Page 68 of Perfectly Perfect Pixie

“Possibly.” Now Sedrick was the one speaking through a mouth full of teeth. “It’s possible the wolf that came into your bar, the one that matched the scent lurking around Peaches’s border, is one of Arie’s. It would make sense. There aren’t many werewolves in this area that aren’t a part of the Belview pack.”

Sedrick Voss was the exception.

“There are a few loners out there, around the periphery. If I know Arie, he’s got intel on each and every one of them. If they were a threat, he’d have forced them to leave the general area. I didn’t scent wolf around Peaches, but like I said, whatever magic was used on him tainted the area. It’s hard for my nose to pick up anything else. That damn powder burned my nose and made me sneeze. It was worse than pixie dust.”

Weres were the most sensitive to pixie dust, and Sedrick was no different, except where Philodendron was concerned.

“Listen, I’m gonna get back to Phil and Peaches. Phil’s calming down, and the sprites have settled some too. That’s a good sign. Peaches is going to be fine. We’ll know more when he wakes up. Hopefully, he can tell us who did this to him.”

“Whoever the culprit is, their life is forfeit.” And if Sedrick and I had anything to say about the matter, they would spend those last minutes in agony.

“Agreed. Get some rest, Lucroy. I get the feeling you’re gonna need it.”

* * *

Surprisingly, I was able to fall back asleep. The afternoon sun was as good as any mage’s sleeping spell and didn’t smell nearly as foul.

I woke with a purpose; memories of a few hours ago racing into my mind, filling me with fresh rage. After forcing down a glass of frigid human blood, I dressed and grabbed my phone. Leon answered after the first ring. He silently listened as I quickly explained what had happened, never once interrupting me. By the time I finished, I was standing on Dusk’s empty dance floor.

Johnny walked in, saw I was on the phone, and offered a brief wave and a scrunched face of concern. I wasn’t usually out of my underground home this early.

Still on the line with Leon, I said, “I’m headed there now,” and turned for the hall leading to the parking garage. “I need you to locate Bree. I am still uncertain what her role is in any of this. She might be another victim, or—”

“She might be involved,” Leon finished, just as disgusted as me.

“It is possible. If she was, then I sorely misjudged her character.” I’d been the one to suggest Bree, trusting her completely. If she were involved, I’d likely spend the rest of my days berating myself for that decision.

“You and me both,” Leon answered. “I’ll see what I can find out. Is the Jeep in the garage?”

“I’ll let you know. I’m almost there.” My hand hit the door, but it opened before I could apply the slightest pressure.

Half a dozen pairs of blacker-than-night eyes awaited on the other side. Crimson robes rested on ancient shoulders, the fabric still as the grave, complimenting those who wore them.

“Lucroy Moony, King of the Southeast United States nest.” It was a statement, not a question.

Lowering my phone, I didn’t hang up on Leon. “I am Lucroy.”

Obsidian eyes stared up at me from a vamp shorter than me, with hair so pale it gleamed white. I had at least a foot and a half on this vampire, but I wasn’t foolish enough to believe that gave me an advantage. Most likely, the creature standing before me was at least twice my age, possibly older.

“Good.” The vampire smiled, just shy of showing fang. “The vampire council would like to have a word.”

I stared across the sea of crimson blocking me from exiting. I didn’t see my Jeep, but I couldn’t see all the nooks and crannies of the garage.

Squeezing my phone, I heard the case crack. It was a miracle the screen was still holding up. Rage, frigid and clear, danced within me. I pulled on centuries of practiced control, my voice carefully blank and face devoid of any expression when I answered, “Apologies, but now is not the best time. I would be more than happy to meet with you in two to three hours. Currently, I have important business that I am afraid cannot wait.”

Lips pulling tighter and higher, the vampire flashed fang. “I’m sorry. I believe you misunderstood.” Crowding into me, head back and neck cranked, he said, “We were not making a request.”

Cold hatred shot through me. Phone still in hand, I raised it to my ear and told Leon, “The vampire council is here. Please contact Alpha Voss and inform him I will be . . . late to our meeting.”

Leon stayed amazingly calm. While I was aware the vampire council was investigating me, I had not thought they would simply show up unannounced. It wasn’t a good sign, and Leon was well aware of the implications.

“What do you need, Lucroy?” Leon wasn’t asking about my request regarding Sedrick.

I was on the verge of telling him to stay away when Frederick came running. He was a little late to the impromptu gathering, but he’d arrived and appeared exceedingly smug.

Pushing his way through vampires that could most likely end him with a mere thought, Freddie sidled up to the vampire I’d been conversing with.

“I told you your day was coming.” Freddie grinned like a madman, fangs on full display. “There’s always someone older, someone stronger. Only this time, that’ll hardly be necessary,King Moony.” Freddie mocked me, but he also disrespected those around him.

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