“The tri-blade is only useful if you can use it properly.” Dathan nodded at the three blades shaped into a disc. “Swords require training too, but they’re more straightforward.”
Zack snorted. “Hey, I’m no expert, but if I was gonna get trained in something that wasn’t an assault rifle, it would be a bow and arrow. Using blades requires you to be close to your opponent. I’m thinking distance between vampires and me is a pretty good idea, thank you very much.”
Dathan snickered and they switched to the bows and arrows. Being total boys, they could be there a while.
“Step away from the toys, you two.” I rolled my eyes. “We have training to do.”
“Party pooper.” Zack grinned and snagged me around the waist then leaned into me like he was about to tag my nose with a kiss. Then his eyes stretched wide, his face fell, and he released me. “Right. We don’t have all day.”
My stomach dropped like a headless vampire. Zack had fallen into our old routine, reminding me why I loved him, which made me miss him even more. I wanted to tell him I’d made a mistake, that he was my whole world and I’d been an idiot to throw away these last few precious days with him. But that would make our bond stronger and our future breakup even harder.
Dathan took off and for the next few hours we trained. When Zack slid across the slick wood floor and slammed into a wall, Alura stopped her assault on me. We both turned as Zack leapt to his feet and charged his opponent.
Renzo redirected Zack’s momentum and sent him flying again. “You’re acting on your emotions.”
Favoring his left leg, Zack pulled away from the wall, his face flushed. “Maybe I’m tired of getting my ass beat over and over.”
“Didn’t we have this exact conversation a few days ago?” Renzo asked.
“Yes.” Zack’s jaws clenched. “But you’re still being a dick.”
“The good news? You won’t be tired of me when you’re dead,” Renzo said, leaning casually away. “Which you will be soon at this rate.”
I stepped toward them in an effort to lighten things up, but Alura snatched me back by my elbow. “They need to work this out on their own,” she whispered.
Alura was right. Zack had to work it out without my help or support. I wasn’t his girlfriend. But if I hadn’t deserted him, maybe things with Renzo would’ve gone a little smoother. I felt like a horrible person doing that to him just days after his mom died. Worst girlfriend ever. Correction: worst ex-girlfriend ever.
“What’s your problem, Renzo?” Zack clenched and unclenched his fists. I’d never seen him that furious. “How can I learn from you when you’re spending most of the time pounding on me? And when the fight comes down, I’ll be too beat up to do anything.”
“You’ll heal soon enough,” Renzo growled. “Damn it, Zack, I’m trying to teach you how to survive.”
“Then teach me and stop trying to get inside my head. You’re not my father and you’re not my friend.”
Ouch.
Renzo drew in a lungful of air and turned from Zack like he was getting his temper under control.
Alura left me and sprinted to her uncle. “Maybe you two should take a break from each other. I can work with Zack.”
And leave me to work with Renzo? I winced at the thought. But at least it would give Zack a much-needed break.
“No.” Renzo held up a hand to stop her. She took a step back and he waited a beat before facing Zack again. “I apologize.”
“What?” Zack’s mouth dropped open.
“I’m sorry. Obviously, my teaching method isn’t working for you.” He pinched the bridge of his nose and hesitated a moment. “See, the thing is... I can’t allow anything to happen to you. And from my observation, your biggest mistake—other than your lack of combat skills—is that you let your emotions control you. Any action driven by negative emotions is often the wrong one.”
Zack folded his arms over his chest. “I’m not a machine, Renzo. If I’m under attack and my life is at stake, I’m probably gonna be scared which can’t help but affect my decisions.”
“Then let’s practice ignoring your fear and concentrating on kicking some ass.”
“So you’re not going to beat the crap out of me anymore?” Zack asked, one brow cocked.
Renzo laughed. “Of course I am. But I’ll try to be less of a jerk about it.” He reached his hand out. “Deal?”
Zack stared at Renzo’s hand, then slowly reached out and grasped it.
Emotion flickered over Renzo’s face, but it was gone too quickly for me to read. What was up with that guy? Zack’s opinion of him seemed to matter an awful lot. And something, maybe fear, was making him push too hard. But why?
“You ready?” Alura asked, snapping her fingers in front of me.
I refocused on Alura. “To get stomped on again? Absolutely. This is the most fun I’ve had in ages,” I said wryly.
She chuckled and stepped behind a punching bag, gripping both sides. “Let’s switch things up a bit. Take your best shot.”
I drew back my arm and Alura released the bag as I thrust a fist at it.
“Whoah. That’s horrifically bad form.” Renzo must have been eavesdropping because he was already beside me by the time I caught his scent. A moment later, Zack joined him.
“Gee, thanks. Feel free to give me some pointers,” I said, hoping to provide a respite for Zack from Renzo’s abuse.
“For starters, you need to improve your stance, Rossi,” Renzo told me. He aimed an index finger at his feet that were shoulder-width apart. “Zack, pay attention to this. You two may as well work on it at the same time.” He flattened his lips together, clearly amused. “Then you can get mad at her for hitting you.”
“I’m sure I can find another reason to be mad at you. And her,” Zack mumbled.
Renzo’s smile faded. He zeroed in on Zack as if trying to read his mind. Alura was staring at the men just as intently as I was.
“Care to share what else I’m doing wrong?” Renzo asked.
“C’mon.” Zack tossed his head back. “You’ve been hiding something since the first moment we met you. I want to know what it is.”
“Fair enough.” Renzo straightened, his chin tilted up. “When you’re ready, I’ll tell you.”
Zack hissed. “That’s the best you can do? ’Cause we could die today.”
“Then we die and it doesn’t matter anyway.” He took the sparring stance, feet apart, loose fists close to his face. “Punch me.”
Without hesitation, Zack’s fist shot out. Renzo’s arm struck a fraction of a second later, blocking Zack and punching him in the nose. Zack staggered back and glared as he wiped blood from his upper lip.
Renzo slanted his head. “You’re exceptionally strong for a newbie, but you have no idea what to do with all that power.”
Zack didn’t comment and Renzo gave him a strange look. Rather than betray Dathan’s trust and explain why Zack was unusually strong, I kept my mouth shut.
“There are many ways to punch.” Renzo’s mouth curved up on one side. “My favorite is to thrust an arm out, turning my wrist as I go, but also bringing up the elbow.” Renzo demonstrated in slow motion. “See how the elbow is up? My arm is not only in a position to do damage, but it’s also shielding my face. If you were to return fire, you wouldn’t reach your target.”
Zack’s fist flew again and clocked Renzo in the chin. “Like that?”
“Yeah.” Renzo rubbed his jaw, pride gleaming in his eyes. “Like that.”
Chapter NINETEEN
Zack
Getting a punch in on Renzo had felt good. Damn good. After all the weeks of stressing over why he’d been hanging around—only to learn he was the leader of SWAAST—his reluctance to cough up the last of his secrets irritated the hell out of me.
If he’d been upfront about who he was, Autumn and I would’ve been saved so much anxiety. And we wouldn’t have had to run away and end up in a palace with vampires out for our blood. And maybe Autumn wouldn’t
have broken up with me.
And yet I felt like an ass. Back home, Renzo hadn’t known my true intentions. In fact, I’d lied and told him I planned on joining the king and becoming part of a pack. It was the only story I’d been able to offer since I’d assumed he was a scout and loyal to werewolves. Taking me at my word, Renzo would’ve had to be crazy to tell me who he was.
And if Autumn’s feelings for me had changed because of my actions, that wasn’t Renzo’s fault.
“Are you going to try to hit me again or not?” Renzo asked. When I hesitated, he moved from behind the punching bag. “Something wrong?”
I relaxed, bringing down my fists. “I should apologize for being a dick to you. You couldn’t have told us who you were, not if you thought I was loyal to King Mortimer.”
Renzo sagged against the punching back, rubbing his neck. “No apology necessary.”
I raised my arms, shielding my face with my fists, ready in case Renzo wanted to go back to sparring. His eyes bounced off Autumn and he softened his voice. “Speaking of loyalties, what’s your plan with her?”
The memory of losing her ravaged me, making my head ache, and I wished Renzo would shut up about Autumn. “I try not to think about it.”
“Think about what? That she’ll slow you down? That mixing species is a capital offense and you’ll probably live longer without her?”
My shoulders stiffened. Right when I was warming up to him, he pulled something else. “I didn’t ask you to like her.”
“My antipathy toward her has nothing to do with anything. Zack, being with her could get you killed. For that reason alone, I can’t allow myself to form any attachment to her. Neither can you.”
Too late, I said silently so Autumn wouldn’t hear. Across the room, she landed a punch and Alura stumbled away. Yeah, my baby killed it. Without her, I think... I’d probably die slowly from the inside out.
Renzo rested his fists on his hips. And yet, dying slowly that way, you’d still live longer than if you stayed with her.
“Or not.” Just because she’d broken up with me didn’t mean it would be permanent. We had always planned to split up in the future. But being without her made me realize I’d never willingly give her up. Ever. And if she gave me any kind of hint at all that she wanted me, I fully intended to win her back. Maybe it’s more a matter of strength in numbers. Maybe we’re stronger together than apart.
Without hope that we’d be together again, what reason did I have to fight for my life? I had thought—hoped—I could let her go, but I knew better now. The fact that something didn’t quite ring true with her breakup speech gave me real hope. And if she’d lied about not wanting me, I had time to get the truth out of her.
Even if mixing species had no effect on either party, Renzo said, King Mortimer will still look for you. Eventually, he’ll learn about you being with a shape-shifter and hunt you both ten times harder.
“Yeah.” I glanced at Autumn again who was practicing kicks. She’s worth the risk.
Renzo hung his head and rubbed his temples. I know what it’s like to love someone of a different species. But if you can resist, everyone’s better off.
That got my attention. You fell in love with a shape-shifter?
“No.” His eyes took on a faraway look as his mouth curved down.
“Human, huh? They don’t count though, because you can change them. Then you’re no longer different species.” Unless they’re too sick, like my mother.
“True.” Renzo blinked then his gaze wavered.
“What happened to her, the woman you loved?” I asked.
He turned toward the door as it swung open. “Lunchtime.”
Yeah, as if he was going to open up to me about his love life. Whatever. We shoved all the weapons to the other end of the long table and the girls set up the trays of food.
The four of us devoured our BBQ ribs in silence—except Autumn who stuck with mashed potatoes and corn on the cob. After a few minutes, Alura dabbed her mouth with a napkin as she scanned our faces. “Autumn is surprisingly strong.”
Renzo chewed as he studied me. “Interesting. So is Zack.”
“Maybe my parents are fairly old,” Autumn suggested.
“Doubtful.” Renzo scoffed. “Shape-shifters aren’t allowed to live long for that reason. Werewolves can’t have the lesser species running around getting stronger and stronger, can they?” he asked dryly. “They are, however, kind enough to grant their slaves a hundred years or so of servitude before they kill them.”
I tapped my chin, contemplating that new bit of information. “Maybe her parents escaped. Either way, my dad could’ve been an ancient.”
“He wasn’t.” Renzo’s tone was so decisive he had to know firsthand. “In any case, even an ancient requires sufficient time to heal. Autumn nearly lost her head and a half hour later, she was almost good as new. No one heals that fast. Trust me, I have experience in that area.”
How the hell did Renzo know anything about my dad? I stared at him, waiting to see if he was going to add anything else. Autumn had stopped chewing, shifting her attention between Renzo and me. Apparently, I wasn’t the only one who’d interpreted his comment as odd.
“Care to elaborate?” I asked.
Without making eye contact with me, he dragged his tray closer. “About what?”
“You being so certain my dad wasn’t an ancient. You don’t think I’m going to leave it at that, do you?” When Renzo merely shrugged, I forged on. “You knew him.”
“Sort of.” Renzo continued eating without glancing up.
I gritted my teeth, wishing I didn’t have to pull the information out of him. “Renzo, my dad died when I was just a little kid. I don’t have any pictures of him and don’t remember what he looked like and that’s all you’re going to give me?”
Renzo dropped the last bare rib and pushed his plate away. “I’ll tell you as much as I can.”
“Were you two friends?” I asked.
“I suppose. But Lucio didn’t let many people in. He loved your mother fiercely though.”
Yeah, I knew that much. I leaned forward, hoping to keep Renzo’s attention. With my mom gone, Renzo was my only source of info on my dad.
“I used to think he was alive. My mom didn’t tell me much about how he died, but we both know what it takes to kill a werewolf.” Thinking of my mom made my heart weigh heavy in my chest and tears threatened to turn me into a crybaby. “But if he were alive, he would’ve never let my mom die. He’d find a way.”
Renzo’s eye twitched. “Maybe. If there was any good left in him, he probably would’ve found a way to save her.”
What was that supposed to mean? That my dad had let her die because he was a sucky person? Okay, now wasn’t the time to get all defensive, not if I wanted Renzo to talk. “He left a letter for me, along with some other things. He seemed conflicted, like he wasn’t sure whether he was the good guy or the bad guy. But my gut tells me he was okay.”
“I guess there were times you could call him the bad guy. I think he wanted to be good.” Renzo rubbed his chin a moment, then suddenly stood. “We should get back to work. If things go down the way I think they will, we need to be prepared for an attack tonight.”
Right, of course. Being locked in the gym these past few hours had given me the illusion of safety, and I’d forgotten that the traitors would want to take control while the throne appeared vulnerable, before Dathan and Regis arrived and made it more difficult. Possibly hours from now.
Chapter TWENTY
Autumn
No way would I be ready for battle so soon. The traitorous vampires had decades, even centuries, of combat experience. I’d had a few days of training. I could only hope that Cedric and Dathan were wrong and the vamps wouldn’t strike so soon. Maybe there were no other traitors. Maybe they’d all been killed in Cedric’s suite.
Yeah, sure.
“How about we try some new toys?” Alura rose from the chair and headed for the weapons room. The r
est of us followed. Looking at shiny knives might take my mind off the imminent battle. “We could work on fencing,” she said, examining the row of blades.
Renzo selected a sword in no time. “Make sure you choose one with a comfortable grip and appropriate weight. I’ll be outside.”
Alura tested several swords, slicing them through the air before settling on a long, narrow one then she vanished from the room.
I concentrated on finding my own weapon. Facing the wall next to Zack, I wanted to stroke his back or run my fingers through his hair. I kept my hands busy checking out one sword, then another, waving them side to side to get a feel for their balance. “Maybe we should give Renzo a break. Regardless of any secrets he’s keeping, he’s still on our side. For all we know, he has a good reason for not telling us whatever it is.”
“You’re probably right.” Zack skimmed his knuckles against my cheek, then yanked his hand away and growled. “This is stupid, Autumn. I’m having a hard time believing your feelings changed so drastically from one second to the next.”
“Stupid or not, it’s the truth.” I turned away with the blade that was already in my hand and stepped out of the weapons room, leaving Zack by himself. Outside the doorway, I caught a glimpse of Renzo and Alura huddled at the far end of the room. Instinct told me their conversation wasn’t meant for my ears. Which, naturally, made me want to listen in.
I backtracked until I stood just inside the weapons room again and concentrated on the far corner where Renzo and Alura spoke in hushed whispers.
“Now’s not the time,” he said hissed.
“Please, Uncle Luc—”
“Shh! Don’t call me that.”
I froze, my only movement coming from my lungs as they abruptly pulled in air. Had she been about to say Uncle Lucio? As in Zack’s father? That would make so much sense—why Renzo had shown up out of the blue and kept watch over us. Was this the secret he’d been keeping?
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