In Anticipation: Archangel's Consort

It should be absolutely no surprise to anyone who's into urban fantasy and/or paranormal romance that the latest book in Nalini Singh's Guild Hunter series, Archangel's Consort, is being released near the end of next month. I've tried my best to avoid specific information on the plot up until now (including Ms. Singh's generous teaser excerpt), because I wouldn't be able to focus for the inevitable obsessing over every crumb of knowledge. But now there's no helping it...I had to look up at least the book description:

Vampire hunter Elena Deveraux and her lover, the lethally beautiful archangel Raphael, have returned home to New York only to face an uncompromising new evil… 

     A vampire has attacked a girls’ school—the assault one of sheer, vicious madness—and it is only the first act. Rampant bloodlust takes vampire after vampire, threatening to make the streets run with blood. Then Raphael himself begins to show signs of an uncontrolled rage, as inexplicable storms darken the city skyline and the earth itself shudders.
      The omens are suddenly terrifyingly clear.
      An ancient and malevolent immortal is rising. The violent winds whisper her name: Caliane. She has returned to reclaim her son, Raphael. Only one thing stands in her way: Elena, the consort who must be destroyed…

Now, there is absolutely no way this book won't be intense as all hell. I keep wondering how this book could "up the stakes," and clearly this is the answer. Some of Raphael's beginnings were alluded to in Archangel's Kiss, so it should be expected. Methinks this will be his book for all intents and purposes...some more of the veil will be lifted from his mysterious, almost intimidating persona.

Could this cover possibly be any more beautiful? The artist is Tony Mauro, who's done countless book covers and movie posters, many of which anyone would recognize immediately. The guy's done an amazing job here. Unlike on the cover of the last book, the wings on Elena look exactly as I pictured them in my mind (e.g. no huge gargoyle horns ^_^). I'm guessing the background is the Angel compound's training area where Elena spent time with Galen and Illium (a.k.a. "Bluebell"). And of course, that knife in her hand should be the gift she received from a certain lovable Archangel. Someone clearly insisted on some accuracy in the depiction. I wonder who it was?