Chameleon (8 page)

I hope I’m on the right track. When I was on the roof, B.D. said he wanted his shadow. Had he maybe been a prisoner in the fairy realm and had his power put into a stone like the king did with most jailers? Maybe this Fortimer guy took B.D.’s stone and somehow Wiz found it. Or maybe I am wrong all together.

The desire to slam my head against the desk in mental exhaustion hit me, but I tried to remain cool and calm.

“Are you going to Shango High’s prom this spring?” Eight asked.

“No.” I’d dropped out of high school last year and had already taken the GED test and passed. If Wiz found out, he would kill me. “Prom’s aren’t really my thing.”

“Enigma is
in town. Are you going to see them perform?”

I turned to the
first page. “What’s Enigma?”

“The all supernatural ballet. They tour habitats and human cities for six months out of the year. After that, each dancer returns to their perspective habitat.”

“I doubt I’ll go.” I sat back down with the new book.

“
It’s this Saturday.”

“That’s my birthday. I planned to be camped outside Atomic Comic with blankets and hot chocolate waiting for the midnight release of
Blood City
.”

“The graphic novel?” Eight raised his black eyebrows.

I nodded and read the page.

“In
1990, the Fairy Council established the Vault of Enchantments, a place where ancient items were stored. The building boasted thirty-five security spells. Magic Times Magazine awarded it the most secure place to store severe curses, dangerous mystical objects, and priceless potions.

For ten years, the items in the Vault remained secure. Until one night during the Full Moon festival of 20
00, an unknown group entered the Vault and triggered two spells. Council security appeared and killed three of the group.

Authorities reported that none of the many priceless or dangerous items were stolen. However, an unidentified source confessed in an undisclosed government interrogation that
the burglars stole an object called “Fortimer’s Trunk.” The item stored several things—gateway rocks, shadow stones, vanity dagger, and a binding cloak.”

My body stiffened. Wiz called his dagger Vanity and told me those amber rocks, he used to call those flesh-eating birds, were gateway rocks. He’d asked me to keep all of it secret.
And once again that name Fortimer came up.

Now I know why.
How did he get the contents of Fortimer’s Trunk?

It
had been stolen in 2000. He would’ve been ten years old. There was no way he was a part of that group of burglars, or maybe he was. B.D. kidnapped Wiz, Rich, and his sister, maybe it was to teach them to steal and have them robbing for him when they were adults.

“I could camp out with you on your birthday,” Eight said.

I looked up from my book. “Huh?”

“I would like to spend time with you outside of Atomics book store. It would be fun.”

“Naw, I’m just going to hang out by myself and read all the earlier books in the
Bloodline
series.”

“But Atomic
Bookstore is in a rough area—”

I laughed. “It’s next to Haven. I’ll be fine.”

He twirled a pencil along the table. “And what about Friday night? I have tickets to the Santeria Fashion Gala.” He flashed a weak smile.

I grinned and gestured to my t-shirt and ragged jeans. “Does it seem like I’m into fashion?”

“You look nice to me.” He gazed into my eyes.

“Why are you acting so odd
, today?”

“You don’t have that crazy guy, Wiz, shadowing you. I’m seizi
ng the opportunity while I can.” He cleared his throat. “Can I take you out?”

I leaned my head to the side. “Why?”

“Why not?”

“You’re a rich kid from a nice family. Why do you want to date a weird girl?”

He formed his lips into a grim line. “I don’t think you’re weird. You’re pretty.”

I rolled my eyes and returned to the book.

“Although no one has proof that Fortimer’s Trunk was in fact stolen in the burglary, the Fairy Council asserts that Fortimer’s Trunk was seized later and all contents were returned. The Council did not reveal the location.”

I sighed.

“I really do think you’re pretty,” Eight muttered.

Where did the Council put all the stuff from the Vault of Enchantment?

I figured the Council put the shadow stone wherever they moved the other items.

“
For two weeks, the Council transported their treasure and stored them in three different locations—Yemaya District bank, customer vaults, Council headquarters, and the Santeria Habitat Museum.”

I wrote those three locations down.

“Found something?” Eight asked.

“Yep
, I don’t need the other books. I’ll put them back—”

“It’s my job. Don’t worry.” He slumped back in his chair. “Do you need anything else?”

I glanced out the window. Shades of burnt orange and violet colored the sky in layers. Dusk approached. Sasha would be up soon.
I should go back and relieve Fin of guard duty. And maybe, Wiz woke up.
Exhilaration nipped at my nerves.
Oh no. Maybe Wiz woke up and tried to kill Sasha.
My exhilaration shifted to nausea.
I better hurry up and go home.

“I can get you whatever you want,” Eight said.

A list of things I needed flashed in my head—info on the three places that might have the shadow stones, blueprints of those buildings, and any news on the burglary. I definitely needed to find out who was involved in the theft. If I had an idea of who participated maybe I could get the stones from them. Plus, I needed more research done on shadows just in case I was on the wrong path to discovering what B.D. really wanted.

“Yeah, I need more stuff,” I said
. Wiz fighting Sasha flashed in my head. “But I have to go right now. Something may have happened in my room.”

“What?” Eight raised his brunette eyebrows.

“Nothing you should be concerned about.” I smiled.

“Write down the information you
need. I’ll bring the books by your room tomorrow.”

I paused for a few seconds and raised my
own eyebrows. “Are you sure you want to come to my room? I live in Aztec Hotel.”

He flinched, but recovered instantly. “
I don’t care. I’ll meet you at your room with the books and pizza.”

I
shook my head. “No need for pizza?”

“
Do you want the books?” He displayed a wicked green.

“Yes.
”

“Then promise me we will read the books over pizza?” He held out his hand for me to shake.

“Fine.” I shook it. “However, I’ll pay you back.”

“No need. I’m just happy to spend some time with you.”

“The weird girl with the scales?”

“No.” He smiled. “The pretty girl of my dreams.”

Oh goddess. Could he be more corny?

Eight had begun saying odd things like this in the past two years, although he laid it on thick when Wiz wasn’t around. Neither guy really liked each other. I never understood why, but I kept distance between them to avoid Wiz losing his temper.

“You look beautiful today.”

“Maybe it’s the way the sun reflects off of my scales,” I joked.

“Maybe. They glitter like diamonds. When I dream about you, that’s how you come to me, glittering in diamonds. We just sit and talk. It’s one of my favorite dreams.”

Laughter exploded from my lips. When I finally contained myself, I shook my head and gazed at him.
“Many would call your favorite dreams, nightmares.”

“
Then they would be morons. If they can’t see what I see, then who needs them? You’re beautiful.”

I sighed. “Would you stop saying that?”

“Why not?”

“I might start believing you.”

“Good.”

“But then I’ll have to leave this library and go out into the real world where people are calling me everything that represents the opposite of beautiful.”

He scowled. “Do you need to borrow my headphones to block that stupidity out?”

“It’s not stupid if it’s true.”

“Says who?”

I placed the books I read into a pile. “Sometimes if the majority says something is ugly, then it’s most likely ugly.”

“I don’t let groups of people tell me what is ugly or not. I have my own brain. I can figure out what beauty is on my own.”

I smiled at him. “Eight, please don’t ever change.”

He blushed and looked away. “I’ll do my best, Cameo.”

Chapter 8

The rest of the night was uneventful.
Unfortunately, Wiz remained unconscious with worms pushing against his skin. Sasha rose and drank more blood, which disgusted us all. I let her stay another night. Even though the scent of cat blood drenched the air, she brought a lot to my little space that none of the others could manage. She made my place feel more like home. The bathroom sparkled. The bedroom and sitting room smelled fresh. She’d cleaned the whole area by wiping down all the surfaces with bleach-drenched cloths, sweeping the floors, and organizing all my comics.

To Rich’s dismay, we all begged him to jump in the shower. While he
showered, Sasha snatched up his dingy items as well as my few clothes and washed them all in the sink. And even though she was a vampire that only drank blood, she raced off to the store with just ten of my dollars, purchased a bag full of food, returned, and produced the best beans and rice I’d ever ate. Even Fin licked her plate. Next, Sasha prepared a rum soaked bread pudding. Rich dropped to his knees and proposed to her after his second helping.

Later,
Rich and Fin camped out in my living room, arguing over the remote control and who was the best fighter. There was even a moment where they tumbled on the floor for several minutes. I had to jump out of the shower and help Sasha yank them a part. And against Rich’s begging and pleading I slept in bed next to Wiz and lay on his chest, praying to Shango that he’d return.

In my dreams Wiz and I
flew on fluffy pink clouds that sparkled like diamonds when kissed by the sun. Pale blue colored the sky. We were so high only clouds drifted below our feet. I couldn’t see any land. A sweet perfume danced in the air and reminded me of the fragrance that always washed over my face when I walked into a candy store, a sort of alluring aroma that stimulated my hunger as well as my nose.

“Let’s fly higher.”
Wiz held me as we rose into the air. His hold was soft flesh encased in hard muscle. “You’re my dream lover, Cameo.”

I responded with a confident smile. In this dream form I always felt secure.
Tan, smooth skin stretched over my luscious curves. The skin was so soft. I had hips, a blossoming bosom, long legs, and a firm behind. I wore a thin, delicate dress made of dandelion petals and rosy pink dragonfly wings that fluttered around me, exposing bare sections of flesh every now and then. A cool current of air blew through my long hair, which was a perfect blend of gold and amber. Those silky strands fell down to my feet and when the wind caught them, they drifted in a wavy pattern behind me like the train of an immaculate gown.

I was beautiful.

And Wiz’s gaze devoured me. His eyes never strayed in another direction. As we rested on a spongy floating cloud, cool mist tickled my toes and he stroked my skin with gentle fingers. I shivered with each touch.

“I wish I could always stay here.” I sighed when he ceased from
caressing me. He lay down on his back with his hands tucked under his head. Meanwhile our cloud moved forward and I could care less where we were heading. After several silent minutes, he unfolded his arms and brought me to him. A tiny moan escaped my lips.

“You like it here?” H
e combed his fingers through my silky strands.

“Yes. If I could choose this dream world with you over the caged habitat without you, I would.”

“Without me in the habitat?” He raised his eyebrows. “But I’m with you in both places.”

I formed my lips into a gloomy frown. “No. You’re not truly with me back in the habitat. You’re just my friend
. My buddy there. Not my lover.”

Sitting up, h
e undid three buttons on the back of my gown and slipped his hands inside. My whole body warmed as his fingers tip toed up my spine.

“Being lovers in our dreams isn’t enough?”
he asked.

“
No.” I bit my lip. “I want you in real life.”

“My stubborn
, Cameo.” He kissed my cheek. “You’ll never understand how much I love you.”

If only this was real.

“Kiss me again.” I shut my eyes, rested my arms on his shoulders, and pressed my body against his rock hard chest.

“
Where do you wish for me to kiss you?” He taunted me with his lips, moving them ever so slightly over the curve of my neck with a feathered touch. “Cameo?”

“
Anywhere. Just kiss me again,” I whispered, breathing in his citrus scent—orange blossoms and freshly squeezed lemonade. I could taste him on my tongue and loved it.

“
Kisses are all you want?”

“No.”

I could hear him breathing me in right before he decorated a line of tiny kisses from the tip of my chin to the line of my jaw.

“
What else do you need from me?” Wiz asked.

“Everything.
”

His body
stiffened around me as he pulled me closer. His lips brushed against the area around my X brand. I shivered with delight.

“
God I wish. . .” Wiz didn’t finish and pressed his lips against the tip of my nose.

When he let go, I asked,
“You wish what?”

“Nothing.” He buried his face into my hair. “Wake up, Cameo.”

What? It was just getting interesting.

“No.”
I tightened my grip around him.
“Why do I have to wake up now?”

“Because I need you to catch me up on what I missed
when I passed out.”

What?

I opened my eyes. The real world exploded around me. Pale blue sky and pink clouds transformed into dull green wallpaper. The sponge cloud hardened into my firm bed. My enchanting gold and amber strands evaporated into a thick white bush. My chart hung on the wall in front of my bed like a magical mirror showing me what I could never have naturally. The real Wiz gazed at me. His emerald green eye brightened, while the sapphire blue one gleamed. Unlike my dream, love didn’t swim in his eyes; instead I think I spotted pity.

Goddess. I’m pathetic.

I cringed and climbed out of his arms. “I’m sorry.”

“For what?” He tightened his grip on my waist and dragged me back.

“For touching you.” I noticed the scales on my arms and sucked them back into my flesh.

“We’re friends
. I think it’s okay to touch each other.” His lips curled up at the edges.

“
Did I say anything while I was sleeping?”

“A few things.” He grinned.

I blushed with embarrassment and sank into a gloomy pit where desperate, pathetic people must go to slumber in regret.

“How long have I been out?” He traced a line on my hipbone.
Why is he touching me like this?
The area sparked with pleasure. I directed my attention to his bare chest and studied the contours of firm muscle.

“Are you going to answer me?”

I cleared my throat. “You’ve been gone for two nights and one day.”

His finger
stopped as he moved away from me. “Anything else?”

“You bled a lot. Those snakes returned—”

“They’re not snakes.” He sat up.

“Then what are they? And don’t get
snappy with me.” I yanked my blanket off, exposing my naked thighs and the edge of my Princess Poppy underwear. Wiz looked at the area between my legs. A deep groan fled his lips so loud the bed vibrated.

Something banged outside my door. Rich rushed in. “Everything okay? I heard an animal sound.”

“That wasn’t an animal.” I gestured to Wiz.

Rich
spotted him. “You’re up! Finally.”

“You’re naked and in Cameo’s apartment.” Wiz scowled
and tossed the blanket over my legs.

“Rich, I told you last time not to sleep here naked.” I slung my pillow at him. He caught t
he pillow and attempted to hide his nudity with it.

“He’s been here naked before?” Wiz
tossed me an accusing look.

“Don’t loo
k at me that way. He stayed over here last night.”

Wiz muttered something under his breath, turned to Rich, and
got out of bed. A grumble boomed from his chest. He formed his hands to fists and kept them at his sides.

“What Cameo meant
to say was Fin and I stayed here last night in the living room.” Rich edged back. “I was worried about the B.D. tracking Cameo, so I thought it was best to stay around you both until you woke up.”

Wiz froze in his spot.
The room went quiet. Rich’s focus shifted to the floor. The pillow shook in his hands.

“And why are we saying that person’s name
in front of Cameo?” Wiz clenched and unclenched his hands.

“Ask Cameo.” Rich ducked out of my bedroom and closed the door.

“Coward!” I yelled at him.

“Yep,” Rich said on the other side.

I stood. My Santeria Santeros football jersey dropped to the mid level of my thigh. The carpet scratched the soft pads of my feet as I walked over to the bathroom.

“Why did you make that
groaning noise a minute ago?” I asked.

“Are you going to tell me about the Bearded Dragon?” Wiz trailed behind me. The
boxer briefs he was wearing clung to his muscular thighs and pressed against his. . .
Oh goddess.
I averted my eyes. He was erect. I had to get out of there before I tried to check him out some more and he caught me doing it.

“Cameo?”

“What?”

“
Why do you know that name?”

“Because I met Mr. Bearded Dragon after you passed out.”
I placed my hands on my hips. “Now why don’t you tell me about the shadow that B.D. wants?”

Rage spread over his face. He stalked forward
with closed fists. The conscious part of my brain screamed run.

“This isn’t something to play around with.” He stopped in front of me. “Wh
at happened when he saw you? What do you know?”

“No. You need to start answering my questions first.” I backed up.
“What are the snake things?”

“They’re not snakes
,” he said through clenched teeth.

“
Then what are they?”

He said nothing else.

“Things have to change.” I edged away some more. “You can’t use your magic.”

“
I’m starting to get really mad, Cameo. What happened when he saw you?”

“You answer me—”

“No!” His voice exploded and rocked the room.

The hairs on the back of my neck rose. I inched
away until my back hit the wall. My fingers shook. My lip quivered. “I was so scared you wouldn’t wake up and I don’t even understand why you passed out or what’s happening inside of your body. And now you wake up yelling at me like a bully?”

Sighing, he
closed the distance between us and embraced me. “I’m sorry you were worried, but I did wake up so don’t stress what’s already happened.”

“No more secrets, Wiz.” I didn’t hug him back. Battling with my inner emotions, I forced myself to stand my
ground, which meant not letting him confuse my mind with his hugging and positive words. He always weaseled out of explaining the worm things to me. I couldn’t let that happen anymore. “What are the things inside your body?”

“I can’t tell you about this stuff
so forget about it.”

“
That’s easy to say when you’re not the person scared out of their mind.” I shoved him away and stepped around him. “Besides, that scaly weirdo threatened you and me. He said he wants his shadow.”

“He said that to you? What else did he say? How close was he to you?”

He has the nerve to ask me all of these questions and doesn’t answer any of mine.

“Do you have his shadow
?” I asked.

He paused and crossed his arms over his chest.
“Yes.”

“Are you going to give it to him?”

“I hadn’t planned on it.”

“Where is it?”

“Don’t worry about any of this. I’ll handle it.”

“No. We’re partners, Wiz.”

“Not when it comes to anything dealing with B.D.”

“So you’re not going to tell me anything?”

“Nothing at all.”

I entered the bathroom,
slammed the door shut, and wrenched off my shirt. “This B.D. guy frightens me. If you really have the stone then just give it to him.”

He gave no reply through the door so I finished undressing and went into the shower.

Wiz has the shadow? No way. Wiz is smart enough not to make unnecessary enemies. Right? Why wouldn’t he just give him the shadow?

I turned the knob. Cold water splashed my face. I thrust out all of my scales and flicked them back and forth to clean under them. The temperature changed to freezing. I exhaled and closed my eyes. Wiz’s face rushed into my head. That insane sensation surged through me, the one that came when I thought of him. It was electric, bold, and uncoiled a dark craving that made me want to do naughty things with my fingers. Things my mom said only bad girls did.
Mom.
I almost wished I hadn’t thought that word, but at least my lust for Wiz disappeared, although a carved out sadness remained.