Page 72 of Perfectly Perfect Pixie

“Indeed,” she answered. “The very fact that you do not use the word ‘rule’ speaks volumes.”

“We are still waiting on the wolf,” Cassius sounded repelled and disgusted by the idea.

I hadn’t known his name at the time, but he was the vampire who’d addressed me to begin with. I wasn’t certain if he was in charge or not. There were three others. Two had their hoods down and appeared supremely bored. The last was a medium-sized individual who kept his cowl in place, face hooded. I didn’t know who he was, but something emanated from his direction—something none could ignore. Despite their amazing control, the council members’ gazes would flick in his direction. It was subtle but still apparent.

A, thankfully, small group of vampires gathered around Frederick. Two appeared hesitant, while the others were gleeful.

“Is that all of them?” I asked Leon.

“From the intel I’ve managed to gather, yes.” Leon’s gaze flicked across the room. “Those are the only other questionable nestmates. At this point, they do not seem able to choose a side.”

“Hmm, it is something to consider.”

“Assuming we survive this night, it is worth considering at great lengths.”

“You doubt me?” I asked, keeping my voice pitched low enough that only Leon heard.

“Never. Freddie is nothing. It is the council that concerns me.”

I didn’t answer. I didn’t have to. The council concerned me as well. They were impossible to read, and I had no idea what their mission here was. It was clear they had no care for Frederick. He was too insignificant for any of them to woo. If he didn’t die tonight, Freddie wouldn’t live to see three hundred and fifty. He was too self-destructive to do so.

Dusk’s door opened, allowing the cool night air in, along with a gust of pure arrogance.

Alpha Arie Belview strutted through a sea of unfriendly vampires. Some of my nestmates even hissed at him and his entourage. Two wolves, one of them familiar. I believed I’d heard Arie call him Matthew, but I couldn’t be certain. I had no name to associate with the other. I thought his odds of surviving the night were low, thus negating the importance of a name.

“Looks like the gang’s all here,” Leon muttered. “Time to get the party started.”

“Almost.”

Leon’s eyebrows rose a fraction of an inch. “And who, pray tell, are we missing?”

As if summoned by the mere whisper of his eminent arrival, Hellfire Rayburn eased through Dusk’s front door. Ray was impeccably dressed in a perfectly tailored charcoal suit, his crimson hair tucked neatly in a single braid that ended just above his ass. The pulled-back hair highlighted his pointed ears, angular jaw, and sharp cheekbones.

“When did you call Ray?” Leon questioned, allowing a hint of amazement to filter through.

“If you learn nothing else from me, Leon, remember that it is always wise to have a friendly fairy on your side. There is always time to contact them when in need. And if there is not time, then find a way to carve out the seconds.”

Pushing away from the bar, I straightened, hand held out by way of greeting. Unlike when the wolves entered, this time, my nestmates remained silent. All fairies deserved that level of respect. Hellfire Rayburn, especially.

“Ray,” I welcomed.

“Lucroy,” Ray answered back, clasping my hand. “It looks like you’ve got a small situation on your hands.” Ray’s intense gaze swept the room, missing nothing. “I was unaware the vampire council planned a visit to Rutherford Haven.”

“It was . . . unexpected,” I answered.

“Not completely so,” Cassius finally spoke up, shifting slightly closer but keeping what he deemed a safer distance from Ray. I didn’t know if Cassius was aware of Ray’s abilities. If he were, then he would have realized the few feet he placed between them would mean nothing should Ray decide the world was better off with one less ancient vampire.

I inclined my head in Cassius’s direction. “True. I was only unsure of the timing.” I swept a hand in Frederick’s direction. “You are here on a very auspicious evening, Ray. Only a few moments ago, Frederick challenged me for leadership. It seems that Freddie here fancies himself king material.”

Ray cocked a single eyebrow, not impressed in the least. “Is that so?”

“It is,” Leon agreed.

Arms crossed, Ray ran his cool eyes up and down Freddie’s length. Ray’s bored expression shouted just how much he found Freddie lacking.

“This is a vampire, wolf matter. I see no need for fairy presence.” Arie pushed his way forward, squaring his shoulders. Unfortunately, he didn’t look any more diminished than he had the last time we’d met. I’d privately hoped it was the beginning of Alpha Belview’s undoing. Perhaps I was being too optimistic.

“I disagree.” Ray shifted so he could stare into Arie’s wolf-bright golden eyes. “As a representative of fairy law, my presence should be welcome. After all, if you haven’t broken the law, then there should be no concerns.” A slow, malevolent grin tilted Ray’s lips, the tips of his sharp teeth barely peeking through. Without turning toward the vampire still tucked away and hidden beneath his robes, Ray said, “Wouldn’t you agree, Nirgal?”

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