Page 42 of Perfectly Perfect Pixie

“I can drive him myself,” I argued.

Leon was having none of it. “Not until we know for sure if his blood is, or is not, toxic. I don’t want you out on the roads alone, with no backup in case things go sideways.”

I started to protest, but Peaches said, “He’s right, Leon. I can call for a ride.”

“There will be none of that,” I stated emphatically. “Bree can drive you back tonight.”

“I don’t want to be a bother. I—”

“It’s already decided, and believe me, you are nothing of the sort.”

“He’s right,” Leon backed me up again. “Listen to Lucroy. Let me know when you need us, and we’ll be there.”

Leon walked back up the stairs, leaving me alone with Peaches cuddled up in my arms. When I heard the door seal close, I asked, “Are you cold?” My body wasn’t warm, and my home wasn’t heated.

“A little, but it’s okay.”

“Hardly true.” Somehow, I managed to keep Peaches within my arms while twisting so I could grab his shawl. Draping it over his arms and between his wings, I pulled the wrapping tightly around him. “I should get some blankets.” I mentally added them to the list, along with the backless chair.

“You planning on having me over more often?” Peaches teased.

“As often as possible.” I nuzzled into Peaches’s hair, inhaling the scent of apples. The orchard had long since dropped its fruit. Peaches still smelled of the land he’d claimed.

“Hmm, that sounds good.” Peaches yawned, the sound muffled against my neck. “I’m sorry, Lucroy, but I’m really tired. I didn’t get a lot of sleep last night.”

“It’s fine. Rest. All will be well.” I ran my hand over the top of Peaches’s head, my fingers carding through his perfect hair.

“I should try to stay awake. I—”

“Shh. None of that. I’m perfectly happy as we are.” And I was. Content in a way I couldn’t remember ever feeling.

“You promise you don’t feel sick?” Peaches asked, worry still coated within his voice.

“Not even a little bit.”

It was an easy promise to make. I felt fine—better than fine. It had only been a couple of drops. That might not be enough for a true test, but it was encouraging. Leon was right. The effects might not happen immediately. It could be hours, days, or perhaps weeks. Maybe it was the amount, or perhaps it was all little more than conjecture. Either way, I was going to get to the truth. The pixie in my arms was worth that and so much more.

ChapterEighteen

PEACHES

Iwas on my way back to Dusk. Lucroy and I’d waited three days after those first few drops. He’d promised me that he felt fine, and I had no reason not to believe him. I’d gone back, and he’d drank more, this time from my wrist. He still didn’t use his fangs, but he hadn’t lost any more control than the first time. Leon had been there, waiting by the bar just like the last time.

And here I was again, four days later this time. Lucroy and I’d talked every night in between, and he continued telling me he felt good. So far, there didn’t seem to be even the slightest hint that my blood wasn’t healthy. In fact, Lucroy told me he’d never felt better.

I was still worried. Lucroy drank his typical blood cocktail. It might be that he just hadn’t had enough of my blood. What would happen when he took more? And how much more were we even talking about anyway?

I had no idea and didn’t really have anyone to ask. I’d tried quizzing Leon on the subject, but he hadn’t been a lot of help. I didn’t think he was trying to be obtuse. I thought it was more a matter of true ignorance.

Phil knew what I was doing, and by extension, that meant Sedrick did too. They were mated, and I had no illusion that something like this would be kept to Phil’s ears only. Sedrick had even gotten on the phone once, rumbling a growl here and there and asking me to be careful. He’d even offered to come with me during one of ourexperiments. Sedrick seemed to think he’d be able to stop Lucroy if he lost control.

I didn’t. Maybe between Leon and Sedrick, but not Sedrick alone. I refused to allow my potentially reckless decisions to affect Phil and Sedrick’s happiness. I didn’t think Sedrick was all that pleased, but I also thought he understood and, thankfully, hadn’t fought me on it. I might be a part of the Voss pack, but I wasn’t a werewolf, and Sedrick’s alpha power didn’t work on me. Not that he’d tried. At least, I didn’t think he’d tried. Phil said he knew Sedrick’s alpha voice and assured me Sedrick hadn’t used it on me.

I’d been to Dusk so often I knew the route by heart. If I were larger, like Phil, I probably could have flown the distance. But I was typical pixie size, and although we flew all the time, we weren’t meant for long distances. We were more like cheetahs. You know, without the spots, claws, and bloody appetite.

“We’re almost there,” Bree needlessly said. “Mr. Moony’s been looking forward to tonight.” Bree glanced at me through the rearview mirror. I’d stopped arguing with Bree about sitting in the back seat. I thought it was silly. Bree thought differently. I didn’t like feeling like a pompous ass. A social pixie might get off on that, but I didn’t.

“I’m glad.” It was all I could think to say. To my knowledge, Bree didn’t know what Lucroy and I were up to. Only Phil, Sedrick, and Leon. It was potentially dangerous, and Lucroy didn’t want to worry his nestmates. I didn’t blame him and had no reason to spout off our ridiculous attempts.

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