“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.
CHAPTER 48
The 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?”
“What we ask of all our citizens. Adherence to the law.”
“I care not for the law. I care for justice. This Immortal has suffered isolation and neglect. Can you not see that his debt is paid?”
“That will be decided in Chambers, your Majesty. We have heard your testimony. We will now hear his.”
Exasperated by their attitude, Akira swept from the room leaving Aris to plead his case to his accusers. King Khansu and Sebastian had already given their testimony. One to exterminate Aris and one in favor of his acquittal.
The King held no favorites. He wanted Aris destroyed for his flagrant breaking of the Great Law. Taking life for revenge was the ultimate crime and not only had he done it, he had done it twice, killing both Cardinal Wolsey and Queen Katherine. Through lies and subterfuge, Anne Boleyn used his loss of Elizabeth Wyatt to manipulate his grief. Yet, he knew better. He knew the penalty.
The first time he was tried for the death of Wolsey, he was released. The second trial for the death of the shunned Queen Katherine, he was sentenced to death. Only the fearlessness of Sebastian had saved his essence from total extermination after his second sentence. The King wanted to rid the Immortals of Aris after his first transg
ression. He was even more determined after the second. Yet Aris escaped into the netherworld where he floated for five hundred years. It was a personal affront to King Khansu. He was determined to end the existence of Aris once and for all. He was eloquent in his testimony for the death penalty.
When it was his time to approach the Council, Sebastian stood for Aris telling of his great ability as a warrior, a leader of armies. He warned them of the Spanish coven and what would happen if they were to attack the Catacombs. He appealed to the members combined conscience as leaders of their people. Aris was an Immortal desperately needed for his experience and leadership if they were to win what must be the forthcoming battle and maintain their kingdom. He spoke only the truth.
Then, it was his time. Aris stepped before the Council. He stood quietly, his hands folded in front of him, his head bowed. When at last he spoke, it was with a confidence he did not feel. He knew the power of the King to influence the Council. He knew his own testimony was the only one that could save him. He measured his words carefully.
“I stand before you a contrite Immortal. In my folly I listened to an evil woman and broke the law of the Catacombs. Anne Boleyn used me as a weapon to murder her enemies. I killed. Twice. I was used as a pawn in a murder scheme by a woman without conscience. She manipulated my deep personal loss to incite me to murder. I lost my only love and Queen Anne made sure she turned the knife in my wound until I readily did her bidding, doing away with her rival as well as a Cardinal of the Catholic Church.
“I admit to my crime. I deserve to be eliminated from the coven, yet I beg you to forgive me, to allow me to continue. I was driven by loss and despair. The loss of my soul mate took my mind along with her. I must be honest. I am not remorseful, but I am repentant. This is my home. You are my people. I have searched for my beloved through time and space for all these past centuries, driven by eternal love. I have tried to help others during the last centuries. I am not the man you knew so long ago. I have found my love at last. I beg of you, do not take me from her. Allow us this time to be together.”
Touched by what he heard, Bartholomew spoke softly. “Is this beloved female a human?”
“Yes, she is human. She was human when I found her five hundred years ago here in England and she is human today, reincarnated in a body living in America.”
Bartholomew stood, leaning his hands on the smooth wood of the table. “And so what do you wish us to do Aris?”
“If you were to meet my beloved you would then understand why I was mad when I lost her. She is the embodiment of compassion. I have waited century after century for her and I beg for your mercy. Allow me to continue so that I may love her and protect her.” He dropped to his knees, bowing his head.
Bartholomew crossed to his side. Speaking softly, he touched his shoulder. “Rise, Aris. We will adjourn to deliberate your fate. You spoke well for yourself. Be assured there will be at least one who will vote in your favor.”
#
“At least it is over. There is nothing more to be said or done.” Aris’ voice was calmly resigned as he spoke into the receiver of his cell phone.
“How did you feel about it?” Sarah was anxious. It showed in the way she clipped her words. “I mean, how do you think they’ll
decide?”
“I honestly have no real idea. Sebastian still feels they will vote to free me. He was amazing. If anyone was my champion, it was he. I know he has been speaking to the Council members one by one in the last few weeks, reminding them of the seriousness of the Spanish coven and that I am their only military man. He is very convincing when he wants to be. Akira was on my side, but King Khansu annihilated her testimony that I am a good, solid Immortal with his, ripping me to shreds for defying the law, not once, but twice.
“When I spoke it was only of you. My wish to spend as much time with you as I can. They are in deliberation now. I have no idea how long they will be cloistered.”
“Oh, Aris, I’m worried. How can Sebastian be so sure?”
“He depends on the knowledge of the Council about the Spanish coven. They need me, Sarah. Now do not worry so much. All will be well.” He wished he felt the confidence he heard in his words. Khansu, after all, was the King and the King wanted to be rid of him. How would the Council vote?
CHAPTER 49
The two friends sat on Colleen’s patio drinking iced tea. Colette slept in her playpen. Sarah stood to tuck the light pink blanket around the baby’s legs so she wouldn’t get chilled as the late afternoon sun began to sink below the horizon.
“Thanks, hon.” Colleen smiled. “Sometimes I think I’m up and down more than a jack-in-the-box. She can be a handful.” She stared at her baby girl. “My handful. Isn’t she precious? I had no idea the feelings that I would have about my kid.”
“She’s pretty sweet.” Sarah grinned at the changes motherhood had wrought in her friend. “What time is Bob getting home from the station?”
“He’s going out with some of the guys for a beer after work so I don’t know. Want to have dinner here with the girlies?”
“Sounds great.” Sarah gathered the glasses and baby toys, carrying them into the living room.
Colleen cooed at the baby as she brought her inside and settled her in her bassinette by the patio door. The little girl grinned a huge toothless grin at her mother, then grabbed hold of her thumb. “She owns me when she does that.”
“Yep. I can see that.” Sarah laid the toys on the coffee table and took the glasses to the kitchen. “C, why don’t I just whip up a simple little salad for dinner?”
“Don’t you ever get tired of rabbit food? How about a big, juicy burger? Besides, I haven’t been to the market this week. The pickin’s may be pretty slim.”
“How about I just figure it out?” Sarah pulled a stool out from beneath the tall breakfast counter. She pointed at it. “Sit. I’m fixing a salad. You can watch.”
Sarah opened the refrigerator, pulling out the crisper drawers. A head of lettuce and a couple of carrots were all that could be found. “You don’t have anything to make a salad. What do you feed Bob?”
“Bob’s a guy and he eats guy food, Sarah. Now, how about a burger?”
“Not on your life. What’s in the freezer?” She opened it and looked in. Several burger patties, a couple of packages of frozen vegetables and three frozen pizzas. Reading the label on the pizza, she turned to her friend. “It’s pizza, kid. At least it’s got tomatoes and mushrooms on it. We need to get you to the store.” The oven pre-heated as the two women sat on the sofa watching the baby sleep.
“So, have you heard from Carlos?”
It was even more difficult for Sarah to think of Aris as Carlos now. Since spending so much time alone with him and her friendship with the Immortals from London, he had been Aris to her and Aris alone. It was just her Chicago friends who called him Carlos. Sometimes she had to catch herself not to use his true name when she spoke with them.
“Yes, he called yesterday. Things are going great. He likes the man who owns the London gallery. The owner says he’s had a wonderful response to the advertising campaign. He’s expecting a record crowd. Several London art magazines responded and are attending. When John Marshal decided to bring Carlos’ bad-boy past out, it was like hanging out a banner. Suddenly, everybody wants to meet him.”
“Yeah, and he’s a damn good artist, too.” The timer on the oven dinged letting the ladies know the oven was ready. Sarah went to the kitchen and popped in the pizza.
“Colleen, where’s a hot pad? You moved them since I cooked here last.”
“In the drawer next to the stove.” The baby started fussing so as Sarah passed by on her way to the sofa, she picked her up, handing her to her mother. She sat next to Colleen.
“Sarah, I’m sort of shocked you aren’t going to London to attend the show. I mean, without you, there wouldn’t be a show. If you hadn’t taken him home to meet your mother and your mother hadn’t introduced him to John Marshal he’d still be w
orking at the market. Anyway, doesn’t he want you to come?”
“Sure. He told me more than once. I just hadn’t planned on taking a vacation right now.”
“And here I thought you were loosening up. Who cares if you were planning a vacation. Get Bonnie to cover your most demanding cases and go for a week. You don’t have to make a life commitment, you know. Just go for the show then come home. I’m sure it would mean a lot to Carlos.”
“Yeah? Well, it would mean a lot to me, too. You know, I think I’ll call Bonnie tomorrow to see if she can cover for me for a week. If she can, maybe I’ll go.”
“Great. I’ll do whatever I can to help. Want to go on-line now and look for flights?”
“Let’s wait until the pizza is done. I’m not sure yet I’ll go, but we can check it out after we eat.”
“If you do, are you going to call him and tell him you’re coming?”
“Nope. It will be a really big surprise for both of us.”
#
It was late and Sarah snuggled in her bed talking on her telephone. The only light in the room was from a candle. The breeze from the open window caused the flame to dance, creating moving shadows on the bedroom walls. “How much longer before you know anything?” Sarah was anxious to know with certainty that Aris was exonerated. She waited more impatiently for the verdict that he did.
“As long as they please. I know there is some contention among them. Some feel as Khansu does that I should be eliminated. The more realistic of the Council know they need me, my expertise. I’ve begun to organize the Immortals into troops. There are almost twenty-five-hundred Immortals who will join in the battle. Those from the Catacombs and those who live a human life above ground. We all fight for our very existence.
“Sarah, this is an undertaking that often feels impossible. Sometimes I feel I know so little about warfare. I am accustomed to being a warrior, not a general. I am accustomed to being commanded, not being a commander. I am so grateful to have Sebastian. He is an organizer beyond belief. Without him, Gabriela and Richard, I would certainly fail.”
Aris Rising: The Court of Vampires: AN INFINITY DIARIES NOVEL Page 19