by Devin Morgan
“No, ladies. I’ll take care of that. Take the baby and go sit in the living room and catch up. I’m glad to do this.” Bob began stacking the dishes as the women slid their chairs under the dining room table.
“That was a far cry from the meals you cooked when the two of you were first married.” Sarah wrapped her arm around her friend as the three women left Colleen’s police detective husband to take care of kitchen duty. “I remember those little hot dogs wrapped in dough you used to always serve. This was a real adult meal.”
“Thank you, I think.” Colleen laughed as she poured a splash of brandy into the crystal glasses resting on the coffee table. “Now, tell me everything.”
“Why don’t you catch me up while we wait for Bonnie and Jack. I’m glad she’s still seeing the fireman. He’s a really nice guy.” She lifted the glass to her lips, the familiar fragrance of the golden liquid made her mouth water.
“This tastes amazingly good, C. You’ve turned into quite the hostess. What happened?” She laughed as they settled in to hear all about the metamorphosis of Colleen Stevens, hard-as-nails parole officer who would never be tied down, to Colleen Stevens-Drake, loving wife, mother and budding chef. She planned to return to work when Collette began school, but for the moment she was really enjoying being a stay-at-home mom.
The doorbell rang as Bob wiped his hands on a towel and shut off the kitchen light. “I’ll get it.” He opened the door for Bonnie and Jack. Their greeting was warm and happy as they all settled in around the coffee table. Sarah kept them busy with questions, asking about what she had missed in the weeks she had been away. Bonnie promised to fill her in on her clients when the two of them had time alone to talk about Sarah’s business.
“The baby has grown so much.” They all turned to look at the little girl sleeping next to her mother on the sofa. Her little mouth trembled in a tiny yawn as she made fists with her miniature hands. “She looks just like you, C.”
“Enough about us, we want to hear everything about, well, about everything.” Bonnie leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees. “I mean it, everything.”
Sarah told them about the London art world. She explained to all of them the name change of the man they thought they knew so well and was surprised at how easily they accepted her story. She related how Aris was taking England by storm and was invited to show in Spain. Her American friends sat, enthralled with her account while Gabriela marveled at her devious mind.
“And, I’ve saved the best for last.” They all waited for her to speak, each one knowing what she was going to say. “Aris has asked me to marry him. And, I’ve said yes.”
Colleen whooped, jumping from the couch to grab her friend and hug her. Noticing the baby was jostled awake, Bob picked her up and rocked her back to sleep before she began to fuss. Bonnie rushed Sarah and wrapped her arms around her. Jack sat on the sofa, a silly grin on his face. It was a laughing, crying huddled group of women that Bob and a sleeping baby joined in congratulations.
All of her friends fit into the booth for brunch at Saul’s Deli, Colleen and Bonnie on one side, Sarah and a slightly slimmed down Maggie on the other. Gabriela pulled a chair to the vacant end of the table and sat half in and half out of the aisle. They laughed and joked while they looked at the menus, but ended up ordering their usual breakfasts. The waitresses welcomed Sarah back after her long absence and kept all of the women’s coffee cups filled to the brim.
“Okay,” Maggie was the first to speak about the up-coming marriage. “You will, of course, be married here in Chicago.” Her statement was matter of fact as if there was no doubt at all.
Sarah played with the paper from her straw. “Well, we’re not sure. His time schedule is so crazy right now we might just get married in London.”
“Is it legal for you to do that?”
“Of course it is. All we have to do is post the banns, wait fifteen days and say our vows.”
“Really? It’s that easy?”
“Honestly Maggie,” Colleen spoke in between sips from her coffee cup. “It isn’t the getting married that’s hard, it’s the getting un-married.” Maggie giggled as she looked at the engagement ring on her own finger.
“Well, easy or not,” Bonnie joined the conversation, “I think you owe us big for all the years we’ve put up with you being man-less. You have to get married right here in Chicago so we can give you away.”
“I know I owe you, but we don’t honestly have the free time right now to plan a big ceremony.” An embarrassed smile on her face, she continued. “And I miss him. I don’t want to be on this side of the ocean planning something that is for both of us. We’re just going to say our vows quietly in the U.K.”
Colleen’s voice could be heard clearly above the buzz of the restaurant. “No, I really don’t think you are. How can you do this to us? And what about your mother? And your grandmother? We all want to be there. Hell, who cares about these guys,” she gestured at Bonnie and Maggie. “I want to be there. I was the one who sent Carlos, crap, I mean Aris, to you in the first place.” She grumbled, “I don’t know why the hell he had to change his name. The name Carlos is perfectly respectable.”
“I know it seems hard to call him something different after knowing him as Carlos for so long.”
“No, I’ll get it sooner or later. We’ll all help each other. Aris. It’s such a strange old-worldly name. I’ve never heard it before.”
“It isn’t so strange. It isn’t like he’s the only Aris on the planet.”
“Don’t try to change the subject.”
The waitress brought their breakfasts on a huge tray. Gaby stood to make it easier for her to place the plates on the table. When she sat again, the ladies began to eat. Colleen continued talking, browbeating Sarah as she dumped half a cup of ketchup on her home fried potatoes. “Come on, Sarah. We’ll take care of everything. All you have to do is let us know when you can come into town for a couple of days. That’s all it’ll take. We’ll make all the arrangements. Nothing fancy, just something simple. We all want to be there, hon. It’s a big deal to us too.”
Sarah knew her friends were right. If she could survive changing into an Immortal and going through the vampire war, having a wedding in Chicago wasn’t too much to ask. “Okay, okay. I’ll talk to Aris. I’m sure he’ll agree. I do want all of you to be there. Now, can I please eat my breakfast in peace. I’m starving.”
With a smile of triumph on her lips Colleen kissed Sarah on the cheek just before she put a huge forkful of scrambled eggs in her mouth.
CHAPTER 26
Try as she might, Kitsuko was unable to find Aris alone until the last evening before Sarah returned. She hunted him down in Sarah’s quarters and when he heard it was she outside the door, he took more than a minute to answer her. She knew he was anxious at being alone with her and he proved it when upon opening the door, he stepped into the corridor.
“Sarah is not here.”
“I know she is not. I have come to speak with you Aris. May I come in?”
“Perhaps we should walk to the Sanguinaria. We can talk there.”
“Please, let us just step inside. I will be on my best behavior. There are simply some things I must tell you and I wish to do it in private.”
Opening the door, he showed her into the living room. A bright fire blazed in the hearth and a goblet and pitcher rested on the coffee table. She sat on the sofa and the firelight danced in her dark eyes.
“Would you care for a drink?” She shook her head and he took a seat in the chair across from her.
“Kitsuko, what is on your mind?”
She leaned forward as she spoke. “You know very well. I have feelings for you and I know you return them. I have felt you quicken at my touch. I have felt your eyes follow me as I train. Tell me, you have no feelings for me.”
Shocked, Aris took a moment to collect his thoughts before he answered. “Kitsuko, I respect your prowess as a fighter. I am eternally grateful for all you have taught us. Y
ou have even given us the edge we need to beat the Spanish.”
“I know that is not all, Aris. You feel more for me than just another soldier. Do not lie.”
“Yes, I did feel excitement at your touch, but I belong to another. Lust and love are not one in the same. They can be felt separately and together. Your touch excited my body, but my heart, my love belongs to Sarah. It has always been that way and it always will be. I wish to take her for my wife.”
“How can you step outside of your own kind to find a mate? How can you love someone so feeble and pathetic? You are a warrior and need a warrior by your side, not a mere human.” Tears welled in her eyes as she spoke.
Aris moved to sit beside the now sobbing woman. “Kitsuko, my dear, I have loved Sarah for centuries. It is not an infatuation, but a deep and lasting devotion.” He wiped her tears with the tips of his fingers. “What I felt for you in the moment, in just that instant, was pure base desire. My body responded to your touch, not my heart. What you feel for me is infatuation, nothing more.”
“No, you do not understand.” Her eyes pooled with tears once again. “I love you. It is more than can be explained. It is more than I am. I love you.” She reached to pull his face to hers, to kiss him for the first time.
Standing quickly, he moved away from her. “No, you mistake respect for love. Now, I think it is best if you go. Calm yourself and rethink your words. I know you will realize I tell the truth about your feelings. Go and we will never speak of this again.”
She stared at him in disbelief, then rose and left the room. She had lost the battle, but the war was yet to be fought.
CHAPTER 27
The international flight left O’Hare Airport on time and as it made its climb to cruising altitude, Sarah leaned back in her seat, closing her eyes against the cabin light. Thoughts of saying goodbye to her Chicago life haunted her. Everything would be different the next time she visited. Everything was already different and then as now, only she and her Immortal companions were aware of the differences. She felt guilty lying to all the humans in her life.
“Am I really lying to them?” she thought. “No. I guess I’m really not. I’m just not telling them the whole truth.”
Her friends had rallied to Sarah’s every need. Bonnie was pleased to take over Sarah’s clients. Maggie was happy to stay on with Bonnie, working her usual three days a week. Colleen took over the care and feeding of Sarah’s condo so she and Aris had a place of their own to stay when they visited. She knew eventually it would be sold, but at the moment she was grateful she wasn’t hurried into a decision.
Her mother and grandmother had cried when she left, but were at least satisfied there would be a wedding ceremony state-side.
Now that her human world was relatively well taken care of for the next few months, she could concentrate on her new world--on her changing.
While she was away Aris had petitioned the Council for permission to take her for his mate. They granted it gladly. Once an Immortal, they knew she would never betray their society. Once she changed, there would be no human alive who knew of the existence of the Catacombs.
She was excited to learn that on her return to London, she would attend Immortal catechism to familiarize herself with the Law as well as what was expected of her in her new culture. She was thrilled to begin her new journey, yet she felt anxious when she faced the reality of the price to be paid and the physical pain her decision would bring her as she made the transition from human to vampire. “If others have stood it, I can as well.”
As if reading her mind, Gabriela reached over the armrest and squeezed her hand. “We will all be there for you.”
Sarah knew the Immortal spoke the truth.
Passing time with Sebastian, Aris waited for the hour to drive to the airport to retrieve Sarah and Gabriela. The two friends sat in the Sanguinaria, each with a half-full pewter goblet on the table before them. Aris spoke softly as he questioned Sebastian. “But how did you know you would find the strength to stop?”
“When it was time for Emily’s changing, I felt much as you do right now.” He spoke of the changing ceremony between he and his mate, a human he met and loved at the royal court of Tudor England. “I shall not lie to you, my brother. To check the flow of sweet human blood after so many centuries of doing without it is more difficult than you can possibly imagine. But you will find a way. If I was able to do it, you will.”
Aris buried his head in his hands. “But how? Her scent, just the feel of her pulse against my lips drives me mad. It takes all my will power not to take her and I have not even yet tasted her blood.” He raised pleading eyes to his friend. “I am in terror of my dark side. Please, Sebastian, tell me how to not drain her of her life?”
“When the time comes, your love for her will overcome your blood lust.”
“I sincerely hope you are right, Sebastian. I pray that you are right.”
CHAPTER 28
Anger crackled in his voice as DeMarco spoke to his exiled captain. “So you come crawling back, Esteban? You think I need you? You and that bitch I called my Queen?”
Kneeling before DeMarco, ignoring his slurs, Esteban spoke quietly, convincingly. “We have need of one another if we are to win this battle. The Queen travels now to join you here at the castle. She brings her troops to join with yours.”
“Coming here? To my realm?” His temper raged out of control. “I banished her and she is coming here against my orders? I will eliminate her for all time.” He threw open the door, shouting into the corridor. “Guard. Guard.” Looking over his shoulder, he shouted at Esteban. “And you along with her.”
Bowing his head and with a shaking voice, Esteban responded. “My Lord, please listen to reason. We are two armies with the same enemy. Apart, we will surely fail. Together, we are invincible. The Diaries are our objectives, not war within our own coven. Please, listen. The Queen comes in peace and to prepare to march together with you to London. She has a contrite heart and wishes to be by your side once more.”
“She has no heart.” Allowing for the truth in Esteban’s words, the King regained control of his anger and as the guards entered the throne room he motioned them away. “However, there is legitimacy in your words, Esteban. I will think on it. Go. Tell the Queen to make haste.”
“Yes, my Lord.” Esteban rose, leaving the room with a smile on his face at having accomplished what the Queen swore he could not do.
CHAPTER 29
“I’m so glad you’re going to be my teacher, Henry.” Sarah was slowly getting over her initial shyness with the Master Keeper of Records. They sat opposite one another in one corner of Henry’s office in the library. The shelves behind his desk were stacked with papers, books and several strange looking devices that she had never seen before.
It had been very difficult for her when they met. Because he was the Master Keeper, he knew her Soul Chart. He knew everything about her. Not just in her present life, but in all her past lives. She wasn’t proud of everything in her past. At the beginning of their relationship it was challenging for her to overcome her embarrassment when she was with him, but it was becoming easier and easier as she grew to know him better.
“As am I. It is a rare treat to welcome a new member to our society. You, my dear, fit so well as it is, the transition will come easily to you.”
“Henry, tell me about Specus Solitudo? Aris said there had been some research done on the hieroglyphs.”
“Yes, some. Why?”
“I find it fascinating. The carvings are made by humans, that’s obvious by the subject matter, yet they’re far below ground, carved into solid rock from a time before even the Immortals were here.”
“We have no idea how old the carvings might be. None of us has taken the project to heart as of yet. We have nothing but time you see, so there is no hurry.” He smiled.
“Henry, I want to learn all I can about the temple. It fascinates me. I want to find out about the people who lived below the ground in that cav
e. Where they came from, who they were.”
“Once you are changed, you will have all the time in the universe at your disposal. With your curiosity, I feel sure you will find ways to keep eternally busy.”
Sarah hurried down the corridor, thrilled with her meeting with Henry. As she rounded a corner, she saw Kitsuko walking toward her. When she neared, she stopped, blocking Sarah’s path.
“So, human, you have found the courage to change. It will make no difference and as a newborn, your skill will be limited. You will always be a detriment to Aris. Why do you not just give him up?”
“Why do you hate me so?”
“Why? Why does Aris go outside our society to find a mate? Why does he feel the need to turn you when our world is full of women who would love him?”
“You mean you, don’t you? Listen, Kitsuko, Aris and I are destined for one another. You can do all you want to try to take his love from me. It will never happen. Immortal or not, we are pledged for as long as we are in existence. Why don’t you just give up your desire for him? It will never be fulfilled.”
“I would take your life right now if it would drive you from his heart. But the sorrow of loss would just deepen his love for you. I will wait. You will not have the courage to make the change, to suffer and die for the man you think you love. You will grow old as a human and I will still be here, waiting for him. One day he will grow tired of mourning your loss and I will be there. So enjoy your time with him for one day he will be mine.” She laughed out loud as she pushed by Sarah continuing down the corridor toward the training pavilion.
Sarah continued on her way, shaken and lost at the thought of Kitsuko’s prophecy.
CHAPTER 30
Late morning found Sarah, Gaby and Jane seated on Sarah’s bed in her rooms in the Catacombs. They had just chosen her clothes for the changing ceremony, arranging them on a tall chair in the corner so they could admire them. The lingerie and dress were in soft shades of blue silk fashioned in the style the underground Immortals wore; a long dress fitted at the waist, the skirt flowing in soft ripples to barely skim her ankles. The sleeves were long and fitted, the bodice cut deep, squared off so the Queen would be able to anoint her chest without difficulty. Soft blue silk shoes rested on the carpet beneath the chair