Aris Rising: The Court of Vampires: AN INFINITY DIARIES NOVEL (4 page)

His hand was large, the fingers long and artistic. His voice was deep, resonant with a slight accent. From his name, she decided he must be of Italian descent.

“Yes?” Her tone was questioning, her voice a bit nervous.

“Are you Sarah Hagan? I just read a book on past life regression and you look very much like the photograph on the book jacket.”

Relieved, she smiled at him. She had only been recognized a few times and it both embarrassed her and made her feel proud. “Yes, I’m Sarah Hagan.”

“I, too, am a psychologist. I am visiting your country from Italy to attend a meeting of the International Society of Psychology. I know this is quite irregular, however I just read your book and I find your theories quite fascinating. When I first saw you, I actually had your
book with me.”

He smiled as he spoke and she felt she had seen him somewhere before their few encounters on the elevated train. After a moment she realized it must be because he looked much as Carlos would have looked had he lived another ten or fifteen years.
“Must be the tall, dark, handsome thing
,” she thought.

“I apologize for intruding on your breakfast; however, I would very much like to ask you a few questions about your hypnotic theory. Would you mind if we spoke while you finish your coffee?” She thought,
“This guy is either full of old world charm or he has a brand new come-on I’ve never heard before.”
She was surprised when she heard herself say, “Won’t you sit down for a moment, Mr. Brassi?” She wasn’t accustomed to inviting strange men to have coffee with her.

“I would like that. And please, do not be so formal. Please call me DeMarco.”

“And you may call me Sarah.”

“Sarah. I will be brief so as not to take too much of your time. In your book, you never decisively describe the induction used to take the subject to another time. Was there a specific reason you withheld that information?”

“Very good question, DeMarco. Yes, each therapist develops their own induction so it changes from person to person. I didn’t want to give my reader some specific words to expect. It might make them question the validity of the induction being used. I wouldn’t ever want to add a subconscious wall between the working therapist and their client.” She slid into her coat, alerting him to the fact their meeting was coming to a close.

“Thank you for taking the time for me.” He stood when she did. “I have a few more questions I would like to ask. Would it be possible to meet again?”

She hesitated.

“Would you have breakfast with me here tomorrow? About the same time?” His voice was more confident than questioning. He was obviously a man who received most everything he requested.

She thought about it for just a moment. Not much harm could come to her at Saul’s Deli. Besides, if anyone ever appeared to be a gentleman, DeMarco Brassi did. “Yes, I’d be glad to meet you and answer more of your questions.” She thought that perhaps being in the presence of a startlingly handsome man who was obviously interested in her work might make her feel more normal. She knew she needed a bout with normalcy. And soon. “Tomorrow then.”

He watched her as she slid out of the booth and left the restaurant.

“Tomorrow then.” He spoke softly as he turned his collar up before he left the restaurant and stepped out into the Chicago wind. He smiled as he watched her walk away, yet the look in his eyes was angry, dangerous.

S
he was always startled by Aris’ appearance. As Carlos he had been handsome. Now he was glorious. As she sat behind her desk Sarah tried to pull her eyes from his, but she couldn’t. She was locked in his gaze. The shape of his eyes, his eyelashes, all were pure Carlos. The fire, the love, the passion all were new. There was more intensity in his changed body than she knew existed. Gasping for air as she turned away, she realized she had once again been made breathless by Aris. Was it fear or exhilaration? She wasn’t sure but she would be careful. She wouldn’t allow him to lead her into anything except friendship--that is if a friendship is possible with a vampire.

He sat quietly, waiting for her to speak, knowing full well the power of his eyes.

She brushed the hair away from her face and smoothed her skirt as she turned toward him. “There is something I must ask you.” Her tone was grave as she spoke. “Have you been in my apartment without my knowing?”

He dropped his eyes to the floor fully aware he owed her the truth. “Yes, I have.”

“Please don’t do that again. It’s an intrusion on my privacy.”

“I am truly sorry.” He spoke to the floor. “Please believe me; I will respect your wishes. It will never happen again.”

With his face cast down, all Sarah could see was the black thick hair on his head. On some level she understood why he needed to be near her. She was the only other person on the planet who knew who he was. He probably was aware she might be frightened. Perhaps that was why Colleen told her he asked if she would see him again.

Her tone softened. “Alright. You are forgiven.”

He looked at her with a smile in his dark eyes.

“How did you get in without the doorman seeing you?”

Looking a bit embarrassed, he spoke. “Just like I got into castles in the sixteenth century, up the side of the building.” He grinned and the grin was every bit Carlos. “Super powers, remember?” She couldn’t help but laugh. “Right, super powers. Just please remember, you don’t have to do that. You’re welcome to visit me in a more conventional way.”

“Telephone to make an appointment?”

“No, telephone to ask me if you can visit me?”

“If you are willing, there is no purpose in waiting. May I see you this evening, just for a little while?” His voice was hopeful.

She sat quietly as she made her decision. As he waited, he was strangely aware of human time. It seemed to him hours passed, yet it was only a moment.

“Alright, this evening. Just for a little while.”

He stood, sliding his arms into his black leather jacket. “Is eight o’clock too late?”

“Eight o’clock will be fine.”

She rose from her desk chair to see him out. “This evening then.” As she closed the door behind him, she realized her heart was racing in her chest. “
What’s up with that
,” she thought. “
I’m not afraid of him.
” She leaned against the door for a moment.
“Is
it possible I’m afraid of myself?”
The answer came instantly. “
More than possible, it’s probable.”
How could any woman resist such an irresistible man? “
But,”
she told herself,
“He isn’t a man. He’s an Immortal.”
She shook her head disconcerted for a moment at her own decision. She crossed the room to sit at her desk and stare out the window.

#

She heard Maggie enter her office, but she didn’t look up from the file she held in her hand. All she could think about was what she had just done--made a date with a vampire.

Maggie spoke softly. “Are you feeling alright?”

She wasn’t sure how she felt about anything except nervous when she thought Aris was picking her up at eight o’clock. Why had she agreed to see him?

“Boss?” Maggie touched Sarah’s forehead to see if she had a fever. “Sarah, are you okay?”

“Oh, yeah, I’m fine. Just thinking about Friday afternoons.”

#

She changed her clothes three times, but she still wasn’t sure it was right. Sarah was nervous. Anxious. Elated. All at the same time. She hadn’t felt giddy in the pit of her stomach for years and she liked it. She felt a bit out of control and it excited her. At the same time, it also worried her to feel so out of her element. After the pain of her divorce, she regained control of her feelings and maintained her emotional equilibrium by building safe, secure walls around her heart. She wondered if the handsome Immortal had the power to break down her defenses.

She stepped in the bathroom to look at herself in her full-length mirror. She was finally satisfied. Her dark jeans and knee boots suited the crisp autumn air and the cream colored turtleneck sweater would keep her warm beneath her jacket. She wondered where Aris would take her.

The doorbell rang.

She quickly pulled a brush through her hair, turned off the light and crossed the living room to open the door.

He looked taller than usual as he stood in her hall.
“Must be his invincible thing
,” she thought as she stepped aside to let him in.

He didn’t cross the threshold. “Are you ready for our first evening together?” He raised his hand, motioning toward the elevator.

She only paused a moment before she answered. “I’m ready. Let it all begin.”

#

Lake Michigan lapped gently against the breakwater as they strolled slowly along the top of the huge rocks forming it. Sarah was enjoying the crisp dark night and the light sprinkling of stars above them. There was no horizon line, just a solid darkness as far as the eye could see.

They stopped to look behind them at the city. Lights glowed from the windows of the skyscrapers, creating a glowing aura surrounding the tall buildings. A sudden cool gust of wind blew off the lake sending a chill through her. She shivered noticeably.

“Are you cold?” He moved closer to her.

“A little.” She stepped back, looking up into the darkening sky. “Look, what a bright star. Or is it a planet?”

His eyes followed her direction to the heavens. “Stars twinkle, planets shine. I believe you are right. It is a star. Is it not your custom to make a wish on a star?” He wanted to hold her but he was afraid she would bolt if he strayed too close so, in Carlos style, he jammed his hands into his pockets.

“When I was a little girl, I always said the ‘Star light, star bright’ poem. I made the same wish every time.”

“Now I must know, what was your wish?” He caught her eye and smiled.

“Well, I wished I’d grow up to do something that would help
people.” She smiled in return.

“So, your wish came true?”

For a moment, the evening air was silent except for their breathing. He realized early on that she was more comfortable with him when he breathed. Their eyes locked. She was the first to stir, to step away. Hesitantly, they returned to their walk leaving the skyline behind them. The sky was a deep indigo blue, the color of her romantic dream skies as the couple looked out over Lake Michigan. A few more stars began to twinkle.

“Do you suppose I might make a wish?”

Sarah smiled and nodded yes. “First you must repeat the poem.” She spoke the age old lyric. “Then you just wish. But you can’t tell anyone what you wish or it won’t come true.” She laughed the lightest and happiest laugh. He felt assured for the first time she was truly comfortable with him, no longer apprehensive.

“I am ready.” He stood very still, scanning the sky for the most brilliant star. When he found it, he closed his eyes. She heard him mumble under his breath. Soon even that ceased. The only sounds were the gently lapping waves and the murmur of the city behind them. He opened his eyes, staring down at the dark water and the swirling white foam on the breakers as they crested against the rock.

As Sarah stepped closer, he caught hold of her arm. Turning her to him, he placed his cool hands on either side of her face. His touch was tentative, light. She could feel his warm breath as he touched her lips so softly she wasn’t sure he was really there.

He released her and stepped away. “A wish, sealed with a kiss. A perfect end to a lovely evening. Are you ready to return home? The hour is growing late.”

“Yes, you’re right, it is getting late. It’s best you take me home.” She decided to act as if nothing had happened between them, but her lips felt warm and her legs trembled as he held her arm and guided her to the street to call a taxi.

O
f all mornings to oversleep, this was definitely the wrong one. Her thoughts had been so full of Aris when she crawled into bed, she forgot about her breakfast plans with the handsome Italian doctor. She neglected to set the alarm.

“
I hope he doesn’t leave,”
she thought as she hurried out the door to the elevator. Glancing at her watch, she anxiously waited for the familiar ding.

Half walking and half jogging, she hurried through the crisp, clean smelling morning air while wrapping her light weight muffler more securely around her throat. The elevated platform was hardly crowded; most of the morning commuters were already on their way downtown. She tried to telephone the deli to tell him to wait for her, but the phone was busy each time she rang. “I hope he waits, I hope he waits,” her mind chanted in time with the clicking of the train over the track. Dialing again, the familiar irritating beep-beep of the busy signal was her only answer. She muttered under her breath,
“What in the hell is going on with that phone?”

After an interminable time, the train entered the station. Sarah tried the deli’s phone again then gave up realizing, at last, lunch deliveries to the near-by offices were scheduled in the morning so
the phone was incessantly in use. Rushing down the street toward the restaurant she wondered,
“Why am I being so neurotic about this?”

The tables were still crowded when she entered. He caught her eye smiling a greeting as he waved to her from the back of the restaurant. She was surprised to see he was even more appealing than she remembered, dressed impeccably in a dark business suit and navy blue cashmere coat.
“Incredibly handsome and he’s even human,”
she thought.