Aris Rising: The Court of Vampires: AN INFINITY DIARIES NOVEL (29 page)

Since the day the Immortal moved in with the human, she fully lived her human side, fitting flawlessly into her surroundings. She ate meals and slept nights. Her habits were so human even Sarah forgot she was a vampire. Yet there she stood unmoving, undead, still as a mannequin and just as beautiful.

At the sound of Sarah’s breath, Gabriela turned. Her carved
features animated in delight at seeing her friend awake and looking more refreshed. “Did you sleep well?” Gabriela sat in one of the chairs facing the fireplace. Reaching toward the breakfast tray sitting on the table, she poured a cup of steaming, rich coffee. The inviting aroma floated across the room.

Sarah wrapped her robe around her as she settled in across from her friend. “It’s still raining.”

“Yes and it may keep up for the next few days.” Gaby crossed her long legs and relaxed into the pillowy padding of the white chair.

After dropping two lumps of sugar into her coffee, Sarah stirred it slowly with one of the ornately carved small spoons lined up on the breakfast tray. “I like the rain.” She turned her head to glance at the dark clouds out the window. “We have lots of days like this in Chicago.”

“I, too, enjoy rainy weather.” Gaby smiled as she shared her news. “While you were sleeping, Richard telephoned.”

“Yes?” Sarah leaned forward, placing her cup and saucer back on the table.

“He didn’t tell Aris we were here so it will still be a surprise.”

“How soon will we be able to see them?” Excitement at being with Aris again was obvious in Sarah’s tone.

“Soon. Aris is unable to leave the Catacombs without the consent of the Council while they are still in deliberation so they wait. Richard will telephone as soon as they receive the authorization.”

“Does he think it will be a problem?”

“No, it seems the Council is beginning to understand just how important Aris is for their safety should there actually be a confrontation with the Spanish coven. Still, it is the law that until he is exonerated he will be under their jurisdiction and must have their approval to visit the streets of London other than for his human work.”

She refreshed Sarah’s coffee. “Why don’t you take your time with
your coffee. I must shower and change from these rumpled clothes. Would you like to go sight-seeing today rather than just sitting here waiting for a telephone call?”

“That sounds great.” Still feeling jet lagged, Sarah drank the last sip of liquid in the cup then returned it to the table. After a huge yawn she stood and stretched. “I might as well shower and dress too. It will make me feel like a new woman.”

“What would you like to see?”

“Since this is your turf, why don’t you choose?”

Gabriela thought only a moment before responding. “How about Tower Hill? There is so much history surrounding that one spot, I think it would a perfect place to begin.”

“Sounds wonderful.” She spoke over her shoulder as she disappeared into her bedroom. “I’m really looking forward to the day.”

#

The damp grass was blue green against the wet stones of the buildings. Rain had stopped falling, but still threatening dark clouds covered the sky. In the distance the tall twin spires of Tower Bridge were outlined against the gloom. Sarah was surprised by the number of people milling around Tower Green, umbrellas in hand. Gabriela held her elbow, guiding her easily through the crowd.

As they wandered around the Green, history surrounded their every step. Sarah was captured by it as she listened to the costumed guides explaining historic legends to the tourists. It amazed her that the Ceremony of the Keys had been carried on every day without fail since the 14
^th
century at precisely 9:53pm. Only once since it began was it even late. During World War II, just as the Yeoman and his escort passed through the Bloody Tower Archway, a number of incendiary bombs fell on the guardroom. The shock and noise blew the men off their feet, but they stood up, brushed themselves off and carried on. Tradition seemed the lifeblood of
England. She relished the thought that the same words have been spoken by generation after generation of Chief Yeomen Warders dressed for centuries in identical Tudor Watchcoats.

If human traditions are so strongly rooted, how much more impervious to change must be the traditions of the Immortals? Sarah was worried. How would the Council ever allow Aris to step beyond their law to go free?

#

Aris began to run toward her the moment he saw Sarah standing on Tower Green. He was laughing out loud when he reached her, wrapping his arms around her and swinging her in a gentle circle. “You came. You came to London.” His words were muffled by her warm lips as she reached to kiss him. The scent of him heated her body as the cool rain began to sprinkle on their heads. Their hair was soaked before the kiss ended.

“Of course I came. Did you think I’d miss your art show?”

“I feel complete again.” He whispered against her damp temple. “Thank you.”

“Enough.” Richard smiled as he wrapped his arm around his mate. “Let’s step out of the rain before we are drenched. We will continue our reunion where it is warm and dry.” He guided them across the green and into the White Tower.

#

They sat in the front room of Aris’ London flat to dry off and warm up by the fireplace. Richard poked the fire to raise the flames while Gaby and Sarah sat on the sofa, their stockinged feet resting on the coffee table. Aris entered the room carrying a bottle of wine and four glasses.

“This calls for a toast. We all will join in welcoming Sarah to London.” He placed the bottle and glasses on the table, then kissed her on the top of the head before he poured the wine. It was a deep, red Bordeaux, which sparkled in the light of the dancing flames.

“To Sarah.” They all raised their glasses in salute.

She laughed as she sipped her wine. She knew the Immortals drank only to be polite, but she appreciated their little tribute to her.

“I just wish I could come below into the Catacombs,” she said.

“I know. I am so sorry, but you know it is not possible.” Aris sat next to her, taking her hand in his. He could hardly believe she was actually sitting next to him in his flat of rooms. “But there are many other things to see while you are here. When I am not training for battle, I will be with you.”

Her eyes clouded at his words. “How is the training going? You haven’t mentioned it today.”

Richard spoke up. “We wanted this to be a day of joy for you, a day of reunion. Not a day to discuss war.”

“I know and I appreciate that, but I’m concerned.”

“All goes well, Sarah.” Aris took the wine glass from Sarah, set it on the table and grasped both her hands firmly in his. “The commanders are doing splendidly and the troops are responding more rapidly than we had hoped. We will be ready to travel to Spain very soon.”

“How in the world will twenty-five-hundred Immortals travel to Spain without anyone noticing?”

“We will travel in separate small groups, some driving, some flying. We will meet in the forest near the Spanish coven and march on their fortress.”

“Fortress?”

“The royal court holds up in a medieval castle and the rest of the coven in the forest that surrounds it. The spies report they have no idea we are coming to their kingdom for the fight.”

“Yes.” Richard spoke. “We will have the element of surprise on our side.”

“What about the weapons? Aris, you said your arsenal of weapons had not been completed.”

“The Nalyd weapons have been forged. They are waiting for Akira
to use alchemy for the finish. It will be only a few days before they are ready. We hope to have the training and the weapons accomplished at the same time, then we travel.”

He placed her hands in her lap and reached for her wine glass. “Here, a toast to tomorrow and Stonehenge.”

She took the glass and sipped the wine. She thought, “
Stonehenge. I wonder if those Druids weren’t really Immortals in long black robes.”
She chuckled at the thought of her three friends cavorting around the monoliths in the full moon.

#

They circled the chiseled boulders, holding hands and talking softly. “I really thought they would be much larger.” Sarah said looking at the top of one of the tallest.

“Are you disappointed?” Aris asked, truly concerned.

“No, how could I be disappointed. I am here with you. It’s just I somehow had the impression they were skyscraper size. I don’t know why.”

“Many people feel that way, however, it isn’t the size of the stones. It’s the magic.” He turned her toward him. “Can you not feel the mystical power of this place?”

“A little. Do the Catacombs have mystical power?”

“You have such interest in the life below ground. You know, Sarah, there is only one way you may ever see our way of life.”

She looked at her feet as they continued along the walkway. “I know. I’m just interested.”

“Sarah, you know I would perform the ritual with you, take you for my eternal mate.”

She was silent as they continued their walk.

“Would you do such a thing for love, Sarah?”

She turned from him without answering, took his hand again and continued to walk the path surrounding the stones.

T
he gallery looked much the same as John Marshal’s in Chicago. Lovely carpets and heavy, comfortable furniture was scattered in seating arrangements around the large rooms. A buffet table was laden with cocktails and finger foods. Well-dressed patrons roamed from painting to painting making comments and taking notes.

Sarah watched as Aris stood, surrounded by attractive women full of questions. He smiled as he answered each one. Occasionally he would glance at Sarah, wink and smile, then go back to being gracious.

“He really is made to be in the public eye.” John Marshal stood next to her, a huge smile covering his face. “He’s won over every journalist in the room, male and female. See that tall red-headed woman with her hand on his arm vying for his attention?”

It was hard to miss a woman over six-feet tall in stilettos who was fawning over the man she loved. Sarah relished the fact she felt no jealousy. She knew Aris was hers and hers alone for as long as she lived. “
How long will that be?”
she thought.

“Sarah, are you alright?” John gently touched her shoulder.

“Yes. I was just thinking about Carlos’ success.”

“That’s what I’m trying to tell you. That tall woman is the most
prominent artist’s agent in London. While she was oohing and aahing over Reginald’s choice of Carlos as his showcase artist, she mentioned she was going to ask him if he had representation. Sarah, if she takes him on, he’s in the royal house--no doubt of it. With his talent, looks and personality, he could win over the devil.”

“I don’t know about the devil, but he sure has won over that agent.” She smiled as Aris looked at her, rolling his eyes and laughing at all the attention he was getting.

T
he four friends were sitting in front of Aris’ fireplace. His flat had become their favorite place to meet just as Sarah’s apartment had been in America. The autumn winds were blowing and whistling around the corner of the building making the room feel even more cozy.

Their meeting was yet another celebration. Just that afternoon Aris had been called into the audience chamber to meet with Akira and the Council. He had been forgiven. He was once again a functioning member of the Catacombs free to come and go, to live above ground or below.

Sarah had waited in his flat for him to return with the decision. She asked him not to call her but to come to her. Whether the news was good or bad, she wanted to hear the verdict from him in person.

She paced the floor most of the morning, sitting occasionally on the sofa and doing her best to read a magazine. She sat for only a moment at a time before she was on her feet again, wearing a trail through the thick carpet.

She felt him outside the door before she heard his key. Rushing to meet him, she opened the door before he did. A huge smile on
his face answered her unspoken question. He picked her up off the ground in a joyous hug and a passionate kiss.

“I am free.” They both laughed out loud. “I am forgiven and a full member of the coven.” He kissed her again as he spun her in a circle.

She was overwhelmed with joy knowing he was safe. Glancing around the room at her friends, she was so grateful to have become a part of a living fantasy. “I’m so glad I came here, that I can be a part of such a wonderful week. First the art show; now this is the frosting on the cake. Exonerated. I’m so relieved.” She sat on the arm of his chair with her arm draped over the tall wing-back. They had laughed and congratulated Aris and toasted one another for over an hour and were now ready to relax and simply enjoy spending the evening together.

“I must admit, I, too, am relieved. I was sure they would understand their need for me, still it is much more pleasant to have it all behind me.” He smiled. “Let’s celebrate tonight. We can engage our stomachs for a change and take Sarah out to dinner.”

“Splendid idea.” Richard helped Gabriela into her coat as Aris made sure the fire was out. They spilled out the door hurrying down the street, pushed along by the strong, determined wind.