Page 16 of Amber: Deja Brew

The footsteps heading toward me are clearly Julian’s, and he slips into the back room looking pale and worried. I wonder if he’s thinking back to the time when I’d accidentally shifted into Mr. Shell just before culture studies. The teacher had completely flipped out when he found a carbon copy of himself in his classroom. No amount of explaining would convince him it was an accident, and I’d ended up with detention for a month, cleaning the cafeteria.

“Here you are,” Chase says cheerfully just as Julian finally spots me. “On the house, of course.”

“Oh no, I couldn’t—” the troll cop starts to protest.

“I insist,” Chase says smoothly. “It’s nice to see you again. And thank you for your service.”

I hold my breath, listening to the bunny shifter sweet talk the cop, until the door finally chimes.

“He’s gone,” Chase says, popping into the back. “Sweetheart? Where... oh! Are you okay?”

“Yeah.” I nod and slam my head against the bottom of the table. “Shit!”

“Did that hurt?” Chase asks, falling to his knees in front of me and leaning forward to check my head over. “If there’s a bruise, will it still be there when you shift back?”

“Unfortunately.” I groan as Julian squats next to Chase, also examining me. I feel so awkward with my giant arms wrapped around my equally giant legs, but no matter how badly I want to shift back, it doesn’t happen. “Did Liam suspect anything?”

“No. But I don’t think he would have minded if you just explained—”

“He’s a cop,” Julian says, my worry reflected in his tone.

“Still...” Chase shrugs. “What’s the worst that could happen?”

“Amber could get arrested for impersonating a—”

The front door chimes, cutting him off, and my heart leaps to my throat.