The First Touch

by Alice Sweet

  Grayton and Serena were looking at her with a look of incredulity. While Drake smirked at Autumn, and stopped turning his stone for the first time, muttering, “Good girl.” Ivan sat still gripping his chair tightly. Autumn did not look at him but let a laugh escape her lips as she turned towards Grayton’s bulging eyes.

  It was a grating harsh sound mingled with her restraint, “Ha did you hear that? I made a funny, the pick of the litter.” She continued to snicker and then as she turned her head back towards the crowd her entire body went flying backwards landing on the deck.

  The slashes came quick, the female was an efficient little killer. Autumn smiled, “Whoa girl calm down, I just wanted them to see that I wasn’t lying.” She didn’t stop though and Autumn hissed, gripping the woman, “Bring me some paint.” Galen flew from the room, and two other guards ran off as well. Then Utvic walked over ceremoniously and poured the two pitchers that he was carrying on to the flailing woman. Then he said, “Sorry I wasn’t able to get to the bed. She had already set it on fire.”

  Autumn nodded, “Thanks anyways. I figured she would probably get there first, she’s fast this one.”

  The woman tried to pull away but Autumn held her wrists tightly as she stood. With a series of twists and turns Autumn held her in front of Serena and Grayton, arms now crossed behind her and said, “I would like you to meet the missing vessel.”

  The naked female hissed and Autumn sung a little tune before asking, “What is your name?”

  The female hissed, “Lyla.”

  Autumn smiled, “Nice to meet you Lyla. I want you to understand that we are not angry with you, Grayton huffed, and Autumn continued giving him a dirty look, “Well I am not angry, but Mirth really should not have lied about your existence, it really does not instill faith in his trustworthiness.”

  Grayton added, “Assuming there is a future for him.”

  Autumn smiled, “He was simply protecting his mate,” then she frowned, “You are his mate right Lyla?” She let her head drop and shrugged, then Autumn looked up at Mirth and raised her eyebrow.

  Mirth answered truthfully as far as she could tell, “She has not heard the call yet.”

  Autumn watched Lyla’s face and saw the confusion, “So then she is young and naïve, so you thought you would take advantage?”

  He did not answer but Lyla added in his defense, “He did not force me.”

  Autumn nodded again, “You still want her now that she is no longer useful to you?”

  Mirth replied curtly, “No.”

  Autumn replied looking at Lyla, “I am sorry.”

  Serena pointed to the guard, “Get her cleaned up, we will deal with her later.”

  Utvic whispered in her ear, “I will make sure that she does not escape.”

  “Thank you Utvic. I would like to speak with her more later.” He nodded and followed behind the woman leaving a blood trail.

  Mirth watched closely, “I see you and I think alike.”

  Autumn smiled sweetly, “I have no sexual interest in my friend though, and I believe in treating others with the respect that they deserve.”

  Mirth scowled at her and growled, “You have not shown me the proper respect since we met.”

  Autumn snapped back, “You have not shown me any reason to give you respect Mirth.”

  Then she thought, you should be wiped from the face of the earth. Drake should have just finished you off when he had the chance. Alas though I am not in charge yet, but when that days come... should you ever step out of line, I will cut you so quickly that my entire clan will feel your pain.

  Then a smile snuck up on Autumn’s face and she turned back toward the council, “Can I do the last challenge now?”

  Henry stood and smiled, “Yes.” Mirth turned without being dismissed and walked back to his seat. Serena and Grayton both gave him a dirty look and then Serena walked over and took her seat again. Then Grayton pushed up his sleeves and said, “Are you ready?”

  She nodded, “Just give it your hardest.”

  He nodded and then began with an air blast, which managed to rip her shredded clothes from her body, leaving nothing but her undergarments. Many of the males sat up to get a better look including Flanagan and Galen. Even Drake stopped twirling and watched seeming slightly more interested in the events playing out in front of him. Ivan remained eyes to the ground though. Grayton smiled and she took her slippers off, completely unaware of her image. Then she gestured for more. Grayton flicked his wrist and minutes later the entire stage was cleared save the council chairs, which were bolted to the ground.

  Autumn continued to dodge items for nearly twenty minutes when she finally said, “What happens when you run out of things to throw?”

  Grayton replied, “Then we will move on to the building.”

  “Brick by brick,” She yelled, as a candelabra came crashing into the wall behind her head.

  He nodded, grunting, “Yes brick by brick.”

  Autumn replied, over the roaring wind, “This could become quiet tedious?”

  “Or I could crush you with the wall.”

  Autumn nodded, “Let’s try that.”

  Then she landed next to the wall and Grayton grunted and folded it in half on top of her. Autumn pushed the wall back off of her and looked down and saw that nothing had happened to her body. She smiled and threw the wall at Grayton without looking at him and replied, “It’s like I am rubber.”

  She hit him and cut his body in half and he sprayed blood out of his mouth as he said, “Autumn.”

  As she approached him her smile fell away and she looked distraught. “Sorry love, I didn’t realize that you were not paying attention.”

  As she approached he lifted his hand and dropped a large portion on to her head. She dropped to the ground and rolled on her back, her body icing over quickly. Then she closed her eyes and waited for the pain, but again nothing came. Her hands caught it and tossed it as if it were a piece of Styrofoam. It cashed through the wall in front of her, causing the audience to flee, skittering down the aisles and over neighboring rows.

  Autumn walked toward Grayton shaking her finger at him, “You tricked me.” Grayton was struggling to push the chunk of wall from his stomach now. Autumn slid her hand down and pulled it back easily putting her hand on her hip.

  Grayton saw her look and shrugged, “You said try my hardest.”

  Autumn smiled, “Yes I did.” She rubbed her hands together and blew into them to get them to warm up. Then she slid her hands down and his mid section began to glow, just as the others had. It took even longer and then she pulled him to his feet.

  As she turned back towards the council her stomach growled and she gripped her stomach. Then she heard a familiar shuffling sound along with Mirth’s near silent step coming up the stairs. Autumn turned and confirmed her suspicions, the rage that burned inside her was near impossible to contain. She turned to the council then, “So are we finished?”

  Henry nodded solemnly, “Yes.”

  “Good, I need to eat. I will be back later.” She announced.

  Hisses and growls rose up from the audience, and Autumn paused looking to the council for instructions.

  Mirth spoke first, “I believe that you have not yet faced the final member of the council. Additionally there are other challengers who would like to test.”

  Autumn hissed at him still holding her stomach and then turned towards the council, “I need to eat.” Then she dropped to one knee.

  Grayton stepped closer and Mirth held his hand up, “What is it?” Autumn hissed as another twist in her skin sent pain wracking through her body.

  Grayton stepped closer then ignoring Mirth this time, and Autumn stopped him with sharp words, “Get away.” Then she stood and said, “I am going. I will be back tonight.” Mirth, out of all people, slid his hand out and grabbed her arm. She growled and yanked away. Then she tried to make her way out but Henry and Galen were standing in front of the door blocking the way.

 
Autumn hissed, “Move.”

  Henry spoke first, “I am sorry Autumn we will have to finish first.”

  A young man came out with a pitcher of blood, “That is the last of the stores, with all of the guests, well we weren’t expecting all of these...and she drinks like a...” His voice faded off.

  Autumn handed him back the empty pitcher. “Thank you,” she nearly growled, he backed away slowly looking anxious. Autumn hissed watching his back away, “Henry you should move all non essential personal from the building. I will not be able to control myself after I heal Ivan.”

  Henry nodded, and he turned towards the guards, Galen stood blocking the door and Autumn turned back to the stage where Ivan was already standing. Ivan morphed into Henry and stepped back bending his knees. Autumn hissed, and then cursed, “I hope you are as strong as you look.” He nodded, though his eyes had a hint of anger as he caught sight of something behind her, something that shuffled. Autumn heard Mirth backing away at Ivan’s look and Autumn felt her skin twitch. She glanced behind her thinking, where had the shuffler gone? She turned and saw him still standing by himself, the same gnarled face that she had awoken to before and suddenly the temptation was too much.

  She lifted her hand and threw Gregory across the room at Mirth’s head, she missed but Gregory was crushed to a pulp. Mirth watched seeming amused by her gesture. Then Autumn turned back to Ivan, stepping forward her mind reeling. What next? Then it hit her, she closed her eyes and formed an energy ball and then blew into her other hand and a fire ball appeared. She tossed the first, and made a slicing motion, and with it the roof shook.

  Then as the second ball left her hand, she pushed the ceiling down on top of the audience. She eyed the ten bodies that were sitting upon the rooftop. They did not scramble like the others did though, they stayed exactly where they were planted. On all fours, and all eyes watching her intently, their blue veins explaining their stances, Mirth’s men.

  Ivan tackled her to the ground, but she pushed him off easily smiling at him playfully and then tossing him through the wall behind him. He came back quickly as Autumn continued to watch the eyes of the crouched bodies on top of the collapsed roof, more worried about them than Ivan at the moment. She also watched as the roof began to break apart in sections, as the audience began tearing through it, freeing themselves. A few seconds later, she turned back to see Ivan coming after her a second time, and she moved quickly barely avoiding his hands.

  He changed painfully to Grayton, and began tossing debris at her head, while she dodged, catching one in mid air, with her mind, and sending it flying back at him. Ivan growled again and his body changed to Galen leaping into the air and then to Flanagan as he came back down, hitting a pile of rubble behind her lighting it on fire.

  Then he growled and changed to Drake and began throwing fireballs sending her backwards into the flames. Autumn walked back through it and did not feel any pain. The soles of her feet began to blacken, as Ivan danced around the flames attempting to keep her in there. Autumn noticed that her hands and eventually her legs began to blacken as well, and for the first time worried that she had let this go on a little too long. Ivan did not advance into the flames after her though, and as her stomach growled again a plan formed in her brain.

  She picked up the pile with the available energy, from the flames, and threw it at Ivan. He tried desperately to avoid it but failed miserably. He growled loudly and shook off the flames turning back into Henry. Then he landed in front of her, surprising her, and picked her up by her neck and watched her struggle. Then he growled, “Why aren’t you fighting?” Autumn did not answer, and he asked again, “You could have finished this quickly.”

  Autumn attempted to free herself from his grip again and finally hissed, “I don’t want to hurt you.” Ivan changed back to Ivan and then Autumn propped her left foot on his chest and kicked him with all her might using her right. It crushed the side of his head. Autumn did not look at it though, she kept her eyes closed the entire time, but still she felt the crunch. As they fell together, she felt Mirth at her side, “Back up Mirth.” She felt him take a few steps back and she positioned herself so that her head was facing him.

  Then she slid her hands desperately to the wound sight and slowly breathed life back into her mate. It took longer than she had hoped, but she refused to take her eyes off of Mirth. She also felt the entire audience on top of the roof top now. They were obviously waiting for her challengers to step up and begin the second phase in the process. As soon as he sat up, “Sorry I hurt you.” He nodded and stood slowly holding the side of his face.

  Challenges

  Grayton was already attempting to help Ivan to his seat when Mirth began, “I would like to begin the challenges.” Autumn nodded and looked at Henry.

  He smiled and gestured, “What and who are you challenging.”

  Mirth smiled, “My strongest against your strongest for a position in your clan.”

  Autumn looked at Henry confused, “What?”

  Henry replied, “His entire clan is not strong enough to beat us so he wants to try and replace one of ours with one of his.”

  “Who is our strongest?”

  Henry did not miss a beat, asking, “You want our clan to be your protectors?”

  She nodded, “Of course why wouldn’t I?”

  Mirth added then, “You do not have to choose the council as your protectors. There are six other clans. You have not even been formally introduced to them.”

  Autumn looked at him for a moment and then said, “Isisa hand-picked them didn’t she?” Mirth nodded, and Autumn replied, “Because they were the strongest?”

  Mirth shook his head, “Not necessarily.”

  “I trust her judgment.” She replied ending the conversation.

  “You may change your mind once the dust settles.” Mirth replied tightly refusing to take no for an answer.

  Then Mirth Gestured for one of the largest of his males to come forward on to the war zone of a stage. Then Henry gestured towards Ivan, who stood and staggered a bit still holding the side of his face. Autumn stepped in between the two of them instantly, “What’s the big idea Henry?”

  Henry had a serious look on his face now, “A challenge is a challenge.”

  Autumn snapped, “What?”

  Mirth answered, “If Ivan refuses the challenge then Mirth’s male receives the position.”

  Autumn huffed, “So are there any other rules?”

  Flora stepped forward and said, “No one may interfere, and it is to the death.”

  “And if interference occurs?”

  Flora frowned, “Then the challenger is killed as is the person who aids them.”

  Then she asked, “So no help, no refusing, and it is to the death?” Flora nodded gravely, and Autumn frowned, “That sucks.”

  Flora asked, “Anymore questions?”

  Autumn nodded, “If Mirth’s man wins can I kill him?”

  Mirth’s man’s posture changed then as did Ivan’s. Then she asked realizing that some of her questions might begin the war scene sooner than anticipated, so she continued her questions in her head instead. Directing it to her clan, she asked, “Can we speak privately for a moment I have a lot more questions?” They all nodded in unison, and she smiled a toothy dark grin, asking inside, “When Ivan is done killing Mirth’s man then can I kill, Mirth?”

  Flora frowned, “You have to have a cause to kill him.”

  Autumn smiled, thinking to them all, “I do, he lied and he is manipulating the situation in hopes of killing a key member of my clan.”

  Flora smiled, “Good enough for me.”

  Henry frowned his disapproval, “Not wise.”

  Autumn did not look deterred, “I am ok with that.” Drake and Flanagan both smiled and Henry frowned. Autumn frowned thinking then, “Is there a way to head them off before they attack?”

  Drake interjected, “If you drink your fill you will have all of your questions answered.”

  She nod
ded, saying aloud, “Good idea.” Mirth’s man shifted again, glancing at Mirth. Who was staring a hole in the side of Autumn’s head, as he tried desperately to catch the conversation taking place just outside of his reach.

  Henry frowned again, and Autumn smiled saying aloud again, “Alright let’s take a vote then.” They all seemed taken aback by her words, and asking in her head, “What is there a rule against that too?”

  Flora spoke, “No. You are the eye.”

  Flanagan added a little gentler, “She just means, how you choose to lead is entirely up to you.”

  Autumn nodded, answering in her head, “Well then I choose to keep you all as my council. I value your input.” Then she shrugged, “So we vote.” Then she looked at their skeptical faces, adding inside, “And as my first rule we must all vote on important issues.”

  They all nodded at once and even Helen broke into a smile. Autumn smiled back and said, “All in favor?” All raised their hands but Henry. “Why do you not agree?”

  Henry said, “Putting us all in danger is unnecessary.”

  She nodded, “I think removing the head of that snake is a necessary evil.”

  Henry replied, “Two may grow back.”

  Autumn smiled, adding inside, “But Serena or I will see that coming.” Henry nodded seeming slightly more relieved, then Autumn turned to Ivan. He did not meet her eyes. Then she asked, in her head, “My we have a moment?” They all nodded returning to their seats.

  Autumn slid her hand up to Ivan’s cheek in her head, much as Serena had shown her, “Are you angry with me for holding back?” He pulled away and shook his head, trying to understand the image, and she added inside, flinching, “Or hurting you?”

  He finally looked at Autumn, confused as she continued, “I do not want you to do it.”