Page 34 of Misfit Monsters
As I prance nimbly along the back of the wooden bench, my claws dig into the wood to steady my shrunken body. The sleek, furred form that’s my natural state in the mortal realm moves through the world much more swiftly than my larger, human-like presence. I can leap and whirl and pounce in an instant.
I spring onto the patio stones of the reform building’s inner courtyard, spin just for the sake of feeling the air ripple over my thick fur—and prick my ears at the sound of a cleared throat.
“Mirage, you know students are supposed to maintain an appropriate mortal appearance as much as possible.”
I snort as much as my snout allows and shift into human-ish form.
Toni is facing me, her arms crossed over her chest—a typical pose for the school administratorwho hassles me the most. She’s tall for a human woman, putting her almost perfectly eye to eye with my average male height.
I cock my head and grin wide enough to show my fangs that linger even in this body. “Foxes are mortal creatures.”
Up goes her eyebrow. “Not with five tails, they aren’t.”
I spread my hands in a gesture of innocence. “I can’t help it if my animal form comes with bonus features.”
“You can help whether you take it on.” She frowns at me. “Your teachers report that you’re still making partial shifts at random times. You know that isn’t acceptable. Do you notwantto make your education here work?”
Do I want to be banished to the mindless dull of the shadow realm instead, she means.
I give my head a vigorous shake. “I’ll do better. All foxiness will stay inside. Scout’s honor and never a bother!”
I give her an enthusiastic salute, but her frown doesn’t budge. “You’re getting low on chances, Mirage. If it matters to you, you’ll follow the rules.”
Rules are the dullest thing of all, I think but don’t say. The need to challenge people, to break them out of their drudgery and invigorate their lives, is woven into my essence.
But I suppose I can do more of that without indulging in my fox self, as much as I enjoy it.
After Toni has stalked off, I make a few spins on two legs rather than four. This body is decently spry too.
I flip over the bench, whip around while balancing on one hand, and slink over behind another bench where two beings are deep in conversation. They look much too serious.
I can help with that.
I crouch low behind the bench, gathering myself. Then I bound over the back, right between the two of them, tumbling into a somersault on the other side.
The two beings jerk apart with a yelp. I give them a wave, and they burst into laughter. “Oh, it’s just Mirage.”
Pleased, I saunter on through the courtyard. At the far end, two other shadowkind sit at a small table. A gameboard lies between them, black and white pieces marching across the pattern of squares.
They’re focused so intently on the game that they don’t notice I’ve strolled nearby. A glimmer of mischievous inspiration passes through me.
I wiggle my fingers at my side. The board seems to stretch and curve as if it’s forming a mountain in the middle.
The players freeze, gaping at their morphing toy. With another wiggle, I make the wooden surface appear to undulate like waves. The pieces whirl in a manic dance.
“What the fuck?” one of the beings says. The other’s jaw looks like it’s about to fall right off.
Suppressing a chuckle, I close my hand, dismissing my magic. All at once, the game looks like a regular board again.
As the players peer around them, I pretend to be fascinated by the flowers sprouting along the edge of the patio stones as if I had nothing to do with the prank.
A bright but gentle voice speaks from a couple of feet away. “Why do you do things like that?”
My head snaps up, a grin springing into place automatically. The shadowkind woman with the turquoise hair that sometimes glows is watching me, her head tilted as if she’s curious rather than annoyed.
She has a pretty face. An intriguing body with lots of slopes and valleys to explore. There are certain special games it might be delightful to play with her.
“Do what things?” I ask, even though I can guess what she means. It’s more entertaining to make people explain themselves.
