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

by Veronica Blade

  “Why so few? You can’t battle hundreds of werewolves with such a small army.” Hayden folded his arms over his chest. “As skilled as I am, I wouldn’t go into battle with those odds.”

  “We don’t have a choice. As I mentioned before, a loved one is being held captive.” Dathan’s mouth set in a grim line. “Vampires are no good to me since we’re prone to dying from werewolf bites. Other than Autumn and her parents, I don’t know any other werewolves or shifters who can’t be compelled to do Mortimer’s bidding.”

  “As much as I want to help you...” The queen shook her head.

  “Some witches are helping Mortimer. People who should be under your command, but instead are siding with your enemy. That doesn’t bother you?” I asked.

  “Do you have a name?” the queen asked, her eyes cautious.

  “David Oakley,” I said, thankful I’d had a chance to speak with Zack just before we had arrived.

  Tessa stomped, balling her hands into fists. “I should’ve killed that sick son of a bitch when I had the chance. I can’t believe he’d help those lowlifes.”

  “Hold on.” Jane brushed Tessa’s wrist with her fingertips, then switched to Dathan. “How can you possibly know the witch’s name?”

  “We have a man on the inside,” I said. I sent her an image of Zack, hoping if I trusted her with something so personal, she would trust me in return. “He’s a werewolf, but he’s risking his life for all species.”

  “Did I hear you say David is helping the werewolves?” A wispy blonde appeared in the room almost by magic. She stopped in front of Dathan and straightened her spine. “I’ll join forces with you.”

  “Uh, hi, Zoe. We didn’t realize you were around.” Chait’s face fell and his gaze lowered.

  “I’m a powerful witch, good at blocking.” Her chin quivered an instant before she lifted it. “David and his accomplice tried to assassinate me about fifteen years ago. I’m only one witch, but I’ll do whatever you need if it might stop that monster.”

  “Nonsense, darling.” Jane rose from the chair and swallowed Zoe’s hands in her own. “You’re staying here.”

  The girl’s blue eyes darkened. “So you can baby me? I’m tired of you all acting as if I’m going to break at any moment. I love you, Grandmother, and I’d do anything for you. Except stay here and be useless.”

  “You’re hardly useless.” Jane gave a nervous laugh and licked her lips. “Just because you’re angry with us doesn’t mean you should put yourself in extreme danger.”

  Zoe flipped away from her grandmother, her mouth a flat line. “I’m an extraordinarily powerful witch. More powerful than David. And I’ve already died once. I’m kind of used to it.”

  Tessa opened her mouth to speak and Zoe blasted her with fiery eyes. “Don’t. You’re as bad as the rest of them. You keep me trapped here, coddled. No more. I want to be free. I want to live again.”

  “You don’t have to die in order to live,” Tessa said in a gentle voice. “I already lost you once.”

  A lone tear made a wet trail down Zoe’s cheek as she stared at Tessa. “But if I stay here, I have no life.” She slowly rotated toward Dathan. “When do we leave?”

  “Then I’m going with you.” Tessa stood, her gaze still glued to Zoe. “I’ll risk death just so you can have your little adventure,” she hissed.

  Hayden rose and entwined his fingers with Tessa’s. “I go where she goes.”

  “I’m not missing the fun,” Chait said.

  Jane’s teeth grated and she glared at Dathan. “I would’ve never allowed you into my home if I thought my own granddaughters and loved ones would be exposed to danger.”

  Dathan scowled. “When I called, I asked for a private meeting. Moments ago, I asked again. How could I know you’d involve them in our conversation?”

  Jane slumped, then straightened with renewed determination and aimed a stern stare at her witches. “As your queen, I absolutely forbid any of you to go on this suicide mission. Do not defy me.” She shot Zoe a harsh look.

  Zoe raised her chin. “If you don’t want me to disobey, then don’t give me an order I can’t follow. Haven’t you hovered enough? I need to be free, Grandma, not live as if I’m a prisoner. I can’t do this anymore. I can’t.”

  “I didn’t realize you felt like a captive,” Jane said, her voice tight. “I thought I was keeping you safe while you convalesced.”

  “My body healed years ago.” She swiveled, her back to her family as she fixed a stare at Dathan. “I’m leaving, with or without their blessing.”

  “Dathan, if you take her against my will, any treaties with vampires will be void.” Queen Jane’s blue eyes deepened to cobalt.

  “If you forbid me from going, I’ll leave anyway. And I’ll be safer with them, since they’re all unusually powerful. Certainly safer than traveling alone.” She knelt, rested a cheek in her grandmother’s lap. “I love you, Grandma. But I need to see this through, free myself of David. You must accept that you can’t hold me here. You have to let me go, without blaming our guests.”

  Dathan inched forward and touched the queen’s shoulders. “They don’t have to be in the middle of a war to use their powers and bring your mother’s killer to justice. I’ll do everything I can to keep them safe.”

  Jane gave Dathan an almost imperceptible nod. “I’m depending on it. Rescue your loved ones, bring order to the werewolves and return my family unscathed.”

  “I promise,” Dathan said. “We live through this and all vampire-kind will be indebted to you.”

  Chapter SEVEN

  Zack

  I’d found semiclean rags in the toolshed and grabbed a few more syringes while I was there. Not that I planned to use them on the prisoners like I was supposed to. Figured they might come in handy later against some werewolf. When I had returned from my errand, I hid the poison in a corner under the clean rags I had procured, knowing David wouldn’t do any organizing or cleaning.

  He’d grown bored of his victim and asked me to take the limp body away and get him a new one. I yanked the guy out of the chair by his arm and he slammed to the concrete floor. Inwardly, I cringed at adding insult to injury on the poor guy. But I couldn’t let David think I cared about any of the prisoners. When I was too far from David for him to sense the energy emitted when speaking telepathically, I shortened my steps for extra time to talk to the guy.

  Listen carefully because I don’t have much time. Might not seem as though I’m on your side, especially when you hear me help the psycho torture the next guy. And the next. But you’re going to have to trust me on this. Soon, my friends will come and we’ll wage war and overthrow Mortimer. With still more to say to the guy, I slowed my pace as we neared his cell. I need as many of you guys as possible to be alert and ready to fight. So I’m going to pretend to dose you and then you have to pretend to be unconscious. If you’re not convincing and I get caught, I won’t be able to help any of you. Got it? I opened the door to his cell and dragged him inside.

  Got it, he answered. But they only feed us once a week, never enough to fully heal or give us strength. None of us will be much good to you unless we get something more substantial.

  I crawled halfway into the cell to shove him in, which left my top half out of the camera’s view, then I dug a syringe from my pocket. If I try to smuggle in too much food, I’ll get caught. I’ll do what I can though. Does David rotate his victims or do you think he’ll come back to you soon?

  Depends on his mood. He usually gets around to me every couple weeks.

  I didn’t want any more horror stories but I had to ask. Will anyone else get you out of here for anything?

  No. I haven’t seen anyone other than David in...I’ve lost track of time. Maybe four or five years.

  I couldn’t have heard him correctly. Years? How long have you been here? As soon as the question was out, I regretted it. I preferred not having that kind of information. Too disturbing, which distracted me from what I needed to do.

&
nbsp; Since I was a little kid. It’s almost all I’ve ever known.

  He looked around twenty-five or thirty years old. But since we didn’t age, I couldn’t help him figure out how long he’d been there. I couldn’t let myself imagine the horrors he’d been through. But the chances were good David wouldn’t get back to this guy before the battle. I stuffed a couple syringes in his pocket. This might come in handy when the fight comes. Make sure no one sees it. Don’t forget, you’re supposed to be unconscious now. After banging the gate shut, I set the lock and sprinted to the next cell.

  My name’s Benjamin.

  Nice to meet you, Benjamin. I opened the neighboring cell, observing the shape-shifter a moment before opening the door.

  “Jack, what’s taking so long?” David’s voice echoed through the dungeon.

  “How do I know this new one isn’t awake and ready to ambush me?” I called out.

  “You don’t.” David snickered. “Just kidding. They’re dosed every two or three hours. We feed them once a week so they heal slowly. Even if one starts to wake up, he’ll be too weak to fight you.”

  “Who doses them?” I asked, unlocking the door. I latched onto a foot and hefted the guy over my shoulder, then headed around the corner to David’s office.

  “I’ve been doing it. That’s your job now and I can do more important things.” He pointed at the table and I laid the guy on it. “In fact, you should do a round now.”

  His “more important things” was devoting more time to watching others suffer. I glanced up at the white circular clock high on the wall. “It’s dinnertime. Aren’t you hungry? I was wondering if I shouldn’t get us some food. Maybe I can dose them when I get back.”

  “Actually, I’m starving.” David studied his next victim, then eyed the surgical tray. No doubt pondering how he could inflict the most pain. “Go to the cafeteria and bring me something to eat.”

  “Anything in particular?” I asked, inching out of the office.

  “Whatever looks good. Don’t forget soda. With ice.”

  “Yes, sir. Be right back.” I advanced down the corridor, anxious to get food for the prisoners. Colin, what’s the guy’s name who does security with you. Raul? And where is he now?

  Yeah, that’s Raul. He left for the cafeteria a few minutes ago.

  Perfect. I picked up speed, locking the door to the dungeon and sprinting along the corridor. My entire plan depended on getting this next part right. I couldn’t screw this up. But what if Raul was too old for me to compel? Colin, how old is Raul?

  I’m not sure. Other than the king, no one here is more than a hundred or two. The older werewolves are sent on scouting missions. The young stay behind.

  Of course, because the more powerful werewolves needed to protect themselves out there all alone. Mortimer could fend for himself but if he needed help, the sheer number of werewolves in town made up for their lack of strength.

  I burst through the door of the cafeteria, my eyes scanning for Raul. The food line wrapped all the way around the spacious room. I’d be there forever and every moment I wasted in line was time I couldn’t do what I needed to do. Relief filled me when I spotted Raul near the front, only a handful of people from the food. I headed his way.

  You’re going to let me in, I commanded Raul. “Thanks for holding my place.” I slipped in and he let me.

  “Did you just take cuts?” growled the guy behind Raul.

  I focused on him. Back off. My gaze traveled to the guy behind him and the next several in line. All of you are loyal to me now. You’ll answer all my questions and help me anyway you can. And you’ll go along with whatever I want without questioning it. When the war breaks out soon, you won’t fight my friends. And you won’t remember this conversation.

  The line moved and only three people were ahead of me now. Raul, does anyone other than you and Colin monitor the cameras?

  No.

  I inched forward. How often does the king check in with you?

  Maybe once a day.

  Does he ever inspect the video footage personally?

  Never. I don’t believe His Majesty is sane enough to think that clearly. He believes he’s too powerful and can’t be conquered. He also knows we’ll do exactly as he asks, or we will be eliminated.

  Wow, even his own people didn’t think much of him. As soon as this conversation is over, you will forget every word. You will be loyal to me and fight for me. You won’t be able to tell anyone about this or me, but you’ll remember what you’re supposed to do. Got it?

  Yes.

  When I tell you to disable the cameras, you will do it. And you will report to Mortimer as if the cameras are working normally. Understand?

  Yes.

  Good. How many guards on the roof?

  Usually six, one on each corner and two in the middle. They’ll do a twelve-hour shift and then the other crew will come in and replace them.

  I stepped forward, eyeing the buffet. What time does the shift change?

  Noon and midnight.

  Is one of them in charge?

  Keith runs the day and Giles comes on at midnight.

  Thank you. I grabbed three plates and began loading them up with tons of meat and bread. You won’t report any of my activities to anyone, no matter what you see on the cameras. Report nothing about the prisoners except that they’ve been silent and asleep. I redirected my attention to all the werewolves in a ten-foot radius. When strangers arrive and get inside, you’ll forget everything as soon as you see it, as if it never happened. Same goes for any prisoners that might get out of their cells.

  Setting myself up so any of us could wander the mansion and grounds was only a tiny part of the battle. We still had a whole village of werewolves to overpower before this was done.

  And I could get caught at any moment.

  Chapter EIGHT

  Autumn

  Queen Jane wanted more time with her granddaughters—more likely, she wanted ample opportunity to talk them into staying. She offered to host us while we planned our attack on Mortimer. Plus, Dathan wanted me to work with the witches to learn more about them, what they could do and how we could benefit most from their help.

  Not as if we could descend upon the werewolves when we still hadn’t gotten enough information from Zack. My mother and Dathan needed at least another day of healing anyway. We accepted the queen’s offer, and after Chait vacated the three-bedroom guest house, all four of us moved in.

  The next morning, my parents and Dathan insisted I practice self-defense during our stay. While I would’ve loved to do something else other than train, like go to a movie or go out dancing, I couldn’t miss out on training. Lives depended on it.

  Queen Jane wanted her witches to brush up on their skills too. According to Dathan, although witches were physically stronger than humans, they couldn’t compete with werewolves and vampires in hand-to-hand combat. That’s why they depended heavily on their magic.

  After breakfast, Dathan disappeared to telepathically brainstorm with Cedric, and both my parents went with him. Which left me to train with the witches by myself. With all four of them—Tessa, Hayden, Chait and Zoe—I was ridiculously outnumbered.

  Nothing I wasn’t used to.

  Even wearing black pants and a gray T-shirt, Tessa looked stylish and sophisticated. Zoe’s sparring outfit was nearly the same, except her shirt matched her sky-blue eyes. Both wore their silvery blond hair in ponytails.

  I felt too tall and clunky next to their delicate frames. But I wasn’t going to let their size fool me into false security. Especially when I didn’t totally know yet what made these witches special.

  “Weapons or just fists?” Chait asked.

  Something about the gleam in his eye worried me. “Maybe no weapons for now.”

  “Wise move. This guy is dangerous when he has toys.” Tessa clapped Chait on the shoulder, then turned to Zoe. “Shall we let Hayden and Chait take on Autumn while you and I have some fun?”

  Fun? Regardless
of their lack of physical strength, I had an inkling that sparring with all four of them at once wasn’t going to be fun at all. “So what can you guys do?”

  Zoe and Tessa’s face lit up. “Depends on the witch,” Tessa answered. “We usually have specialties.”

  “Great,” I said in a deadpan tone. “And yours is?”

  Zoe offered me a shy smile. “Everything.”

  “Lovely.” I groaned, deflating a little more. I watched Hayden and Chait circle and my stomach lurched at the uncertainty of sparring with people whose powers I wasn’t familiar with. And only one of me. “Hey, Hayden? You shouldn’t hit girls.” Lame, yes, but with four of them, I needed any advantage I could get.

  “You’re right.” He flashed Tessa one last adoring glance before he focused on me. “You and Chait will free-fight and I’ll assess your abilities, decide where we need the most work.”

  Not looking forward to finding out what Chait could do, I trudged to the other end of the gym. His stance wide, Chait cracked his knuckles. “Let’s do this.”

  “I hope you heal quickly.” I flew at Chait, aiming one foot at his midsection and the other at his head. He’d have a difficult time blocking both my limbs, wouldn’t he?

  I struck something spongy and almost seemed to get stuck in it, then my body slammed into the mat. “What was that?” I coughed.

  “I put him in a protective bubble.” Zoe beamed.

  “I smacked you to the ground,” Tessa added, a glint in her eye.

  A knife pierced my thigh and I jolted. Yet none of them had come near me and I hadn’t seen Chait throw. “What the hell? I thought we agreed no weapons.”

  “I didn’t touch the knife. Telekinesis.” Chait grinned. “It doesn’t matter how much stronger you are because you can’t get close to us and we can assault from a distance.”