Aris Reigns (13 page)

“We will soon be ready.” Aris closed the open containers. “Our
Immortals are now well trained and prepared to travel. A few more weapons drills and they will be expert.”

“Aris?” Gabriela spoke. “What about Sarah? What will happen to her while we are away.” She hesitated. “What will happen to her if we are defeated?”

“She will stay in the protection of the Catacombs while we travel. And never fear, we will not be defeated.” He spoke with great conviction even though a heavy seed of doubt lay hidden deep in his heart.

“
I only hope he is right,”
thought a concerned Gabriela as she turned with her comrades to leave the room.

“Aris, may I have a word?” Kitsuko hurried from behind to join the three commanders as they walked down the corridor.

“Yes, of course.” He motioned to Gabriela and Richard to continue on to the Sanguinaria. “I will meet with you in a bit.” He waved then turned his attention to the small woman standing at his side.

Kitsuko was truly lovely, her long black hair pulled tightly off her face and braided into a thick plait hanging to her waist. She was dressed in a soft white shirt tied at the waist with a black belt and tight white pants. Her features were refined, her flashing black eyes demanding total attention of any who spoke with her.

“How can I help you?”

“If you have a moment, I would like to show you a few new defensive movements that I have developed for your troops. Sebastian suggested that we spend some time together on the training floor.” Kitsuko had not been able to get Aris out of her thoughts. She longed to spend time with him alone and Sebastian's recommendation gave her the perfect opportunity.

“Now would be the perfect time. Let me contact my friends to
tell them I will not be joining them. I will meet you in the training pavilion in just a few moments.”

“Splendid.” Kitsuko smiled to herself as she walked away.

The pavilion was empty except for Kitsuko working out and the sound of Aris' boots echoing off the wooden floor as he entered. Thoroughly focusing she moved rapidly through a fighting form. As he watched her work, he was still amazed by her speed. Even with his Immortal vision, it was difficult to fully recognize what she was doing as she spun and twisted to evade an imaginary opponent. Impressed, he watched her silently.

Coming to rest, she noticed him and laughed at the look of surprise on his face. “Aris. How long have you been standing there?”

“Just long enough to be grateful you are helping in training our soldiers. How did you become so accomplished in martial arts?”

Laughing, she answered. “I have been practicing for many centuries. I was taught the skill from monks in the Himalayas many hundreds of years ago. My small size added to my speed and agility and rapidly I became a master.”

“Were you human or Immortal?”

“At that time, I was human. My skill was so great that I was honored and asked to join a cult of fighting monks of the highest caliber. I was told these warriors had the amazing ability to defy gravity and to live eternally. They were a group of the earliest Immortals. I joyfully agreed and was changed.”

“Defy gravity? I am an Immortal and I cannot defy gravity?”

“Watch.” Backing away from him a short distance, she closed her eyes, took a deep breath and as she jumped over him as if he were a blade of grass, uttered a strange guttural incantation. Landing lightly on her feet, she leaped again this time to a height of more than fifty
feet to reclaim the spot from which she began.

Astonished, he stood with his mouth gaping open. “Amazing. Your skills are most useful.”

Her eyes locked on his as she smiled a slow seductive smile. “Ah Aris,” she stepped closer to him. He could smell the fragrance of Jasmine that surrounded her. “I have many skills.” She laid her small hand on his arm and he was shocked at the desire that swelled inside of him. She knew her touch had stirred him and she waited for him to reply.

“I must, I must go,” he stammered shocked at his physical response to her. “I must meet my friends.” He turned, hurrying from her presence.

She laughed out loud as he left the pavilion.

Walking toward the Sanquinaria, Aris held a silent dialog inside his head.
“What was that? I love Sarah and only Sarah. I have not desired a woman for centuries, not since I knew my Elizabeth. How could I have been so stirred by another
?” He shook his head to clear his mind. He cautioned himself out loud. “How is not important, my man. You must stay far away from that small piece of dynamite.” His thoughts were determined.
“I will never stray from my beloved and I have no intention of allowing myself to be tempted.”
He quickened his pace, yet he couldn't rid himself of the vision of her black, erotic eyes.

“How did it go?” Sebastian spoke as he filled an empty goblet from the pitcher resting on the table.

Aris sat and before speaking, lifted the goblet to drink all of the liquid in it. Feeling refreshed and once again in control of himself,
he spoke. “It went well. She is blindingly fast and greatly skilled. She will prove to be a pronounced asset to our army.”

“I felt the same. Richard worked with her earlier today and he, too, was impressed.”

“Yes, both Gabriela and I have spent time with her on the training floor. She is not only accomplished, she has an ability to teach that is rare. In a very short time both Gabriela and I were able to jump to great heights and spin like tops to avoid contact with the enemy. Kitsuko can teach us skills we do not now possess to avoid the impalers of the enemy.”

“We will need all the skill she can share and more.” A look of concern spread over Aris' face. “Unfortunately, right now the Spanish army and our army are evenly matched in numbers. At this point, our only advantage is our connected society. I believe we will win, but at what cost? With these new fighting skills, perhaps many more of our peace-loving Immortals will walk away unscathed.”

“To victory.” Richard spoke as he raised his goblet.

Joining him, his comrades spoke with one voice. “To victory.”

CHAPTER 16

T
he taxi stopped in the circular driveway in front of an enormous home just outside London. Aris scanned the area carefully before they left the taxi and he took Sarah's arm as they walked toward the large brass-plated door. He tapped the knocker several times. They waited patiently until, at last, the door opened.

A very lean, well-dressed butler stood before them. He stepped aside to welcome them into a huge foyer with a pristine white marble floor and an elegant, curved staircase leading to an upstairs gallery. A long oak side table filled the wall opposite the doorway. On it rested a vase half as tall as Sarah. The fragrance of the colorful flowers in the vase greeted them as they stepped inside.

“Please, this way.” He gestured toward two ornately carved double doors with brass knobs. “Sir Reginald will be with you in just a moment.” He turned to lead them into a lovely sitting room. Towering narrow windows opening onto a perfect green lawn filled one entire wall. An even higher ceiling topped a dark wooden floor covered in hand-crafted silk carpets in floral patterns of soft muted colors. The furniture was French and expensive.

“May I pour you tea?” Aris nodded yes. The servant tipped the blue and white teapot and steaming dark liquid spilled into two matching China cups. “Cream?”

“No, thank you.” The attendant raised one eyebrow at the uncivilized way the Americans chose to drink their tea. Handing the cups to the guests, he spoke. “May I bring you anything else?”

“No, thank you.” Aris, sipped his tea as the butler left the room and shut the double doors behind him.

“An actual British drawing room.” Sarah laughed. “I would never have imagined I'd be invited to lunch in a house such as this. And served by an authentic, disdainful butler.”

“Yes, he did seem quite put out.”

“Aris, I didn't know Reginald Clinton was a ‘Sir.'”

“That he is. I doubt if I would have gotten the notice of the royal house if he were not.”

The doors opened again and John Marshal, their friend and patron from the states, was led into the room. He spoke with the authority of someone who felt at home in this great house. “That will be all Geofrey.” The servant tipped his head as he left the room, once more closing the doors behind him.

“So, how are you two enjoying your visit to the British Empire?” John's blue eyes sparkled as he spoke.

“It's been enlightening, to say the least.” Sarah glanced at Aris with a wink and a knowing smile.

“Well, I must say, Aris, your art certainly has taken the Brits by storm.”

The doors burst open and Reginald Clinton entered laughing. “I hear you have sent my man into a tailspin by drinking your tea black. He is such a traditionalist that he can become unbearable. Please forgive his churlish attitude. It goes with the post.” He hugged John, kissing his cheek then moving away.

“Not to worry, we found it charming.” Aris stood to shake hands with the two men.

The four sat comfortably chatting as they waited for luncheon to be called. It was served on a covered veranda facing the lush green
lawn of Sir Reginald's estate. The food tasted delicious and the white wine was chilled to a perfect temperature. They ate slowly, enjoying the fare spread before them as well as their lively conversation and each other's company.