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Synopsis
A DEMON ENSLAVED
Lore is a Seminus half-breed demon who has been forced to act as his dark master's assassin. Now to earn his freedom and save his sister's life, he must complete one last kill. Powerful and ruthless, he'll stop at nothing to carry out this deadly mission.
AN ANGEL TEMPTED
Idess is an earthbound angel with a wild side, sworn to protect the human Lore is targeting. She's determined to thwart her wickedly handsome adversary by any means necessary-even if that means risking her vow of eternal chastity. But what begins as a simple seduction soon turns into a passion that leaves both angel and demon craving complete surrender.
Torn between duty and desire, Lore and Idess must join forces as they battle their attraction for each other. Because an enemy from the past is rising again-one hellbent on vengeance and unthinkable destruction.
Release date: January 14, 2010
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Print pages: 432
* BingeBooks earns revenue from qualifying purchases as an Amazon Associate as well as from other retail partners.
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Ecstasy Unveiled
Larissa Ione
PASSION UNLEASHED
“4½ Stars! The third book in Ione’s supercharged Demonica series ignites on the first page and never looks back…. Adventure,
action, and danger leap off every page. The best of the series to date!”
—Romantic Times BOOKreviews Magazine
“Fast-paced from the onset and never slows down until the exhilarating climax…. Readers will be enthralled by the action and
the charmed lead couple.”
—Midwest Book Reviews
“Larissa Ione pulls no punches…. The love scenes are scorching hot and grab at your heart with their emotional intensity.
Dark moments are written with just the right touch of hope that leaves the reader begging for a happy ending. I couldn’t have
loved Passion Unleashed more and hated for it to end. Raw, gritty, and tremendously passionate…. multifaceted It was awesome!”
—
RomanceJunkies.com
“Serena and Wraith are good characters, layered and multi-faceted… Ms. Ione has created a world unique to the genre. Huge
kudos for accomplishing with style what few authors can do. Bring on book four.”
—
LikesBooks.com
“5 Stars! Larissa has outdone herself with the story of Wraith. I was pulled into this story from the first page. The action
is intense and nonstop. I was engrossed and enthralled… and highly recommend adding this series to your library.”
—
BittenByBooks.com
“Each book has gotten better…. Passion Unleashed is the best book in the series.”
—
TheBookBinge.com
“Awesome…. Everyone loves a bad boy and Wraith is so the poster bad boy. Another great novel… Ione gives us a great spin on the relationship between her ‘Buffys’ and the demons
of the world, along with a good apocalypse.”
—
LiteraryEscapism.com
“Heart-pounding… outstandingly superb… an adventure-filled romance where passion and danger continuously mount…. A paranormal
story by Larissa Ione never disappoints readers, as the plot and characters are truly unforgettable. Her Demonica series only
becomes more engrossing with each book. With genuine feelings being intensely depicted by the well-portrayed characters on
every page of Passion Unleashed, there is never an instant when I was not held spellbound…. The sexual relationship between Wraith and Serena is particularly
sensual and overflowing with tension.”
—
SingleTitles.com
“A delightful paranormal romance with strong world-building and a suspenseful plot. Passion Unleashed will captivate readers…. The seducer is about to be seduced, and fans won’t be disappointed.”
—
DarqueReviews.com
“Plenty of steamy love scenes… nicely balanced with a high-octane plot… Larissa Ione is fast becoming a master at telling
dark, edgy, and highly complex paranormal tales.”
—
BookLoons.com
Absolutely fabulous! I have thoroughly enjoyed all three Demonica novels, but this one is by far my favorite. Wraith is the
ultimate bad boy who is just begging for salvation and Serena is his perfect complement. Ms. Ione will have para-normal fans
begging for more.”
—
TheRomanceReadersConnection.com
DESIRE UNCHAINED
“4 Stars! Rising star Ione is back in this latest Demonica novel… Ione has a true gift for imbuing her characters with dark-edged
passion… thrilling action and treacherous vengeance… a top-notch read.”
—Romantic Times BOOKreviews Magazine
“A fabulous tale…. The story line is fast-paced from the opening sequence… fans will relish a visit to the Ione realm.”
—Midwest Book Review
“Warning! Read at your own risk. Highly addictive…. Rising star Larissa Ione takes her already well-crafted and unique demon
world to new heights. The sex is darker, hotter, wickeder, and wonderfully erotic; the vengeful enemy is diabolical, and the
story line is unparalleled. Ione is a master at creating tortured, sexy bad boys who are full of flaws and make you melt…
Desire Unchained may only be book two in her Demonica series, but I’m completely head-over-heels in love. I have never been so enthralled
with a series before. With the end of each book, I’m left desperately wanting more.”
—
FreshFiction.com
“Imaginatiely riveting…. Emotional intensity is the driving force behind every Larissa Ione book. Scenes may be packed with
suspenseful peril or steamy passions or even quick humor and clever banter, yet it is the emotions behind the reactions of
the characters that really grab the reader. There are a myriad of potent feelings displayed all throughout Desire Unchained, and each one is shown with believable realism… [and] will cause the reader to be profoundly affected, often on numerous
levels at once.”
—
SingleTitles.com
“Everything a paranormal romance lover could want… a raw, edgy, and enthralling read—Sure to scorch every inch of you…. Credit
to Larissa Ione for an imaginative, dark world that haunts you as much as it intrigues you. ”
—
BookPleasures.com
“I was completely captivated…. From the first moment I picked Desire Unchained up, I was glued to its pages. Ione gives us a unique twist… something a little different and fresh (and involving hot Demons).”
—
LiteraryEscapism.com
“Fascinating…. This book started fast and didn’t slow down. I really enjoyed how Larissa continued to build the Demonica world.”
—
TheBookBinge.com
“Five Stars! Recommended read. I have to say that I absolutely love this book. Larissa Ione has become one of my favorite
authors, and I crave more of her books. The first book in her Demonica series was fantastic, and this one is even better…
[Shade] is the perfect romance hero…. The whole world and all the other characters have taken a place in my heart… I wish
I could go back and read Desire Unchained again for the first time. It was just that good.”
—
FallenAngelReviews.com
PLEASURE UNBOUND
“What a ride! Dark, sexy, and very intriguing, the book gripped me from start to finish—totally recommended.”
—NALINI SINGH, author of Mine to Possess
“Very dark, very sexy, and very creative.”
—EMMA HOLLY, USA Today bestselling author of Demon’s Fire
“4 Stars! [Ione’s] hard-edged style infuses the story with darkness while taking it to sizzling heights.”
—Romantic Times BOOKreviews Magazine
“Larissa’s storytelling is compelling and raw. She is truly gifted and you will fall madly in love with the characters in
this series.”
—JACI BURTON, national bestselling author of Hunting the Demon
“5 Stars! Fascinatingly innovative… full of fervent encounters and shocking disclosures… compelling scenes and dynamic characters.
Never has the paranormal world been more intriguing. Pleasure Unbound will leave a lasting impact on the reader, as this unforgettable story will evoke emotions long after the last page is read.”
—
SingleTitles.com
“This is a dark, sexy, and adventurous story… has everything a paranormal romance book needs, and it will have a lot of readers
coming back for more.”
—
ParanormalRomance.org
“Fast-paced… never slows down…. Romantic fantasy fans will appreciate the first Demonica tale.”
—Midwest Book Review
“Intense, engrossing, and titillating, Pleasure Unbound is a story not to be missed. I can’t wait for the next story.”
—
RRTErotic.com
“Ione has… created a very imaginative demonic tapestry as well as rich, multilayered characterizations… a heady blend that
I look forward to revisiting in her next installment.”
—
BookLoons.com
“Ione writes a passionate tale. She is able to blend two different worlds together seamlessly.”
—
NightOwlRomance.com
“What a great read! Very sexy… Tayla is an incredible heroine and the conflict and sexual attraction between her and Eidolon
just burns on the page.”
—JOELY SUE BURKHART, author of Beautiful Death
“4½ Stars! Wow, wow, wow! This is one hot demon love story! The pages are riddled with action, sex, and danger. The intensity
is palpable. I was moved by this love story and will think about it for some time.”
—
TheRomanceReadersConnection.com
“Sexy, dark, and emotion-filled…. Took me on a rip-roaring ride through every emotion I have…. Go out and buy a copy today.”
—
JoyfullyReviewed.com
The Aegis—Society of human warriors dedicated to protecting the world from evil. See: Guardians, Regent, Sigil.
Carceris—The jailers of the underworld. All demon species send representatives to serve terms in the Carceris. Carceris members are
responsible for apprehending demons accused of violating demon law, and for acting as guards in the Carceris prisons.
Council—All demon species and breeds are governed by a Council that makes laws and metes out punishment for individual members of
their species or breed.
Dresdiin—The demon equivalent of angels. See: Memitim.
Fakires—Derogatory term used by vampires to describe humans who either believe themselves to be real vampires or pretend to be vampires.
Guardians—Warriors for The Aegis, trained in combat techniques, weapons, magic. Upon induction into The Aegis, all Guardians are presented
with an enchanted piece of jewelry bearing the Aegis shield, which, among other things, allows for night vision and the ability
to see through demon invisibility enchantment.
Harrowgate—Vertical portals, invisible to humans, which demons use to travel between locations on Earth and Sheoul.
Infadre—A female of any demon species who has been impregnated by a Seminus demon.
Maleconcieo—Highest level of ruling demon boards, served by a representative from each species Council. The U.N. of the demon world.
Marked Sentinel—Humans charmed by angels and tasked with protecting a vital artifact. Sentinels are immortal and immune to harm. Only angels
(fallen included) can injure or kill a Sentinel. Their existence is a closely guarded secret.
Memitim—Earthbound angels assigned to protect Primori. Memitim remain earthbound until they complete their duties, at which time
they Ascend, earning their wings and entry into Heaven. Also known to demons as dresdiin. See: Dresdiin, Primori.
Orgesu—A demon sex slave, often taken from breeds bred specifically for the purpose of providing sex.
Primori—Humans and demons whose lives are fated to affect the world in some crucial way.
Regent—Head(s) of local Aegis cells.
Renfield—Fictional character in Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Also, derogatory term for any human who serves a vampire. A vampire groupie.
S’genesis—Final maturation cycle for Seminus demons. Occurs at one hundred years of age. A post-s’genesis male is capable of procreation and possesses the ability to shape-shift into the male of any demon species.
Sheoul—Demon realm. Located deep in the bowels of the earth, accessible only by Harrowgates.
Sheoul-gra—A holding tank for demon souls. The place where demon souls go until they can be reborn or kept in torturous limbo.
Sheoulic—Universal demon language spoken by all, though many species speak their own language.
Sigil—Board of twelve humans known as Elders, who serve as the supreme leaders of The Aegis. Based in Berlin, they oversee all
Aegis cells worldwide.
Swans—Humans who act as blood or energy donors for vampires, either actual undead or fakires.
Ter’taceo—Demons who can pass as human, either because their species is naturally human in appearance, or because they can shapeshift
into human form.
Therionidryo—Term a were-beast uses for a person he or she bit and turned into another were-beast.
Therionidrysi—Any survivor of a were-beast attack. Term used to clarify the relationship between the sire and his therionidryo.
Ufelskala—A scoring system for demons, based on their degree of evil. All supernatural creatures and evil humans can be categorized
into the five Tiers, with the Fifth Tier composed of the worst of the wicked.
Classification of Demons, as listed by Baradoc, Umber demon, using the demon breed, Seminus, as an example:
Kingdom: Animalia
Class: Demon
Family: Sexual Demon
Genus: Terrestrial
Species: Incubus
Breed: Seminus
He who does not see the angels and devils in the
beauty and malice of life will be far removed from
knowledge, and his spirit
will be empty of affection.
—Kahlil Gibran
Lore had always believed that when it came to sex, the more the merrier. Too bad for him that when “more” meant more than
just himself, people tended to die.
So what the hell was he doing in bed with a curvy liquor store clerk he’d picked up while on his third tequila run in as many
days?
Sure, technically, he wasn’t in bed. He was standing at the foot of the human-looking demon’s California King, pounding into
her from behind as she kneeled on the mattress, moaning through her fourth orgasm.
Pressure built in his balls and his shaft throbbed with the need to blow, but no matter what he did, he couldn’t ignite. He
gripped her hips harder, thrust deeper. Faster.
Nothing.
He lifted her so her knees came off the bed, giving him absolute control as he ground against her with feverish gyrations.
Still nothing.
Sweat streamed down his face, and his lungs burned with the force of his panting breaths.
“Come on, baby,” the female—he thought her name was April… or May… maybe June—cried. She bucked, consumed by yet another climax,
and then dropped her head in exhaustion, her flaxen hair pooling on the black satin sheets.
She was pretty—not as pretty as Gem, but then, no one was. Lore shook the image of the Goth half-Soulshredder doctor out of
his head, because she was in love with a human jerk named Kynan, and Lore hadn’t truly had a shot with her anyway.
That he couldn’t climax because he was worried about snuffing this mystery species demon chick was really fucking funny considering
that he killed for money, with no qualms, no regrets, and there were definitely worse ways to go than death-by-orgasm.
But Gem seemed to have opened up a vein in him, one that ran with pansy-ass feelings instead of blood. And in truth, there
was a reason he hadn’t had sex in decades, even though his Seminus breeding gave him the over-whelming need to screw every
female who crossed his path. Fortunately for him, his human side allowed him to handle those urges himself, unlike purebred
Sems who had to have a female partner or die.
When Lore had female partners, they died.
With a frustrated roar, he tore himself away from AprilMayJune and fisted his cock in his gloved hand. His release was hard
and fast… and, as expected, no more satisfying than if he’d been by himself. And now, with nothing to distract him, he couldn’t
ignore the handprint-shaped welt that burned on his chest.
Lore had to go. No more stalling. After three weeks of avoidance—mainly to piss off his boss—it was time to take his punishment
like a man. Well, a half-man, half-incubus.
The female rolled over, watched him with drowsy eyes. He still wasn’t sure why he’d fallen off the celibacy wagon for her,
except maybe for the fact that she’d been in the right place, right time when he’d gotten yet another text from Eidolon, M.D. Christ, the guy just had to include the M.D. in his signature, as if the entire underworld didn’t know what he was.
The reminder that his brother was a respected doctor who saved lives, while Lore was nothing but a low-life half-breed killer,
had sent him into a destructive, down-ward spiral that involved a lot of alcohol and a proposition for AprilMayJune.
Still, he was eventually going to have to face Eidolon and his other brothers again, no matter what Lore had promised his
sister, because he had a feeling that if his newfound brothers wanted to find him, they would. And they didn’t seem like the
types to respect space and privacy.
“I told you I’m not in season,” AprilMayJune said, her voice sleepy with sexual satiation. “I can’t get pregnant.”
“Doesn’t matter.” He tucked himself back into his leather pants. “I’m sterile.” At least, that was what one of the other brothers,
Shade, had told him. Lore wasn’t sure how he felt about that, but it was definitely for the best.
She sighed and fell back against the pillows. “Then why did you just cream all over my floor? And why are you still wearing
that glove?”
“To reduce the chances that I’ll kill you.” Anyone who touched the bare skin of his right arm and hand, marked by the color-diluted
glyphs called a dermoire that snaked from shoulder to fingernail, dropped dead on contact. He’d worn a jacket and gloves around everyone except his
sister for decades, but if he orgasmed or summoned his “gift,” he could kill right through the protective leather, which was
why, during sex, he tried not to touch his partners as he neared climax. Tried, because with very few exceptions, something
had always gone wrong.
The female bared her teeth, which, in the last couple of seconds, had grown sharper. And longer. “You think you can take me?”
I just did, honey. “I know I can.” He patted his pocket to make sure she hadn’t lifted his wallet, then checked his weapons harness for the
same reason. He’d have to kill her if she’d swiped his Gargantua-bone dagger.
Gracefully, she came to her feet, which were now tipped by curved claws, just like her hands. What the hell kind of demon
was she? “Arrogant prick.” Her pronunciation was mushy now, the words spoken through an extra row of teeth that hadn’t been
there before.
“You’re messing with the wrong arrogant prick, little girl.” Lore moved toward the door. “Thanks for the laughs. See ya.”
“Little girl?” She launched at him, catching him in the back and knocking him into the wall. As he spun away, she raked her
claws across his chest, tearing open his T-shirt and leaving a bloody trail of scratches behind.
Hunger glimmered in her black eyes as she crept toward him like a cat preparing to pounce. “I’m going to eat your brains raw.”
Lore clapped a hand over his stinging cuts. “Jesus. You’re a fucking Dire Mantis.” Figured that after sixty years of celibacy,
the first partner he picked would be one that ate the heads of demon males.
“If it’s any consolation,” she purred, “that was the best sex any of my mates have given me.”
“Well, duh.” He watched her lick her lips as though she was already tasting his brain. Disgusting. “I can’t believe I was
worried about killing you.”
She lunged. He dodged. He could kill her with a snap of the neck, but Dire Mantis bites were paralyzing, and he didn’t want
to risk getting anywhere near that mouth.
She came at him again, teeth gnashing. As she reached for him, he twisted aside and seized her forearm. Killing power sizzled
like lightning from his shoulder to his fingers, and she fell to the floor, her lifeless body making a soft thud. It twitched
a few times before falling still.
Most purebred demons who died aboveground dis-integrated within seconds, but he didn’t stick around to watch. Or to care.
He strode out of the bedroom and out of the house without looking back. He was, after all, a killer. In the three weeks since
witnessing the near end of the world, meeting his brothers, and bringing back to life a human he would rather have left dead,
he’d done nothing but drown himself in liquor bottles. But no more. Losing himself and his edge had almost cost him his life
in AprilMayJune’s bedroom.
He wouldn’t make that mistake ever again.
“Give me one reason why I shouldn’t kill you.”
Tapping his tongue piercing against his teeth, Lore considered his answer as he stood before his master-slash-asshole boss.
The tag of pimp could also apply to the demon, seeing how Deth allowed his assassins to take freelance work… as long as he
received a 60 percent cut of the money earned. And none of the kills made on outside contracts counted toward Lore’s obligation
to Deth, even though the demon required his assassins to accept three outside jobs a year. Asshole.
Lore kept his gaze level with Deth’s, more to keep himself grounded than to show that he wasn’t nervous. He’d come straight
from the mantis’s place, but that had been yesterday. For twelve hours he’d been imprisoned below the main chamber, in stocks
and kneeling on shards of glass.
Which meant he hadn’t been able to fulfill his body’s sexual needs, and he could feel the resulting tension, the growing rage
that threatened to turn him into a beast clawing at the inside of his skin. The rest of his body didn’t feel much better.
His joints ached, his balls were tender, and every inch of his skin burned.
But all of that pain was minor compared to the torture he’d endured while in the stocks, a punishment he’d earned when he’d
used his gift of resurrection. Before Lore had handed his soul over to Deth, Lore would spend a good twenty-four hours in
bloody agony after bringing someone back from the dead. But now, because of his slave bond, it was his master, Detharu, who
instead experienced the agonizing price Lore paid for bringing a being back to life. And Deth made damned sure Lore paid hugely
for his suffering.
Funny how his two special abilities—taking and giving life—were so opposite, but only the “good” one came with pain. He supposed
it made sense; life fucking hurt.
“Well,” he drawled finally, with a calm he didn’t feel, “I’m your best-looking assassin, and without me, you’d have to stare
at the likes of Hadrian Maggotface all day.”
Detharu, a demon whose species Lore had never determined, mainly because he appeared different to everyone who saw him, smiled.
At least, the upturn of his black, crusted lips was the closest thing to a smile Lore had ever seen from the guy. Whatever
it was, it didn’t do anything to quell the unease churning in Lore’s gut, an unease that was even more crushing than usual.
“You make a good point. But not good enough.” Shifting in his throne constructed of the bones of several demon species and
at least one human, Detharu gestured with his steel-gauntleted fist.
Two of his sentries, huge Ramreel demons with curled horns and an unholy love of machetes, peeled away from the jagged stone
walls. Their small, piggish eyes glowed with murderous anticipation as they came at Lore from both sides.
Four more Ramreels watched from their positions at the chamber entrance, drool dripping from their snouts as though Pavlov
had rung the dinner bell. And in the shadows behind Detharu, another male stood, the expression on his face unreadable, but
Lore sensed a certain… anticipation. Weird. Lore had seen the dude before, hanging out with his insane brother, Roag, and
Byzamoth, an equally insane fallen angel who had tried to start Armageddon.
But both nutcases were gone now, and there was no point in wondering why the demon was there, because at the moment, the biggest
mystery facing him was whether he was keeping his head.
Lore rolled his shoulders, doing his best impression of a guy who wasn’t at all worried that his next breath might be the
last. “Look, Deth, no need to get your knickers in a twist. I’ll make it up to you—”
“You gave someone life so I would spend two sunsets in agony!”
Only Deth would think that Kynan’s resurrection was all about him. “Yeah, but—”
“We’re assassins, you imbecile! We don’t give life! You make me a laughingstock.” Detharu came to his feet with a snarl, the fire from the huge hearth in the center of the
room casting flickering shadows into the valleys between his ribs—which were on the outside of his body. “Worse, you and Zaw
failed to kill the Seminus demons as you were contracted to do!”
Lore clenched his hands into fists at his sides to keep from doing something stupid, like strangle his boss. “I can get you
the money.”
That was a big, fat lie. There was no way in Hades he could come up with the twenty million he would have gotten from the
executor of Roag’s estate upon proof of Wraith, Eidolon, and Shade’s deaths. Half of that, maybe, but not the full amount.
“But you can’t get back the respect I lost in the eyes of the Assassins’ Guild,” Deth roared.
“There has to be a way.”
“There is.” Detharu sank back down as if his display of temper never happened. “Your head on a pike, displayed in the Guild
hall.”
“Yeah, that doesn’t work for me.” Lore shoved his gloved hand through his hair, but that didn’t massage the tension out of
his skull. “Cut me some slack, will ya? They were my brothers.”
Fortunately, Lore had failed to kill them. After the attempt and consequent revelations of blood ties, Lore had only stuck
around his brothers long enough to get a little history of the Seminus breed and see what happened with Wraith’s female, and
then he’d gotten out of the demon hospital as if it was burning down.
Hadn’t seen or spoken with his brothers since, though Eidolon’s constant text messages had been as irritating as claws on
a chalkboard.
“Family?” Detharu leaned forward in his seat. “Then why did you agree to kill them?”
“I didn’t know they were my brothers at the time the job was offered.” No, that little secret had been as twisted as Roag.
The chair creaked as Detharu sat back and rubbed his pointed chin. “I have siblings. I killed two of them. Liked doing it.”
This wasn’t looking good. “No doubt they deserved it.” Yep, Lore could kiss ass with the best of them.
Detharu shrugged. For a long moment, the only sound in the room was the crackle of the fire and the occasional drip of Ramreel
drool. Lore eyed the exit, hastily piecing together an escape plan. He could take out the demon closest to him, snag his machete,
and then hope to God he could mow down the others before Detharu caught up to him. If he made it to the outer chamber, Detharu’s
other slave-assassins would help him escape.
Not that he’d be free for long. The slave-bond, the hand imprint burned into the flesh above his heart, would eventually compel
him to return here or face unimaginable suffering as the bond first seared his skin, and then worked its way to his muscles
and organs. You either returned to the den, or you cooked to death. Slowly.
Finally, Detharu shook his head. “I won’t execute you for not killing your brothers.”
“Big of you,” Lore muttered.
A serrated growl rumbled in Deth’s skeletal chest. “What did you say?”
“I said thank you.” Lore scowled at the Ramreels. “You heard him. Beat it. No murder for you today.” The Ramreel minions acted
more as guards than executioners, but they pretty much did whatever Deth wanted them to do, and the bloodier the task, the
happier they were.
Detharu’s glowing orange eyes narrowed. “There is a price, of course.”
“Naturally.”
“I have a job for you.”
Which meant that despite the threats and posturing, Deth hadn’t intended to impale Lore’s head on a pointy stick at all. “What
do I have to do?” Lore asked through gritted teeth. “Collect another debt? Deliver a bloody warning to someone? Want me to
fetch a pizza? Because you know how I love playing delivery boy.”
He hated playing pizza minion.
“You can bring me an all-meat topped with a certain human’s head. I’m giving you your hundredth kill.”
Lore stopped breathing even as his pulse revved. He’d been waiting thirty years for this. After he completed his hundredth
kill, Deth would no longer have any hold on him. He’d be a fr
“4½ Stars! The third book in Ione’s supercharged Demonica series ignites on the first page and never looks back…. Adventure,
action, and danger leap off every page. The best of the series to date!”
—Romantic Times BOOKreviews Magazine
“Fast-paced from the onset and never slows down until the exhilarating climax…. Readers will be enthralled by the action and
the charmed lead couple.”
—Midwest Book Reviews
“Larissa Ione pulls no punches…. The love scenes are scorching hot and grab at your heart with their emotional intensity.
Dark moments are written with just the right touch of hope that leaves the reader begging for a happy ending. I couldn’t have
loved Passion Unleashed more and hated for it to end. Raw, gritty, and tremendously passionate…. multifaceted It was awesome!”
—
RomanceJunkies.com
“Serena and Wraith are good characters, layered and multi-faceted… Ms. Ione has created a world unique to the genre. Huge
kudos for accomplishing with style what few authors can do. Bring on book four.”
—
LikesBooks.com
“5 Stars! Larissa has outdone herself with the story of Wraith. I was pulled into this story from the first page. The action
is intense and nonstop. I was engrossed and enthralled… and highly recommend adding this series to your library.”
—
BittenByBooks.com
“Each book has gotten better…. Passion Unleashed is the best book in the series.”
—
TheBookBinge.com
“Awesome…. Everyone loves a bad boy and Wraith is so the poster bad boy. Another great novel… Ione gives us a great spin on the relationship between her ‘Buffys’ and the demons
of the world, along with a good apocalypse.”
—
LiteraryEscapism.com
“Heart-pounding… outstandingly superb… an adventure-filled romance where passion and danger continuously mount…. A paranormal
story by Larissa Ione never disappoints readers, as the plot and characters are truly unforgettable. Her Demonica series only
becomes more engrossing with each book. With genuine feelings being intensely depicted by the well-portrayed characters on
every page of Passion Unleashed, there is never an instant when I was not held spellbound…. The sexual relationship between Wraith and Serena is particularly
sensual and overflowing with tension.”
—
SingleTitles.com
“A delightful paranormal romance with strong world-building and a suspenseful plot. Passion Unleashed will captivate readers…. The seducer is about to be seduced, and fans won’t be disappointed.”
—
DarqueReviews.com
“Plenty of steamy love scenes… nicely balanced with a high-octane plot… Larissa Ione is fast becoming a master at telling
dark, edgy, and highly complex paranormal tales.”
—
BookLoons.com
Absolutely fabulous! I have thoroughly enjoyed all three Demonica novels, but this one is by far my favorite. Wraith is the
ultimate bad boy who is just begging for salvation and Serena is his perfect complement. Ms. Ione will have para-normal fans
begging for more.”
—
TheRomanceReadersConnection.com
DESIRE UNCHAINED
“4 Stars! Rising star Ione is back in this latest Demonica novel… Ione has a true gift for imbuing her characters with dark-edged
passion… thrilling action and treacherous vengeance… a top-notch read.”
—Romantic Times BOOKreviews Magazine
“A fabulous tale…. The story line is fast-paced from the opening sequence… fans will relish a visit to the Ione realm.”
—Midwest Book Review
“Warning! Read at your own risk. Highly addictive…. Rising star Larissa Ione takes her already well-crafted and unique demon
world to new heights. The sex is darker, hotter, wickeder, and wonderfully erotic; the vengeful enemy is diabolical, and the
story line is unparalleled. Ione is a master at creating tortured, sexy bad boys who are full of flaws and make you melt…
Desire Unchained may only be book two in her Demonica series, but I’m completely head-over-heels in love. I have never been so enthralled
with a series before. With the end of each book, I’m left desperately wanting more.”
—
FreshFiction.com
“Imaginatiely riveting…. Emotional intensity is the driving force behind every Larissa Ione book. Scenes may be packed with
suspenseful peril or steamy passions or even quick humor and clever banter, yet it is the emotions behind the reactions of
the characters that really grab the reader. There are a myriad of potent feelings displayed all throughout Desire Unchained, and each one is shown with believable realism… [and] will cause the reader to be profoundly affected, often on numerous
levels at once.”
—
SingleTitles.com
“Everything a paranormal romance lover could want… a raw, edgy, and enthralling read—Sure to scorch every inch of you…. Credit
to Larissa Ione for an imaginative, dark world that haunts you as much as it intrigues you. ”
—
BookPleasures.com
“I was completely captivated…. From the first moment I picked Desire Unchained up, I was glued to its pages. Ione gives us a unique twist… something a little different and fresh (and involving hot Demons).”
—
LiteraryEscapism.com
“Fascinating…. This book started fast and didn’t slow down. I really enjoyed how Larissa continued to build the Demonica world.”
—
TheBookBinge.com
“Five Stars! Recommended read. I have to say that I absolutely love this book. Larissa Ione has become one of my favorite
authors, and I crave more of her books. The first book in her Demonica series was fantastic, and this one is even better…
[Shade] is the perfect romance hero…. The whole world and all the other characters have taken a place in my heart… I wish
I could go back and read Desire Unchained again for the first time. It was just that good.”
—
FallenAngelReviews.com
PLEASURE UNBOUND
“What a ride! Dark, sexy, and very intriguing, the book gripped me from start to finish—totally recommended.”
—NALINI SINGH, author of Mine to Possess
“Very dark, very sexy, and very creative.”
—EMMA HOLLY, USA Today bestselling author of Demon’s Fire
“4 Stars! [Ione’s] hard-edged style infuses the story with darkness while taking it to sizzling heights.”
—Romantic Times BOOKreviews Magazine
“Larissa’s storytelling is compelling and raw. She is truly gifted and you will fall madly in love with the characters in
this series.”
—JACI BURTON, national bestselling author of Hunting the Demon
“5 Stars! Fascinatingly innovative… full of fervent encounters and shocking disclosures… compelling scenes and dynamic characters.
Never has the paranormal world been more intriguing. Pleasure Unbound will leave a lasting impact on the reader, as this unforgettable story will evoke emotions long after the last page is read.”
—
SingleTitles.com
“This is a dark, sexy, and adventurous story… has everything a paranormal romance book needs, and it will have a lot of readers
coming back for more.”
—
ParanormalRomance.org
“Fast-paced… never slows down…. Romantic fantasy fans will appreciate the first Demonica tale.”
—Midwest Book Review
“Intense, engrossing, and titillating, Pleasure Unbound is a story not to be missed. I can’t wait for the next story.”
—
RRTErotic.com
“Ione has… created a very imaginative demonic tapestry as well as rich, multilayered characterizations… a heady blend that
I look forward to revisiting in her next installment.”
—
BookLoons.com
“Ione writes a passionate tale. She is able to blend two different worlds together seamlessly.”
—
NightOwlRomance.com
“What a great read! Very sexy… Tayla is an incredible heroine and the conflict and sexual attraction between her and Eidolon
just burns on the page.”
—JOELY SUE BURKHART, author of Beautiful Death
“4½ Stars! Wow, wow, wow! This is one hot demon love story! The pages are riddled with action, sex, and danger. The intensity
is palpable. I was moved by this love story and will think about it for some time.”
—
TheRomanceReadersConnection.com
“Sexy, dark, and emotion-filled…. Took me on a rip-roaring ride through every emotion I have…. Go out and buy a copy today.”
—
JoyfullyReviewed.com
The Aegis—Society of human warriors dedicated to protecting the world from evil. See: Guardians, Regent, Sigil.
Carceris—The jailers of the underworld. All demon species send representatives to serve terms in the Carceris. Carceris members are
responsible for apprehending demons accused of violating demon law, and for acting as guards in the Carceris prisons.
Council—All demon species and breeds are governed by a Council that makes laws and metes out punishment for individual members of
their species or breed.
Dresdiin—The demon equivalent of angels. See: Memitim.
Fakires—Derogatory term used by vampires to describe humans who either believe themselves to be real vampires or pretend to be vampires.
Guardians—Warriors for The Aegis, trained in combat techniques, weapons, magic. Upon induction into The Aegis, all Guardians are presented
with an enchanted piece of jewelry bearing the Aegis shield, which, among other things, allows for night vision and the ability
to see through demon invisibility enchantment.
Harrowgate—Vertical portals, invisible to humans, which demons use to travel between locations on Earth and Sheoul.
Infadre—A female of any demon species who has been impregnated by a Seminus demon.
Maleconcieo—Highest level of ruling demon boards, served by a representative from each species Council. The U.N. of the demon world.
Marked Sentinel—Humans charmed by angels and tasked with protecting a vital artifact. Sentinels are immortal and immune to harm. Only angels
(fallen included) can injure or kill a Sentinel. Their existence is a closely guarded secret.
Memitim—Earthbound angels assigned to protect Primori. Memitim remain earthbound until they complete their duties, at which time
they Ascend, earning their wings and entry into Heaven. Also known to demons as dresdiin. See: Dresdiin, Primori.
Orgesu—A demon sex slave, often taken from breeds bred specifically for the purpose of providing sex.
Primori—Humans and demons whose lives are fated to affect the world in some crucial way.
Regent—Head(s) of local Aegis cells.
Renfield—Fictional character in Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Also, derogatory term for any human who serves a vampire. A vampire groupie.
S’genesis—Final maturation cycle for Seminus demons. Occurs at one hundred years of age. A post-s’genesis male is capable of procreation and possesses the ability to shape-shift into the male of any demon species.
Sheoul—Demon realm. Located deep in the bowels of the earth, accessible only by Harrowgates.
Sheoul-gra—A holding tank for demon souls. The place where demon souls go until they can be reborn or kept in torturous limbo.
Sheoulic—Universal demon language spoken by all, though many species speak their own language.
Sigil—Board of twelve humans known as Elders, who serve as the supreme leaders of The Aegis. Based in Berlin, they oversee all
Aegis cells worldwide.
Swans—Humans who act as blood or energy donors for vampires, either actual undead or fakires.
Ter’taceo—Demons who can pass as human, either because their species is naturally human in appearance, or because they can shapeshift
into human form.
Therionidryo—Term a were-beast uses for a person he or she bit and turned into another were-beast.
Therionidrysi—Any survivor of a were-beast attack. Term used to clarify the relationship between the sire and his therionidryo.
Ufelskala—A scoring system for demons, based on their degree of evil. All supernatural creatures and evil humans can be categorized
into the five Tiers, with the Fifth Tier composed of the worst of the wicked.
Classification of Demons, as listed by Baradoc, Umber demon, using the demon breed, Seminus, as an example:
Kingdom: Animalia
Class: Demon
Family: Sexual Demon
Genus: Terrestrial
Species: Incubus
Breed: Seminus
He who does not see the angels and devils in the
beauty and malice of life will be far removed from
knowledge, and his spirit
will be empty of affection.
—Kahlil Gibran
Lore had always believed that when it came to sex, the more the merrier. Too bad for him that when “more” meant more than
just himself, people tended to die.
So what the hell was he doing in bed with a curvy liquor store clerk he’d picked up while on his third tequila run in as many
days?
Sure, technically, he wasn’t in bed. He was standing at the foot of the human-looking demon’s California King, pounding into
her from behind as she kneeled on the mattress, moaning through her fourth orgasm.
Pressure built in his balls and his shaft throbbed with the need to blow, but no matter what he did, he couldn’t ignite. He
gripped her hips harder, thrust deeper. Faster.
Nothing.
He lifted her so her knees came off the bed, giving him absolute control as he ground against her with feverish gyrations.
Still nothing.
Sweat streamed down his face, and his lungs burned with the force of his panting breaths.
“Come on, baby,” the female—he thought her name was April… or May… maybe June—cried. She bucked, consumed by yet another climax,
and then dropped her head in exhaustion, her flaxen hair pooling on the black satin sheets.
She was pretty—not as pretty as Gem, but then, no one was. Lore shook the image of the Goth half-Soulshredder doctor out of
his head, because she was in love with a human jerk named Kynan, and Lore hadn’t truly had a shot with her anyway.
That he couldn’t climax because he was worried about snuffing this mystery species demon chick was really fucking funny considering
that he killed for money, with no qualms, no regrets, and there were definitely worse ways to go than death-by-orgasm.
But Gem seemed to have opened up a vein in him, one that ran with pansy-ass feelings instead of blood. And in truth, there
was a reason he hadn’t had sex in decades, even though his Seminus breeding gave him the over-whelming need to screw every
female who crossed his path. Fortunately for him, his human side allowed him to handle those urges himself, unlike purebred
Sems who had to have a female partner or die.
When Lore had female partners, they died.
With a frustrated roar, he tore himself away from AprilMayJune and fisted his cock in his gloved hand. His release was hard
and fast… and, as expected, no more satisfying than if he’d been by himself. And now, with nothing to distract him, he couldn’t
ignore the handprint-shaped welt that burned on his chest.
Lore had to go. No more stalling. After three weeks of avoidance—mainly to piss off his boss—it was time to take his punishment
like a man. Well, a half-man, half-incubus.
The female rolled over, watched him with drowsy eyes. He still wasn’t sure why he’d fallen off the celibacy wagon for her,
except maybe for the fact that she’d been in the right place, right time when he’d gotten yet another text from Eidolon, M.D. Christ, the guy just had to include the M.D. in his signature, as if the entire underworld didn’t know what he was.
The reminder that his brother was a respected doctor who saved lives, while Lore was nothing but a low-life half-breed killer,
had sent him into a destructive, down-ward spiral that involved a lot of alcohol and a proposition for AprilMayJune.
Still, he was eventually going to have to face Eidolon and his other brothers again, no matter what Lore had promised his
sister, because he had a feeling that if his newfound brothers wanted to find him, they would. And they didn’t seem like the
types to respect space and privacy.
“I told you I’m not in season,” AprilMayJune said, her voice sleepy with sexual satiation. “I can’t get pregnant.”
“Doesn’t matter.” He tucked himself back into his leather pants. “I’m sterile.” At least, that was what one of the other brothers,
Shade, had told him. Lore wasn’t sure how he felt about that, but it was definitely for the best.
She sighed and fell back against the pillows. “Then why did you just cream all over my floor? And why are you still wearing
that glove?”
“To reduce the chances that I’ll kill you.” Anyone who touched the bare skin of his right arm and hand, marked by the color-diluted
glyphs called a dermoire that snaked from shoulder to fingernail, dropped dead on contact. He’d worn a jacket and gloves around everyone except his
sister for decades, but if he orgasmed or summoned his “gift,” he could kill right through the protective leather, which was
why, during sex, he tried not to touch his partners as he neared climax. Tried, because with very few exceptions, something
had always gone wrong.
The female bared her teeth, which, in the last couple of seconds, had grown sharper. And longer. “You think you can take me?”
I just did, honey. “I know I can.” He patted his pocket to make sure she hadn’t lifted his wallet, then checked his weapons harness for the
same reason. He’d have to kill her if she’d swiped his Gargantua-bone dagger.
Gracefully, she came to her feet, which were now tipped by curved claws, just like her hands. What the hell kind of demon
was she? “Arrogant prick.” Her pronunciation was mushy now, the words spoken through an extra row of teeth that hadn’t been
there before.
“You’re messing with the wrong arrogant prick, little girl.” Lore moved toward the door. “Thanks for the laughs. See ya.”
“Little girl?” She launched at him, catching him in the back and knocking him into the wall. As he spun away, she raked her
claws across his chest, tearing open his T-shirt and leaving a bloody trail of scratches behind.
Hunger glimmered in her black eyes as she crept toward him like a cat preparing to pounce. “I’m going to eat your brains raw.”
Lore clapped a hand over his stinging cuts. “Jesus. You’re a fucking Dire Mantis.” Figured that after sixty years of celibacy,
the first partner he picked would be one that ate the heads of demon males.
“If it’s any consolation,” she purred, “that was the best sex any of my mates have given me.”
“Well, duh.” He watched her lick her lips as though she was already tasting his brain. Disgusting. “I can’t believe I was
worried about killing you.”
She lunged. He dodged. He could kill her with a snap of the neck, but Dire Mantis bites were paralyzing, and he didn’t want
to risk getting anywhere near that mouth.
She came at him again, teeth gnashing. As she reached for him, he twisted aside and seized her forearm. Killing power sizzled
like lightning from his shoulder to his fingers, and she fell to the floor, her lifeless body making a soft thud. It twitched
a few times before falling still.
Most purebred demons who died aboveground dis-integrated within seconds, but he didn’t stick around to watch. Or to care.
He strode out of the bedroom and out of the house without looking back. He was, after all, a killer. In the three weeks since
witnessing the near end of the world, meeting his brothers, and bringing back to life a human he would rather have left dead,
he’d done nothing but drown himself in liquor bottles. But no more. Losing himself and his edge had almost cost him his life
in AprilMayJune’s bedroom.
He wouldn’t make that mistake ever again.
“Give me one reason why I shouldn’t kill you.”
Tapping his tongue piercing against his teeth, Lore considered his answer as he stood before his master-slash-asshole boss.
The tag of pimp could also apply to the demon, seeing how Deth allowed his assassins to take freelance work… as long as he
received a 60 percent cut of the money earned. And none of the kills made on outside contracts counted toward Lore’s obligation
to Deth, even though the demon required his assassins to accept three outside jobs a year. Asshole.
Lore kept his gaze level with Deth’s, more to keep himself grounded than to show that he wasn’t nervous. He’d come straight
from the mantis’s place, but that had been yesterday. For twelve hours he’d been imprisoned below the main chamber, in stocks
and kneeling on shards of glass.
Which meant he hadn’t been able to fulfill his body’s sexual needs, and he could feel the resulting tension, the growing rage
that threatened to turn him into a beast clawing at the inside of his skin. The rest of his body didn’t feel much better.
His joints ached, his balls were tender, and every inch of his skin burned.
But all of that pain was minor compared to the torture he’d endured while in the stocks, a punishment he’d earned when he’d
used his gift of resurrection. Before Lore had handed his soul over to Deth, Lore would spend a good twenty-four hours in
bloody agony after bringing someone back from the dead. But now, because of his slave bond, it was his master, Detharu, who
instead experienced the agonizing price Lore paid for bringing a being back to life. And Deth made damned sure Lore paid hugely
for his suffering.
Funny how his two special abilities—taking and giving life—were so opposite, but only the “good” one came with pain. He supposed
it made sense; life fucking hurt.
“Well,” he drawled finally, with a calm he didn’t feel, “I’m your best-looking assassin, and without me, you’d have to stare
at the likes of Hadrian Maggotface all day.”
Detharu, a demon whose species Lore had never determined, mainly because he appeared different to everyone who saw him, smiled.
At least, the upturn of his black, crusted lips was the closest thing to a smile Lore had ever seen from the guy. Whatever
it was, it didn’t do anything to quell the unease churning in Lore’s gut, an unease that was even more crushing than usual.
“You make a good point. But not good enough.” Shifting in his throne constructed of the bones of several demon species and
at least one human, Detharu gestured with his steel-gauntleted fist.
Two of his sentries, huge Ramreel demons with curled horns and an unholy love of machetes, peeled away from the jagged stone
walls. Their small, piggish eyes glowed with murderous anticipation as they came at Lore from both sides.
Four more Ramreels watched from their positions at the chamber entrance, drool dripping from their snouts as though Pavlov
had rung the dinner bell. And in the shadows behind Detharu, another male stood, the expression on his face unreadable, but
Lore sensed a certain… anticipation. Weird. Lore had seen the dude before, hanging out with his insane brother, Roag, and
Byzamoth, an equally insane fallen angel who had tried to start Armageddon.
But both nutcases were gone now, and there was no point in wondering why the demon was there, because at the moment, the biggest
mystery facing him was whether he was keeping his head.
Lore rolled his shoulders, doing his best impression of a guy who wasn’t at all worried that his next breath might be the
last. “Look, Deth, no need to get your knickers in a twist. I’ll make it up to you—”
“You gave someone life so I would spend two sunsets in agony!”
Only Deth would think that Kynan’s resurrection was all about him. “Yeah, but—”
“We’re assassins, you imbecile! We don’t give life! You make me a laughingstock.” Detharu came to his feet with a snarl, the fire from the huge hearth in the center of the
room casting flickering shadows into the valleys between his ribs—which were on the outside of his body. “Worse, you and Zaw
failed to kill the Seminus demons as you were contracted to do!”
Lore clenched his hands into fists at his sides to keep from doing something stupid, like strangle his boss. “I can get you
the money.”
That was a big, fat lie. There was no way in Hades he could come up with the twenty million he would have gotten from the
executor of Roag’s estate upon proof of Wraith, Eidolon, and Shade’s deaths. Half of that, maybe, but not the full amount.
“But you can’t get back the respect I lost in the eyes of the Assassins’ Guild,” Deth roared.
“There has to be a way.”
“There is.” Detharu sank back down as if his display of temper never happened. “Your head on a pike, displayed in the Guild
hall.”
“Yeah, that doesn’t work for me.” Lore shoved his gloved hand through his hair, but that didn’t massage the tension out of
his skull. “Cut me some slack, will ya? They were my brothers.”
Fortunately, Lore had failed to kill them. After the attempt and consequent revelations of blood ties, Lore had only stuck
around his brothers long enough to get a little history of the Seminus breed and see what happened with Wraith’s female, and
then he’d gotten out of the demon hospital as if it was burning down.
Hadn’t seen or spoken with his brothers since, though Eidolon’s constant text messages had been as irritating as claws on
a chalkboard.
“Family?” Detharu leaned forward in his seat. “Then why did you agree to kill them?”
“I didn’t know they were my brothers at the time the job was offered.” No, that little secret had been as twisted as Roag.
The chair creaked as Detharu sat back and rubbed his pointed chin. “I have siblings. I killed two of them. Liked doing it.”
This wasn’t looking good. “No doubt they deserved it.” Yep, Lore could kiss ass with the best of them.
Detharu shrugged. For a long moment, the only sound in the room was the crackle of the fire and the occasional drip of Ramreel
drool. Lore eyed the exit, hastily piecing together an escape plan. He could take out the demon closest to him, snag his machete,
and then hope to God he could mow down the others before Detharu caught up to him. If he made it to the outer chamber, Detharu’s
other slave-assassins would help him escape.
Not that he’d be free for long. The slave-bond, the hand imprint burned into the flesh above his heart, would eventually compel
him to return here or face unimaginable suffering as the bond first seared his skin, and then worked its way to his muscles
and organs. You either returned to the den, or you cooked to death. Slowly.
Finally, Detharu shook his head. “I won’t execute you for not killing your brothers.”
“Big of you,” Lore muttered.
A serrated growl rumbled in Deth’s skeletal chest. “What did you say?”
“I said thank you.” Lore scowled at the Ramreels. “You heard him. Beat it. No murder for you today.” The Ramreel minions acted
more as guards than executioners, but they pretty much did whatever Deth wanted them to do, and the bloodier the task, the
happier they were.
Detharu’s glowing orange eyes narrowed. “There is a price, of course.”
“Naturally.”
“I have a job for you.”
Which meant that despite the threats and posturing, Deth hadn’t intended to impale Lore’s head on a pointy stick at all. “What
do I have to do?” Lore asked through gritted teeth. “Collect another debt? Deliver a bloody warning to someone? Want me to
fetch a pizza? Because you know how I love playing delivery boy.”
He hated playing pizza minion.
“You can bring me an all-meat topped with a certain human’s head. I’m giving you your hundredth kill.”
Lore stopped breathing even as his pulse revved. He’d been waiting thirty years for this. After he completed his hundredth
kill, Deth would no longer have any hold on him. He’d be a fr
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