“The royal court holds up in a medieval castle and the rest of the coven in the forest that surrounds it. The spies report they have no idea we are coming to their kingdom for the fight.”
“Yes.” Richard spoke. “We will have the element of surprise on our side.”
“What about the weapons? Aris, you said your arsenal of weapons had not been completed.”
“The Nalyd weapons have been forged. They are waiting for Akira to use alchemy for the finish. It will be only a few days before they are ready. We hope to have the training and the weapons accomplished at the same time, then we travel.”
He placed her hands in her lap and reached for her wine glass. “Here, a toast to tomorrow and Stonehenge.”
She took the glass and sipped the wine. She thought, “Stonehenge. I wonder if those Druids weren’t really Immortals in long black robes.” She chuckled at the thought of her three friends cavorting around the monoliths in the full moon.
#
They circled the chiseled boulders, holding hands and talking softly. “I really thought they would be much larger.” Sarah said looking at the top of one of the tallest.
“Are you disappointed?” Aris asked, truly concerned.
“No, how could I be disappointed. I am here with you. It’s just I somehow had the impression they were skyscraper size. I don’t know why.”
“Many people feel that way, however, it isn’t the size of the stones. It’s the magic.” He turned her toward him. “Can you not feel the mystical power of this place?”
“A little. Do the Catacombs have mystical power?”
“You have such interest in the life below ground. You know, Sarah, there is only one way you may ever see our way of life.”
She looked at her feet as they continued along the walkway. “I know. I’m just interested.”
“Sarah, you know I would perform the ritual with you, take you for my eternal mate.”
She was silent as they continued their walk.
“Would you do such a thing for love, Sarah?”
She turned from him without answering, took his hand again and continued to walk the path surrounding the stones.
CHAPTER 55
The gallery looked much the same as John Marshal’s in Chicago. Lovely carpets and heavy, comfortable furniture was scattered in seating arrangements around the large rooms. A buffet table was laden with cocktails and finger foods. Well-dressed patrons roamed from painting to painting making comments and taking notes.
Sarah watched as Aris stood, surrounded by attractive women full of questions. He smiled as he answered each one. Occasionally he would glance at Sarah, wink and smile, then go back to being gracious.
“He really is made to be in the public eye.” John Marshal stood next to her, a huge smile covering his face. “He’s won over every journalist in the room, male and female. See that tall red-headed woman with her hand on his arm vying for his attention?”
It was hard to miss a woman over six-feet tall in stilettos who was fawning over the man she loved. Sarah relished the fact she felt no jealousy. She knew Aris was hers and hers alone for as long as she lived. “How long will that be?” she thought.
“Sarah, are you alright?” John gently touched her shoulder.
“Yes. I was just thinking about Carlos’ success.”
“That’s what I’m trying to tell you. That tall woman is the most prominent artist’s agent in London. While she was oohing and aahing over Reginald’s choice of Carlos as his showcase artist, she mentioned she was going to ask him if he had representation. Sarah, if she takes him on, he’s in the royal house--no doubt of it. With his talent, looks and personality, he could win over the devil.”
“I don’t know about the devil, but he sure has won over that agent.” She smiled as Aris looked at her, rolling his eyes and laughing at all the attention he was getting.
CHAPTER 56
The four friends were sitting in front of Aris’ fireplace. His flat had become their favorite place to meet just as Sarah’s apartment had been in America. The autumn winds were blowing and whistling around the corner of the building making the room feel even more cozy.
Their meeting was yet another celebration. Just that afternoon Aris had been called into the audience chamber to meet with Akira and the Council. He had been forgiven. He was once again a functioning member of the Catacombs free to come and go, to live above ground or below.
Sarah had waited in his flat for him to return with the decision. She asked him not to call her but to come to her. Whether the news was good or bad, she wanted to hear the verdict from him in person.
She paced the floor most of the morning, sitting occasionally on the sofa and doing her best to read a magazine. She sat for only a moment at a time before she was on her feet again, wearing a trail through the thick carpet.
She felt him outside the door before she heard his key. Rushing to meet him, she opened the door before he did. A huge smile on his face answered her unspoken question. He picked her up off the ground in a joyous hug and a passionate kiss.
“I am free.” They both laughed out loud. “I am forgiven and a full member of the coven.” He kissed her again as he spun her in a circle.
She was overwhelmed with joy knowing he was safe. Glancing around the room at her friends, she was so grateful to have become a part of a living fantasy. “I’m so glad I came here, that I can be a part of such a wonderful week. First the art show; now this is the frosting on the cake. Exonerated. I’m so relieved.” She sat on the arm of his chair with her arm draped over the tall wing-back. They had laughed and congratulated Aris and toasted one another for over an hour and were now ready to relax and simply enjoy spending the evening together.
“I must admit, I, too, am relieved. I was sure they would understand their need for me, still it is much more pleasant to have it all behind me.” He smiled. “Let’s celebrate tonight. We can engage our stomachs for a change and take Sarah out to dinner.”
“Splendid idea.” Richard helped Gabriela into her coat as Aris made sure the fire was out. They spilled out the door hurrying down the street, pushed along by the strong, determined wind.
#
Gentle rumblings of thunder could be heard in the distance and diminishing dark clouds barely blocked the light of the moon and stars. Gabriela sat, curling cat-like, in one of the chairs by the fire reading Shakespeare. Determined to memorize all his works, she treasured quiet time to study. She was hard at work on Hamlet as the clock ticked past midnight.
Behind the closed bedroom door, Sarah slept soundly in her fluffy white bed, lulled to sleep by the sound of the retreating storm. Silently, one of the French windows swung open. A shadow crept soundlessly over the windowsill and to her bedside. A strong sweet smell filled the room as the figure opened a small glass phial and held it beneath the sleeping woman’s nose. Her breath grew shallow, her body limp. The shadow lifted her as if she were weightless. The dark apparition carried her out the window and down the wall, disappearing into the dark garden below.
#
Sarah regained consciousness on the hard leather seat of a jeep as it bounced through ruts and ridges carved in what had once been a usable road. Her shoulders ached from her arms being secured behind her back and the cold metal of the handcuffs cut into her wrists. Light was barely visible through the black silk scarf tied around her eyes. Techno music reverberated through the cab.
“This is just a dream.” She told herself over and over. “A bad dream. I shouldn’t have had those anchovies.” After only a moment she had to face the hard realization she wasn’t dreaming. She had no idea where she was or who had kidnapped her. Or why. Her heart raced in her chest as she strained against her bonds.
“Stop that.” A low female voice snarled as a gloved hand cracked across her cheek. “If you cut yourself you’ll bleed and I assure you, you don’t want to bleed now.” Her Latin accent was thick.
Drugs clouded her mind and silent sobs of terror shook Sarah’s body. She manage
d to stutter single syllable words in between gasps for air, “Who are you? Where am I?”
“Shut up you stupid human.” Another stinging slap. Fear ran ice cold in Sarah’s veins and she curled into a tight ball on the seat. A familiar sweet smell permeated the air and before she could exhale, she was once again unconscious.
#
Gabriela paced frantically in front of the fireplace in the hotel suite. “How could I have let this happen?” If Immortals could cry, she would have wept. Richard reached for her hand, drawing her to sit on the sofa between he and Aris.
“You thought she was safe. Gabriela, we all thought she was safe. You did nothing wrong.” His hand caressed her shoulder as he wrapped his arm around her. “What we need to do now is find her. Quickly.”
Standing, Aris resumed Gabriela’s pacing. “We know it was someone from the Spanish coven.” He turned to look at Richard as he spoke to him. “Was Sebastian sure De Flores is still in Spain?”
“Yes, and will you please sit down. Between the two of you, you will wear a hole in the carpet.” Aris dropped onto the sofa, leaned forward and placed his elbows on his knees to rest his head in his hands.
“Sorry.” Lifting his head, he looked at his friend. “I know it is of no help if I lose my mind, but the hour we must wait for our flight to Spain is longer than all the centuries of my existence.” He was silent for a moment before he leaped to his feet once more, moving to stare out the window at the late afternoon light. “Why would they want her? What can she possibly be to them?”
“We can’t be sure, my friend. Could it be somehow the king found out about you? That you were a warrior and will train our army?”
“But how? Unless there is a traitor in the Catacombs, a spy for De Flores. And how would kidnapping Sarah change any of that?”
“Perhaps they plan to use her to lure you to Spain? If you were out of the way, their path to London would be clear.”
“That does make sense.” He crossed the room to sit again. “There does not seem to be any other plausible answer.”
A look of fear passed between Gabriela and Richard. Unfortunately, they both could think of another reason, but neither chose to bring it up to Aris.
#
In the vast room the only piece of furniture was a thin sleeping pallet. The cold stone floor and walls smelled musty and damp. Sarah lay curled under several threadbare blankets to keep warm in what appeared to be a deserted medieval castle. She slept a great deal of the time, kept in a stupor by the drugs her captors put in the meager food allotment she received. She had no idea how long she had been confined. Days? Weeks?
Her sleeping eyes fluttered at the sound of the huge, heavy wooden door to her dungeon scraping against the stone floor as it swung open.
“Wake up. You must eat and clean yourself. Theresa will attend you shortly. Eat.” The handsome young man wheeled a cart carrying food in covered dishes. He wore jeans and a black short sleeved tee shirt even though the room was so cold Sarah could see her breath. His dark auburn hair was shoulder length and wild. She vaguely remembered him bringing her food at least once before. She was sure he wouldn’t hurt her or he already would have.
She knew she was being held captive in a cold miserable old castle somewhere far out in the country. In what country, she wasn’t sure. She tried to sit up but she was too shaky from the drugs to succeed. The young man reached to help her. His hands on her shoulders weren’t friendly, but they weren’t rough.
“Sit. Eat. You will feel better.” His voice was soft, but demanding. “Now.”
“Where am I?”
“I told you yesterday, that is something you are not to know.” His words were accented the same as the woman’s in the car.
“Spanish? Italian?” she thought.
“Who are you and why am I here?”
“More questions? Are all humans so full of questions?”
She lifted the lid on one of the dishes. Two fried eggs and a piece of dark bread looked back at her. “If you’re not human, what are you?”
He smiled a wicked smile. “You will find out soon enough.”
She didn’t need to wait. She already knew the answer. A vampire.
#
Gabriela read the map and gave Aris directions as he maneuvered the red rental car they had picked up at the Spanish airport through the deep ruts in the loose dirt and gravel. Richard leaned over the back of his mate’s seat to talk to his friend.
“Sebastian said to leave the car at the edge of the forest and go forward on foot. There are vampires that live in the forest and it will be easier to remain unseen if we travel without a vehicle. It should take less than an hour to reach the castle compound.”
“I do not like this, Richard. If they can sense us coming, they may kill her.”
“No Aris, they want her alive. She is their weapon against us. I am sure of that.”
“But what if you are wrong. What if they have her for some other reason. They must not harm her.” His foot pushed the accelerator closer to the floor and the car leapt forward, bouncing hard over a deep furrow.
#.
Sarah didn’t like the way Theresa looked at her as the young vampire peeled away her dirty clothes. She held them at arm’s length as she walked to the fire and tossed them in. “These cannot be saved.” Theresa resembled the young man who had brought her food. The same age, same coloring. “Could they be brother and sister?” she wondered.
There was no bathroom in the deserted keep so a huge copper tub was brought into the room and filled with steaming water. “Why are they treating me so well,” she wondered. “Is Theresa the prep cook?” She shuddered as she stepped into the warm, welcoming bath. Sinking to her neck, she closed her eyes, pretending she was at home in her own tub.
Her imagination was hard at work when Theresa spoke again. “Hurry up. You have a special audience today.”
“What?” Her eyes flew open. “Who is coming?” She hoped it would not be the woman who had slapped her during the torturous ride to the castle. She hoped it would be someone who would give her some information about where she was. “What do they want of me?”
Theresa smiled a wicked smile. “You will just have to wait to find out, won’t you?”
#
The woman who walked through the door was tall and lean. Her pitch black hair was clipped short and slicked off her face. She wore dark red lipstick; her vicious smile showed large straight white teeth. Her tailored black suit was made of the finest wool and her black stilettos clicked on the stone floor as she entered the chamber. She was as beautiful as the wicked queen in Snow White. Sarah was afraid, but she willed herself to be strong. She failed miserably. Her legs trembled where she stood.
“So human, are you frightened?” An evil smile lit her eyes.
Sarah tried to speak but her tongue wouldn’t cooperate. Her mind was clear. They hadn’t drugged her all day preparing her for her meeting. Words came into her mind, but they wouldn’t come out her mouth.
“I see, you are. You should be. I have plans for your future. You will regret what you did to me.” As she leaned close to Sarah, the stench of her breath made her prisoner’s stomach turn. “You will beg me to end it, but your agony will go on and on. And now human, I will leave you to ponder your prospects. And do not worry. You will not be lonely for long. I will return very, very soon to spend some quality time with you.” A sinister chuckle sounded deep in her throat as she crossed the room to leave. The huge door banged shut as Sarah moved to the window.
She was imprisoned in a high, narrow tower. A pile of sharp stones had fallen from the crumbling foundation creating a dangerous barrier between her and ground. The castle was nestled into a high mountain range and covered the entire top of a flattened hill. The hill was surrounded by a thick forest. She couldn’t see very far in the distance because of a dense fog creeping through the trees and up the hillside. She tugged at the bars separating her from her freedom. “I’ve got to find a way to get out of h
ere.” She didn’t even realize she was speaking out loud as she repeated the phrase over and over again.
CHAPTER 57
“So, you have been introduced to our Queen?”
It was early in the evening when the serving boy entered. Sarah was on her pallet beneath the blankets to get warm. She had spent the rest of the day after her audience examining the room. There were no cracks or crevices in any of the stones that she could see. She tried to pull up one that seemed a bit loose but she failed. It wouldn’t budge. She tried digging around the bars on the windows with her fingers but those stones, too, were immovable.
“I spoke to you, woman. Are you made mute with fear?” The serving boy brought her last meal of the day. Cold meat and one potato. “Why are you always balled up on your bed? Do you find solace there?”
“There’s no solace anywhere in this miserable place. I’m just cold.” She sat up. “Why does she hate me? What can I have done? I’ve never seen her before.” She wrapped one of the ragged blankets around her shoulders. “Why am I here? And, for God’s sake, why does she want to torture me?”
“Come, eat. You will need all of your strength for tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?” Her voice was thin, hollow. “Oh, yes. Tomorrow.” As she reached for the plate of food, she thought, “that means somehow I have to get out of here tonight.”
#
They covered their car with brush and left it. Richard pointed the way as the three friends took off at a steady run deeper into the forest. Their feet flew over broken branches and leaves as if they were nonexistent. They ran in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. To Aris it seemed as if they ran in slow motion.
#
The sky was still pitch black when the door to her chamber slammed open crashing into the stone wall. The noise was loud enough to be an explosion. Sarah sat bolt upright instantly awake. She laid down for only a moment after she ate and must have fallen asleep.Her mind was groggy.
“Out of bed. Now.” The loud voice of the lead guard seemed to bounce off the unyielding walls. “I said now.”
Aris Rising: The Court of Vampires: AN INFINITY DIARIES NOVEL Page 22
