The countdown has started. One hundred and forty meteoroids are racing toward Earth this 2112-year of the Lord. The world is still reeling from the aftereffects of World War III, having lost 60% of the human population. National and international infrastructures are weakened, and Earth is unprepared to deal with the impending apocalypse. In these desperate times, a mysterious giant blackthorn tree erupts from the steps of Saint Peter's Basilica. Many see it as a sign of hope from heaven, and the faithful fill Saint Peter's Square, further taxing the Vatican's limited resources. A cardinal, religious sister, and young priest team up with Nephilim vampire Cain'el, an outcast prince of Eden, in their quest for religious artifacts with magical powers. Their most deadly foe is an Asian underground crime leader known as Dragona'ra, a powerful vampire princess of Eden who deeply resents the Holy See's efforts to rebuild the Church in China. Meanwhile, a powerful vampire Cardinal and his insane dwarf companion haunt the Vatican, preying on those who won't be missed. A fight that began 25,000 years ago reaches its climax as Cain'el confronts the undead vampire prince Ab'el of Eden in a final battle. Angels and Vampires was inspired by Eugène Sue's classical 19th century epic fantasy, The Wandering Jew.About the Author: Steve Burch and Lori Alaniva served in the misty smoke-filled rooms of intelligence during the "Cold War." They worked with characters whose feats and eccentricities bordered on the fantastic. Having looked into the past to predict the future, they are dreamers who never lost the thrill of exploring, unraveling, and solving the puzzle. Steve is a natural-born storyteller who "spins a mean yarn." Lori takes the yarn and weaves it into a polished story. Both are students of myth, lore, and legend, and lovers of ancient history. In addition to Angels and Vampires, Steve and Lori co-authored two other fictional works: Mercury's Fire and Dragon Lady and the Pirates: Epiphany (under the pen name Pendragon Tales). They also co-authored a couple of nonfiction works: Imperfect Spies and Reluctant Spies, which were published and distributed throughout the US Air Force and Department of Defense intelligence communities under their own names. Former US Army and Air Force intelligence officers respectively, they are no longer in Government service and now write fictional works about spies, swords, fangs, and fantasy.