Aris Rising: The Court of Vampires: AN INFINITY DIARIES NOVEL (32 page)

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“
Escape. Escape. Escape.”
Her mind ran in circles as they marched her through the vast hallway. “
But how? How? I only know I’m somewhere in the mountains in Spain. If I can get away, where do I go? I’ve got to get away. How can I get away? And where the hell do I get away to?”
Her mind ran like a hamster on a wheel, continuously moving, going in circles and reaching no conclusions.
“The bars. I’ve got to get the bars loose. I’ll figure out where to go once I get out of
here.”
At least she had the beginning of a plan as the door to her prison loomed in front of her. It crashed against the wall as the soldiers slammed it open, shoving her inside. Stumbling and falling, she hit her head on the cold stone floor. She lay unconscious, a trickle of blood pooling beneath her forehead.

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Aris, Richard and Gabriela quickly concealed the car they rented at the Barcelona airport with loose brush, then raced through the forest, effortlessly leaping over huge fallen branches and trees. They were determined to reach Sarah before it was too late. At last the three Immortals could see the top of the castle tower in the pale light of a crescent moon. Richard touched Aris on the shoulder signaling him to stop. At the same moment a tall dark figure stepped from behind a tree.

“Simon.” Gabriela embraced the spy from the Catacombs. It had been years since she last saw him, his recent life spent in subterfuge in the evil coven. He held her for a brief moment then turned to embrace the males. “Aris. Richard.”

Frantic to secure Sarah’s safety, Aris ignored the niceties of his ally’s greeting. “Is Sarah alright? Where are they keeping her?” It took all of his patience to stand still and wait for a reply. He ached to storm the castle, but knew rash actions would bring him no victory.

“She is being lodged in the only tower left standing.” He pointed toward a stone wall atop the stark rocky crest of the hill separating them from her prison.

Aris made to leave but Richard held him fast. “Wait. We are in need of more information.”

“I am in need of nothing.” He tore out of his friend’s grasp. “I am going to find her.”

“No, Aris.” Simon stepped in front of him. “She’s been taken for an audience with the King and Queen. Wait until she returns to
her chambers. The castle is close by, we must take care.”

“Wait? I wait for nothing.” He turned from them, racing in the direction Simon had directed them.

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Sarah groaned as she opened her eyes. The huge lump on her forehead was throbbing and she was shaky on her feet as she staggered toward the window. She had no idea how long she had lain on the floor, but the sky was still dark. She still had time before morning. Her hand was shaking as she reached to grasp the windowsill. The wind whistled through the bars and echoed throughout the chamber. Sarah’s imagination played cruel tricks; she swore the wind called her name. Leaning her aching forehead against the cold metal separating her from her freedom, she heard it more clearly.

“Sarah. Sarah.”

Suddenly, long powerful fingers wrapped around the bars and quietly lifted them from their foundation, bending them as if they were made of soft wood. Sarah knew she must be dreaming as Aris leaped through the opening, landing silently before her.

“Aris.” It was a whisper.

“Come.” Lifting her as if she were weightless, he wrapped her arms and legs around him. “Hold on tight. The only way out is down.” She breathed in his fragrance as he climbed out the window. Leaning her cheek against his powerful shoulder, all of her fears fell away as he made his way, spider-like, down the ancient stones of the tower to the ground. He carried her as he ran through the forest to safety and the waiting circle of her Immortal friends.

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