Aris Reigns: The Kingdom of Vampires. Devin Morgan

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      Lying in the warm bed covered with a thick down comforter, Sarah drifted in and out of slumber. After her bath, Aris had called for Jane Howard, her attendant. Her attendant? How strange it was to her to have someone to meet her needs. She had taken care of herself since she was sixteen and now, once again, she was in the charge of another being.

      Jane was young and beautiful. She was shy and cast her eyes down when they met. Sarah liked her immediately yet she wasn’t sure she liked the white wolf that entered the room with Jane. He sat rock still by the door as the human and the Immortal exchanged greetings. Sarah was glad Aris, Gabriela and Richard were with her. A wild animal sitting in her living space staring at her was yet another new and strange experience. Since Aris entered her life it seemed every day had been filled with nothing but new and strange experiences.

      The soft texture of the sheets brought memories of nights in her bed in her Chicago apartment. She remembered the sensual dreams she had had of Aris. He made love to her over and over in her nighttime fantasies, yet kisses were all they shared in the real world. There were times when she wanted him so deeply it became the sweetest of pain. She wrapped her arms across her chest, curling up on her side as she put her craving for him out of her mind.

      At last Sarah drifted into a sweet, deep sleep while Aris watched over her during her first night in the Catacombs. He knew he would not be able to stay with her as he wished. His duties to the army would take most of his time until the Immortals left to fight in Spain so he relished this night watching her sleep. He valiantly overcame his desire to hold her and caress her, to make her truly his body and soul.

CHAPTER 8

      The fragrance of coffee brewing roused Sarah from a deep sleep. She opened her eyes to the white bed canopy floating above her. She adjusted the wall lamps to mid-morning light and threw back the covers.

      “Sarah?” Gabriela’s voice was soft as she called from the next room so as not to awake her in case she was still asleep.

      “Come in.” She slipped on her robe and slippers as Gaby entered. “I have coffee for you and Jane will bring your breakfast when you are ready.”

      “Coffee will do just fine.” She reached for the mug held out to her then sat cross-legged on her bed. “Where is Aris?”

      “He had a meeting with the commanders this morning. Did you sleep well?”

      Sarah laughed as she replied. “Like the dead. Really, I haven’t had such a wonderful night’s sleep in such a long time. Thank you all so much for taking such good care.”

      “We are pleased to make you comfortable. Take your time to dress. Let me know when you wish your breakfast. Your usual scrambled eggs this morning?”

      “That sounds great. I think I’ll just snuggle down for a bit and drink my coffee before I dress. Would you mind?”

      “Not at all. I will wait in the sitting room until you are ready.” Gabriela closed the door behind her as Sarah plumped her pillows, then leaned back to enjoy her morning coffee.

      Although she felt disoriented in these strange surroundings, all of her fear had faded with her sleep. She somehow felt comfortable. It was as if she belonged there. She didn’t even mind that there were no windows in her rooms. The Immortal light made up for the lack of sun and she knew that anytime she wanted to return to the surface, Aris would see that it was done. When she thought about her appearance before the Council, her heart began to race. She wondered how she would be able to help them.

      As she took her last sip from the cup a strange electronic beeping sounded from the other room. It lasted but a moment and then was silenced. Gaby rapped on the closed door. “Sarah, Aris wishes to speak with you. May I come in?”

      “Of course.”

      The device Gabriela handed to Sarah resembled a cell phone in many ways, yet there were no numbers and no display. It was small enough to fit in the palm of her hand. “Where do I speak into it?”

      “Just place it anywhere in the room and talk as if he were standing next to you. It is the communication device we use below ground. It operates on the same power source as the lighting. The technology was developed by Queen Akira when she built the Catacombs.” She laughed. “We had an Immortal version of your human cell phone centuries ago.”

      “Sarah.” Aris’ voice was crisp and clear.

      “Good morning Aris. If it is morning. I have no idea what time it is.”

      “Shortly after eight AM. I wanted to make sure you slept well and that all your needs are being met.”

      “I slept wonderfully.”

      “Good. Gabriela will show you how to use the communication device. Carry it with you at all times.”

      “When will I see you?”

      “I have a weapons session this morning with Sebastian and the new captain. As soon as I am free I will come to you. When you feel hungry for breakfast, call Jane. She is looking forward to knowing you. You are the first human she has seen since she came to the Catacombs hundreds of years ago.”

      “Aris, when will I go before the Council? I have no idea what to expect and I get flushed whenever I think about it.”

      “Do not fret. They all look forward to speaking with you and are very grateful that you agreed to come below to meet with them. After the interview, if you like, I will be pleased to show you a little bit of our Catacombs.”

      “That sounds wonderful.”

      “I will contact you later. If there is an opportunity, it is my wish we spend some leisure time together before your audience. I know you must be full of questions. Now, I must rush off or I will keep the troops waiting.”

      “Alright, talk to you soon.”

      “Goodbye, sweet Sarah. I am glad you slept well.”

      Sarah turned to speak to Gabriela only to find she had stepped from the room. Then, as if it were a normal morning, the mortal woman made her bed, dressing for the day in СКАЧАТЬ