A Journey of Black and Red

A conversation with a handsome stranger leaves Ariane chained in a cellar with a strange affliction. She discovers that the darkness of the nineteenth-century Deep South hides many dangers — mages, wolf shifters, humans who hunt them, and above all, the apex predators of the supernatural world: vampires. It takes much to survive in this merciless world, but Ariane will not be deterred. The southern belle has a bite, and she is willing to learn and grow, using guile, charm, and the intriguing new instincts that make blood so delectable.

Ariane has finally adjusted to life as a vampire, hidden in the Georgian countryside. Now she sets her eyes on her next pursuit: a return to society as a rightful, free entity. Regaining that freedom won't be easy. Beyond the cutthroat world of vampire politics, protecting her territory brings surprising challenges. She faces them with the help of friends she's gathered: Loth the burly smith and scholar, her sassy human vassal Dalton, and the Choctaw seer Nashoba. The world is old, and many ancient threats are waiting to be unearthed.

Ariane has found refuge in Illinois and plans her rightful return to vampire society. She must maintain control while hiding in nature, as foes old and new converge on her territory.

After three decades of hiding, Ariane is ready to take her place as a respected member of American vampire society — or so she hopes. The aristocracy of the night enjoys games, and schemes already abound from enemies old and new. But Ariane is not alone, and she is not the naive girl she once was.

As a young and rising apex predator of the night, Ariane needs minions, a territory, and dubious allies with unknown agendas. From Alexandria to the frozen north, opportunities and danger abound — and if everything fails, there is always black powder.

Life as an apex predator of the night provides many diversions: rescuing relatives from the Mexican-American War, attending auctions, and the occasional mortal meal. But Ariane cannot forget the shadow extending over her budding empire — that of her ancient, mad sire. There will be a reckoning, and she will be ready, even if she must scour the world from Texas to the Mediterranean.

Ariane now has territory, status, and a soul weapon courtesy of her lover Torran. Her outing in Europe has been pleasant — until her old friend and mentor Loth of Skorrag asks for help. Ariane heads to Sweden to discover what troubles the grumpy king of the Dvergur, and what schemes hide behind the ambitions of powerful nobles. It has been some time since the last vampire war.

More than sixty years have passed since Ariane became a vampire. With her position secure and her fief prosperous, she should be safe — but her powers are going haywire. Intense bursts of essence leave her exhausted. To fulfill a promise to her blood sister Jimena, Ariane joins the Knights, the only organization that can teach her the discipline she needs. The Knights are as powerful as they are dangerous, and their ranks include both famed blade masters and old enemies. Treading carefully will be essential.

Ariane has finally succeeded in un-life: she has a vampire government job overseeing racial relations with mages and werewolves, a domain in Illinois, and her own weapon manufacturing company. Her recent service with the Vampire Knights ended in disaster when an officer tried to murder her, but she emerged as a Lady and can return with honor intact. Now some daring insects tried to take over her lands while she was away. Alongside some spring cleaning, Ariane must contend with uppity godlings and possibly free the entire fae race from captivity.

Tricked and betrayed, Ariane finds herself trapped in the fae spheres, cut off from Earth and its ongoing vampire war. The many worlds of the fae defy her understanding while death lurks at every corner — she is not the apex predator here. But where there is danger, there is also opportunity. Ariane is still unable to match her millennia-old sire Nirari. In the fae spheres, she might find the strength to bridge that gap — if she can trust the guide who closed the way home in the first place.

For decades, Ariane, Nirari, and Semiramis have gathered resources and allies. Now they set their pieces on the board for the final confrontation. With the powers of diplomacy and high explosives on her side, Ariane will allow nothing — not demigods, ancient evils, liches from another world, or even flaming pigs — to stand in her way. The end of the journey is here.