The Darkest Kiss

Praise for the novels of New YorkTimes 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 YorkTimes bestselling author J. R. Ward on The Nymph King

“I want to visit Atlantis! Deliciously evocative and

filled with sexy men, The NymphKing 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!” —USA TODAY 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 my brand-new paranormal trilogy, Lords of the Underworld, which began with The Darkest Night and continues with The DarkestKiss. 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.

Wishing you all the best,

Gena Showalter

To Karen Marie Moning. Thank you! Your talent constantly amazes me, and your generosity blesses me.

To Kresley Cole. You would let me wear your skin if at all possible—and I won’t mention what you’d let me do to your eyeballs, though I will thank you for it—and for that, I will always be in your debt. Also, sorry I stole your bike pump and blamed it on Slurpie!

To Marjorie Liu. Because you spank on and there’s nothing cooler!

To Jill Monroe. You are a sister of my heart— hearter? sisart?—and even though you stole my gnome, I can’t imagine a life without you. For realsies.

And to Tracy Farrell, Margo Lipschultz and all the wonderful people at Harlequin Books who have blessed me in countless ways. You’re making all my dreams come true! Art director Kathleen Oudit and designer Juliana Kolesova—I owe you big-time! The lips on this cover…Shiver! And you didn’t blink twice when I mentioned one brown eye and one blue eye.

Thank you, Low Down members, for your support! And thank you to Kerensa Wilson and Elaine Spencer for all you do! You are both amazing women.

HE WAS KNOWN AS THE Dark One. Malach ha-Maet. Yama. Azreal. Shadow Walker. Mairya. King of the Dead. He was all of those things and more, for he was a Lord of the Underworld.

Long ago he had opened dimOuniak, a powerful box made from the bones of a goddess, unleashing a horde of demons upon the earth. As punishment, he and the warriors who aided him were forced to house those demons inside themselves, melding light and darkness, order and chaos, until they were barely able to retain any tether on the disciplined warriors they’d once been.