Page 57 of Perfectly Perfect Pixie

I inhaled, suddenly fully awake. “That’s cruel.”

“Very. Also, sadistically smart. I would have stopped feeding from you and drank even more tainted blood. I would have weakened further, and everyone would think that the damage had been done, that your blood had fouled my body enough that nothing could turn the tide. Anyone seeking power could challenge me. I would be ripe for the beheading.”

“Oh goddess,” I groaned, burying my head in Lucroy’s chest. Visions of his beautiful head flying through the air right before his body dissolved into little more than dust and ash made me want to vomit.

“This is an opportunity, Peaches. One I don’t intend to waste.”

Angling my head, I stared up at Lucroy’s chin. “What does that mean?”

Leaning down, Lucroy shifted so I could see his hardened eyes. “What it means is that I plan to act accordingly. I will appear weakened, and you will continue visiting me at Dusk. We will continue our experiment. To everyone but Leon, Johnny, Sedrick, and Phil, it will appear that Horatio’s tale was more than myth, that I am succumbing to your toxic blood.” Lucroy smiled an evil grin that barely avoided showing fang. “Imagine their surprise when they reveal themselves, when they dare challenge me, and they find I am not nearly as weak as they imagined.”

I inhaled sharply. “That’s . . .” I didn’t know exactly what it was beyond deviously clever. “Are you sure you want to appear that weak?”

Lucroy shrugged. “Weakness is subjective. I doubt I’ll have to put on much of a show. I’ll drop little hints here and there. Leon and Johnny will help. Rumors will spread as they often do—with little fuel to sustain their fire.”

Dropping my head back on Lucroy’s chest, I fiddled with the buttons on his shirt. “I want to be there when you confront them. I want to see the look on their face.”

Lucroy stiffened. “I’m not sure that is wise. I don’t want you in danger, Peaches. I’m already very uncomfortable with the wolves and vampires sniffing around your boundary. Most likely, the same vampire that tainted my blood source is one and the same. That situation will eventually resolve itself, but it will take time, and I do not want you injured in the crossfire.”

I huffed. “Pixies are not nearly as fragile as everyone seems to think. Honestly, it gets a little insulting.”

“Forgive me.” Lucroy placed another gentle kiss on top of my head, nuzzling my hair before pulling back. “You are far from weak. Perhaps it is my weakness that wants to covet and care for you, to keep you safe. I cannot bear the thought of anything happening to you.”

“That goes both ways, Lucroy.” Vampires weren’t indestructible. They were hard to kill but not impossible. “You need to stay safe.”

“I shall do my best. You have my word.”

“Good.” Some didn’t take the word of a vamp to mean much. They weren’t known for their honor. Lucroy was different. Not just with his nest but with me too. Thinking of how oddly caring Lucroy was for a vamp, I asked, “What about the other human donors? And the . . . ogre?” My nose wrinkled at the thought of Lucroy drinking ogre blood. I wasn’t sure why.

“They’ve been taken care of. I thought about sending them away on a nice, long vacation, but that would tip off our enemy. I contacted Matilda. She made protective charms that will protect them from disease and poison.”

“I’ll bet that wasn’t cheap?” Beyond the sprites, I’d never had any direct dealings with witches or warlocks. I stayed away and was most likely happier for it.

“No, but well worth the cost. Matilda did as I asked and will keep silent about it. Knowing a witch of her caliber is fortunate.”

“She certainly knew what she was doing when she made the sprite translator.” I tapped my ear before I forgot I’d already taken it out.

“Indeed.”

Speaking of the sprites, little dots of zig-zagging lights buzzed past my windows. They’d need to head home soon or get caught in the storm. Sprites were light enough that strong winds were truly a hazard and could blow them off course easily. Unfortunately, their curiosity about what was going on inside my cottage recklessly placed them in danger.

“I wish you could stay longer.” I sighed into Lucroy’s shirt. Even if storms weren’t on the horizon and I wasn’t worried about the sprites, Lucroy would still need to leave. There was nowhere safe for him to stay in my home, not when the sun rose far above the horizon. I could get blackout curtains, but even that would be dangerous. One thoughtless slip-up could turn fatal.

“As do I.”

I pushed away before Lucroy had the chance to do the same. “I hope Bree wasn’t too bored. Waiting.”

Lucroy stood, and I slipped from his lap. My wings took over and kept me aloft. “She’s a good nestmate. I doubt she had negative thoughts about waiting. Vampires don’t feel the cold as other species do. The wind and cool temperatures are nothing to her, and I believe she found the sprites entertaining.”

I grinned. “They are that.” I often spent hours watching them fly this way and that. They were a happy bunch, and their joy was infectious.

I flew beside Lucroy as he walked to the door. Opening it allowed the wind entrance, and I shivered. That didn’t stop me from following him out into the night.

“Mr. Moony.” Bree stopped leaning against the hood of the car. Standing to her full height wasn’t all that impressive.

“Start the car, Bree. We’ll be leaving shortly.”

With a quick nod, Bree headed for the driver’s side, ducked inside, and turned the engine on. Lucroy’s Jeep was a hybrid, and soon, it quieted again, going into electric mode.

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