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pushing me away since I’d first laid eyes on him. Last time I’d checked, our plan was to enjoy each other and deal with his leaving when we had to. Was he rethinking that or just losing interest in me?
    I glanced over at Zack, searching for the answer in his face. His eyes had darkened and the planes of his face hardened. But I couldn’t tell if it was anger, dislike or frustration.
    The teacher cleared his throat and raised one brow. “Autumn, Zack. Would you prefer we leave the room so you can work things out? Or may I go ahead and get class started?”
    My face heated and I squeezed my eyes shut, shaking my head.
    “That’s a relief,” Mr. Hagar said dryly. “Please use a number two pencil. Anyone who doesn’t have one, raise your hand.”
    Right! The quiz. Crap, I’d totally forgotten about that. I whipped out my pencil and resigned myself to doing poorly on the test since I was an emotional mess and hadn’t even studied.
    As it turned out, my data absorption was tenfold since I’d hit shape-shifter maturity. I was pretty sure I’d answered all the questions correctly. At least there were benefits to being a shape-shifter, along with the drawbacks — like slavery or being killed.
    Seconds before the end of class, I hesitated before rising. I wasn’t sure if Zack would walk with me or flee from my wrath. When the bell rang and his eyes locked on mine, tranquil waters replaced the earlier stormy ones.
    Without a word, he reached for my hand and escorted me to my next class where he pressed a kiss to my forehead. Was he going to treat me like a little sister now? Whatever. I spun and st alked into the classroom without speaking a word to him.
    When school let out, Zack was waiting for me by the Mustang with a look on his face that warned me things weren’t right. Was he ready to let me go now?
    My stomach sank.
     
    ~~~
     
    Chapter Seven

    As I approached my car, Zack met me halfway. He stopped when we were a couple feet apart and I held my breath. Then his face softened and his arms opened for me. I dropped the backpack, stepped into his embrace and buried my face in his chest.
    “I’m sorry.” He kissed the top of my head. “I shouldn’t have said those things. I want to save you from the pain but… looks like I’m making it worse and you’re just as screwed as the rest of us. If you still want to come with me, I’d really like you there.”
    I raised my face to see him. “Okay, but please stop trying to save me.”
    He sighed and squeezed me closer.
    The tension dissipated as I leaned into him to drink in his musky scent. “So you still want to double date tomorrow?” I asked when we broke contact.
    “Your call. I just want to be with you.” His fingertips caressed the nape of my neck.
    Shivers danced on my skin. “We already told them we would.”
    “Then it’s a double date.” Taking a deep breath, he released me. “But only if my mom is okay. Otherwise, I need to stay at the hospital.”
    I nodded. “Of course.” I hoped for some miracle that she was feeling better. For her sake, as well as Zack’s.
    † † †
    Years ago, a friend of mine from the neighborhood had been in a car accident and I’d talked my parents into letting me visit her in the hospital. I remembered the pungent smells of antiseptics and cleaning solvents, the nurses in their colorful scrubs and sensible shoes.
    But my friend had been dealing with broken bones and abrasions in the emergency room. I hadn’t been exposed to the diseases and illnesses of the terminal ward.
    I could smell it now, the decay of life.
    Zack wheeled Favianne through the double doors and over the worn linoleum to the waiting room. He relinquished the wheelchair to me when a nurse at the counter motioned him toward a stack of paperwork. I parked his mom near an empty chair, made sure she was comfortable, then sat next to her.
    “How are you feeling?” My stomach sank at her pallid complexion. The only color on her face was in the