Joleene Naylor is the author of the glitter-less Amaranthine vampire universe, a world where vampires aren't for children. Comprised of a main series, a standalone prequel, and several short story collections, she has plans to continue expanding with a trilogy and standalone novels. 
In her spare time, Joleene is a freelance book cover designer and for-fun photographer. She maintains several blogs, full of odd ramblings, and occasionally updates her website at JoleeneNaylor.com. In what little time is left, she watches anime, plays PokemonGo, and works on her crooked Victorian house in Villisca, Iowa. Between her husband, family, and pets, she is never lonely, in fact, quite the opposite. Should she disappear, one might look for her on a beach in Tahiti, sipping a tropical drink and wearing a disguise. 

Pulled into a world of darkness, Katelina's fate becomes intertwined with that of Jorick, a dark, enigmatic vampire. To stay by his side, she must navigate intrigue, terror and bloodshed as they are drawn from one battle to another. Dreams of peace seem elusive, and are complicated by mysterious vampires, old relics, and an ancient master. Join Katelina and Jorick in a world where vampires don't sparkle and night is eternal.

Amaranthine

Katelina sagged against Jorick, her fury spent. He waited, as if to make sure she wasn't going to hit him, then slid his arms around her again.


"I'm sorry," he whispered into her hair. "I'm sorry."


Her voice shook. "I know. It's all right. It wasn't really your fault. I just-" she broke off, unsure what she wanted to say. "I just need to- I don't know." She took a ragged breath. "I don't know what I need . . . to forget."


"Nothing is ever forgotten," Jorick whispered. "You only quit thinking about it."


"Then I need to quit thinking about it," she murmured. She pulled back and looked at Jorick hopefully. "You said you had influence. Can you-"


"No," he cut her off. "I can't make it go away. I can hold it at bay, but I can't erase it."


She sagged against him and buried her face against his chest. "Then what good is it? What good is any of it? What was the point?"


Chapter 52