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

by Veronica Blade

  “Oh.” I wished to God I could come up with a more intelligent response, but I was too wasted from my day to manage it.

  “She was pretty upset. When I told her we were still friends, she insisted you come over for dinner. Are you up for it?”

  “I guess so.”

  “So… meet you at my house at 5:30?”

  “Um, okay.”

  “And maybe later, after Gina’s gone, you can go to the coffee house and we can accidentally run into each other.” He smiled.

  I laughed, but it came out embarrassingly like a sob. “That sounds good.”

  “Autumn?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Today was hard for me too,” he said softly.

  I nodded, afraid to speak.

  “You know what else?”

  I shook my head. “What?”

  “Trevor took Maya home in my Jeep.” He grinned. “I need a ride to work.”

  I gave a watery chuckle. “Get in.”

  † † †

  After dropping Zack off at work, I stopped at the grocery store so I wouldn’t starve during the week. I did my homework in record time, finished my laundry from the day before, then headed to Zack’s house for dinner.

  Cara answered the door and smiled, swinging it open. “Trevor’s not back yet from picking up Zack, but they should be here any minute. Come on in.”

  When I went inside, I found Favianne sitting on the couch playing a video game with Patrick. The boy scowled, but she looked like she was having a blast. She was probably slaughtering him.

  She saw me and held out her arms. I went to her, reaching out to take her hands. She swatted mine away, stood and drew me into a hug. “Let’s go talk in private.”

  For a split second, I mentally flinched. I’d easily handled everyone at school, but Zack’s mom? He’d complained I could be very convincing, but would she see through the lies?

  I followed Favianne to her room and got comfortable in the chair. She sat on her bed, bringing up her legs and leaning on her pillows against the wall. Her lungs wheezed and her heart rate went up, but not nearly as bad as before. She sounded great considering her activity the last couple minutes. Her skin looked good too. More color.

  “You look great. I guess you’re feeling better?” I asked.

  “Yes.” She smiled. “But we’re not here to talk about me.”

  “The weather?” I teased.

  She chuckled. “Nope. What happened with you and Zack?”

  Knowing she’d corner me at some point, I’d already given my answer some thought. I’d treat her the same way as I had my over-protective parents — give her selective truths. “Zack and I… we like each other and we get along, but we’re so different.” I rolled my eyes for effect. “We’re practically different species.”

  She nodded and folded her arms over her chest. “So far, you haven’t told me a thing.”

  Fortunately, I’d prepared for that reaction too — I needed to lead her away and throw in a half-truth or two. If that didn’t work, I’d flat-out lie, which I really didn’t want to do.

  “We want different things. Sometimes enjoying each other isn’t enough, you know?” I shrugged and glanced at Favianne, feeling suddenly thirsty. I licked my lips with what little moisture my mouth had left. What else had I been about to tell her? Oh yeah. “We realized we got along better when we were just friends.”

  Favianne took a deep breath, staring at me.

  Sweat tickled the palms of my hands. I was in big hairy trouble.

  “Although I appreciate the effort, I’m not buying it.”

  Uh-oh. “Why not?”

  “You’re trying too hard, for one thing.” She lifted one brow. “I want the truth. Now. And don’t try to feed me anymore merda. It’s not on my diet.”

  “We didn’t really break up.” The words rushed out of my mouth. But, hell, how could I explain why we were pretending to break up without telling her about our werewolf problems? If she knew our lives were in danger, she’d worry and stress. She could get sick again.

  “My ex-best friend has been pretty awful. She’s holding a grudge against me because Daniel and Zack both rejected her for me. Rather than dealing with all that drama, we figured if we broke up, it’d be less likely she’d be weird and stalkerish like Daniel was. There’s only a few more weeks of school, then we probably won’t see her again.”

  Whew! I gave her the truth… just not all of it.

  The door opened and my guilty eyes flew to Zack.

  “What’s going on here?” His eyes narrowed. “Autumn?”

  “She was just filling me in on the status of your relationship.” Favianne’s mouth tightened.

  “Really?” His eyes returned to me, cautious as he approached us. “What did she say?”

  “That we staged the breakup, so Gina won’t get any worse. I’m sorry, Zack, but it’s your fault for not getting here in time to rescue me.” I suppressed a giggle, happy that I wouldn’t have to lie to Favianne. “Don’t you think you should’ve warned me that your mom uses guerrilla tactics?”

  Favianne motioned him over, took his hand and held it between hers. “I’m so happy you two are still together. But don’t you dare lie to me ever again.”

  “Sorry, Mom.” Zack gave her hands a squeeze, then walked around the bed and stood behind me, dropping a kiss on the top of my head. “It seemed easier to give the same story to everyone.”

  “Dinner’s ready,” Cara called out from somewhere beyond Favianne’s room.

  “Mom, please don’t tell anyone,” he whispered. “The more people that know, the more confusing it’ll get. Trevor and Maya could give it away at school or at the coffee house or whatever. I don’t want them in the line of fire. Gina can get pretty nasty. It’s just until the last day of school.”

  “Okay.” She nodded. “You two be careful.”

  I can’t believe you got us out of that. Zack said silently. You’re brilliant.

  Yes, I am. I grinned. It comes from lots of practice with my parents.

  † † †

  Feeling antsy all alone in my house, I left for Bill’s Bean and Brew early. I entered through the side door, got my coffee, then carried it through the front door and onto the patio where we always sat. Just as the door closed behind me, my legs locked into place.

  Werewolf. Damn.

  Anxious to accidentally run into Zack, I’d forgotten that Renzo and Alura came here, too.

  “Hey, Autumn.” Alura beamed up at me. “Are you alone?”

  “Yes.” I returned her smile and waved to Renzo.

  “Come join us.” She glanced at him and he shrugged.

  “Sure.” After making her feel bad for breaking up Zack and me, I couldn’t refuse. But sitting next to her uncle was the last thing I wanted to do. On the other hand, avoiding eye contact with him seemed like a pretty good idea. I grabbed the nearest chair to his and plopped down. I leaned back in my seat, though, which put distance between us. I didn’t want him to catch my scent and figure out I was a shape-shifter.

  “Did you and Zack make up yet? I feel terrible about what happened.”

  “None of that was your fault. I’m sorry if I made you feel that way.” I gave her an apologetic smile. “And anyway, now that Zack and I are back to being friends, we get along great.”

  “How long have you known him?” Renzo asked.

  Instinct told me he was fishing for information. I’d have to be careful. I didn’t think I could handle any more stressful situations today. “Just a few weeks and we weren’t dating all that time. It was never that serious.”

  “Zack!” Alura’s pretty face broke into a huge smile.

  Crap. If they invited him to join us, things could get even more awkward.

  “When you get your coffee, come back and sit with us,” she said.

  I glanced over my shoulder and smiled at Zack. That’s what a friend might do, right? “Yeah, Zack, you should sit with us.” Oh, hell. He disappeared inside the café and I
spun to face Alura. “So have you guys done anything touristy since you’ve been here? Disneyland?”

  “Not as much as I’d like.” She wrinkled her nose. “Uncle Renzo claims to be on vacation, but he spends most of the day taking work calls. I spend mine at the mall.”

  “The perfect vacation.” I grinned.

  “Yep.” Alura giggled, her gaze moving behind me.

  But I had already sensed Zack.

  “Autumn, what are you doing here?” He sat between Alura and me, sipping from his cup.

  “I got bored home alone. You?”

  “Same.” He lifted the paper cup to his mouth again.

  My eyes darted to Renzo who discreetly watched Zack at every possible opportunity. Just then, his gaze captured mine and I squirmed in my seat. “So what do you do?”

  “I run a few businesses,” Renzo replied.

  “My uncle is modest. He owns them and it’s more than a few.”

  My extreme discomfort at sitting with two werewolves pretty much killed any interest I had in his business affairs. I tried to look impressed anyway, maintaining eye contact with him. Once again, I was struck with how familiar Renzo seemed. He didn’t look like anyone I knew but there was something about him… what was it?

  Seen Charles yet? he asked Zack, glancing toward the parking lot as though he wasn’t carrying on a silent conversation.

  I hadn’t realized Zack’s knee was touching mine under the table.

  Not since Friday, Zack answered.

  “Alura, where are you guys from?” I asked.

  She smiled. “San Diego.”

  “I’ve passed through there. Beautiful,” I said.

  “Um, I didn’t plan on staying.” Zack stood. “Was just stopping for coffee on my way home. Nice seeing you again, Renzo. Alura. See you tomorrow in English Lit, Autumn.”

  “See you later.” Alura waved to Zack, then turned to me. “Do you have to go, too?”

  That would look suspicious, wouldn’t it? My only regret was that Zack had thought to leave before I had. He was free and I wasn’t. “I have a few more minutes.”

  And that’s all the time I could afford. My gut told me that any more would only give Renzo more opportunity to figure out what Zack and I were hiding.

  Chapter Seventeen

  In truth, I had nothing pressing going on, nothing I needed to get home to. Homework was done and I’d answered my mom’s e-mail from my phone earlier. I could stay at Bill’s Bean and Brew a couple more hours and still get to Zack’s before he fell asleep.

  But the longer I hung with Renzo and Alura, the riskier it became. I needed to go. Now. Which meant I needed to make up some excuse to get the hell out of there. In my head, though, nothing sounded right or natural.

  Faking it with my parents and everyone else had become second nature, but with Renzo, I was just too nervous and the lies twisted up on my tongue.

  When Alura asked me questions about my parents and what they did for a living, my plans for college and where I hoped to be in five years, I stuck to the truth. That I could handle. Lies, not so much.

  I told her how graphic design and websites intrigued me, but that I thought I might have to wait until next year, maybe go to trade school. More than likely, none of that would ever happen. I’d probably be on the run for the rest of my life — I kept that part to myself.

  When the conversation lulled, I opened my mouth to tell them I had to get back home. I paused when Renzo dropped a straw wrapper and leaned over to pick it up before the breeze carried it away. His knee brushed against me and I strained to keep from flinching.

  She’s lying, Alura. Zack’s scent is all over her. You don’t get that much werewolf on you if you’re just friends. Any idea why they’re hiding it?

  At least he didn’t sniff me out. That was something. Still, my heart slammed against my ribs, my adrenaline spiking.

  My hair caught a light breeze and he abruptly sat upright again, his eyes trained on me.

  Oh, crap, had he smelled me? I shot them each a casual smile. “I really should get going. Still have homework to do.” I moved to stand, laying my palm on the table.

  Renzo pressed his hand over mine. “No. You don’t have to go,” he said in a low voice only Alura and I would hear.

  “I don’t?” I said, slowly returning to the chair.

  “No.” He watched me, eyes narrowed. “Does Zack know about you?”

  “What do you mean?” I forced a small laugh.

  “You know exactly what I mean,” he growled, his eyes darkening.

  My gaze darted to Alura.

  Autumn knows she’s been caught. His hand still covered mine, so I could hear him. His words were obviously directed at Alura, but he didn’t take his eyes off me. She can hear me and she knows I know.

  “Uncle Renzo, you’re scaring her. Autumn, he’s not going to hurt you.” She scowled at him.

  “Are you?” I asked him.

  “I’m on vacation.” Renzo enunciated the last word slowly, leaning closer. “You didn’t answer my question. Does Zack know you’re a shape-shifter?”

  Alura gasped. Clearly, she hadn’t figured it out yet.

  That’s it. I was going to die. There was no point in denying I was a shape-shifter, but that didn’t mean Zack had to go down with me. “N-No one knows, not even my parents. H-How did you know?”

  “When I spoke telepathically to Alura, your expression changed. Your eyes shifted, your heart rate accelerated, then you immediately tried to bolt.”

  “Are you going to kill me?” I wiped my sweaty palms on my jeans as my eyes darted from her to him and back again. “For socializing with a werewolf?”

  Renzo reached over and gently grasped my wrist. “Listen to me carefully. We’re on va-ca-tion.”

  I squeezed my eyes shut. “Vacation?”

  A smile teased his mouth. “Yes. Vacation.”

  “Autumn,” Alura said. “It’s okay. You’re safe with us.”

  My breathing became easier and my pulse slowed. “And Zack? What about him?”

  Alura shook her head. “We’re not watchers or scouts.”

  “Where’s Charles?” Renzo asked, his eyes turning to slits again.

  This unfortunate turn of events with Renzo and Alura was just one more in a string of awful incidents today. My eyes stung and, to my horror, my bottom lip trembled. “I don’t know. Can I go home now?”

  Alura reached across the table and squeezed my hand. “Of course. We’ll drive you home.”

  I mentally wrestled with the idea of getting into a car with one of them. Alura and Renzo had each insisted they meant no harm, but were they telling the truth or setting me up? “I have my car.”

  “I know,” Alura said softly. “But seeing how distraught you are, I’d feel better if I saw you arrive safely.”

  If I refused the escort and they meant to kill me, wouldn’t they be waiting for me at my house anyway? A weak and solitary fledgling shape-shifter stood zero chance against two older werewolves and I had no intention of involving Zack. Even with his help, we’d be dead meat. If I were doomed, maybe I could buy myself some time by playing along.

  “Okay, sure. A ride would be appreciated.” I started to get up again, but halted at Renzo’s voice.

  “Did you and Zack kill Charles?” His eyes bored into me.

  “No! And I told you, Zack doesn’t know about me.” I shook my head, terror gripping me. “He’s going to be so pissed at me for not telling him.”

  “Let’s go.” He rose, taking my elbow. “Alura will drive your car and I’ll meet her there.”

  “Please don’t say anything to Zack,” I pleaded as he guided me off the patio toward the parking lot. “I put him in danger and I’m sorry. Don’t know what I was thinking.”

  Renzo gave me a small nod in acknowledgement. “I’ll keep it to myself, for now. Meanwhile, keep your relationship under wraps. Mixing species will get you killed faster than just about anything and you never know when you’ll meet up wi
th a werewolf who isn’t on vacation.”

  Or when Renzo would decide his vacation was over. Would that be two hours from now or two days?

  My heart pounded in my throat.

  Just as we hit the asphalt, he yanked my arm to a stop. “Why’d you tell everyone you broke up when you hadn’t?”

  “Th-there’s this girl at school harassing me.” It’s what we’d told Zack’s mom and all I could think of. “We thought we’d lie low and see if she lets up.”

  I felt a driving need to get away from Renzo before I tripped myself up in my lies. I moved just a hair and he clamped a hand around my wrist. “Why is your scent so light?”

  “I haven’t finished maturing, I guess. I don’t know.” I prayed they wouldn’t ask who mentored me during my change into shape-shifter and my first morph.

  “I still should’ve been able to sense you right away,” Renzo said. “Why couldn’t I?”

  My pulse quickened. “I told you. I don’t know.”

  Alura rested a hand on his shoulder, a low hiss emitting from her throat. “Uncle Renzo, can we take a break and resume the Spanish Inquisition another time?”

  He sighed and loosened his grip on my wrist. “Fine.”

  “I’ll see you there,” she told him, cutting across his arm and forcing him to release me the rest of the way.

  I got in the passenger side of my car and she started it up and pulled onto the road.

  “I live off Foothill Blvd. Make a right about three lights down.”

  Alura looked directly at me, her eyes steady. “I know where you live.”

  She did? What else did they know? A tingle raced up my spine.

  Minutes later, she pulled into my driveway. “Are you okay to go inside by yourself? You want me to come in with you? I can have my uncle wait in the car. I’m annoyed with him right now anyway.” A mischievous smile curved her lips.

  Alura seemed so sweet and I wanted to take her up on her offer. But could she really be that nice or were they setting me up? What did they want? “Thank you, but I’m fine.”

  “You should run a hot bath. Relax.”

  “I might.” I eyed the ignition. “Can I have my keys back?”

  “Sorry.” She climbed out and handed me my keys as the midnight-blue Jaguar glided to the curb behind us.