Shadow's Claim

#1 New York Times bestseller Kresley Cole introduces The Dacians: Realm of Blood and Mist, a new paranormal series following the royal bloodline of Dacia, a vampire kingdom hidden within the Lore of the Immortals After Dark.

Shadow’s Claim features Prince Trehan, a ruthless master assassin who will do anything to possess Bettina, his beautiful sorceress mate, even compete for her hand in a blood-sport tournament— to the death.

HE WON’T BE DENIED

Trehan Daciano, known as the Prince of Shadows, has spent his life serving his people—striking in the night, quietly executing any threat to their realm. The coldly disciplined swordsman has never desired anything for himself—until he beholds Bettina, the sheltered ward of two of the Lore’s most fearsome villains.

SHE’S BOUND TO ANOTHER

Desperate to earn her guardians’ approval after a life-shattering mistake, young Bettina has no choice but to marry whichever suitor prevails—even though she’s lost her heart to another. Yet one lethal competitor, a mysterious cloaked swordsman, invades her dreams, tempting her with forbidden pleasure.

A BATTLE FOR HER BODY AND SOUL

Even if Trehan can survive the punishing contests to claim her as his wife, the true battle for Bettina’s heart is yet to come. And unleashing a millennium’s worth of savage need will either frighten his Bride away—or stoke Bettina’s own desires to a fever pitch. . . .

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Fantasy Romance Paranormal Romance

Release date: November 27, 2012

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Kresley Cole

Kresley Cole is a master of blending the fierce and the fantastical, weaving heart-pounding action with steamy romance that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. Known for her Immortals After Dark series, Cole's unique storytelling captures readers with complex characters, dark magic, and stories of fierce desire that transcend time and space. With a talent for creating multi-layered worlds and relationships that burn with intensity, she’s become a must-read author in the paranormal romance genre.

Growing up in the small town of Florida, Kresley always had a love for stories that mixed the supernatural with the emotional, often escaping into worlds of fantasy. She took this passion for storytelling into her career, and after initially pursuing a degree in history, she found herself irresistibly drawn to writing. Her deep understanding of history and mythology is evident in her work, where ancient legends and creatures come alive in new and exciting ways.

Kresley Cole's breakthrough came with A Hunger Like No Other, the first book in her Immortals After Dark series, which introduced readers to a world of vampires, werewolves, and other supernatural beings, all tangled in romantic entanglements. Her distinctive voice has since made her a beloved author, with numerous bestsellers and a legion of dedicated fans. But it’s not just the romance that sets Cole apart; her worlds are built with such care and complexity that readers become completely immersed in every book.

A recurring theme in Cole’s works is the idea of forbidden love, where characters are often torn between duty and desire, or the stark reality of their worlds and the ache of passion. Whether dealing with gods, vampires, or warlords, her characters are never simple. They are flawed, fierce, and fighting for something more than just their next breath. The high-stakes battles are matched only by the emotional stakes, making each of her books a roller-coaster ride of tension, heartache, and ultimate triumph.

But Kresley Cole's writing is about more than just escapism. It’s a testament to the resilience of the human (and inhuman) spirit. Her characters are often faced with impossible choices, from fighting battles to fighting their own inner demons, but always emerge stronger, more passionate, and ready to face whatever comes next. In every series, readers find themselves rooting for the characters’ happily ever afters, knowing that Cole will never let them off easy. Every love story is earned, and every victory is hard-won.

Her influence on the genre is undeniable, and her readers can always count on a deeply satisfying mix of action, romance, and twists that leave them wanting more. With every book, Kresley Cole continues to carve out her own space in the world of paranormal romance, inviting readers into captivating worlds where the lines between hero and villain are never as clear-cut as they seem.

As one of the leading voices in paranormal romance, Kresley continues to captivate audiences with her vivid storytelling, leaving a legacy of passionate fans who eagerly await the next chapter in her dark, thrilling, and oh-so-romantic worlds.

Immortals After Dark

In Immortals After Dark, the veil between the supernatural and the mortal world is thin—and it’s a place where passion, danger, and fate collide in electrifying ways. This series pulls readers into a world teeming with ancient warriors, seductive immortals, and fierce creatures bound by blood, power, and irresistible desire. But beneath the intensity of supernatural battles and thrilling confrontations, the heart of this series beats with fiery romance that ignites between the most unlikely of characters.

The series introduces readers to a host of formidable beings—vampires, werewolves, witches, and demons—each with their own dark secrets and tortured pasts. These immortals are bound by ancient rules and their own insatiable cravings, yet what makes them unforgettable is their capacity for love, loyalty, and sacrifice. In this world, no one is truly safe from the chaos of their desires or their enemies, and every romance is a dangerous, tantalizing game of survival.

From the moment the first book ignites, it becomes clear that this isn’t your typical paranormal romance. The stakes are higher, the world-building is richer, and the relationships feel more like a battle to be fought and earned. Each book in the series delves into a unique dynamic between two powerful beings, drawn together by fate or blood, forced to face the odds in ways that are as dangerous as they are passionate.

In this dark and compelling universe, love isn’t a mere escape—it’s a force that tests the characters’ limits, changes their fates, and shapes the very course of the battles they fight. Whether it’s the tension between a fierce Valkyrie and a tortured vampire or the stormy connection between a ruthless demon and an innocent mortal, each story blends sizzling chemistry with high-stakes action that never lets up.

What sets Immortals After Dark apart is its vivid, immersive atmosphere—where every moment crackles with tension, and every twist feels earned. The world Cole creates is as seductive as it is dangerous, where alliances are formed and broken in the blink of an eye, and where the supernatural isn’t just a backdrop but a driving force that shapes the very essence of each character.

Each installment promises not only a thrilling romance but a deep dive into the complex dynamics of immortality, power, and the eternal fight between light and dark. If you're ready to dive into a world where the impossible becomes real and every passion carries the weight of centuries, Immortals After Dark invites you to lose yourself in its pages.

Immortals After Dark consists of twenty-one primary books, and includes one additional book that complement the series but is not considered mandatory reads and series is set to expand with the upcoming release of one more book. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.