Aris Rising: The Court of Vampires: AN INFINITY DIARIES NOVEL (22 page)

“In the meantime, my love, Gabriela will stay with you once again. We will watch you every moment until we have answers. That I promise you.”

Richard wrapped his arm around Gabriela’s shoulder. “We are here to protect you, to keep you safe. You will not come to harm under the wing of the Immortals.”

“I am so grateful, but I just don’t understand why you would do this for a human.”

“Human or Immortal, you are the soul-mate of our brother. Gabriela moved to stand by the woman’s side. “Besides,” she laughed. “You are the only human to know what we are and still want to be friends. You are a rare bird to be sure.”

“It’s easy to be your friend.”

Gaby sat next to Sarah as she spoke. “It seems whoever the intruder is, they do not want to harm you, Sarah, or they would have already. They simply want to frighten you.”

“Well, they’ve done a damn good job.”

“We will not rest until we solve this puzzle.” She turned to her mate, “Richard, what will we tell Sarah’s friends is the reason I have not left for England? They expected me to travel.”

Sarah smiled her first of the evening. “I have it. We’ll tell them you really like living in America and want to stay here to work for a year. I’ll tell them I’m sponsoring you for a work permit and you’ll work part time in the office. It all makes sense and they all know how much I like having you here.”

“A wonderful idea. Now Aris will stay with you while we return to the hotel to gather my things. I will live here with you until we have found the answers we seek.”

Aris drew her into the crook of his arm once again and before the couple had left her apartment, she fell back to sleep.

S
arah settled into what her friends called her “Scarlett O’Hara Syndrome” and refused to dwell on her fear. She enjoyed having Gabriela living with her once more. She felt safe and cared for.

They held to their story of the beautiful Immortal wanting to work in the states for a year and being Sarah’s roommate. The two women settled into a routine that seemed satisfying to both of them. Whenever Gabriela and Richard went to “dinner” Aris stayed with Sarah. They made sure she was never left completely alone yet somehow she never felt her personal space was being violated.

Sarah’s friends accepted Gabriela as Carlos’ cousin. Her good humor and obvious care for Sarah made her a welcome companion whenever she chose to join in for group activities. Richard wasn’t a part of the equation because Maggie had met him as a policeman and a short term visitor to Chicago. It seemed so long ago when he had come into her office in the guise of a detective looking for a criminal. She had no idea he was a vampire until she mentioned his name to Aris and he told her. So much had happened since that day. Richard and Gabriela were in her life. The close friendship that had developed between them. A new depth in her relationship
with Aris. Sarah marveled at her double existence and the ease with which she lived it. She had always worked to simplify her life, yet somehow the complexity of her strange new world was not only comfortable, but welcome.

In the days that followed the bramble incident, Richard continued to communicate with Sebastian for news about the Spanish coven. As it grew in numbers, the Council of the Catacombs became more unsettled. Their spies weren’t able to ascertain the true reason for De Flores’ recruitment of new members, yet it was apparent to those who knew the facts, he was developing an army for his kingdom.

One evening as the four friends sat on Sarah’s balcony enjoying the balmy evening air, Richard announced his intention to return to London for a few days. “I want to look at the Diaries myself. Perhaps I will find a link that has passed the eyes of the others. According to Sebastian, the Spanish coven is now almost as large as the Catacombs and they are making and stockpiling personal weapons as well as a weapon of mass destruction.”

“Weapons?” Aris leaned closer. “They need neither weapons nor an army to kill humans. It is obvious they plan to battle the Immortals.”

“That is why I feel so strongly about returning to England.”

“Does he know any reason why they would attack us? We are peaceful and they know that.”

“He does not know their true motive. We wonder if it does not have something to do with the Infinity Diaries. To possess them would put great power in the hands of the unscrupulous. Once De Flores learned of their existence, he began to band his people together. Sebastian is positive the two events are linked. We are told the royal pair are driven by their hunger for power. The spies have not yet been able to breach the inner circle of their government, however, they tell us there is now some sort of Council that sits with the King and Queen. Even with a governing body, the coven
remains wild, without law or order. As more of them join the coven, there is greater unrest among them. They are uncivilized and unsocialized. They think nothing of murdering each other and there are no consequences for anything that they do.

“The Council fears their blatant killing will bring attention to our kind. While they live in the mountains and hunt away from the cities, they are relatively safe from discovery but as their numbers grow, they will be forced to hunt where prey is more plentiful.”

Aris stood and gazed over the railing of the balcony deep in thought. When he spoke his voice was soft, obviously concerned. “If these weapons are to be used against the Catacombs, we are defenseless. We are a peaceful breed. We have never, in all the millennia our society has been in existence, known war.”

Richard responded. “What you say is true. This is yet another reason I must return to London. I must meet with the Council to discuss the possibility of eventual attack. Sebastian says at this point they will not even consider the idea of an army. It is against all that we stand for. They must be made to understand these creatures are without rational minds, without conscience. I hope, because I was changed by them and lived with them, the Council will listen to me.”

Aris placed his hand on his friend’s shoulder. “Then go, but come back as quickly as you can. We wait for your return.”

T
he late afternoon sunshine illuminated one of Aris’ paintings as it sat, showcased in the gallery window. Sarah squeezed his arm as they entered the door. His work filled the walls of the main gallery, which was already full of people milling about, sipping wine and discussing Aris’ art.

John Marshall approached the couple, a huge smile on his face, his right hand extended toward Aris. “Great to see you both.” He kissed Sarah’s cheek softly.

“You too. Wow! I didn’t expect such a turnout.” Aris grinned as he spoke.

“Once we publicized your shady past, your work took on a whole new dimension.” The gray-haired man laughed. “Come, let me introduce you to some of the collectors who have a real interest in your ability. I’ve heard nothing but positive feedback and I honestly think you’re going to do very well with this collection.”

He led them from group to group gathered around the various paintings hanging on the walls. All were of distant lands and times past and all had the haunting techniques of old masters. Sarah smiled as she watched the ladies. They marveled at the work, but seemed even more enthralled by the artist.

Aris was his usual handsome self with just a little bit of added old world charm. Sarah stood back a bit to watch him work his magic. It appeared she was not alone in being made breathless by his magnetism.

#

Sarah spotted Bob and Colleen soon after they entered the gallery. Bob carried the baby in his arms. “
What a beautiful family
,” she thought.

“Hey, this is quite a turnout.” Bob’s eyes searched the crowd. “Where’s Carlos?”

Sarah kissed her friends on the cheek and the baby on the forehead before she answered. “He’s doing an interview with the journalist from
Impressionism Today.
She seems really taken with his story.”

“John Marshall had a great idea to bring his gang-banger-turns-artist past into the promotion. It makes Carlos even more intriguing.” Colleen took hold of the baby as Bob guided them to the refreshments laid out in another room. “Man, this is really remarkable. Where’d all these people come from?” He filled a plate with cheese and crackers and offered the women something to drink. They both refused so he poured himself a small glass of wine.

They moved from painting to painting, listening to the patrons talk about the work. “Everyone seems to really like it.” There was pride in Sarah’s voice as she spoke. Bob and Colleen looked at each other with a knowing smile. It had been obvious for some time that their friends were in love and they were glad to see it was something they no longer held as a secret.

“Even I can see it’s great and I don’t know anything about art.” Bob leaned closer to read the small slip of paper under one of the paintings. “Whoa. There are some pretty steep prices going on here.”

“Yes, John felt they are really worth it. Besides this crowd wouldn’t be nearly as receptive if the prices were lower.” Sarah turned to Colleen. “Here, let me take the baby for a while. You two go look around. I’ll just hang out here and eavesdrop.” She changed her handbag to her left shoulder then nestled the baby into the crook of her right arm. The little girl looked like a miniature of Colleen with her dark spiky hair and long black lashes.

“If she wakes up, come get me. It’s almost her feeding time.” Colleen linked arms with Bob as they moved across the gallery to look at a very large painting of a thin lipped dark haired woman seated on what appeared to be a throne.

Sarah whispered to the sleeping baby, “Wonder what they would think if they knew that was Anne Boleyn painted from memory?” The infant stirred as if in acknowledgement, then settled back into a deep sleep.

#

It was almost closing time so Saul’s had only a few customers, most seated at the counter and an occasional two or three to a booth. The late hour promoted softer voices and less clatter of dishes and cutlery so Aris and Sarah spoke in quiet conversation.

“That was quite exhilarating this evening.” His untouched coffee sat in front of him.

“I’ll say.” She ate the last spoon of soup from her bowl before she went on. “Twenty-two-thousand dollars on the opening of your first real show? John couldn’t believe it. He said it’s never happened before for a new artist.”

“Well Sarah, I would not call myself new.” He laughed. “Rather more seasoned than that.”

“How did you paint so many pieces so quickly?”

“Super powers, remember?” She did remember. He acted so human, so Carlos-like that, more often than not, she still forgot what he truly was.

“You have really brought that time in history to life for me.” She tilted her head, gazing shyly at her empty bowl as she spoke. “You have brought my own existence to life for me. I can’t remember what life was like before you and when I try, I feel empty.” Melancholy welled up inside of her. “I would never want to be without you.”

He could swear he felt his Immortal non-beating heart pulsate at her words. “You will never have to be without me.” He reached across the table taking her two hands in his. “Super powers and Immortal. What can I say?” His laugh was soft as he lifted her hands, touching his lips first to one then the other.

Color rose in her cheeks as she met his gaze.

“So Sarah, how is it in your heart? Am I making any progress?”

She was honest as she spoke. “I have so many feelings I didn’t know existed before and they confuse and delight me at the same time.”

“Just know that I love you and I pray there will come a time when there is no confusion, only delight. I am waiting for that day. Until then I will remain your friend and will keep you safe.”

D
eMarco hadn’t been in touch with her since he left the country. He told her he would wait for her to contact him and he had held to his word. She missed his company yet was glad she didn’t have to deal with the confusion he brought into her life. So strange that a human man confused her while one of the undead made her feel safe and secure. She stared at her laptop for several minutes before she began the email. It was time to tell him. She was sure of her heart. She had no idea where her love would lead her, but she knew it was for Aris and Aris alone.

His reply to her was brief. “I knew when I last saw you this would be your final decision. My travels to America are finished. DeMarco.”

Special moments she had spent with him filled her mind. She sat quietly re-reading the words he had written. Sighing deeply, she deleted the email and closed her laptop.

T
he three girlfriends sat around Colleen’s coffee table sprawled on pillows on the floor. They just finished planning their yearly camping trip and were excited about their plans.

“I’m so glad we’re including Maggie and Gabriela this year.” Bonnie reached for a cracker, placing a small sliver of cheese and an olive slice on it before she popped it in her mouth.

“Me too. I don’t know why we didn’t ask Maggie before now. Do you think she’ll come?” Colleen stretched her arms over her head then stood to check on her baby.

Sarah stacked the random sheets of paper and the camping magazines in neat piles on the table as she spoke. “I hope so but now that she’s met Sam, I’m not so sure. She’s absolutely besotted with him.”