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

by Veronica Blade

  “This is going to be such a blast.” My nostrils flared in disgust. “I’m so relieved you’re on our side.”

  “Let’s not forget they have witches too.” Chait twirled a dagger between his thumb and index finger. “We’re not sure how many.”

  “Speaking of witches…” I wanted to make sure Zack wasn’t in danger of being discovered. “You guys can sense the difference between shape-shifters and werewolves, yes?”

  “Easy.” Zoe gave me a knowing look.

  If you could keep that to yourself, I’d appreciate it. Please. “Zack is a vampire werewolf hybrid. You think Mortimer’s witches will be able to tell?”

  “I had no idea that was even possible.” Tessa tapped her lip, her brows scrunching together. “I’m thinking they wouldn’t suspect, simply because that sort of thing isn’t supposed to exist. To be on the safe side, he should definitely avoid the witches.”

  “He might not be able to.” My shoulders stiffened. “Last time he checked in, he told me he was David’s personal assistant. If they smell vampire on him, hopefully they’ll believe his story about feeding off a vampire.”

  “At least long enough for us to get there,” Zoe said.

  “Back to work,” Hayden ordered.

  I rolled my eyes. “Easy for you to say. With the witches around, you’re untouchable.”

  “And when we face Mortimer, you’ll be untouchable too,” Tessa assured me.

  But Zack would be somewhere inside, probably with Mortimer or that horrible witch. He’d be vulnerable. How could I keep him safe?

  Chapter NINE

  Zack

  Thankfully, I’d only had to help David torture one more prisoner the night before. Unfortunately, he’d tortured that one into oblivion and I wasn’t able to talk to him. I couldn’t return the guy to his cell without tranquilizers. If he woke up, he wouldn’t know he was supposed to pretend to be asleep. He’d make noises and then David would be alert to my lack of drugging him. So I dosed the guy.

  Because Mortimer wanted me close to David, he had a cot brought in and shoved it in the closet. Still more comfortable than the floor of a cell.

  David woke me earlier than usual the next morning, anxious to torture his next victim. He spent three hours on the poor guy. I wanted to tell the shape-shifter that the less he complained, the faster David would get bored. But I couldn’t talk to him telepathically without David noticing.

  Twenty-four hours into my new job with David and I was more than done watching the light leave their eyes and standing by while they slipped into unconsciousness. With each drop of blood spilled, every shriek reverberating through the block walls and all the groans of agony, I hated myself more. I wanted to fix David’s surgical tools, make them duller, and adjust the restraints so the victims could escape. But I resisted those urges. Because I had to.

  I glanced at the clock, looking forward to lunch. About another hour and I’d get a break from David’s madness.

  “You will accompany me to see the king now,” David said, his eyes gleaming. “They encountered a shape-shifter girl.”

  My stomach flipped and I wished with all my heart the shape-shifter would be a stranger to me. I would have a difficult enough time helping David torment the newcomer without a personal relationship with the victim. I didn’t even want to think about what I’d do if the shape-shifter girl turned out to be Autumn.

  I followed David through the corridor and out of the dungeon. We exited the heavy metal door and when David twisted to type in the code to lock it, I scanned the hallway for cameras in case I’d missed one in my earlier search.

  Although I’d compelled both Colin and Raul not to report anything I did, I had to take into account that someone might unexpectedly go into the security room and see my image. I couldn’t risk being caught doing something and my crimes being leaked to Mortimer. I had to know where all the cameras were.

  So far, I’d spotted one in every room I’d been in, except the larger rooms like the mess hall and the gym, which had two. But I kept looking anyway to be sure I hadn’t missed one.

  Outside was different, where cameras covered all angles imaginable. No one was getting into Mortimer’s mansion without being seen.

  Across the hall at the door to the king’s suite, I could already smell Mortimer. David ignored the guards at the sides and tapped on the door.

  “Enter,” Mortimer bellowed from the other side. I trailed after David when he stepped over a pair of legs. “This little sweetheart was hiding in downtown Salt Lake City. Morphed into a hawk in an alleyway when she was cornered. Attempted to fly away, but they shot her.”

  I didn’t see any blood on the girl, so they must have used tranquilizers. Since a dose that would knock out a human for hours wouldn’t do anything more to a supernatural than momentarily stun them, they used straight-up poison that would kill any human instantly in a large enough dose. Ironically, their poison of choice was wolfsbane, since they could grow it themselves. If they wanted to make their enemy miserable, they’d add methanol or ethylene glycol in a cocktail of other evil goodies.

  Fortunately, I hadn’t gotten any of the additives when they’d drugged me. Looked like this girl got the works though. Her torso jerked as she struggled for air, her eyes glassy and her cheeks crimson.

  Either she’d been foolish enough to venture into the city alone or the others in her group had deserted her. Either way, she was in for a miserable time with David. And there was nothing I could do about it. Worse, I hadn’t seen any women in the dungeon. Their fate was probably far worse than torture, possibilities I didn’t want to think about.

  “Your Majesty, I’ve been begging you for a woman. Please allow me to have her for a little while.” David wrung his hands, his gaze flashing to the girl on the floor. “My loyalty these past years has earned me at least that.”

  Mortimer stroked his beard a long moment. “Granted.”

  “I’ll take her away, Your Majesty.” David bowed. “Jack, get her.”

  “Hold on. She’s rather pretty.” Mortimer bent to caress the girl’s cheek. “You may have her when I’m finished. But I’ll need more wolfsbane.”

  My skin crawled. I hoped Dathan and the rest of them arrived before the girl suffered too much abuse by Mortimer. At least with poison though, she wouldn’t be conscious and aware of what was happening to her. I wished so hard I could help her and I hated Mortimer now more than ever.

  “Why are you standing there, Jack?” David snapped his fingers. “Go get more syringes, boy. Now.”

  I bolted, exiting into the hallway and then out the back door. But instead of going straight to the toolshed, I took a right toward the door that David and I used when we went outside. It was close to the basement dungeon. It was also less populated. Once outside the door, I surveyed the area and spotted one of the guys who patrolled the grounds.

  Henry. I waited until he turned around. You don’t see me. If you encounter anyone else who isn’t a werewolf, or even a total stranger, you will stand down. You won’t tell anyone about the intruder.

  Henry shook his head like he’d just seen a mirage and continued walking. I scaled the side of the house and up to the roof. But I didn’t climb onto the roof, keeping low while I peered over the roof and counted guards to assess the situation.

  Keith sensed me immediately and spun, leveling his rifle at me. I invaded his mind, before he had a chance to alert the other guards. You don’t see me and you will forget this conversation as soon as it’s over. You will protect me, as well as any of my friends who come along, including the shape-shifters who have been held prisoner here. You’ll make sure any outsiders, for instance intruders who might jump from a helicopter, won’t be harmed. In fact, you’ll help them get inside and forget any actions against your own side. And if you come across any of my people anywhere in town, you won’t report it.

  Keith nodded slowly. Yes, sir.

  I climbed onto the roof the rest of the way, then made the rounds with the other f
ive roof guards, telling them each the same thing.

  Damn, I’d burned too much time. I should’ve already returned to Mortimer and David. Rather than waste precious moments climbing off the roof, I dropped to the dirt, then went in through the side door and down to the dungeon for the syringes.

  Last night, I’d gotten extra food from the cafeteria, but I hadn’t had a chance to distribute it to the prisoners yet. The food was no longer fresh, but it was better than nothing. I was alone now and couldn’t pass up this opportunity. After flying into the closet of the dungeon where I slept each night, I snagged the food I’d stowed on the top shelf in baggies to hold in the scent, divided it up and quickly stuffed the portions into the cells of the three prisoners I’d been able to talk to. Eat fast, then go back to playing dead.

  I rocketed out of there and up the steps, almost out of breath when I got to the king’s suite. By the time the guards let me through, my breathing had returned to normal.

  David glared at me. “What the hell took you so long?”

  Mortimer’s eyes narrowed. “Yes, tell us. I’m fascinated to know how anyone with superhuman speed could take that long to travel so little distance.”

  “When I got to the dungeon, two of the guys had woken up. They were weak but they still put up a fight and I couldn’t get a clear shot. I’ve never used a syringe before yesterday and it took me a while to dose them. I think I got more of the tranq on their clothes than into their bodies. I’m very sorry.” I hung my head in shame. “I’d appreciate it if you’d show me the best way to do it which will allow me to serve you better.”

  “Fine,” David hissed, holding out a palm. I was grateful to have remembered the syringes and I handed them over.

  “Four won’t last even twenty-four hours,” Mortimer growled. “I’ll need you to bring me more later.”

  Brilliant. Another excuse to roam the building and find werewolves to get under my control. I bowed to the king. “Yes, Your Majesty.”

  “May I be of service on any other matter, Your Majesty?” David asked.

  “Now that you mention it, three’s a crowd and I’ll need privacy the next few days with my newest prisoner. You will take my special guest and move her to a cell in the dungeon. Keep in mind it is vital you always keep her sedated. Follow me.” Mortimer swept into an adjoining room, David and I trailing behind.

  I shadowed David inside to an iron coffin and wondered if the occupant was already dead. If I sensed a presence at all, it was very faint. Almost dead maybe? “Jack, come look at my acquisition.” He unlatched the lid.

  I peered into the coffin as the top lifted. Natasha!

  I steeled myself to remain calm, willed my heartbeat not to skip and my pulse not to race. I couldn’t let on that I was affected in any way by the sight of Natasha, the shape-shifter queen, or that I knew who she was.

  With the coffin lid open, I could feel her presence stronger. The iron must shield our energy to some degree. Her being practically in a coma couldn’t help. “Wow, she’s hot,” I said in an effort to behave like a normal foul-minded young werewolf who had no inkling who Natasha was. “Are you keeping her?” I bowed my head, acting ashamed. “I apologize, Your Majesty. My comment was inappropriate. Congratulations on your acquisition.”

  Mortimer chuckled. “When I’m finished with her, she’s all yours. However, she’s not to be touched by either of you until I say so. Understand?”

  “Yes, Your Majesty,” David and I said in unison. Gratitude overwhelmed me that David was forbidden to do anything to Natasha. For now.

  “You may leave. Take the coffin and the woman in it with you. Guard her with your life.”

  “What’s her name?” God forbid I should get caught calling her Natasha when I hadn’t been told her name.

  “Isabella.” Mortimer’s lips curled up, revealing yellow teeth.

  Isabella? Okay, maybe that was her original name. Or she had lied to him. Or he confused her with someone else. Regardless, I had to remember to call her Isabella.

  As David and I hauled the heavy-as-hell iron coffin to the dungeon, I tried not to think about the poor shape-shifter girl we left with Mortimer. I had to let it go. I couldn’t save them all. Even if I could, I would have to wait. If I moved too soon, I’d blow my cover and I wouldn’t be able to help anyone at all.

  Once in the dungeon, we dragged a prisoner out of a cell and into another one which was already occupied. This freed up the cell next to David’s office so we could keep Natasha close by.

  “Should we give her another tranq before we close the lid?” Now that I’d located Natasha, I had to keep her safe. I couldn’t have her waking up, recognizing me and then blowing my cover. She wouldn’t do it on purpose. But both of our lives depended on neither of us screwing up. Plus, if I were locked in a coffin, I’d rather be asleep.

  “May as well. When you’re done, bring in number six. I haven’t seen him in a while.” David went to the surgical tray and picked up a barbed wire clamp, scrutinized it for a moment, then he checked the restraints on the table. I hated when he used the clamp thing. It attached to body parts and then ripped the flesh when the victim struggled. Sometimes David moved it around or tightened it for amusement.

  As David handled the device, I spotted the joints and wondered if it was handmade. Someone had probably used the blowtorch in the shed to put it together. The blowtorch... if I couldn’t get ahold of any weapons, I could set an opponent on fire. I needed a way to get it here so I could use it later if I had the chance.

  “Looks like the arm on the table is cracked. You won’t want it breaking when you’re working with someone. Next time I go to the shed, I could pick up the blow torch, maybe melt the metal of the chair and see if it fuses together.”

  “Sure.” He tossed a bloody rag out of his way and then jerked his head toward the cells. My cue to get number six.

  After emptying a syringe into Natasha’s shoulder, I hightailed down the dungeon corridor. Before opening any cells, I rechecked the entrance door to make sure it was still locked. We couldn’t have any prisoners getting through the door and out of the basement.

  I hated that I now thought like a warden.

  Number six was asleep but he hadn’t had any tranqs in at least two hours. He’d be waking up soon—for sure when the suffering began.

  David was several cells away so I could talk telepathically without him noticing. Dathan, I found Natasha. She’s fine, just unconscious. How soon will you guys be here?

  Good to hear, Dathan answered. We’re leaving first thing in the morning and it’s a six-hour drive. What do I need to know about the building?

  I can’t talk anymore. I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.

  “Jack, what’s taking so long?” David called out.

  “Nothing. I’m trying to assess whether or not number six is awake or pretending to be asleep. I don’t want to be ambushed.” I waited a beat. “I’m pretty sure he’s out. Hold on.” I punched in the combination on the panel, which was the same as the main panel, and hauled the guy out.

  We were about twenty-four hours from the great war, which would determine whether we lived and shaped the future, or died and the werewolves continued to torture and kill shape-shifters. I wasn’t anywhere near ready. And Dathan and Autumn still didn’t have the information they needed. Since David kept me too busy, I didn’t think I’d be able to help them.

  We didn’t stand a chance.

  I came into David’s line of vision, the new victim in tow.

  As David slipped on a pair of gloves, he glanced up at me. “I’m amazed I never thought to use a blow torch on these guys. Next errand you run, swing by the toolshed and bring it back for me.”

  Damn. I’d given him that idea. Just when I learned how to manage one dreadful aspect of life with werewolves, a new horror took its place. And this time, the atrocity against a shape-shifter would be all my fault.

  How could I put David off and how long could I delay fetching it before he punished
me or turned me in to Mortimer? My only other option was to watch the victim’s flesh burn. I wasn’t sure if I could do that.

  Chapter TEN

  Autumn

  How were we going to travel unnoticed tomorrow morning to the Utah werewolf castle? Surely, a werewolf or spy for Mortimer would spot us on the road and report to him. And once they had our location, we had no hope of catching them by surprise.

  We’d been with the witches for over twenty-four hours now. As much as I liked them, I was too anxious to help Zack and Natasha to stay another day. Tired of living in limbo and hoping I could talk Dathan into leaving sooner, I followed my instinct to find him.

  I had encountered other witches during the last twenty-four hours at the witch’s palace, but they only offered a polite smile and distanced themselves from me as quickly as they could. As near as I could tell, my parents and Dathan were getting the same treatment. Not that I would blame them, since vampires and werewolves had been torturing and murdering them for centuries.

  Autumn.

  Practically skidding to a stop, I listened to Zack. I’m here. What’s going on?

  I don’t have much time before I’m expected back. You guys need to access the mansion through the roof. Drop from a helicopter or something.

  Pretty sure that’s the plan, I said.

  Good. Six guards are on the roof at all times, but they’ve all been glamoured into keeping their mouths shut when you arrive. The guys in security monitoring the cameras, same thing. I just don’t know how many others I’ll have a chance to get under my control, but at least you guys can get inside Mortimer’s mansion.

  He’d done it! Well, not completely. But he’d paved the way for us to get in. Great job mind-controlling them. I’m impressed.

  I have to go.

  I love you. Stay safe, I told him.

  He didn’t reply.

  I stormed through the long corridor of the witch’s palace, resuming my search for Dathan. I spotted him in the salon where we’d met first Queen Jane, sitting in a stuffed chair. His gaze was cast downward, hands fisted.