Page 20 of Perfectly Perfect Pixie

“As if Freddie cares about the truth. He’ll twist events to fit his needs with no remorse. I’m not sure who his maker was, but I’d like to have a few words with them.”

Laughter erupted out of me. It was so rare that Leon’s steady hand shook, and the car swerved. Leon corrected his mistake quickly, and his glance in my direction was questioning.

“You believe Frederick fooled his maker as well?” Mirth still danced in my voice.

Leon spared me another questioning look before he answered, “Maybe. Who knows. Maybe his maker was just a sadistic fuck who wanted to screw the world over a little bit more.”

“Hmm, it’s possible. Vampires aren’t known for their altruistic ways.”

“No, but we are selfish assholes who want to keep hold of what power we’ve got. I can’t believe Freddie was loyal to his maker.”

I laid a hand on Leon’s shoulder. “Unlike you. Marian was a fortunate female. And, if I might be so bold, she had excellent judgment. It was a great loss to all of us when she walked into the sun.”

Leon’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he thickly swallowed. Suppressed emotion warred within him, thinning his lips and twisting his face into something painful.

“There was nothing you could have done, Leon. I’ve told you this repeatedly. Time is a difficult master. Many view immortality as the ultimate goal. Those of us who have it at our fingertips know differently. For Marian, it was her time. You were there. You said you hadn’t seen that look of peace on her face in well over fifty years.”

“I know.” Leon’s voice was small, barely audible. “I know, Lucroy.”

I allowed silence to envelop us, the car’s engine hushing against the night. “And yet, we mourn,” I finally whispered.

“And yet we mourn,” Leon parroted.

The road loomed on, car lights flashing here and there. Time passed as we drew closer to the agreed-upon meeting location. “For what it’s worth, I’m glad you’re spending time with Peaches.”

With my head against the backrest, I shifted just enough to see Leon’s profile. “And why is that?”

“Because, Lucroy, I don’t want to see you walk into the sun, and these past few decades, you’ve been . . . just existing. You smile when Peaches is around. He’s good for you.”

“Hmm . . . He is, isn’t he?”

Leon turned just enough that he allowed me to see a hint of a smile before silence claimed us again.

* * *

“Arie Belview, how positively unhappy it makes me to see you again.” Hands safely tucked behind my back, I held my anger at bay. This alpha had already threatened Peaches’s life once. If he was behind a second attempt, I doubted I’d be able to let fairy law handle the consequences.

Arie growled. “That’s Alpha Belview, Lucroy.”

“And that’s King Moony to you.” Leon stepped in front of me, lips pulled back and fangs on full display.

The werewolf Arie had brought with him responded similarly. This wolf appeared familiar. He might have been the only other survivor of the night Arie lost custody of his grandchildren.

“Thank you, Leon, but I believe that is enough for now.”

Leon let loose another growl worthy of any were before stepping to my side, only slightly behind me, guarding my back. The terms of our meeting were that we would each bring a single member, someone we trusted. I’d stuck to the agreement. I had no illusions that Arie had reacted similarly. Arie Belview was hardwired to twist any situation to his advantage, even if that meant lying, stealing, or any other method that got him what he wanted.

“Alpha Belview,” I started again, attempting to be polite. “Thank you for agreeing to meet with me.”

Arie snarled. “I agreed, but I have better things to do than hang out with a vamp. What do you want?”

I hadn’t expected Arie to be so direct. Taking a moment, I scrutinized Arie’s appearance. On the surface, he looked like the same pompous alpha he always had. But upon closer inspection, that façade was barely skin deep. Dark shadows dusted Arie’s eyes, and his cheeks were a little more sunken beneath the heavy scruff of his beard. Arie’s modified suit fit slightly less snugly, and his eyes were a shade more jaded than usual.

They were all small changes, probably things few would notice.

I noticed.

Allowing the tiniest smile to tug my lips, I refrained from showing fang. “Apologies for keeping you from more important wolf . . . business, however, something interesting has recently come to my attention. Something that reeks of previous actions you’ve taken.”

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