Aris Rising: The Court of Vampires: AN INFINITY DIARIES NOVEL Page 2

  Suddenly the doors slid open and the mysterious stranger with the turned up collar she had seen the day before stepped onto the train. Sarah’s eyes raced to the floor to keep from acknowledging his presence. He knew she saw him and he smiled a slow smile as he stepped to the other end of the car.

  #

  They heard the outer door of the office open.

  “Hello ladies.”

  Maggie turned and gave him her most welcome smile. “Hello Carlos, great to see you.” Sarah couldn’t help see her assistant look him up and down as he crossed the room to her office.

  “How are you Maggie?” He touched her shoulder gently as he passed. Maggie grinned as she winked at Sarah, touching her forefinger to her tongue and then to her hip signifying “hot” as she watched him walk into Sarah’s office.

  He hesitated in the door for just a moment.

  “Have a seat.” She motioned to the chair across from her desk.

  He closed the door behind him then sat. His tight jeans and black leather boots were new. She scrutinized him. He looked like Carlos. The features were the same. But that is where the similarity ended. His mannerisms were different. He carried himself with the easy assurance of someone who is always in control of their environment, of someone without fear. There was a deeper magnetism beyond his physical beauty. She knew his black eyes held the sorrows and joys of hundreds of years. From some unaccountable place inside herself, she was again reassured without a doubt she was safe with him; she knew he would never hurt her. She stood behind her desk and moved to the chair by the window. He joined her. They sat across from one another, the coffee table keeping a safe distance between them.

  Neither of them wanted to speak first. Silence hung heavy in the room. When an interminable amount of time had passed, she was the one to break it, her voice matter-of-fact, clinical.

  “So, you took over Carlos’ body.”

  “Yes.”

  “You have been living through him since that day in the hospital.”

  “I have been living instead of him. Carlos died that day, Sarah. You know he did. His life force departed and I transferred my consciousness into his body before it could begin to deteriorate. I swore to you I would never hurt Carlos and I did not. He breathed his last living breath before I entered this body. I can only enter the body of a dying human, Sarah. I have not taken the life of an innocent since the time of Katherine of Aragon and I did not take Carlos’ life.”

  “Really? What about Manu and his friends?”

  “Sarah, Manu Silva was not an innocent. He would have killed Carlos’ brother or you without thought. The fiend had Carlos shot when he lost power over him. His fear that Carlos would betray his thievery and murder to the police drove him to take the life of a good man. I delivered Manu a painless death, a clean kill. I did not touch a drop of his blood nor the blood of his cohorts.”

  “I suppose you think that makes it alright?”

  “Alright? Of that I am not sure. But it was justice.”

  “And you were judge and jury?”

  “Yes. I was judge, jury and executioner.”

  She shook her head in abject frustration. “How do you think knowing that and not ever being able to tell anyone makes me feel? How do you think knowing this whole bizarre, insane story makes me feel?”

  He leaned forward as he spoke, “Sarah, I do not know what the future holds for either of us. I am a being out of my time.” His eyes were tender as he gazed into hers. “I know how awkward, how strange, this must be for you. You do not even know who I am.” He stood. “May I come closer to you?”

  After a tense moment, silently she nodded her head. He moved to stoop next to her and held his hands toward her. Reluctantly she placed her palms on his. She was surprised at their warmth.

  “I am Aris. Carlos is no more. This body is a vampire body possessing all of the supernatural abilities of my kind. I am here because I have searched for you, my beloved from the past. I found you and now I must know you. All that I ask is that you will allow me to see you, to spend time with you.”

  He waited for her answer. When it didn’t come, he continued. “I will never harm you. I vow to never take the life of another innocent for the rest of my existence. I will not kill to sustain myself. There are other ways to quiet the hunger for human blood in your modern times. All I ask is the opportunity to show you who I truly am.”

  She drew her hands away from his, stood, then turned away. “It’s an almost impossible situation. Even if I can accept the whole vampire concept, when I look at you I see Carlos. I will always see Carlos. How will I ever be able to separate the two of you?” He rose, stepping closer. Reaching to turn her toward him, he felt her stiffen as he touched her shoulder. “Look into my eyes, Sarah. Look deeply. Is it truly Carlos you see?”

  Silence filled the room. Suddenly she realized the only sound she heard was the sound of her own breath. The man standing next to her had no need to breathe. She grew pale and began to tremble. Not wanting to frighten her, he removed his hand quickly. He stepped away.

  “Come, Sarah, let us sit.” He guided her back to her desk chair, seating himself with the large piece of furniture between them. “We will take this slowly, as slowly as you see fit. I will live now as Carlos. It has taken me hundreds of years to find my love from the sixteenth century, my Elizabeth. I found her in you and as I have come to know you, Sarah, I have found my love of the present time. I will wait for as long as it takes for you to remember our past, for you to look upon me as a friend. My one hope is that one day you will grow to love me as you once did. I have all eternity to wait.” Looking up at her under his long black lashes, his eyes pled for her acceptance. “And if you never love me, I pray you will allow me to remain as your friend, your champion. My fondest dream is you will give me the good fortune simply to allow me to share your life.”

  Folding her hands in her lap, she dropped her gaze. “I can’t begin to think about the future. The present is freaking me out sufficiently at the moment.” There was a long pause before she spoke again. “I hope you can understand. I just have to have some time to digest this. I need some time alone to just think it through.”

  Sensing that she was afraid of his other-worldly life, he withdrew his devoted attention. Speaking simply as a friend, his voice was soft and kind. “I understand, Sarah, and I am here whenever you find yourself ready to know me as I truly am. I will leave you now to your solace and your thoughts.”

  He rose and silently left the room, closing the door without a sound. She could faintly hear Maggie laugh at something he said to her as she folded her arms on her desk, buried her face in them and began to cry softly.

  She was shaking, afraid of what would happen if she allowed Aris into her life. He had been just a phantom being living in Carlos’ brain, but now, he was alive, a vampire. He wasn’t human. She knew he believed she was connected to his past, his soul mate. She was terrified and afraid of being terrified. She thought she would burst if she couldn’t talk to someone about him, but she knew no one would believe her if she told them. She dried her eyes then turned her chair to gaze out her office window, losing herself in the Chicago skyline.

  #

  The hour was late as she let herself into her apartment. Turning on the light and hanging her coat in the closet, she looked forward to a warm cup of tea. She glanced through the mail in her hands before she laid it on the hall table next to her purse.

  Turning, she made her way to the stove then set the kettle on the burner. It had been a long day and she couldn’t get Carlos out of her thoughts. No, it was Aris. But he looked like Carlos. Sometimes she thought she would lose her mind at the impossibility of her present reality. She stood, staring into space, immobile, while her thoughts raced at break-neck speed. She tried to put a halt to them, or at least slow them down as she opened the cupboard to find a cup.

  She brewed her tea, stirred a huge tablespoon of honey into it and crossed to her bedroom. Turning on the light, she yawned.
She almost dropped the mug when she looked toward her bed. Lying on her pillow was one long stemmed blood red rose. She gasped as she realized someone had been in her apartment. Reaching for the phone, she called the lobby. The doorman answered in two rings.

  “This is Sarah Hagan, Tom. Has anyone been here asking to see me this evening?”

  “Why, no, Miss Hagan. It’s been quiet all evening.”

  “Have you been away from the desk at all.”

  “No Miss, I’ve been glued to this seat since five o’clock. My relief had an emergency and he’s late. I haven’t moved since I got here.”

  “Thank you, Tom.”

  She hung up the phone with one word on her lips. “Aris.” She knew if he were still there, he would have shown himself.

  It took everything she had not to call him and let him know it wasn’t okay to sneak into her apartment without telling her. Not now, not ever. She caught herself just in time, deciding to wait until their next session. She couldn’t allow herself to think about it. If she thought about it, she would explode. She turned off the light and in full denial; she went into the bathroom to prepare for bed. “I’m exhausted. I’ll think about it tomorrow.”

  CHAPTER 4

  The recliner in Bonnie’s office felt familiar and comfortable as she leaned back into the soft leather cushions. After her divorce she visited Bonnie for weekly therapy sessions to work through all the steps of finding herself as a single woman again. That painful part of her life seemed so distant now and her reason for these current sessions so absurdly different.

  Decorated in beige and taupe, the room promoted an atmosphere of relaxation, a sense of well-being and peace. Sarah desperately needed the respite from her confusion. She needed to let go of her tumultuous present, to have a moment in a different reality. She sighed deeply as Bonnie began the familiar induction. Her muscles grew soft; she felt her consciousness was floating a few inches above her body. Bonnie’s well-defined words took her back through space and time to a century long ago.

  SARAH HAGAN, transcript, session 1

  “In your imagination, look at your surroundings. Absorb them.” She was quiet for a moment allowing her friend time to adjust to the hypnotic state. She spoke quietly. “Where are you Sarah?”

  “Cotswold in the manor house of my father, Sir Henry Wyatt.” Sarah’s voice was soft, her words slightly slurred, as if she found it difficult to speak.

  “I am standing in the great hall as the servants light candles against the twilight. The flames dance in reflection on the pale green mullioned windows.”

  “What year is it Sarah?”

  “It is 1530.”

  “What season?”

  “It is autumn and there is a chill in the air. It is near the time of All Hallows Eve and the manor is bustling with wonderful smells of harvest pies and cakes baking in the ovens of the kitchen.”

  “What else do you see Sarah?” Sarah lay silent for a few moments as Bonnie watched the movement of her eyes beneath her eyelids.

  “The room is large, long with a high, high ceiling. The great gray stones of the walls are covered with enormous intricate tapestries. Deep, rich, colorful carpets are piled high against the cold of the stone floor. My father’s pride rests in these carpets brought from the East, the bright colors and thick weave legendary in King Henry’s kingdom.”

  “What is your name?” Silence once again. “Can you tell me your name?”

  She spoke with reluctance, stumbling through the words. “Elizabeth Wyatt, oldest daughter to Sir Henry, one of the King’s knights, older sister to Jane who is fourteen and James who is eight.”

  “How old are you Elizabeth?”

  “I am just seventeen and well past marriageable age yet my father is opposed. He wishes me to go to King Henry’s court. He hopes for a husband that will care well for me that I may know the luxury of court life.”

  “Can you tell me about your life?”

  As she spoke, the words rolled off her tongue as if she finally was able to communicate easily as Elizabeth. “My life is glorious, full of forests and meadows, horses and riding. My father is much different than most fathers. He cares deeply for his daughters, treating them as treasures, not burdens or possessions to be used to better the family standing. My sister is quite lovely and very musical. I much prefer the out-of-doors. I would rather ride to the hunt than eat or sleep. My father takes great pride in my hands on the reins and my ability with the bow. My mother admonishes me for such masculine traits and works tirelessly to find a position for me in the Queen’s court. I have no desire to leave my home to travel to London, to be bound by all the pomp and tradition of the royal house. Here, in the country, I am free.”

  “Does your freedom mean a great deal to you Elizabeth?”

  “My freedom is all to me. My father says my high spirit must not be fettered by any man.”

  Bonnie smiled as she thought how peculiar it was to hear Sarah speak with a distinct British accent, to hear her speak of prized traits so dissimilar to her dear friend. “Is there a man in your life? Are you in love, Elizabeth?”

  “What is love to a woman of my station? If I am sent to court, even with my father as an advocate, the King will be the one to choose my husband. And from tales that are told of Henry, one does not want to be too fair in his presence or he will snatch you up like a cat with a mouse.” She shook her head vehemently. “No, I choose to stay in the country and remain free.”

  “What more can you tell me?”

  “My father calls. There are guests to greet. I must say farewell.”

  Bonnie turned off the recorder and closed her laptop. It seemed their trip to another time was at a close for the day.

  #

  Sarah remained silent for a few moments after Bonnie brought her back to real time.

  “It went very well. Your subconscious mind slid easily into Tudor times and you found an identity immediately. What do you think? How did it feel to be Elizabeth Wyatt?”

  “Very strange. I could feel the sensations of cold from the stones and smell the wonderful fragrances of things baking. Bonnie, isn’t hypnosis just the most amazing thing?”

  “You are preaching to the choir, remember? It’s what I do all day long.” She leaned forward. “Do you want to continue with the sessions?”

  “Oh yes. I’m looking forward to our next one. What an amazing way to learn about the past. Same time next week?”

  Bonnie laughed at her eager friend. “You’re on, Lady Elizabeth. Don’t forget to journal any memories that might come up or any dreams you might have.”

  Sarah realized she hadn’t had one of her darkly erotic dreams since Carlos was killed. She wondered why.

  CHAPTER 5

  Aris telephoned her to reschedule the time of their next session needing to delay it a half hour. He reached her on her way to work. The cold wind whipped around Sarah’s ankles as she hurried from the elevated train toward Saul’s Deli for breakfast. It reverberated through the receiver of her cell phone making it difficult for Aris to hear her clearly. There was no problem with the new appointment time and once it was settled, she decided to tell him about her regression with Bonnie. She knew he would be interested.

  As she began to speak, a huge gust of wind made it impossible for him to hear what she said. He heard only bits and pieces of words and asked her to repeat her statement.

  “I said I did a past life regression with Bonnie. It was pretty amazing. I went immediately to Tudor times and Elizabeth Wyatt.”

  “So now perhaps you will see that I tell you the truth about our past.”

  “Perhaps, but I wasn’t at the King’s court. I was in my father’s manor house with my family. The session didn’t last very long but I remember everything. I’m so looking forward to having my next one.”

  “It is possible through your sessions you will go to Henry’s court and you will remember me. Us. It is my hope.”

  She ignored his comment as she spoke. “I’m seeing Bonnie
again next week. We’ll just see where it goes.”

  “Yes Sarah, we will see.”

  “I’m at the restaurant. I’ll speak with you soon.”

  “Goodbye, Sarah.”

  “Bye.” She closed her phone as she pushed the heavy glass door open and walked into the warmth and noise of the restaurant.

  #

  Sarah was sliding into her favorite booth ready for coffee and a quick breakfast when she looked across the room and there he was, the mysterious stranger. “This is getting kind of creepy,” she thought.

  He rose from his seat and wound his way toward her through the crowded tables. He moved with grace that was uncommon in a man so masculine.

  “Good morning. It seems we are destined to meet.” He extended his hand. “I am DeMarco Brassi.”

  His hand was large, the fingers long and artistic. His voice was deep, resonant with a slight accent. From his name, she decided he must be of Italian descent.

  “Yes?” Her tone was questioning, her voice a bit nervous.

  “Are you Sarah Hagan? I just read a book on past life regression and you look very much like the photograph on the book jacket.”

  Relieved, she smiled at him. She had only been recognized a few times and it both embarrassed her and made her feel proud. “Yes, I’m Sarah Hagan.”

  “I, too, am a psychologist. I am visiting your country from Italy to attend a meeting of the International Society of Psychology. I know this is quite irregular, however I just read your book and I find your theories quite fascinating. When I first saw you, I actually had your book with me.”

  He smiled as he spoke and she felt she had seen him somewhere before their few encounters on the elevated train. After a moment she realized it must be because he looked much as Carlos would have looked had he lived another ten or fifteen years. “Must be the tall, dark, handsome thing,” she thought.