Empire of Light

Book excerpt: "Matt Kelly is stunned when his ex-girlfriend Anna Barrett informs him that she has joined Imperium Luminis and is now a member of the Light. A powerful organization, Imperium Luminus is dedicated to "sanctifying the world," and it operates by recruiting, instructing, and supervising a growing legion of devoted members. Torn between his suspicion of the group and his love for Anna, Matt researches Imperium Luminis - and finds himself strangely attracted to its aspirations. But after he uncovers some of the group's questionable practices - such as its locking up of new members in a dark room for several days - Matt is convinced that Imperium Luminus is something other than it claims to be, and he seeks to persuade Anna that she has been deceived." "When Anna disappears, Matt resolves to do whatever it takes to find her - even going so far as to pretend to join Imperium Luminis himself. At the same time he must come to terms with his father's past, which includes a secret that the group may try to use against him. But is it possible to pretend to join? As Matt enters more deeply into the world of Imperium Luminis, it is increasingly unclear which of his words are his own, and which are due to his association with the organization. And what is the ultimate purpose of Imperium Luminis's interest in Matt - does the group simply want to save his soul, or is he being maneuvered into the center of a larger and more disturbing conspiracy?"--BOOK JACKET.