by Alice Sweet
Autumn interrupted his thoughts by asking suspiciously, as his pallor changed suddenly, “Are you alright love? You look pale, paler than normal.”
“I am fine, we are almost there.”
Autumn asked again, “Are you sure? Do you want to do it now?”
Ivan unexpectedly snapped, “No, not yet. I do not know how your body will react to the change. I do not want to have to carry you aboard the ship. It will draw too much attention.”
Autumn replied, “Ship what ship?”
Ivan continued to stare at the slick road ahead and replied, “I have to take you to see the council.” Autumn looked suddenly pale and Ivan noted the change instantly and attempted to placate her, “They are going to ask you a few questions and perform a few tests.”
Autumn’s voice was riddled with anxiety, “Tests.”
“Yes they need to see if you are council member material or not.”
Autumn seemed to be wrestling with a thought, “And if I am this eye thingy?”
“Your testing will become more intense.”
Autumn seemed concerned for other reasons now, “Will these tests hurt?”
Ivan struggled again with his rising emotions, “There is a possibility that they could be painful for you.”
Autumn seemed even more apprehensive now, “What do you mean possibility?”
He continued cautiously, “If you are not gifted then you will have a difficult time defending yourself.”
Autumn raised her eye brow, “Defend myself? What do these tests consist of?”
“After your transformation is complete, you will be paired against each one of them, hand to hand combat.”
“So each one will attack me?” Ivan nodded yes and added, “But not until you are finished with your transformation, and only if you exhibit anything beyond visions.”
Autumn looked at him skeptically, “And if I do not have any abilities?”
Ivan answered just as skeptical, “It is not very likely that you will develop your current abilities further.”
She asked suddenly desperate, “And if the change removes my abilities altogether?”
Ivan replied blankly, “Then you will be released.” Ivan continued the rest of his thought without a word, and you be mine, hopefully.
Autumn added, “Without a test?”
Ivan frowned, “No they will still test you.” He saw her look of fear then and replied, “I will be there. If you have lost your abilities, I will stop them from continuing.”
Autumn still looked fearful, “Promise?”
Ivan nodded solemnly, “Yes, without hesitation.”
She smiled more reassured then, though she shifted in her seat just the same, “What abilities do the others have?”
“Flanagan can block and throw energy. Galen can defy gravity; Drake can set anything aflame. Henry is strong and nearly indestructible.”
She interrupted, “Stronger than you?” Ivan frowned his disapproval at her, and continued un-answering, “Serena you already know, can see the future. Flora can control others with her voice, and Helen has another form of control that is even more powerful.”
She nodded her eyes wide as she asked, “What can you and Grayton do?”
He replied, “Grayton can manipulate the energy around him. Though he will not be at the tests, he will likely be with Sophia until her transformation is complete.”
Autumn looked at Ivan thinking for a moment about the thought of awakening after her change, sending a cold chill down her back again, “And your ability?”
Ivan replied finally pulling up to the docks, “I can change.”
Autumn asked him quickly as he opened his door, “Change what?”
“I can change my appearance.” He explained opening her door.
She wrinkled her nose and said, “Like turn yourself into a dog or a woman or something?”
Ivan shook his head and replied, “No always male but between human and vessel forms, as well as changing my features to look like other males.”
Autumn seemed very interested as they walked towards a small boat moored at the dock. “Can I see?”
Ivan shook his head no and replied in hushed tones, “It is painful and it takes too much energy to accomplish it.”
Autumn nodded understanding looking at Ivan’s flushed skin, asking, “How long can you sustain it?”
He helped her aboard a small boat moored just for them and replied, “Indefinitely.”
As she sat she continued her questioning, “Does it hurt the whole time?”
He replied, shortly, obviously not comfortable with the conversation, “No it only hurts to change back and forth.”
Autumn stared at him as he started the engine and loosened the lines. He was silent until they came close to the yacht waiting at the mouth of the bay. Then he simply said as they approached, “Do not speak to anyone.” Autumn nodded, while Ivan moored at the rear, where two large men waited silently for them. Ivan spoke in a strange tongue using sharp tones that made her skin crawl and one of the men mistaken held his hand out to help her out of the boat. Ivan intervened at once, explaining the situation. Both of the large men backed away just a fast, looking at Autumn as if she had the plague then.
He jumped out and held his hand out to her still watching the two men. He shook his head and walked away, tugging her along as the two watched carefully, following them slowly inside. From there, eyes followed them everywhere as they made their way down to the belly of the ship. Once there, Ivan pulled her into a small dark room with no windows and two doors. One of which they entered through and the other which led to a very small bathroom. The room had a single bed and chair in the far corner.
Ivan closed the door and locked it turning the room pitch black for a moment, as she listened to him moving in the dark easily, turning on the light in the bathroom. She smiled grateful for the change and walked to the end of the bed as he rummaged through a bag. Then he gestured for her to sit. She plopped down asking, “What did you say to those men?” He pulled out a bottle of water and some pain medication and set it on the chair next to the bed.
“I told them you were contagious.”
“Am I contagious right now?”
He frowned, “Only to my kind.”
She asked the obvious question then, “So they weren’t like you then? They didn’t feel like it.”
“Correct.”
“Then why did you tell them that?”
“Smells from other males will linger on you skin.”
Autumn asked then, looking curious, “Do all smells linger?”
“Yes, most I can over look but right now that would be especially bothersome.”
She nodded and watched as he finally sat on the bed next to her and she asked curiously, “Is this how you always look?”
Ivan seemed surprised and a bit confused by her question momentarily, then replied honestly, “Yes, this is my face.”
She nodded pleased and replied anxiously, “Time?”
Ivan looked at his watch and replied, “Thirteen minutes.”
She gasped looking at him, “Thirteen minutes.” Ivan nodded trying to breathe easily, though he seemed to be struggling all of a sudden.
Autumn noticed then that Ivan seemed to be just as nervous as she was now. He began to fidget, as he waited for her to begin, the perspiration on his brow glistening in the dim light. It looked like her vision was becoming painfully accurate. She moved in closely and slid her hands over his damp shirt and his muscles tensed. Autumn smiled shyly and slid her hands up higher to his neck sending chills through both of them, asking breathlessly, “Are you ready?”
Ivan’s eyes were clouded with the pain of her embrace and he moistened his lips in anticipation, nodding without listening. She slid her mouth up unsure of herself and began slowly kissing his neck and gradually worked her way up to his face. This did not feel the same as before, there was an edge to it now. His body was rigid and his back arched in pain when she slid her fingers acro
ss it now. Each spot that she kissed, began to bubble.
She jerked away seeing his bodies’ reaction and his steely arms tightened around her in response. Causing her to voice her doubt, in a whisper, “What if it doesn’t work?”
Ivan did not open his eyes, still intoxicated by her closeness, “Try love please.” He sucked in hard when she ran her fingers through his hair, slid her mouth up slowly to the place where the fire had yet to reach. She kissed his lips gently, softly searching for that feeling in his mouth. He moaned into hers, as she deepened her kiss and her mouth finally found the fire again.
She lifted her head slightly and he pulled her back down again, murmuring hungrily, “More.” She felt her body begin to draw the fire from his body, just as it had in her dream and she tried to pull away again fearful of the result this time, but his grip was too strong. She tried to tell him, explain the reasons that her mind still hesitated but her body would not listen, continuing to draw the flame out and neither would he, so wrapped in the rapture. Soon, her skin began to heat up, as he slowly cooled down. His body was free of its pain, and all he could think of was his own pleasure then, and in spite of her minds hesitation, her body did not seem to mind in the least. She felt her nipples hardening under the material of her bra, and a silky wetness beginning to form between her legs as he continued happily. Eventually, his body became its normal cold self and his arms cooled her skin, sending chills through her with every touch of his wondering hands.
Mean while, the fire increased in intensity inside Autumn and with it so did her strength. When she was finally able to halt Ivan’s advances, he looked at her his eyes clouded with hunger, as she asked concerned, “You feel better?” Ivan nodded breathlessly, and she smiled pleased with herself and slid her mouth back down to his, finally giving in fully. His hunger increased ten fold and she soon found herself lying on her back, pinned underneath him. He kissed her passionately, leveling out her emotion along with apparently, the flame inside of her. She felt relief pulsing through her, she was going to be alright and so was he. No more burning man, the flame turned into a comforting spinning ball of life in her chest which began beating as her heart once had.
They continued to kiss over and over again, while his hands began searching for more of her, underneath her clothing. She responded favorably, her hands unbuttoning his shirt with the same eagerness that he felt. Ivan’s kiss turned hard and wanting, his pain had turned to a pleasure that he could not have imagined, and his prick was now throbbing to see just how far it could go. Autumn felt a pull from somewhere deep inside of her body then, an urge that began to chew her insides up with the sheer power of it. She pulled her head back and saw Ivan’s eyes which were now clear and steady watching her closely for something.
She saw his eyes begin to dilate, and asked slightly alarmed then, “I am already changing?” He nodded and leaned down to kiss her again, but she pushed him back easily asking a little nervous now, “You won’t get hurt will you?”
Ivan nearly laughed, “No, do you want me to stop?”
Autumn smiled wider and whispered, “No way.” Then Ivan slid his face down and continued his advances.
The knock on the door was sharp and abrupt, and Ivan jumped to his feet in one clean motion, securing his shirt swiftly. Autumn sat up uneasily, and began buttoning her shirt again embarrassed by the quickness by which her lover had left her side. Ivan slid the lock open slowly and an angry man in uniform demanded, “Who did you bring aboard my vessel?” Autumn turned her head to the side as a surge of power began to fill her with a new pleasure that sent Ivan’s eyes in her direction. Her body began to vibrate as Ivan’s eyebrow raised and he turned towards her ignoring the red faced man at the door.
Autumn asked her voice sounding a bit strange now, “What is the problem love?” Ivan looked at the captain for the answer. The captains eyes rested upon Autumn and the blackness receded instantly from his expression. His jaw dropped and he replied nearly squealing, “I am sorry. I had no idea!”
He stepped back and she twisted unnaturally and began to creep forward, speaking to Ivan, “Ivan I think, I am...” Ivan’s face turned pale, as he understood the sudden look, his eyes turning sharp and cold as he stepped in between Autumn and the captain.
She smiled, revealing her new teeth, “No then?”
“He has safe passage as long as we do.” Ivan explained to the newly made vessel before his eyes.
She nodded in response and then leaned into Ivan looking over his shoulder at the man plastered to the wall. “When can we eat then?”
The captain replied, “I will have some food sent down,” then he scurried down the passage way, bumping into the wall in his hurry to be away from them.
Autumn stepped back and smiled then, all of her tenseness draining away, “He scared easily.”
Ivan looked down at her face and smiled wildly, “You were teasing?” She beamed plopping down on the bed again, her eyes and mouth back to normal, “Yep. I didn’t like him. He sent the darkness creeping out a bit… but your presence helped with that.”
He asked clarifying, “How did I help?”
“I don’t know, I feel centered with you, so I can keep the change from moving as quickly.”
He frowned now, not hiding his displeasure, “I am slowing the change?”
Autumn frowned now and mumbled to herself instantly seeing her mistake, “I should have just eaten the captain.”
Ivan laughed and replied seriously, “I don’t want to slow the progression.”
She looked at him again puzzled, “Why?”
Ivan shot back, “The council might not be as patient as I am.”
She replied a little anxious, “So there is a chance that I could get hurt then?”
Ivan nodded without looking at her, “We will be there in twelve days, it is the longest that I could stall.”
She looked puzzled, “Stall?”
Ivan replied, “This is slowest route to the island.”
Autumn frowned, “Are you nervous that they won’t want to wait?”
He shook his head no, “Serena told them that you were the eye, so they want to test you soon though.”
Autumn snapped back, “And if I am not this eye?” He looked gravely at her then, and she finished the thought, “They will hurt me, and there is nothing you can do to stop it from happening.”
Ivan snapped back, “I would die trying.”
Autumn finished his statement again, “There are more of them though.” Then she continued, “Serena made it worse when she told them I was the eye?” He nodded, and she growled, “I am going to have to talk to her.” Then she added hopefully, “Will they know if we are stalling for more time?”
“This is the only route that would get us the most time without them coming to collect you themselves.”
“So there could be a lot of pain then?”
“It is not likely,” He explained adding, “But I will urge them to use caution.”
Autumn nodded in acceptance and replied, “Will it be long?”
Ivan replied truthfully, “Probably a day or two at most.”
Then she asked seriously, “Could I die?”
He shook his head, “That is not likely either.”
“But still a possibility….”
Ivan nodded, “Yes, if the other clans get involved.”
“They realize that I will not forgive them if I am this eye person, right?” She snarled viciously.
Ivan seemed to be startled by her change of tone. “Why would you do that?”
She snapped back then, “Two days of pain and possible death and you want to know why I would hold it against them?”
Ivan replied sternly, “They are attempting to determine if you are the possible leader of an entire race Autumn.”
She snapped back, “Don’t defend them. I understand their side. They are the ones being unreasonable, and they are probably going hurt me, and I do not forget pain.”
He seemed uneasy by the ch
ange in her eyes and replied carefully, “Once we get close to the island if you have not changed fully yet or you do not show any abilities then we will run.”
“You are concerned that I will not change in time?”
He replied with deadly calm, “No, I am worried that they will anger you, and then you will kill them all.”
She nodded and replied thoughtfully, “So you really think that I might be this eye person then?”
Ivan nodded and stood looking nervously at her, and she cut him off before he could speak. “I think you should leave me by myself for the next few days and I will try to slip under. And if it’s alright with you, I want you to stop by and check up on me every couple of days so that I can still feel you near me ok?” He seemed content by her last words and nodded smiling, even though her chest tightened at it.
Autumn welcomed the knock at the door this time, and Ivan answered it as if he already expected it. The man at the door was shaking and it brought her a small comfort, sick as it was, she wanted to be left alone for the next few days, and his reaction confirmed that she would have it. Ivan grabbed the large bag from the man and closed the door behind him. Then he dutifully placed the bag next to the bed, leaning in and giving her a good bye kiss on her forehead, “I will be on the boat and I can hear you when you call for me, even if it is only a whisper.” She smiled and nodded understanding the change in his voice and being thoroughly unhappy by the sound of it. Ivan turned then and walked from the room, stopping momentarily to say, “Goodnight.”
She looked at him longingly and replied, “Goodnight.”
The Change
Autumn walked to the bathroom and showered and changed into her pajamas. The bag that Ivan had rummaged through before the kiss was filled with Items from her home. Clothes, bathroom items and such, but to her surprise a note and a new empty journal, finer than the first that she had thrown into the fire, was waiting on the bottom corner of the bag. As she pulled it out that side of bag collapsed on to the clothing folded neatly inside.