Aris Rising: The Court of Vampires: AN INFINITY DIARIES NOVEL (27 page)

“Sarah, when are you going to admit to everyone how much he means to you? Have you even admitted it to yourself?” She stopped the machine and stood next to her friend on the treadmill. “I know you didn’t think you were capable of really loving but hon, you
have every sign of the disease. Why don’t you just admit it? We’re all waiting.”

“All?”

“Yeah, even Bob mentioned it at dinner the other night and for a guy like Bob to recognize and talk about love in public, it must be a pretty obvious thing. So?”

“So? You know I love Carlos. We all think he’s great.”

“Give me a break. I’m your shrink and your pal. Say the words, okay?”

Sarah took a deep breath. “Okay, I’m in love with A . . .” She caught herself just in time. “With Carlos. Are you happy now?”

Bonnie whooped, kissed her friend’s cheek and climbed back on board the elliptical. Her legs started pumping as she laughed out loud.

#

Sarah had just stepped off the elevator when her phone rang. She heard Colleen’s laughter even before the receiver was to her ear. “Hi, C.”

“So, you finally said the ‘L’ word, huh? No more B.S. So it’s declared--love at last.”

“Oh shut up, C.” Sarah felt light hearted at her friend’s teasing. She had been lying to all of them and to herself for much too long. “Now are you all happy?”

“Yep. Bob said just the other night he wondered when you were going to pull your head out and recognize you have all the symptoms. We think it’s great. You two really belong together. And now, wow. He’ll be able to take care of you in the manner in which I would like to grow accustomed.”

“You would like to grow accustomed?”

“Yep, this guy is going to do really well. You deserve to have someone like that in your life. It’s been full of losers so far. It’s time you had a real man.”

“A real man. Yes, C, I’ve got myself a real man here alright.” She felt true delight as she walked into her apartment and closed the door. “A real man.”

I
t was still early morning, but Richard was already behind schedule as he hurried through the door to the library. Aris and Sebastian sat in their usual meeting place in the far corner of the room talking softly about organizing the Immortals into a fighting corps.

“Sorry I am late.” Richard spoke as he sat. They settled in while Aris rifled through a stack of papers sitting on the makeshift desk.

“There are ten Immortals I have chosen to be commanders. Here are their dossiers.” He slid the folders across the table to the couple. “See what you think. Sebastian and I both find these ten the most able to do the job of training the rest of the coven.”

Sebastian nodded his head in agreement. “Yes, we had over one hundred who volunteered, however, these were the final choice.”

The friends were silent as Richard quickly read through the folders. When he was finished, he agreed the ten seemed to be perfect. Five of the chosen men and women lived in the Catacombs, five above ground. All were highly intelligent and dedicated to their kind. Each had something unique to bring to the table and had strong leadership possibilities.

“When do you intend to begin training?” Richard slid the folders back to Aris for safe keeping.

“Day after tomorrow. Akira has given us the entire lower level of the palace for a command center and training facility. Her guards prepare it even now.”

“And what of your trial?” Richard was unsure if the time was right to mention his legal proceedings, but he asked anyway.

“Nothing yet. There is no rushing the Council, yet I feel very strongly that I will be exonerated. Almost every day the spies have more news about the movement of the Spanish coven. They obviously prepare for war, yet they are disorganized at best. Even De Flores as king has limited control over them. His commanders are not much better than the rest of them. They cannot agree on a plan and fight constantly among themselves. Their constant arguing gives us the time we need to train and strategize.”

Sebastian stood. “Come, let us go down to the command center to see how the work is progressing.”

“Good idea.” Richard slid his chair back under the table and the three friends quietly left the room.

#

The corridors in the Catacombs were all made of light colored stone. They were lit by the same strange golden globes as the library, floating in sconces mounted at five-foot intervals throughout the maze of hallways. The globes gave off heat as well as light, so the air was comfortably warm, not cold and damp as would be expected. The original globes of light were brought to earth by the first star voyagers thousands of years before. Akira and the Master Keeper of Records worked with the scientists to find a way to mass produce them using earth elements and the alchemy texts. The Catacombs, while maintaining the elegance and tradition of the past millennia, was equipped with conveniences far beyond those of the humans living above the ground. It was a marvel when Aris compared it to the limited luxuries they had during Tudor times.

The palace and village covered several square miles beneath the
city and descended hundreds of feet below in layer after layer of levels. Canals connected some of the more remote chambers. The four friends stepped from the elevator at the lowest level into a cavernous room bustling with activity. Large tables similar to those in the library were being arranged in rows. The guards worked quickly and in silence. An air of anticipation filled the room as they positioned chairs around the tables. Each commander would lead two hundred and fifty Immortals so the room was being set to accommodate one commander with his or her warriors at a time. There were twenty-five tables, each with ten chairs.

Aris was the first to speak. “It appears all will be ready.”

“A very good sign.” Relief could be heard in Sebastian’s voice. “When do we meet with the commanders? I know only those who live below ground. I have yet to meet those who live above.”

“We meet tonight. Akira is giving a reception for all of those who will be in charge as well as for the Council. It is a rare occurrence for Akira to mingle with the Council outside of chambers.”

“This war is a rare occurrence.” Richard turned to leave. “We had best return to our chambers. We have much to do before this evening.” He squeezed Aris’ arm as they passed through the door into the corridor. “You are doing a marvelous job. It could not be accomplished without you.”

Aris hoped the Council would agree with Richard and forgive his crime. It was his only hope for a future with Sarah and without her there was no future at all for him.

C
olleen lounged on Sarah’s bed while her friend packed for her trip to London. “You’ll need a raincoat. From what I read in the travel book, it rains all the time over there. Bob said when he was traveling through England, they didn’t have a sunny day once.”

“I’ll wear my trench and boots on the plane.”

“You sure are packing light. One suitcase?”

“C, I’m only going to be away for eight days plus flying time and I won’t change clothes on the plane.” She laughed. “Not everyone needs half their household when they travel.”

“Are you insinuating I over-pack?”

“Well hon, taking that little coffee maker with you on your honeymoon was kind of strange, you must admit.” Sarah closed the suitcase and set it on the floor. “There, it’s finished.”

“Are you ready?” Colleen checked her watch. “We had better head out if we’re going to be on time. Is Maggie going to be joining us?”

“No, she can’t make it. It’s just going to be you, Bob and me for cocktails. Bonnie and her fireman will get there in time for dinner at eight. It’s so great to be having a send-off dinner. It makes the trip seem even more special.”

“Yeah, well, just don’t up and get married while you’re there. We all want to be at the ceremony when it happens.”

“You’re thinking way ahead of yourself here, kiddo.” As she turned out the bedroom light, thoughts of a future with Aris filled her mind, a future as an Immortal.

#

She had just snuggled into her bed after a pleasant evening spent with her friends when the telephone rang. She looked at the clock. It was late.

“Hello?” There was a smile in her voice. She knew who was calling before he spoke.

“Sarah. How was your evening out?” Aris’ question was sincere. He missed her and he had become accustomed to their group of friends. He missed them as well.

“It was fun. We ate at the Bistro and Maggie stopped by on her way to the theatre. Her new guy seems nice.” She propped her pillows against the headboard and sat up. “How about you? What is going on in the Catacombs?”

“We prepare for war. How I wish this were not so. I have chosen the commanders and we meet soon for our first planning session. No one knows what to expect and they are all a bit nervous. Other than the Council, there have never been leaders among our kind. It is a new position for these Immortals and none is sure how the yoke of leadership will fit around their necks. As a leader, one is trapped with the care of those under their command. For humans, it seems easy. For us? We have no responsibilities other than the law. To take on the responsibility for two hundred and fifty beings is an enormous task for an Immortal.”

“I know you will be able to train them. I have complete faith in you.”

“Without Richard and Sebastian, I would flounder. It is three minds working together that will bring victory.”

“And the Council, Aris? When will they give their decision? Have you received any further word?”

“It seems that all but one has decided in my favor. It must be unanimous before I am free. I do not know who is against me, but it is one who does not understand the severity of the Spaniards’ declaration of war. Until they all agree, I am in limbo.”

“Yet you work for them, training their army.”

“There is no ‘them.’ There is only us. These are my people. I care what happens to our society regardless of what happens to me.”

She swung her legs off the bed, heading to the kitchen to make a cup of tea while she talked. “And the art show? How is that coming along?” She smiled when she thought of how surprised he would be when she showed up in London.

“The gallery is prepared, my paintings hanging and ready. So much is happening both above ground and below.” He laughed. “It is good that I do not need to sleep.”

“How is John?”

“He is well and he has arranged for me to meet every important art critic in town. They are all interested in my life as a gang member. What is so fascinating about that, I do not know but I’m doing my best to learn. I have added study about Chicago gangs to my daily chores. When I speak with these people, they will expect me to have lived a gang-banger life. I had best know something about it.”

She carried her tea back to her bedroom. “It isn’t your past that is fascinating. It’s you.” Placing the cup on the bedside table, she crawled beneath the covers once again.

“Tonight Akira is having a reception for the commanders and the Council members. It will be a very important meeting. Perhaps the one event that will turn the single vote to extinguish me into a vote to let me continue. When the severity of the problem with Spain is so obvious that even Queen Akria is taking part in the
planning, how can anyone hold out to destroy their only hope.” He laughed. “I know she will make it perfectly clear what her desire is for my future. It will be difficult for anyone to turn away from that under the circumstances. Please, have no worries. All will be well.”

“I am sure you’re right.” She finished her cup of tea.

“Now, my dear, I must say good night. I must prepare for the reception. My wish is that you could be here beside me, but for now, I am just thankful there is such a thing as a telephone.”

“As am I. Goodnight, Aris. Shall we talk tomorrow?”

“Of course. Sweet dreams.” She heard the sound of the receiver being hung up before she ended the call. She always felt empty when he left her presence, whether it was in person or just his voice on the phone.

#

Sarah had a sense that a new erotic vision might surface in her dreams that night as she settled into her bed. Drifting from wakefulness to slumber, she cuddled beneath the covers feeling safe and warm. She welcomed her nocturnal adventures. They fulfilled a sensual need that her waking self denied. The feather bed beneath her seemed to caress the curves of her body, the pillows to create a sensual cradle for her head. As she drifted deeper into the sea of slumber, she felt the dream weight of a heavy body climbing beneath the covers behind her. She knew the feel of Aris and relished his hard muscles as they wrapped around her, drawing her into him, holding her safe. The back of her body melded into the front of his. She was unable to tell where he ended and she began.

One arm wrapped under her, his hand coming to rest on the mound of her warm, tender breast. His fingers caressed her erect nipple. His other arm draped over her, his free hand seeking the garden of soft sweet blond hair protecting the sacred opening to her soul. He relished in the softness of her inner thigh, pressing
gently then releasing the warm, tender lips of her secret woman’s place. She swelled and moistened to welcome his seeking touch. He lovingly caressed the warm, wet velvet between her legs, his long fingers sliding in and out of the veiled tunnel to her heart.