Page 78 of Perfectly Perfect Pixie

Sedrick’s snarl reverberated down my spine. “No, he just planted the fucking idea.” Since Sedrick hadn’t asked Freddie a direct question, he didn’t answer. There was no true need anyway.

“I had nothing to do with this.” Arie remained where he was, the two wolves he’d brought with him sentinel still but ever watchful.

Matthew remained in his human form, but his eyes shone amber. The transformed wolf bared his teeth but did little more.

“Not directly.” Still behind the bar, Ray lifted a glass in Arie’s direction. “Masterful as ever, Alpha Belview.” Turning his gaze toward Sedrick, Ray said, “Alpha Belview did not directly break the agreement he made and, therefore, is not in violation of fairy law.”

“That’s bullshit,” Sedrick seethed.

“Intention is not action, Sedrick. If fairies acted upon every intention, verbal or private, there would be few left alive, if any,” Ray answered matter-of-factly.

“Sed.” Phil soothingly ran his hands up and down Sedrick’s arm. “It’s okay.”

Sedrick’s rumbling growl didn’t sound like he agreed, but he did back down. “One day, Arie, you’re going to slip up, and when you do, I hope I’m there to help nail your ass to the wall.”

Arie’s grin was more fang than teeth. “Better wolves than you have tried, Alpha Voss.”

Likely tired of wolf posturing, Nirgal asked, “Are you done with your questions, King Moony?”

“I am. Thank you for your assistance, ancient one.” I bowed from the waist, truly grateful.

Nirgal waived me off and, in the process, released Frederick and Nicholas from their thralls. Freddie jerked back, stumbling into Gashan. She didn’t so much as flinch, merely stood, stronger and fiercer than any concrete wall.

Pulling away, Freddie’s wild eyes flew around the room. Hostility met him at nearly every turn.

Twisting my head, my neck popped, and my shoulders relaxed. Loose and limber, I stared at my latest challenger. “Frederick, I believe we have unfinished business.”

Vampire and alpha were challenges had little in common beyond the opponent usually winding up dead at the end. There was no official challenge ring, no true rules, and no honor. Had most of my nest supported Freddie’s claim, they could all join in the battle. It was one of the reasons I’d asked Leon to call them in tonight. I wanted my nestmates to hear and understand the truth. When this was over, I wanted no dissension. Making a martyr of Freddie would do little good.

Freddie’s lips pulled back, fangs on full display. Fingernails now talons, he pointed one at me, body quaking with rage. “You lied. You deceived all of us.”

I patiently shook my head. “No, Freddie, you allowed yourself to be deceived. I never claimed I’d been weakened. Besides, considering you murdered a human donor in an effort to poison me, I feel the moral base you attempt to stand upon is, at best, shaky. Now,” I cocked my head, “how do you wish to die? Would you like me to rip out your heart or remove your head?”

“I’d go for the head,” Leon helpfully advised. “The heart’s a bit messier, and you’ve already dirtied yourself enough with this one.” Leon nodded in Freddie’s direction.

“Indeed, that is true. As always, Leon, your council is well advised.”

Freddie’s teeth elongated, his limbs following suit. The sound of bones popping and shifting filled the bar. “You think I’ll take you on by myself? Fool.”

My peripheral vision caught Nicholas’s change, along with two other nestmates. It made little difference. I wasn’t the fool—they were.

“Fair’s fair, Lucroy. You want me to get in on this? I’ll gladly join in on the fun,” Leon offered.

“I second Leon’s offer. You backed me up during the custody battle, Lucroy. I’ll be more than happy to back you now.” Sedrick cracked his knuckles.

Imagine a werewolf involved in a vampire power grab. It was nearly unheard of and brought a smile to my face.

“Thank you both, but no. I doubt this will take long, and I’d hate for you to bloody yourselves. Our dear pixies aren’t as fond of bloodshed as the rest of us.”

In my rush to get to Peaches tonight, I hadn’t bothered with a suit jacket. I’d barely managed to pull on a shirt, pants, and a pair of shoes. I’d hardly been dressed to greet the vampire council, not that they’d seemed to care. Currently, I found my lack of appropriate attire beneficial.

Head slightly tilted, I caught Peaches’s gaze and held it, allowing his golden eyes to warm my paltry heart.

With fists clenched, chin jutted out, and head held high, Peaches fluttered his wings, showering the area in a fine, golden mist. “I may not like bloodshed, but sometimes, it’s well deserved. He tried to kill you. Return the favor.”

My grin turned feral. My pixie wasn’t soft, but I hadn’t expected that level of violent desire from him.

“Your wish is my command, beloved.”

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