Aris Reigns (19 page)

As if reading her thoughts, Aris spoke. “Sarah, these rocks were exactly as you see them when the Immortals discovered this cave centuries ago. It has been a place of personal refuge among our kind since long before I came to the Catacombs. It is the Specus Solitudo. The Cavern of Solitude.”

A gentle breeze ruffled her hair as she looked at him questioningly.

Holding her hand, he led her toward a path winding through the natural pillars. “We found shafts leading from here to the surface. Air currents flow through them to keep the air in the cavern fresh and clean.

“Sebastian and Henry were exploring this cave shortly after it was discovered by the Immortals many centuries ago. He and Henry were planning the first illumination system for the cavern. In their surveying they found a temple carved into an underground mountain of rock. Or should I say carved from the rock. Pillars and windows and doors. All perfect. All by hand before the time of the Immortals. It is my wish to take you there.”

Sarah threw her arms around him. “I don't know if I can take much more beauty, but I'm willing to try. Let's get going.” He kissed her gently, then holding her hand once again, moved forward.

They wound their way through columns of blue striated stone, in some places it looked like turquoise and in some, lapis. As they walked the sky above them dimmed until it was as soft and gentle as a sunset. They walked with his arm around her waist and she wondered why his stride met hers even though he was so much taller than she was. She decided it was because they simply were perfect for each other in all ways but one and she had solid plans to change that.

Without warning, they stepped from the path through the forest of monoliths into a huge open clearing. Sarah sometimes questioned the wonders of the Catacombs but if she had, the vision before her wiped all remaining doubt from her mind.

The temple was at least two hundred feet wide, five stories tall, carved without blemish. The columns were plumb, the arches above the entry way perfect. The walls of the exterior matched the colors of the setting sun above ground. Orange. Red. Yellow. The steps leading to the temple were the same color of translucent green that rests just above the horizon at the exact moment before the sun drops from sight.

Her voice was hardly above a whisper when she spoke. “Can we go inside?”

“Of course.” Still holding hands, they crossed the courtyard. Sidestepping large boulders and rocks that had fallen in the path over the last centuries, they made their way toward the entrance. When they reached the enormous doorway, Sarah held back.

“Aris, are you sure it's alright if we go inside.”

Laughing, he pulled her through the door. “Yes, my love. Come inside and look all around you.”

The light pouring through the doors and windows of the hand-carved room made it bright enough that once Sarah's eyes adjusted,
she could see perfectly.

She gasped as she realized she was surrounded, floor to ceiling and wall to wall, by beautiful hieroglyphic writing. Each wall and pillar was carved from a different color stone and each surface told a unique story. Mesmerized, skimming column after column of detailed sketches, she realized each wall was covered by a complete chronicle of an event. All of the people drawn were depicted nude; the only backgrounds were natural surroundings. Without clothing to date them and only simple settings without tools or any sign of a culture, there was no clue as to when the carvings were created. “Oh Aris, you were right. How could anyone ever envision such a wonder? By not clothing the people the artist made the stories timeless. They could have been created yesterday or thousands of years ago.” She stood in one spot, turning slowly, taking in as much as her human eyes could see. “Are you able to read any of this?”

“No, none of our people have really taken on the project to translate them. Some scant research has been gathered as a hobby by a few linguists, however no one has stepped forward to head an actual project.” He smiled. “Of course, we do have eternity so there really is no rush.”

With their arms wrapped around each other, they gazed at the walls in silence.

“A timeless story of birth and death.” Aris spoke as he pointed to the first carving in a pictograph, a young woman expecting a child. The next drawing showed her ready to deliver. The next, squatting on birthing blocks supported by two other women. In the next, she was lying down, holding the child to her breast. Then, a sweet image of a tiny child sitting on the floor, playing with a ball. And the final tragic drawing of the child lying dead, the mother tearing her hair and beating her breast at her loss. “This story needs no words for the telling.”

“So many centuries, Aris, and yet nothing is different. Birth.
Death. Sorrow. Only in your world of the Catacombs is there simply life and joy. Not human life but life everlasting. Life as no human has ever known or could imagine.” She turned to face him. “The time to tell you is now. I've made the final decision. I want to become an Immortal. You asked me long ago if I would ever give my human life for love. The answer is yes. You are the only one I have ever loved and I'm not only willing, I am yearning for you, for Immortality at your side.”

“Sarah.” He reached for her, his eyes brimming with laughter. “Sarah.” He kissed her with a passion he had been holding back, waiting until she was ready, praying the day would come when she would give herself to him. He felt her melt against him, the texture of her soft skin beneath his hands; he smelled the warm sweet fragrance of her hair. They stood in silence in their first true embrace. When he could no longer hold back, his lips sought her throat and as he felt the pulse of her heart beat against his mouth, he moaned. Her mouth found his, her heart pounding in her chest, desire ripping all reason from her mind. Her breath coming in tiny gasps, her trembling fingers reached for the buttons on his shirt longing to feel his bare chest against her. Knowing he could not have her while she was still human and using all his vampire resolve, gently, he took hold of her shoulders and moved her away from him.

He stared into her eyes and when he spoke it was quietly, thoughtfully. “I need you to be sure, to be without question. Sarah, it can never be reversed. Do you truly understand what that means? It is a decision for all time. You will suffer during the three days of your changing, a suffering you cannot even conceive. You will feel as if your body is in flames as the human blood burns out of your system. There will be no turning back once we begin. To do so would end your human life and all possibility of your ever becoming Immortal.” It pained his heart to caution her. He desperately wanted to take her where they stood, but he loved her too much to allow her feelings
for him to cloud her reason. “Sarah, what of Colleen? What of your Chicago life? You cannot just disappear. What will you tell them?”

“I'll tell them we are going to be married and we've decided to stay in London for a while because of your work. They'll not only understand, they'll be genuinely happy for us. I'm sure Bonnie will be fine with taking over my business and my clients. She's been handling them since I've been gone anyway. Maggie can stay on and help her. It will be great for both of them. And, since my human friends won't be able to tell the difference in me, I certainly don't have to give them up. At least not for a long, long time.” She gripped his hands. “Oh, Aris. Give me credit for knowing my own mind.”

“I do not wish for you to ever regret your decision. I would never want you to change only to fulfill my desire.”

“Of course you are an important part of my decision, but you're most certainly not all of it. Aris, I'm not blind. I see the perfection of your society. You live an existence without fear or greed or hate; an existence where you have a choice to live with humanity or not, to enjoy a human life or live only as an Immortal. And, you have the choice to change back and forth any time you want.”

She tilted her head as she smiled at him, “By the way, the ability to make that choice? It only lasts for all of eternity. Oh, yes.” Her smile grew into a happy laugh. “Yes, and I get to share that eternity with you? I ask you, what human in their right mind would walk away from such an opportunity?”

He held her close to his chest and nestled his lips to her throat once again. The thought of having her for all time, of possessing her at last, nearly drove him mad with love and desire.

Gabriela helped Sarah pack her clothes after she finished packing her own. She understood Sarah's need to visit her friends in Chicago
before her changing, but this trip couldn't have come at a worse time. Their spies from Spain had reported DeMarco and Mariska were getting close to a possible reconciliation. It seemed Aris had been right when he said their desire to win a victory in London might overshadow even their hateful, arguing natures. The Immortal troops had only a short time left before they must travel to Spain. Gabriela was needed to command her fighting force, yet she was leaving, flying with Sarah to ensure her safety.

Sarah had fought them all to return to Chicago alone. Taking Gabriela away from the Catacombs at such a crucial time worried her. Feeling sure the Spanish coven would take all DeMarco's attention, she believed she would be safe.

The vampires wouldn't hear of it. Richard volunteered, and Kitsuko immediately agreed to share the responsibility of training Gabriela's troops to allow her to travel. Kitsuko was only too glad to have Sarah gone from the Catacombs and a chance to have Aris to herself. It was settled, the two captains would share Gabriela's command until she returned. Still, Aris fretted about Sarah leaving the Catacombs at all even though he understood why she wanted to see her Chicago friends. It was with great reservation that he finally agreed.

“I'm almost finished. Just my toiletries and I'll do that in the morning.” She sat on the sofa. “Gaby, thank you so much for coming with me.”

“Do you actually think Aris would let you out of the sight of one of us, DeMarco in Spain or not? It would not surprise me if he decided you should not go.”

“I know it's a bad time, but we'll only be gone a few days. I just need to see my old friends before, well, you know.”

“I know. And I understand. Still Aris will be troubled for your safety all the while you are gone. I will be with you and he knows you are out of harm's way with me, but he will still be worried. Although
the truth is I doubt the Spanish coven will be thinking about your whereabouts right now.”

“I'm sure you're right.” She stood, going through both her suitcases to make sure she had everything she needed. “Looks good here. Guess I'll get some sleep. The plane is before dawn tomorrow.” She stooped to kiss her vampire friend on the cheek then crossed to her room. Her sheets felt cool and soft as she climbed into bed and turned off the light. She yawned as she called through the open door. “Good night, Gaby. Soon sleep will be an option, not a demand.” She smiled at the thought of an eternity of sleepless nights with Aris.

Aris parked in front of the terminal and popped the trunk. Stepping out to open the door for the two women, he spoke gravely. “Alright, now call me as soon as you land.”

“Good God, Aris.” Gaby spoke as she got out of the car. “This is the third time you told us. We will call you at precisely the moment the wheels touch the ground.” She laughed at the painfully concerned look on his face. “Please, stop. I will take care of her and return her to you safe and sound.” She hugged him then lifted her carry-on from the open trunk.