Page 82 of Perfectly Perfect Pixie

“Go,” I answered, grabbing Sedrick’s hand and holding it within both of mine. “I’ll be fine.”

I needed to get back to the orchard too. The sun wouldn’t rise for another four hours. I’d either call a rideshare, or Lucroy would take me home. Now that we knew he wouldn’t burst into a cloud of ash, it gave us a little more wiggle room.

“I’m so happy you’re okay, Peaches.” Phil stepped away from Sedrick, enveloping me in a bone-crushing hug. “I was so worried when Mr. Moony called me and . . . I don’t think I’ll ever be able to forget what it was like, finding you tucked under that blanket on the side of the road.” Phil’s grass-green eyes sparkled with unshed tears. “Please take care of yourself. Promise me you will.”

“I’ll do my best.” I attempted a winning grin that most likely looked more like a grimace if Phil’s expression was anything to judge by.

Phil sighed but let it go. “Be good to Mr. Moony. I think he’s a very lucky vampire to have you.”

“Damn lucky,” Sedrick agreed. With a hand on my shoulder, Sedrick’s tone turned serious. “You know where to find me. Anytime, anywhere, Peaches. Don’t hesitate. You’re pack, and that doesn’t change now that you’re mating the vamp king.”

Phil scrunched up his nose. “I don’t think they call it mating.”

“It’s all the same to me.” Sedrick shrugged. “Bye, Peaches.”

Phil and I waved to each other. Phil leaned on Sedrick a little more than I was comfortable with as they walked toward the door. His wings barely flickered. He’d been away too long.

As Phil and Sedrick left, Muriel walked in. I’d only recognized her because I’d seen her likeness on billboards and TV.

“King Moony?” Muriel looked around the bar. She was a squat woman with the darkest skin I’d ever seen. With her hair covered by a colorful wrap, Muriel’s equally colorful dress swished around her as she walked farther inside. Leon had found a sheet somewhere and covered Adam’s body with it. I doubted he would have bothered if I hadn’t been around.

“He’s in the back with Leon,” I said, flying closer yet trying to stay far enough away that my dust didn’t make her sneeze. From what little I knew, Muriel was a powerful priestess and not someone I wanted to make my enemy.

“Well, aren’t you just the prettiest?” Muriel’s deep brown eyes lit up, traveling the length of my body. The warmth in her stare negated any creepy vibes. “I didn’t expect to see a pixie all up in Lucroy’s bar.”

“Not many do.”

“That will soon change,” Lucroy said, voice getting louder as he came closer.

Instinctively, I flew closer, landing beside Lucroy and shimmying to his side. The arm he wrapped around me let me know he was happy with me by his side.

“Muriel, I’d like you to meet my beloved, Peaches.”

Muriel’s eyes went wide enough to show their whites. “Beloved? Truly, Lucroy.” Muriel clapped her hands in front of her ample chest. She shimmied in what I thought might be some kind of joyous dance. “Our local king has found his beloved. That is glorious news. A happy vampire is good to have around.” Muriel sent Lucroy an exaggerated wink before letting loose a litany of chuckles.

“As is having a content priestess.” Lucroy tilted the edge of his lips, inclining his head ever so slightly.

“Ever so true.” Muriel’s gaze swept the room. Nearly everything had been set to rights. The vampire ashes had been swept up. Bree’s was in a special jar. I’d take it back to the orchard with me tonight. “Is that who I’m here for?” Muriel pointed toward the bloody sheet on the ground.

“If you’d be so kind.” Lucroy inclined his head, stepping away from the dead wolf.

“Looks like you had a busy night. I heard the bar was closed. Did that happen before or after this one died?” Muriel shuffled toward the sheet. She was much more agile than she looked when she bent over and lifted the corner. Raising a single eyebrow, she said, “Correct me if I’m wrong, but the heart’s supposed to be on the inside, no?” Muriel chuckled at her own joke. I supposed when you were in her line of work, having a morbid sense of humor was a bonus.

“It won’t take my team long to take care of. Head still looks intact. My workers will crack it soon enough.”

Brains.Zombies ate other flesh, but the brains were the best part and what sustained their reanimation. Zombies weren’t like vampires. They didn’t drink blood and didn’t retain much of their original personalities. Their bodies moved, and they hungered, but without a priestess or priest to guide them, they were mindless wanderers and, sometimes, killers.

Zombie murders were rare. They preferred to scavenge and only killed when decomposing bodies weren’t available.

“I don’t mean to judge, Peaches, but my experience tells me you probably don’t want to see how we dispose of a corpse. Sometimes, when it’s really messy, I let my team come in and feed on the spot. I think with this one, he’s clean enough that we can haul him into the vehicle, and they can take care of him on the way back to base. That sound okay with you, Lucroy?”

“It sounds fine. It is your business, although I am grateful for your sensitivity where my beloved is concerned.” Lucroy’s blunt nails eased down my scalp, soothing.

Fisted hands on her hips, Muriel shifted, her dark eyes narrowed and calculating when she asked, “Just how grateful are you?”

Lucroy stiffened. “You have a proposal? Or, perhaps, a request?”

Muriel cocked her head, and I had no idea how she kept her large hair wrap in place. “I think a request.” Inhaling deeply, Muriel shot Dusk’s main door a glance before turning back to Lucroy. “I’ve got a bit of a . . . situation. One of my recent revivals is a little more coherent than typical. He’s also an innocent.” Muriel’s lips puckered in distaste. “I was tricked into reanimating this one. Trust me, that’s a mistake my deceivers didn’t live long to regret.” Waving a dismissive hand in the air, Muriel went on, “Anyway, the point is that this one is livelier. He retained most of his personality and shouldn’t be punished the way the others are. It’s not right, housing him with brainless zombies. It’s not good for his mental health.” Muriel tapped the side of her head.

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