Aris Rising: The Court of Vampires: AN INFINITY DIARIES NOVEL by Devin Morgan

“I’ll get it.” Bob stood.
    A chilly autumn wind stirred the living room curtains as he opened the front door. “Carlos, hey. Come in.” Stepping aside, Bob showed the man he thought to be Carlos into the living room. It was the Immortal’s first interaction with the small group of friends since Carlos died and Aris took over his body. Sarah was nervous the group might sense the difference in him. A moment of discomfort at their reunion surrounded them all until Colleen stood, walked to him and gave him a huge bear-hug.
    “It’s so great to see you.” She stepped back, holding him at arms-length. She looked him up and down then whistled. “Hey dude, you look great.”
    He grinned. “So do you.” He reached his hand toward Bob. “Congratulations, man, about the baby, I mean.” As he shook hands with him it was one hundred percent Carlos, no Aris anywhere to be seen. He flopped down on the sofa and leaned back, folding his hands behind his head. “It’s great to see you guys.” They all suddenly felt quite at ease. The awkward moment passed. Theywere just friends together again.
    Sarah was very much relieved. She felt anxious when Colleen told her he would be there. She didn’t know what to expect of him. When they were alone, she knew a very different person. One that was mysterious and wise, sensual and deep. One that had the experience of ages behind him and an eternal future ahead of him. She felt glad and sad at the same time as she looked at the dark, handsome man sitting on the sofa. She missed her young friend yet here he was, appearing to be alive and well.
    “Sarah, hon, Bob asked if you’d like another glass of wine. You looked like you were far away.”
    “No C, I’m right here.” She grinned as she reached her glass forward for a refill. “Right here.”

CHAPTER 10
    C olleen was less than enthusiastic when Sarah suggested she and Bob have dinner with Sarah and DeMarco. She would have much rather been out with Sarah and Carlos, but she agreed anyway just to satisfy her curiosity about the new man in Sarah’s life. She was glad she did when the smell of Thai food stirred her taste buds as she and her husband walked in the door of the Thai Palace. They had never eaten there but Bob said he had read great reviews on the internet. The restaurant was packed and noisy even on a Thursday evening. DeMarco and Sarah sat at a table in the only semi-quiet corner in the room, clearly deep in conversation.
    “Hi. Are we late?” Colleen slid into a chair across from her best friend.
    “No, we were early.” Sarah smiled as she made introductions. DeMarco stood, leaning over the table to shake hands with the couple.
    “I’ve heard so much about you.” The dark Italian doctor spoke softly, his deep resonant voice easily heard over the racket made by the patrons enjoying their evening meal.
    Colleen laughed as she spoke. “Well, Doc, I haven’t heard nearly enough about you.”
    Shaking her head, Sarah spoke, exasperation clear in her voice. “C, I thought I told you, no cross examinations tonight.” She turned toward DeMarco. “She’s so accustomed to being in a courtroom, she forgets herself sometimes.”
    “Hey, I didn’t forget myself. I don’t know nearly enough about this guy.” She grinned making her words light, but she meant it. She was protective of her friend.
    Bob took the lead smoothing a moment that could have become uncomfortable. “We’ve got all evening to get to know one another. Let’s order a bottle of wine and look at the menu.”
    DeMarco looked relieved as he reached for the wine list.
    #
    “Well, I wasn’t sure at first, but I ended up liking the guy okay.” Colleen spoke over the sound of her windshield wipers as she drove home from the court house. “Just okay, I guess I’m still not sure.”
    “What are you not sure of?” Sarah sat at her desk doodling infinity signs on a yellow-lined tablet. Rain pummeled the office windows, causing the lights in the