Wicked Deeds on a Winter's Night

BOOK: Wicked Deeds on a Winter's Night
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“KRESLEY COLE IS DESTINED TO BE A STAR OF THIS GENRE!”

—The Romance Readers Connection

The critics love The Immortals After Dark series

NO REST FOR THE WICKED

“Sizzling sex and high-stakes adventure are what's on tap in mega-talented Cole's sensational new paranormal release . . . one nonstop thrill ride. Brava!”

—
Romantic Times
Magazine (Top Pick)

“What a fabulous story! I can hardly wait to get my hands on the next one in the series.”

—Bella Online

“Oh, wow! Kresley Cole writes another spine-tingling, adventurous, and passionate romance. . . . I recommend readers grab a copy of Kresley Cole's No Rest for the Wicked today. It's a definite keeper.”

—
Romance Reviews Today

A HUNGER LIKE NO OTHER

“With intense action, devilishly passionate sex, and fascinating characters,
A Hunger Like No Other
leads readers into an amazing and inventive alternate reality. . . . Hot stuff!”

—
Romantic Times
Magazine (Top Pick)

“Unquestionably an awe-inspiring romance!”

—Reader to Reader Reviews

“Not just another romantic read . . . it's a powerful experience!”

—
The Best Reviews

“A unique romance—it truly stands on its own!”

—Sherrilyn Kenyon,
New York Times
bestselling author

and the sensuous historical romances by Kresley Cole

IF YOU DARE

“Filled with heated passion and wonderful repartee.”

—
Romantic Times
Magazine (Reviewers' Choice Award Winner)

“Cole's voice is powerful and gripping, and
If You Dare
is her steamiest yet!”

—
New York Times
bestselling author Linda Lael Miller

“A deliciously entertaining read that kept the sexual tension high!”

—Romance Designs

“[A] classic romantic adventure that will leave you breathless!”

—
New York Times
bestselling author Julia Quinn

THE PRICE OF PLEASURE

“A splendid read! The sexual tension grips you from beginning to end.”

—
New York Times
bestselling author Virginia Henley

“Sexy and original! Sensual island heat that is not to be missed.”

—
New York Times
bestselling author Heather Graham

“Savor this marvelous, unforgettable, highly romantic novel by a fresh voice.”

—
Romantic Times
Magazine (Top Pick)

THE CAPTAIN OF ALL PLEASURES

“An exciting, sensuous story that will thrill you at every turn of the page.”

—Reader to Reader Reviews

“Electrifying. . . . Kresley Cole captures the danger and passion of the high seas.”

—
New York Times
bestselling author Joan Johnston

“Fast-paced action, heady sexual tension, steamy passion. . . . Exhilarating energy emanates from the pages of this very smart and sassy debut.”

—
Romantic Times
Magazine (Reviewers' Choice Award Winner)

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Contents

Acknowledgments

Glossary of Terms from the Living Book of Lore

Epigraph

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Chapter 41

Chapter 42

Chapter 43

Chapter 44

Chapter 45

Chapter 46

Chapter 47

Chapter 48

Chapter 49

Chapter 50

Chapter 51

Chapter 52

Chapter 53

Chapter 54

Chapter 55

Dark Needs at Night's Edge
Excerpt

This book is dedicated to the warm, witty, and amazing
Beth Kendrick, because we're good enough friends to say,
“Isn't it about time you dedicated a book to me?”
and “How 'bout that book dedication?”

Acknowledgments

I would like to acknowledge the wonderful short poem “The Witch in the Glass” by Sarah Morgan Bryan Piatt (1836–1919), which I use within this book, and which inspired the character of Mariketa the Awaited, as well as her unique talents.

Glossary of Terms from the Living Book of Lore

The Lore

“. . . and those sentient creatures that are not human shall be united in one stratum, coexisting with, yet secret from, man's.”

The Lykae Clan

“A proud, strapping warrior of the Keltoi People (or Hidden People, later known as Celts) was taken in his prime by a maddened wolf. The warrior rose from the dead, now an immortal, with the spirit of the beast latent within him. He displayed the wolf's traits: the need for touch, an intense loyalty to its kind, an animal craving for the delights of the flesh. Sometimes the beast rises. . . .”

• Also called werewolves, war-wolds.

• Enemies of the Vampire Horde.

The Talisman's Hie

“A treacherous and grueling scavenger's hunt for magickal talismans, amulets, and other mystical riches over the entire world.”

• The rules forbid killing—until the final round. Any other trickery or violence is encouraged.

• Held every two hundred fifty years.

• Hosted by Riora, the goddess of impossibility.

The House of Witches

“. . . immortal possessors of magickal talents, practitioners of good and evil.”

• Mystical mercenaries who sell their spells.

• Separated into five castes: warrior, healer, enchantress, conjurer, and seeress.

• Led by Mariketa the Awaited

The Valkyrie

“When a maiden warrior screams for courage as she dies in battle, Wóden and Freya heed her call. The two gods give up lightning to strike her, rescuing her to their hall, and preserving her courage forever in the form of the maiden's immortal Valkyrie daughter.”

• Take sustenance from the electrical energy of the earth, sharing it in one collective power, and give it back with their emotions in the form of lightning.

• Possess preternatural strength and speed.

• Without training, they can be mesmerized by shining objects and jewels.

• Also called Swan Maidens, Shield Maidens.

• Enemies of the Vampire Horde.

The Vampires

Two warring factions, the Horde and the Forbearer Army.

• Each vampire seeks his
Bride,
his eternal wife, and walks as the living dead until he finds her.

• A Bride will render his body fully alive, giving him breath and making his heart beat, a process known as
blooding.

• 
Tracing
is teleporting, the vampires' means of travel. A vampire can only trace to destinations he's previously been.

The Horde

“In the first chaos of the Lore, a brotherhood of vampires dominated, by relying on their cold nature, worship of logic, and absence of mercy. They sprang from the harsh steppes of Dacia and migrated to Russia, though some say a secret enclave, the Daci, live in Dacia still.”

• Distinguished by their red eyes, a side effect of drinking victims to death.

• Enemies of most factions in the Lore.

BOOK: Wicked Deeds on a Winter's Night
2.84Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

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