Page 46 of Amber: Deja Brew

“I swear I didn't do anything to the cafe!" the developer cries. "All I did was offer to buy you out, at more than a fair price."

He’s a good liar, I’ll give him that. I growl and prepare to toss his desk in intimidation, but Julian stops me.

“I’ll handle this.” he says, raising his spell book. He starts to cast, but just as the spell seems to be winding down, the office door bursts open.

“Amber! What are you doing here?” I cry, rushing to stand protectively in front of her.

That seems to startle Julian, who drops the heavy spell book on his foot. He starts jumping up and down on its twin, but luckily his spell is already cast. Magic shoots from his fingertips, and the room fills with purple smoke.

"What did you do, Juli?" Amber cries as the smoke slowly starts to dissipate. “Did you mess up another spell?”

“Why is that always the first thing you ask?” Julian pouts. “You should be proud of me! I cast a spell and nothing exploded. Wow! I can’t believe nothing exploded!”

"Something was supposed to explode?" the developer cries. “I’m really going to die, aren’t I? Unless I can reach my desk drawer. All I have to do is take out my cell phone and call the police. Oh crap, why did I say that aloud? Now I’ll never get out of here alive or see my mate again!”

"You're not going to die,” I tell him. “I was never planning to kill you. I’m not a murderer.” And then, even though I have no intention of saying it, I add, "I wasn't ever planning to hurt you. I was just bluffing to get you to confess."

“You were?” The developer gasps. “I totally bought it. But seriously, you have the wrong guy.”

“Why would you tell him you were bluffing?” Chase shouts. “Now we can’t intimidate him into confessing the truth.”

“What truth?” the developer demands. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“I know you did it!” Amber shouts. “You sent someone to curse the cafe. You’re so lucky Zoe was able to clean up the mess.”

“She did? Really? Are you sure? You’re not just saying that, are you?” Julian’s eyes light up.

“Of course I’m sure! You’re so cute when you’re excited, Juli.”

“You’re cute too, Bean. I think—”

“Now’s not the time,” I remind them. “Developer. Sabotage. Remember?”

“Right.” Amber turns on the developer. “The only things Zoe couldn’t fix are the broken mugs and the coffeemaker. It’s really expensive! You better hope she fixes it, or I swear I’ll kill you. Unlike Wes, I’m not bluffing.”

“She can shift into a troll,” Chase says proudly. “She could probably kill you.”

“I could. If I could ever shift when I wanted to.” Amber covers her mouth on a gasp.

“You didn’t mean to say that aloud, did you?” I ask.

“Of course not.” Amber shakes her head.

“What are you doing here?” I ask her. “You were supposed to stay in the apartment where it’s safe.”

“What do you mean, supposed to? You left me behind. You didn’t even tell me why. You just walked away. How could you exclude me like that?”

“It was Wes’s idea,” Julian says, throwing me under the metaphorical bus.

“I wanted to protect you, little bear,” I say, with a quick glance at the developer. “I’m just making sure you’re not going to try anything. You’re not safe here, Ambear. Even though I’m protecting you, and I’d never let that developer hurt you, I’m still so worried about you right now.”

“That’s really sweet, Wes. And unnecessary. And annoying,” Amber tells me.

“I would never hurt her,” the developer adds.

“I don’t believe you,” I tell him, then turn back to Amber. “Do you know what I’d do if anything happened to you? I'd probably turn into a recluse like my dad and never remember to shower or eat, and I’d forget that I have children who love me. Not that you and I have children yet, but I want us to. One day. When you’re ready.” I grimace. “I have no idea why I’m saying all of this. I would never confess to stuff like this normally.”

“I don’t know why either, but I’m glad you did, Wes,” Amber says. "Losing your mom must have been so hard on your dad. If I lost you, I'd cry."