Read Online Aris Reigns by Devin Morgan - Free Book Online

had gone unnoticed by her new friend. “Here, just like this. To shut it down, reverse the pattern.”
    â€œSarah? Have you eaten yet?” Aris’ voice always made her heart smile and her flesh tingle.
    â€œYes, Jane is here now.”
    â€œGood, I will be with you shortly.”
    â€œI’m looking forward to that.” Her eyes lit with excitement.
    â€œSoon my love. Farewell until then.”
    Sarah closed the circuit as Jane gathered the empty dishes and tray. “Jane, when will I get to see you again? I have enjoyed talking with you so much. I look forward to more conversation.”
    â€œI have been assigned to you for your stay. Just use the buzzer tosummon me or use the device. Turn it on and speak my name, Jane Howard. I, too, look forward to seeing you.” Her voice grew very soft. “I have been quite alone in the Catacombs except for Hawke. I have few friends. As you know, I did not choose this life. At times, I resent it. I would rather have died. To this very day, I miss my humanity. I hope you understand what it means to me to come to know you, to remember my life as it was.”
    â€œThank you, Jane. You will always be welcome here.”
    â€œGood day, Sarah.” As Jane moved toward the door, the great white animal rose, stretched and trotted along at her side.

    When Aris stepped through Sarah’s door he was surprised to see Richard and Gabriela already sitting comfortably on her sofa. He had hoped for some private time with her before her interview with the Council. He hadn’t had a moment truly alone with her since her rescue. He longed to simply hold her in his arms, to kiss her.
    â€œBrother.” Richard stood to embrace him. Aris stooped to kiss Gabriela on her cheek. “Sarah will join us in a moment. She spent the early morning with Jane Howard and she wanted to freshen up before she saw you.”
    Aris paced in front of the fireplace. “She must be frightened to meet with the Council.”
    â€œRelax and sit down. She is fine. She is actually looking forward to it. She and Jane have made such a hit, she wants to meet as many Immortals as she can. She is an amazing woman, Aris.”
    â€œI know.” He sat next to Gabriela on the sofa. Leaning forward, his elbows resting on his knees, he turned to face Richard as he spoke. “But how can she not be afraid? Landing in a city made solely of blood drinkers. Attending a meeting of the Grand Council without any of us with her. Standing alone before thirteen Immortals she hasnever seen before. She is amazing, but she is not a super woman. How can she not be afraid?”
    Gabriela responded. “I asked her just that when we arrived. She said she feels more safe here than she felt on the streets of Chicago. I really have no understanding of it yet she seems to fit here. And she knows it too.”
    â€œShe fits in her world above ground. She is a human taking a vacation in a different reality. To live here permanently, to become one of us? Sarah is not ready and probably never will be.” There was sadness in Aris’ voice as he spoke.
    As Richard stood to respond, the bedroom door opened. Sarah joined them smiling. “I feel like I’ve got bats in my stomach, I’m so excited.” She recognized her friends’ concern. “Please, don’t worry about me. I don’t even need you to sit in the meeting with me. I’ll be fine alone. In fact, I prefer meeting the Council alone.” She turned toward the door, leading the other three, who followed just steps behind her. “Let’s get going.”
    They left her rooms, walking silently through the corridors. The Immortals were silent out of concern. Sarah was silent to keep from babbling maniacally about nothing. When they reached the tall carved double doors leading into the Audience Chamber, the three vampires embraced her, then watched as the guards swung open the huge doors and their human