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. 

The prequel to the Amaranthine series tells the story of Patrick and Michael, how they got tangled into Claudius' web, and their valiant fight to escape.

When Patrick's missing brother returns, he brings a world of darkness. Turned into a vampire against his will, Michael is the coven's whipping boy. When Patrick tries to help, he's claimed as a slave who spends his weekends preparing victims, scooping ashes, and falling prey to the vampires' twisted desires.

There's only so much hell he can take. When vampires from a warring coven offer sanctuary in exchange for cooperation, Patrick agrees. What he thought would be a few months drags into a long smear of nightmares and, though he fights for hope and freedom, the cost of victory may be more than he bargained for.


Brothers of Darkness

The butler opened that next-to-last door and peered through it. Without thinking, Patrick slammed it just as Stephen pulled his head out. The butler jumped back, his eyes wide. He regained his composure and demanded, "What do you think you're doing?"


Patrick tried to block his view of the office door and raised his voice. Hopefully Michael would hear them and get the hell out of there. "I don't want to wait for a decision. Yes or no?"


Stephen bristled. "In a word, no. Now get out of the way."


"I said move, boy." The butler pushed Patrick back and charged past him. With a snarl he jerked the office door open.


Out of options, Patrick tackled the butler to the floor. They landed half in the room and half in the corridor. Stephen struggled beneath him, and Patrick sought a weapon. Maybe he could hold him down long enough for Michael to escapeexcept he didn't see his brother anywhere.


Chapter 29