Aris Reigns (14 page)

At last, coffee served, the two gallery owners broached the conversation of Aris' next showing.

“Before we begin to discuss the next presentation, I would like to speak with you about something that is dear to my heart.” Aris directed his words to the two men. “First, I must say that you two gentlemen have changed my life. You, John, by your faith in my work. You, Reginald, by giving me the chance to expand my horizons to both sides of the ocean. I am forever grateful to both of you.

Sarah sat silently, waiting to see the reaction of the two men to what she knew Aris was going to present to them.

“In my past, I lived in Chicago in a world of ugliness and despair. I lived a life as Carlos Havarro, full of pain and hopelessness. That life is behind me now. The ugliness transformed into beauty. The despair changed to faith. I live a new life. I am a new man. I wish to put my past to rest, to put Carlos Havarro to sleep for the last time.” The group at the table sat silently, waiting. “Gentlemen, I desire a new name.”

John leaned forward in his chair. “A new name?”

Reginald continued. “But you are just becoming known. Your name is only beginning to be spoken in the art world.”

“Yes,” Aris replied. “Yes, and so it is a perfect time to change. You see, when I was still very young, I was nurtured and guided by a man who saw something special in me. He led me on a path of beauty and fulfillment. But I lost him. He is no longer. The world lost his talent for seeing and transferring a living world to a world of paint and canvas, yet while I had him close, he gave me all he could of who he was. His name was Aris.” No one moved or spoke. “I am forever beholden to him and I wish to continue my life in his honor, to live and
to paint in his name. Aris.”

“But,” John was stopped before he began.

“That is what must be. It is a decision I have made and it can be no other way.”

Reginald and John stared at each other in disbelief. Finally Reginald spoke. “And just exactly how do you propose we do this?”

“Yes,” John joined in, “we have already sold so many paintings in the name of Carlos Havarro. What of those paintings?”

“I have thought of that. Those paintings will have more value over time because they were the first.”

“That doesn't answer my question. How do you plan on doing this?”

“I have been approached by a very well-known English art critic and journalist. Melanie Fairchild contacted me suggesting an article about my work to be published both in Europe and the States. Her work and opinions are highly respected. If she were to make the announcement in that article and give the reasons for the change, I am quite sure the art world would accept it. I no longer want to be looked upon as a gang banger turned artist. I am an artist and so want to be recognized for my talent and that alone.”

John swirled the amber brandy in his glass and sipped it before he spoke. “I can understand what you propose.” He looked at Reginald who nodded his agreement. “Alright. It might even add to your artist's mystique.” He smiled as he spoke.

“And,” John cleared his throat. “And, Aris, I, too, have a surprise for you. The Duke of York has seen your work and would like you to meet with his secretary to discuss a painting.”

Sarah gasped and Aris laughed. “I would be honored to meet with his secretary. Just say when.”

The taxi ride back to London was filled with laughter and
conversation. What could be more appropriate for the Immortal who had spent most of his existence in the presence of royalty than to be welcomed, once again, into the court of Kings and Queens. Yet even though Aris' mood seemed light and happy, his inner thoughts were of the danger in which Sarah was placed every time she left the safety of the Catacombs. The Spanish coven and the war were always troubling thoughts in the back of his mind, but he rarely mentioned it when the two of them were alone. He didn't want to worry her, yet he knew that many of his comrades would end up giving their Immortal lives for the security of their society. The dread of having to be the one who led them to their death was a heavy weight even for his broad, strong shoulders.

Kitsuko hated herself for following Aris. Her early training at the monastery and her life as an Immortal had taught her the horrors of obsession. And yet she found herself driven by an uncontrollable hurricane force to claim him, to make him fall in love with her.

Following him to London, lurking outside an English mansion like a thief in the night. Staying just a few cars behind him on the highway. “
Who is this weak woman who has taken over my senses?”
It didn't matter. Nothing else mattered. Just to get a glimpse of him from a distance, even with the wretched human, thrilled her.

So lost in her thoughts, she didn't see the stop light in front of her turn red. Screeching brakes brought her from her reverie just in time to save her from crashing into the car in front of hers. Not quite so lucky, the car behind her wasn't able to avoid a collision. The bumper caved in on impact and pushed her forward with a crunch. She sat sandwiched between two cars as she watched Aris and his human drive on, oblivious to the accident behind them.

Opening the driver's door, she stepped out of the car. The driver
of the car behind her was already assessing the damage. She marveled at his tall, dark good looks as she walked toward him to exchange information. His black eyes flashed as he smiled.

CHAPTER 17

“A
lright, Jane. This is our first session so we will commence by taking you into a deep state of relaxation. Then we will find a place in time when you have full memory, working comfortably toward the time when your human memory ends and your Immortal life begins. I can't tell you how many sessions we will need, but I can tell you that I believe we will be able to answer your questions with time.” Jane nodded her head in agreement as she rested on Sarah's sofa in her sitting room. “Where would you like to begin?”

Jane closed her eyes as she thought of her human life. There had been so many wonderful experiences in the court of Elizabeth I, the greatest of which was simply knowing the formidable Queen. “I would like to set out when I was maid-in-waiting. It was a glorious time in England and one I cherish in my memory.”

“Perfect.” Sarah leaned closer to the reclining girl as she began an hypnotic induction. She watched as Jane slowly became more relaxed and entered into a deep hypnotic state.

JANE HOWARD, transcript, Session 1

“What year is it, Jane?”

“
It is the year 1586 and I have just begun waiting on the Queen.”

“Tell me about Queen Elizabeth.”

“
Her Majesty is fifty-three years old. She never shows herself without full make-up and wigs and she has a great many. All of her hair pieces are tinted the vibrant red that was the color of her hair in her youth. I am told by the other maidens who have been in her service longer than I that beneath the wigs her tresses are thin, dull and mostly gray. It makes me sad to think such a powerful woman must hide her true image from her subjects.”
Jane grew quiet and Sarah sat waiting for her to speak. When she did not, Sarah again questioned her.

“Tell me of the court.”

“Ah, the court. What a place of luxury. And a place of courtly love.”

“Courtly love?”

“Courtly love is not the same as romantic love. All of the men fawn over her Majesty, writing poems and songs of her beauty and grace, yet all know they will never be her lover. However, there were two that won her heart more than any others. Robert Dudley, Lord of Leicester and Robert Devereux, Second Earl of Essex. Each of these men held a special and unique place in her life.”

“What can you tell me of these courtiers?”

“
Robert Dudley was the first of the men she loved. He knew the Queen when they were both but children. In their teens, her Majesty's sister, Mary, was on the throne. Mary's younger sister, our Elizabeth, was locked in the Tower of London. The Queen feared her subjects would revolt and raise Elizabeth to Monarch. Queen Mary was hated by her subjects because of her marriage to Prince Philip of Spain and her persecution of the Protestants. Philip brought the Spanish Inquisition to England with him. Any who were not Catholic and would not convert were tortured and burned at the stake at the order of Mary. She became known as ‘Bloody Mary,' murdering any who would not bow to the Pope.

“Along with his treasonous family Dudley was imprisoned in the Tower at the same time as Elizabeth, yet in a different location. Still, they shared for their lifetime together the experience of not knowing from moment to moment if they would live or die at the command of a mad woman. It bonded them in a way that was unsevered until Dudley's death in 1588. She called him her Robin. He lived for her and loved her all his life. He was her Master of Horse and her
champion.”

“And what of Essex? What can you tell me of him?”

Suddenly Jane grew stiff and began to tremble. Her face contorted and she opened her mouth as if to scream, but no sound escaped.

Sarah responded instantly to the change in the young woman. “Jane. You are safe. You are here with me in the Catacombs. We are in the 21
^st
Century and you are safe and secure.”

As if some magic incantation was spoken, Jane's face softened and her body relaxed. Sarah breathed a sigh of relief.

“Now, Jane, I will bring you back to real time.” Slowly Sarah brought Jane's awareness back to the Catacombs. When the Immortal opened her eyes, she looked at Sarah and a sad smile played on her lips.

“It was so strange. I felt I was there, at court. I could see the people and smell the smells. It was all so real.” Jane still rested on the sofa as she described her journey to Sarah.

“It's that way for many people. Can you tell me what happened to you when you began to speak of Essex?”

“I have no words for it. I was suddenly overcome with terror. I know not why. The vision of court disappeared and I was in a black abyss full of pain and Essex was a part of it.” She sat up, turning to look at Sarah. “Must we return to that wretched place? I felt terrified.”

“Jane, I'm afraid so, but before we do, I'll make you feel safe and secure when you mention him. Would you like to tell me about him now while you are not in hypnosis?”

Jane stood and paced thoughtfully before she answered. “I think not. But, Sarah, I know that Essex was somehow involved in my last day as a human. I must know the circumstances. Whatever we must do, I do gladly. I trust you and believe in you. I place myself in your good hands.”