Aris Reigns (16 page)

“Well, yes. But Leonardo da Vinci for God's sake. Now it all makes sense. I wondered how the Queen could choose which Immortal would fill such a vital post. But she didn't, did she? He created the post. When he was changed, he already understood the soul of man and the journey that it takes throughout eternity.”

“We had no records when he came to us. No written history of our kind or of yours. He is the one who created the Records as only he could.” He wrapped his arm around her, drawing her closer to him. “He is our foremost scientist. Just as he developed concepts when he was above ground that were far, far beyond his time, so he has accomplished the same below ground. He is the favorite of the King and Queen and spends a great deal of time in the royal court. He was along-side Akira when she developed the Immortal light, when our communication devices were created. He brought all of his human knowledge and his divine inspiration with him when he came to us. Akira joined minds with him to find the path to develop our society to the level you see today.”

“Umm.” Sarah leaned into his shoulder, closing her eyes and thinking about her future. Just who else was living eternally in the golden city beneath the ground? As she relaxed against him, the sensation of his solid muscular chest and the spicy, musky smell of his skin made her not care who else was living in the Catacombs. She cared about nothing outside of the moment. All she was aware of was the gnawing ache deep inside of her to hold him and have him take her and make her his.

CHAPTER 20

A
fternoon sun beamed through the tall window hewn into the west wall of the throne room. As DeMarco paced back and forth, his moving shadow kept time with the tap of his boots echoing off the stone walls and floor. “What do you mean the human cannot get near her? It was your bright idea to use this man and now you tell me he is incapable of doing his job?”

“Your Majesty,” there was fear in the voice of the handsome young vampire standing before his King, “What else could we have done? If any of the members of the Catacombs sees one of us, they will know what we are attempting. And since you are determined to capture the woman, using a human was the only solution. He follows them whenever they are above ground but she is always with one of them. He has no chance against an Immortal.”

“Julian, you go to London. You guide him. Stay out of sight, but make sure he does not fail.” Furiously, he spun on his heel. “Tell him to make his chance.” He bellowed as he stormed out of the room. Just before the door slammed behind him, he turned and whispered, “Or you and he will both answer to me.”

Dropping to his knees, bowing his head, Julian spoke. “Yes Sire, I will take care of it.”

CHAPTER 21

G
abriela sat on Sarah's bed as the mortal dressed for the art reception that she and Aris planned to attend that evening. “Gaby, it's mystifying. I mean, I feel as if I belong here with all of you. I don't really miss my life above ground; I still think of my human friends and love them, but there is a peace here that I've never known before.”

“It is the magic of the Catacombs. It is built on a foundation without fear. Without fear, how can you not be at peace?”

“Well, I don't know what it is that makes me so comfortable here, I just know it feels like home.”

Gabriela stood, crossing the room to help Sarah who was arguing with the clasp on her gold chain necklace. The latch was so delicate Sarah couldn't hold onto the tiny mechanism with her fingers and open it at the same time. She had just dropped one side for the third time when Gabriela stepped up to secure it for her. She tilted her head to the side, making sure the clasp was firmly closed as she spoke. “I think it is home for you, Sarah. Aris loves you. Every Immortal who knows you thinks of you as family even though you are human. Our society contains the greatest minds on earth and yet you have taught us something we knew nothing about. We recognize your work with Jane and respect you for your abilities that are new to us.
Yes, Sarah, I think you are home.”

“But Gaby, if I became Immortal, what would happen to my human life, my friends, those who may never know about the Immortal society? My heart aches at the thought of leaving them.”

“If you remain human, you will lose them eventually anyway. Death will separate you. And, Sarah, you won't have to give them up for a very long time, but as they age and you do not, the separation must occur. You can understand why they must never be allowed to see you as your unchanging self.”

“I know. I suppose you are right. If I remain human, we will all die off one at a time anyway. Oh Gaby, I've thought of this from every angle humanly possible. It still comes up human – 0, Immortal – 1. I fully understand that once it's done, I can never go back. I remember one time Aris said something about humans not being able to understand eternity. Well, I certainly can't right now, but I want to. I just know I'm captivated by the Catacombs and the Immortal life. The thought of having forever to explore, to learn. To be absolutely free of fear.” She was silent as she thought about forever with Aris. No need to eat or sleep, no death, just eternal life, making love to him and with him for as long as time existed. She turned to face her friend. “Sometimes I feel as if I have no choice but to become what it seems I am already.”

Gabriela hugged her. “You will make the right decision but do not change only for Aris. He will remain with you human or not.”

Sarah stepped back just a step, a serious note to her voice. “Gaby, I love Aris with all my heart, but if I do this, I won't be doing it for him. Or even for us.” She stood silent for a moment, her eyes closed, deep in thought. When she lifted her lashes, her smile was full of confidence. “If I become an Immortal, I will be doing it for me and no one else because it's the only thing I truly want to do.”

The two women looked at one another for a solemn moment, then Sarah twirled, laughing, in a grand circle. “Anyway, how do I look?”

Admiringly, her companion answered. “You look like an Immortal already.”

The soft lighting enhanced the bright spotlights illuminating Aris' artwork. Sarah stood in an out-of-the-way corner watching Aris work the room as Reginald Clinton introduced him to patron after patron, London's elite. His casual grace, the way he made anyone with whom he spoke feel as if they were the only person in the room, was as instrumental in his popularity as his gifted brush strokes on canvas.

Suddenly, as if he felt her eyes on him, he looked at her. Smiling, he excused himself from the small group gathered around him.

“You look beautiful.” He touched her bare arm and a thrill ran down her spine. Last minute preparations for the war had kept them at arms-length without more than a moment to spend alone. With the arrival of Kitsuko, battle strategy had become more complex and training more intense. Aris was away from her more than he was with her. She understood, yet missed his warm lips on hers and his strong arms around her. She longed for the conflict to be over, to have more than stolen moments with her beloved. She straightened his dark tie then ran her fingers under the soft lapels of his suit. Her touch thrilled him and he fought his rising desire.

Their attention was diverted from each other by a small group of men and women entering the gallery. Many of those milling about the room turned to stare for just a moment before returning to their conversations. She recognized the face of the tallest man, but couldn't remember where she had seen him before.

“Aris, who is that tall man in the center?”

“Reginald said there was a chance the Duke of York would come this evening. It appears he was right. Come, let us find Sir Reggie.” He took her arm as they hurried across the room toward
the gallery owner. Sir Reginald was standing deep in discussion with an elegantly dressed couple explaining why Aris' work would be a fantastic investment. They turned toward the artist as he and Sarah approached.

“Good evening.” Aris tipped his head toward the group. “Sir Reginald, may I see you for just a moment?”

Reginald excused himself then stepped away from the potential buyers with a sigh. He spoke to Aris. “I was doing so well. What is it? Why did you ask to see me?”

“Look over my shoulder. Is that not His Grace?”

“Good God, it is.” Reginald stopped cold in his tracks. “I was told he might stop by, but I thought it just a rumor. And, here he is.” Taking Aris and Sarah by the arm, he steered them toward the arriving royalty. “This is the chance of a lifetime. Smile pretty, you two.”

As they crossed the room, Sarah was sure she recognized a tall dark-haired man from the last gallery showing. He was lounging comfortably against a wall just as he had been before. She noticed him watching her and when she caught his eye, he smiled then turned away.

Gabriela was curled in a chair enjoying the dancing flames in the fireplace. Sarah sipped tea as they chatted.

“Gaby, he's amazing. He had everyone in that room mesmerized, not just the women but the men as well. And the Duke of York? He commissioned Aris himself. He didn't even leave it up to his secretary.”

Gaby laughed. “Well the inhabitants of the Catacombs do have just an extra bit of charm.”

“So I've noticed. I'm just so glad he's made such an impact. From
the courts of kings to a Chicago gang banger and back again. It's quite a story he has to tell. If only they knew all about him.”

“If they knew all about him, they would know all about us and our society would be doomed. He's doing just fine as a twenty-first-century man, is he not?”

“You're right, Gaby. He's doing just fine.”

CHAPTER 22

T
he Catacombs bistro had few patrons so early in the day. Aris invited Sarah to join he and Richard as they discussed travel plans to Spain. Kitsuko sat across from her and after constantly hearing what an amazing fighter she was, Sarah was surprised at her subdued manner.

Even though her words were few, Kitsuko's mind spun out of control. Watching Aris and the attention he paid the human woman drove her mad with envy. In all of her existence, Kitsuko had never had feelings such as those she now had for the handsome Immortal. She was obsessed with thoughts of him, aware of him whenever he was near to her, haunted by him when he was out of sight. Her concentration flew even on the training floor when he entered the pavilion. She couldn't help herself and followed him whenever he left the Catacombs. Again and again she tried to find a way to speak with him alone. He could never mate with a human, that she knew for sure. He was stirred by her. She felt it when she touched him the first time they had been alone together. She smiled to herself as she realized he feared his feelings for her.

“Ladies,” Aris stood. “Richard and I have a meeting with the Queen so we will leave you to get acquainted.” He kissed Sarah on the forehead, then the two men left the restaurant.

Kitsuko drained her goblet before speaking softly. “And so, Sarah, how is it with you and Aris?”

A little surprised by the intimate question asked by the stranger, Sarah answered evenly. “I'm not quite sure what you mean.”

“Well, a human and an Immortal, a love affair that can never be.” Her lovely face wrinkled into a hostile scowl. “He needs one of his own kind.”

“One of his own kind?”

“One of us, one to share all eternity with him. One who will never change. You will grow old and ugly. You will never have a true mating. You are weak and pathetic.” She laughed. “And I will be here long after you are dead and gone.” She rose from her chair. “Think on that, human.” She spun on her heel and swept from the room.