen is one of seven sons born to Hades and Persephone, and a Key to the Underworld, as are his brothers. They were banished to earth over two hundred years ago by their father, an action Valen is still disgusted with, and tasked with protecting both it and their world from a prophecy foretold by the Moirai. Valen knows he has enemies because of who he is and what he does, so learning he's being followed isn't a shock, but discovering his shadow is a woman...
Eva may be a mortal, but she has more than earned her reputation as a deadly opponent...she is an assassin after all, and excellent at her job. However, her latest mission has gotten her involved in something even more dangerous than her, something that could resist in her death. Eva is familiar with bringing that on others, but when it's herself, it's completely different.
Valen, as the Lord of Lightning, is used to the power of electricity flowing through his veins, but to have it happen in response to someone, a woman at that, is a surprise. Though he and his brothers are ever vigilant, knowing the battle foreseen by the fates is starting, he won't deny his stalker intrigues him, even if he can't understand, or admit, why he hasn't killed her yet. He was even curious why she'd disappeared for three months, and it isn't simply because he wants to know who hired her. He wanted to, needed to, know how she could've left him.
"He knew the moment she was near him, because she lit up his veins as fiercely as his lightning and made his body buzz just as addictively. Gods, he had missed her." - Valen
Eva can't believe that her target not only knew she was there, but also was able to capture her. However, the desire she feels up in seeing him, feeling his touch, surprises her more than anything else. Her emotions aren't supposed to be involved while working, yet she can't suppress them with him. But when he insults her skills, demands she tell her client to send someone more competent, the overriding emotion becomes anger, and the challenge has been accepted. Just like Valen intended...
"She is a storm born of the earth , bearing the name of an angel but the skill of a devil." - Persephone to Valen, regarding Eva
Eva's instincts keep telling her something isn't right about this mission and is unsure why the parameters of her client's requests are continually adjusted. Not to mention why she feels as if she's being watched, as if her client doesn't trust her. But then again, she doesn't trust him either, and knows he isn't someone you disappoint or cross.
What happens when the chemistry, the connection, between Valen and Eva is too strong to deny? How will Eva's client react upon learning she no longer views Valen as a target? Will her client, and/or his sister, try to come between Valen and Eva in any way they can? Can Valen and Eva protect each other and defeat those now after both of them? Will Valen and Eva admit the depth of their feelings? Will their pasts destroy any future they could have? Or will they get their HEA?
One-click now and follow along as the prey and the target become so much more to each other than either could've ever imagined. I'm looking forward to Esher's book soon. He intrigues me.
*possible spoiler follows...continue at your own risk* On a purely personal note, though I understand the significance it played and therefore why it was used, I really would've preferred not reading about the "contact" one of the evil people, client's sister, had with Valen against his will. I don't want to read that. Yes, I know he didn't want it and stopped the kiss forced on him as soon as he could, however, I do not like any kind of touching like this between a hero and someone else. I'm invested in the main characters as a couple and regardless of it being against his wishes, I still preferred it wouldn't have happened.
**I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.**