by Alice Sweet
Drake objected, sitting, “You said there was danger.”
Autumn smiled admitting, “There was, but with those three there, the other group will be out numbered now and they will not attack.”
Drake asked still concerned for his friend’s safety, “Why have they come then?”
She shrugged, seeming unconcerned, “They want to see me.”
Drake nodded understanding, “Why will they need Ivan and Grayton instead of me?”
Autumn answered truthfully, “If they are there, they will likely believe Serena when she lies and tells them that I am still sleeping.”
Drake nodded, and stared at the ground thoughtful for a moment. Then he added catching her hungry gaze, “Are you still hungry?”
Autumn nodded and then she said guiltily, “Yes…and I have a confession.”
Drake raised his eye brow, “Yes?”
She smiled looking at the ground now, “I know where the smell came from.”
Drake slid his hand out and pulled her closer his eyes softening, “From where?”
Autumn smiled, feeling less confident now, “From you.” Drake tilted his head and pulled Autumn closer to his lap. She swallowed hard and tried breathing out of her mouth but it didn’t help. Then she said, “I think I am broken.”
Drake smiled and then said a little huskier, “Or you could just be different.”
She looked concerned now, “How do you mean?”
Drake replied truthfully, assuring her, “There are some of us who prefer blood from our own kind.”
Autumn blinked then and said, “So I am not broken?”
Drake smiled a toothy grin, “No.” She smiled back and slid into Drake’s lap, as if she where capturing him. He shifted a little then seeming uncomfortable, though his eyes danced, as if secretly, he was pleased. Autumn smiled wider and slid her hand up his chest and then to his neck, caressing it softly, feeling his flame prancing for her.
“Are you alright?” Drake nodded as his fingers began to smoke at his sides.
She replied skeptically, “You don’t look alright.”
Drake admitted, “It will be your first meal you might loose control.”
Autumn nodded understanding then, “Like my blackout?”
“Although if we are careful and go slowly....”
She beamed repeating his words, “Slowly.” She leaned down and kissed him softly on his warm neck and then stopped pulling away, “Will it hurt?” Drake nodded, and Autumn frowned looking at him for a moment and began to push herself off of him.
He slid his arms out catching her, pulling her back to him again, sucking in the air hard as he did, seductively announcing, “Not so fast.” She cocked her head and he replied, “I don’t mind the pain, it’s the control that I am truly concerned about.”
Autumn looked at him seriously and bit her lip, “I promise I will try very hard. I will run if I have to.”
Drake admitted then, watching her closely, “I also might hurt you.”
She stopped and looked at him then, and replied seriously, “That... might set me off.”
Drake nodded, “Do you still want to try?”
Autumn looked painfully at him, admitting, “I am so hungry.” He nodded his approval and slid her hands up his chest again. Her eyes dilated rapidly as she kissed his neck softly once more. He tightened his grip and she finally deepened her kisses until the skin finally broke under her pressure. To her surprise, Drake did not cry out in pain as she had expected.
Instead, he hissed softly and then as her mouth turned hungry, his hissing turned into a moan of ecstasy. As she tasted his warmth for the first time, she felt his desire for her well up inside of his chest. Then his desire became her desire and she felt him struggle with the impulse to bite her back. She ripped the buttons from the front of her shirt exposing her neck and breasts.
Drake was obviously pleased by the turn of events, as he growled low and sexy beginning to kiss her neck in return. Minutes later, he sunk his teeth in and sent a sharp pain shooting through her neck. She gasped as his grip tightened involuntarily, and she moaned at his forcefulness, arching her back. He was completely delicious, letting the moment wash through him. She retracted and coiled around him again, sinking her teeth in for a second time. This time he gasped, and Autumn felt the warmth in his hands again. He was able to control his pain and he returned to her neck passionately suckling loudly.
Images flooded Autumn’s mind as she drank greedily. Drake squeezed her tighter and then his back straitened, as his hands blazed brightly setting her shirt on fire. When he felt the flames on his face he broke away reluctantly. Autumn did not break away until Drake ripped her shirt completely off. Then she gasped for air and looked at Drake’s face which now had blood colored tears streaming down them. Autumn slid her hand to her mouth asking, “Are you alright?”
Drake nodded and smiled warmly, his barriers all but fallen away, “You are the eye.”
Autumn smiled sadly, “I know.”
Out of the dark behind them Helen stepped out and hissed unable to hold back anymore, “What are you two up to….” Autumn jumped to her feet and looked at Helen watching them with dark eyes. The smell of Lilies was overwhelming again and she looked at Drake who stood his hands flaring. Then Helen said, “Kill Autumn”
Drake was trying to fight it as she spat at Helen, “I will kill you if I have to Helen. How do I stop it?”
Helen hissed back, “You will have to kill him.”
She cursed under her breath, as she began dodging the fireballs, “Helen, listen I did not mean to hurt you before I lost control, I was hungry.” Helen did not even look at Autumn, she watched Drake struggling to stop himself over and over. Then she tried another track, “Helen please do not make me do this.” Helen hissed at her words concentrating on Drake. Autumn felt the anger begin to rise in her chest as the cold surged quickly to her skin. She swore again and then she began to sing shakily at first but then eventually it began to flow more normally.
Helen hissed, “That doesn’t work on me.”
Autumn was almost singed by the next one, which was now blue, and Drake was no longer hesitating. His flames engulfed his entire body as it moved slowly towards her. A ball bounced off of the cave wall and hit Drake’s arm charring it instantly, it was only a matter of time before he would hit her, or that they would ricochet and hit him, possibly killing him. She snapped then, “Helen don’t make me hurt you again.”
Helen snapped back crimson tears streaming down her cheeks, “I do not care if you do, if you do not then I am certain Ivan will.”
Autumn hissed remembering how noble Ivan had been protecting her while she slept, before the council had intervened. Then remembering that Ivan was this woman’s lover, and as much as a piece of her wanted to kill her, she knew she did not want to hurt Ivan. “This can still be salvaged Helen.”
Helen hissed, “I do not want stop, just like you didn’t want to earlier.”
Autumn dodged another ball and said trying another angle, “Then think about what this will do to Ivan.”
Helen hissed, “He will be his same miserable self. He will get over it.”
“He will know you did it.”
Helen replied hysterical, “No he will not, there will simply be three charred bodies in the cave. No one will know the truth, they will simply blame Drake.” She smiled at the cleverness of it, “Drake has a horrible temper you know.”
Autumn stepped forward already regretting her decision, “I am sorry Helen. I am not ready to die and I don’t think Drake is either.” Helen huffed in response. Autumn began with small cuts at first testing the skill and attempting to deter Helen from her suicidal acts, but she would not be stopped. Deeper cuts were attempted next, until a fireball ricocheted and almost hit Drake and instead she leapt in front of it, sending her temper flaring. She sliced off Helen’s head with one clean stroke, screaming in agony as she let it out. Drake awoke and turned his anger out onto the remains, instantly.
Autumn watched Drake unmoving and tried to speak, tried to stop him but nothing came out. She had returned to her human form shaking from the shock of what she had just done. The smell of burning flesh filled her nostrils overwhelming her and within seconds she passed out hitting her head as she fell. Drake turned and picked her up gently carrying her outside for some fresh air. Ivan and the others were already waiting for them along with another large group of vessels. Ivan demanded, seething with rage, at Autumn’s state of unconscious, covered in blood and ash, “What have you done Drake?”
The group of vessels to their rear circled the council, realizing that they had been lied to and were now coming in force to rectify the situation. Autumn had not been wrong; there were boats that had moored, but twice as many men, as they could have ever anticipated. This was especially problematic, since Henry had just called for the island to be cleared, when they had begun their impromptu hunt. As the group closed in on the council, Ivan held Autumn’s limp hand sounding worried now, “Wake up Autumn, I need you.” Then without warning Flora’s head was lobbed clean off and came rolling past them, and in an instant flames shot into the air.
The Boat
Autumn awoke on a familiar white bed that swayed a little as she sat there. She called out then looking at the clock next to the bed it said six o’clock. Then she looked up at the portal above the bed and said, “Night.” She tried to stand but her limbs felt weak and shaky. As she looked around the room a feeling of déjà vu hit her. She called out then, “Hello is there anyone there?”
A familiar face popped into the room then, “Yes madam?”
She smiled brightly, “Travis.”
He smiled looking slightly confused, but nodded, “Yes madam.”
She called him over with a wave and patted the bed next to her. He came and stood next to the bed, but he did not sit. Autumn frowned, asking, “Where are we off to now?” Travis seemed thoroughly confused by her question. She repeated her question a little slower, “Where is the boat headed for now?”
Travis answered quietly, “The island Madam.”
Autumn frowned, “There is another one?”
Travis frowned now, “No, Madam there is just one island.”
A feeling of misgiving began to hit her anew, “For the test?”
Travis nodded, seeming concerned now, “Yes madam just as I told you before, are you alright?”
Autumn nodded preoccupied, “And today’s date?”
Travis answered, “The same date as it was when you asked me an hour ago.”
She shook her hand at him impatiently, “Tell me the date.”
Travis replied, “It is still March 13th Madame.”
She spoke to herself, frustrated, “Again….,” a look of confusion still present, as her mind awash with the feeling of loss from her dream, reemerged. She had been dreaming, stage one, that is what Finnegan had said, stage one, she had not even fed yet, no world shifting under her feet, no dizziness, just darkness fading away and consciousness in a place she had already been. Travis’s eyes were wide now and he began to back away in alarm. She held her hand up, “Wait.” He stopped, and she continued, “I need a few things paper, a pencil and a glass of water. Can you bring me those things?” Travis nodded and disappeared returning quickly with them.
Autumn guzzled the glass and handed the empty cup to Travis. Then she had him wait, while she scribbled a note to Ivan. Then she informed the guard that it was important that Ivan received the note she had just penned. Travis nodded solemnly as Autumn asked, “One more thing Travis.” He looked genuinely interested, “May I feed from you?” Travis’s eyes went wide and then they glossed over as he nodded silently.
Autumn added more carefully, “If I am asking too much then please tell me.”
Travis answered honestly, “I would be honored to have you drink from me, Madame.”
She nodded, and smiled and then added more seriously, “It will hurt.” Travis nodded looking unafraid. She beckoned him to the bed, where he came and sat stiffly. She slid her hands onto his neck and then stopped herself pulling back, adding cautiously, “Perhaps ... which is your dominant hand?”
Travis turned towards her now looking worried, “My left hand.”
She looked up at him and placed her hand on his shoulder, “And which side would be the least bothersome for you to be unable to use for a while?”
“My right side,” he replied.
Autumn corrected, “No, which shoulder. I saw you shoulder your weapon on your right earlier, can you place it on your dominant side for a few days?”
Travis replied, now curious, “Yes.”
She smiled again and said softly, “Alright, can you take your shirt off for me?”
He complied without hesitation, as she did the same. A cold chill hit her skin and she closed her eyes for a moment concentrating upon it. When she opened them again she saw that Travis was suddenly, very nervous. She slid her hands on to his arms very softly caressing his skin and kissing him softly on his neck. Then she began massaging his shoulders for a while getting him to relax slowly. He watched her in awe, caressing her side as she continued her soothing motions. When she was satisfied that she had him a relaxed as she could, she laid him back and continued kissing him softly and caressing his chest.
His heart rate slowed to a slow steady pace, and she slid her teeth into his flesh much easier than she thought possible. Drake’s skin had been much tougher than Travis’s soft tissue. Autumn tasted the familiar warmth filling her with ecstasy for a second time, nearly sweeping her away again. She pulled away speedily, ensuring that she did not hurt the man.
When she was finally able to focus on him again, she saw that his eyes were filled with tears though he did not seem aware of them. She held up her hand, instructing him to hold still and walked to the bathroom, returning with a towel and a wash cloth. Then she came towards him holding them out to him. He was still stunned, and did not reach for them he simply stared up at her, tears spilling over his cheeks.
Autumn slid her hand out and brushed them away, asking, “Are you alright.” He nodded his eyes glued to her face as she placed the towel over the wound on his shoulder. He didn’t even wince, as she wiped up the small amount that dripped from the bite mark. “You are not bleeding as much as I thought you would.” Travis smiled weakly, and she asked sounding concerned now, “Are you sure you are alright Travis?”
Travis answered, finally clearing out of the fog, “Yes.”
She tended his wound, asking curiously, “Did it hurt a lot?”
Travis answered thunderstruck, “I didn’t even feel it.”
She smiled brightly and tossed him his shirt then. When he raised his hands to catch it he winced though. Autumn frowned, asking, “But you feel it now I take it?” He nodded and struggled with the shirt. She smiled understanding his problem, and then she rushed to his aide put his shirt back on, putting her shirt back on as well, and helped him up.
She smiled again nervously now, explaining, “I have to go now. Thank you for your help.”
Travis nodded his eyes wide now, admitting, “You will have to kill a lot of people to get off of this ship.”
Autumn nodded and said thoughtfully, “Yes, unless...”
Travis nodded looking at the clock, “Shift exchange is in ten minutes. I will go prep a boat.”
She smiled, “It’s that easy?”
Travis nodded, “Yes… for you it is.” She smiled and Travis left the room with a tense look on his face.
Autumn washed her hands and splashed her face and saw herself for the first time since she woke. She gasped putting her hand over her mouth, she was completely different, well the same, but different. Her eyes dilated even more as she took in her new changes. Her skin was flawless as she suspected that it would be, but her new eyes, were able to see every single pore on her face. The lashes on her lids were fuller and longer, as was her hair, and it was richer and deeper with more pronounced highlights.
Autumn took a closer look at her teeth, smiling and then frowning. There were too many in there, she thought, way too many. Then she glanced up at her face and saw the change, no wonder Travis looked scared. Her eyes were black coals, just as they had been in her dream. She was going to have to work on changing them back to normal like Ivan did, because there was no way that she was going to be able travel unnoticed looking like this. She brushed her teeth and straitened her hair still trying to become accustom to her new appearance and then she heard the door open. She walked out to find five men in the room, along with Travis, who looked nervous as well.
Autumn raised her eyebrow and Travis explained, “They are here to help.”
She nodded apprehensively, and then Travis explained, “They just needed to see you.” She looked at the men and then stepped closer, seeing their reactions, they had definitely never seen a vessel before.
Autumn asked in a voice that was becoming darkly familiar to her now, “So will you all be helping me then?”
Travis looked at them as they murmured, “Yes,” and nodded together.
Autumn smiled nicely and one of the men flinched then, so she closed her mouth adding more gently, “Thank you.”
Then she looked to Travis who grinned, before looking at the clock announcing all business, “Five minutes.”
The men left the room and Travis called over his shoulder, “I will be back.” Autumn nodded and minutes later, Travis and his team lead her off of the yacht without incident.
As she loaded onto the getaway boat she said, “Thank you Travis, see to it that Ivan gets my letter. Ok?”
Travis smiled, “Yes madam.”
She was just about to leave, “Oh and one more thing,” she smiled and kissed Travis on his cheek, “Thank you again.”
He nodded bravely, “Good luck.” She nodded and then they lowered her boat into the water.
***
Ivan paced in his room waiting for the sounds of the motor carriage in the courtyard below. As soon as he heard it, he headed for the grand hall. Henry and Flora and Galen looked at him as he entered the hall and took his seat. Helen did not look up from her nails until he settled in his chair. Then she reminded Ivan, “Do not forget to stay clear of her Ivan.” Ivan ignored her and watched as a door opened, and then Drake entered the hall and lay out in his chair as usual. The side door opened up, and two guards drug in a man’s body dressed from head to toe in black, with a bag over its head.