The Xoe Meyers Trilogy (Xoe Meyers Young Adult Fantasy/Horror Series)

had shaggy, sandy blond hair and the kind of complexion that would freckle like crazy if Shelby ever got any measure of sun. His pale green eyes were staring intently at the floor while his hands nervously straightened his striped polo shirt and khaki cargo pants.
    I raised an eyebrow at Jason, wanting an explanation for Max’s presence. He was still dressed in his flannel and jeans. He glanced toward the ceiling and gave his head a slight nod, signaling that we should go upstairs. I was instantly suspicious of how he knew my bedroom was upstairs, but soon felt silly when I realized he had seen me come down as he waited at the door.
    Sighing, I invited Max and Jason to my room where Lucy and Allison waited. They followed me upstairs without a word. We entered my room and I shut the door so that the questioning could begin.
    The second the latch clicked, I whirled on Jason. “What is he doing here?” I spat, pointing my finger at Max. “He’s in league with Dan, I saw them sitting together.”
    “Hey!” Max interrupted. “I’m not in league with him. I could tell he was a wolf, so I tried to talk to the guy, then I realized that he’s completely nuts.” He crossed his arms, looking like a grumpy elf.
    Wait, a wolf ? “Don’t tell me you’re one too,” I groaned.
    “Well yeah,” Max answered, holding his head high, “but I’m not a bad one, I’m here to help.” He head remained high, proud to not be a “bad one”.
    I turned back to Jason as he started pulling things out of a dark blue backpack to show to us: a length of shiny silver chain, two sets of handcuffs, and a medical case. Lucy looked ready to pass out.
    “What’s in the case?” I asked.
    “Tranquilizers,” Jason answered, shifting his focus from his “supplies” to acknowledge me. Taking in my shocked expression, he elaborated. “First we’ll chain her up. The chains and cuffs are solid silver. Then if she starts to change, we tranquilize her. It won’t stop the change, but it will slow it down and stop her from hurting herself.” He opened the medical case and showed us several syringes and vials of clear liquid.
    Lucy had now gone from pale to green. Allison noticed and sat Lucy down on my bed. Jason looked questioningly at Lucy, deep blue eyes pinched with concern.
    I didn’t feel too hot myself. I do not like needles. Even thinking about getting a shot makes me queasy, and getting blood drawn, forget about it. I can’t even watch people get shots on TV. There is a very justified reason why my ears aren’t pierced.
    “Well it’s only 5:00 right now,” Allison announced, taking everyone's attention off the tranquilizers. “What time is she supposed to change at?”
    “Full dark,” Max responded. “Around 8:00. We shouldn’t do it here though. Jason found a place.”
    We all looked at Jason still squatting on the floor beside his backpack. He stared back.
    “Lead on,” I said in a booming voice, dramatically thrusting my arm toward the door.
    Jason chuckled. He was the only one. At least someone found me amusing.
    Jason gathered the supplies and shoved them back into his backpack, then we all trooped out of my room and downstairs single file. I told my mom we were staying at Lucy’s. Luckily I hadn’t mentioned to my mom that Lucy’s parents weren’t in town. At her further questioning I answered that of course the boys were going home by nine, and out we went into the crisp evening air.
    Jason’s nifty car was waiting out front for us. Apparently my wish for a ride was about to be fulfilled, if not in the same fashion I had imagined. Jason opened the car door and lowered himself into the driver’s seat, unlocking the other doors as he did so. I snagged the front passenger seat, leaving everyone else to pile into the back. Lucy ended up squished in the middle between Allison and Max. Jason started the ignition and the David Bowie CD that was in his player started to play. A man after my own heart. Away we went, into