Chameleon Read Online Free PDF Page A

Pike down the street.
    “Let her go home.” Wiz opened his eyes. It signaled to me that he was done preparing the spell.
    “I kille d the girl and attacked the guy,” Wiz continued.
    “So , he can understand English.” Goatee moved forward until he was only a foot away from Wiz. “We both know what this is, right? The Bearded Dragon doesn’t like to be ignored. He wants to talk and right now.”
    Who is the Bearded Dragon?
    “He could’ve met me without putting a dead body in my car,” Wiz said through clenched teeth.
    “The girl over dosed in his club. He figured he’d knock two things out at once.” Goatee rubbed the hair on his chin. “If you come nicely with me to meet him, then I won’t pin the girl’s murder on you. We’ll just write the report up to an over dose and notify her parents.”
    “You wouldn’t pin the death on me if I didn’t come,” Wiz said. “He needs me out of jail so I can give him what he wants.”
    Goatee leaned forward. “I wouldn’t bluff him, if I was you. From what I know, you’ll be dead by the morning.”
    “I’ve known him longer than you could ever fathom.” Wiz bared his fangs. “But thanks for the advice.”
    “I’m ordered to use force if you don’t come willingly.”
    “Then you’ll die.”
    No, Wiz. Don’t kill cops.
    I searched the area . No other witnesses existed on the street, but the habbies, vampires, Wiz, and me. Although, people were probably watching us from their shops, no one was willing to help.
    I forced a grin. “ Maybe we can all sit down for tea tomorrow. I’m broke so the tea and cookies are on you.”
    T he habbies clicked their guns to a setting that caused the blue tips to brighten and give off a continuous buzz.
    “I guess that’s a no.” I twisted my lips to the side.
    Wiz clucked and signaled me to take cover. I dove to the ground. He raised his hands out of his pockets. Tiny amber stones burst from his fingers, soared toward Goatee, ripping his chest apart, and traveled through him. Goatee’s limp body collapsed to the ground. A shield of murky, green light exploded around Wiz and me and radiated a coal scent.
    My whole view was now a shade of green.
    The amber stones continued through the air. Guns blasted, but the bullets bounced off our light shield. The stones rose higher, unaffected by the bullets. With each inch, they widened, lengthened, and liquefied into balls that stretched and formed into the shapes of birds. Thick wings longer than my arms extended from them. A path of midnight black feathers sprouted. Silver legs grew. Razor sharp claws broke through. While large silver beaks emerged. They cawed and squawked. Their high-pitched noises rose around us. I covered my ears with my hands, but couldn’t deafen the racket. The habbies screamed as Wiz’s birds swarmed on them. They flapped their wings and widened their claws to attack.
    “Eat!” Wiz roared. Rays of dark light blasted from his eyes, pierced our shield, and bathed the space before us in shadows. “Eat!”
    Blood dripp ed from his nostrils and stained his shirt. The birds crowed and dove toward the habbies’ chests as they tried to flee. But there was no escape. The beaks pierced their flesh like steak knives slicing through Jell-o.
    “Run, Cameo.” Wiz swayed. Quickly standing up, I jumped behind him. He leaned his back on me and used my body as his foundation. I gripped his shoulder and hoped I could keep him up, but still he wavered. Sweat soaked his shirt. My hands stung as his skin turned blistering cold. I gritted my teeth and tightened my grip.
    “When I fall, leave me.” Wiz’s voice cracked at the end. He shook and gazed off in a distant direction beyond the habbies. “Someone is coming and I . . . rather you not meet him.”
    “ You need me.” I peeked around his arm. “I’m getting you out of here.”
    He parted his lips but no words escaped. His knees buckled. His eyes closed. Wormlike lines pushed up under Wiz’s face. A maze