Read Carnevale and Subterfuge Online

Authors: Selena Illyria

Tags: #Literature & Fiction, #Romance, #Science Fiction, #Multicultural & Interracial, #Interracial Romance, #Sci-Fi Romance, #erotic romance

Carnevale and Subterfuge

BOOK: Carnevale and Subterfuge
8.49Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
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Table of Contents

 

 

 

~ Acclaim for Selena Illyria ~

 

~ Look for these titles from Selena Illyria ~

 

Copyright Warning

 

~ Dedication ~

 

Chapter One

 

Chapter Two

 

Chapter Three

 

Chapter Four

 

Chapter Five

 

Chapter Six

 

Chapter Seven

 

Chapter Eight

 

Chapter Nine

 

Chapter Ten

 

Chapter Eleven

 

Chapter Twelve

 

Chapter Thirteen

 

Chapter Fourteen

 

Chapter Fifteen

 

Epilogue

 

~ About the Author ~

 

~ Also by Selena Illyria ~

 

~ More Romance from Etopia Press ~

 

~ Acclaim for Selena Illyria ~

 

 

For Renny's Mate

 

“With fun and engaging characters, this was a cute short story.”

—Gabrielle of
You Gotta Read This

 

 

For Seven Sins Inn: Pietro & Callisto

 

“[A] definite page turner and one I would recommend to anyone looking for an interesting and sizzling tale.”

—Fuchsia of
Long and Short Reviews

 

 

For Dragons at Midnight

 

“Right from the start I was immersed into the wonderful world that this author brings to us and I hope that it is not my last.”

—Gabrielle of
You Gotta Read This

 

 

 

For Dragons at Samhain

 

“I loved seeing that connection. The two men knew just what Carissa needed and were not afraid to give it to her.”

—Gabrielle of
You Gotta Read This

 

 

For Dragon Ugly

 

“The sparks fly from the moment they meet and grow into an intense love. Not only did I enjoy meeting Brent and Carissa but the rest of the characters endeared themselves to me as well. I really enjoyed my visit to this world and hope to return again soon.”

—Gabrielle,
The Romance Studio

 

~ Look for these titles from Selena Illyria ~

 

Now Available

 

 

Dragon New Year

 

Dragon Ugly

 

Dragons at Midnight

 

“Dragons at Samhain” Halloween Heat II

 

 

Mate Not Wanted

At Drogan’s Command

Renny’s Mate

Seven Sins Inn: Pietro & Callisto

Fallen Lovers: Roman

 

In Print

 

 

“Dragons at Samhain” Halloween Heat II

 

Renny’s Mate (Beach Bums Anthology)

Seven Sins Inn: Pietro & Callisto (Demon Heat Anthology)

 

 

Carnevale

and

Subterfuge

Hades Helmet Crew Book Two

Selena Illyria

 

Copyright Warning

EBooks are not transferable. They cannot be sold, shared, or given away. The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is a crime punishable by law. No part of this book may be scanned, uploaded to or downloaded from file sharing sites, or distributed in any other way via the Internet or any other means, electronic or print, without the publisher’s permission. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000 (
http://www.fbi.gov/ipr/
).

 

This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are fictitious or have been used fictitiously, and are not to be construed as real in any way. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales, or organizations is entirely coincidental.

 

Published By

Etopia Press

1643 Warwick Ave., #124

Warwick, RI 02889

http://www.etopia-press.net

Carnevale and Subterfuge

 

Copyright © 2014 by Selena Illyria

ISBN: 978-1-941692-01-1

Edited by Julian Smith

All Rights Are Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

 

First Etopia Press electronic publication: May 2014

 

~ Dedication ~

 

 

To Soph, Thank you so much for all your help. For Lissa Mathews and Jodi Redford. Love you guys.

 

Chapter One

 

 

Anarrae took in the glittering city of Zero Branco bathed in the light of millions of candles. The streets were awash from the golden glow of votives drifting down the canals. Large metallic gondolas moved slowly through midnight-blue waters as the various alien life-forms turned their heads this way and that. The spirit of
Carnevale
was in full effect, and Anarrae couldn’t wait to take part.

The captain had given strict instructions for everyone to party and blow off as much steam as possible. Their next assignment would a long and arduous one: transporting one diplomat from his home planet to the intergalactic conference on Veritas 10. Just the thought put Ana on edge. With a deep breath, she focused on the festivities before her. People in costume lined the streets, wearing masks in various colors and styles.

While walking down the plank of the transport ship, she readied herself for what was to come. Ana was to go to the
Settima Sosta
bar and wait for a man dressed all in leather and wearing a black mask made of feathers. He would be her gondolier for the night, showing her the pleasures the planet could offer her—for the right price. Money was to be paid up front. No names would be exchanged. In other words, a perfect encounter.

A glance at her GPS cufflink showed her the direction she needed to go. Winding her way through the crowd, she headed for the bar rather than her hotel. Ana had no reason to check in. No luggage and no need for a room. From what she understood, her guide would be keeping her very busy. A small smile curled her lips as she avoided vendors and street musicians. Another glance at her GPS directed her around the next corner. She rounded the bend and continued walking, trying to keep very aware of her surroundings. The city was also infamous for conmen and women, pickpockets and thieves.

Worn brick buildings clashed with new metallic high rises. The inky black sky was dusted with glittering diamonds and showed off the florescent pale green, yellow, and brown rings of the planet. Double moons hung, their full orbs casting a silvery glow over all. Ana sighed. If only she had more time. The beeping of her GPS informed her she had arrived at her destination.

Ana looked up at a large wooden slab above an ancient looking door, the words
Settima Sosta
carved in deep grooves in the weather worn lumber. A shiver of excitement raced down her spine. The front of the building showed large windows covered in dirt. Shadows moved behind the glass. Nerves chased away the excitement. What if he didn’t show? What if this weekend was a disaster? Doubts assailed her as she stood before the door to the pub. She was asking some stranger to kidnap her, tie her down, and use every seductive technique in the book to make her come.

Ana paused as she remembered the words of her last lover. He had accused her of being frigid, which was why he had gone to another. After having many talks with her friend Rena, she’d figured out why she couldn’t get into sex with her past lovers. She needed more—as in “tie her down, add a little pain to the pleasure, and fuck her senseless” more. Her arousal increased as she thought about being dominated. After doing research, reading some books and watching a few “special” films, she’d made her decision to try it. That’s what this holiday was all about for her.

Just the thought of leather cuffs encircling her wrists while she was bound to a bed and fucked hard made her breathless. Anticipation sang through her veins. Determination stiffened her spine. With a deep breath, she pushed the door open and walked into the bar. The inside was unexpected. It was dark, yes, but it was more intimate than sinister. Soft lighting from candles gave the place a seductive feel. The crystal chandeliers overhead gave the place a touch of class. Worn wooden furniture gave it a touch of Old World, like Earth. She loved it.

Her heart tugged as she thought of her old home planet. She missed it so much, and yet she loved traveling on the
Hades’ Helmet
. With a great effort, she shoved her nostalgia to the back of her mind and walked toward the counter. Hopping up on the stool, she flagged down the barkeep. “I’ll have whatever’s on tap.”

He was a wizened fellow with wild blue hair streaked with white. His dark eyes glittered at her from behind tiny circular spectacles.

“You sure you can handle it? A little thing like you may pass out.” He started to laugh, a high-pitched cackle that sounded as untamed as his unruly hair.

“I may be small but I can handle whatever you give me. Now pour before I go behind there and do it myself.” Ana narrowed her eyes, daring him to deny her.

The bartender just shrugged, pushed a button, and filled up a tall glass with frothy, crystal-blue liquid. Tiny silver specks danced and twirled in the fluid. He slammed the glass down and stepped back. Pale blue froth sloshed over the rim of the cup, spilling to the warped wood.

Not one to back down, Ana picked up her drink and downed about half the glass before pausing to take a deep breath. With the back of her hand, she wiped away the traces of the liquor before placing her cup down. Bitterness was the first thing she tasted before the sweet chased it away. And then the burn hit. Light-headedness descended on her and she had to hold onto the counter to keep from falling back. She blinked several times as the room began to spin and shake before her very eyes.

A loud cackle sounded and she tried to focus on the origin of the noise. Her gaze locked onto the small barkeep who was doubled over with laughter, pointing at her.

“Outworlders, so damn stupid.” He straightened, pushing up his glasses to wipe tears from his eyes.

“Barkeep, enough playing with tourists and serve me,” a deep, gruff, lightly accented voice demanded.

Warmth washed over Ana’s body as her nipples tightened. Her breath hitched. Her stomach tightened. She peeked at the newcomer from the corner of her eyes and she gasped. She had to look up and up and up. He was tall and swathed entirely in black leather. Half his face was hidden by a mask covered in slick black feathers.

It was him! He had to be the one.

BOOK: Carnevale and Subterfuge
8.49Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

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