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 next evening, Patrick woke before sundown and went to the kitchen for his final breakfast. It was silent as usual, and he imagined they'd be glad when he was gone so they could talk again. That was, if they talked to one another. He wasn't sure they did.


Christian pressed a pack of cigarettes on him and wished him luck with his fight and his freedom. "Who knows," he joked. "Maybe you'll be the first to get out and have a real life." His smile didn't meet his eyes, and didn't make Patrick feel any better.


Despite Jesslynn's cold presence, Alexander tackled Patrick in the entrance hall and begged him to come back. "You have the best games!"


Oren reminded him to stay silent about where he'd been, even to Michael. Patrick nodded his agreement, then slipped out the door and hurried to Des' car. The dark skinned vampire followed minutes later, and soon they were on the road and headed home.


Home. If only the word held any comfort.


Chapter 83