Page 34 of Violet

“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