Page 19 of Minnie

Or maybe he’s just trying to cover up the fact that he’s a big, fat liar who gave me a fake name and has been hitting on me despite already having a girl.

“Really?” Grape Head snorts. “What kind of gorgon forgets his snake?”

Marie’s his snake?

Phil-Gorg grabs his cane and jumps to his feet. “I’m late!” he shouts and races out the door.

“Who are you? The White Rabbit?” Grape Head shouts after him. “Wait up!”

Phil-Gorg races outside with Grape Head close on his heels. I try to run after them, but Formula M isn’t having any.

By the time I finally reach the door and step outside, both men are gone.

Chapter 10

Damien

I race down the street, the dude with purple hair gaining fast.

Who the chameleon is this Phil? And more importantly, why is Purple Popsicle chasing after him? Emphasis on him, since I’m definitely not, and never will be, Phil. I just saw the dude and shifted into an almost-perfect copy.

“Phil, wait. Talk to me!” Purple Popsicle is relentless.

I should have shifted into someone more inconspicuous. But it’s not my fault I saw a gorgon and figured he’s Minnie’s type… a total snake.

I’d laugh at my own joke if I wasn’t being chased down Main Street like a common criminal.

I try to speed up, but Phil’s cane keeps getting in the way and his body’s annoying. He’s fit, but there are snakes hanging off his head, bouncing around, ready to bite. Fucking gorgon.

I turn another corner and shift into the yeti heading up the steps to the public library. Hopefully Purple Popsicle won’t realize there are two identical yetis, and one doesn’t belong.

I lounge with my back against the wall, hairy arms crossed in front of my chest. I know I should have picked someone more… human… but I’m so used to shifting into unique-looking supes it’s my go-to.

I examine my large fingers as Purple Popsicle turns the corner and races past. Loser!

He doesn’t notice anything is amiss. If anything, he just runs faster.

I grin and search for a new body to shift into.

I spent all fucking morning with Minnie as Phil, and what do I have to show for it? Absolutely nothing. All I really learned is that she changed her name, she works as a barista, and she’s still a witch with a capital B.

But I won’t make the same mistake twice. I need a body that won’t stand out, and a woman this time—someone she could gossip with the way she had with Amber. Why the chameleon didn’t I think of that the first time around?

A woman Minnie’s age steps out of the library. She’s casually dressed, her brown hair’s up in a bun, and if I saw her at a concert, I wouldn’t look twice.

Perfect.

I shift into her, down to the black sneakers, gray dress pants, and purple sweater. She looks like the shy type, and I hope to hell no one at the cafe knows her.

I head back to the cafe where Minerva Montgomery—no, wait, Minnie Alexander—is waiting. What kind of last name is Alexander, anyway? Probably some rich guy she’s sunk her claws into.

Well, too bad, Alexander. Should have put a ring on it. She’s mine now.

I have no fucking clue where that thought comes from, but I shake it off. I don’t want her like that. I just need her to honor our deal. And to do that, I need to learn what makes Minnie tick.

And what I can offer that she won’t turn down.

I step back into Jewels Cafe, and Minnie looks up from behind the counter. She pastes on a fake-as-hell smile that’s supposed to pass for Friendly Barista, but is actually a whole lot closer to evil doll.