Page 26 of Mochas and Minotaurs

Griselda

“I think Faux Hobois back,” I said, peering out my window. “There’s the U-Haul.”

“Faux Hobo?” Penny asked.

I got her and Lily caught up with the Arcane saga, clarifying that I wasn’t sure if the man was a wizard or simply spotting for one. They both went to the window. My wards made my windows quite reflective, and I was sure no one could see in.

“I see him,” Penny said.

“Want me to take care of him?” Prax asked, popping into existence next to her.

I frowned. He was supposed to be downstairs enjoying some coffee. “Prax, what was our agreement on nonphysical locomotion while at my place? My wards let you pop in and out because you’re on the whitelist, but it’s still annoying.”

He sighed exaggeratedly. “Fine. I’ll walk like a boring human.”

“And doors. Use doors,” I added.

“Yes, yes, doors.” He rolled his eyes and then turned back to his mate. “Just say the word, and I’ll make sure our little friend there can’t see a goddamn thing.

Penny looked at me, and I nodded. “But don’t make it too obvious, and be careful.”

Prax scoffed. “Did you hear that? She told me to be careful.” He looked directly at me. “You clearly don’t know how I work.”

“Oh, I have an idea,” I said.

Penny had told me how he’d disguised himself as an old lady to discourage buyers looking at her house when her parents had tried to sell it from under her. He’d also turned himself into a large woman in lingerie once.

“You like to play dress up,” I finished.

That earned a titter from Lily.

“It doesn’t sound as cool if you say it like that,” Prax grumped. “I like to call it ‘going undercover.’ Every good spy needs a disguise.”

I rubbed the bridge of my nose, glad that Prax was Penny’s incubus and not mine. I wasn’t sure I’d be able to handle the constant jokes. The incubus in question concentrated, and soon, he stood there in a cop’s uniform.

“Ooh!” Penny exclaimed. “Uniforms are a good look on you.”

“Isn’t it illegal to impersonate an officer?” Lily asked.

“Yeah, that’s why I’m not going to get caught. Duh!”

Prax strolled toward one of the walls, and I realized he planned on phasing right through it using his demonly abilities despite our extremely recent conversation about using the door. I focused on the patch he was about to disappear through, telling my ward not to let anything through. Prax smashed into the wall and swore. I tried my damnedest not to burst out laughing. He deserved it.

I tossed him the keys and then pointed to the door with my best straight face. “The door’s that way. Exit through the back so he doesn’t see you.”

He grumbled something about bitchy witches as he left.

We all went to the windows to watch the Prax Police approach the U-Haul, looking real serious. I had no idea what story heplanned on using to get the guy to move, but after a while, the truck drove away.

Prax made his way back, looking smug.

“What did you tell him?” I asked.

“I told him that several people called in complaining about a strange man hanging out in a rental truck being suspicious and pervy. Of course, he denied it was him. So I started asking him what he was doing here and how long he’d been parked there. When he couldn’t answer me, I said if he didn’t leave, I’d have to take him in, so he left. Easy, peasy.” He looked too proud of himself.

“You should meet Declan,” I said. “The guy pulled a muscleman photoshoot out of his ass yesterday, complete with backdrops and lights—pointed at the U-Haul—to distract our spotter.”

“Impressive!”

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