Chapter 12

Ouch, oh, ouch, ow, ow, oh… Konrad hit pine tree branches, taking the impact to his face and body as he tried to protect the poor guy strapped to his back. He was pretty sure he could survive a hard fall. He didn’t know if his instructor could.

At last, they stopped falling and bounced, suspended above the ground. As soon as Konrad caught his breath, he called out, “Hey, are you all right back there?”

An eerie silence answered him.

“Shit.” He squirmed despite his pain, trying to pull himself loose from the harness so he could turn around and examine his instructor. “Damn trees,” he muttered.

Konrad knew their descent wasn’t normal. He just didn’t know what to do about it. His instructor yelled something like, “Don’t!” as he dragged him out the door. He hadn’t heard him speak since.

But Roz had screamed in fear. He had to be sure she was all right and reassure her—and himself.

People ran toward them shouting. He groaned and didn’t know if he should call out that they were okay or not. He was cut and bruised, but breathing—he couldn’t speak for the man strapped to his back.

When the first two guys got to them, they called out, “Are you all right?”

Konrad answered, “Yes, I think so” and waited an anxious moment.

At last, a shaky voice behind him said, “Fuck. What the hell…?”

“Curtis!” yelled a guy from the ground. “Are you okay? What happened?

The guy behind him spoke in exhaled breaths. “Student panicked…Bailed too soon…Hit my head…Managed to…pull the drogue…before I…passed out…Came to…just now.”

Roz and her instructor were among the last to arrive. She looked up at them with wild eyes. “Help them,” she cried.

One of the onlookers said, “They’ve got to be fifty feet up. It would take anyone a while to climb, even a professional tree climber. Hey guys, if I throw you a knife can you cut your way out?”

“I’ll give it a shot,” Konrad called down to them. He felt blood trickle down his face.

“They might fall!” Roz cried. “Wait, they’re not far in. Maybe the fire department can reach them.”

Konrad’s hearing was so acute, he could understand what people were saying on the ground, even when they were whispering among themselves.

Roz’s instructor nodded. “Good idea. Besides, it’s against protocol to climb down from a tree landing.”

Roz looked around at the small crowd that had gathered and asked, “Can someone call 911 and ask them to bring a ladder truck?”

“I will,” one of the female employees said. She pulled a cell phone from her vest pocket.

Roz turned to the woman and said, “Have them bring a couple of ambulances too. They could have internal injuries.”

“No ambulance for me,” Konrad yelled. “I’m fine.” The moon was almost full again and he’d heal fast. Besides, he couldn’t afford it. He swiveled his head. “You okay buddy?”

“My head hurts and feels like it’s about the size of Mount Rushmore.”

“There are four heads on Mount Rushmore.”

“Exactly.” He groaned.

Roz turned to the woman with the cell phone and whispered, “Don’t listen to my boyfriend. He’s in shock.”

She just nodded and walked a few steps away while she spoke to the dispatcher.

“I’m not in shock, Roz. I’m fine, really. One ambulance will do it.”

She looked startled.

Oh yeah. He wasn’t supposed to be able to hear her whisper from so far away. He’d have a hard time explaining that, unless…He sent a message to her telepathically. You’re upset, darling. I know that. I can hear it and sense it. Please don’t worry. I’m all right. Really. The tree broke my fall.

“And you broke your instructor’s fall, but he sounds like he’s badly hurt. You might not feel it right now because of the adrenaline, but you have to get checked out.” She crossed her arms and tried to look tough. “I mean it!”

Unfortunately, she only looked more adorable, and he couldn’t say no. He sighed deeply. Okay. You win.

A hint of a smile curved her lips. “I guess sky diving’s off the list.”

You are so right.

His instructor was being kept overnight for observation, yet Konrad had broken his fall! The hospital had reluctantly discharged her stubborn boyfriend, even after he had refused an MRI to check for internal bleeding. Roz had tried everything she could think of to reason with him and make him stay, but he just kept saying he was fine.

He sure as hell didn’t look fine. He was cut and bruised all over his face, his denim jacket sleeves had been shredded, and yet he wouldn’t let anyone lay a hand on him. He wouldn’t even let the doctor stitch the gash on the side of his temple. A few butterfly bandages kept it from bleeding once it had stopped, and it seemed to stop quickly. Roz hoped that was a good sign.

By the time they had waited to be seen, processed and spit out, it was evening. Konrad had promised to go straight to bed.

She knew it was late, but to leave Konrad alone in his apartment was wrong. He was proud and stubborn, but she shouldn’t have left—even when he insisted. What if he was unaware of some kind of internal injury and died in his sleep? She’d never forgive herself.

So, she made a big pot of chicken soup and carried it carefully up the stairs. When she reached the landing, his door opened, and he stepped out of his apartment—naked! What the? There wasn’t a scratch on him. No blood, no bruises, no Band-Aids. He was as naked and perfect as the day he was born.

His gaze snapped in her direction. “Roz!”

“Konrad, why are you? How did you?” As she stammered, he stared at her as if she was the one standing there naked.

“I can explain,” he said.

She waited but no explanation followed.

What the hell could he tell her? He was a fast-healing nudist? He wore a bruise suit earlier, but he took it off in favor of his birthday suit?

The full moon was approaching, and he could feel the urge to change. This couldn’t have happened at a worse time.

“Roz, can this possibly wait until tomorrow?”

Her jaw dropped. “You’ve got to be out of your ever-loving mind! No, it can’t wait.”

At that moment, Nathan exited his apartment with his bicycle. He froze when he saw Roz.

“Oh!” He looked quite surprised to see her, then gazed at Konrad. “Shit.”

Now what?Nathan was the one who let him out on his way to work in the evening, and Sly let him in just before dawn. He had tried stashing his clothes in the alley behind the dumpsters, a couple of time they were gone in the morning. Then he had to wait until he could shift back, knock on Sly’s window since his keys had gone missing with his clothes, and traipse naked through the hallway and up the stairs. Crap.

Quickly assessing his options, he realized there were only two things he could do. Get back into his apartment, fast, or change right in front of her. Not shifting into his wolf form during the full moon wasn’t an option. That decision had been made for him ever since he’d been bitten long ago.

He could feel his body vibrate—the first sign of an impending change. He fled into the relative safety of his apartment and hoped Roz wouldn’t follow and catch him in mid-shift. She’d be horrified. He had to leave the door unlocked and open a crack to get back out.

Could he manipulate the doorknob with his paws? Perhaps. But if he couldn’t, the wolf in him would likely panic and try to claw his way out. A wolf had to run.

Not this time. If she saw him change it would be more traumatizing than to think he had a pet wolf scratching and howling at the door. So, he retreated and slammed the door.

Nathan, still gazing at the top of the stairs, said, “Uh-oh.”

Roz snapped her attention to him. “What the hell is going on?”

He just shook his head and said, “Oh, boy.”

Roz closed the space between them for an “in your face” interrogation, which she’d occasionally done with the most tight-lipped criminals. “You know something about this, don’t you?”

Nathan didn’t lose his cool. He cocked his head and answered, “I’m not known for my discretion, but in this case, I’m going to forget what I saw, and I suggest you do the same.”

“Forget what I saw?” Her voice rose. “Forget? How can I? I’m not just concerned about his coming out of his apartment stark naked. A few hours ago, he was badly bruised, cut and bleeding. Now there’s not a mark on him. What the hell is that about?”

He shrugged. “What can I say? Some of us are fast healers.” He started to wheel his bicycle past her, but she grabbed his collar.

“Oh, no you don’t.”

He pried her fingers off and calmly said, “I’m afraid I can’t stay and chat. I’ll be late for work.”

With that, a tiny bit of sanity returned. She couldn’t keep him there against his will. With a deep sigh, she stepped back and let him go. He opened the door but stopped to fiddle with something on his bike.

Now, about Konrad. She heard some type of faint grinding noise coming from upstairs. Then a whimper.

She dashed up the steps and tried his door. To her surprise, it opened. Sitting in front of her was a big dog. It looked like some kind of scruffy German Shepherd, but the biggest one she’d ever seen! She’d have been afraid, except that with his tongue hanging out, he looked like he had a big goofy grin on his face.

“Huh? Who are you, boy?” Should she pat this strange dog or not? His eyes looked friendly, but his jaw was powerful enough to snap her arm like a twig.

The door across the hall opened and Dottie came into view. “What’s all the racket out here?” she demanded.

Roz turned toward her and stammered, “Oh, I uh…”

As she was trying to think of what to say, the big dog ran around her legs and bounded down the stairs.

Dottie threw her hands in the air, “Darn it. I told Konrad to get rid of that wolf months ago. What the heck is it doing back here?”

“Nathan called up the stairs, “I’ll get rid of him, Mrs. F.” He opened the door and the dog—or wolf—or whatever ran off. Nathan followed him out and let the door slam.

Puzzled, Roz turned back to Dottie. “Wolf? That was a wolf?”

Dottie didn’t answer. She marched across the hall and banged on the door jam since the door was already open. “Konrad! Come out here.”

They waited. No answer.

Roz said, “Should I go in?”

Dottie raised her eyebrows, then smiled and said in a syrupy sweet way, “I suppose you’d be welcome any time, since he’s your boyfriend. Go ahead. I’ll wait right here.”

Roz remembered that he was naked, and said, “No need to wait. I’ll talk to him about his—um, pet. He’ll probably want to know it ran away.”

“Thank God,” Dottie mumbled.

To Roz’s relief, Dottie returned to her apartment and shut the door.

She crept in and called out, “Konrad?” Still no answer. What could he be doing? Was he hiding from her? The more she thought about his mysteriousness, the angrier she got. “Where the hell are you?”

She took a deep breath and marched to his bedroom. She threw open the door, half expecting to find him hiding under the covers. He wasn’t there and his bed was made. Okay…he must be in the bathroom. The door was open, so she poked her head in. It was empty.

Where could he have gone?He must be hiding in a closet! Now she was pissed. She opened each closet and pantry door—and found no one.

“What the fuck?” It was as if he’d disappeared into thin air. She jammed her hands on her hips. “Well, that does it.”

She found a sticky note pad and a pen, then scribbled, “Your disappearing act and deceit have me at a loss. There’s more you’re not telling me, and I won’t stand for lies. I’m afraid we’re through.” As she reread it, tears formed in her eyes. Was she being rash?

The more she thought about it, the more she realized the words were right. She’d been patient. More than patient. And her belief in him had only led to more lies and disappointment.

She slammed the door on her way out and returned to her apartment for a good cry.

“Roz, open the door.” Konrad pounded so hard he was afraid he’d splinter the solid oak if he didn’t calm down. He took a couple of steps back and raked his fingers through his hair. Dottie would be down in seconds if he kept that up. Tough. Nothing can drag me away—certainly not some 98-pound busy body. He could hear someone inside Roz’s apartment, and he would not leave until she opened the door.

Wait a minute…He didn’t have to wait for her to open the door. All he had to do was open his mind to her.

Roz, please give me a chance. I’ll tell you everything.

“You’ll tell me more lies. Go away.”

I won’t. I swear! I’ll tell you the truth, the whole, truth and nothing but the truth…so help me, God.

“God is probably the only one who can help you, because if you lie to me again, you’re beyond redemption.”

I’m not evil, Roz.

“Says you.”

Open the door. Please, please, please open the door!

She didn’t answer him, and the door didn’t open. His nerves were getting the best of him, so he tried pacing off the pent-up energy.

Okay, I’m going to have to tell you everything like this. I had hoped to be with you to reassure you. To hold you and show you how gentle I can be. But if this is how you want it, so be it. I’m not going to lie to you anymore.

He heard a long, resigned sigh on the other side and pictured her rolling her eyes.

This is going to sound preposterous, but I swear it’s true and I can prove it.

My brother and I were about ten when we decided to run away from home. We were making our way through the woods by the light of the full moon when we came upon a sight so bizarre, we couldn’t believe our eyes. A group of human beings changed into a pack of wolves.

He waited for some reaction. There was a barely audible thump, as if she’d plopped into a chair or dropped something on the floor.

Are you all right?

“That’s a trick question, right? Continue.”

At least she hadn’t fainted.

Okay. We tried to run but were quickly overtaken by the wolves and pinned down. I thought we were done for. Instead, they were waiting for their leader, the Alpha wolf, to decide our fate.

For some reason I couldn’t scream or cry. I simply waited for the inevitable. Nicholas began to whimper and that spurred me into action. It was bad enough that I was about to be eaten, but if I could spare my brother…Well, I punched and kicked and fought as hard as I could to get to him. Yes, I was bitten. And little did I know at the time that Nick would take his cue from me and try to fight too.

We were both bitten and clawed—and thus infected with the same Lupine toxin that had infected the rest of the pack.

He paused, half expecting her to laugh. When all he heard was her rapid breathing, he continued.

We were bitten by werewolves. Before you dismiss this as insane, think about some of the things you’ve seen with your own eyes. I healed in hours from a fall that might have killed anyone else. I have superhuman strength. Last night, you saw my wolf form moments after you saw me disappear into my apartment, naked.

He heard something and waited. He hoped she was getting up to open the door. He heard her footsteps, but instead of coming closer they sounded like they were going farther way and picking up speed. Finally, he heard a thud and creak as if she’d thrown herself on her bed, followed by the unmistakable sound of weeping.

“Merry?” Roz knew her voice was shaking and hoped she didn’t sound like a scared little girl, despite feeling like one. At least over the telephone, her best friend couldn’t see her face, red and blotchy from crying.

“Roz! I’m so excited to hear from you. How’s everything going?”

Roz sat on her bed and examined her Egyptian cotton sheets. Mascara stained them and her pillowcase. “Not good.”

“Oh my God. What happened?”

“I’m sorry. Before we get into my troubles, how’s married life?”

Merry chuckled. “It’s awesome. Really great. But it sounds like you need to talk more than I do.”

“Yeah, big time,” Roz sighed. “Are you busy right now?”

“Nope. I was about to make dinner, but I can ask Jason to go grab take-out, then we’ll have complete privacy.”

“You don’t have to do that. In fact, you might like to have Jason nearby when I tell you this.”

“Oh, no. What happened? It sounds horrible.”

“No,” Roz shook her head. “I didn’t mean to alarm you. It’s not a disaster—at least not to anyone but me…and maybe Konrad.”

“Konrad? The Konrad who lives in my building?”

“Our building. I moved into your old apartment.”

She heard Merry gasp, then squeal.

“That’s fantastic! I can’t wait to get home and welcome you with a big hug.”

“Yeah, I was going to save it for a surprise, but now I…” Her voice broke and she couldn’t continue. Sobs rose to the back of her throat and threatened to burst out.

“Roz, what is it?”

She coughed. “We fell in love. I was so happy. Then—” Her throat clogged again. How the hell do I tell her the love of my life is a werewolf?

Merry made a soft, sympathetic sound. “Oh, honey. Whatever happened, I’m on your side. You know that, right?”

“There are no sides. It’s not like that. I…” She sniffed. Somehow, she had to find the courage to tell her. The only person who might understand this was Merry. “Do you remember when you told me about Jason’s secret?”

“God, yes. I’ll never forget it. You were so brave and understanding. I thought you’d call the men in white coats on me, but instead you just listened. I can’t tell you how much that meant.”

“Well, maybe now you can return the favor. Konrad was holding something back and I knew it. I didn’t want to push him because he’s—” She was going to say, the best thing that’s ever happened to me, but knew she’d choke up if she said the words.“I’m sorry. This is hard.”

“I know,” Merry said softly.

A quiet moment of understanding passed between them and Roz steeled herself, calling on courage she didn’t feel at the moment.

“Merry, apparently Jason isn’t the only shapeshifter in the building.”

“I know. There’s his uncle Ralph and Nathan too.”

Roz sat up straight. “Nathan?”

“Yeah, he’s able to shift into a Raven. He even battled off Morgaine’s pet owl that Jason was up against in falcon form. He would have been toast if Nathan hadn’t intervened. I didn’t tell you about them because I didn’t think it mattered. It was enough to accept that my husband was a shapeshifter, and I didn’t know you were going to move into the building. I’m not sure I’d have let you if I’d known.”

Roz chuckled. “That’s why I didn’t tell you.”

Merry joined in the brief moment of comic relief and said, “So what does Konrad have to do with this?”

“Konrad’s a shifter too.”

“Really?” Merry sounded not only surprised, but pleased!

“Yeah. Don’t get excited though. He’s not a pretty bird like your husband or Nathan. He’s a werewolf.”

“A—a what?”

“You heard me right. A werewolf. A big, furry doggie with huge teeth and supernatural strength. Not the kind you’d want to sit on your lap.”

Merry’s side of the line went eerily quiet. At last, she said, “That explains how he and Sly managed to save my life the night I was attacked.”

“He what? Saved your life? What attack?”

“I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want it getting back to my father, and the less people who knew, the better. It happened the day after I moved in. I had just returned home from work, exhausted, and wasn’t paying much attention as I walked from my car to the back door of the building. Suddenly I jumped. Konrad and Sly rescued me from a would-be rapist. He had a knife to my throat. They tossed him off of me like he was a sock puppet.”

“Dear God! Why didn’t you tell me?”

“As I said, I couldn’t risk my father finding out about it. He’d have dragged my ass back to Rhode Island faster than Jason can throw a baseball.”

“How did they save you?”

“I thought it was Sly who did it, but now that I know about Konrad…well, it could have been either of them. One of them picked up the guy by the belt and flung him several feet away like he was a big blow-up doll. Well, maybe that’s not the best description, but you get what I mean, right?”

“Yeah. I do. Konrad’s lifted and carried me like I was a blow-up doll. And come to think of it, that’s a very apt description.” Finally, she was able to chuckle, remembering how his strong arms cradled her or tossed her over his shoulder—and the phenomenal sex they’d had. Then the sadness descended again.

“I—I don’t know how I’ll ever replace him, Merry. He was so kind and gentle. And he made me feel almost petite. It’s the first time a guy has ever made me feel so…so feminine. Oh, damn.” The tears broke through and she let them flow. Eventually, she sobbed from deep in her gut.

“Roz, it’s okay. Let it out. I’m here.”

Merry’s quiet voice crooned words that were meant to be accepting and comforting through the sobs, but Roz felt no better. She wanted nothing more than to run up the stairs and throw herself into her lover’s arms, wolf or no wolf.

Yet the rational part of her wouldn’t allow it. She knew nothing about what he was. And if everything he said was true, what about that…what had he called it? Toxin? Had he exposed her to something? Was it sexually transmitted?

“I have so many questions, Merry. But I don’t dare ask him about any of it. I don’t know if I’m safe with him.”

“I’ve always felt safe with him. Has he done anything to make you feel unsafe?”

“No. In fact he made me feel very safe. Completely protected—loved, even treasured.”

“Well, there you go. You probably are all those things. How would you feel about leaving a child in his care?”

“Before I knew? I’d absolutely, totally trust him with a child. I even saw him run into traffic, risking his own life to save a toddler.”

“That’s the Konrad I knew. What’s changed? Other than your knowing his secret. Anything?”

“I know he lied to me. I don’t know if I can believe anything he tells me now.”

“How did he lie?”

“The first time he was arrested for attempted theft, I represented him. He allegedly lifted a one-ton freezer full of frozen meat, carried it out of a restaurant, and dropped it onto the sidewalk. We got the case dismissed saying it wasn’t humanly possible to do what he was accused of doing.”

“That’s probably true, Roz. But if he’s a werewolf…”

“Then either he lied or he’s not human. I don’t like either of those explanations.”

Merry took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Roz, there are all kinds of things in this world I never knew existed until I moved to Boston—specifically, our building. Welcome to Wacko Central. Now that you live there too, you should probably know all of it.”

Roz gulped. “There’s more?”

“I’m afraid so. You’re sitting down, I hope.”

“Yes.”

“Where are you, exactly?”

“In my bedroom, on my bed.”

“Good. You might want to lie down in case you faint.”

“Merry! What the hell?”

Merry chuckled, but it sounded like a nervous laugh. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make it worse than it is. Just take a few deep breaths and try to relax.”

Roz did, and it helped. “Okay, I’m ready. Lay it on me.”

“Okay, here’s the thing. Even though we live in a building full of paranormals, I feel safe, maybe even safer, then I would in a building full of human strangers. How well does anyone know their neighbors, anyway?”

“Apparently, not that well.”

“Right. But I’ve gotten to know everyone in our building very well. You, me, Dottie and Joe Murphy are the only so-called normal people there.”

Roz took in that information and ticked off the names of the other residents out loud. Okay, I know about Jason, Nathan, and Konrad, so Ralph?”

“Another Falcon.”

“Gwyneth and Morgaine?”

“Witches.”

“What do you mean? They’re not supernatural…just regular women who practice Wicca, right?”

“I guess so, although I’m not totally sure. Sly asked Morgaine to put a spell on the newspaper ad I answered, advertising the apartment. He said the spell made the ad visible to me and my family, but no one else could see it. That ensured I’d be the only one to answer the ad.”

“By Sly you mean the guy who turned out to be your biological father, right?”

“Right. Sylvestro Flores is his real name, but he likes to be called Sly. He’s in the building too.”

“He lives here? I didn’t know that. Which apartment?”

“None. He’s in the basement.”

“The basement? There’s no apartment in the basement. Just a laundry room and a dark, dirty storage area and utility room.”

“Uh, yeah. Sly doesn’t have a lot of stuff and he doesn’t need fancy digs, although I’d love to see some kind of fixed up space for him. He is my father, after all.”

“Of course. So, let me get this right. If you, me, Dottie and Joe are the only guaranteed humans—”

“No guarantees,” Merry interrupted.

Roz groaned but continued her inventory. “And Gwyneth and Morgaine are witches, and Jason and Ralph are shapeshifting Falcons, and Nathan’s a shapeshifting Raven and Konrad’s a werewolf, that would mean Sly is a…”

“Vampire.”

Roz froze in shock. Her throat constricted or she would have yelled, “A what?”Merry must have interpreted her silence, though.

“He’s a vampire. Don’t worry. He doesn’t feed on the neighbors.”

Roz’s head started to spin. Now she realized why Merry wanted her to lie down.