Page 31 of Perfectly Perfect Pixie

Soft chuckling turned my head, drawing my attention to my vampire chauffeur. Lucroy’s usually cool countenance was warm with what appeared to be amusement.

“I wonder if anyone has ever seen such a charming sight?” Lucroy mused.

“Charming? I’m covered in dust-gorged sprites.”

“Exactly.” Sliding around the front of the Jeep, Lucroy glided toward me. It was amazing how smoothly he walked, as if his feet floated on a cloud. Grasping my hand, Lucroy raised it to his lips, pressing a cool kiss to the back and flushing my skin scarlet. “Good night, Peaches. I need to get back to Dusk. The sun will be up soon, and I must be underground before its rays touch the horizon. May I call you tomorrow evening?”

“I . . .” I stuttered. Lucroy was old. I wasn’t exactly certain how old, but I wasn’t used to someone being so utterly charming. “Of course, you can call me. I’d be disappointed if you didn’t.”

“Excellent. We’ll talk soon.”

I started to nod but thought better of the idea when I remembered the sprites camped out on the top of my head. I wanted to lean in and steal another kiss. I didn’t. I stood there, feet oddly on the ground, as I watched Lucroy climb back into his Jeep and drive away.

My lips tingled, and the top of my hand wasn’t much better. My heart and head were a mess, but I wouldn’t change it. I couldn’t wait until tonight when my beloved sun went down. Lucroy gave me a reason to look forward to the night.

ChapterThirteen

LUCROY

“Do you want me to look into it?” Leon asked, his body framed by the well-cushioned chair he was fond of. There was no reason furniture could not be comfortable and stylish. My underground home was well-appointed with the best of both worlds.

My gaze tracked to the noxious piece of ornate cardstock on the glass coffee table. It lurked there like a physical thing, ready to leap across the room and carelessly spew its venom. I’d broken the vampiric wax seal when I’d opened it. That hadn’t diminished its potency.

“No. Not yet.” I’d risen this evening with thoughts of Peaches on my mind. Leon’s visit reminded me that far more unpleasant issues needed my attention.

“You know it’s just the first shot across the bow, right?”

“Of course.”

“But you still want me to do nothing?” Leon sounded skeptical.

“Do you know what Marianonce told me?”

Leon’s face shuttered, closing down at the mention of his maker.

“She said, ‘Don’t just do something; stand there.’”

Leon slowly blinked, not a single breath raising his chest.

With a sigh, I leaned forward. “Leon, sometimes the wisest course of action is to do nothing. It is nearly every species’ natural instinct to act when something threatens them. However, there are times when the best course of action is to sit back and wait for more information. Arguably, it is often the most difficult choice. Do you not think I want to rage through the nest, demanding who might be involved with this dangerous stupidity? I’d love nothing more.” Crimson filled my vision, and I fought it back, burying my true desires. “But we both know that once sown, seeds of fear and mistrust take root like weeds. I do not desire to be king of such a nest. I refuse to let a few bad apples ruin the home I’ve created.”

Finally inhaling, Leon tapped his long fingers along the edge of a cushioned armrest. “Then what? We wait?”

“Unfortunately.” I took a sip of blood. The ogre-to-human ratio was just right and slid down my throat in a warm rush. Licking my lips, I set my empty glass down. “Our strikes should be surgical, not nuclear. We will cull those who threaten our safety, but when we do, we will be certain we have not only cut off the head of the snake but also removed any that follow its lead. Frederick is the obvious target, but he would not be so brazen if he did not have others whispering in his ear, urging his actions along. In many ways, that threat is far more dangerous. That threat is more cunning.”

Rubbing the back of his neck, Leon’s mannerisms were more human than vampiric. “And Alpha Belview?”

“I’m sure he has a part to play. I will contact Hellfire Rayburn. If Arie has violated his promise in any way, fairy law will happily deal with his transgressions.”

It would never be that easy. Arie had been pushing the line of fairy law for decades. He was a wolf that didn’t accept the meaning of the word no. Recent events had weakened him, but that was when animals were often at their most dangerous.

“Okay.” Leon gave the missive a disgusted look. “I don’t care if it makes me sound weak, Lucroy. The vampire council scares the shit out of me.”

“You’d be a fool if they didn’t.” Standing, I refilled my glass. “And that makes anyone in our nest who’s drawn their attention the ultimate fool.”

Leon remained silent, but his posture relaxed. It would have been difficult for any other than myself to notice.

“You seemed to be having a good time last night.” Leon deftly changed the subject to one that was infinitely more pleasant.

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