Eyes Like Autumn (Seasons of the Magi Book 1)

by C. E. DeRosier

  John clasped his hands behind himself, his stance now reminding me of a soldier. “I was sent out by my Court to find out about the disappearances. Not just here in Janafield, but across the state. When we caught wind of a Ghoul in town, we assumed he was responsible and had been eating them all. We didn't know about the child living here.”

  Johannes tutted. “You make it sound like I put them in a stew. If you had done any research on Ghouls, you'd know we simply absorb them into ourselves. And without their consent, I'd gain a few meager years instead of decades. Every Fae I've ever taken has given themselves to me willingly. Perhaps if you Seelie Court Fae would unclench every once in a while like the Unseelie, so many wouldn't want to escape.”

  John’s jaw tightened. “It’s hard to unclench when we've had fifteen Fae go missing this year alone.”

  Johannes raised an eyebrow. “Fifteen? Do you think I'm a glutton?”

  “It's not funny, Johannes. Some of them are children.”

  Johannes looked disgusted. “I've never taken a child.”

  “Enough, guys.” I reached out and grabbed Johannes’s arm gently. He was easier to agitate than usual, but I didn’t blame him. Things were incredibly tense right now.

  John sighed deeply before he continued his tale. “I am a knight of the Seelie Court, tasked—”

  “A knight?” Chesca rose sharply from her seat and turned to Johannes. “I know we desperately need help to save Benjamin, but you brought a knight into this home?”

  “Francesca, this is my home, and I will do whatever it takes to bring my son back.”

  The two glared harshly at each other, neither one wanting to back down. What was wrong with John being a knight? I was utterly lost in this situation.

  “I assure you, I have no intention of taking Evangeline back to the Seelie Court. I was not charged with taking in rogue Fae, so it is not of my concern.” John smiled and spoke in a calm voice.

  Slowly, Johannes and Chesca backed down from each other, though Chesca was still clearly upset. She sat down, now pressed even closer to Evangeline’s side.

  “So, the information you got from the man?” Atohi asked. I was incredibly thankful for the change in subject.

  “Right,” John started. “From him we learned that they are kidnapping the Fae and Magi to bring them to auction. Johannes filled me in that you believe it to be the Hand of Glory faction, and we were able to confirm that.”

  “But who are these Hand of Glory people?” I asked.

  “They are the oldest group of Collectors.” Johannes threaded his fingers through his hair to push it away from his face. “They pride themselves in their ability to spirit people away.”

  “Rumor has it there is new leadership, and that is why the disappearances have picked up,” John added.

  “T-there’s an auction.” Evangeline finally spoke up, her fists clenched in her lap and her back was rigid. “They were grooming us for it. Th-that’s why they took Doctor Thompson. Another Fae told me that so many were becoming sick and dying. They needed someone that could help them long enough to get them sold.”

  Atohi and Johannes both set their gaze on me briefly. If they hadn’t taken the doctor, they might’ve come after me. Part of me wished that they would have, so that I might have saved so many of the Magi and Fae that were being abused.

  “The man in the basement, he knew the location, but not the time of the event.” John moved to kneel before Evangeline. Even without being a Fae, I knew this must’ve been a grand gesture for a knight to do. “Do you know?”

  She nodded. “Yes, it is tonight.”

  I gasped. “So soon? That means we have to get Ben back tonight or…” He could be gone forever. I refused to say it. It wouldn’t happen; we would save him. I stood up. “What are we waiting for? We need to get going.”

  “You’re going to burst into the auction in street clothes and think you’ll get very far?” Johannes shook his head.

  All eyes turned to Francesca.

  “I’ll get started.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  A two-hour drive later, we were in the city of Lake Geneva where the party would be held. I’d visited once or twice before for weddings, but unfortunately this occasion wasn’t so joyous.

  John pulled up to a massive two-story brick building. By the entrance was a fountain, an angel with wings spread on the top. It seemed so out of place at the location where such heinous acts were happening.

  Sunset was starting to paint the sky in rich colors that seemed to mock us with its exuberance while our thoughts were swimming with plans of what we would do once we entered the auction.. Before leaving the car, Atohi, Johannes, John and I pulled the ornate masquerade masks that Chesca had made us over our faces. The invitation that John had retrieved from the man had specifically requested them along with black-tie attire.

  Chesca had fabricated an amazing silver dress that ruched at my hips and dipped heavily down my back. Atohi stood with the same silver cloth as a suit with a black tie, while Johannes stood in the opposite—black suit, silver tie. John wore black on black. There was no way we wouldn’t blend in with this opulent crowd. Chesca had made sure of it.

  When I went to link arms with Atohi, I was quickly grabbed by Johannes. He placed my hand on his forearm and patted it.

  “Let me enjoy this before you run back into my brother's arms.” He didn't look at me as he said it.

  I ignored the painful clench in my chest. It wasn't fair for him to play this game with me. No matter what happened, someone would be hurt. Before all of this, I’d been happy to be with Johannes. Even if he was a little rough around the edges, he had been there for me. I just couldn’t get past his deception, and the wedge that had driven between us had created a space Atohi had filled. He didn’t lie to me—he made me feel warm and comforted.

  But I'd be lying to myself if I didn't say I wanted them both.

  Atohi squeezed my hand quickly to let me know it was okay… for now.

  From my purse, my phone rang sharply. Damn it. I thought I’d turned it off. I pushed Ben’s rabbit aside to grab it. But when my dad’s face flashed across my screen, I completely froze. He was calling me?

  Johannes and Atohi peered over before exchanging their own glance.

  “Aren’t you going to answer it, Alice?” Atohi asked. “Isn’t this what you wanted?”

  I swallowed heavily. He was right. I wanted to talk to him so badly.

  “Hello?” I answered, catching the call right before it went to voicemail. There was no response. “Dad?”

  I heard him take a sharp inhale before the line was cut.

  I tried not to cry. Maybe… Maybe it had been a mistake. I turned my phone off and shoved it back into my purse. Ben and Doctor Thompson were the important ones right now. I repeated it like a mantra in my head as I steeled myself and nodded to the others that I was ready.

  As our group entered, we were faced with a muscular man in a tightly tailored suit as he stood guard in the entryway taking the invitations from patrons. It was so hard to keep my head up and pretend that I belonged here. I can do this. I am Alice Barlow, and I will save my son.

  As soon as John handed the man our invite, his severe face warped into a devious grin. “Welcome, lady and gentlemen. Enjoy your evening.”

  He held the door open for us as we walked through into an open hall. At least a hundred people milled around, champagne flutes in hand and dressed to the nines. Their masks ranged from ones that barely covered their eyes to ones that were extravagant like they belonged at Carnival. But the ones that caught my attention most were the guards stationed near hallways. They all wore plague doctor masks that seemed to stare right into my soul. On the forehead just above the eyeglasses was the Hand of Glory symbol.

  Johannes nudged me. “Hm?”

  “My brother and John are leaving us behind; what is wrong?” He tilted his head when he asked.

  “Sorry, the guards… They’re terrifying.” I shook the thought from
my head and hurried along to follow the other men to one of the large entryways.

  Evangeline had told us that downstairs was where they kept the magical people and items to be sold. She had wanted to come with, but Johannes was having none of it. “Evangeline, you can’t even keep up your glamour. How do you intend to mingle when it’s clear you are not human?” he had told her. But, showing a rare bit of heart, he had added, “Plus, Benjamin is going to want you here to greet him when he comes home.”

  It was amazing how quickly she had perked up. Ben just had that sort of power on people. He was the real healer, not me. One smile and it felt like your problems had lifted… But tonight, we would save Ben, Doctor Thompson, and the rest of the Fae and Magi. No one would get left behind if I had any say.

  As we approached the broad set of doors, we were stopped by a tall man with peppered black and white hair and a red velveteen mask. “I do apologize, but the auction doors are not open yet. But, if you’d like, I can have Miss Tudoe show you to our gambling room.”

  Damn. So much for our plan to scope out the auction hall before the event. But we had planned for this. Evangeline had remembered the series of hallways and rooms that ran behind and under the main events and had drawn us a map. As long as we found the right exit, we could still slip into the back.

  “Welcome! I am Miss Tudoe, and I hope you enjoy your evening with us. Here's a little something to get you started.” A tall woman approached us and handed over a velvet satchel. The telltale sound of chips rattled within as we all walked to the game room. “The auction will start shortly. Please enjoy the games while you wait. Drinks are complimentary. I recommend the Auction Spicer. It's a special mix just for the evening.”

  As if on cue, a man with a large tray of glasses filled with shimmering alcohol walked by. He paused to let us each take a flute

  After he and the woman had left, I asked quietly, “Is it all right to drink this?” I tried to discreetly smell the liquid. It was definitely sweet. “Couldn't they have drugged it?”

  “They're just trying to inebriate everyone so they'll open their pockets wider,” Johannes replied. “You don't need to drink it. Either way, we'll look less suspect with a drink in our hands.” He peered around the room.

  “You brought Benji’s rabbit, right?” Atohi leaned down to whisper near my ear. I nodded.

  The small plush could trace Ben’s energy. It was the surest bet we had on being able to find him quickly. It bulged in my purse, occasionally kicking. There was no doubt that Ben was here.

  Two women approached our group. The first was tall and lithe with fiery red hair, shockingly green eyes, and full lips. She flashed John a smile. “My friend and I couldn't help but to notice you two without a companion for the evening,” she said to John and Atohi. “We'd love to join you.” She wrapped a hand around John’s hefty bicep, the other pressed to his chest.

  Her friend, a brunette with hair swept to the side to reveal a sparkling dangle earing, gave Atohi a dazzling smile full of teeth. He grinned back at her.

  “What do you say?” she purred as she ran a manicured finger down Atohi's arm. “We could bring you luck while you play.”

  “Ladies.” John offered his other arm to the brunette. “I’d actually be interested in spending time with both of you. I could use a little luck before the auction.”

  They both giggled as they clung to him. He gave us a nod and walked away with them. Even with John separated, we could still do this.

  Atohi and Johannes flanked my sides as we walked. Between my nervousness and the heat of the bodies in the room, I could feel sweat building up on my back and hands.

  “Atohi… Johannes, I need you two to promise me something.”

  Johannes and Atohi inclined their heads toward me.

  “If... If something happens to me—”

  “Nothing will happen to you.” Johannes’s face sharpened as he cut me off.

  “No, Johannes, please. My grandpa will be alone without me. So, promise me that you'll help him if something happens.”

  “I promise, Alice. But nothing will happen to you,” Johannes finally relented.

  “I'll hold you to that.” I bumped his shoulder with my own to help break his severe expression. It worked.

  “Plus you’d probably haunt me if I didn’t keep my promise.”

  “Shut up, why do you ruin everything?” I huffed with a small laugh.

  “Unfortunately, that is what I do.”

  I cleared my throat and schooled my face back to neutral before anyone could notice anything different. The tables around us were filled with patrons drinking and betting. Some had people talking with pretty women and men perched in their laps. Our eyes scanned the room for the hall Evangeline had pointed out on her map. If we could slip down it, we could find the room that housed everyone.

  I nodded towards the room to get the attention of the boys. “Looks like they only have one guard over there…” I whispered.

  From across the room, we caught John’s eyes, hoping to convey that we were moving forward with the plan. We needed some sort of distraction so that I—

  “I’ll take that, sweetheart.” Johannes cut off my inner thought by pulling away from me and griping my glass of champagne from my hand. He quickly downed his and mine before setting them on a table besides us much to the chagrin of the patron.

  He gestured for Atohi’s, who raised a brow at his brother’s sudden thirst, but handed it over.

  Before I could blink, the drink was all over Atohi and dripped from his hair that had been pulled halfway into a pony at the back of his head. One of his thick hands wiped the liquid away.

  “What is your problem?” he seethed.

  Johannes gestured to the guard with his eyes before shouting, “I am so sorry, sir. I’ve made such a mess. You there,” he waved over to the guard. “I need some assistance over here.”

  The man seemed to hesitate to leave his perch. I slowly backed up and away from the crowd that was forming around the brothers.

  Atohi growled and wiped furiously at his jacket. “You heard the man, get over here!”

  The man hurried over after hearing the order barked. Atohi and I locked eyes before I quickly slipped into the hallway through the heavy swinging doors. As soon as they closed, I was bathed in darkness.

  I took a few deep breaths to steady myself before I pushed forward. Now wasn’t the time to let any of this get to me. I’ve faced way worse than a dark hallway…

  I tried to walk quietly, but it just seemed like the clacking of my heels was deafening. My heart thudded heavily in my chest. Surely someone was going to hear me. I started moving a little quicker. Evangeline had said there was a doorway at the end of the stairway, and that was where I needed to be.

  I wrenched the door open as soon as I reached it and closed it behind myself. This new room was dimly lit and smelled dank and musty. It was reminiscent of the smell after my father's basement had flooded last year, but there was also a thick scent of cigars. I grimaced.

  “I guess this is as good a time as any, Mr. Hopps.”

  I pulled Ben's stuffed rabbit from my purse. With the modifications Atohi had placed on it, this would be just what I needed to lead me straight to Ben. Hopefully the others would catch up to me in case things went haywire.

  With a push of a button hidden on its back, I put Mr. Hopps on the ground. It remained unmoving for a moment. I held my breath. It had picked up on Ben earlier in the evening; it couldn’t stop on me now! I reached down for it. Maybe I hadn't pressed the button hard enough.

  Before I could grab the toy, though, it made a whirling click noise and started marching away like a tin soldier on a mission. I crept behind it as I attempted to remain hidden from anyone who may be around. Ben had to be close.

  I peered around the corner where the rabbit went only to be greeted by the sight of an empty card table. That wasn’t what alarmed me, though—what alarmed be was the still-burning cigar sitting in the ashtray.

&n
bsp; Someone was here.

  “And just what do you think you’re doing?” someone said from behind me.

  My spine went rigid.

  The scent of smoke and perfume hit my senses. Perfume?

  I slowly turned and came face to face with a woman who was broad-shouldered and clad in a black uniform that hid much of her shape. She gave me a smirk as she appraised me in turn.

  “What’re you doin’ back here, sweetheart?” She had a thick accent that made me think she must be from New York.

  “Umm… Well, you see…” I stumbled over myself before remembering what Johannes had told me while going over our plan. These people will eat you alive if you let them. Head up high, never allow them look down on you. I pulled myself into a more confident stance. “I’m terribly sorry. I just heard about all the rare items here and wanted a little sneak peek. I don’t suppose you could help me with that…”

  The woman pursed her lips before giving me a devious little smirk. “I’ll give you a quick tour, but just ’cause of how sexy that dress looks on you.”

  I fought back against the blush that wanted to warm my cheeks.

  “I would certainly appreciate it.” I gave her a coy smile and took the arm she offered.

  “You here as a buyer? I don’t think I’ve seen you around before. Not that I’m complainin’ ’cause we definitely need more female buyers. Not just all these creepy old dudes.”

  “You’ve got me. My first time. Go easy on me,” I giggled. “Are these events popular?”

  “Aha, an event virgin. Maybe we should put one of those lipstick V's on your cheek like those uhh... Rocky Horror shows.” She laughed. “Anyway, these events are totally popular. We usually only host these like once a year, twice if we get really lucky. But we got a new boss, and he has been striking gold lately. We’ve already had three this year.” She seemed more than happy to be volunteering this information, proud even.

  I feigned amazement. “Oh, my gosh. How do they find out about all of these people?”

  “They ain’t people. They’re monsters. Every last one of 'em,” she said with a seething abhorrence that burned down to my core. Part of me idly wondered how she would feel knowing she was walking and talking to a Magus.