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

by Veronica Blade

  Bile rose up and into my mouth. How could I stop David from torching the guy without giving myself away? I couldn’t risk trying to glamour David. I was positive he was too strong to be susceptible.

  “Wait. This guy wasn’t much fun. Get rid of him and bring me another one. Then I’ll strap him in and set up while you get the torch.”

  “Right away, sir.” I hauled the guy off the table and threw him over my shoulder. As soon as I was a few yards away, I spoke to him silently like I had the others, telling him I wasn’t going to dose him, but he had to play dead and that help was on the way. As I stuffed him inside his cell, I reached into my pocket for some ham then closed his fingers around it. Your queen, Natasha, is being held prisoner in the cell next to David’s office. Spread the word to anyone you can. I’ll need all their help protecting her when the time comes. Understand?

  His eyes were foggy but he managed a nod. I shut the gate and locked it, then went for the next victim.

  Colin, I need a diversion. Set fire to one of the nearby houses. Do it now, but don’t get caught. Then wait until the flame gets bigger before you call for help. That way, David and everyone else would be gone longer trying to put out the fire. And make sure any women inside don’t die.

  Yes, sir.

  I chose a prisoner wearing clothes less tattered. I didn’t want any of them tortured, but I couldn’t bring myself to choose someone who looked like he’d already been through a few too many rounds with David.

  The more time I burned, the less he could torture anyone else. I walked as slowly as possible without drawing attention to myself. I yanked on the guy and threw him over my shoulder. “Where do you want this one?”

  “Chair.” David rubbed his hands together, his eyes brightening. “I haven’t seen that one in a while.”

  I rolled the guy into the chair, purposely making him end up on his side, so I could waste more time rearranging him.

  “Jack, you’re incompetent,” David hissed. “I’ll do it. Go get the torch. Now!”

  I shifted and in my peripheral vision noticed movement in the cell directly across from me. One of the prisoners was waking up and I wanted a chance to talk to him before David made me pump him full of drugs again.

  David huffed. “I’ve been informed of a fire. Stay here and strap this guy in. I’ll be back soon.”

  After a quick scan around the basement, David took off. A moment later, the door slammed and locked. I closed my eyes and mentally looked for his energy to make sure he was actually gone and not messing with me. I didn’t sense him at all.

  Finally, I was alone.

  After quickly strapping down the guy on the table, I rushed to the cell of the shape-shifter who was waking up. If you’ll pretend to be unconscious, I’ll pretend I gave you another dose. In just a few hours, people are coming to overthrow Mortimer. I’ll figure out a way to set you free before then. We could use all the help we can get.

  You’re a werewolf. The shape-shifter glared from the floor. I’m supposed to trust the guy who’s been helping that psycho drug and torture us?

  We don’t have time to build trust. I’d have to do it the hard way. Which was getting easier and easier for me. I focused, sending my determination across the distance with my words. You will trust me and play dead so I don’t have to drug you again. As soon as you notice one of the others waking up, you’ll convince them to pretend to be asleep as well. Soon, when my people arrive, I’ll free you and you’ll do everything in your power to help me win your freedom. Understand?

  Yes. His gaze wavered and doubt crept in that my attempted compulsion had worked. But we’ve been here years and we’re never fed enough to completely heal. We don’t have the strength to morph into another form, much less help anyone or fight.

  I offered him the last piece of ham from my pocket and he ate it greedily.

  And as soon as they were strong enough to change forms, they could bail at any time. The moment they disappeared from their cell, David would know I betrayed him. I’d be toast. If you or any of the others morph or disappear before my army arrives, David and Mortimer will be alerted that I’m working against him. They’ll catch you, then kill me and you’ll lose your chance at freedom.

  Why would a werewolf help us? he asked. Apparently, being glamoured into trusting me didn’t erase all his questions.

  I’m not like the others. In fact, my fiancée is a shape-shifter. And my mother is a vampire. As long as supernaturals are at war, none of us will have peace or freedom. I paused to listen for anyone on the stairs. I’m sorry I couldn’t help any of you until now. If I had tried, David and Mortimer might have figured out I wasn’t loyal and they would’ve killed me. And then who would get you out of here?

  Not you, that’s for sure. Have you not noticed the cameras watching your every move? If you don’t drug me, they’ll see you’re betraying them.

  When I lean into the cell, I’m out of the camera’s view. Anyone watching will assume I’m hitting you with the syringe. Telling him how I had glamoured some of the werewolves would probably seem outrageous to him, so I skipped telling him every detail. Clanking on the stairs had my body jerking. Play dead. And as others wake, tell them the plan.

  His head dropped to the cement and his body went limp.

  Muffled shouts of “fire” assured me Colin had done his job well. The pounding on the stairs stopped, then gradually faded. Which meant David may have changed his mind and gone elsewhere.

  I zoomed to the coffin and unlocked the lid. After raising it, I nudged her. Are you awake? Natasha! Wake up.

  Her brows furrowed and she made a small sound like a sigh.

  If you don’t wake up this second, I’ll have to drug you again. Natasha, wake up!

  Her eyes opened, but she struggled to focus.

  They’ll be here in a few hours. I need you coherent and ready to fight. But you have to stay in here with the lid closed and pretend you’re unconscious. Can you do that?

  She nodded as the combination on the door clicked and David burst through. Damn.

  Hang in there. I closed the lid and locked it.

  “What are you doing?” David frowned.

  “You told me to dose them every two hours or so. She was waking up.”

  He stared at the clock on the wall above. “You finish your round with the tranqs and I’ll get started on this guy.”

  Hopefully, he’d forget about the torch. If he did, I’d get the time I needed.

  “I’m out of syringes now. Can I go to the shed and get more?”

  He snarled. “Remember this, you little puke. If I tell Mortimer how useless you’ve been, he’ll have you killed. Be more efficient. And if you forget the torch while you’re in the shed, you’re finished.”

  “Yes, sir.” I backed up, bowing until I was out of his line of vision. How was I going to avoid bringing him the blow torch? As I passed the cells, I checked each prisoner, especially the ones who I knew were faking it. They all appeared to be out cold. Good.

  I had so much more to do before Dathan and the rest arrived.

  As soon as I left the dungeon, I locked the door and focused on Colin as I ascended the stairs. How do you put the mansion in lockdown mode so no one can get in or out? At least if the place was locked down, we’d only have to battle around a hundred that had made it inside, rather than three hundred or more. We’d work out how to handle the rest later, once everyone inside was neutralized and Natasha was safe.

  We can do that from our security room, but the king can override it.

  I inwardly groaned as I traveled the short distance to the exit at the back of the building. How was I going to get into Mortimer’s suite to prevent the king from overriding it? Tell me how to disable his override.

  Once you’re in his room, find the Picasso painting. Behind that, type in star-eight-six-five on the panel. Open that and pull the lever up to lock the building, push down to open everything. When you have it the way you want it, close the panel and change the passwor
d. He won’t be able to access it without the new password. But no one is allowed in his suite. Anyone who gains entry is watched carefully. Anytime he leaves, he locks up and no one else has the code to get in.

  I shoved the door open and inhaled the fresh outside air. I’d spent way too much time in the dim dungeon surrounded by the stink of blood. Someone else must have the code to his suite. How can I get in there?

  I couldn’t tell you.

  Meaning he had no clue or he literally couldn’t tell me because he’d been glamoured? Whatever. I’d have to figure it out.

  Inside the toolshed, I immediately spotted the torch. And of course, it appeared to be in perfect condition. I couldn’t disable it without breaking it, and I couldn’t let him think I was incompetent or I’d lose my place in the dungeon and all the progress on the prisoners. And probably be killed.

  I plucked up the torch and disconnected it from the butane. The can of fuel wasn’t very heavy, which meant it didn’t contain much fuel. I reconnected the can to the torch, then fired it up and raised the lever to full blast. I let it burn until only a little butane remained, then headed out. Next to the door, I spied a tranquilizer gun. When the prisoners had to fight, they would need more than their fists. But the rifle was too big to hide.

  I would’ve loved to take half a dozen other things to use as weapons, but nail guns and Ramsets were too big and required either a compressor or were too slow to load. Instead, I snatched up a screwdriver and stuffed it into my pocket. Seeing a short knife, I snagged that too.

  How far away are you guys? I asked Autumn.

  About three hours.

  Everyone except you or your mom will have to stay and wait in the attic after you access it from the roof. I need one shape-shifter to morph into something extremely small to get into Mortimer’s suite and lock the place down when you guys get here. That way, we won’t have to battle hundreds of werewolves. I reached for the doorknob, then remembered I’d been sent for syringes.

  If we’re hiding in his room and he senses our presence, we’re done, she replied.

  I thought the whole idea of bringing witches was to block your presence. Take one inside with you. The witch can’t morph and squeeze into tight places, so she’ll have to block from a distance. I hoped that was possible. I have to go. My pockets bulging with syringes and makeshift weapons, I sprinted back to the mansion and down to the dungeon.

  As I passed the cells, everything looked normal. Gates were closed and prisoners were motionless. David’s victim screamed and my jaw clenched. Knowing David was preoccupied with his victim, I stowed the makeshift weapons on the shelf in the closet where I’d been sleeping.

  Forging on, I set the blow torch on the surgical tray. David leaned in and studied the prisoner’s face as he lay there on the table. “Ever watch eyeballs grow back? Fascinating.”

  He had removed the guy’s eyes? I’d killed a few werewolves, even some vampires. I’d seen heads fly and hearts ripped out, but I never enjoyed it. But if I could ever find pleasure in ending someone’s life, it would be David’s.

  “Hand me the torch. I want to use it before he has time to heal.”

  “I still need to dose all the prisoners.” I passed him the torch, then bolted so I wouldn’t see anything. I flinched when he fired up the torch, and I braced myself. Too bad I couldn’t close my ears and block out the screams.

  Retrieving a syringe, I glanced over both shoulders before setting it inside the cell of a shape-shifter who was awake. Put this syringe somewhere on you where no one will see it. You can use it in battle.

  The next scream inspired me to figure out a way to get more weapons. I’d trained with many werewolves since I’d arrived. Cesar and a couple others spent most of their days in the training room sparring. They had access to the real weapons. Cesar, can you hear me?

  Jack? I’m busy. What the hell do you want?

  Douche bag. But I couldn’t allow myself to be derailed. I willed him to pay attention. I want you to listen to me, then do everything I say.

  Yes. What do you need from me?

  I need you to smuggle some weapons—at least fifteen swords and daggers. Leave them outside, next to the door to the dungeon behind the bush, as soon as you can do it without being seen.

  Though I found concentration difficult with the shrieking from David’s office, I moved to the next cell, pulling out the screwdriver for the next prisoner. This isn’t much, but might be handy if you need to slow someone down. I nudged it through the bars and he took it.

  The torch sound died and a stream of profanity told me David was pissed over running out of butane. “Damn it, Jack. I warned you to not screw anything else up!”

  I dashed to his office, my gaze avoiding the guy on the table. “You told me to get the torch and I obeyed. I beg you to not tell the king otherwise.” I increased my breathing so he’d believe I was scared and then I bowed, lowering my gaze to appear subservient. “He might be angry with both of us. You told me to get the torch, not bring extra fuel. I’m terribly sorry I didn’t think of it either. Should I go to the shed now or is there any other way I can serve you, sir?”

  His filthy hands balled into fists and his gaze burned into mine. “You’re either incredibly stupid or you’re up to something.”

  “I’m sorry. Please forgive me. I’m not sure what I did wrong, but I promise to try to do better.” I dropped to my knees. What else could I do to make sure he stayed unaware of being betrayed? “Maybe a woman would make you feel better. I’d be happy to watch things while you speak with His Majesty. Perhaps he’s finished with the shape-shifter girl who was brought in earlier. Would you like me to ask him?”

  “Put this one back and get another while I think.” He waved me away.

  I unstrapped the guy in a hurry, and hauled him out of the cell. I didn’t want this guy awake and suffering. And without vision, he wouldn’t be much good in a war. I gave him a double dose of poison, then chose David’s next victim. This was one of my least favorite tasks. I hauled out the guy in the next cell and delivered him to David, who was using tongs to pick intestines off the floor. I didn’t want to know who they belonged to.

  He flung the entrails into the corner, then tossed the bloody tongs onto the surgical tray with a clang. “I think a woman’s reaction to torture might keep my interest. Return this one to his cell.”

  Wait? He didn’t want to have sex with the woman, which would’ve been at least somewhat normal? He just wanted to torture her. What a sicko. “Yes, sir. I’ll keep an eye on Isabella and the prisoners while you speak with His Majesty.”

  “I believe I will.” David headed out. I listened for the door shutting and tried to sense his presence. He was definitely gone.

  And, God, I hoped Mortimer wasn’t finished with the shape-shifter girl. He would want to trade women and I wouldn’t be able to keep an eye on Natasha anymore. Damn, I wish I had thought that through before making the suggestion to David.

  The shape-shifters needed more food than the tiny amounts I could smuggle in. Colin, I need you to go into the mess hall and tell them your men are extra hungry today. When you get the food, wrap it up, then hide it in the bush by the back door near the dungeon.

  Yes, sir.

  No way could I get enough weapons for all sixty-something prisoners and enough food to make them all useful. I couldn’t even get the rest of the shape-shifters awake and briefed. So far, I was only able to make contact with less than ten.

  I made a round through the cells for anyone else who was waking up and found two. After talking to them and making sure they would pretend to be asleep, I gave them each a tranquilizer to hide and use as a weapon later.

  The door burst open. By David’s flushed face and scowl, I guessed Mortimer had denied his request for the shape-shifter girl. Hallelujah! I wanted to breathe a sigh of relief, but the king’s refusal meant he was still...whatever he was doing with her. And David would take his anger out on one of the shape-shifters.

  “
Bring me a prisoner.” David stormed past me and into his office. “Now!”

  “Yes, sir.” I’d choose someone who was unconscious that I’d dosed recently. Maybe he’d take longer to wake up and suffer less. I brought back the dead weight of the heavily drugged prisoner and sat him in the chair.

  “I want him on the table,” David shrieked, knocking his fist on the tray and a long piece of metal vaulted through the air.

  I caught the tool with my free hand and set it on the metal tray, then hefted the guy onto the table. “I’m sorry. I was waiting for you to tell me what you wanted.”

  He rubbed his temples. “Stay here. I’m going to check on Isabella.”

  I didn’t think he’d let his urge to hear feminine shrieks outweigh his reluctance to defy Mortimer, but what if he did? If he hurt Natasha, I’d have to stop him. I’d blow my cover.

  Disgust for every single werewolf I’d met since I turned myself in a month ago fueled me. I couldn’t allow these dogs to stay in power. I wanted to survive the looming war, but if I had to sacrifice myself to get that scum gone, I would.

  Chapter TWELVE

  Autumn

  Two more hours and we’d arrive at the werewolf palace. My pulse accelerated at the thought of what was sure to be a struggle to the death. I’d fought for my life way too many times before. But those were small-time, never more than a few opponents at once. And in those instances, I stood a chance. Now, not so much.

  Getting through an army of hundreds whose sole reason for existence was to protect King Mortimer and the throne—and likely glamoured into giving up their lives for his—was a different matter entirely.

  And now I would have to somehow get into Mortimer’s suite without him sensing me? What a joke. Zack, how will I get close to the palace with a witch and not be seen? I can morph, she can’t. The helicopter’s not going to work because once we drop from it, Mortimer will be on alert.

  Go the helicopter route. The men on the roof won’t bother you. I think I can get the building locked down right when you get here, at least temporarily. But your number one priority needs to be getting into Mortimer’s suite before he overrides the lockdown and opens it up again. Inside, you’ll see a Picasso painting on the back wall. Move it aside and type star-eight-six-five on the panel. From there, you’ll pull the lever up to keep the place under lockdown. Then you’ll have to change the password or anyone can undo our work.