Aris Rising: The Court of Vampires: AN INFINITY DIARIES NOVEL (25 page)

They sat on the breakwater, watching the sun rise over Lake Michigan. The city was just beginning to come to life. They had plans for a full day. Packing paintings to ship to London, making sure all of the small details that were always so important in the long run were complete; their list for the day was so long they decided to begin at dawn with coffee at the lake.

“Do you think you’ll be gone more than a month?” Her sadness at his traveling was apparent in her voice.

He smiled as he hugged her. “At least a month. It will be difficult for me as well, however, I have no control over the Council. They will see me when they are ready and they will take as long as they wish to make a decision. Akira will do all she can to move it forward, but even as they deliberate, I will begin training.”

“Will all the Immortals go into battle?”

“All who wish to. We fight for our race.”

“We spoke last night of the ancient wars you fought and the weapons you used hundreds of years ago. What weapons will you use in Spain? You told me a long time ago, a vampire must be staked. Does that mean hand-to-hand combat?”

“Hand to hand. Knives and swords. Arrows. The Keeper of Records has ancient texts describing weapons brought by the Immortals to earth when Akira and Khansu first arrived. Even now they work to forge them. In appearance much like your ancient swords and arrows except these are forged through alchemy, a secret known only to the Keeper of Records. Each step in their making is accomplished by a different company of workers. No one group has any inkling of what any other group does. Once created, the weapons can never be destroyed. They have a mystical power that only Akira is able to bestow. Each weapon will always return to
the hand of its owner. The creation of Nalyd weaponry is a long, tedious process.”

“What weapons does De Flores have, do you know?”

“They, too, work in secret. Our fear is De Flores found the texts when he worked in the Records Hall. If they are able to reproduce them, ours will still be more powerful because of Akira’s gifts. We do not fear them, Sarah, nor should you fear for us.”

“How can I control that? I sit here in the middle of a modern world with planes and cars and computers while you fight an ancient war with weapons from another planet. Even saying it makes me doubt my own sanity.”

“You must doubt nothing. You must believe in us. We have no choice but to win this battle.”

It was as if someone turned up the volume on a radio as the teaming city came to life behind them. He stood, reaching for her hand. “Come, it is time to go. We have a full day ahead of us. If we want to spend the evening with Colleen and Bob tonight, we best begin.” He helped her to her feet and they walked slowly down the breakwater toward the street.

A
s always, Colleen checked the baby monitor before she closed the door to the nursery. It was the evening before Aris was to leave for London and the four friends sat around the coffee table, comfortably discussing the upcoming art show.

“How many paintings will you show, Carlos?” Colleen sipped her lemonade as Bob refreshed Sarah’s wine. They had all grown accustomed to Aris’ full glass of water sitting in front of him. He had never touched alcohol in front of them and no one questioned him about the water he never drank. It simply was there in case he wanted it.

“There are thirty-two for this show plus a lot of pencil sketches and ink drawings.”

“Why don’t you tell them what a big deal the gallery is making of you?” Pride rang in Sarah’s voice as she smiled at Aris seated beside her.

“It’s not such a big deal.”

“Oh yes it is.” She turned to Colleen and Bob. “There’s a chance some of the people from the royal house may make an appearance at the gallery. Because all the paintings are of England and a lot of them of the English aristocracy from past times and from the
present, the royals have taken a notice. There’s a chance this guy here may even meet the Queen.”

“Come on Sarah. Don’t make more of it than it is. I’m proud of it, of course, but it’s just a simple art show. I’ll be happy if anybody shows up and doubly happy if people buy my work. John Marshal has invested a wad of money in this.”

“It’s because he believes in you.”

Bob slapped Aris on the shoulder as he crossed the room toward the kitchen. “We’re all proud of you. You’ve come a long way.”

“Carlos,” Colleen leaned toward him, a question in her voice. “I’ve been wondering, how can you paint dead kings and queens of England? Are you guessing what they look like?”

Sarah drew in a long breath of air as she turned toward him.

“That’s pretty easy, C. I just study all the past paintings of them. Since the only visual record they had then of their families was paintings, they made sure there were a lot of them and done by the best of the best artists. I just study them and put my own slant on them.”

Sarah relaxed again. He always knew what to say and it always made sense.

Bob came back into the room with a pitcher to refresh his wife’s glass of lemonade. “Well, we want to buy one now, while we can still afford it.” He laughed.

“How about I just do one for you as a gift? A special painting of your own little royal family.”

Colleen jumped off the sofa and hugged him. “Carlos, you are the best.” She beamed as he kissed her cheek.

“It’s the least I can do for all that you’ve given to me.” He wrapped his arm around Sarah as he kissed the top of her head. “You’ve given me a life that I never knew was possible and I am eternally grateful.”

As time progressed, Sarah became more and more aware that her
personal eternity had been laid out for her five centuries past. She smiled. There was no defeating destiny.

“H
ow was your day?” As always her mood lifted as soon as Sarah heard Aris’ voice on the telephone. He had only been out of the country for little more than a day, yet she missed him desperately. She faced her office window, watching the city come to life before her. She arrived at the office early to catch up on long overdue paperwork. Gabriela sat in the outer office waiting for Maggie.

Maggie enjoyed having Gabriela join in her work. She introduced Gaby to internet shopping and chocolate chip cookies. Sarah knew Gaby really didn’t enjoy eating human food, but she never let on when Maggie brought her sugary treats. Sarah’s freezer was stacked with the sweet chocolate loot she took home from the office. It was an unending supply of goodies for their girl’s nights in.

“Sarah? Are you still there?”

“I’m sorry, I was just thinking about Gabriela and Maggie.”

“How are the ladies faring?”

“They get along great. It amazes me how easy it is for an Immortal to just ‘fit in’ with humans.”

“You forget, we are half human. It is just another part of us.”

“I miss you.”

“You fill my heart with sorrow and joy with those words. I am glad
you wish me with you and I am sad that you are without me.” Aris laughed at his own conundrum.

“Well, you’ve only been gone a day. I’m sure it’ll get worse before it gets better. Do you go to the gallery tomorrow?”

“Yes, the paintings are to arrive in the morning. We have a very busy week ahead of us.”

“When will you go to the Catacombs?”

“After a late dinner tonight. John and I and Reginald Clinton are having a celebratory meal together before the showing. I think you would like Reginald. He’s very, very British but he has a great sense of humor and he is very excited to present my work at his gallery.”

“Will you spend the night at the Catacombs?”

“John thinks I’m spending the night at my flat, but I am going below. Richard and Sebastian have news of the Spanish coven. I am anxious to learn all I can.”

“Will you call me tomorrow?”

“Of course I will. I must go now or I will be late picking up John. I will call you in the morning. Say hello to Maggie and Gabriela for me.” He hesitated for a moment before he spoke. “I love you and I miss you.” He disconnected before she had time to answer.

#

The library of the Catacombs was paneled in dark wood from the floor to the eighteen-foot ceiling. Half way up, a narrow walkway gave easy access to the books lining every wall. Tall, simply carved ladders lined the room waiting for a scholar to lay claim to a volume just out of reach. The entire room was illuminated by sconces holding glowing globes of soft yellow light, very different from the Tudor days when all was candles and fire. It had taken hundreds of years for the Catacombs scientists to decipher the ancient alchemist’s text and create their own form of heat and light.

Scattered about the room, large ornately carved wooden tables doubled as desks for anyone who had need of them. Tall wing-back
burgundy leather chairs surrounded the tables and the floor was covered in layer after layer of the finest silk carpets.

The large room was empty of activity except for the three handsome Immortals sitting in a corner far from the main door. They leaned their heads close, speaking in soft voices even though there was no one to hear them.

“The trial is to begin on Monday. We just received the word an hour ago.” Sebastian had called a meeting as soon as he knew the schedule.

“So what do we do now?” Richard softly tapped his fingers on the table.

“I go to trial.” Aris stood, pacing in front of the table. “What else is there to do?”

Sebastian spoke, “Aris, sit down. Richard, quit tapping. You two will drive me mad. Please relax. I told you, they have no choice but to allow you to go free. You must begin the training of our army. And quickly. The spies tell us they will soon begin their march to London. It must never happen. We must stop them in the mountains before the humans realize we exist.

Aris sat, Richard stopped tapping and Sebastian? He stood and paced the floor.

#

“The trial begins tomorrow.” The cell phone line broke up as Aris spoke.

“I didn’t get that. What?” He caught her just as she was preparing to leave her office for the day. She returned to her chair, swiveling it so she could look out the window at the evening clouds rolling in.

“Can you hear me now?”

“Yes. Much better.”

“The trial begins tomorrow.”

She shot out of her chair. “Tomorrow?” Panic was clear in her voice.

“It will be just fine. Sebastian is sure all will be well. It may take some days of deliberation so, in the meantime, I am going to begin training the commanders.”

“Please, be careful. I’m so worried. What if they don’t set you free?”

“We will deal with that if it becomes necessary. Sebastian assures me I will be acquitted and I believe his word.”

“I’d feel a lot better about it if you were home already.”

“Sarah, I am home.” He chose his words carefully. “Don’t you see, this is more my home than Chicago. These are my people. I cannot turn my back on them and I must face the Council with resignation. If it were not for you, I would spend the rest of my life in London in the Catacombs. It is where I feel I most belong.”

“If it weren’t for me? Am I the only reason you stay in Chicago?”

“Good heavens, Sarah. Whatever do you think could be strong enough to hold me to the three dimensional human world? Only my love for you.”

Maggie leaned her head around the door. “Hey boss, Gaby’s ready to go home and so am I. What say we close up shop.” She realized Sarah was on her cell phone. She put her hand over her mouth. “I’m sorry, boss.”

Sarah covered the mouthpiece. “That’s okay. It’s time to hang up anyway.” Maggie shut the door when she left the room.

“Aris, I have to close the office. Please be careful and call me later. Will you?”

“Of course. I love you, Sarah.”

“I’ll speak with you later.” Sarah pressed the ‘end’ button on her cell phone. Her mind was full of concern. He didn’t really want to be in Chicago. She was holding him back from the life he truly wanted to live among his own kind. She understood his need, his desire. But what would she do without him? He was willing to give up his culture, his life, for her. Was she willing to give up hers for him.

T
he Council sat on one side of the long carved wooden table. Sconces similar to those in the library lined the wall behind them. The light was soft, but sufficient to provide a unique clarity of vision Aris wasn’t accustomed to above ground, even in direct sunlight. He stood behind a podium facing his judges.

The Chief Councilor, Bartholomew, rose from his chair rapping on a block of wood with an ancient gavel. The chatter quieted as the Council members all turned to give him their attention. They were dressed in regal robes of rich hued velvet worn over their perfectly tailored business suits. Twelve in all, there were six males and six females each with an equal say. Bartholomew was the tiebreaker and so he held the final rule among the lawmakers.

Akira paced the cold stone floor in front of the long table. Her blue velvet robe of state dragged behind her. “Will you not see reason? He has suffered his own judgment these five hundred long years. He was without embodiment. He was alone without solace. He searched for a beloved wrongly taken from him. What more can we ask of him?”