As per the author:
“…world full of winged vampires, hunky warriors and women with extraordinary preternatural powers. To become a vampire, a mortal man or woman must demonstrate power and prove worthy of ascending to the next dimension. But the process of ascension is dangerous since the enemy, intent on conquering two worlds, tries to corrupt the most powerful ascenders and turn them into beautiful but villainous death vampires.”
Ascension (Guardians of Ascension)