31. Chapter 31 - Minnie
Minnie
No one else bothers me, or my “merchants,” on the way back to the house. A few supes snap photos of them, and some kids hide behind their parents or run over to watch, but that’s the extent of it.
When we get inside, we deposit everything in the living room, and the chipmunks join me in the backyard. The tall trees block our view of the neighbors, and it feels like my own little piece of paradise.
“Thank you so much for your help,” I say, hopping up and down and wiggling my butt in the chipmunk version of a happy dance.
“Anytime,” Blaze says. “If you need anything, just say the word.”
We hang out in the yard, chatting about the best nature spots in Silver Springs, until the growth potion’s worn off. Then, we part ways. The chipmunks head into the forest, and I walk into my new house.
I’m still keyed up and yet so tired I could sleep forever. The vial of Formula M is right where I left it on the kitchen counter—but I don’t need it anymore. I want a new version that still lets me be me, and there is only one person who can help with that.
Normally, when I need to make a call, I’d use my phone—which is fully charged for a change. But the Warshire Witch can only be reached on a secure line… via crystal ball.
I set it down on the coffee table and sit on the couch with my back to the fireplace. My mother always said a professional background is key.
I still feel a little queasy, and can’t decide what’s worse—the Warshire Witch or a hundred angry fire ants. At least the ants can be reasoned with.
I still remember coming to see the scowling older woman as a little girl.
Listening to her and my mother shout at each other from inside the creepy-looking cottage, their spells shaking the walls until finally all was quiet.
Then, my mother triumphantly marched out and dragged me inside, where the red-faced witch yanked out a strand of my hair with far too much force, grumbling while she cut off pieces of my nails and pricked my finger so my blood would spill into her cauldron.
I shudder at the memory, but this is the only way I’m ever getting Formula M 2.
0, and I need it. I need to keep Natty safe and make some semblance of a life for myself here in Silver Springs.
One where I’m not the world’s worst waitress and barista who everyone hates.
And definitely not one where I’m the town weirdo people whisper about while I wiggle in the mud, chatting with worms…
or worse, have panic attacks any time a customer asks for a drink.
Formula M 2.0 isn’t just an option—it’s a necessity.
And I’ve called for refills. This is no different.
I tap the crystal ball and say her name. “Willamina Warshire.”
The glass takes on the most dreadful color—bright sparkling pink. It’s Formula M’s favorite, and makes up my entire wardrobe… barf.
I pull up the notes on my phone—after turning the ringer back on—and add ‘make sure Formula M 2.0 loves yellow, green, and blue’ to my growing lists.
I’m tired of being told what colors I’m allowed to wear.
I’m tired of so many things. Which is why the list is getting rather long, even though I only started working on it last night.
And even if I miss a thing or two, with the amount of money in my bank account, I can always make tweaks and get Formula M 3. 0.
I watch the swirling pink magic, bracing myself for the conversation with the Warshire Witch, but it never comes. The magic dissipates, and the crystal ball turns gray.
I’m about to try her again when the crystal ball flares to life—she’s calling me back!
I pick up, but the person staring back at me isn’t the Warshire Witch. It’s Maude Montgomery. My mother.
The crystal ball shows her from the waist up, distorting the bookshelves behind her to somehow look even more imposing.
The moment feels familiar… too familiar.
“Hello, darling,” she smiles, like the last time we spoke she didn’t call me her biggest mistake and say she never wanted to speak with me again.
Instead, I feel like I’m back in the academy, and she’s calling for her weekly Julian update.
Like it was just yesterday that she was telling me to help him with his homework, or smile just so.
Then things escalated, until she was demanding I break Amber and Julian’s mate bond, and sabotage Jewels Cafe.
People nearly died, and she didn’t even care.
Who knows how far she would have gone if I didn’t finally have the guts to say no.
I wish I had the guts to hang up on her, too. “Hello, Mother.”
I hate her for what she made me do. Hate myself for doing it.
She turned me into a person I was ashamed of, and seeing her again brings it all back. Brings back the suffering I’ve caused—to Amber, to Julian, to half the residents of Silver Springs.
I let her get in my head. Trusted everything she said because she was my mother. The one person who hadn’t abandoned me and had my best interests at heart.
Now, I know she’s only ever cared about herself.
“You look… worried,” she says, examining me. “You never did learn to school your emotions. Years of lessons down the drain.” She clicks her tongue in reproach, taking me back to a childhood of failure. “But at least you look…” she stares at me for several long seconds, “presentable.”
By which she means, like her. Same glossy red hair potion-styled to perfection, same clear, freckle-free skin with light makeup from a vial, same form-fitting fuchsia dress I can’t stand.
At a glance, we’re the same, but she’s never managed to turn me into her.
“How has life been treating you, Minerva? Or should I call you Minnie?”
She doesn’t wait for a response. Not that I have one. There is nothing about my life that I’d be willing to share.
“It’s a suitable name…” She rolls her eyes. “For a small, insignificant creature like that rat you used to carry in your handbag.”
“Mouse,” I interject.
She waves her hand dismissively. “I’m glad you finally got rid of whatever it is.” She clicks her tongue in disapproval. “Now Stravinsky…” A well-timed sigh. “Is clearly the best that you can do. Perhaps I shouldn’t have interfered when you were children.”
Interfered? Is that what she calls making me spend a decade of my life chasing after Julian? Telling me he was my fated mate? Sending me to the academy and then Silver Springs, so I could live his life instead of my own?
At least I know now it wouldn’t have made a difference with Danny. He was always an arrogant jerk destined for greatness—while the best I could hope for was a life of struggling to get by.
“I suppose you could do worse than a rock star, Minerva. And the prenup was adequate. Daniel’s lawyer was surprisingly cooperative after our little chat.” She smiles, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. It never does.
Her words—her interference—sends a shiver traveling down my spine. I feel like I’m back under her control, but that was years ago. I’m not a little girl she can manipulate. And I don’t miss the fact that she finally seems to have given up on Julian.
“Now that I’m married to Damien Starr, are you finally going to lift the curse?”
“I’ll consider it…” she says thoughtfully, “and get you a new batch of Formula M, something a bit more sophisticated… if you can do something for your…” she hesitates, “mother.”
There’s something off about how she says it—the way she pauses before saying mother, almost like she was going to say something else. She’s definitely up to no good, and this time, I’m no longer willing to justify hurting others to get what I want.
I’d rather be cursed than be part of her evil scheme. And I’m never taking a potion she created, ever again.
“I need you to keep a low profile, Minerva,” she says.
“What?” I frown, wondering if I misheard.
“I have a certain… investment… in play right now.” Definitely not suspicious. “Marrying a rock star was a good move, but I can’t have you going around announcing you can talk to animals or parading through town with…” she makes air quotes, ‘chipmunk merchants.’ Word travels, Minerva.”
Just not that quickly. Not when the chipmunk merchants literally just left. “You’ve been watching me.”
“Of course not.” She chuckles. “I have people for that.”
Which isn’t any better.
“I don’t want them calling me about you again—unless it’s to tell me how you’re being a good little wife to your rock star husband. Then…” she adds, dangling the carrot. “I’ll lift the curse. But if, and only if, there are no more public scenes until my investment has paid off.”
I couldn’t care less about her investment, but this is my one chance to finally be free.
After we hang up, I imagine putting Damien’s money to good use and going on a trip. I could buy a tent and take Natty camping outside town lines—or go to the Galapagos or the rainforest, both childhood dreams of mine.
And to think all Maude Montgomery wants me to do is a big, fat nothing.
I smile, then jump as my phone rings. I pick it up, half-expecting it to be my mother, calling to say she changed her mind, but it’s just Amber. “You need to get down here. Now!”
I jump to my feet. “What’s wrong? Is it Natty?”
“Natty’s fine. He’s here!”
“I know he’s there.” Where else would he be? “What’s wrong?”
“He’s here!” Amber cries again.
“I know Natty’s there, Amber. I left him with you—”
“I don’t mean him,” Amber cries. “Him.”
“Who are you talking about?” I cry, the panic in Amber’s voice making me panic, too.
“Dr. Reddy!”
“Dr. Reddy?” I repeat. “Is he threatening you? Did he—”
“No. He’s at the cafe. At a table.”
“He’s at the cafe, at a table,” I repeat, processing her words.
“I tried talking to him about the fuzzies, but he won’t listen. He says he’ll only talk to you.”
“Me?” I frown. “Why me?”
“Because you’re connected? You know, the mating bond that everyone except me can see?”
“Not everyone.” I grimace, wondering why my mother hadn’t brought that little tidbit up. She’s only ever hired other witches, and they can definitely see it.
Does that mean the hating bond is just another one of her tricks? And if so, why Dr. Reddy? Why Zachariah?
“It’s not a mating bond,” I tell Amber, feeling my heart squeeze tight in my chest.
Just like with Damien. Just like with Zachariah.
“Maybe he thinks it is? It doesn’t matter. He says he wants to talk to you. You need to come here. Now!”
“Now?” I have a house to set up and groceries to buy. “Can’t one of your guys talk to him? Or Zoe?” Any one of them would do a better job than me.
“It has to be you, Minnie! I already tried. Wes tried. Julian tried. Chase would have tried, but Dr. Reddy just kept repeating over and over that he will only talk to you.” She takes a deep breath.
“He kept going on and on about how the data will speak for itself. He wants proof—and you have it. Tell him what Snow said, and he’ll finally listen. Please!”
I let out a deep breath. “I’ll be right there.”
This is my chance to talk to Dr. Reddy one on one—without causing a scene.
But can I really pull it off? What if I freeze up? Or say the wrong thing? Or start to hyperventilate in the middle of Jewels Cafe?
I have to at least try. Otherwise, our only choice will be to break into his lab. And if we get caught, my friends and I could end up in jail, and my mother will never lift the curse.
I can’t let that happen. I have to do this. If not for myself, then for Amber, Zoe, and Violet.
The story continues in Minnie 3: Third Time's the Charm.
I hope you don't have to wait another three years for this one.