Inferis (Shadow Unit, #5.5)

Inferis

A Shadow Unit Novella

Tigris Eden

Contents

Praise for the Shadow Unit Series

Praise for Arctic Bound

Praise for Diamond

Shadow Unit Glossary

Synopsis

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

One month later…

The End

About the Author

Enslaved in Shadows Excerpt

Enslaved in Shadows Excerpt

Consumed Excerpt

Consumed Excerpt

Arctic Bound Excerpt

Arctic Bound Excerpt

Arctic Bound Excerpt

Arctic Bound Excerpt

Other Titles by Tigris Eden

Praise for the Shadow Unit Series

The Shadow Unit Series is an edge of your seat thrill ride full of steamy romance, conspiracy and best of all, hot shifters. A great series for any lover of the genre.

— Author S. Cu’Anam Policar.

This was one of the best 2nd in a series books I think I have ever read. I have been waiting to see what happened with Jes and Draven, the hotness that is Royce and Ronin. Great Follow up. Great writing, can’t wait till the others come out!

— Tka3nme.

Just when you think happily ever after there is another twist in the story that keeps you turning the page.

— 1safelady.

The Shadow Unit Series is intense, gritty and HOT HOT HOT!!!

— Viki Sloboda.

Intrigue, love and action make an irresistible read.

— Vondetta Carter

Once you start reading them you can’t put them down until you’re finished. Then you are anxiously waiting for the next.

— Barb A.

Shadow Unit Series is an emotional, raw, sexy, action packed paranormal fabulousness that sucks you in from page one. You will cry, laugh, and blush throughout the series and burn for more.

— Indy Book Fairy

Hunky men, steamy scenes, romance and a touch of the paranormal. What more can you ask for? It’s all here in the Shadow Unit.

— Jennifer Ballam.

The Shadow Unit series is an edge of your seat mix of adventure and romance that will leave the readers wanting more!

— Ty Langston, Author of Decadent Dreams

Praise for Arctic Bound

Arctic Bound is meltingly passionate and explosively sexy! Ms. Eden brings us an amazing story. Arctic Bound kept me guessing! Doesn’t happen often but I was stunned speechless a few times with plot twists I never saw coming.

— Bitten by Love Reviews

I enjoyed Arctic Bound because of the heroine, she was no one’s push over. She was a fighter. There was passion, mystery and all kinds of paranormal creatures.

— Debra Crosby

Do you want dark and brooding? Check. Do you want a heroine with a troubled past? Check. Do you want the leads to not be physically perfect? Partial check. Do you want your paranormal favorites in one place? Huge Check!

— Jenny

I love Tigris Eden as an author and here’s why, she puts everything I want in a book without it being too much. I am a huge fan of adding diversity into books and Tigris delivers.

— Reese’s Book reviews

The well-orchestrated events of this romance keep readers on the edge of their seats and ensure that the readers want to know everything. I was completely bewitched by the Arctic Wolves and their fascinating world and I can’t wait to read the next one.

— Evampire

Praise for Diamond

My first book from this author and most certainly not my last. There are a lot of books available that claim to be dystopian with dark undertones but this book just knocked me for six! I wasn't quite sure what to expect but whatever it was it most certainly wasn't this. I read the synopsis and thought alrighty then futuristic sci fi with a mysterious heroine and the stereo typical alpha male. Can I state here and now that this book seems to have a life of its own and if it's a romance you seek then perhaps you will scream but if you want to get knocked on your (no doubt) shapely behind then this book deserves to be read!

— Marta Cox

"I feel like if I just write WOW! that will cover the review, yet I know I need to provide more than one word.

Let’s begin with the official stuff, I was provided a copy of Diamond in exchange for an honest review via NetGalley.  the cover drew me in; I mean seriously; this has to be one of the best covers I’ve seen in a long time. Once I read the book, it ultimately NAILED the female protagonist, Nadya.

I have been drawn to post-apocalyptic stories for a while and read so many.  This is a world where every breath is a fight, water is scarce, and food… Well, what do people do when food runs low?  It’s savage, raw, and depicts a nightmare world.  The imagery was brutal yet so realistic; I was thankful for my fresh glass of water."

— Boundless Book Reviews

Shadow Unit Glossary

Aecor: Beneath the Ocean. See Fion.

Aja: The den mother of The Lotus.

All Seeing Eye: A Goddess with serpent-like features that guards the Sixth Hour

Amrita: Immortal Goddess of Nectar

Aquios: The Ocean Aquarium, from which you can see all the oceans that encapsulate Fion.

Arouni: The city where the Fion Royalty live.

Asa: A city also known as The Sixth Hour from the Book of Gates in another realm.

Birthing Maids/Maidens: Women who assist in birthing babies

Blood Phase: When a human transitions over to a Vampiri, which happens when they reach maturity.

Book Of Gates: Is not an actual book, but 12 Gates that house different realms guarded by different creatures. In immortal mythology, it claims to house the 12 hours of the night.

Broker Demon: A demon who can make/negotiate deals with others

Cleansing: The process where the Defiant Ones kick-start the destruction of Earth to build a new one, which they’ve done twice so far.

Cumul: The place where Air Dragons live, normally considered clouds

Cup of Life: An ancient relic that is used in a blood ritual.

Croucher Demon: An entrance demon.

Daedalus' Labyrinth on Crete: An elaborate structure that houses Minotarus the Minotaur (half-man, half-bull) that no prisoner can escape from. Those sent to Daedalus never return…

Daemonia Realm: A forbidden realm to all higher Angels. A place where demons go to get away from persecution.

Danea Trinity: The Blood, the Cup, and the Drinker

Defiant Ones: The entity, taking three forms, which sets in motion the evolution of mankind after total destruction; may only be stopped by Clan Ellys; older than the Earth itself.

Deva: An endearment, meaning love or loved one.

Elder Angels: Earthbound Angels that act as liaisons between the realms. Their powers are believed to be limitless. But as a checks and balance, they are only allowed to mate with humans, which have diluted their bloodlines over the centuries. There are light and dark Elder Angels.

Elder Wine: An immortal drink mixed with Angel's Blood

Eldoni: Water Sprites

Elemental Demon: A demon able to control the elements

Elite Council:  A Council of Higher Angels, above the Archangels that control the Seraphim Warriors.

Ferals/Blue Bloods: A breed of immortals enslaved by the Gods for their ambrosial blood. They were sometimes called Blue Bloods, as their blood is blue. Their blood contains healing qualities and induces the drinker into a euphoric state. They were believed to be extinct.

Fion: Another world inside of Earth, beneath the oceans. Also called Aecor.

Fionan: A person from Fion

Fire Water: A beverage only Demons can drink

Fire Worms: Little worm-like bugs with razor sharp teeth that secrete neurotoxin that causes complete paralysis.

Forbidden Ruins: A city that rests on the outer edges of hell. Its inhabitants are mostly slaves, and are forced into labor or sold to demons.

Hall of Souls: A place where souls that can never be reborn go. Typically only the good souls go here, whether it be by request or punishment.

He Whose Name is Hidden: First Gate of the First Hour, guarded by two Serpents

Host: Usually a human who is able to host lost souls within. They tend to see immortals in their true form, as all immortals are compatible with hosts. The abilities of the housed can be transferred to the host, lending them their talents or attributes.

House Dead Crest: One of the three Royal Vampiri houses, rumored to be from death demons

House Elore: Light Fae Royal House; banished from Fion

House Kanis: Jorunn’s family name; current rulers of Arouni

House Lial: Light Fae Royal House; banished from Fion

House Red Haven: One of the three Royal Vampiri Houses, rumored to be from war demons

House Tanna: Light Fae Royal House; banished from Fion

House Vayne: One of three Royal Vampiri Houses, rumored to be from true blood demons

Immortal Council: Comprised of Immortals such as Elder Angels, the Elite Council, and demons, this group employs and controls the Seraphs

Immortal Database (ID): A database that houses all things Immortal (or at least is supposed to)

Leviratus: A pack tradition of old where the son marries his brother's widow. He can take her as a the first mate or the second mate if the son is already married. She is also to produce offspring with the second son as quickly as possible so that the child may be claimed as the dead brother's offspring.

Lotus-eaters: Female demons that entice their patrons in a seductive dance, weaving a web of forgetfulness. They enable the watcher to forget for a time.

Lycans: A shifter breed of werewolves. They are of lesser class than those directly descended from Lycaons.

Lycaons: A race of werewolves that are direct descendants of the Arcadia King son of Pelasgus and Melioboea. He tested Zeus by serving him a dish of his slaughtered son to see whether the God was truly omniscient. In return, he was turned in to a wolf.

Majesti: Ruler of Fion

Marsu: Mother in Fionan

Matria: The Matriarch of the Phoenix Enclave

Moirai: The Fates

Nephil: Half Angel/Half Demon

Nephilim: Half Angel/half Human

Nesting: A phase of deep sleep that a female phoenix goes into before her death.

Para-Housed: Para-Housed is the being or soul housed inside a host. Usually an immortal but can be a human ghost. The Para-Housed is commonly confused with a Walker, but the two are not the same. A Walker has a body, while the Para-Housed does not, making it thrive only when housed with a Host.

Phoenix: Mythical Immortals said to be descendants of Alexander the Great. There are five Houses now bonded as one. The females go through their nesting phase, then their death, and finally their rebirth.

Primori Walker: An Alpha Walker. Healer and able to walk/step into other's bodies, taking on their pain, or even pleasure. They can dream-walk, as well as incite nightmares if they choose. They are usually awoken when they have been wronged in a way that is detestable 

Queen of the Keep: Jorunn’s mother’s title

Realm of Light: The sixth hour in the Books of Gates, guarded by the All Seeing Eye

Red Sun Organization: A radical organization of immortals who believe they should not bow to human society.

Regs/Regular: Vampires that are considered regular. They do not have fangs, and can only drink blood that is compatible to their own.

Runner/Runon: Horse-like, but also stag-like, creature that comes in various colors

Sahidic: Ancient Text the Angel of Unveiling asks the team to retrieve.

Sanctuary: A place for souls that are on the waiting list to be taken to hell. They can petition for their souls and ask for redemption, but at the discretion of the warden.

Seether: A demoness that guards the crypt beneath St. Michel

Semain: Amrita’s brother

Shadow Unit: A group of Immortals put together in a task force to police their kind. They are a covert group and only the highest-ranking officials of the world know of their existence.

Siren: A serpent-like creature, usually female, that can look beautiful. Able to lure with their voice or repel.

Sixth Hour: The Gate is named Throne of our Lord, or The Realm of Light and houses the realm of Asa. It’s protected by the All Seeing Eye a serpent like Goddess and her 12 mummiform Gods.

Sharma: A priestess from House Phoenix

Slave Law: A law for Regs to live in servitude to a royal house before they can become part of the family through a Blood Vow.

Solum: The part of Earth that is on land

Somail: Fionan response to greeting

Sonali: Greeting or blessing in Fionan

Spawnfire Dragon: An ancient dragon the Archangel Michael fought

Sunilit: An animal of Fion that is a cross between a horse and a dragon, but has no feet and possesses large fins

Suvack: The Cup

Tala: Delicacy eaten in Fion, an animal that tastes like a combination of chicken, steak, and duck

Tasting: A bacchanalia of sorts for Ferals to come together to find their mates.

The Agency: A secret organization that keeps tabs on The Shadow Unit.

T.I.M.: The Immortal Movement

VAB: Vampire Blood AB, a drug sold to humans and other immortals looking for a high. It’s illegal to sell and punishable by death in some Houses.

Vampiri: Royal members of one of the three Vampire houses infected with a demon strain of blood. They have fangs, and can drink from any blood source without an adverse reaction.

Walker: A race of warriors