Draven Hawke

CHAPTER FOUR

Weeks had passed. Draven had not seen Autumn again. Autumn had stopped following him, too. Both thought of the other often. One stayed away out of stubbornness, the other out of self-inflicted obligation.

Draven continued his life, hunting, killing, and trying to bring about order.

It was late in the evening. He wandered the dark alleys searching for prey, waiting for a sign that he was close to an encounter. The crystal began to activate without his intention, something that had never happened, and Draven searched the immediate area for the cause.

There were homeless people scattered throughout the alley, most were sound asleep, unaware that death lurked above them: Soft, graceful,marvelous death. As Draven scanned the consciousness of each human, the crystal illuminated, completely transforming his appearance. Just as the crystal took hold, Draven landed on the consciousness of one he not only knew but also enjoyed, Autumn.

Draven did not know what to think about what was happening to him, or the fact that Autumn was sleeping on the cold, wet ground. Without understanding his actions, he leaned down and swept her up in one swift motion, not so much as jostling her. As he cradled her, the crystal disengaged, returning Draven to his usual form. All prior plans were forgotten.

Draven carried Autumn to his loft, laying her on his sofa, and covering her with a thick, gray blanket. He took in her disheveled appearance. She was wearing the same clothes. For the first time, Draven noticed that her fingers were dirty, almost worn.

"Beautiful," Autumn whispered, allowing herself to stare at Draven for the first time since he lifted her off the blackened street.

"You're awake?" Draven arched his brow, leaning against his record player. It went to show how Autumn affected him, he should have known by her breathing alone, that she was aware.

"You thought you could wisp me away, and I wouldn't even notice?" She laughed. 

"Why didn't you tell me you were awake?" Draven asked, frustrated. It was as though Autumn was always one step ahead of him, making him reveal too much.

"Partly because I felt safe and wanted for the first time in a long time, but mostly, I didn't want to upset you," Autumn admitted. It was hard for her to be honest with him.

"Why did you think that would upset me?" Draven moved closer to her without the direct command to do so. It was as if a magnetic force attracted him to her.

"Because I saw." She stared at him, trying to decipher his reaction to her words. She expected that he would be mad, because he did not like to reveal anything about himself.

"What did you see?" he asked, still moving closer. He knelt near her, watching her, not leaving her sure gaze.

"I saw how beautiful you are." Autumn smiled. She was relieved to be saying the words out loud.

Draven glanced away for a moment and smiled. He understood. She had seen the transformation. Why the crystal activated, he did not know, but that did not matter at the moment. What mattered was that she knew.

"Why didn't you think to wake me?" she asked, curious. 

"I didn't want to upset you." His words echoed hers.

"Why would that upset me?" She half smiled, playing along.

"Because I saw," Draven explained.

"Saw that I was homeless?" Autumn asked. All former teasing had vanished. Her jaw tightened. He saw her lying on the street, homeless, alone, and dirty. She could not think of anything more humiliating.