Amaranthine

Amaranthine

EGlobal Publishing · Ongoing · 1.0m Words

1k
Hot
1.1k
Views
182
Added
Add to Shelf
Start Reading
Share:facebooktwitterpinterestwhatsappreddit

Introduction

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 mysteri-ous vampires, old relics, and an ancient master. Join Katelina and Jorick in a world where vampires don't sparkle and night is eternal.
Amaranthine is created by Joleene Naylor, an EGlobal Creative Publishing signed author.

Chapter 1

The door was locked. Katelina knocked and rattled the knob, but the only answer was silence. This was just like him. Their relationship might not be committed, but it should involve basic respect.

She moved the grocery bag to her other arm and struggled the key out of her purse and into the lock. The door clicked and, with a gentle push, swung inwards.

The small apartment was dark except for the bright swath of light let in by the opened door. It was like a glowing path that beckoned her forward; a yellow brick road bound for hell.

She followed it.

The light switch felt loose as she clicked it. Part of her was screaming, "Don't turn around! Just walk away!" but she didn't listen to it. She couldn't. The past couldn't be changed by shouting at it.

She turned around and a strangled cry escaped her lips. He lay on the floor in a heap. A puddle of congealing gore, so dark it looked black, spread out around him and made the carpet fibers stiff. The flesh of his throat was torn away. Muscles were stripped to reveal the gleam of his spine shining through the gelatinous, clotted blood.

"Patrick."

Her knees gave in and she fell to the floor. Oh God, she needed to call someone - the police, an ambulance, but she couldn't even stand-

"Katelina?"

The voice tore through her thoughts and brought her back to the newspaper office. She sat on a stool in the break area, her elbows planted on the counter top. A forgotten mug of coffee steamed next to her, untouched.

"Katelina?"

She swung her eyes to see Sarah standing next to her. Her friend was the picture of independent feminism; soft brown curls framed her face and her khaki dress clung in just the right places. Though she usually wore a smile, her eyes made it clear that nonsense was not acceptable; she had things to do, places to go and people to see. At the moment, though, those eyes reflected uncertainty.

"Are you all right?"

Katelina shook her head to chase away the tattered remnants of a nightmare become reality. "Yeah," she answered flatly. "I'm great."

"You don't look great." Sarah's lips clamped together as she scrutinized her. Though Katelina's blonde hair fell down her back in a tight ponytail, and long bangs carefully framed her pale face, her blue eyes were rimmed with lack of sleep and a month's worth of depression. She'd tried to look "okay", but it wasn't enough.

"Are you thinking about Patrick again?" Sarah asked softly.

Katelina waved her hand as if she could make Sarah's concerns drift away like smoke. "No. I'm fine. What did you need?"

"You have a phone call." Sarah sighed and then added softly, "If you decide you want to talk about it-"

"I'm fine, I told you. So who's on the phone?"

"I don't know." Sarah turned teasing. "It's a man. He asked for you by name, said it was personal."

"Personal? I bet it's just the police again." In the last month they'd called more times than she could count. Always the same questions and the same answers. "No, I don't know who might have wanted to kill Patrick. No, I don't know who he was last with. No, I wasn't really his girlfriend; we just had an arrangement-"

She wound her way through the office, her shoulders slumped, and cautiously approached the secretary's desk.

"I have a call?" It was more a question than a statement.

The secretary glanced up, her eyes narrowed and her tone acidic. "Make it fast. You know the rule about personal calls."

"Of course." Katelina wanted to say that there was no need to be so impatient. She hadn't asked for any of this. But she kept the thoughts to herself and pressed the receiver to her ear. "Hello?"

"Katelina?"

The voice was deep, warm and, despite the fact that very few people had her work number, unfamiliar. "This is she. Who is this?"

"I know who killed your lover."

She blinked and lifted a hand to her throat. A flash of Patrick's mutilated form appeared behind her eyes. "Excuse me?"

"I know who killed your lover. Meet me tonight just as the suns sets. I'll be at a house on Farm Mill road; it's the only house, the road is a dead end. Come alone."

The phone clicked loudly and she called, "Wait - I . . ." but there was no point. Her only answer was the quiet buzz of disconnected line. She clutched the receiver to her ear, as if it would bring the stranger back.

Sarah appeared in front of her. "Who was it?" At Katelina's expression, the smile died on her lips. "What?"

"I - I don't know," Katelina whispered. Her shock was replaced by sharp anger. "Some kind of joke." She slammed the receiver into its cradle and ignored the dirty look from the secretary. "I need to go home."

"We only have an hour left." Sarah softened in sympathy. "I'll take you."

"No thanks. I didn't feel like walking, so I brought my car today."

"At least tell me what it was about." Sarah followed her to retrieve her purse and then to the time clock. "Who was it?"

"I don't know who it was. They said they knew who killed Patrick."

Sarah's green eyes went wide and her voice came out low and strangled. "They know who did it? Who?"

"They didn't say. They want to meet tonight." She stuck her badge in her pocket and stopped to run distracted fingers through her bangs. "I'm sure it's a joke."

"A cruel one." Sarah's eyes narrowed. "You're not going? That's how people get killed!"

"To meet some stranger by myself? Are you kidding? Give me some credit!"

Katelina headed for the door and Sarah followed her out and down the sidewalk to the parking lot. Katelina stopped to dig through her purse, searching for the familiar pack of cigarettes, when her friend gently reminded her, "You quit."

"Oh, right." She managed a sick smile and resigned herself.

"I'm proud of you, you know. For not smoking. Even with all of this."

Katelina nodded, but didn't tell her how bad the cravings were. It wasn't the nicotine she wanted, just something to hold on to - something to make the world normal again.

The pair made their way to Katelina's red car. It waited for her under the late autumn sun, dead leaves sticking out from beneath the wipers. Katelina plucked at them absently before she unlocked the door and climbed into the driver's seat. She gripped the steering wheel as if she could strangle it.

Sarah stood stubbornly next to the car like a guarding sentinel, worry on her face, until Katelina said, "I'm not going to meet 'him', so you don't need to worry. And I'm not buying a pack of cigarettes either, though I wouldn't rule out a bottle of brandy."

"Alcohol won't help," her friend said sagely, eyes still locked on her. "Maybe you should see someone. My therapist . . ."

Katelina cut her off, tired of the never ending suggestion. "I don't need to see anyone. I'm fine." She shook her head and stuck the key in the ignition. "I'll see you tomorrow."

"I'll stop by after dinner. Unless you want me to cancel with Brad?"

"No, you've already moved this date twice. You two go and have a nice time. He may never get another night off." She forced a tight smile. Sarah deserved an evening out with the sexy bartender. "I'll see you tomorrow."

Sarah mumbled an appropriate goodbye while Katelina started the car and backed out of the parking lot. She glanced back in her rearview to see her friend standing next to the empty parking stall alone. The breeze played with her soft brown hair and whipped the khaki dress around her knees. An eerie feeling crept over Katelina, but she shook it off and turned the radio on. She let the blaring music drown out her thoughts and memories.

Whoever made that phone call deserved to be tortured to death.

Last Chapters

You Might Like 😍

The Biker's Fate

The Biker's Fate

371.4k Views · Completed · Piper Davenport
"You are absolutely my fucking woman, Dani. Got me?"
I squeezed my eyes shut.
"Dani," he pressed. "Do you get me?"
"No, Austin, I don't," I admitted as I pulled my robe closed again and sat up. "You confuse me."
He dragged his hands down his face. "Tell me what's on your mind."
I sighed. "You're everything my parents warned me against. You're secretive, but you're also honest. I feel wholly protected by you, but then you scare me more than anyone I've ever known. You're a bad boy, but when I dated a so-called good one, he turned out to be the devil, so, yeah, I don't get you because you're not what I expected. You drive me crazier than anyone I've ever met, but then you make me feel complete. I'm feeling things I don't quite know how to process and that makes me want to run. I don't want to give up something that might be really, really good, but I also don't want to be stupid and fall for a boy just because he's super pretty and makes me come."
Danielle Harris is the daughter of an overprotective police chief and has led a sheltered life. As a kindergarten teacher, she's as far removed from the world of Harleys and bikers as you could get, but when she's rescued by the sexy and dangerous Austin Carver, her life is changed forever.
Although Austin 'Booker' Carver is enamored by the innocent Dani, he tries to keep the police chief's daughter at arm's length. But when a threat is made from an unexpected source, he finds himself falling hard and fast for the only woman who can tame his wild heart.
Will Booker be able to find the source of the threat before it's too late?
Will Dani finally give her heart to a man who's everything she's been warned about?
A pack of their own

A pack of their own

1m Views · Completed · dragonsbain22
Being the middle Child ignored and neglected, rejected by family and injured, She receives her wolf early and realizes she is a new type of hybrid but doesn't know how to control her power, she leaves her pack with her best friend and grandmother to go to her grandfather's clan to learn what she is and how to handle her power and then with her fated mate, her best friend and her fated mate little brother and grandmother start their own pack.
Badass in Disguise

Badass in Disguise

220k Views · Completed · Sherry
"Everyone out," I commanded through gritted teeth. "Now."
"Jade, I need to check your—" the nurse began.
"OUT!" I snarled with enough force that both women backed toward the door.
Once feared by Shadow Organization that drugged me to replicate my abilities into a more controllable version, I had escaped my restraints and detonated their entire facility, ready to die alongside my captors.
Instead, I woke up in a school infirmary with women arguing around me, their voices piercing my skull. My outburst froze them in shock—clearly they hadn't expected such a reaction. One woman threatened as she left, "We'll discuss this attitude when you get home."
The bitter truth? I've been reborn into the body of an overweight, weak, and supposedly dim-witted high school girl. Her life is filled with bullies and tormentors who've made her existence miserable.
But they have no idea who they're dealing with now.
I didn't survive as the world's deadliest assassin by allowing anyone to push me around. And I certainly won't start now.
Omega Bound

Omega Bound

387.2k Views · Completed · Veronica White
Ayla Frost is a beautiful, rare omega. Kidnapped, tortured, and trafficked to rogue clans and corrupt alphas to do with as they pleased.  Kept alive in her cage, broken and abandoned by her wolf, she becomes mute and has given up on hope for a better life until one explosion changes everything. 

Thane Knight is the alpha of the Midnight Pack of the La Plata Mountain Range, the largest wolf shifter pack in the world. He is an alpha by day and hunts the shifter trafficking ring with his group of mercenaries by night. His hunt for vengeance leads to one raid that changes his life. 

Tropes:
Touch her and die/Slow burn romance/Fated Mates/Found family twist/Close circle betrayal/Cinnamon roll for only her/Traumatized heroine/Rare wolf/Hidden powers/Knotting/Nesting/Heats/Luna/Attempted assassination
Mr. Ryan

Mr. Ryan

166.6k Views · Completed · Mary D. Sant
"What things are not under your control tonight?" I gave my best smile, leaning against the wall.
He came closer with a dark and hungry expression,
so close,
his hands reached for my face, and he pressed his body against mine.
His mouth took mine eagerly, a little rudely.
His tongue left me breathless.
“If you don't go with me, I'll fuck you right here.” He whispered.


Katherine kept her virginity for years even after she turned 18. But one day, she met an extremely sexual man Nathan Ryan in the club. He had the most seductive blue eyes she has ever seen, a well-defined chin, almost golden blonde hair, full lips, perfectly drawn, and the most amazing smile, with perfect teeth and those damn dimples. Incredibly sexy.

She and he had a beautiful and hot one-night stand...
Katherine thought she might not meet the man again.
But fate has another plan

Katherine is about to take on the job of assistant to a billionaire who owns one of the biggest companies in the country and is known to be a conquering, authoritative and completely irresistible man. He is Nathan Ryan!

Will Kate be able to resist the charms of this attractive, powerful and seductive man?
Read to know a relationship torn between anger and the uncontrollable desire for pleasure.

Warning: R18+, Only for mature readers.
Fangs, Fate & Other Bad Decisions

Fangs, Fate & Other Bad Decisions

260k Views · Ongoing · Elizma Du Toit
Some bad decisions come back to bite you. Literally.

After finding out her boyfriend cheated, the last thing she expected was to stumble across a wounded man in an alley. And definitely not one with fangs. But thanks to a mix of cocktails, shame, and her questionable life choices, she takes him home. Turns out, he’s not just any vampire—he’s a king. And according to him, she’s his fated mate.

Now, she’s stuck with an overprotective, brooding bloodsucker who keeps rescuing her, a growing list of enemies who want her dead, and an undeniable attraction that’s making it very hard to remember why falling for a vampire is a terrible idea.

Because if she’s not careful, she won’t just lose her heart—she’ll lose her humanity.
“Burn those who burned me!”

“Burn those who burned me!”

128.1k Views · Completed · Toddria Holiday
Follow several different stories of betrayal and revenge as the main characters finally seek justice and payback of those who betrayed them!

Burn those who burned me is an anthology book circulated on truth; justice; and REVENGE!

Story #1 The Ballad of Rabena Price.
Story #2 The rebirth of Clara Granger
Story #3 The violin of Graceland Teague
Story #4 The list for Josie Taylor

Story #5 COMING SOON!
THE ALPHA'S NANNY.

THE ALPHA'S NANNY.

107.2k Views · Ongoing · Fireheart.
‘She’s my daughter’s nanny. And my mate.’

Lori Wyatt, a shy, broken twenty two year old with a dark past is given the deal of a lifetime when she is asked to be the nanny of a newborn who lost her mother at childbirth. Lori accepts, eager to get away from her past.

Gabriel Caine is the Alpha of the revered Moon fang pack and the CEO of Caine Inc. A drunken one night stand leads to the birth of his daughter and he finds her a nanny following the death of her mother. When he meets Lori, he finds out that she is his mate and vows to protect her from his enemies.

The two of them cannot stop the instant attraction between them. Lori, who believes she is unworthy of love, cannot explain why the powerful billionaire is after her and Gabriel who is totally smitten with her is unsure of how to be totally honest with Lori about him being a werewolf.

Fate has brought them together and now together they must fight for their love, amidst the conflicts between packs and secrets that Lori’s past holds.

Will their love survive?
Nanny and Her Four Alpha Bullies

Nanny and Her Four Alpha Bullies

404.5k Views · Completed · Eve Above Story
Chloe's underclass mother is married to a billionaire, and she transfers to an elite school to become the first female werewolf warrior.But her origins make her a thorn in the side of the school's four ruling brothers.They have to take a little baby girl, less than a year old, to school.But the baby girl resists everyone ...... except Chloe.So Chloe, a new adult, is forced to become the baby girl's nanny and live in the bullies' dormitory?
I Am His Wolfless Luna

I Am His Wolfless Luna

360.5k Views · Completed · Heidi Judith
Ethan's fingers kept rubbing back and forth on my clitoris, while his penis kept jumping inside my body. Every joint on my body is sore and screaming for the next orgasm. All too quickly, I feel that electric tension winding tighter, a mounting pressure that threatens to shatter me. My hips lift involuntarily, urging him to continue his exploration, silently pleading for the release I’m so close to tasting.

Ethan also kept emitting deep roars in my ear, 'Damn... I'm going to cum... !!!' His impact became more intense and our bodies kept making slapping sounds.

"Please!! Ethan!!"


As the strongest female warrior in my pack, I was betrayed by those I trusted most, my sister and my best friend. I was drugged, raped, and banished from my family and my pack. I lost my wolf, my honor, and became an outcast—carrying a child I never asked for.

Six years of hard-won survival turned me into a professional fighter, fueled by rage and grief. A summons arrives from the formidable Alpha heir, Ethan, asking me to return as a wolfless combat instructor for the very pack that once banished me.

I thought I could ignore their whispers and stares, but when I see Ethan's emerald-green eyes—the same as my son’s—my world tilts.
The Wrong Alpha  - A Twist of Fate?

The Wrong Alpha - A Twist of Fate?

93k Views · Completed · Beth Jackson
Delilah can’t wait for her boyfriend to turn 17, for him to meet his Alpha wolf, and finally sense his fated mate. She has long since been predicted as his fated mate by all in their pack having been childhood sweethearts. They make a perfect couple so this would be the perfect love story for them. Surely fate couldn’t take an unexpected twist sending her on a painful path she didn’t expect? That painful path could change the person she once was but may bring an unexpected ally……could it be in a bitter twist of fate Delilah all along had held her hopes on the wrong Alpha?
Mermaid Thighs

Mermaid Thighs

82.1k Views · Completed · amy worcester
“Good morning, fam. This is my uncle Owen, everyone calls him Reese, because that’s his last name and the military is weird like that. He likes thick girls and freaky sex.”


Forty-three year old Helen is newly divorced and trying to find herself. For the first time in her life, she is not under the control of a man. With an absentee father, an abusive step-brother and a manipulative ex-husband, she's had the perfect trifecta of bad men.
Along with learning to live life on her own, she's trying to help her three children. Jaxon is struggling with his sexuality. Jolene is discovering that her perfect marriage is far from perfect. JD is just trying to get through high school and into the Navy.
Fifty-two year old Owen Reese returned to his hometown after twenty years in the Navy. He started a small business that has made him a millionaire over the past decade. With his own daughter grown and living a life of her own, he thought his days of parenting were behind him. But he is now raising his sixteen year old niece while his sister is deployed with Doctors Without Borders.
And now, the cute, plump receptionist from his accountant's office is everywhere he turns. Not that he's complaining; he's dying to get his hands on those lovely, lush mermaid thighs that haunt his dreams.
Nothing seems to go right for them. All of his many sisters are constantly interfering. Her children worry about her so much that they are almost obsessive. And she just wants to be happy. And skinnier.

Warning: include an abusive relationship