Aris Reigns

by Devin Morgan

  “A few hundred Immortals will be left behind to guard the Diaries. I am not needed here.” As Jane finished speaking an idea flashed through her mind and she knew she would win. She remained silent for a moment as if in thought, then she spoke. “But I can see how I could be important here. Yes, perhaps you are right. I should stay in England.”

  Sarah laughed knowingly. “Oh, I get it. You stay here until I leave. Then you get on a plane and follow.”

  “I wonder why that sounds familiar?” A mischievous smile lit Jane’s eyes. “But you see, either way I am going to join you. You can help me through the ordeal of going above ground by allowing me to accompany you or you can leave alone, sentencing me to the terrors of traveling among humans unaided.”

  Sarah responded in kind. “When, my dear Jane, did your path of innocence turn to one of treachery?”

  “When, my dear Sarah, you led the way.” Jane kissed her companion’s cheek before leaving to gather their black leather uniforms to wear as they traveled through the mountains of the Pyrenees in Spain.

  “We agreed you would remain a wolf until after the war.” Jane packed a small carry-on bag for her trip to Spain as she snapped angrily at the tall albino man standing beside her. He was wrapped once again in a bedspread and still looked exactly like a statue of a Greek god.

  “And so it would have been had you not decided on this fool’s errand.” He took her small hands in his and stopped her from moving about the room. “Here, sit for a moment.” Leading her to her sofa, he motioned her to the cushions.

  “Alright Hawke, but I am going with Sarah.” Her anger melted as she looked at him, even as her resolve deepened. “I could never allow her to go alone.”

  “Jane, I cannot accompany you into the world. A wolf? An enormous albino? Either way I am a spectacle. I beg you, do not go to Spain. Without you I have no reason to live. You are my sun and moon, the reason I eat and sleep. If anything were to happen to you, I would cease to exist.”

  Jane reached to run her fingers over his smooth cheek. “There is nothing to fear. By the time we reach Spain, the war will be over. Henry told me if he did not believe that, he himself would keep us from going.”

  He stood, drawing her to her feet. “I will exist in a living death until you come back to me. I will show my shape-shifter self to the Council and beg to marry you. I will renounce my mystical power and go through the changing to become an Immortal if I must to become your true mate and be with you for eternity.”

  “Be without fear, my love. I will come back.” He lifted her into his arms and cradling her like a child he kissed her gently.

  CHAPTER 44

  Jane’s hands trembled as she worked to buckle her seatbelt. She wondered if Sarah hadn’t been right, if she shouldn’t have stayed at home in the Catacombs, but it was too late. The ‘Fasten Seat Belt’ sign was lit and the flight attendants were working their way through the cabin making sure everyone was belted in and their electronic gadgets turned off. Finally, after watching several failed attempts, Sarah came to her aid, strapping her to her seat.

  “Thank you.” Jane brushed her hair away from her face then, without thinking, gripped the armrests so tightly she left an indentation where her powerful fingers had been squeezing. “Oh no.” Seeing what she had done, she folded her hands tightly in her lap, keeping them still for the rest of the flight, her unbeating heart filled with gratitude it was not a very long one. They would land in Barcelona in under two and a half hours where a rental car waited for them at the airport, the thought of which set Jane trembling again.

  The taxi ride to Heathrow Airport had been terrifying. Horrible, harsh, blinding lights coming at her from every direction. Deafening blaring horns hurt her ears, making her very teeth ache. Humans everywhere covered the sidewalks like ants on an anthill, blindly rushing, never even seeing each other as they passed. The peaceful village of the Catacombs was all she had known, that and sixteenth century England. Suddenly, she was thrust into the midst of an age confusing and frightening even to those who were born to it.

  “Put on these headphones, lean back and close your eyes. It will all be over soon.” The voice of reason spoke to Jane in the form of her friend and she did exactly as was suggested.

  “Sarah, what will we do when we get there?” The trees on the side of the road were a blur as the rental car sped down the dark highway.

  “I have no idea, Jane. I’ve never been to a war before.” Sarah stared out the windshield as they raced through the pitch black night, their bright headlights glaring back at them from the surface of the blacktop. “I’ll think about it later.” She tried repeating the mantra she had used all her life, but found it had lost its magic. Later was now; preparing couldn’t be put off another minute. In less than an hour’s driving time, they would arrive at the edge of the forest where they would leave the car to proceed on foot to the castle.

  Understanding the newborn’s need to be with her mate, her desire to stand by her friends, and the fact she would go to fight with or without his help, Henry had been persuaded to map their journey. He was confident the war would be over before they arrived so he laid out their trip for them. Red marker lines on the map indicating back roads where their high speed would go unnoticed, a green marker line from the highway through the forest to the stronghold of DeMarco and Mariska.

  Sarah shivered when she remembered her last encounter with the King and Queen of the vile Spanish coven. But she hadn’t been an Immortal then. She hadn’t had the gifts of speed and extraordinary vision. She hadn’t had an indestructible body. Only direct impalement to the heart would stop her now. If that were to happen, there would be no suffering, only death. She carried a letter, as all the Immortals carried to Spain, telling what was to be done with her carcass if her heart were pierced. Jane carried a similar letter. Both women knew what might happen and both were driven to risk everything for their Immortal family.

  CHAPTER 45

  The Immortal troops chosen to ambush Mariska and Estaban in the forest and attack DeMarco and his army holed up in the castle arrived in pairs and small groups. Once assembled, the troops from the Catacombs moved silently through the trees, Sebastian at their head, Gabriela at his side. Upon reaching the crossroad, they would each take the path laid out by their spies. Gabriela would lead half the troops to hide just outside the walls of the nearby castle, and the other half of the soldiers in the charge of Sebastian stayed behind, soundlessly climbing the trees along the path. Each one dressed in a uniform of black leather, impalers in their belts, stilettos tucked neatly in their boots, their outlines disappearing against the dark bark and in the dense foliage. Motionless, Sebastian’s warriors lay in wait, some sitting on their haunches, with their backs against the tree trunks, others lying on their stomachs, with their impalers already in hand. The rest disappeared behind rocks and brush, easily hidden from their unsuspecting opponents. The smell of wood smoke from the fires burning in the turrets of the castle floated in the air, fires lit to welcome the returning army. All of the Immortals waited in silence for the sign from Sebastian.

  The moon-lit sky above was just beginning to change from night to dawn when the first of the Spanish coven appeared. Patiently waiting until the vampires were surrounded above and below by his army, Sebastian prepared to give the signal.

  At the perfect moment his battle cry echoed through the trees, joined by the answering shouts of the Immortals as they leaped to meet their enemy.

  The two armies collided in combat, their cries echoing through the crisp early morning air. “Esteban!” Mariska cried out as a leather clad Immortal landed in her path, impaler ready to pierce her heart. As he drew back to deliver the death blow, Esteban spun, stabbing him from behind and striking a direct hit to his heart. He sunk to the forest floor, his Immortal venom flowing from his wound. “To the trees,” she shouted. “Kill them where they stand.”

  Many of her coven leaped to the branches, racing to eliminate as many of their adversaries as the
y could before they faced one another on solid ground. Bodies from both armies rained from above as those hiding in the rocks raced to join the fray.

  Seeing an opportunity one of the vile vampires flipped from a high branch, landing directly in front of Gabriela. Suddenly, the vampire was not alone. Gabriela found herself surrounded, unable to get away, and isolated by the pack. She met the eyes of one of the females as she approached. They glowed with anticipation of the kill. Gabriela laughed. If she were to die, they would not take her without a fierce fight. Her powerful hands grasped her impaler; she began to spin where she stood. She struck out again and again, her arms reaching out like the spokes of a wheel. Vampire after vampire dropped in unrecognizable heaps at her feet. At the moment she thought she was safe, a stiletto flew from Esteban’s hand penetrating its target. Gabriela crumpled to the ground.

  The sounds of combat in the forest were heard by Aris and Richard as they waited just outside the castle walls. Aris shouted, “Now!” His division charged the keep, impalers and stilettos at the ready. They were met by their enemy racing from the courtyard to join the battle, they could hear raging in the trees beyond the fortress walls.

  Arms and legs flailed as the two armies clashed ferociously. Shrieks and screams cut the cold morning air as both vampires and Immortals met their brutal end.

  Those left alive from Sebastian’s division raced in fierce pursuit of Mariska’s troops, who were advancing toward the castle and the reinforcements. The battle filled the courtyard with bodies. Barely any open ground was left on the battlefield. Taking advantage of the already burning fires, Richard began tossing the Spanish coven’s dead and wounded into the flames. The smell of burning vampires joined the stench of spilling venom and death.

  Having cleared a small space of ground, Richard turned to rejoin the fight. Esteban stood before him, a malicious grin on his face. “Your female is dead. I killed her with the same hands that will end your puny life.”

  Richard threw back his head as he screamed in grief. Taking advantage of the moment, Esteban spun his weapon over his head, preparing to let it fly into the heart of his enemy.

  “Your aim is as foul as your stench. I live, devil.” Gabriela, covered by her own venom and with her wound not yet fully healed, threw her stiletto straight for his heart. Her aim was true and he fell to the ground. Shoving her foot onto his chest, she wrenched the weapon from his heart, picked him up by one of his legs and threw him into the flames. For only a moment, her eyes met Richard’s before they both raced toward the castle where Aris battled his way to what was left of the tower bridge.

  As Aris neared the great door, he saw Mariska dash inside pushing even her own soldiers out of her way. He knew she was running to her mate and he was determined to get there first. Leaping onto the remnants of the tower wall, he climbed hand over hand, impaler in his belt, stiletto in his teeth. As he climbed over the wall, he saw dead Immortals and vampires strewn in the rubble of the bridge. Aris rushed toward the door that led to the throne room, stepping on dead friend and foe alike, but before he could reach it, DeMarco leaped out.

  Seeing his rival, his enemy, before him, DeMarco’s eyes lit with the fire of something deeper than hate. “At last!” He edged his way around the bodies lying on the stone walkway, dagger in his hand, loathing in his heart. “You will die and she will be forever mine.”

  “Come and get me.” Aris stood, legs apart, muscles bulging, as he prepared to fight the demon that wanted to claim his mate. Before either could strike the first blow, Mariska burst through the door. She laughed as she joined the King and they danced the dance of death with Aris. Had he faced either one alone it would have been no contest, but together, they formed a most formidable team. DeMarco leaped over the dead bodies and drew close behind him. As he spun to deflect DeMarco’s dagger, Mariska plunged her own into his thigh. Venom flowed from the deep wound in his leg, pooling on the stone beneath him. DeMarco’s weapon missed its mark, but a huge gash rent Aris’ shoulder. While his wounds were not fatal, he was weakened by the loss of venom and sunk to the ground.

  CHAPTER 46

  “Look, there is the turn-off into the forest Henry marked.” Jane looked closely at the map then pointed to huge boulders painted with thick yellow phosphorescent stripes marking the end of the road. Sarah pulled the car into a cover of trees and heavy brush. Quickly they changed from their traveling clothes into black pants, boots, sweaters and tight leather jackets, the uniform of the Immortals, pulling skull caps tightly over their heads to cover their blond hair. They were quickly ready to travel on foot through the cold mountain air.

  One final glance at the map was all it took before Sarah broke into a run. Jane followed close behind. Their legs moved faster than Olympic sprinters, jumping tree stumps and enormous rocks. Soon the sounds of the raging battle rang in their ears, urging them on.

  As they cleared the forest, the red glow from funeral fires, already burning, added to the brightening light of the morning sky. Sarah stopped short. Jane tripped over her friend as they both stood with their mouths open, staring into the milieu before them. Far from being over, hand-to-hand combat surrounded them. Recovering from her initial shock, Jane rushed forward, grasping and drawing an impaler from the heart of a dead vampire. Tossing it to Sarah, she stumbled over another weapon lying in the dirt, this one with the runes of Akira clearly marked on its shaft.

  “Now, Sarah.” Turning, she raced toward the castle wall. The stench of battle surrounded them as the two Immortals dashed for the portcullis leading to the castle courtyard. All around them were sounds of death. In the center of the keep there was a fire burning, turning to cinders the bodies of the dead.

  An enormous dark-skinned vampire jumped in front of Jane just as she entered the courtyard. Swiftly, without thought, Sarah flung her impaler through the air. It made a sickening thud as the stiletto point punctured the chest of the male. He shrieked as he grasped the handle of the weapon protruding from his chest. It had just missed his heart. Jane grabbed a huge log, slamming it into his shins. He shouted curses as his legs gave way and he fell to his hands and knees. Taking advantage of his fall Sarah rushed forward. Leaping into the air and smashing the bottom of her boot into his face, she toppled him onto his back, grabbed the impaler, pulled it out of his chest and plunged it deep, directly into his heart. Thick liquid burst from the wound, splashing Sarah’s face and clothes. A deep hissing sound escaped from his body as he lay without moving.

  Wiping her face with her jacket sleeve, Sarah turned to search for Jane. She caught sight of her friend racing across the courtyard toward the castle. Above her head, what appeared to be the remnants of the tower bridge extended from the crumbling wall. The span ended in thin air. The tower that had supported it lay in rubble beneath it. She froze at what she saw on that bridge.

  DeMarco and Mariska had cornered an Immortal against a pile of fallen stones. Sarah cried out as she recognized the trapped male. It was Aris. He fought like a demon, but the two vampires were working together to wear him down. They laughed as they took turns worrying him and jabbing him, cutting him with their weapons.

  Without thought, Sarah jumped for the piling holding up the bridge. She began to climb like a spider, clinging to the rock as she raced up the wall. Her newborn strength and speed left Jane trailing behind her in their climb.

  Jumping over the low stone wall edging the bridge, Sarah readied her weapon. Furiously Aris fought DeMarco. As he ducked to evade the point of the King’s impaler, Mariska raised hers high, preparing to stab him in the back.

  “Mariska!” Sarah shouted her name, causing the Queen to halt mid-strike. She whirled to face the furious voice. Just as she turned, Jane climbed over the stone wall directly in front of the Queen. Mariska laughed as she plunged the sharp metal point into the Immortal’s chest. She hit her mark. Jane crumpled to the ground. As if turned to stone, Sarah stared unmoving.

  Mariska jerked the weapon Jane carried from her dying hand. Sarah knew what the
vampire planned, yet still she stood frozen in horror unable to move or protect herself. Rushing her, the blade held high, the Queen let out a high shrill shout of victory.

  Turning from Aris and seeing Mariska lunge forward, DeMarco leaped between the Queen and Sarah, taking Mariska’s raised blade in his own heart. His last word as he sank to the ground was the name of his only love: “Sarah.”

  Aris lay gasping, for a moment unable to rise to her aid, a huge open wound in his shoulder, his thigh ripped from hip to knee. No longer immobile, Sarah pulled the impaler from the gaping wound in DeMarco’s chest and prepared to meet her adversary. With a frenzied battle cry and one fatal jab, she felled the Queen. As Mariska’s knees buckled beneath her, Sarah grabbed her by the hair. Pulling the impaler from her heart, she sliced the dead vampire’s throat with its point, wrenching her head from her shoulders. Holding the gory mess high above her head, she screamed for the warriors to see their dead Queen. Her wild voice cut through the battle sounds, silencing all those below as they raised their eyes to the bridge. The sun had risen as they fought and they could see clearly the tableaux on the bridge.

  Standing tall, the head of the dead Queen held high, Sarah shouted for all to hear. “It is ended. Look here. Your Queen and your King are dead. The Immortals commit their damned souls to the fires for all eternity.”

  The combatants stared at her in silence as Aris rose to his feet, his wounds closing even as he moved toward her. He dragged the body of the King to the edge of the bridge, lifting the corpse to prove to the vampire warriors they no longer had either leader.