Aris Reigns
Authors: Devin Morgan
ALSO BY DEVIN MORGAN:
Aris Returns: A Vampire Love Story
Aris Rising: The Court Of Vampires
“A surprising twist on the vampire trendâ¦Author Morgan weaves together the thrilling history with a contemporary love story that comes together in an action-filled climaxâand an enticing cliffhangerâthat will leave readers thirsty for more. Blending sensual fantasy and the supernatural, this vampire saga takes a welcome turn.”
â Kirkus Reviews
“This sophisticated vampire romance with a twist takes readers on a compelling journey deep intoâ¦the pull of hypnosisâ¦the possibility of past livesâ¦and the power of dangerous desires.”
â Kindle Nation
“This is a very grownup Vampire story that is just as sensual as it is supernatural. The reader will not be disappointed with the denouement or the inevitable cliffhanger that entices one to look forward to the next book in the series. Devin Morgan will be one to watch in this genre.”
â Amazon
“Eloquent imagery and vivid detail--the author does a wonderful job of harmonizing two different worlds together. She brings you into the story quickly and doesn't let you go until the end. Unpredictable (in the best and most refreshing of ways) and delightful.”
â Amazon
Where Passionistas Play!
BroadLit
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Copyright © 2014 Devin Morgan
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, without the written permission of the publisher, except where permitted by law. The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book via the Internet or via any other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author's rights is appreciated.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
ISBN 978-0-9905156-0-9
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Contents
To Aris, Gaby and Chanelle
The only vampires I will ever love
A huge thank you to Sheri and Jake Faller for all the Sunday afternoon trips with me to the Catacombs and a special thank you to Sheri for all the beautiful food she makes sure I eat while I'm working.
Thank you to Rik Vig (a brother of choice) for all the amazing support he has given to me through the years and the beautiful graphic designs that he has created for me.
Thank you to Judy and Richard Sherman for their advice, support, love and the laughter and teasing when I become too serious.
Thank you to Robin, Ryan and Dylan Rogers for their huge hearts and all the hours they spend listening to me talk about Aris.
Thank you to all my students who support me with such love and confidence in anything that I do.
Thank you to all the wonderful people who make Broadthink such a great publishing house. Each and every one of them has been a part of “The Infinity Diaries Trilogy.”
H
is back was stiff, his stride furious as he paced in front of Sarah, eyes daring her to look away. “I have been many men to you. DeMarco from your human life and De Flores, the vampire King whom your Immortals fear. I am both of these, vampire and one in the same.” Menacingly, he stepped closer; close enough for her to feel his hot breath on her face. His skin was pale, deathly white, all of the golden tones of the man she knew in Chicago gone. His wavy black hair, which had always been so groomed, hung in tangles down the back of his neck and over his forehead into his eyes. The boots on his feet were soft black leather. She could see the defined muscles in his legs as they strained against his tight, well-worn jeans. In the dim light of the lanterns, she could see he wore a dark knitted sweater under his black leather jacket. “And, I was yet another to you in a life long ago, a human man. One you seem to have forgotten altogether.” He spoke softly in a threatening whisper. “Diego.”
“Diego?”
“Yes. Diego.” Raising his voice until it echoed against the stone walls. “The gypsy you pledged your undying love. The gypsy whose heart you entranced in that English forest more than five hundred years past, whose body and soul you possessed.” Clenching his fist, he squeezed his eyes shut as he fought for control. When he spoke
again, his words were soft, clipped and filled with menace. “I have not forgotten you in over five centuries. I have searched the globe to find you. And when at last I do, I find you in love with another. An Immortal.” He snarled, hate contorting his handsome face into something monstrous and terrifying. “Your Aris.”
Sarah realized she wasn't breathing just before he lunged at her. She gasped for air as he grabbed her by the shoulders; he shoved her toward the window with such force she feared he might throw her through the glass onto the stones below. After only a moment she realized he was pushing her toward a tall wing-back chair hidden in the shadows in the corner of the enormous room. Unceremoniously, he threw her onto the chair as he shouted. “Sit.” He fought to restrain himself from striking her; he knew he could kill her with one blow, but that would bring him no joy. He wanted her alive and terrified. He began to pace. When he spoke, his voice was low. Dangerous. “Do not move.”
She couldn't move if she wanted to. The shock of being brought before the evil vampire King, the very devil that was leading his troops in war against Aris and his Immortals, in his throne room in the heart of a medieval castle only to find that the bloodsucker holding her prisoner was none other than her Italian ex-boyfriend from Chicago was more than she could handle. She was frozen to the spot. Unable to face him, she stared at her shoes. They were a perfect fit. Her addled brain wondered how her captors knew what size she wore and why they cared. When she was kidnapped from London and the safety of her Immortal friends by the vampire Queen who brought her to this God-forsaken place, she was in bed in a luxurious historical hotel, barefooted. She had fallen asleep on a soft, warm bed only to wake up bound and gagged, bouncing down a rut-filled road in the back of a jeep, slapped around by some crazy vampire woman who seemed to be looking forward to torturing her to death. Now she stood before the vampire King who appeared to think torture was a
pretty good idea as well and all she could think about was her shoes. She was sure she had lost her mind.