by Alice Sweet
Ivan smiled and replied with a little more seriousness, “Yes, thank you.”
“It’s all right I can’t really complain I learned that I am not crazy today because of you…I needed you today too.”
Ivan corrected her then, “Actually you do not need me.”
Autumn looked at him puzzled and replied, “Huh?”
“You would have been changed one way or another, if I was unsuccessful, Serena would see to it that someone else came to claim you.”
She made a face, repeating his last words, “Claim me?”
Ivan replied a little more gravely, “Serena would send someone else to start the fire.”
Autumn asked then, “And I would have to kiss him then?” Ivan nodded, and Autumn asked slightly repulsed, “A stranger?” Ivan smiled though he knew that he should not be happy at her reaction. He knew that she would undoubtedly forget all about him once she had a choice of whom she wanted as a mate. There were many more desirable mates in the council than him. He wondered if she too would be the same, would she still blush when he complimented her then. Or would she like so many others become cold once she changed?
Autumn asked seeing his scowl, “What is it love?” Ivan turned his eyes toward her and the look faded.
“I was just thinking about the future.”
She smiled, “Well I don’t think it will be that terrible” Then her face changed to mirror his earlier scowl, “Unless you know something I don’t.”
Ivan carefully kept his eyes on the wet road now, “Things are going to change drastically for you very soon Autumn”
Autumn smiled then, “I think I can handle this change as long as you are there.”
Ivan looked at her and shook his head, “You might feel differently once you have changed as well.”
Autumn shrugged, “I still felt the same about you in my vision.” Ivan jerked the wheel into the parking spot beside the suburban in front of the restaurant.
Then he looked at her while he put in park, “What did it feel like?”
Autumn smiled and said matter-of-factly, “Like we were one.”
Then he nodded and stared blankly at the steering wheel for a moment as the rain began to pelt the window outside now. Wordlessly, he opened his door and walked around and opened hers for her. She looked at him as she slid out and waited for him to speak. When he didn’t, she huffed, “Is something wrong?”
Ivan shook his head no and replied, “I will need to speak with Serena, she knows more about the calling than I do.” Autumn nodded then grabbed his hand, as she was led into the diner and out of the pouring rain.
Second Vessel
Sophia was already sitting at a large booth in the back, with her two new friends. The diner was one of those fifties themed things. Shinny chrome and bright red everywhere, and even the staff wore generic teal fifties garb. The moment seemed a bit surreal until the electricity went out silencing the glowing noisy jute box just as they entered. The waitresses opened the window shades one at a time bringing what little light that was outside, into the diner.
Sophia saved a spot for Autumn next to her, and patted it as she saw them approaching. Ivan sat next to Serena, on the opposite side of the table. While Autumn immediately asked Sophia, “So do you have any plans for today?”
Sophia shook her head no and began browsing the menu, replying, “Nothing really.” Then Autumn asked Serena how long they were planning on staying in town during their visit.
Serena replied casually lying, taking a look at Grayton and seeming to look unhappy with what her companion was doing, “Probably a couple of weeks.”
Autumn took a look at Grayton who had wide-eyes and shifted repeatedly as though he were uncomfortable sitting next to Sophia. Sophia seemed surprisingly at ease and took the lead asking the waitress for an extra place setting, since they were short one at the table. The waitress asked politely if they were new to the area, and Sophia shook her head adding, “They are though,” pointing at Serena and Grayton.
They both smiled politely and before she could ask the obvious question, Sophia cut the waitress off asking, “May I have a cup of coffee black please.”
“Can you make that two?” Grayton added.
Sophia beamed at him, “Can you make that three?”
The waitress nodded her head yes and asked Ivan, “What can I get for you sweet heart?”
Ivan replied tightly, “I’ll take a water,” and Autumn chimed in, “Make that two please.” The waitress smiled and repeated the order and then thankfully left.
They all pretended to look at the menus in front of them again, as Sophia pointed out items that looked good to her. Ivan did not even bother keeping up the ruse then, as he set his menu down and continued to stare at Autumn, watching closely for any change. The waitress returned and Sophia ordered first, as everyone else chimed in saying that they would have the same.
Sophia and Grayton seemed to be hitting it off talking freely about the orchestra, eventually moving on to specific pieces that they both enjoyed. It was not until the meal had been brought to the table that their almost moment began. Sophia reached for a plate at the same time that Grayton did, and ever so slightly, Autumn bumped Sophia’s hand trying to discourage her from making contact. Instead, Sophia slid her fingers out further to take more control of the plate. As she did, Grayton seemed surprised by her aggression and to everyone else’s alarm his arm froze.
The brush was so slight that Sophia did not even seem to notice it but Grayton once he was certain that the feeling had begun, slid his hand back lightening fast. Then he stared at her with a look of utter shock, though it dropped as soon as she turned her head back to look at him. He smiled at her politely when she made eye contact. His hand was still resting in his other one with a familiar protective gesture that Ivan had displayed the other day. Autumn quickly commented hoping to confirm her suspicions asking, “You know Grayton has nice hands you should take a look.”
Serena agreed looking at Grayton suspiciously, “Yes he does have nice hands.”
Sophia asked playfully, “Let me see.” Grayton did not seem to want her to touch him and Autumn watched as Grayton showed Sophia his hands keeping them just far enough away as to discourage her from reaching to touch them.
She added casually, “Well really the amazing part is how smooth they are.” Grayton froze again and Sophia slid her hands over and touched his hands, sliding them down to his fingers. He smiled and obviously had a great bit of trouble keeping his eyes open, nearly rolling them into the back of his head confirming everyone’s prediction.
Luckily Sophia’s eyes examined his hands, not his face. She smiled at the smoothness and agreed, “You’re right he does have nice hands.” Grayton finally pulled his hand away, and smiled his eyes still a bit wide. Sophia smiled brightly and said, “Is all of your skin like that?”
Serena outwardly blanched at Sophia’s suggestion, and Autumn placed a restraining hand on her friends invading arm, unable to stop herself from grinning from ear to ear. “Stop teasing Grayton, Sophia, and let the man eat,” Sophia blushed instantly, and she added in a whisper though she knew that everyone at the table could hear her, “Besides, I don’t think that he could say no to you anyways.”
Her eyes went wide and she asked excitedly, “You think so?”
Autumn continued smiling and said still whispering, “I have never seen him so taken with a woman before.”
Sophia smiled and asked still whispering, “Is he single?”
Autumn smiled and replied happily, “Yes, and he’s cute too right?” Sophia nodded and giggled a little then looked at Grayton, smiling sweetly, to see if he heard the conversation. He pretended to be interested in his food chasing it around the plate, though Autumn could feel the excitement at the table.
Serena picked up the slack in the momentary pause and asked Ivan, “What time do you have to be at the appointment today?”
Ivan replied looking worried, as he glanced at his watch, “In about fo
rty five minutes.”
Autumn frowned and asked, “Can I come?”
“That sounds like a great idea.” He replied.
Sophia shifted uncomfortably then and Autumn turned her attention to her, “You know Sophia you have lived here for quiet sometime, and since you don’t have any plans for today and it’s a Saturday and all. You think you could help me out by entertaining Serena and Grayton for me. Maybe take them to a couple of museums or a concert or something?”
Sophia looked at Autumn wide-eyed and then at Serena and Grayton who were both nodding and smiling in agreement. “I guess so,” she replied sounding a little apprehensive.
Autumn smiled at her and said in girl talk mode again whispering, “Make sure you get his number.” Sophia smiled brightly again and nodded vigorously shooting another glance over to Grayton who smiled back at her this time. Then she continued trying to eat her meal and not looking at Ivan who was staring at her shamelessly.
Sophia final noticing Ivan’s intensity blurted out all of a sudden, “I need to go to the bathroom.”
Autumn taking the hint, volunteered, “I’ll go with you.” Then she looked up at Serena and said, “Serena.” She looked at Autumn confused for a moment as Autumn gestured with her head for her to follow. Sophia, made her way towards the bathroom, and Autumn whispered to Grayton ruefully, before she followed, “You so owe me.” Grayton nodded his face pale. Serena quickly pushed Ivan out of the way following the other two women to the bathroom, a little cautiously. The lights flickered back to life then, filling the diner with harsh light once more, and the music started up again.
Grayton and Ivan exchanged glances watching as they disappeared behind the bathroom door. Grayton murmuring to Ivan as soon as they were gone, “I am sorry my friend, I never could have imagined.”
Ivan shrugged, though he was relieved that his plan had panned out for his old friend. Grayton added strained, “It is almost unbearable all I want is to touch her.”
Ivan replied curtly, “Don’t, it only spreads the fire.”
Grayton looked truly tortured now, “I do not even like having her out of my sight.”
Ivan smirked, a little sweat forming on his brow now, “Yes, it brings me pain as well.” He paused as he listened to the conversation in the bathroom.
“She seems to like you.” Ivan offered.
As Grayton smiled at the words, “He is so cute!” coming from Sophia’s mouth in the bathroom.
“I hope it is over soon.” Grayton added shifting.
Ivan warned him then, “Autumn said that she was slow to warm, you will have to earn her trust first.”
Grayton nodded then asked suddenly frazzled, “How…?”
“I have no idea.”
Grayton snored, “You bonded with Autumn quickly and so strongly that I considered killing you for a moment to ensure that she would choose me, once she changed.”
Ivan snorted at him, “Once she’s changed she will have no problem choosing another, I suspect.”
“Love drives people insane.” Grayton offered flippantly.
Ivan looked at him cautiously as if he were going to argue but thought better of it saying defeated, “Is Serena certain that she is the eye?”
Grayton replied thoughtfully, “Yes and until her final vision I was favoring the council path for her as well, but now….”
Ivan swallowed, “You could be wrong.”
Grayton nodded and replied sadly, “I hope that I am.”
Ivan nodded gravely then asked, “Should I call Henry?”
Grayton replied a little more gravely, “Serena already made the call.” Ivan nodded in response, his head suddenly feeling very heavy atop his broad shoulders. Grayton suddenly smiled, and Ivan sharpened his ears as well, listening closely to the chatter in the bathroom in the back of the building.
In the bathroom, the three girls chatted freely about the two men at the table focusing primarily on Grayton, while Sophia began, “So tell me about your brother.”
Serena looked a little taken aback for a moment remembering that she was supposed to be Grayton’s sister, “Well he plays a few instruments himself, though he is too proud to tell you, the violin is his favorite one right now. He is quite proficient with many others as well.”
“That’s how he knows so much?”
Serena replied slowly, “Yes but I fear he is a bit shy.”
Sophia smiled wider, “Yes, I kind of got that vibe from him.”
Autumn added, “He’s not too hard on the eyes though.”
Sophia smiled and exclaimed, “I know! He is so cute!”
“I know right!”
Then Sophia suddenly asked Serena, inspecting herself in the mirror, “What kind of girls does he usually date?”
“He doesn’t date much.”
Sophia asked then wrinkling up her nose, “He is not gay, is he?”
Serena smiled genuinely and said, “No, he is just very picky, so I would take his interest as a good sign.” She smiled at the last words to herself though not for the reasons that they thought.
Both of the women nodded and then Sophia looked to Autumn seriously then, “Speaking of signs, Ivan looks at you with such... a hunger.” She shivered, “How long have you been dating?”
Autumn lied, “A few months but we only recently got... close.”
Sophia blushed and replied a little more concerned, “Is he always so intense?”
Autumn smiled thoughtfully, sitting up on the counter, “Yes, but I think that is probably the thing that I like the most about him.” Sophia looked confused and Autumn continued sweetly, “Utter devotion from a hot guy is totally where it is at, I would highly recommend it.” Then she added a little quieter, “Honestly the attention from him has become slightly addicting.”
She smiled a little shyly and then Sophia turned asking Serena with happy bright eyes, “Is Grayton like that?”
Serena sighed and said wistfully, “I think that is one of the many eccentricities that they have in common.”
Autumn added winking, “Aside from their freakishly good looks that is.” Sophia and Serena broke into huge smiles and nodded together and Sophia giggled like a school girl.
“How old is Grayton?”
Serena looked as though she were going say a number, but not feeling to confident with her abilities Autumn jumped in to save her, “How old are you Sophia?”
She looked taken aback slightly but answered anyways, “Twenty nine, why how old is he?”
Autumn countered taking a line from Ivan paired with a large devious smile, “No worries... he’s thirty.”
Then Sophia asked looking confused, “Then how old is Ivan?”
Serena answered, “Thirty two.”
Sophia replied then her brow furrowed, “Oh, I guess I thought Grayton was older than Ivan.”
Autumn smiled knowingly at Serena, “Only on the inside.”
Sophia was about to ask another question but a shooting pain in Autumn’s abdomen hit her and she jumped from the counter. It was so painful that it caused her to call out in pain.
Ivan was standing at the door instantly, pushing it open, his eyes locked upon Autumn, “Are you all right love?”
He saw her gripping her side and rushed over to her without invitation. She smiled wildly, perspiration forming on her forehead, “Yeah I just pulled a muscle in my side.”
Serena chimed in attempting to keep things light for Sophia’s sake, “You should eat a banana. I read somewhere that the potassium is good for you.”
She waved them off saying, “I’m fine. I’m fine,” and then she laughed a little and looked at Sophia, “See. What did I tell you? My knight in shining armor….”
Sophia still looked shaky, “Are you sure you are all right? That sounded painful.”
“Yeah it was. I am afraid that I must have been pushing myself a bit too much at the gym.”
Then she looked at Ivan with admiration, while he continued to watch her with concern. Sophia smiled devi
lishly, “I see.”
Grayton pushed open the door then, “Is everything alright in here?” Everyone nodded in unison and Grayton broke into a smile then tapping the sign on the door, “Because I am pretty sure that this sign means women only.” Ivan scowled at him and Grayton looked at Autumn closely for a moment. Then he looked at Serena and then at his watch, and then at Ivan smirking and said, “Don’t you have an appointment to be at in like ten minutes?”
Ivan turned to Autumn and said, “Are you still going to be able to make it?”
Autumn smiled brightly and replied, “Of course, it was just a muscle cramp.”
She smiled lovingly at him for a moment, and he pulled her towards the door. Thinking to himself, that is far enough, he was not going to delay this any longer. Her skin was beginning to look paler and her cramps were likely her body’s reaction to the beginnings of the change. Autumn called back over her shoulder, “Thanks Sophia for helping me out and showing them around.”
Sophia replied as she followed them back to the table, “No problem.”
Then Autumn said, as Ivan dropped some cash on the table full of untouched food, “I’ll stop by tomorrow and see how it went ok?”
Sophia called back sounding merry, “Ok, have fun!”
Autumn shot her a wide smile again, and replied just before Ivan pulled her out the front door, “We will.”
Kiss
Seconds later, they were in the car again zooming though the city streets. Autumn looked at Ivan, who seemed a little more at ease than she thought he should be, considering the circumstances. While he stared at the road thinking about where each secluded spot was along the route, in case they needed to stop before they reached the Warf. His hands were sweating now and his head began to pound from the heat. If she even gasped or gripped her side again, he was going to stop and force her to kiss him.
He glanced at the clock on the dash and thought to himself, thirty minutes. We will be there in ten, then fifteen or twenty minutes to seal the kiss. Ivan looked over at Autumn suddenly feeling a bit nervous. This would be his last moments with a woman that he knew he would never forget. What had she called it, their almost moment, yes that was perfect, the moment that he almost had her. His mind whirled with the thought of the end coming so close; her lips would feel so good, he was certain of it now.