Shapes of Autumn (Boxed set, books 1 - 5)

by Veronica Blade

  Staying in my car, I tapped the horn on my steering wheel and hoped my guests would show themselves. I waited a beat and the screen door opened. I abandoned my bags in the car and bolted across the lawn.

  “Mom!” I leaped into her waiting arms, hugging her every bit as tightly as she hugged me. What felt like minutes later, I’d finally gotten my fill and released her.

  “Still can’t believe you picked a convertible.” She nodded toward the Mustang. “Thought you didn’t like the wind messing up your hair.”

  I didn’t want her to think I’d shopped frivolously or that I’d changed drastically since she’d been gone. She’d only worry. “It has modifications, which according to the mechanic make it special. So I put up with it.”

  She chuckled. “You love it, don’t you?”

  “Yes.” I grinned. “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?”

  Her face grew solemn. “Let’s go inside. I have something to discuss with you.”

  Once through the front door, my eyes scanned the living room. “Where’s dad?”

  “He couldn’t get away.” She sat and leaned back against the dining room chair. “Actually, we saw no point in him making the trip since you’re flying back with me.”

  I blinked. “What?”

  “We’ve decided our family’s been apart long enough.” She gave me her firm look. “We’ll be in New Mexico for a while, which is what you wanted. To stay in one place for a long period.”

  Setting my purse on the table, I dropped into a chair thinking of all the lame things I could say when there was only one thing I wanted to know. “Mom, level with me. Why do you guys move around so much? Dad could work from just about anywhere and you guys would save so much money in travel expenses.”

  She studied me. “You’ve never complained before.”

  “Actually, I have. You just weren’t listening.” My tone lowered an octave. “Let me be clear. I don’t want to move again.”

  She reached out to take my hand. “Once we’re all settled in New Mexico, you won’t have to worry about that for a while.”

  I pulled my hand away. “I’m not going anywhere.”

  “You can even keep the Mustang,” she went on as if she could replace my friends, a high school diploma and the entire life I’d built in Southern California with a car. “We’ll drive out tonight, once we’re packed.”

  “Mom, we went through this a couple weeks ago. I told you how I felt about being uprooted.” My blood began to boil. It was as if the conversation had never taken place. I sucked in a deep breath, then fixed my gaze on her and stretched my shoulders back. “Sorry. I’m staying right here.”

  She stared at me, like she still didn’t quite believe me. “Alone?”

  “Mom, I love you both and I really miss you guys, but I can’t do the gypsy thing anymore. If you leave and sell the house, I’ll understand. I can get a job and figure it out. I’d rather do everything on my own than move again.”

  “What’s so important that you have to stay?” She narrowed her eyes. “Did you meet a boy?”

  My mouth gaped. “You’re still not listening. I want my diploma and I want to go to prom. I hate moving. And I don’t think you and dad have been truthful to me.” Oops. I hadn’t meant for that last bit to slip out.

  “What do you mean?” Her brows pulled together. “We’ve never lied to you.”

  No, but an omission amounted to the same thing. If my parents were shape-shifters, then they should’ve told me that I would be turning into one, too. If they were human, then that meant I was adopted. Again, they should’ve told me.

  I was dying to just tell them I was a shifter and find out either way. But if they were human and I revealed my true nature to a mortal, I’d be breaking the most important law of the supernaturals. I could get killed for that. I was already breaking serious werewolf laws. I didn’t want to press my luck breaking more. Besides, what did werewolves do with humans who knew their secret? I had no idea, but I couldn’t take the chance that they were human and Charles or Renzo would kill them.

  On the other hand, if they were shifters and I spilled the beans, I wouldn’t be breaking any laws. But if they were shifters, wouldn’t they have said something?

  “Whatever.” I wrapped my arms around my waist. “I’m staying and this conversation is over.”

  “You’ll be on your own.” Her voice softened. “How will you get through college and make enough money to get an apartment? You’ll need to eat. Or do you plan to sacrifice your education and make minimum wage the rest of your life?”

  “My education? Seriously? If you cared about that, you wouldn’t be giving me an ultimatum. Come with me or cut me off? What kind of parenting is that? You guys make no sense at all.” I exhaled loudly and lifted one shoulder. “I’ll work it out, maybe stay at Maya’s for a bit.”

  My mom was silent for a moment and I wondered whether she’d given up or was about to try a new angle. I caught a glimpse of the clock on the fireplace mantel, knowing Zack would be expecting me for dinner shortly.

  “I’ll be right back.” I grabbed my purse and paused. “How long are you staying this time?”

  “If you’re not coming with me, I’m leaving right away.”

  “Meaning minutes, not hours?” I asked, unsuccessful at hiding my apathy.

  She nodded.

  “Why don’t you guys just come back and stay?”

  “Sweetheart, your father can’t not work. We have rent to pay, your private school and—”

  “Never mind.” I’d heard it all before. I spun and hurried up the stairs to my room. After closing the door, I rooted through my purse for my phone and texted Zack with trembling fingers to tell him I’d been delayed.

  Damn! Why had they forced me to make a choice? God, was I even making the right decision? Phone still in hand, I slapped it against my palm as I paced near the foot of my bed.

  Staying and struggling to make ends meet scared the daylights out of me, but I loved my life here. Except Zack would be leaving in just a few weeks and then I’d lose him too. But I still had Maya and Trevor — until they went away to college, at least.

  But that wasn’t the point. I didn’t want to move again. I was done starting over. Eventually, I’d be forced to leave when the wrong werewolf discovered me, but until then, I intended to live my life on my terms.

  My parents would always love me. I knew that. And I could visit them. With that realization, my body began to calm and my breathing steadied. I quit pacing and ran downstairs, quickly locating my mom who held a phone to her ear. She eyed me, then said good-bye and hung up.

  I hugged her. “I love you, Mom.”

  “Love you too. More than anything in the world.” She held me close. “I’m so happy you changed your mind.”

  I squeezed one last time, then let her go. “I didn’t. Moving isn’t going to happen for me, no matter how many times you ask.”

  She tilted her head, her brows drawn. “But…”

  “Do what you have to do, sell the house or whatever. I’ll deal.” I had all that extra money they’d deposited in my account, but that wouldn’t last forever. It would hold me over, though, until I got a job.

  She turned away and seconds passed before she faced me again. She looked tired suddenly, defeated. But I reminded myself that it wasn’t bad to stand up for myself.

  She tapped her thigh with the tips of her fingers. “Okay. Stay here. We’ll keep the house for now and make sure you have money for anything you need.”

  “Thank you.” I threw myself at her. “You won’t regret it.”

  She wrapped her arms around me again. “I hope you’re right.”

  I loosened my grip so I could meet her gaze. “Please spend the night. We can hang out, stay up late and watch a movie or something. Dad will live without you one more day.”

  “Yes, I’m sure he’d survive. But I have to help him wrap up this job and prepare for the next one.” Mom smiled, then glanced at her watch. “I should g
o. If I leave now, I can make the next flight.”

  It was absolutely baffling how my parents could do a one-eighty, from obsessively worrying to completely deserting me. Why couldn’t the New Mexico job wait an extra day? But I already knew my questions would go nowhere. And I’d just had a huge victory with them supporting me while I stayed. I didn’t want to press my luck.

  Picking up a small bag, she touched my chin. “We’ll be back soon, maybe in a few days. If I can make it on a weekend, we can spend the day together.”

  I forced my mouth into what I hoped resembled a genuine smile. “That would be great.”

  We walked to the rental car and said good-bye, then she drove away and waved out the window until her car disappeared around the corner.

  Chapter Five

  After John sputtered away in my old car later that evening, Zack and I hoofed it to his house to check on his mom.

  With every intake of air, her lungs wheezed as they struggled to expand.

  Zack sat on a chair at her bedside. “Mom, you need to go to the doctor.”

  “I said no. See how tonight goes. We’ll revisit it tomorrow.”

  “But, Mom—”

  “Go to the closet, tesoro, top shelf. Bring me the black metal box,” she demanded.

  Zack hesitated a moment, then did as he was told, setting the container on the bed next to her.

  “The key is in my jewelry box on the dresser.” She smiled sleepily at him.

  Locating the small silver key, Zack unlocked the box and lifted the lid. I stood beside him, spying official looking items — credit cards, stacks of money and something that looked like a passport. His eyes darted to his mom. “Why are you showing me this?”

  I backed away from the bed, not wanting to intrude on their private moment. “Um… I’ll wait outside.”

  “Stay here. As long as you’re with Zack, you’re part of this family.” Her eyes met his. “It’s all in your name. Everything you need — account numbers, cash, my attorney’s contact info. I’ve set up a trust so there won’t be any inheritance taxes or anything else for you to worry about. If you spend it wisely, it’ll last a while. You could go to college and study whatever you want.”

  “Mom.” His voice broke and he cleared his throat. “It’s not time for this yet. You’re going to be fine.”

  She waved his words away with a sweep of her hand. “Tomorrow, I want you to withdraw everything from our joint account and deposit it into yours.”

  His eyes clouded and he shook his head. “No.”

  “Yes.” Favianne’s brows rose menacingly like only a mother could manage.

  “Fine, I will. Under the condition that you’ll let me take you to the hospital.”

  “Only if I’m not feeling better.” She sighed. “I’ll be fine. I’m just tired. You two have a nice night.”

  Dismissed.

  Zack didn’t budge. “Tomorrow you’ll say you’re feeling better and refuse to go. If you don’t agree now, then this box goes back up on the shelf and you can’t make me transfer that money. Doctor first. That’s the deal.” He stood straight and towered over her.

  “Who raised you to be so stubborn?” Her mouth curved up and her eyes drifted shut. Suddenly they reopened and she grabbed my hand. “Let me have your ragazza for a moment, please. Alone.”

  Ragazza? Did she mean me? Why would she want me alone?

  “I’ll wait outside. ’Night, mom.” He squeezed her other hand, gave me a quick kiss and disappeared into the hallway.

  Favianne took my hand. “Promise me you’ll take care of him when I’m gone.”

  “I think Zack’s right. It’s too soon to talk about this.” My throat felt too tight to say much more.

  “That might be true. But promise me anyway.”

  I nodded. “I’ll take care of him as best I can, for as long as he’ll let me.”

  “You’ve learned how stubborn that boy is, I see.” She gave me a sleepy smile, then her lids slipped closed and a moment later, her breathing deepened.

  “Good night,” I whispered and tiptoed out. I found Zack waiting for me in the hallway. “Nice job getting her to agree.”

  “Only ’cause I resorted to blackmail.” He shook his head.

  Zack’s aunt Cara appeared, crowding into the narrow passageway with us. “Autumn, can I see you for a minute?”

  Zack shrugged. I have no idea what she wants.

  Cara eyed her nephew. “Alone. Go say hi to Trevor.”

  “Everyone wants her alone. That makes three of us.” Zack squeezed past us.

  What did Cara have to say that needed to be said in private? I bit my lip.

  “I want to show you something.” She motioned for me to follow. At the end of the hallway, she opened a door and waved me in. Bookshelves lined the right side of the small room with boxes stacked in front of them. The left side boasted a small bed and at the foot were more boxes.

  “It’s nothing special, but it’s a bed,” she said.

  I couldn’t imagine why she’d offer me a room when she knew I had a perfectly good one at home. Unless she knew I hadn’t been using it. My muscles bunched up. I really hoped she had no clue I’d been sleeping in Zack’s room every night. “I don’t understand…”

  “Your parents are still out of town, right? It must be lonely in that house all by yourself.”

  I exhaled in relief. This confirmed she didn’t know I’d been in Zack’s bed every night.

  She quirked a brow. “Not that you’re sleeping there much. If you take this room, you won’t have to sneak in and out after dark.”

  I cringed as heat rushed to my cheeks. “Uh, sorry.” What else could I say? I’d been caught. Yikes. Wiping the sudden moisture over my brow, I blew out a breath and screwed up my courage. “How did you know?”

  “Sometimes Mac has trouble sleeping. He happened to be looking out the window the last couple nights and saw you crawl through Zack’s window.”

  A squeak escaped my throat.

  “Normally, I’d remind Zack of house rules concerning girls in bedrooms. But I don’t have the heart to take that from him right now. Not with his mom in her condition.”

  “You think his concerns are valid?”

  Her chin trembled. “Unfortunately, yes. I worry just as much, but I was lucky enough to grow up with her and see her as a young, vibrant woman. For Zack, his mother being sick is almost all he’s ever known. No young man should have that kind of burden.”

  I gave her a sympathetic nod as I unconsciously backed into the hallway, fervently hoping she’d forget all about the previous topic.

  “Back to the sleeping arrangements.” Cara touched my arm and I slumped in disappointment. “It’s okay. I was young and in love once too. I know how it works. Besides, you’re both over eighteen. I just hope you two are being safe.”

  She assumed Zack and I had already slept together. I inwardly cringed and I stared at my toes. “I don’t know about Zack being in love. We haven’t known each other that long.”

  “Just because my nephew is an idioto and hasn’t told you so, doesn’t mean it’s not true.”

  I almost giggled but was still too freaked out over getting caught. “I’ll believe it when I hear it from him. Oh, my gosh, this is so embarrassing.” My voice broke on the last word and I took another deep breath. “Seems like it would be worse to stay in this room. What if Patrick or Brian caught me going into Zack’s? Maybe I should stick with the window.”

  Oh, God, did I just admit out loud to sneaking around? Shoot me now.

  She laughed and hugged me. “Whatever works for you, tesora. I haven’t seen Zack this happy in a long time. I’m thinking it has something to do with you, which makes you a part of our family.”

  † † †

  I lay in Zack’s bed, cuddling with him. Thoughts floated through my mind like a buoy, refusing to sink into my subconscious. Like the newest werewolf, Renzo. Why was he there and would he try to hijack Zack from Charles? Or worse, did this Renzo guy
have other plans, like maybe taking Zack before graduation?

  Slimy as Charles was, at least he’d promised to let Zack stay and spend some time with his mom. The thought of losing Zack sooner and never seeing him again made me feel like I was suffocating. There had to be some other way to stop the werewolves. I just didn’t know what.

  Gina took up way too much space in my head, too. Whatever she was scheming would be something vile, for sure. And then there was Zack’s mom. How much time did she have with her son? With her sister Cara?

  I couldn’t get my parents out of my head either. Were they shape-shifters? If so, why hadn’t they told me I’d be hitting shape-shifter maturity right about now? Except Zack hadn’t picked up their scent in the house or on their belongings, so they had to be human. Then again, my scent was nearly nonexistent and only detectable up close. Maybe it was the same with them.

  On the other hand, if Zack was right and our scent increased with our powers, then my parents should smell like shape-shifters. But they didn’t. Which brought me full circle. My head spun.

  Maybe they hadn’t adopted me but stolen me, which was why they were reluctant to tell me they weren’t my real parents. I mentally shook my head. They weren’t capable of that kind of cruelty. Or were they? Not like they’d been forthcoming about anything in the slightest.

  “Go to sleep,” Zack whispered.

  “I’m trying, believe me, but my brain won’t shut up.” I gave him the condensed version of my thoughts.

  “Hmm. Well, I still firmly believe your parents are human, but if the mystery is driving you to sleep deprivation, you need find out for yourself.”

  “That’s not helpful. How am I supposed to do that?”

  He rolled toward me. “They’re gone and you have access to everything in the house. There has to be documentation somewhere. Time to snoop around.”

  “I’d have to poke through their things. It’s a bit of an invasion of privacy, don’t you think?”

  “Absolutely. But they’ve kept things from you and there’s no refuting that. If they’d been open with you, you wouldn’t need to go behind their back. It’s your right to know the truth. You can either live in ignorance or take action.”