Autumn rolled out of her tall bed, landing heavily on the carpeted ground. She tiredly pushed clumps of unruly auburn hair out of her eyes, yawning openly. Eyes blinking, trying to adjust to the darkness, she trudged to the large oak door. There she paused, listening for the cry that drew her from her sleep. She sighed, not hearing it again, but pushed the door open and slipped out, the ancient hinges creaking loudly. She winced, the headache she’d acquired when her feet hit the floor pounding harder. Her bare feet made soft padding noises as she walked to the back door. The screen banged against the doorframe, the door itself left open. A sign escaped her lips and she stepped outside, feeling the cool Air tugging at her long hair. Her eyes scanned the dark yard; almost looking past the shadows that danced eerily upon the trees. A loud crack of a branch sent her spinning on her heels, heart beating quickly against her chest. She quickly went from being tired to alert, as she drew in an unsteady breath. She held it, not daring to make a sound.

For a minute of unbearable silence, her breath went out, still shaking ever so quietly. She dared to tread forward, the board underneath her letting out a loud creak, the silence breaking like glass hitting concrete. Seeming to have been waiting for that moment, a low laugh rumbled about the yard. Her breath and heart quickened, the noise sounding achingly familiar. Her teeth clenched together.

"Show yourself." She managed to sputter out, voice cracking even in those two words. As she searched the darkness, trying to slow her breath, a man stepped out of the shadows. A low moan rolled off of her lips as she looked upon him.

He was cloaked in ebon, darkness so deep you could become lost in it. His eyes shone an unearthly bright light – so white it was painful to look upon for more then a moment. His finely chiseled features wore a smirk, at what Autumn knew she did not want to find out. Her eyes had become locked with his and still her heart thudded loudly in her breast. He swept into a bow, moves strikingly full of elegance.

"My lady. I have come to gather you." He informed her in a matter-of-fact tone.

She regained enough of her wits to half-snort defiantly. "You are not."
The smirk remained on his lips, and his eyes flared almost unnoticeably. "Is that true." He remarked, almost a statement and not a question. "Hmm. Interesting."

His eyes burned into hers, trying to break her guard. A breath was sucked through her lips, and she stuck her chin higher, shifting her weight so her stance was bolder.

He chuckled darkly, eyes boring deeper. The light of his eyes brightened as the dark of his robes grew darker. She squinted her eyes together, determined to not let him in. He backed off and crossed his arms over his chest. "You’re a strong one, you are. Too bad you won’t come willingly."

She sighed, the energy flowing out of her and back to the night with the exit of the breath. "Who sent you? And why do you want me?" she asked, her voice raspy.

"Too many questions. Hold your tongue, young one." He stated abruptly. A hand raised, and he twisted the darkness around them, more to amuse himself rather then to show her his powers.

Her eyes traveled to the Darkness, and she felt chills rack her body. She tore her eyeballs away from the spiraling shadows and back to his own bright orbs, a nauseating contrast. She recoiled involuntarily, cringing slightly.

Autumn’s breath still fluttered like a torn rag. "I can ask as many questions as I wish to. And I do have a name." She said, her voice clouded with bitterness.

"Foolish girl," he muttered duskily, unweaving the shadows from his grasp. The small tension between his brows deepened as he studied her face.

Again his look sent chills racing through her nerves.

She feigned a grin. "Am I really? I don’t know if you’re so sure." She said, voice tinged with mock. Inside she was terrified, but she refused to let that pierce her bold demeanor.

"You are, and I am sure. Don’t chaff me." He snarled, the sense of calm he possessed before having dispersed long ago. Her sucked a breath in, then let it out slowly, temper dying again. The sneer returned to his lips and he moved further from the shadows. "So you’re not coming, I take it?" he queried, voice draped in honey.

Again, she moved back from him, shivering under the garment she was clothed in. Doubt darkened her gaze and she almost fell for his words, the spell he seemed to be using working well. Quickly she threw her shoulders back. "No. I cannot. What are you talking about, anyway?" she rasped, not being able to clear her throat and speak without the scratchy tones.

He laughed evilly. "Come with me to find out, Autumn. What can you lose?" His tone suggested he was being truthful, but she new better then to trust the man of Light and Shadows, especially after he said her name. His voice grew sot, beckoning for her. "You’ve had a hard life . . . you’ll be safe . . . treated like royalty!"

Now he was starting to get too her. He sounded so sincere. She wanted so much to move nearer to him . . .

Another chill snapped her to her senses. The glare she threw towards him had the force of a kick. "You would do no such thing. And I warn you – don’t step any closer," she threatened, voice trying to be bold.

He laughed loudly but the sound was unsure, apparently haven taken the scowl. The tension between the strangers mounted a step. Inside, Autumn told herself to be bolder, to ignore the open gaze he looked at her with. She eyed him back, gaze as still as water without a wind to bother it. The alertness she wore when she first stepped out was lost, however. Weariness had seeped in but she held her ground.

"Of course, my lady. I wouldn’t want to invade you," he said sardonically. He didn’t step forward, but not back either.

Her thoughts traveled back to the cry she heard earlier and she though to ask him about it. Autumn quickly dismissed the idea when she caught the way he looked her up and down.