Page 51 of Perfectly Perfect Pixie

“Boss,” Johnny’s voice came over the line. “Alpha Voss is here. He says he needs to talk to you.”

I instantly went on alert, and all thoughts of feeding vanished. “Is Peaches here too?” It would have been more logical to ask about Phil, but logic held no space in my flustered mind.

“No pixies,” Johnny answered, covering my unasked question as well. “Just one huffy, insistent werewolf.” Johnny sounded more irritated than truly upset. Generally speaking, it took a lot to piss off a faun. Amazing how easily Frederick managed.

Johnny knew better than to ask if I wanted him to send Sedrick down into my underground haven. “I’ll be right up,” I answered.

“I’ll let him know. Bar’s not too busy yet,” Johnny assured me.

“Thank you,” I politely ended the call. Grabbing a suit jacket, I stuffed my arms into the sleeves and took the stairs two at a time. By the time the second door opened, I’d managed enough control that my face was a blank mask of disinterest.

“Alpha Voss,” I greeted. “I wasn’t aware you planned on visiting this evening. To what do I owe the pleasure?” I itched to ask after Peaches to make certain he was fine. I didn’t have a reason to believe he wasn’t, but the scowl darkening Sedrick’s face didn’t give me a lot of comfort.

“We need to talk,” Sedrick bluntly said. “Is there somewhere we can go?”

I glanced around the bar, easily noting that Johnny was right. It was far too early for many patrons to be hanging about. Technically, Dusk wasn’t even open yet. We didn’t exactly keep the doors locked. We didn’t have to. The only ones that came into the bar at this time were my nestmates or friends and family of my staff.

Holding out an arm, I motioned to a nearby booth. It was the same booth I’d shared with Sedrick and two pleasantly intoxicated pixies a few weeks ago. “Will this do?”

Sedrick not only glanced about, but he also stuck his nose in the air and turned this way and that, sniffing. Apparently satisfied, he nodded, and we both headed in that direction.

Tucked away in privacy, I couldn’t keep my concern contained any longer and asked, “Is Peaches all right?” I’d taken more blood last night than before. He’d been fine when he’d left, and I still felt fine this evening, but . . .

“If you’re asking about Peaches’s health, he’s well enough.”

That was . . . cryptic. Head cocked to the side, I studied Sedrick. He seemed agitated but not frantic or angry. Irritated fit his mood more precisely.

“Alpha Voss—”

“I’m not your alpha, and you’re not my king. I’m good with sticking with first names if you are.”

I had no need to stand on expected protocol and inclined my head. “Sedrick, I’m afraid I’m not sure why you are here, and your presence has me . . . concerned.” I chose my words carefully. It was never good to give too much away, even to one you considered an ally.

“Can I get you something to drink?” Johnny interrupted. “Looks like you haven’t had dinner yet, boss. Not sure about Phil’s mate.” Johnny hooked a thumb in Sedrick’s direction. “I don’t have any food to offer, but I’ve got beer and just about anything else of the liquid variety you might want.”

“A beer would be great,” Sedrick answered. Before Johnny could ask, Sedrick waved him off and said, “Whatever you’ve got on tap, I’m good with. I’m not picky when it comes to beer.”

“You got it.” Looking at me, Johnny raised an eyebrow and asked, “Your usual?”

“Unfortunately,” I regretfully answered.

Johnny chuckled, the clack of his hooves loud against Dusk’s wooden floor. Johnny had worn his kilt again, something he’d started wearing more often since Phil had complimented him on it.

Leaning back, Sedrick stretched his arms along the back of the booth. I thought I’d have to prompt him again, but Sedrick surprised me by starting. “I got a call from Peaches today.”

My body stilled. I didn’t even take an unnecessary breath.

“Like I said before, physically, he’s okay. I know you’re trying to hide it, but I can tell you’re worried. You didn’t hurt him. I’m not gonna sit here and tell you I’m all sunshine and roses about you feeding from him, but Peaches is a grown pixie. He’s pack, but I don’t run my pack like some hard-ass alpha, just like you don’t run your nest like a power-hungry, demented, and controlling king.”

The corner of my lip twitched. “That was a rather colorful commentary on vampire nests.”

Sedrick huffed. “Colorful and true.”

I inclined my head, unable to disagree.

“Anyway, the point here is that you didn’t hurt Peaches. If you had, we’d be having a far less civil conversation.” Sedrick lifted a pink lip, the whites of his teeth glinting through his beard.

“Had I injured Peaches, I wouldn’t have fought your retribution.”

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