The First Touch

by Alice Sweet

  She pounded on her chest. “Mirth is doing this, Mirth and Gregory, don’t you see?”

  Ivan nodded solemnly, “I saw.”

  Autumn frowned looking defeated, “Fine, I am sorry that I hurt you. I am going to find Grayton and get away for a bit until I can sort things out for myself.”

  She turned to walk away and Ivan reached out and grabbed her arm, “Don’t go.”

  Autumn stopped and looked at Ivan then wiped the tears from her cheeks and replied, “What is it?” Autumn raised her hand up and shot two fireballs at the body in the alley setting it ablaze.

  Ivan replied watching the flames, “I need to think, as well.”

  Autumn nodded and then slid her hand down grabbing his, “Can you play nice with Grayton while you think?” Ivan eyed her cautiously again, and Autumn slid her hand up and kissed him passionately, then asked smiling at his dazed look, “So is that a yes?” Ivan nodded slowly, and Autumn gave him her familiar tug, pulling him out of the alley towards Grayton’s empty car.

  Autumn was about to start the car when she paused key in hand, “I mean it Ivan, if you think that you won’t be able to handle yourself, you and I can meet later, alone.” Ivan looked at her hesitating and she frowned, “You have my word love. I do not want you to harm Grayton.” Ivan still watched her though he did not reply, “He is my friend and I want you to promise me you will not harm him.”

  Ivan nodded, “I promise.”

  “Alright then we’re off.”

  ***

  Grayton watched as Autumn pulled up in his automobile and stepped out looking nervous. Grayton tightened as she came closer, her eyes had changed and she looked tired. Autumn smiled a small smile and said, “You’re probably not going to be pleased with my decision but I think I may have come up with a temporary solution.”

  Grayton eyed her cautiously, “I want you to allow me to try to change Ivan.”

  “How are you going to do that?”

  Autumn replied hesitantly, “I want to try and bring him into the fold.”

  Grayton raised his eyebrow, “He will not turn on Mirth.”

  Autumn nodded, “Yes but he may also choose not to attack me while I try my hand at killing Mirth.”

  Grayton nodded, “That is a possibility.”

  Autumn nodded, “So?”

  He tightened, “Bring him out.”

  Autumn smiled and hugged him, “Thank you Grayton.” He nodded though his skin went slightly colder and as she lifted her head she saw that his face had also gone a little paler as well.

  Ivan was standing within arms distance watching their exchange curiously, his eyes darting between the two of them. Autumn smiled and stepped away from Grayton who watched Ivan intently in expectation of an affront. Autumn slid her hand into Ivan’s and his eyes dilated tearing from Grayton to look at her. Then after staring at Autumn a moment he said eyes unmoving from his mates eyes, “Why do you look at her like that Grayton?”

  Grayton shifted his weight and replied unafraid, “When you are dead and gone I will be her next.”

  He snapped, “She is already bonded with me.”

  Grayton replied, “When you are dead you will lose your grip on her and she will reach for another.”

  She frowned and then snapped, “Grayton stop instigating.” Ivan stared at him his grip tightening on Autumn’s hand, then she gave Ivan a tug and he finally looked at her again, “You saw love I can bring you back over and over again, you will not be leaving me anytime soon.”

  Grayton frowned and then huffed, “You will not bring him back if he turns on you.”

  Autumn snapped back, “Ivan will not turn on me.” Ivan felt his heart tighten at her words.

  Then Grayton growled a warning back, “We shall see about that.”

  Ivan felt a growl escape his throat, though he did not remember releasing it, “I will not turn on her.”

  Autumn smiled brightly, and then kissed him on his cheek, “Thank you love.” Ivan half nodded his eyes still burning on Grayton, and Grayton turned and walked back inside of the building, obviously fuming as he slammed the door behind him. Autumn called after Grayton, “We are going for a walk. We will be back later.”

  This time Ivan lead the way his eyes stormy and Autumn interrupted his thoughts with, “Are you already reconsidering your promise love?”

  Ivan’s brows furrowed, and he snapped, “I will not go softly.”

  “I know that was one of the reasons that I choose you as my mate.”

  Ivan’s frown deepened, “You said that you would not have chosen me.”

  Autumn corrected, “I said I would have not chosen you again knowing that Mirth had already gotten to you.”

  Ivan hissed through clenched teeth his fists balling, “You would have chosen Grayton.”

  Autumn’s brows arched as she corrected him, “No, I would have chosen Drake.”

  He stopped walking then, “Drake?”

  Autumn put her hand on his chest and felt the muscles tightening, “Yes I would have chosen Drake. But I know now that I would have chosen wrong.”

  Ivan’s face cleared instantly, “Grayton is stronger than you thought.”

  Autumn frowned, “That is true but no.”

  Ivan raised his eyebrow, and Autumn continued, “I know now that choosing you is essential to my well being.”

  “I am stronger?”

  Autumn hissed, “No. You are the reason I keep jumping.”

  He frowned, “What?”

  Autumn slapped her leg, “Yes that has to be it. It’s so simple, why didn’t I see it before. When I let go of you, I jump.”

  Ivan frowned, “You are not making sense.”

  Autumn smiled and jumped up onto Ivan suddenly giddy with excitement, “You are my anchor,” then she kissed him hard against the lips. Ivan instantly deepened the kiss and she had to pry herself off of him then for fear of getting sucked in.

  Then she continued, “Don’t you get it. You are the thing that keeps the darkness back.” Ivan frowned trying to comprehend, as Autumn continued, “Each time I have jumped you either died or were about to and I closed my eyes and let go just for a second and then when I awoke each time I went looking for you.”

  He nodded, “I see.”

  Autumn smiled and continued a frown quickly following her words, “But that still doesn’t prove if I am the one moving myself and Gregory or if Gregory is moving him and me.” Ivan frowned as well, and then Autumn snapped, “Do not tell them about the connection love. Or else they will kill you in my next jump before we can even bond.”

  Ivan stopped walking, “Your next jump?”

  Autumn frowned, “I fear that it is inevitable.”

  “Why would there be another jump?”

  She replied plainly, “Well this jump will go one of two ways,” Ivan watched her closely, “Either I will kill them both and no more jumping, unless I am the one controlling it. Or they kill you before I can kill them and then we start again in a new time and place.”

  He raised his eyebrow, and replied, “Unless you are controlling it?”

  She frowned, “Yes there is still that possibility, in which case we will probably jump again.”

  Ivan frowned, “Why would you choose to jump again?”

  She looked at him surprised, “You don’t know why?” Ivan looked genuinely hurt, and she stopped, touching Ivan’s arm, “I am sorry love that was thoughtless of me.” He looked at her surprised now, and Autumn frowned, “Well you saw, they were my clan, and I am now in love with the man who single handedly killed them all. So if I could go back and change that, then yes, I would.”

  “So at this point you are simply aiming at preventing anymore backwards slide from your first life.” Autumn nodded, and he offered, “What if you are wrong?”

  She replied, “You mean if all of my clan is suppose to be dead?”

  He nodded, “Perhaps another route is a smarter choice for the future of our people.”

  Autumn furrowed her brow
s thoughtfully, “I never even considered that.” Ivan almost smiled at her then, and she added thoughtfully, “If I am the one moving us then I will need you to remind me of that possibility once I have replaced Mirth.”

  Ivan looked thoughtful now, “How will you find that answer?”

  Autumn blinked, “I will have to have Grayton hold Gregory until I can get there.”

  Ivan offered, “I can do that.”

  Autumn raised an eyebrow at him, “I do not want you to do anything that will make you uncomfortable. I am going to kill Gregory after I get the information that I need from him.”

  Ivan shrugged, “I have no loyalties to him.”

  Autumn nodded, and continued, “They have already had all but four of my allies killed and of those remaining, well they are a part of their clan.”

  Ivan watched her closely, “Galen will not turn.”

  She nodded, “Yes I suppose you are right but it will not stop me from trying to turn him.”

  Ivan looked at her skeptically, “You are being naive.”

  Autumn smiled, “I am the eye, Ivan. No one can kill me or stop me except for another eye.”

  “Yes and Mirth is another eye.”

  Autumn huffed, “His power is not limitless. He will fall.”

  Ivan huffed back, “He is an eye. I have seen his powers.”

  “Yes exactly you have seen what he wanted you to see. He carries vials of his dead sister’s blood. You could do the same if you had that advantage.”

  Ivan cut his eyes at her, “You have not slept yet.”

  She beamed, “That was why I have you love. You can protect me while I sleep.”

  Ivan nodded confirming her statement, “I do not think you should face Mirth.”

  Autumn replied sadly, “He will not give me that choice, love. Once I awake he will challenge me and attempt to kill me.”

  Ivan hissed confirming her suspicions this time, “Yes he will.”

  She repeated, “Yes he will.” Autumn smiled devilishly, “Unless you allow him to kill me before I have slept or during it.” Ivan eyed her suspiciously, and Autumn smiled wider and then poked his side playfully, “Does no one ever tease you?”

  He frowned, “This is a serious matter Autumn.”

  She smiled, “I know but this may be my last night with you. Can you blame me for trying to keep it light?”

  Treachery

  Ivan frowned, “If Mirth comes for you I will not be able to stop him.”

  Autumn frowned, “But you will give your life trying to won’t you.”

  “Yes I will.”

  Autumn smiled brightly, “Yes you would wouldn’t you?” Ivan eyed her again and she replied more seriously rolling her eyes, “I will be leaving you with a stack of vials to aid you before I nod off for my month or so of slumber.”

  He paused then, “Why would you do that?”

  Autumn frowned, “To keep you safe while I sleep silly.”

  He seemed even more confused, “Are you sure?”

  She eyed him now, “Why is there something wrong with my plan?”

  Ivan snorted and replied, “No, but you are leaving your life in the hands of virtual strangers.”

  Autumn frowned deeper, “What strangers? No, I am leaving my life in the hands of the two men that I trust most in this world.”

  He hissed, “I do not think you should trust Grayton.”

  She smiled, “Why not?”

  Ivan replied flatly, “He could betray you.”

  Autumn smiled wider, “He could say the same for you.”

  “Yes but I will not.”

  “I know that. You are unhappy about our circumstances as am I but this is the only thing that I could think of.”

  “This plan would be better without Grayton.”

  Autumn frowned, “No you are wrong. What we really need are more people. The problem is that aside from Drake, and Sophia, I know no one else that I could trust.”

  Ivan nodded, “I could speak to Drake”

  “Yes and if I knew where to find Sophia then I could bring her in as well.”

  “You may be able to find her now.”

  Autumn frowned, “Yeah, How?”

  “You just need to call her and she will come.”

  Autumn frowned, “I do not have her phone number.”

  “No call her with your mind.”

  She frowned, “But she could be half way across town, or even in another city, if she saw her apartment.”

  “If you are the eye, then when you call she will come.”

  Autumn frowned, “But I haven’t slept yet.”

  “Isisa could call others even before her change.”

  Autumn nodded, “Will it only call her or will others be able to hear as well?”

  Ivan replied, “No one will hear that you do not want to hear.”

  She smiled brightly, “Well then let’s try.” Autumn closed her eyes and called out into the night with her mind. Then she opened her eyes expectantly and looked at Ivan. He was watching her closely though he did not seem to hear her.

  Autumn frowned and Ivan seemed concerned, “What’s wrong?”

  Autumn put her hand up and said, “Wait.” Then she closed her eyes and called out again. When she opened her eyes, Ivan was watching her, his eyes dilated, and Autumn frowned, “It’s not working.”

  He nodded unfaltering, “Try calling Grayton.”

  She nodded and did so; Grayton was by her side in a flash on his haunches his body cackling violently. “What is wrong?”

  Autumn smiled, “I am sorry love, I was just testing it.” Grayton nodded and tried to move but he could not. He looked at Autumn for help, and Autumn frowned, “I am sorry next time I will whisper it when you are that close. I just wanted to make sure it would work.”

  Ivan watched Grayton cautiously his body relaxed but his eyes cut him sharply. Grayton frowned then and offered, “Perhaps if you tell me to go.”

  She nodded blushing slightly, “Yes, please go back to what ever you were doing before.”

  Grayton turned mechanically back towards the building and stomped off. Autumn frowned after him and then closed her eyes and called out every friend and ally that she had ever had. The echo was strong and she dropped to her knees as the wave of words left her mind. Flanagan, Flanagan’s friend, Henry, Flora, Drake, Helen, Utvic, Sophia, Serena, Lyla, Ann, Jessup, and Galen, then for good measure to fill in the new cracks in her mind, she called out one final time to Ivan.

  Then Autumn opened her eyes, watching the waves leaving her body. Golden mist pulsed from her with each beat of her heart. As they left her the pulse moved through everything, buildings, and people, even through Grayton who peaked his head out and watched them. Autumn smiled wildly, seeing Grayton’s body lit up with golden tones, she looked at Ivan and frowned just as quickly, his body was not glowing.

  Grayton smiled at her frown and Ivan asked, “What is wrong?”

  Autumn frowned deeper, “I feel so strange now, my head hurts.”

  Ivan stepped closer and put his hand on her head, “You are warm.”

  She stepped away and replied, “I think maybe we should have just gone ourselves to get them.” Ivan nodded though he did not seem to be nodding at her words but at Grayton who also watched her closely. She frowned deeper then and looked at Grayton who seemed even more uncomfortable, so she closed the distance between them. Autumn watched as Grayton gripped the door frame squeezing the metal and bending his fingers into the metal.

  Autumn stepped forward then and slid her hand over to his cheek and then watched his eyes. He seemed to be in a great deal of pain all of a sudden. Autumn smiled watching him, “Grayton, you and I are going to need to talk about these feelings that you are having once this is all over.” Ivan shifted his weight and Autumn turned to Ivan and smiled, then she closed the distance between him and kissed him on the mouth.

  Ivan deepened it instantly and Autumn closed her eyes and complied eagerly. Then she called out loudly beckoning
Ivan to her, Autumn heard the frame behind her snap and Grayton shaking violently. Autumn broke the kiss and watched Grayton’s glowing body shaking violently as he squeezed his eyes shut. Autumn stepped over to Grayton and slid her hand on to his cheek and the shaking ceased like magic. Autumn frowned, “I am sorry love. If you think this might be too much for you to deal with then just say so. I am sure Ivan can protect me on his own.”

  When Grayton opened his blurry eyes he snapped, “I will be fine, it is just a power surge.”

  Autumn nodded solemnly, “I am sorry I did not mean to send it your way, its still difficult to control it all.”

  Grayton nodded and Autumn smiled him and then turned to Ivan, “So no more kisses for a while love, it’s literally hurting Grayton.”

  Ivan frowned and replied, “Or you could send him away.”

  Autumn frowned replying sharply, “No I will never send Grayton away.”

  Ivan took the words in stride, “It would be easy for you to send him away.”

  “Yes I know, but I won’t.” Grayton pushed his hand through his hair and squinted at her for a moment. Autumn smiled at him sweetly then, turned back to Ivan, “So the Calvary should be coming soon, I want to move to better quarters.”

  Ivan grabbed her hand and replied, “We should stay here. You need to rest.”

  Autumn smiled up at him, “Fat chance, you’re not getting me to bed until we have reinforcements, I don’t care how good looking you are.”

  Ivan’s eyes lit up and he replied eagerly, “Where do you want to go?”

  Autumn smiled, “I don’t know yet let’s all go for a ride and see where it takes us.” Both men looked at each other and then back at Autumn who smiled back at Grayton and said, “No worries.” Grayton’s expression changed then to a look of surprise, if only for a split second. Then she looked at Ivan whose eyes never left Autumn’s face. Autumn slid her hand out to Ivan’s and pulled him towards the car and called out in her mind, come Ivan. Grayton’s legs jerked towards her robotically and she winced at his struggle, touching her temple again.

  Ivan instantly touched her shoulder and asked, “Are you sure that you are alright?”