The Darkest Touch

The Darkest Touch
Gena Showalter

Torin… the most dangerous Lord of the Underworld.Fierce immortal warrior. Host to a deadly demon. Torin’s every touch could cause deaths. For Torin, indulging in carnal pleasure is utterly forbidden. He has always overcome temptation with an iron will, but now his control is about to shatter.She is Keeleycael. The Red Queen. When she escapes from a centuries-long imprisonment, the desire that simmers between her and Torin is scorching.His touch could mean her end, but resisting her is the hardest battle he’s ever fought – and the only fight he fears he can’t win.‘Gena Showalter never fails to dazzle’ – Jeaniene Frost

From New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter comes the long-awaited story of Torin, the most dangerous Lord of the Underworld yet…

Fierce immortal warrior. Host to the demon of Disease. Torin’s every touch causes sickness and death—and a worldwide plague. Carnal pleasure is utterly forbidden, and though he has always overcome temptation with an iron will, his control is about to shatter.

She is Keeleycael. The Red Queen. When the powerful beauty with shocking vulnerabilities escapes from a centuries-long imprisonment, the desire that simmers between her and Torin is scorching. His touch could mean her end, but resisting her is the hardest battle he’s ever fought—and the only battle he fears he can’t win.

Praise forNew York TimesandUSA TODAYbestselling author GENA SHOWALTER (#ulink_f568e038-03b1-5331-a5fb-8f121795c755)

‘Showalter’s signature blend of sizzling attraction, breath–taking worlds, and lethal stakes rocks me every time!’

—Sylvia Day

‘Another sizzling page-turner… Gena Showalter delivers an utterly spell-binding story!’

—Kresley Cole

‘One of Showalter’s biggest strengths is her ability to create wounded characters who are riveting and intense, but who also hold out the hope of redemption.’

—RT Book Reviews on Beauty Awakened

‘Showalter does her magic with an intricately developed world, complex and intensive character arcs and dark, compelling paranormal themes. She releases that literary punch to the gut with excruciatingly detailed scenes that haunt the senses long after reading the pages.’

—USA TODAY on Wicked Nights

‘Gena Showalter knows how to keep readers glued to the pages and smiling the whole time.’

—Lara Adrian

Also available from Gena Showalter (#ulink_c1c2bd63-2844-537f-81f3-5e912d40f1f8)

MIRA Angels of the Dark series WICKED NIGHTS BEAUTY AWAKENED BURNING DAWN

Lords of the Underworld series THE DARKEST NIGHT THE DARKEST KISS THE DARKEST PLEASURE THE DARKEST WHISPER DARK BEGINNINGS THE DARKEST PASSION THE DARKEST LIE THE DARKEST SECRET THE DARKEST SURRENDER THE DARKEST SEDUCTION THE DARKEST CRAVING

MIRA Ink INTERTWINED UNRAVELLED TWISTED

White Rabbit Chronicles ALICE IN ZOMBIELAND ALICE THROUGH THE ZOMBIE GLASS THE QUEEN OF ZOMBIE HEARTS

The Darkest Touch

Gena Showalter

www.mirabooks.co.uk (http://www.mirabooks.co.uk)

GENA SHOWALTER is the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of the Lords of the Underworld series, Angels of the Dark and White Rabbit Chronicles. She has written over forty novels and novellas. Her books have appeared in Cosmopolitan and Seventeen magazines, and have been translated into multiple languages.

To learn more about Gena and her books, please visit www.genashowalter.com (http://www.genashowalter.com) and www.genashowalterblogspot.com (http://www.genashowalterblogspot.com).

Over the years I have been unbelievably blessed. I have met some amazing people and made incredible, lifelong friendships. I’m looking at you, Kresley Cole. You are gorgeous, brilliant, witty and talented, and you inspire me in so many ways. THANK YOU!

I’m also looking at you, Jill Monroe. You’ve been around for all the highs and lows, cheering me on, offering comfort. You never hesitated to say yes when I called and said, ‘Let’s get away for a few days.’ Even better—you never hesitated when I somehow managed to book us a honeymoon suite. Twice.

To my amazing editor Emily Ohanjanians. You aren’t afraid to tell me when something doesn’t work and then guide me toward something better, and I’m so grateful! Remember my first attempt at writing this book? Well, I’m super glad no one else will have the chance. LOL

And to Naomi Lahn, my contest winner. You are a delight and your support is beyond appreciated!

“What’s my sign? Cancer.”

—Torin, Lord of the Underworld

Contents

Cover (#u52249558-f9e3-5c8d-89d4-4327cb810736)

Back Cover Text (#u589be41d-0b46-55f3-83f2-33635fab9258)

Praise (#u5e155047-ecdc-5ada-9a63-eca7515fafe6)

Also available from Gena Showalter (#ua01b9094-2773-5b47-89d8-eab941671d37)

Title Page (#ud2e98a77-9188-58c9-aa6c-52379bd126f7)

About the Author (#u83006656-3df8-54af-91c9-b9e938485e80)

Dedication (#udfcd497f-af2b-54b4-bfc8-32e1d8802d26)

Epigraph (#uc7135650-05d9-5c0d-9ecb-0440b6cf6b00)

CHAPTER ONE (#u42410d2b-0ec7-5f58-b966-170eed72f7f4)

CHAPTER TWO (#u2d2f8fff-bb5e-52ef-8aff-28ac78ff3d48)

CHAPTER THREE (#u378ea141-a5fe-5f05-9c98-aa756783b8af)

CHAPTER FOUR (#uc1334d79-5370-5aab-92cd-e4ce3d01d0bf)

CHAPTER FIVE (#ueb4e8639-281d-5278-94c5-44cbc7cab20e)

CHAPTER SIX (#u40be9640-576d-5d38-9cf3-faab6c3bc9ac)

CHAPTER SEVEN (#u30af33dc-9987-5088-90cc-92bc2beae8a2)

CHAPTER EIGHT (#ue33dc3dd-e90a-5ccc-ad7a-fbcdc474661a)

CHAPTER NINE (#litres_trial_promo)