Aris Rising: The Court of Vampires: AN INFINITY DIARIES NOVEL Read Free

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 bodypossessing 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 heracceptance. “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