Autumn Moon

by Karen Michelle Nutt

  “You might want to clean up your mouth, Jairec. You’re scaring the tourists.” Heng clicked his tongue at him. He then turned his attention to Autumn, tilting his head to the side, his fangs lengthening. He traced her jaw with his nail. “So pretty.”

  Jairec didn’t dare look around but he wondered where Yi and Chin were. Where were the dragon thunderbolts to wipe this bastard out?

  Autumn jerked her head away and stepped back, but Tristan thrust her forward again. Autumn glanced at Jairec. She blinked and calmness overtook her composure. A second before she lunged, Jairec realized what she was about to do. “Nooooo!” he screamed, but it was too late.

  She threw herself around Heng, holding him in a bear hug. Heng cried in pain as the copper burned through his clothing, his skin sizzling on contact, the putrid rot scenting the air. Heng screeched, twirling up, trying to dislodge Autumn’s hold. Jairec leapt forward and grabbed onto Heng’s feet, anchoring him. He didn’t know how long he could hold onto him, but to let go wasn’t an option.

  “Get them you fools,” Heng demanded, thrashing to shake Jairec off his leg.

  Tristan slashed at Jairec’s midsection with his long nails, but Jairec used Heng to pull himself up, kicking Tristan in the face. He fell back, landing into two of the other minions, causing them to lose their balance. They hissed and spit, trying to dislodge their tangled limbs.

  The crowd applauded. Jairec thought the fools deserved to die. Didn’t they recognize a real threat?

  Darkened clouds gathered overhead hastening nightfall. “Chin’s magic,” Jairec mumbled under his breath. He wished the old man would work faster. Heng spiraled up, hovering above the ground. He was too high to let go now. He might survive the fall, but he wasn’t sure if Autumn could. He thought about going for her gun in her purse, but it would prove too risky. He could shoot her. He hoped she could hold on. He looked down below, wondering if any of the other vamps could fly. Tristan looked like he wanted to give it a try. He stood ready for battle, but before he leapt off his feet, Yi had come to the rescue. A right kick landed against Tristan’s skull.

  Jairec climbed up Heng’s leg like it was a rope. If he could grab Autumn, he’d take her with him, bracing her fall and taking most of the impact.

  Heng desperate to free himself jabbed Autumn with his nails, but the mesh held, burning his hands. He grabbed her face, forcing her look at him.

  “Close your eyes, Autumn. Don’t look at him,” Jairec warned, but it was too late.

  Her eyes glazed and her grip lessened. Heng held her away from him. Jairec snaked out his hand to grab her, but Heng tossed her away. Her shirt feathered through his fingers. Jairec watched in horror as her body hit the ground. She didn’t move. A rage like he never known before welled inside of him. He wanted Heng dead. Now.

  Heng’s wounds healed, giving him back his strength. He grabbed Jairec by the hair and hauled him up to eye level. “I would have given you a seat of power, but you’ve deceived me.” He raised his hand to give a fatal blow, but the first rumble of thunder broke through. Heng hesitated. Jairec took the advantage and slammed his fist into Heng’s face. Bone crunched and he knew he’d broken Heng’s nose. He let Jairec go and he flayed his arms around, trying to stop his fall. What he would have done if he could fly. He landed hard, but tucked and rolled. He felt bruised but he leapt to his feet, waiting for Heng to attack again.

  The rumble in the heavens clamored. Heng covered his ears and screamed. Tristan and the two other vamps did the same. Yi took his dagger and rammed it into one of the minions then spun, hitting the other demon in the chest. Both exploded into dust on impact.

  Jairec waited for the thunder to affect him, but nothing happened. He could still function. He grabbed a hold of his brother as another thunderclap roared in his ears. Tristan’s screech joined Heng’s and the look on his face couldn’t have been worse if Jairec had driven a stake through his heart. “It wasn’t supposed to be like this, Jairec.”

  “I know.”

  “Forgive me, brother.” He stepped away.

  The thunder rolled again.

  Tristan covered his ears. His whole body shook so fast his features blurred. An ear-shattering explosion of thunder roared louder, longer. Tristan exploded as if triggered by a bomb. The blast hurdled Jairec backwards, Yi slamming into him.

  Heng spun around and around. The whirl of wind brought up debris and dust until he swirled into a black funnel. Heng’s features blurred into the twister and his bellow pierced the air. People ran for cover as storefront glass shattered. The earth shook. Jairec forced himself to his feet and moved toward Autumn who lay helpless. He covered her body with his, ignoring how the copper burned. He would protect her.

  The thunder roared again like a mighty dragon, lashing out at its prey. The wind hurled dirt into Jairec’s hair, eyes and between his teeth. Then the dark clouds moved aside and the last of the sun’s rays shone through like a laser beam. The funnel ignited sending sparks of shooting light like a firework show. The last sparks dwindling into smoke and ash.

  The roar of absolute silence spread. No one moved and no one breathed.

  Jairec rolled away from Autumn. His sweatshirt burned from his body and his flesh was blistered and raw.

  Yi walked over and leaned down to look at Autumn.

  “Is she all right?” Jairec choked out.

  “She’s breathing.”

  “We have to get her to the hospital.”

  Yi’s gaze traveled over him. “You could use a doctor yourself. You don’t look so good.”

  Jairec wanted to curl up in a ball, but he needed to secure Autumn’s safety first.

  “Are they all dead? Did we wipe them out?”

  “The last one blasted away with Heng.”

  Chin pushed his way through the crowd and offered a hand to Jairec, yanking him to his feet.

  “A little worse for wear, but you survived, chiang-shih. I’m impressed.” He leaned down to look at Autumn.

  “Survived? That’s up for debate,” Jairec mumbled.

  “Hmm. We’ll argue the matter later.” He looked over his shoulder when he heard the whistles and shouts from the police to back up. “Help me pick up Autumn, Yi. We must move before we’re forced to answer questions.”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Autumn’s eyes fluttered open and she sat up with a start.

  “There, there now.” A nurse dressed in white pants and a blue hospital shirt approached her. “I’m glad you’re awake.”

  The smell of disinfectants hit her nostrils first, followed by the smell of coffee and food. Her gaze landed on a covered plate set on the turnout tray that was attached to the bed. A steady beep drew her attention to a monitor bolted to the wall. Then her gaze landed on the IV bag hanging from the silver pole. She closed her eyes and rested her head against the pillow, trying to remember what happened.

  “I’m in the hospital.” Her mouth felt thick and dry, making the speech difficult. “Water, please.”

  The nurse poured water into a plastic blue cup and held the straw, while Autumn lifted her head to sip. The liquid ran cool down her parched throat.

  The nurse was young with her dark hair pulled back away from her face.

  “Jairec. Where’s… Jairec?” she licked her lips.

  “Jairec?” the nurse asked.

  “Yes. Dark hair… man… not Chinese… my age.”

  There was a nice looking man with gray hair who sat by your side. He had been badly burnt, but he wouldn’t let anyone tend to him. He disappeared before I could summon the doctor.”

  Her brows furrowed. Gray hair? Was she talking about Jairec? Had he turned? “I have to go.” Autumn grimaced when she pulled the IV out of her arm.

  “No, what are you doing. You can’t leave.”

  Autumn ignored her, throwing her legs over the side of the bed. She forced her limbs to move and hurried over to the closet. She was relieved to see that her clothes were there, the damn copper mesh and all. Jairec had r
isked his life to save her. If his hair was snow white, he was slipping.

  The nurse had run out into the hall, yelling for the doctor.

  Autumn removed her gown, her limbs waking up as she shoved on her clothes.

  Once she donned her shoes, she glanced inside the closet to see if she had everything and her gaze landed on the vest. If Jairec was burned, he came in contact with the mesh. She swung the closet door shut with a curse.

  She walked over to the door and poked her head out. By the front desk, she spotted the nurse talking to a doctor. She hurried the other way, heading for the exit sign and the door labeled with the word stairs. She was too afraid to wait for the elevator and have someone stop her. She needed to find Jairec.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Jairec lay close to death—again. After he made sure Autumn would be fine, he came back with Chin not sure where else he could go. Chin took precautions. He locked him in the room above the pastry shop. Salt and wood charms lined the doors and windows. He wouldn’t escape. He’d drunk the pig’s blood, but it didn’t help. It didn’t restore him. It was as if the copper poisoned his system, weakening him. His hair had turned as white as the moon’s lighted surface. His skin a sallow color, but at least it hadn’t turned green.

  He heard a commotion, raised voices from the other room. He heard Autumn’s voice.

  “I don’t care grandfather,” she said as she threw open the door, slamming it against the wall.

  He sat up in bed. She stood in the threshold her gaze locking onto his. She was so beautiful, a vision for his weary eyes. It seemed a lifetime ago when he had first kissed her, when he had first made love to her.

  “Don’t leave me, Jairec.” She took a step toward him.

  “Don’t come too close,” he warned.

  She didn’t listen.

  “Please, Autumn. I don’t want to hurt you.”

  “You won’t.” She threw her arms around his neck, hugging him.

  He chuckled. “You’ve always given me too much credit.”

  “I don’t think so. You’re honorable. You risked your existence to save me. Now look at you.” Her voice caught in her throat. “I’ve killed you because of that copper mesh I wore.”

  “If you hadn’t worn it, you would have died. You should be in the hospital now. I can’t believe they let you go.”

  She didn’t say anything.

  He pushed her away so he could look at her. “They didn’t let you go, did they?”

  “I’m fine.”

  “You need to go back.”

  “No.”

  “Has anyone ever told you, you’re stubborn, lass?”

  “Yep.” She threaded her hand through his hair. “So gray.”

  “I’ve looked better.”

  She chuckled, but her eyes pooled with tears. “You need blood.”

  “Had some. It’s not working, Autumn.”

  “You need human blood. I can still save you.” She rolled up her sleeve and offered her wrist.

  He shook his head. “No.”

  “If you don’t you’ll fade into nothing and your soul will be lost.”

  “If I drink too much I kill you and condemn my soul anyway. I’ll take my chances as long as I know you’re all right.”

  “No, I won’t accept it.” She stood and stormed out of the room only to return a moment later.

  His gaze caught the glitter of the blade. Her grandparents followed her in.

  “Stop, Autumn,” Chin demanded.

  “No, don’t do it,” Jairec pleaded.

  “Maybe my blood is the elixir.”

  “No, it isn’t.”

  She sliced her wrist anyway. The tangy smell of blood filled his nostrils. His teeth lengthened and his eyes dilated. “No!”

  She didn’t listen, shoving her wrist over his mouth. He held his breath, clamped his mouth shut, but a small amount of blood seeped in anyway. He couldn’t hold back. He grabbed her wrist and drew in the essence of life. He could hear her heart beat, stronger vibrating in his head, in his chest. He had to stop or he’d drain her, but the taste was so… He pulled away, turning his head in disgust over his lack of control. Autumn wisely backed away giving him space. He thought he would be all right. He felt stronger more vibrant, but something pulled at him, taking him away.

  Autumn screamed. “Don’t go!”

  It hurt him to see her beautiful face so ravaged with emotion. He reached for her. “I love you.”

  What’s happening?” She watched in horror as he faded away as if he had never been there.

  She fell to her knees, a retched sob vibrating from her chest. “You can’t take him. You can’t,” she wailed to the heavens. “Not him too. You’ve taken everyone.”

  “Not everyone.” Chin gripped her shoulder and she let him bring her to her feet, folding his arms around her.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  It was time to clean up. The Autumn Moon Festival was over, the people of Chinatown would return to their businesses and their way of life like they always did. For Autumn, everything had changed. She didn’t want to open her shop so she left the closed sign in the window. No one would understand that she mourned a man who had been dead when she met him.

  She needed to pay bills, check her e-mail. She logged into her computer. She frowned. She had mail from Jairec. He must have sent it to her before they took their stand against Heng. Her heart pounded against her chest as she opened it.

  Dear Autumn,

  The time draws near that we will have to fight Heng. I can never repay you for your unselfish kindness, your gentle heart. I would love to be with you always, but I fear it is not meant to be, but perhaps you’ll think of me once in a while when you look at your website I’ve designed for you. Click on the link below. I hope you like it.

  She clicked on the link and the page opened to Moon’s Acupuncture. A beautiful Moon in the background, her bio and information about what she offered. The site was beautiful, but it was the Chinese symbol in the right corner of the page that made her eyes mist.

  Soul mate. They were only granted a short time together, but she knew he had been the one for her. He had felt it, too.

  A knock at the door broke into her thoughts. She took a deep breath and wiped away the tears. Couldn’t they read the sign? She marched to the door and swung it open. “We’re clo …” the words lodged in her throat.

  “I’m sorry to be troubling you miss, but I was drawn to this place.” His sea-smoked eyes gazed at her and he had hair the color of the devil’s black velvet. He stood in the sun’s rays and did not flinch or burst into flames.

  “Jairec?”

  “Aye.” His brows furrowed over the bridge of his nose. “You know me then. This will sound a bit peculiar, but I don’t know why I’m here and yet …” His gaze slid over her, confusion lighting his features.

  “You’re two souls united. You’re not dead.” She touched him to make sure he was solid.

  He chuckled. “No, I’m not dead. Though, the doctors said I should have been.” He touched the back of his head. “Someone hit me from behind. You’ll have to pardon my behavior my memory is a bit fuzzy.”

  “You found your way here.”

  “Aye.” He turned a shade of red and his gaze wavered before he looked at her again. “I dreamt of you.” He cleared his throat, seeming embarrassed over his confession.

  She tilted her head and smiled. “Good dreams, I hope.”

  “Um … uh …”

  She stepped toward him and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Perhaps I can jog your memory.” She kissed him. He stood stiff and unyielding for a half a second then his arms came up around her, crushing her to him.

  They came up for air and he moved a strand of hair away from her face. His gaze locked with hers. “I’ve kissed you before.”

  She nodded.

  He frowned, trying to remember but only fragments flitted across his mind and he wanted all of it. He looked at her again.

  “Do you wa
nt to come in?” She stepped away from him, allowing him room.

  “Aye, I believe I do.” He walked in and closed the door behind him. He didn’t know how he knew her, but some part of him sensed he belonged here. “What’s your name?”

  “Autumn Moon.”

  The name stirred him. “Autumn.” He whirled the name on his tongue. He looked at her again and recognized the longing in her eyes. She walked over to the counter that stood below the shelves that held bottles of herbs and other concoctions. He stepped closer, having the urge to run his fingers through her hair to find out if it was as soft as it looked, but before he could reach her, she thrust a plate of pastries at him.

  “Would you like a moon cake?”

  “What?” He frowned, staring at the lotus seed cakes.

  “It’s how we met.”

  He didn’t want pastries. He wanted … He took the plate from her, setting it on the counter. He drew her into his arms and kissed her, tasting her. Flashes of a life, his life flew at him until he felt dizzy. He teetered and she grabbed a hold of him.

  “Jairec, are you okay?”

  He placed his hands on the side of her face. “Aye, I’m brilliant.” He kissed her again, only this time, everything fell into place.

  She pulled away. “You remember.”

  “Aye. I remember much more, too. It seems you did have my cure after all.”

  “The elixir of life?” She shook her head. “We didn’t figure it out.”

  “Ah, but you both did.”

  They turned around at the sound of the voice behind them.

  “Grandfather, what do you mean?”

  “Autumn gave you her life essence freely and you, Jairec didn’t selfishly take all of it. Life is all about balance. The curse was then broken, joining Jairec’s two souls once again.” He gave him a long sizing up moment before he nodded. “He is a remarkable young man, Autumn. You’ve chosen well.”

  Jairec drew Autumn close. He never wanted anything more than to have her at his side. “I’m the one who is grateful.”

  “And well you should be.” Her grandfather agreed. “Make sure you cherish her.”