Aris Rising: The Court of Vampires: AN INFINITY DIARIES NOVEL
Read Aris Rising: The Court of Vampires: AN INFINITY DIARIES NOVEL Online
Authors: Devin Morgan
ALSO BY DEVIN MORGAN:
Aris Returns: A Vampire Love Story
“A surprising twist on the vampire trend…Author Morgan weaves together the thrilling history with a contemporary love story that comes together in an action-filled climax—and an enticing cliffhanger—that will leave readers thirsty for more. Blending sensual fantasy and the supernatural, this vampire saga takes a welcome turn.”
– Kirkus Reviews
“This sophisticated vampire romance with a twist takes readers on a compelling journey deep into. . .the pull of hypnosis. . .the possibility of past lives. . .and the power of dangerous desires.”
– Kindle Nation
“This is a very grownup Vampire story that is just as sensual as it is supernatural. The reader will not be disappointed with the denouement or the inevitable cliffhanger that entices one to look forward to the next book in the series. Devin Morgan will be one to watch in this genre.”
– Amazon
“Eloquent imagery and vivid detail--the author does a wonderful job of harmonizing two different worlds together. She brings you into the story quickly and doesn’t let you go until the end. Unpredictable (in the best and most refreshing of ways) and delightful.”
– Amazon
Where Passionistas Play!
BroadLit
February 2013
Published by
BroadLit ®
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Suite 206 E
Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
Copyright © 2013 Devin Morgan
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, without the written permission of the publisher, except where permitted by law. The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book via the Internet or via any other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
ISBN 978-0-9887627-7-0
Produced in the United States of America.
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To the memory of my cherished friend, Bea Greenwood.
A hearty thank you to my publishers and editors, Nancy Cushing-Jones and Barbara Weller, without whom Aris would have been kept in hiding in the Catacombs for all eternity. Their patience, understanding and confidence have enabled me to now call myself “author.” And thank you to their wonderful staff: Michelle Clark, Jeff Kongs and Rod Keller, who take such wonderful care of all the details that are so important in the day-to-day marketing of a novel.
by Devin Morgan
N
I
NFINITY
D
IARIES
N
OVEL
A BROADLIT BOOK
Prologue
N
ight after night Aris climbed through the window of Sarah Hagan’s high-rise apartment in Chicago. The soft amber night light on her bedside table cast odd shadows on her sleeping silhouette. Standing at the foot of her bed watching her sleep, his heart ached to hold her. In her slumbering presence he was transported back in time to the court of Henry VIII and his beloved Elizabeth whose death brought him such anguish.
His wretchedness was the same though the centuries were different. The same separation he felt so long ago from Elizabeth, he now felt from Sarah, despising he was not human. His only desire was to wake her, to hold her, to make love to her, knowing the only way he could express his love was if she were to change, to become one of the undead. Could he ask her such a thing? Long ago he questioned her as he spoke of his friend Sebastian and his human love, Emily. Emily gave her life to become one of the Immortals before their mating. Aris questioned Sarah if she would do such a thing for love. She had no answer for him then. Would she now? He survived in torment.
Each night when he came to watch her he felt as if he were a thief, stealing unrealized moments alone with her. He loathed
himself for it yet could not control his need to simply be near her. How long could this continue without her knowledge and would she be repelled when she knew?
“I
miss having Gorgeous come in here every week. He hasn’t been around in a while. I guess since he’s off parole, he’s decided not to keep up his therapy sessions.” Sarah’s assistant, Maggie Fisher, stood in the door of Sarah’s office, an expectant look on her face. “Seeing that hunk last thing on Friday always set me up for a great weekend.” Maggie laughed as she handed her boss a huge paper cup filled with hot coffee.
“Well, I’m pretty sure he’ll stop in once in a while. We couldn’t let him deprive you of your fix.” Sarah laughed but her heart was in turmoil. Carlos Havarro, the beautiful young man Maggie spoke of was dead, shot in a drive-by shooting, yet everyone thought he was alive and well. In his place and in his body lived Aris, a vampire that had been in existence for thousands of years. The death of her client and friend broke her heart but she couldn’t show it. No one would believe her if she told them that an Immortal had taken over his body just as he breathed his last breath. And if she did tell anyone, they would decide she was insane. There were moments she wondered if that were true herself.
As his therapist, during her hypnotherapy regression sessions with Carlos, Aris had made himself known. She had grown
accustomed to their conversations and looked forward to them. He gave her glimpses into times long past and had actually known historical figures she had only read about. Now that he possessed a human body and was able to walk the earth again, not just occupy Carlos’ mind, he had almost disappeared from her life. Her logical mind told her to be glad the vampire had abandoned her, had once again become a mythological creature. The whole situation was more than any human could understand yet she missed him, their intimate conversations, his passionate convictions. They shared a strange kinship she felt with no one else, a closeness of spirit.
And she missed her human friend, Carlos, terribly, his easy banter, his warmth and affection. She felt more alive since knowing him than ever before. When he was taken away just as he was beginning to find himself outside of his gang-banger life, inexplicably, she felt a piece of her heart die with him.
