Through the Black Veil Read online

  Through the Black Veil

  By Steve Vera

  Book two of Last of the Shardyn

  A dark god, a police chief and four knights walk into a portal...

  Ex-commando and Montana police chief Skip Walkins’s life just got a whole lot worse. The malevolent god Asmodeous the Pale has escaped to Earth’s magical twin, Theia, where he plans to release his underworld minions and enslave mankind. Skip, in a fit of unwise bravery, follows.

  He ends up allied again with Gavin Blackburn and the Shardyn Knights. Desperate to warn the Theians about Asmodeous, the Knights don’t blink at crossing a sky-high mountain range and battling a legendary necromancer to do so.

  The thing is, nobody wants to listen to the Knights’ tales of dread. Immersed in a magic-fueled tournament for immortality, the Theians give Gavin and Skip a motley crew of mismatched warriors to lead against all the fury of the underworld.

  And if Gavin and Skip can’t stop Asmodeous, both Theia and Earth will be doomed.

  See how the struggle began in Drynn.

  126,000 words

  Dear Reader,

  I’m on vacation, camping in the semi-wilderness. No, not when you’re reading this (well, maybe, who knows?) but when this letter is due to our production team. So I’ve chosen to hand off my Dear Reader letter responsibilities to the team for the month of November and let them tell you all about the fantastic lineup in store for you. We’re a team who really enjoys the books we acquire, and I know they’ll be glad for a chance to convince you to give one a try. In the meantime, I’ll be back next month. Happy reading!

  Angela James, Editorial Director

  Dear Reader,

  Editorial assistant Stephanie here. Since Angela is “camping” (all I’m saying is that camping seems to involve a lot of tweeting), I’ve compiled a few fun facts about this month’s new releases. What kinds of great books do we have in store for you this time? Will I get in trouble for making fun of my boss’s camping skills? These are the questions I will strive to answer for you today.

  Redemption by Stephanie Tyler, new adult, post-apocalyptic

  Stephanie Tyler returns with book two in her post-apocalyptic new-adult motorcycle club series.

  Redemption continues the story of the Defiance MC with Mathias and Jessa’s story. If you missed book one, Defiance—Cas and Tru’s story—you’re missing out on a fantastic world and some swoon-worthy romance.

  —Angela James, Editorial Director, Carina Press

  Snowbound with the CEO by Shannon Stacey, contemporary romance

  Shannon’s books are must-reads if you love contemporary romance.

  Shannon Stacey’s holiday novellas are becoming something of a delightful tradition at Carina Press, and we’re happy to have the latest in our hands!

  —Stephanie Doig, Editorial Assistant, Harlequin and Carina Press

  Chance of Rain by Amber Lin, contemporary romance

  We’re happy to welcome Amber to the Carina Press family!

  This small-town reunion romance gripped me from the first chapter and wouldn’t let go. The tortured alpha hero, who just happens to be a Navy SEAL, also didn’t hurt!

  —Tara Stevens, Assistant Product Manager, Digital Products

  Take Me Home by Inez Kelley, contemporary romance

  Inez writes contemporary and fantasy romance for Carina Press. Her new lumberjack series had the (admittedly largely Canadian) team intrigued from the start!

  Maple-syrup maker Kayla falls for a sexy lumberjack with a bitter past and a wary heart in the first of her new Country Roads series featuring loggers in the Allegheny Mountains.

  —Deborah Nemeth, Freelance Editor, Carina Press

  Slow Ride Home by Leah Braemel, contemporary Western romance

  Leah writes wonderfully sexy, emotional romances for Carina Press, including Texas Tangle and Tangled Past.

  Leah’s lovely writing drew me right along into a sensual story of love, heat and scandal. With cowboys. Look for more of the Grady family to come. Did I mention there are cowboys?

  —Brendan Flattery, Digital Production Coordinator

  Love a Little Sideways by Shannon Stacey, contemporary romance

  Shannon’s bestselling Kowalski family miniseries is a must-read for contemporary romance fans.

  What begins as the annual Kowalski Camping Trip of Doom turns into a brand-new start for an unlikely couple—charming, funny proof that what we think we want and what the heart wants isn’t always the same thing.

  —Kerri Buckley, Editor, Carina Press

  Sing for the Dead by PJ Schnyder, paranormal shifter romance

  PJ writes futuristic science fiction romance and paranormal romance for Carina Press.

  The exciting second book in the London Undead trilogy brings readers back into a world where zombies have taken over London. Now the werewolves who’ve stepped up to fight the creatures have a new ally—a member of the Fae who jumps right into the middle of the fray!

  —Mallory Braus, Freelance Editor, Carina Press

  Through the Black Veil by Steve Vera, urban fantasy

  You may remember us gushing about Drynn, Steve’s first book in this series.

  In book 2 of the Last of the Shardyn series, our fearless heroes have returned to their magical homeland to warn everyone about the danger threatening to destroy their world.

  —Rhonda Helms, Freelance Editor, Carina Press

  Improper Arrangements by Juliana Ross, erotic historical romance

  Juliana writes sizzling historical romances set in Victorian times for Carina Press.

  The follow-up to Improper Relations features a mountain-climber hero, Eli. He is my favorite type of hero: rugged, handsome, rough around the edges, mysterious. Love him!

  —Carly Chow, Assistant Manager, Digital Commerce

  Finessing the Contessa by Wendy Soliman, historical romance

  Wendy Soliman writes wonderful, exciting historical romances. The first two Forsters books are currently available from Carina Press.

  In Wendy Soliman’s Regency romance Finessing the Contessa, Lord Robert Forster is drawn to the brilliant Sicilian he meets at a chess match, but is she a spy or an innocent pawn in a game of international espionage?

  —Deborah Nemeth, Freelance Editor, Carina Press

  All In with the Duke by Ava March, male/male historical romance

  Ava March writes can’t-miss historical male/male stories for Carina Press.

  Max Arrington, the Duke of Pelham, has vowed to never again let a handsome face blind him to a man’s true intentions. But the beautiful Tristan Walsh is too intriguing for Max to resist, and it’s not long before their wicked nights together turn into something more.

  —Stephanie Doig, Editorial Assistant, Harlequin and Carina Press

  For Her Eyes Only by Shannon Curtis, romantic suspense

  This is the third book in Shannon’s exciting McCormack Security Agency series.

  For Her Eyes Only features an admin assistant pairing up with the MSA’s undercover expert to investigate a murder. I loved the sexual tension between the hero and heroine!

  —Stephanie Doig, Editorial Assistant, Harlequin and Carina Press

  Getting Rich by Monique Domovitch, cozy mystery

  Monique’s first novel with Carina Press, Getting Skinny, had us all eager for the follow-up.

  Just when she thinks she’s on the verge of getting rich, Nicky Landry finds out som
ebody is out to get her—and whoever it is has murder on the menu—in Monique Domovitch’s second Chef Landry Mystery.

  —Deborah Nemeth, Freelance Editor, Carina Press

  No Place Like Rome by Julie Moffett, action-adventure, mystery

  In addition to writing the Lexi Carmichael mysteries, Julie also writes Scottish historical romances!

  Our favorite geek girl is off to Rome with the sexy and mysterious Slash to solve a case involving the Vatican, a dead body, some steamy kisses from her partner, and a top-secret encrypted file that even she can’t hack.

  —Alissa Davis, Freelance Editor, Carina Press

  Season of Seduction, erotic holiday anthology

  Five Golden Rings by Jeffe Kennedy, erotic romance

  Jeffe writes steamy erotic BDSM romance for Carina Press, as well as (also steamy!) fantasy romance.

  Jeffe Kennedy heats up the season with this sultry, adventurous Facets of Passion novella set against the balmy days—and scorching nights—of a high-powered woman’s holiday-vacation-turned-sexual epiphany.

  —Kerri Buckley, Editor, Carina Press

  Naughty Nicks by Christine d’Abo, erotic romance

  Christine’s Long Shots series, about a BDSM club and its patrons, includes a choose-your-path erotic romance!

  This sexy and emotional novella features an interesting holiday business—stripper Santas! There was so much great tension between the heroine and her hero, who also happens to be her boss.

  —Stephanie Doig, Editorial Assistant, Harlequin and Carina Press

  Ménage on 34th Street by Elise Logan and Emily Ryan-Davis, erotic ménage romance

  We are proud to welcome Elise and Emily to the Carina Press family! This is their first book with us.

  Katrina and Liam have a happy marriage, but they’ve always felt there’s room for more. When their friend Hunter returns from active duty, they know exactly what that “more” is. Now if only they can convince Hunter...

  —Stephanie Doig, Editorial Assistant, Harlequin and Carina Press

  Matzoh and Mistletoe by Jodie Griffin, erotic BDSM romance

  Jodie writes about true-to-life characters exploring their sexy sides in her Bondage & Breakfast series.

  This BDSM novella has a lot of things going for it—it’s sexy, emotional, and there’s a really hot cop. Jodie is known for writing wonderfully realistic characters, and she doesn’t disappoint here.

  —Stephanie Doig, Editorial Assistant, Harlequin and Carina Press

  Gifts of Honor, military holiday collection

  Starting from Scratch by Stacy Gail, contemporary military romance

  Stacy writes both paranormal and contemporary romance for Carina Press.

  Stacy Gail gifts us with the sweetest of holiday reunions for a wounded Army Ranger and his one true love. Patience and forgiveness meet sharp wit and sizzling attraction!

  —Kerri Buckley, Editor, Carina Press

  Hero’s Homecoming by Rebecca Crowley, contemporary military romance

  Rebecca’s debut book with Carina Press, a fantastic sports romance called The Striker’s Chance¸ came out in September.

  Three days before Christmas, a surprising phone call from an old love changes absolutely everything in this compelling novella.

  —Kerri Buckley, Editor, Carina Press

  Dedication

  For Vanessa and Scherry,

  I’ll never forget you.

  Acknowledgments

  I’d like to thank the people who helped make this epic journey possible.

  The Handshake: The late Mr. Atkins, my fifth grade teacher, who looked me in the eyes while shaking my hand and in a gesture changed my life. Thank you, Mr. Atkins, for believing in me.

  The Good Lie: Mr. MacNeil, my tenth grade teacher, who promised he wouldn’t reveal my name after reading my words aloud...but did anyways after the jaws dropped (including mine). Thank you, Mr. MacNeil, for making me feel like the smart kid for the first time in my life, for your passion and direction.

  The Mentor: Linnea Sinclair, author extraordinaire, for choosing my restaurant to eat in that night and for being so gracious to read my first chapter, for taking me under your wing, for showing me the techniques to study and master and for making the phone call. Without you, I would not be here. Thank you, Linnea.

  The Phone call: And where did that phone call go? To Sara Megibow, my fabulous agent, champion and fellow ENFP. Thank you, Sara, for your sparkle, tenacity and belief, and for making this journey with me. You’re awesome sauce squared.

  The Editor: Rhonda Helms, both editor and author (which I think is so cool), for adding the final ingredients to these books like a master chef. Thank you, Rhonda, for your brilliance and flavor.

  The Queen Bee: Angela James, for your help, openness and friendship right from the start. Thank you, Angela, for your faith in me.

  The Carina Team: To Tara Stevens and her team at the Art Department for such a great cover, to Melissa at marketing, and to all the other behind-the-scenes players who create the magic...thank you, all.

  The Max Crew: To my peers at the Oyster Bar, who cheered me on and shared in my victories, and to management for always working with me and my chaotic schedule. Thank you, MOB and the Max Group.

  My Yin: My dearest friend, Rachelle Brady, for jumping in the trenches with me, for the late nights and early mornings. For inspiring me. Thank you, my lady.

  My Yang: My best friend, Richard Duquette, for being there at the starting line. And at the finish line when I needed you the most. Thanks, numbnuts.

  Brother-In-Arms: Jester, for watching my six, making it fun and for always being there. Thanks, Jester. Let’s do this.

  The Faith Crew: Kristi, Diana, Teri, Shara, Alejandro, Erique, Jeffrey, Erica, Dylan, Jordan, Mike, Mike & Jay, Kimmy, Bee, Valerie, Tia Mimi, Tia Alba, Tio Ballardo and all my other friends and family who always believed in me. Even when I didn’t. Thank you all.

  The Glue: Allison Norman, A.K.A. Ally, for holding this family together and watching out for Pops. Thanks, Ally, this would have never happened without you.

  The Best Parents in the Universe: Dad, for being you, for making me feel special from my first memory, for your guidance, jokes and insults, for being my best friend. Mom, for your love, for reading to me as a child, for reading and stapling all those drafts, for your prayers and encouragement, for telling me that if I wrote...I was a writer. I love you both past the Andromeda.

  Last But Not Least: God. Thank you for your blessings and all the things I take for granted daily, for your love and oh, yeah, for creating me. Thanks, God.

  Contents

  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

  Chapter 56

  About the Author

  Copyright

  Chapter 1

  Amanda’s stomach clung to the back of her throat as she plunged between worlds. Beyond the protection of her closed eyelids, light streaked past like shooting stars and threw amorphous shapes across her mind’s eye.

  Her jelly legs squirmed in anticipation of impact, like those dreams of falling that had plagued her back in high school. She screamed so long that her voice went hoarse—long enough, in fact, for a distant, logical and rational part of her brain to poke through her terror like a prairie dog, then sniff.

  Just what the hell is happening?

  She got her answer. A brick wall of cold water smashed against her feet, shins and knees with a painful clap. Unprepared, water slapped into her mouth as her body plunged into unknown depths.

  The smack of water against the exposed lacerations in her shoulders and back turned her world into a super-nova of pain. Ah, yes, I forgot about those.

  Something scratchy slithered across the back of her left calf. She forced herself to open her eyes, images of Shark Week dancing in her head, and saw the long, sinuous blade of a seaweed frond wrapping itself around her leg. Bright turquoise. They were all around her, turquoise and cherry-orange tentacles dancing backward in slow motion by the concussion of her splash-down, as if she were the detonation of a falling meteor.

  She kicked her legs to stop her sinking and ignored the hot pain shrieking from her shoulders. Air was getting tight; the water trapped in her mouth pushed anxiously toward her windpipe. Salvation lay mere feet away, a shimmering wall above her where sunlight broke like refracted heaven against the surface.

  She burst through with a gasp, sputtering and kicking. All around her was calm blue water so vivid it might have stained her skin, set ablaze by a morning sun.