Feared by his own people, Ranulf Thorsen is a Talion, a chosen warrior for the Kyth. As the executioner for renegade Kyth, Ranulf is looking forward to retirement after having served the current Kyth matriarch, Grand Dame Judith, for a thousand years. Before he can retire though, he needs to investigate a fiery blaze that was set in a nightclub. Not only is the person responsible a renegade Kyth, but he's also a Talion, making it almost impossible for anyone to take him down.

When a fire breaks out at a nightclub she frequents, Kerry Logan helps rescue the people inside, awakening her Kyth powers and putting herself right in the path of a violent killer. With no knowledge of her Kyth heritage, Kerry is reluctant to accept the news that she's anything but human, but she can't ignore the facts for long. Though another Kyth is sent to help initiate Kerry into their people, it's Ranulf she turns to when things get worse.

Convinced he just wants to retire and live out the rest of his life alone, away from other Kyth, Ranulf is prepared to do anything to avoid complicating his life, even deny his passion for Kerry, especially when he finds out the true extent of her powers. But some things just can't be ignored. With the enemy hot on her trail, Kerry needs all the help she can get to stay out of the hands of a twisted killer, and the only person strong enough to help her is Ranulf.

Alexis Morgan, author of the popular Paladin series, kicks off her sexy new Talion series with DARK WARRIOR UNLEASHED. If you thought the Paladins were hot, wait till you check out these guys. What I really liked about this book was the balance between the hero and heroine. As strong as Ranulf is, Kerry is just as strong and can hold her own against the tough Viking warrior. Also, the villain isn't some unknown bad guy thrown in just to further along the story. You get to know him and see how truly evil and vicious he is. With all those factors and some great secondary characters that'll keep you wanting more from the series, the Talions are sure to become as popular as the Paladins, if not more so.