Michael Serrana is a Guardian, an angel who protects people from suicide and depression. He is in London, and his latest assignment is a very nice man with a midlife crisis and some sexual confusion. When he scans the man, he finds something astonishing…the presence of a demon. This is no ordinary demon, though; it’s Benodiel Nephalim, a famous (or shall we say infamous) movie director. And he wants to meet later for lunch, or something else.

Oddly enough, Ben seems to want to help. Imagine that: help from a demon.

What follows is a look at humanity from the outside in. T.H. Ailward whisks readers into a world of angels and demons where nothing is quite as it seems. Michael is becoming disillusioned with his choice of career, and Ben is determined to show Michael just how fun being bad can be. Both are well-crafted characters, with distinct moral lines (or the absence of them), and each was interesting in his own right. The wonderful twist with regard to Michael’s mother was a great plot point, and watching Michael and Ben become more entwined as Michael slips farther down the slope of temptation was a bit like playing Peeping Tom. While not overtly “in your face” sexual, there is an undercurrent of sensuality that is woven throughout this piece. The ending felt a bit abrupt, but overall, this was a lovely story. Four Angels!

Reviewed by: Michelle