by Mia Harlan
Cash looks between us.
“Wait, so you’re both Violets?” he asks. “How is that possible?”
“Young people these days,” Violet mutters. Twenty points. Not that she needs them, since she’s exactly who she says she is. “Both our parents named us Violet. It happens, you know.”
Cash chuckles, not seeming the least bit insulted. “So you don’t work for an agency? You don’t work with other chameleons?”
I shake my head, and Cash suddenly grabs me by the waist. I yelp as he lifts me in the air and spins me around and around, a huge grin on his face.
“Cash, put me down!” I shriek. “Would you please explain what’s going on?”
“You are a genius, little furry!” he cries. “I need to make sure it hasn’t been invented yet. If I don’t, it’ll be bugging me all night.”
“What will? You’re not making any sense!” I cry as he pulls out his phone.
“Chameleon for Hire!” Cash says. I open my mouth to speak, but he quickly cuts me off. “I’ll name it something else. Hire a Chameleon? Clone Yourself For a Day?”
“What are you talking about?”
“An app where you can hire a chameleon to pose as you!” Cash exclaims, eyes bright. “Don’t want to go to work? Want to skip a boring family reunion? Can’t bear the thought of going to an ex’s wedding? You hire a chameleon to shift into you and go instead. No one will know the difference!”
“It’s not a bad idea,” Violet chimes in. “Now, why don’t you two come over here and have a seat, instead of just standing by the door?”
I nod and lead the way, heading for my usual spot next to Violet. I start to sit down, but somehow end up falling into Cash’s lap instead. The jerk used vampire speed to beat me here!
“Cash!” I gasp when he tightens his grip around my waist. “Let me go.”
“I thought you sat down on my lap on purpose,” he says innocently.
“I did not!” I scramble off him and onto the seat next to him.
“That was very forward of her, wasn’t it?” He winks at Violet. Not a flirtatious wink, the way he’d done around me for the past two days. This one is friendly, the teasing aimed entirely at me.
I scowl at him.
Cash grins. “Did you know that in old pagan tradition, sitting between two people who have the same name brings good luck?”
“Did you just make that up?” I ask, eyes narrowed.
“Would I do that?” Cash winks at me, and this time it is most definitely flirtatious.
“I think I’ve read that somewhere,” Violet comments. She pauses for a few seconds, lost in thought, then turns to Cash. “So you’re the wampitch?”
“Blood mage.” Cash scowls, then turns to me and starts to laugh. “This is your doing, isn’t it?”
“Wampitch just makes more sense,” I say innocently, just to annoy him. “Or blage.”
“Blage?” Cash shakes his head. “Quit goading me, little furry. Unless you’re willing to pay the price.”
“What’s the price?”
“Wouldn’t you like to know?” He stares at me intently, and I squirm in my seat. “Now, how about you tell me what’s going on? Why did you make me think you were your friend here? Why not tell me the truth?”
“I’ll explain, but you have to promise you won’t tell anyone who I really am.”
“Cross my heart.” Cash grins, like this is some sort of game.
“I’m serious, Cash. This is serious.”
His smile falls, and he takes my hand in his. “Whatever it is, little furry, you can tell me.”
“I’ll just leave you two to talk, then,” Violet says, struggling to get to her feet. I start to get up so I can help, but Cash gets there first. He zooms up to her at vampire speed and offers her his arm like a true gentleman.
“Thank you, dear.” Violet lets him pull her to her feet and then reaches for her walker, which is parked behind the couch. “I’ll be in my room if you need me.”
“You sure you don’t want to stick around?” I ask.
“No, you go ahead. I’ll just go take a nap. I can barely keep my eyes open.”
“Did you take your medicine? Are you feeling okay?” I ask, not liking the way her eyelids are drooping. Something about it feels wrong, and I quickly shift into her to double-check.
“You shouldn’t do that,” Violet reprimands, and I instantly realize why. She’s not tired. Not one bit. She’s giving Cash and me privacy, so we can be alone.
Chapter 15
Violet
“Have you eaten yet, little furry?” Cash asks once we’re alone.
“You really have to stop calling me that.” I pout, even though the nickname makes me feel all warm and gooey inside. “And no, I haven’t had anything since lunch.”
“I haven’t either.” Cash gives me a lopsided grin. “And I’m starved!”
I roll my eyes. “You’re a vampire. You don’t get starved.”
“Actually, I’m a blood mage, and I do. Vampires don’t have to eat, but half of me is a mage, and my mage is very hungry.”
His tone is filled with innuendo, like he’s implying he might be hungry for something other than food, and I nearly shift on the spot.
“Is your vampire hungry?” I ask. The mere thought of Cash licking my neck, sucking on it—biting me—makes my heart race.
Oh, great. Not only am I into giant skunk mascots, now I’m apparently a blood whore too.
“Don’t tempt me, little furry,” Cash says, his eyes zeroing in on my neck. They fill with need... with longing... with desire. And when his pupils take on a reddish hue, I gasp.
“Cash?” I whisper.
“I wasn’t planning on biting you.” He leans toward me until his breath grazes my neck. “Not when I thought you needed all that blood flowing through your veins.” He presses a soft kiss to my pulse point, and shivers travel down my spine. “But now...” he adds, sucking on my neck briefly. “Now I just might.”
I moan as wetness pools between my thighs. Then I can’t help it. I shift. Stupid, wonky magic!
Cash jumps back like he’d been burned. The red hue of desire dissipates from his eyes, replaced by disappointment.
“I’m so sorry,” I cry, quickly shifting back.
The good news is, I didn’t turn into Nole, or Liam, or Mayor Shchnarl. Definitely don’t want to look like a spotted ogre when your mate tries to give you a hickey. The bad news is I’d shifted into old Violet.
“Please don’t be scared of me. I swear I wasn’t going to hurt you,” Cash says gently, keeping his body perfectly still, like I might flee at any moment.
“I wasn’t scared. I just—”
“You don’t have to explain, little furry. And you never have to be afraid around me.” He starts to reach for me and then pulls his hand back right before our hands touch. “If you don’t want me to bite you, just say so. I would never do anything you didn’t want me to, Violet. I swear.”
“I know you wouldn’t.” And even though we just met, I can feel the truth in his words. “I didn’t shift because I wanted you to stop, Cash. I didn’t even mean to shift. It just happens sometimes...” When I’m aroused.
“I understand.” Cash says quickly, but I really don’t think he does. I try to summon the courage to tell him how my wonky powers work, when he suddenly changes the subject. “How about we order some food and just talk? Get to know each other?”
“Sure.” I nod, trying to hide my disappointment. Way to ruin the moment, Violet.
Maybe I should try again? I could take his hand in mine, or lean forward and kiss him? My heart starts to race, but before I can work up the nerves, Cash takes out his phone.
He tilts the screen toward me and pulls up Screech. The way his eyes light up at the sight of his own app reminds me of a little kid. Of Gwinnie and me the few times our mother surprised us with pancakes for breakfast.
“I didn’t know Screech had delivery,” I say. Last I checked, it didn’t.
“Is that the only reason you suggested ordering food?” I tease.
“Guilty.” Cash winks at me, but then his stomach growls, belying his words. “Is there anything particular you’re in the mood for?”
“Pizza!” My response is instant. The mere thought of thick crust and cheesy goodness makes me want to shove Cash aside and place the order, whether he likes it or not. As it is, a pleading note enters my voice, and I’m not above begging. “Please, Cash? I haven’t had a slice of pizza in almost a year!”
“A year?” Cash looks aghast.
“Violet’s stomach can’t handle pizza,” I explain. And I won’t lie... the fact that Cash seems to feel the same way I do about pizza makes me a lot happier than it should.
“But your stomach can handle pizza just fine?” Cash asks.
I nod.
“Then why haven’t you ordered it without her?”
“Because I’m usually shifted into her. If I eat it then, it actually does make me sick.”
“What about when you’re not shifted? Like right now?”
“Then it’s fine... unless I shift into her right after eating.” I shrug. “But we have all our meals at home together, so it makes more sense to make food we can both eat.”
Cash seems to think that over for a moment. “You know what?”
“What?”
“Today is your lucky day... because Antonio’s delivers, and we can get whatever pizza you like!”
I squeal. Literally bounce up and down on the couch and squeal. Then I remember what Violet said, about how Cash might think I am too young for him, and try to sit still and act more dignified.
Then he tilts the phone, showing me photos of different pizzas, and I’m gone. I slide closer, so our legs are almost touching, but all I can think about is cheese and crust and mushrooms and tomatoes. My eyes lock on the screen, my mouth waters, and I think I’m in heaven.
“You’re drooling, little furry,” Cash teases.
“So are you, wampitch,” I fire back. Cash laughs.
We place an order for two pizzas, both extra-large, and funny thing is, I’m not the only one who went a bit overboard. Apparently blood mages have quite an appetite.
“So, what’s going on, Violet?” Cash says out of the blue, while I’m still thinking about pizza. “Why have you been pretending to be someone you’re not?”
I feel a moment of panic and remind myself to breathe. I somehow know I can trust Cash—and even if I can’t, it’s too late now. He’s seen the real me. There’s no going back.
“You can tell me anything, little furry,” he says gently, taking my hand in his. He starts to rub slow circles with his thumb, which is more arousing than it is calming, but somehow helps me summon the courage to explain.
“There are people after me.” I lower my voice to a whisper, as if just talking about them will somehow summon them. “Witches.”
Cash tenses and leans forward, keeping his own voice down too. “What witches? A coven?”
“I’m not really sure.” When someone’s trying to kill you, it’s not like you stop and ask questions.
“But why? What do they want?”
I stare down at my hands, trying to figure out the best way to put it... except there isn’t a best way. Just the truth. “I saw something I shouldn’t have, and now they... they want me dead.”
“I won’t let them lay a finger on you!” Cash snaps, his eyes taking on that red hue again. Except this time, it’s anger, not arousal... and the shivers that travel down my spine definitely aren’t pleasure. They’re also not fear... at least, not fear of Cash. But fear that he might get hurt? Definitely!
“You can’t stop them. I don’t think anyone can.”
“What about the police?”
I shake my head. “I... I can’t go to the police. They think... they think I killed someone.”
“But you didn’t.” Cash sounds so sure—so convinced of my innocence—that I suddenly want to throw my arms around him and never let go. Because aside from Violet, no one else believed me. Not even my own mother.
“You have to promise not to tell anyone who I really am! If word gets out...”
“I promise.” Cash gives my hand a squeeze. “And we’ll figure this out. Together. I have connections.”
He briefly glances at his phone, which he’d tossed on the coffee table, like having thousands of friends on Screech somehow makes a difference. If you plan to be an influencer, maybe... but when you’re on the run from witches, not so much.
“It’s not that simple, Cash. They’re—”
I’m interrupted by a knock on the door.
“That was fast,” Cash says.
I frown. “That can’t be the pizza. What did they do, teleport?”
“Probably hired a vampire to do the deliveries. I’m very impressed,” he says, getting to his feet.
He heads toward the front door, and I almost jump up and try to stop him. Almost.
Something feels really off about that knock. Almost like it’s... familiar? Except that’s impossible. I’m probably just being paranoid. Talking about them tends to have that effect.
Chapter 16
Violet
My heart pounds wildly in my chest as Cash unlocks the front door. I almost forget to shift, that’s how rattled I am. At the last possible moment, I transform into old Violet. Just in time, too, because a second later, Nole storms inside the apartment... and punches Cash right in the face.
The bear shifter’s powerful fist slams into the blood mage’s nose with a sickening crunch. Cash stumbles backward from the impact. Blood starts gushing onto his upper lip, and he reaches up to stem the flow.
“Cash!” I cry, jumping to my feet. Well, not jumping, really. Standing up, slowly, while my old bones protest and pain shoots down my lower back.
I want to shift. I need to move faster, but I can’t. Not around Nole. Sweet Nole who couldn’t hurt a fly, but looks poised for another attack.
“Violet, stay back,” Cash shouts, revealing sharp fangs as he licks the blood away. Then, he raises his hands with the obvious intent to cast.
I’m instantly transported to that fateful night—the night I went on the run—and I feel like I’m going to be sick. All the blood seems to drain from my face, and I can barely get out a weak, “Cash, don’t. Please!”
“What? You think I can’t handle your little mage?” Nole shouts.
There’s a look on the bear shifter’s face that I’ve never seen there before. Rage mixed with... something I can’t quite read.
Before I even realize what’s happening, he shifts. His bear is a light brown grizzly that’s three times the size of poor Cash. I’m surprised the floor doesn’t collapse beneath him. As it is, it vibrates with his every step.
Nole’s claws leave scratch marks on the parquet floor as he advances on Cash. I picture those same nails digging into the blood mage’s skin while the bear shifter mauls him alive, and cringe.
Then I look at Cash and realize that his nose already seems to have healed. Since he’s part vampire, there’s a good chance the damage won’t be permanent. Plus, he looks so calm and relaxed, like he’s not even concerned.
He starts to recite an incantation, and magic rises to his fingertips. His magic becomes almost palpable as it fills the room, and I wonder if he’s as powerful as one of them. Maybe, maybe not. But he definitely looks like he can hold his own against the bear. Maybe even do some permanent damage.
I need to stop them before they hurt each other!
I know I have to do something, but what? Shift into something equally menacing, like Liam the troll, or the scarlet-skinned demon I’ve seen at Jewels Cafe? Beg and plead for them to stop? I know there’s only one thing I’m willing to do.
“Nole, please. Don’t. Cash, stop!” Because I can’t risk the bear shifter finding out who I really am.
“Nole? As in
your library assistant, Nole?” Cash asks, looking the bear over. “Not really how I pictured him.”
“He’s usually not like that. I swear!” I cry.
The bear shifter’s always been so sweet and caring. I’ve never even seen him get mad, not even the time his brothers drew all over his face with a permanent marker. I guess when he does let that anger loose, he really goes nuts!
I don’t even recognize the bear who rears back on his hind paws and almost crashes into the ceiling. He opens his giant maw with what is sure to be a growl so ferocious it’ll bring the neighbors running, but then Cash flicks his wrist and everything goes quiet.
Nole tries to roar again, but I don’t hear a sound. He shakes his head wildly, but even that’s silent. Whoa!
Then Cash flicks his wrist once more, and small sounds return: the quiet ticking of Violet’s clock. The hum of the humidifier. Nole’s heavy breathing.
“We don’t want the neighbors to call the cops,” Cash tells him calmly, raising his hands once more. Except this time, instead of casting, he shows his palms in the universal sign of surrender.
Nole glares at Cash for several heart-stopping moments. Then he grunts and shifts back.
I feel a wave of relief, which dies a sudden death when Nole spins around to face me.
“Violet,” he says my name in a way I’ve never heard before—part growl, part accusation. Then he storms toward me, and I start to tremble.
“N-Nole? W-what are you doing here? Why did you attack Cash?”
“You want to know why I attacked your secret boyfriend?” he shouts.
“Cash isn’t my secret boyfriend!” I deny, suddenly feeling the urge to flee. I’ve never been scared of Nole—not once in all the time I’ve known him—but I’ve also never seen him like this.
“I’m definitely not her secret boyfriend,” Cash says, and even though it’s exactly what I said, for some reason his words hurt. Then he zooms to the front door, closes it, locks it, and zooms across the living room at vampire speed. His movements are a blur, and it takes all of a few seconds for him to move to my side. Then he takes my hand and adds, “Violet’s my mate.”