The Shadow Sisters by Matthew Cesca

A life of lies and betrayal. Anjia has trained her entire life to become a Sister of the Temple of Kyrsma, Goddess of Love and Light. She knows one of two fates await her on Ascension Day, a life of service or a gruesome death. But as the day of her ascension comes and she is sworn to the temple, her life is no longer her own. A terrible truth is revealed to her — the temple is corrupted by the shadow demon, Khimital. And with her ascension, Anjia is now bound to it. Along with the other sisters of the Temple, Anjia is forced to work as an assassin for the Khimital, whose only desire is to spread darkness in the world once strong with Kyrsma’s light. With each mission, the sisters perform unspeakable acts that darken their souls. Defiance is met with dominance as each sister learns that having the Khimital's influence take control of their bodies is worse than carrying out these deadly deeds on their own. The Khimital is not without benevolence though. With each mission completed, the Khimital offers new powers and mastery of the shadows. Anjia must accept this new life that was thrust upon her and the sins she must commit in the Khimital's name. The longer Anjia is forced to serve, the deadlier she becomes. And the more power the Khimital gives her, the more she begins to embrace this new destiny…

Adult • Fantasy/Dark

Content Warning: The Shadow Sisters is a dark fantasy tale set in a world where corruption has rooted its way into the religious institutions. Acolytes are chosen to enter service to the temple but are then unknowingly bound into forced servitude. (That’s not a spoiler. It’s literally on the back cover.) The following story deals with elements of murder and assassination, mass death, graphic death and violence (including children), drowning, suffocation, thoughts of suicide, complete loss of bodily autonomy, forced actions, emotional abuse, and parental loss. All sex scenes are consensual. There is no rape or sexual assault on the page. There is mention on one occasion with no graphic details. This world is violent enough without that. Welcome to Ilisana…