The Darkest Pleasure. Gena Showalter

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      Praise for the novels of New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author

       Gena Showalter

      “A fascinating premise, a sexy hero and nonstop action,

      The Darkest Night is Showalter at her finest, and a fabulous start to an imaginative new series.” —New York Times bestselling author Karen Marie Moning

      “Showalter delivers another smart and sexy romance

      brimming with hilarious pickup lines, fiery banter

      and steamy sensuality. A wickedly well-matched hero

      and heroine mix with an entertaining, creative and

      tremendously fun premise.”

      —Romantic Times BOOKreviews, 4½ stars, on Catch a Mate

      “Smart-alecky, wicked, and hilariously funny…

      sure to please the most jaded reader.”

      —Contemporary Romance Writers on Catch a Mate

      “A world of myth, mayhem and love under the sea!”

      —New York Times bestselling author J. R. Ward on The Nymph King

      “I want to visit Atlantis! Deliciously evocative and

      filled with sexy men, The Nymph King is every woman’s fantasy come to sizzling life. A must read.” —Award-winning author P.C. Cast

      “Wow…Gena Showalter always takes us on

      a fantastic ride.”

      —USA TODAY bestselling author Merline Lovelace on Playing with Fire

      “The versatile Showalter takes the nail-biting elements

      of her exciting paranormals…and blends them with

      the wit and humor of her contemporary romances…

      to make a delicious offering spiced with the best

      ingredients of both.”

      —Booklist, starred review, on Playing with Fire

      “Charming and hilarious…

      I was hooked from page one.”

      —New York Times bestselling author MaryJanice Davidson on Playing with Fire

      “Another sizzling page-turner from one of the premier

      authors of paranormal romance. Gena Showalter

      delivers an utterly spellbinding story!”

      —New York Times bestselling author Kresley Cole on Playing with Fire

      “Showalter writes with a sparkling humor that keeps

      the story light without losing poignancy.”

      —Booklist on Animal Instincts

      “Bold and witty, sexy and provocative,

      Gena Showalter’s star is rising fast!”

      —New York Times bestselling author Carly Phillips on Animal Instincts

      “Shines like the purest gem.… Rich in imagery

      and evocative detail, this book is a sterling example

      of what makes romance novels so worthwhile.”

      —A Romance Review, 5 stars, on Jewel of Atlantis

      “Lots of danger and sexy passion give lucky readers

      a spicy taste of adventure and romance.”

      —Romantic Times BOOKreviews on Heart of the Dragon

      “This couple is dynamite and Tristan’s intense sensuality

      will have you sweating. [The Pleasure Slave] is definitely going on my keeper shelf.” —The Romance Studio

      “Sexy, funny and downright magical! Gena Showalter

      has a lyrical voice and the deft ability to bring

      characters to life in a manner that’s hilarious and

      absorbing at the same time.”

      —New York Times bestselling author Katie MacAlister on The Stone Prince

      Dear Reader,

      I’m thrilled to present The Darkest Pleasure, the third installment of my brand-new paranormal trilogy, Lords of the Underworld, which began with The Darkest Night and continued with The Darkest Kiss. In a remote fortress in Budapest, six immortal warriors—each more dangerously seductive than the last—are bound by an ancient curse none has been able to break. When a powerful enemy returns, they will travel the world in search of a sacred relic of the gods—one that threatens to destroy them all.

      Join me on a journey through this darkly sensual world, where the line between good and evil blurs and true love is put to the ultimate test. And stay tuned for further adventures from the Lords of the Underworld as the stakes get higher, the quest more dangerous and the romance hotter!

      Wishing you all the best,

      Gena Showalter

      THE DARKEST PLEASURE

      Gena Showalter

      

www.millsandboon.co.uk

      This first Lords of the Underworld trilogy could not

      have been possible without the following amazing,

      wonderful, kick-ass people

      (whom I adore):

      Donna Hayes

      Loriana Sacilotto

      Dianne Moggy

      Randall Toye

      Tracy Farrell

      Margo Lipschultz

      Keyren Gerlach

      Kathleen Oudit

      Juliana Kolesova

      Diana Wong

      Stacy Widdrington

      Marianna Ricciuto

      Pat Muir-Rand

      Melissa Caraway

      Kristin Foti

      Kim Elliott

      Vicki So

      Josh Hilburt

      Nancy Fischer

      Sally Noonan

      Brian McGroarty

      The Harlequin Sales Group

      Deidre Knight

      Patricia Rouse

      Susan Grimshaw

      Kathy Baker

      Max Showalter

      Matt Showalter

      Roy Showalter

      Destinee Showalter

      Sheila Fields

      Jill Monroe

      To Kemmie Tolbert, an amazing woman who

      loves books as much as I do

      CHAPTER ONE

      REYES STOOD on the roof of his Budapest fortress, five stories up, his feet balanced precariously on the highest ledge. Above him, moonlight seeped red and yellow from the sky, blood mixed with fickle