Three hundred years ago, she sold her soul to a demon. Now she wants it back. For centuries, the woman calling herself Maliha Crayne has lived a second life—as an assassin for the malevolent creature who owns her soul. A haunted killer with the blood of countless victims on her hands, she has finally discovered a way to nullify the demonic pact that chains her: If she saves a life for every one she has taken, she will be free. But if she fails, her punishments will be unspeakable, unendurable . . . and neverending. “Edge of your seat, breathtaking action in a must-read supernatural thriller.” - David Dun, author of The Black Silent “Fans of supernatural and dark fantasy will be intrigued by Maliha Crayne’s quest to save her soul.” - Publishers Weekly “With a kick-ass heroine who’s trying to get out of an unimaginaby bad situation and tons of action, this is a terrific read.” - Romantic Times BOOKclub “Seductive, sophisticated, and imaginative, The Mortal Path: Dark Time has a multi-dimensional quality with beguiling concepts and a labyrinth of fast-paced suspense. There’s food for thought on every fascinating page. Dakota Banks is firing on all cylinders.” - Steve Berry, New York Times bestselling author of The Charlemagne Pursuit “THE MORTAL PATH is a novel to be savored for both its edge of suspense and the pure joy of its storytelling. Part immortal, all human, Maliha is a heroine who will leave readers breathless and craving more. Not to be missed!” - James Rollins, New York Times bestselling author of Map of Bones and Black Order “Sweeping across continents and centuries, THE MORTAL PATH by Dakota Banks is story-telling at its most vivid. The characters are fascinating, the plot nail-biting, and the period pieces memorable. Curl up in your favorite chair - entertainment is guaranteed.” - Gayle Lynds, New York Times bestselling author of The Last Spymaster “A passionate, fascinating story packed with action and history. Three hundred years ago, Maliha Crayne was burned at the stake. Now she’s in a race against time to save the world and her soul, and you’ll be with her step by step.” - David Morrell, New York Times bestselling author of The Brotherhood of the Rose Three hundred years ago, she sold her soul to a demon. Now she wants it back. For centuries, the woman calling herself Maliha Crayne has lived a second life—as an assassin for the malevolent creature who owns her soul. A haunted killer with the blood of countless victims on her hands, she has finally discovered a way to nullify the demonic pact that chains her: If she saves a life for every one she has taken, she will be free. But if she fails, her punishments will be unspeakable, unendurable . . . and neverending. Growing up in a converted 1890s funeral home, complete with blood gutters in the basement floor, fueled Dakota Banks' interest in the paranormal. She's no ghost whisperer, but she keeps an open mind. She's fascinated with both archaeology and the paranormal, especially when the two intersect, as they do in Mortal Path . Dakota is a member of the Horror Writers Association and the International Thriller Writers. She lives in a St. Louis suburb with her husband, two sons adopted from Peru and Ethiopia, and a couple of cats who keep her writing on track.