Page 56 of Perfectly Perfect Pixie

“It wasn’t nearly generous enough,” Lucroy argued. “However, it was all I could do. I cannot bring Katie back from the dead. Her body was too far gone to do so. She could have been resurrected as a zombie, but that would be beyond cruel.”

I flew back, settling again in Lucroy’s lap and wrapping my arms around his neck. Lucroy leaned into me, sniffing my neck. He didn’t bite. I’d gotten the feeling that sometimes my scent alone calmed him.

“Would you have truly brought her back if it hadn’t been too late? As a vampire?” Vampires were created, not born. I wasn’t certain what the protocol was.

“Most likely not. The decision hadn’t been discussed. I would only do so if I was certain the human desired it.”

I ran my hands through Lucroy’s hair. I always marveled at how soft it was. “And were you given a choice?” It wasn’t something we’d discussed. From what I understood, vampiric transformation was very personal and not often shared. I wouldn’t hold it against him if Lucroy didn’t want to discuss it.

“Hmm . . . I was. Not all were, not in those days, but my maker had more consideration. Fairy law made it illegal to turn someone without their express permission. It still happens, but not as frequently.”

Lucroy pulled away, his black eyes staring into me. “Sometimes, I believe permission is pointless. No matter how much you tell a living human, no matter how much you try to educate and prepare them, nothing can make them truly understand the decision they’re making. The life they are giving up. Despite efforts to the contrary, many humans still regret their decision and walk into the sun.”

“But you didn’t.”

“No. Not yet.” Lucroy smirked. “I suppose one can’t be certain until their second life ends.”

I smacked him as hard as I could. It was like hitting a rock. My hand stung, but I refused to let him know just how much. “Shut your mouth. Don’t you ever say something so stupid again. Just so you know, if you ever walk out into the sun, I will follow and collect every last piece of ash. I will contact every witch, warlock, priestess . . .” I fluttered my hands in the air, my wings beating furiously and filling the air with dust. “I will go to every magic user on the planet until I find one that can resurrect your sorry ass, and then I will spend eternity beating the shit out of you.”

Tirade done, I planted my fists on my hips, but my hands landed on Lucroy’s. I’d been so upset I hadn’t even noticed he’d gripped my hips, holding me in place. If he hadn’t, the tips of my wings would have been hitting the ceiling.

“What?” I demanded when I saw the rare look of amusement tugging at Lucroy’s lips. “Don’t you dare laugh at me.” I poked a finger at Lucroy’s chest for emphasis.

“I would never dare laugh at you. Currently, I value my second life far too much. I’ve not heard of a vampire getting a third life. However, if anyone could make that happen, I believe it just might be you.”

“Damn straight.” Ire settling, I knew the real reason I’d gotten upset was due to fear, not anger. “I don’t want to lose you. I . . .” I wasn’t ready to tell Lucroy that I loved him, though I couldn’t imagine another reason my insides felt this torn up, why my heart pounded, and why I was willing to offer up any artery or vein he wanted.

“You won’t.” Large hands clasped behind my head, Lucroy pulled me toward him. I met his lips, devouring him as if he might disappear at any moment. We both moaned, and I plastered our chests together. Lucroy nipped at my lips, finally drawing the tiniest bit of blood. Lucroy’s moan turned feral, his tongue lapping at my lips with adoring fervor.

“It’s like drinking sunshine,” Lucroy murmured, finally pulling away.

“Let’s just hope it doesn’t harm you in the same way.” I was still worried. I couldn’t help it. “They know you’re drinking from me.” At first, we’d tried to keep it a secret from Lucroy’s nest. The obvious bite marks on my neck could have been hidden. The obvious affection that showed in Lucroy’s obsidian orbs when he stared at me could not.

“Some do,” Lucroy agreed.

I sighed, long and deep, deflating on Lucroy’s lap. My wings settled, drooping ever so slightly. “And you don’t see the connection?” I asked, my skepticism clear. “Between the tainted blood and what we’re doing?”

“Oh, I see the connection very clearly.” Lucroy pulled me down, tucking my head beneath his chin. His fingers danced through my hair, nails raking against my scalp. Relaxation came by slow yet steady degrees.

Time ticked by, the seconds filled with contented silence. Lucroy let me lay there, nestled on his lap. The wind outside picked up. Storms would roll through later tonight. Most likely, Lucroy would be gone by then. Bree was out in the car, waiting to drive him back to Dusk. She was probably bored off her perfect vampire ass. She’d been fascinated by the sprites, but I wasn’t sure how long they could entertain her.

“I know you’re worried,” Lucroy broke the silence, his words tensing my body. “I am no fool, and thanks to Alpha Voss, I now have the upper hand.”

“How so?” Lucroy’s constant attention made me sleepy. My cock was pleasantly plump but not painfully hard. I was in a state of slightly aroused bliss.

“Very few know what happened, least of all the one responsible. I’m afraid, my dear Peaches, that I’ll need you to do a bit of acting over the next few days. Maybe weeks.”

“Acting?” I questioned with a yawn.

“As far as my assailant knows, I’m still drinking the tainted blood. I do not plan on enlightening them.” Lucroy kissed the crown of my head. “Do you understand my meaning?”

I took the time to consider his words. “I’m not sure.” I could feel the steady, slow beat of Lucroy’s heart below my ear. It thudded in his chest, pushing his borrowed blood around his body and fueling his second life.

“You’re correct. Many in my nest know I’ve fed from you. Many are concerned. So far, your blood has not weakened me in the least. I suspect it is just the opposite. I have no idea if drinking pixie blood is truly what ailed Horatio or not. I suspect we may never know. All I do know is that your blood does not affect me in a similar way.”

I tried to pull back, but Lucroy’s firm hand kept me where I was. “We don’t know that for sure. Not yet. It’s too soon to—”

“Perhaps,” Lucroy spoke calmly. “But I’m cautiously optimistic, and so is Leon. The one who tampered with Katie, who killed her, is most likely taking advantage of my desire to feed from you. They are using Horatio’s tale to hide their actions. If I’d drank the tainted blood, I would have surely weakened. No one would think to look further than pixie blood for an explanation.”

---