Autumn Calling

by T. Lynne Tolles

  “Moon and sun. Is that why I was given a necklace with a sun on it,” Summer asked.

  “It is. When your mother and I found out we were having twin girls she insisted your names be related to the sun and moon. I found the necklaces shopping one evening, that were given to each of you. They fit together to make one pendant, but can be worn separate. Of course when I bought it, I had no idea you’d be separated from one another like your necklaces.”

  Their evening went well into the early hours of the morning but by the time Marcus and Autumn drove Summer home, she didn’t have any pangs of awkwardness she’d had when they’d first sat down to dinner. Funny how a few hours of chatting can make a world of difference, she thought.

  Chapter 23

  After classes with Hunter the following day, Summer lingered a bit. She hoped maybe to bounce the idea of a meeting between Aunt Myrtle and Marcus, but she was worried he’d be angry that she and Marcus had already met. How to bring up such a touchy subject, hmmm, she thought.

  “So, any new thoughts on a plan to retrieve the egg?” she asked.

  “Not as yet,” he answered. “Though your finding and deciphering the rune has helped immensely.”

  “Hmm.” She nodded, “Can’t really take much of the credit, the lady at city hall was the one who directed me in the right direction.”

  “However it was done, it will definitely help.”

  She nodded nervously. “What are you working on?” she said watching him typing on his laptop.

  “Nothing really. Just checking with Jackson. Haven’t heard from him in a few days and wanted to update him on what we’ve found out about the egg and the dragon.”

  “Speaking of that, why doesn’t the dragon, just turn into her human form and escape that way?”

  “I suspect it has to do with the magic the Macabres used on the chains that bind her., though it might have to do with hormones.”

  “Hormones?”

  “Jackson wondered if once a mother activates the egg into hatching if maybe she can’t turn back until the egg is hatched.”

  “That’s an interesting theory. Why is it you don’t know the answer? You are a dragon after all.”

  “Yes, but not female. There are so few of us around any more that I’ve never observed the process. Or fathered an infant.”

  “Surely there are records somewhere. Accounts of dragons written down for prosperity.”

  “You’d think so, wouldn’t you. That was one of the things Jackson and I were looking for. Thing about writing things down for future generations is you never think it’s going to be necessary until its too late— Plus there’s the fact that recording information about dragons leaves their secrets and weaknesses open for anyone to find and abuse.”

  “I suppose you’re right. Never thought about it like that.”

  “It’s disappointing to say the least.”

  “I expect it is.”

  “So what is it you really want to talk to me about?” he suddenly said.

  “Uh, what…makes you think I have some other agenda than just curiosity.”

  “Dragons have many secrets, one of which is they can see when a person is lying.”

  “Lying? I’m not lying.”

  “Maybe not, but you’re not really here to talk about the female dragon, now, are you.”

  “I guess not.”

  “Then what is it?”

  “I was hoping to get your opinion on something.”

  “That seems harmless enough, but somehow I think there’s a little bit more to it.”

  She didn’t answer, just continued on with her original thought.

  “Do you think it would ever be possible for, say, Aunt Myrtle and, oh, I don’t know, maybe Marcus to sit down and have a conversation?”

  His attention turned away from his laptop and suddenly he closed it. “Are you kidding?”

  “I know, crazy right? But let’s just suppose the opportunity arose? Do you think she would consider it? Especially if it meant possibly avoiding war with the Macabres?”

  “Where is this coming from?”

  “Nowhere, I just wondered.”

  “Hypothetically? Yeah, I suppose if it meant avoiding war. Myrtle would certainly be more open to talks between the two families than say Morti.”

  “No doubt.”

  “I don’t know. I’ve never even thought of it since there’s been no indication it was a possibility.”

  “But what if there was the possibility.”

  “It would be fabulous. There’s been enough bloodshed between both the families to terrify the mob. But this is just hypothetical, right?”

  “Of course,” she lied. He gave her a suspicious look. Did he know she was lying or was he just intimidating her?

  “Well, whatever the truth is behind this conversation, I think it would be an amazing feat to pull the two families into negotiations, but the reality is there would be no way to change the views of certain members on each side. Specifically, Yvonne and Morti. I don’t see them ever coming to terms with peace talks.”

  “The two of them had a relationship though.”

  “I gather from talking with Myrtle, it was always one-sided. Morti fell head over heels for Yvonne and would have done anything for her, including killing. But for her it was all a ruse—a way to get what she wanted without any blame directed at her.”

  “How horrible,”

  “She’s not a nice person.”

  “What about Juliette?”

  “I don’t know anything about her and I don’t think Morti or Myrtle have any idea what she’s like.”

  “So even if there were those willing to talk, it might not prevent a battle.”

  “I couldn’t say, though it might lessen the severity of the battle. But there’s a loyalty issue that comes into play. Even if a member of the family doesn’t want to fight, if the whole of the family decides to battle, all will fight. This is true for both sides.”

  “I see.”

  “It’s a beautiful dream, Summer. I wish I could say it would work, but there are just too many factors. I know it’s exceptionally hard for you considering you’re related to both families. I’m sure it must be very enticing for you, the idea of getting to know your father and your sister. I know I would, if it were me. Maybe they’ve already reached out to you or vice versa. Yes. It’s a very tricky predicament you’re in. Tread carefully, dear Summer. You have a kind heart. I’ve seen it for myself, but there are dangers every which way you turn. My advice is follow your heart, but be careful. Evil and deception come in many guises.”

  “Thank you, Hunter. I just wish I wasn’t such an open book for you.”

  “It’s a talent.”

  “A scary one at that.”

  “Depends on how you look at it.”

  She smiled at his comment, but it worried her how easily he read her. This could be a problem if she ever needed to keep a secret from him. She said her goodbyes and headed for work.

  * * *

  A meeting between Morti, Hunter, Summer, and Myrtle was called several days later to discuss and possibly of setting a plan into action for recovering the egg and breaking the dragon out. A week from today they would attempt to break into the house using the secret door by the chimney. Though the plan was hinged on reconnaissance trips to find the trigger for opening it. That was Hunter’s mission for the next few days. All would be called off if that part of the plan failed.

  Of course, Summer didn’t feel confident about the whole deal, since even once in the secret passage, they had no idea how to get into the room that supposedly held the egg. The egg could have been moved, it could be magically cloaked. In fact there were so many variables, she felt sure the patrol would fail and someone was bound to be hurt or worse if that were the case.

  She didn’t voice her opinion though. She felt sure the others knew there were many holes to their plan, but maybe they’d get lucky.

  When the meeting came to an end, she lingered to talk wi
th Aunt Myrtle. She felt she needed to tell her what she’d been up to in case something were to happen. At first their conversation casually related to lessons with Morti and how he’d been since Myrtle reprimanded him about his being rather un-approachable. Slowly though it veered from that and into the Macabres as every conversation of late tended to. This was her chance to bring up her meetings with Autumn and her latest with Marcus.

  “Speaking of the Macabres, I need to tell you something, Aunt Myrtle,” Summer started.

  “Oh? And what might that be, child.”

  “I’ve…well, I’ve been in contact with Autumn.”

  “Really? You don’t need me to remind you just how dangerous that can be, right?”

  “No, but I felt I needed to try. She contacted me. She had questions—a lot of them about Violet and Ivy.”

  “Interesting. Maybe the Macabres have not been very forthcoming with the information they let reach her.”

  “It would seem that way.”

  “And how did this gabfest go?”

  “Good. Very well. I feel we are both caught in a web we don’t fully understand.”

  She nodded her agreement of the analogy. “Have you spoken to her since?”

  “I have. A couple of times—in person, in fact.”

  “That’s a little chancy don’t you think?”

  “I felt like I needed to show her the same trust she’d put in by approaching me in the first place. That had to have been hard.”

  “I see. Somehow I get the feeling I’m not going to like where the end of this conversation leads me.”

  “You might not, but you’ve been so good to me and I wanted to be honest with you. Maybe even help you to understand why I’ve done what I’m about to say.”

  She took a deep breath and said, “Go on.”

  “Autumn suggested I meet with Marcus.”

  Myrtle shook her head as if that would somehow negate what she had just revealed, but continued to listen.

  “The first attempt in meeting with him, I was attacked by Juliette who disguised herself as my driver.”

  “Oh, dear Lord,” Aunt Myrtle said covering her mouth in shock.

  “I know. It was bad, but Marcus and Autumn kept her from doing anymore than injuring me.”

  Myrtle kept her hand over her mouth. It seemed to Summer that this somehow kept her from screaming her concerns at her, and thankfully it seemed to be helping—so far.

  “Marcus and Autumn have since moved out of the Macabre mansion to distance themselves from Yvonne and Juliette,” Summer said then paused for a moment to see if Myrtle had anything to say, she didn’t.

  “About a week ago, I was picked up by Marcus and Autumn and taken to where they are now living and we had dinner together…as a family.”

  “Oh, child, I know how badly you want to have a family, but you need to be more careful,” she finally said.

  “I’m trying to be, Aunt Myrtle, but each side needs to make concessions.”

  “I know, dear, but risking your life is not the way.”

  “You don’t understand. There is so much miscommunication between the families. We discussed the past in length. You should have seen how he still mourns Violet. He spoke of her so sweetly.”

  “They’re very good at deceiving.”

  “Maybe, but I believe him.”

  “Of course, you do. You want so deeply to believe, you can’t see the lies.”

  “They’re not lies, Aunt Myrtle. I think after the attack on my life by Juliette, he sees the Macabres were to blame for throwing a wrench into his marriage at every turn.”

  “And why would they do something like that to their own kin?”

  “Once Violet was pregnant, the Macabres got what they wanted. All they had to do was get rid of Violet once the baby was born. He thinks Juliette and Yvonne are the ones who planted the potion in his pocket to make the Midnights suspicious.”

  “How convenient, and the letter?”

  “The letter from his mother? It could have easily been faked. No one was ever able to confirm it. The Midnights all assumed it was true.”

  “And next you’ll be telling me that the bedroom incident was a fake too?”

  “Actually, yes. Marcus did have a twin brother, if you recall. An identical twin brother, that is.”

  She could see doubt in Aunt Myrtle’s eyes, but she could also see the realization that it could have been a set up. “Though I’m not inclined to believe this nonsense, why in the world would his family do such a thing.”

  “They all agreed there should not be a Midnight living in their house. The only one who disagreed was Marcus. I imagine they thought they were doing him a favor. Marcus could see the stress of the families were taking their toll on Violet. He bought a cabin in the woods where he planned to live with his new family once we were born, but as you know that all came crashing down. As we talked about all this, he never once said a bad thing about Violet or the Midnights for their plan to take us that night. He’s just sad it ended in Violet’s death and his not knowing me.”

  “It’s a lovely story, sweetheart. You know Ivy wanted to believe Marcus all along. I think she liked him. I, too, thought he was upstanding, until well, everything went to pot.”

  “I know you don’t believe his story. All I want is that you can admit that the evidence against him is all circumstantial and there is a possibility he’s telling the truth.”

  “That’s a lot, considering what we’ve been through and the loved ones we’ve lost.”

  “You said it yourself, Yvonne is not above orchestrating such an elaborate frame. She’s done it once before.”

  “Yes. It’s true. She’s pure evil, that one.”

  “Do you feel that because I’m related to her that I am evil too?”

  “Not at all. You didn’t live with them. You weren’t raised by them.”

  “You’re right. What about Autumn? Do you believe she’s evil?”

  “I don’t know her. That’s not a fair question to ask.”

  “It’s not, but it’s also not fair to assume one is evil because of their biological relations. Violet saw something in Marcus—something good enough to bypass all the bigotry she’d been told about the Macabres. Despite everything you knew about the Macabres you like Marcus and Ivy welcomed him into the family. Doesn’t that count for something.”

  “Yes, dear. It means the man is very good at deceiving those with trusting souls.”

  “Possibly, though I believe he’s been dealt a crappy hand by first his own family and then his in-laws. I don’t plan on following the same train of thought as the Midnights. I feel life is too short to believe that everyone is bad until proven good. Believing the good in someone should be like guilt—one should be considered innocent until proven guilty.

  “I will see Marcus again and Autumn, for that matter, despite what the family thinks and if things progress agreeably, I’d like to have him in my life for the unforeseeable future,” Summer said. And with that, she left a flabbergasted Myrtle in her parlor.

  Chapter 24

  The cool air felt good on her skin as she walked along the pathway from the house through the medicinal herb garden then on through the graveyard Tori loved so much. She really missed Tori. How good it would be to have a heart-to-heart with her. It had been so long. Her conversation with Aunt Myrtle had gotten her vexed. She felt like she constantly had to argue with the Midnights for them to see reason.

  And then she wondered if what she was feeling was what Violet felt having to constantly defend Marcus. Why was everyone so hell bent on hating one another? A little trust and faith would be such a nice change. Before she’d found out she was a Midnight or a Macabre she lived her life trusting people around her, having faith in people as a whole.

  Now her life was filled with suspicion and hate. Tori had told her once she was naive about people, and maybe she was right, but giving someone the benefit of the doubt was something she prided herself on. Sure it opened her up to those w
ho abused that trust, but it also brought opportunities that might not have ever happened if not for a little credence on her part.

  As her frustration evaporated into the graves that surrounded her, she felt the phone in her pocket vibrate then ring. On the screen a familiar name appeared—Jackson Lordsly. What would he be calling about from so far away? she thought. Should she answer it? Would that be breaking some confidential trust she had with Daniel? She wasn’t sure. It was three rings in of debating with herself before she thought she better answer it since it could relate to the plan they’d discussed this evening.

  “Hello?”

  “Summer?”

  “Yeah.”

  “It’s Jackson. Sorry to be bothering you but I’m in…need of your assistance,” he said with a note of urgency.

  “What is it?”

  “I…” his voice paused as if he’d dropped the phone, then a different voice continued. “We’ve got your friend Jackson here and if you don’t meet us when and where we say, we’ll kill him.”

  “Who is this.”

  “Why your Aunt Juliette, of course.”

  “What have you done?”

  “You’re not really in any position to be asking question right now. Come to the mansion. You have forty-five minutes. I know how you are without a car these days so I’m allowing a little more time. Come alone or you both die. Understand?”

  “Yes.”

  “Good.” The phone went dead.

  When did Jackson get to the states? It didn’t seem as if Hunter had any knowledge of this. Maybe I should call Nick. Here fingers quickly dialed the number.

  “Yeah.”

  “Nick. It’s Summer.”

  “Yeah.”

  “When was the last time you talked to Jackson?”

  “Why? What’s it to you?”

  “Just answer the question.”

  “Fine. I guess it was two days ago.”

  “Did he mention anything about coming home?”

  “No. What’s this about?”

  “I just got a call from him. The Macabres have him.”