The Darkest Pleasure

Praise for the novels of New York Times andUSA 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

Gena Showalter

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 gold, dark mixed with light, wounds freshly cut in the endless expanse of black velvet.

He gazed down at the gloomy, waiting void beneath him, the taunting ground opening its arms as if begging to embrace him. Thousands of years, and I’m still reduced to this.

Frigid wind blustered, ruffling his hair in every direction, tickling his bare chest, the hated butterfly etched up onto his neck and the remembered lifeblood splattered there. Not his blood, though. No, not his, but his friend’s. Every stroke of hair against that phantom evidence of life and death was like kindling thrown into the fire of his blazing guilt.