A Night without Stars

by Sabrina Albis

  “The spell I’m working on now isn’t the same one my parents attempted to use. Despite the short amount of time that has passed, magic has still come a long way. It is ever-changing and evolving. This spell is new and like nothing else. Those vile creatures won’t know what hit them when I’m done with them.” Eric smiled wickedly between bites of his food.

  “I just wish Renee and Caleb had been patient enough to wait for the spell to be finished.”

  “Has Arabella been helping you out with the spell?” Autumn asked.

  “She has been, even though she wants me to move on and be a normal teenager. She thinks revenge is a dangerous and foolish sentiment,” Eric replied. “She has her own place but drops in every other day. I am a lone wolf here, other than Simon and the rest of the staff.”

  Autumn could see everyone looking at Eric with pity in their eyes. He was a seventeen-year-old boy living alone in a vast and boundless mansion. Was that a dream or a nightmare? Autumn imagined at first it might be fun, not being told what to do, not having any rules or boundaries. Then she thought it must get lonely.

  “I know it seems very unorthodox.” Eric began. “But it’s not that bad. You adjust. You learn to enjoy your own company, to be your own best friend,” he smiled crookedly. “To play games with the cook or share the details of your day with the maid.”

  “Especially if she’s hot and wearing a sexy maid outfit!” Nathaniel piped in as him and Rick bumped fists.

  Mandy grumbled, crossing her arms over her chest. “Misogynistic pigs.”

  “Doreen is actually in her sixties,” Eric smirked. “She is a very sweet lady. She has been with our family a long time now.”

  Both Rick and Nathaniel exchanged disappointed looks. “Oh.”

  After they finished eating, Autumn sat beside Eric on the cobbles of the fireplace, enjoying the warmth from the flames on her back and Eric’s arm around her.

  “I wanted to ask you something Autumn, though it never seemed like the right time,” he said, taking a sip from his tea.

  “Are you going to propose?” asked Rick, who had another sandwich heading to his mouth.

  “No Rick,” Eric said indulgently before facing Autumn again.

  “I was wondering if you would attend the dance with me,” he asked, taking her hand into his. “I have never gone to any of the school dances, but I haven’t met anyone I wanted to go with, until you.”

  Autumn was excited, if only for a second, before she remembered she was already going to the dance with Nathaniel. From everything Rick had told her, this dance was the highlight of Nathaniel’s life. She couldn’t bring herself to break his heart, even if she would rather be on Eric’s arm that night.

  Before Autumn could politely decline, Nathaniel began his protest.

  “Back off King! I’m already taking Autumn to the dance,” he said sharply. “I asked her a long time ago. And I met Autumn first so she is mine.”

  Nathaniel’s words hit a nerve with Autumn. She was by no means a feminist, but she believed in being independent and not letting a guy define you. She wasn’t a pretty decoration for anyone’s arm, and she wasn’t a prize to be won.

  “I am not an object to be claimed Nathaniel Abrams!” she said, raising her voice. “When the day comes that I allow someone to call me theirs, they will know it. Until that day, I belong to me!”

  Autumn turned to Eric, her eyes softening.

  “Nathaniel is right about the first part. I am going with him Eric. He asked me first. It’s only fair.”

  Eric seemed a little shocked by this admission and who could blame him? Autumn had never shown any romantic interest in Nathaniel, and she had made it quite clear she wanted to be more than friends with Eric.

  However, he took his loss like a mature adult, just like Autumn expected he would.

  “I respect your choice. That is very gracious of you to honor your prior commitment Autumn,” he said before he turned to Nathaniel, extending his hand.

  “Nathaniel, I’m sorry. I wasn’t aware you were taking Autumn to the dance. I wasn’t trying to step on your toes. You are one lucky guy.”

  “That I am,” Nathaniel replied arrogantly as he reached out his hand and shook Eric’s skeptically.

  Autumn glowered at Nathaniel. She would never understand men and their incessant need to have pissing contents over everything.

  “Eric, come anyway. I’ll save you a dance,” Autumn urged. Even if she wasn’t his date, she and Eric could still spend some time together that night.

  “I would love that,” Eric said.

  “I would not,” Nathaniel mumbled and Autumn resisted the impulse to get up and smack him.

  “But one dance is fine. I guess,” Nathaniel added in sulkily.

  Autumn’s mind began to wander, and she imagined the evening with Eric as her date. They were dancing together in the dark, smoky, gymnasium, their bodies close and their hearts thumping. He spun her, and her long, silvery gown coiled around her as they glided across the floor. Eric, in his sharp, tailored suit, laughed carelessly as he pulled Autumn even closer to him.

  They moved together, light as air, cheeks touching, embracing one another. Eric dipped her, pulled her back up and began leaning in towards her. Her lips parted but before they could kiss, Nathaniel wedged himself between them, grinning foolishly, eyes wide and crazed.

  When it was time to go, Eric walked the foursome through his extraordinary mansion and to the front door. Autumn was determined to get Eric alone and pulled Mandy aside in the foyer to request some teamwork.

  “What’s up?” Mandy asked, leaning in towards Autumn secretively.

  “Do you think you could distract Nathanial? I could use a minute alone with Eric,” Autumn asked.

  Mandy’s eyes went from Autumn to Eric, who was intently listening to Rick discuss his latest skateboard trick, and a sinister smile spread across her lips.

  “Of course, I can help. What are friends for?” she said. “Besides, Nate has been annoying me all day. I would love nothing more than to foil his plans of being near you.”

  “Thanks,” Autumn said, pleased.

  Mandy didn’t waste any time. She walked over to Nathaniel, and grabbed him by the arm forcefully.

  “Come on buddy, let’s go.”

  Nathaniel glanced down at his arm, puzzled, as Mandy began pulling him towards the front door.

  “Mandy what are you doing?” he asked.

  “I need to talk to you privately,” Mandy replied sweetly.

  Nathaniel grimaced. “About what?”

  “I will tell you in private you dolt!” Mandy replied, as they moved out the door.

  Rick watched Nathaniel being dragged away and shook his head in confusion before giving Eric a firm handshake.

  “Thanks for the grub and for telling us about your past Eric. It’s nice to know why you act so weird.”

  Eric ran a hand through his dark waves uncertainly.

  “Rick. It has been a pleasure. Come back anytime.”

  Rick turned to Autumn, smiling knowingly. “See you in the van Aut.”

  When he was gone, Autumn turned to Eric, who was leaning carelessly against the door, smiling at her with his charming, toothy Eric grin.

  “That Mandy. She doesn’t beat around the bush does she?” he said, chuckling.

  “She is a great friend,” Autumn whispered as she moved in closer to him.

  Suddenly, there was a heavy silence and anticipation loomed around them both.

  In the hallway, the sconces filled with candles, glimmered through the darkness.

  Eric touched Autumn’s cheek, his long fingers tracing the curves of her nose, her eyebrows and then her lips.

  She felt her heart hammering against her chest as Eric leaned into her. She wanted him to kiss her, to make her feel dizzy and alive, like he had bef
ore.

  “So we are finally alone,” he said softly, his voice a murmur.

  Autumn tried to remember what she wanted to say to Eric, but her mind had gone wonderfully blank.

  All she knew was her heart was pounding, and Eric’s fingers were touching her. His hands moved from her lips to her hair as he moved closer to her. His face inches from her own, she tilted her head slightly, urging him to continue without words. Eric took the cue and pressed his lips against hers, softly and gently.

  Autumn couldn’t fathom that her second encounter with Eric, would be even better than the first.

  “Eric,” she began, her voice barely a whisper. She had her arms lazily draped over his shoulders now, and he was playing with her hair.

  “Call me later,” he said before kissing her on the forehead. “I love hearing your voice.”

  “Again, I’m so sorry about your cousins,” she said. “I wish there was something we could do.”

  “Don’t be,” he said, his brown eyes meeting her green ones. “It wasn’t your fault. They knew the consequences. For us to go to the caves half-cocked, would only ensure our demise. I am sure as hell not willing to trade your life for theirs.”

  Autumn felt her heart swelling. Eric truly cared about her. Of all the girls he had encountered over the years, she was the one he wanted, the one who got him to open up. He trusted her, enough to let her see the real him, the Eric King behind the mask.

  “If you need to talk, you know where I am,” she said, her hands on his chiseled cheekbones.

  Eric nodded. “Thank you. I appreciate it sweetheart.”

  Autumn gave him a quick wave, and then she headed outside to meet up with the others.

  14

  The next week of school went by swiftly.

  As promised, Autumn helped Rick with his video project. Though it was late, it featured normal, mundane footage of Rick and Nathaniel’s skateboarding.

  The same week, Rick began his training with Autumn.

  She showed up after school in the home gym, dressed in a tank top and yoga pants, her hair in a ponytail, ready to learn anything Rick was willing to teach her.

  When Rick and Autumn weren’t at school or training, she was with Eric. There had been no news on his missing cousins, though Eric didn’t really like discussing it much. Autumn knew he blamed himself. He thought he didn’t try hard enough to protect them. Autumn knew there was nothing he could’ve done, short of tying them up.

  It was a beautiful and wondrous time in hers and Eric’s relationship. They were getting to know each other and when they weren’t doing that, they were kissing. Autumn knew Eric was nothing like any guy she had ever dated. He made her feel safe and beautiful. He wasn’t going to run off with some other girl like Kyle had. He wouldn’t break her heart.

  It was the Friday afternoon before the dance and though the day had begun bleakly, with heavy rain and a chill in the air, the sun bursted through the dreary clouds, and the sky was looking brighter.

  Autumn and Mandy were holed up in Autumn’s room getting ready.

  They had their hair and makeup already finished, and they were lounging on the bed chatting.

  The hooting and hollering Autumn heard from the next room, indicated that the guys were playing video games.

  Autumn couldn’t help herself. She stared at Mandy, who was almost unrecognizable.

  She had her pixie cut adorned with a jeweled headband that swept her hair off her face. Though she rarely wore makeup, she had on mascara and eyeliner, highlighting her huge Bambi-like eyes.

  Autumn had her long dark hair pulled into a sleek, elegant ponytail. Her eye makeup was violet, offsetting her green eyes.

  They sat there together, reading tabloids, waiting for time to pass when Mandy looked up from her magazine.

  “Rick is your best buddy Autumn,” she began. “But he’s kind of adorable. The curls and those blue eyes. Don’t you think he’s cute?”

  Autumn had managed to persuade Rick into taking Mandy to the dance when Nathaniel wouldn’t budge. He had made it clear it was a “friends only” type of invite, but Mandy was persistent.

  Autumn looked up from the magazine she was skimming.

  “Rick’s cute. I’ll admit it,” she said, grinning. “So Nathaniel is finally driving you crazy?”

  Lately, Mandy went from gazing at Nathaniel dreamily, to looking at him with daggers in her eyes. The usual ‘Nathaniel is cute’ comments, turned into, ‘Nathaniel is so irritating’ and recent interactions between the two seemed tense.

  “He is a dope,” Mandy grumbled as she stretched her legs out on the bed. “He has no idea how to treat a girl.”

  Autumn nodded understandingly.

  “I can’t say I have ever seen Rick around a girl he likes. He might be just as dopey as Nate.”

  Mandy frowned. “Has he ever had a girlfriend?”

  “Nope. He was always too busy with his skateboarding,” Autumn said, turning a page.

  “But he would make a decent boyfriend. He’s amazing with women and treats them like gold. His mom, me, even my stuck-up sister, if that’s any indication.”

  “Some say it is,” Mandy said as Autumn glanced up at the clock on her nightstand.

  They had an hour and a half before the dance began and Aunt Katherine had been adamant about taking photos. The girls began changing into their dresses and when they were finished, Autumn was impressed by how pretty Mandy looked.

  A few inches taller in her heels, the strapless, peach chiffon gown suited her skin tone perfectly. The hemline touched just above her knees. On her neck, she wore a delicate pearl necklace that her mother had given her for her sixteenth birthday.

  “What do you think?” Mandy asked, spinning around. “Do I look girly enough?”

  Autumn smiled. “You look absolutely stunning. Rick is going to be the luckiest guy there tonight.”

  Mandy, who rarely got embarrassed, flushed. “Oh I doubt it. I mean, look at you Autumn.”

  Autumn gave herself a quick look in the mirror. Clad in a long, white Greek-style gown that came into a deep V along her chest, the dress highlighted her soft curves. Her necklace, made of emerald stones, was a gift from her mom.

  “You look so gorgeous.” Mandy said. “Eric is going to see pictures of you in that dress and wish he decided to show up.”

  “Him and I both,” she said flatly.

  Eric had admitted he couldn’t stand seeing her with someone else, so he wasn’t coming tonight. He said she should enjoy her night and give Nathaniel her undivided attention. It was only fair.

  As the girls made their way through the hallway, Autumn saw Rick, Nathaniel and her aunt and uncle, all standing in the front foyer chatting. Aunt Katherine had her digital camera and was taking some shots. Uncle James was next to her looking at Rick, every bit the proud father.

  Even from above, Autumn could see how handsome the guys looked. Rick wore a white dress shirt, a black tie and black dress pants. Nathaniel opted for a less traditional navy dress shirt, grey dress pants and a red tie.

  Mrs. Jacobs snapped a few more pictures as Rick’s dad stepped forward, a huge grin on his face.

  “Look at you son. Taking a girl to the dance.” He paused, getting teary. “This is a big moment.”

  Autumn and Mandy, looking on from upstairs, exchanged bemused glances.

  Rick looked at his feet. “Come on Dad. It’s really not that big a deal.”

  “Really, it’s not Mr. Jacobs. Mandy isn’t even really a girl,” Nathaniel said, trying to contain his laughter.

  Mandy’s face reddened. Fists clenched, she set off to attack Nathaniel but Autumn managed to restrain her.

  Rick’s dad looked at Nathaniel, puzzled, and shook his head.

  “You boys know the rules,” he began sternly. “About girls, that is.”

 
“Don’t worry about that Mr. Jacobs,” Nathaniel cut in smugly. “I have the ladies eating out of my palm. Autumn is no exception.”

  Autumn grimaced, feeling the familiar urge to smack Nathaniel.

  Uncle James stared down Nathaniel. His eyes squinted, and his arms crossed over his chest.

  “Nathaniel, did you forget you are talking about my sweet, darling, innocent niece Autumn?”

  Uncle James, looking freakishly calm, stepped closer to Nathaniel, until their faces were inches apart.

  “Listen son. I’m not sure what you think is going to happen tonight,” he began. “Actually, I know what you’re thinking, but I want you to know that Autumn’s dad and I, won’t take kindly to you disrespecting her.”

  “I would never disrespect her sir!” Nathaniel said quickly, eyes filled with fear.

  “Planning on anything but holding hands with Autumn, is disrespecting her, so if you even attempt any funny business tonight, you will have to answer to me. Do you understand?”

  “But Mr. Jacobs you have known me forever,” Nathaniel said, smiling weakly.

  “And that’s why I’m just warning you instead of hitting you,” Uncle James said.

  Then he smiled warmly and patted Nathaniel’s lapel, before turning back to his wife.

  “Now, where are the girls Katherine?”

  Autumn and Mandy, who had been rooted to the ground watching the drama unfold from above, took this as their cue and began towards the stairs.

  “Oh here they come!” Mrs. Jacobs said, sounding relieved as she got her camera ready.

  Mandy went first, smiling nervously, as everyone watched her. She waved awkwardly and walked down the stairs, teetering a little in her heels.

  “Dude,” Nathaniel nudged Rick sharply.

  “What dude?”

  “She actually looks pretty.”

  “She does,” Rick agreed.

  Mandy flushed and went to stand beside Rick and Nathaniel.

  “You look beautiful sweetie,” Mrs. Jacobs said as she took a few shots.

  “Thank you Mrs. Jacobs,” Mandy smiled. Then she turned to Rick. “You look handsome.”