Page 82 of Misbehaving With Minotaurs
“Let’s goooooo,” Iggy shrieks, yanking on Manorin’s horn. “We’re gonna be late, and Dad said I would be in so much trouble if I was late since we’re in the parade.”
Nor rubs the kitchen archway lovingly with his cheek as we head out of the kitchen and toward the front of the inn. Minnie trails us out onto the porch, and the pups all howl loudly. Annabelle waggles newly painted white shutters at us and we wave goodbye back.
We manage to make it to Sycamore Street in front of the diner, where we’re all due to meet. Arkan’s there, shouting directions as he tries to corral everyone. “Alright, Misfits, you go first, come right up here.”
“Enforcers, honey,” Hana says with a wink. “The new name is the Ever Enforcers. We literally finished the rebrand yesterday.”
“Fuck,” he mutters. “One of these days I’ll get used to it.”
Nor stalks to the group of players who make up our newteam. It’s a scrappy, young team, but give us a year or two, and we’ll be kicking the Punishers’ asses.
“Alright, Enforcers, join me here. Who’s got the sign?”
Twin gargoyle brothers, recently graduated from the Protector Academy, unfurl a sign painted in green and gold announcing the team’s new name.
“Logo looks good, right?” Morgan joins me, holding Abe’s hand as they stare at the new logo.
“It’s pretty badass,” I say with a laugh. “Sorry to kick your prior logo to the curb, Abemet.”
The tall vampire grins as he shrugs. “We’ve got bigger fish to fry these days, what with running the haven system and all.”
Ah yes, my little coup. Morgan, Abe and Lou have only been in charge for a few short months, but in that time, they’ve done incredible work.
We share a smile as Arkan and Nor manage to get the gathered monsters in some sort of order. When Nor turns to me, holding a hand out, I join him. We’ll be right after the skyball team and before town leadership. Behind us, hundreds of monsters are gathered on the sidewalks lining Main Street.
Arkan raises both hands. “Alright Mis—shit, Enforcers, go ahead—and remember, we’re stopping on the lawnbetweenthe gazebo and Town Hall! Go on!”
Whoops rise up as the team heads for Main and hooks a left, cheering and shouting. Raucous cries and cheers rise from Main, along with plenty of clapping and shouts of the new team name. Nor and I go next, Iggy still hanging on to Nor’s horn like a handle.
It takes us a solid fifteen minutes to make our way down Main. I recognize many of the gathered monsters but Idon’trecognize just as many. The current construction at the end of Main Street and the new cross street, Pine—a nod to Nor’s home—brought with it an influx of new Evertons.
Miriam’s Sweets Shop sprays candy out over the crowd in anarch. Young monsters dart into the street to grab the candies, which turn into bugs and snakes and slither around trying to escape grabby little hands.
I laugh as monsters shout Nor’s name, screaming and cheering as the new team makes its way down the street. By the time we get to Town Hall, I’ve got several pieces of candy in my hair and had to put Cerberusa down so she could wriggle off to find Minnie.
Turning just past the gazebo, which is creaking and groaning with excitement, I watch as Ever leadership makes their way along the last bit of the parade route.
There’s Shepherd with Thea up on his shoulders, his hands on her knees. They’re both laughing hysterically, and as the joyful gargoyle looks up at his mate, my heart grows two sizes. Wren and Ohken come next, Wren tossing beautifully cut flowers at the onlookers. Some explode into bits, raining petals down. But others expand and grow as big as umbrellas, twirling and dancing over the crowd. Alo, Miriam and Iggy come next with the hellhounds stalking behind them.
There used to be terrified whispers when the townsfolk saw Minnie, but that’s all changed, especially with the puppies. They dart into the crowd, stealing bits of candy with excited yowls. It’s not until Minnie sneezes fitfully at them that they fall into line again behind Alo.
Morgan and Abe come next, holding hands as she waves at the crowd, shouting and pumping everyone up. He’s as austere as ever, the slightest of smiles on his angular features.
The Shifter Hollow crowd follows. There’s Richard and Lola, who strums wildly on an electric guitar, the notes echoing off the buildings and reverberating until the street shakes. She’s wearing her crown, and something about that brings tears to my eyes.
Betmal and Amatheia walk with Connall, Dirk and Lou. The blue witch spins two blue spears over her head, playing with thecrowd as I marvel how much her magic has grown in the short time since she discovered it. Dirk disappears on a gust of wind, ruffling hair and wings of those in the sidelines before popping into view again. Connall grins as he trails his mates.
The crowd joins behind the official parade, the party already kicking off.
I look up at Nor. “They’re not gonna make it all the way to Town Hall, mate.”
He laughs, waggling his brows at me. “Never,Ever, Sunshine.”
I smile so big, it hurts my cheeks as the Evertons advance toward us, spreading out on the lawn as Arkan tries to get everyone into the right spots. Above us, Iggy zooms in great big circles, screeching hysterically.
When there’s a momentary lull in the sound, Ig whistles down at the crowd. Most of the monsters look up as he flaps above the group, beaming at the Evertons.
“Welcome to Ever,” he shouts, his voice just audible over the crowd. “Where Ever-yone is welcome! Population 852? Pfft.” He winks at the crowd. “Someone needs to update the sign!”
