Book 1 of the "Vial Darkness" Series An ancient vial stolen from the Crucifixion doesn't grant eternal life. It unleashes a vampire-like curse. For two thousand years, the world has unknowingly harbored a monstrous secret. A desperate act of love by a boy named Asher birthed an insatiable bloodlust, a plague passed down through centuries. Now, a tormented soul named Lucien bears the horrifying weight of this ancient curse, his every moment a battle against the unending hunger. In present-day Jerusalem, brilliant scientist Dr. James Armstrong discovers the legend of the vial. Obsessed with conquering death, he sees not a relic of dark mythology, but the biological key to his revolutionary anti-aging research. He dismisses the whispers of a curse, believing he can contain and control the vial's power within his Raleigh laboratory. But the vial’s hunger is not so easily contained. As James's experiments begin, the ancient evil stirs. He soon learns that some legends are written in blood for a reason, and the tormented whispers of the vial's past victims become a terrifying premonition. By seeking to master death, Dr. Armstrong is about to unleash a vampire nightmare that will consume everything he holds dear. A must-read for fans of Anne Rice's gothic lore, the epic scientific horror of The Passage , and the ancient evil of Between Two Fires . "What a wild, insane ride. To say I flew through this is honestly an understatement. Vial Darkness hooked me from the start and sunk its claws in deep. The hunger is real. This was perfection!" - Erica B, Goodreads Reviewer "Anti-aging and the search for immortality can lead you down a dark path that you may not be able to come back from. This story was well written and very unique. I truly enjoyed the premise and the way it was carried out. I really enjoyed the historical aspect added to it. The background story development is what made this story so intriguing. The author did an amazing job crafting the history and events that lead up to a well written ending. It added layers to the character's thought processes. Showing the motivations as well as their vulnerabilities. Overall a very well done and captivating story." - Jensen McCorkel, Goodreads Reviewer Beck Browning has designed apps for exoskeletons to help people relearn to walk, scientists working to cure cancer, and religious organizations. In his "day job," Beck designs solutions for life's biggest challenges, aiming to improve quality of life through technology.Prior to his career in user experience design, Beck studied Design and Media Arts at UCLA and has written creatively, primarily through songs, since childhood. A lifelong fan of horror and science fiction with a compelling story to tell, Beck blended his understanding of application design with a deep love for crafting unexpected narratives into his debut novel, Vial Darkness.