The Book of Souls

The Book of Souls - Justice

A series of books by Jaycee Moule

Original drawing by Jaycee (Janet Moule) 2014.
This sketch is a rough idea of the front cover of 
the book and depicts the Tree of Life. The right 
hand-side is alive and full of leaves, the left 

is dying as each leaf is representing a soul 
that is signed over to The Enemy. 

Hi everyone, thanks for visiting my blog. I will be placing passages of my book and the odd sketch from my notebook for you to read, view and comment on. The book is set in a fictitious Norfolk village called Wicklesham, which when some of you read further passages of it, I'm sure will come to recognise as being the village of East Harling in which I and my family live in and the surrounding area. 

I hope you find both the story and blog enjoyable.

I think the best place to start is always at the beginning at that would be at the prologue.

(The Book of Souls is an original story by Jaycee Moule - any form of recreating the story-line or characters will lead to prosecution.)

I'd like to introduce you to Millie, my writing companion
and friend who keeps me company through the long
hours of reading and writing.
You're bound to see more of her!

The Book of Souls - Justice

Prologue 

And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened - Rev 20:12

R

esting his hand on the carved edge of the cavernous mouth, the angel hesitated as he peered into the pit which existed in the depths of the earth, below the heavens, yet above the abyss of perdition. He’d never experienced fear before, but with each step he took, it brought him closer to his destination and the unknown emotion wavered on the edge of his mind. The stagnant, damp smell of age filled his nostrils and within a heartbeat, he had strolled into an imposing cavern. Over the centuries the zigzag of stalactites and stalagmites had formed pillars reaching from the vast ceiling to the uneven ground. He circled, sword raised high, its light reflecting off the stone columns and curtains. It was then, in the distance, that he spotted the four tunnels, each the same width and height, and each giving off a sense of trepidation. Closing his eyes, the young angel folded his wings against his back and emptied his mind, drawing on His grace.

Within the silence, he sensed a faint residue of God’s Power lingering in and around the opening furthest to his left. Snapping his eyes open, he smiled, knowing that the one he hunted was close, so very close. The angel sauntered towards the opening, shrugged and entered, his father’s command still ringing in his ears, “Return what is Mine from the one who has betrayed me.”

At the same instant, he felt the tunnel wrap itself around him, sucking energy from his whole being until his strength waned and he fell to his knees. Splaying his fingers across his chest, the angel gasped for air as he watched the light from his sword die. Several times he tried to stand, each attempt sending him sprawling back to the ground. Never in all the countless centuries had he felt such weakness. He was a being consumed with power, a being always in the light of The Creator. Now he understood how his fallen brothers were imprisoned here; without God’s light, they were nothing but powerless creatures.

He laid his head back against the wall of the cave and waited. Never before had he experienced darkness like this. He’d no idea in which direction he was gazing but suddenly a glimpse of light seeping out of some of the rocks ahead of him, caught his attention. He watched the spark as it sizzled along a crack in the ceiling, growing in intensity until the angel had to shield his eyes in the cuff of his arm, then within the blink of an eye, a shimmering presence hovered a few inches from his face.

“This isn’t a permitted place to be.” A voice from within the light boomed. 

    “I didn’t have a choice,” the angel replied, while peering over the top of his arm. “I seek The Book of Souls, which was stolen from the Almighty when its Keeper fell to earth. I know the thief is imprisoned here.”

Unseen hands pulled the young angel to his feet. Light tendrils, like long fingers flickered across the angel’s breast plate and traced along each arcane letter of his name, before they lingered on his face.

“Thwarter of demons,” the voice said, in recognition.

The young angel felt a surge of power enter his body at the instant the Being spoke his true name and nodded

“My orders are to return the book to the throne room of Our Father.” The angel’s midnight-black hair fell forward onto his brow.

The light shifted position. “You are too late, it was taken by another.”

“What do you mean?”

“I was forbidden to stop the boy.” The light dulled for a second.

“The boy, a mortal boy?”

“The Enemy, Satan, used a child to steal the book from the fallen Keeper.”

“But how?” the angel asked, in a voice faint with disbelief. “No human or fallen angel can enter this place, then leave it whenever he desires. The book should’ve been safe here.”

“One who has the same blood running through his veins as the Son of David … can.”

The angel knew the Celestial Being spoke the truth. However, in the hands of The Enemy, ‘The Book of Souls,’ which was to promise life, would now be turned into a book of death, an abomination.

He had to find the boy, whatever the cost.

                 

Event coming up!

 On the 28th Feb, I'm heading to Covent Garden in London for the Authors Fair with my parents'. My father is my chauffeur for the day and Mum is looking after me, what would I do without them, they are the most amazing parents in the world. I'm also looking forward to meeting my daughter there for lunch and dinner, she's travelling from Canterbury, Kent. 

I will let you all know how the day goes at the fair and if I find out any interesting info, I will be sure to let you know. Next week is a following piece of The Book of Souls.