Page 39 of Perfectly Charmed Pixie

“I saw it coming and had activated my protective shield charms in plenty of time. He wasn’t even close to powerful enough to make the smallest dent in them.”

Lucroy silently sat, contemplating what I’d divulged. Finally, he asked, “And if you’d been so inclined, do you believe a charm of that nature would be possible?”

I’d been so appalled by the idea I hadn’t given it much thought. I did now. Turning threads and weaves over in my head, I truly considered the practicalities of crafting that kind of charm.

“Honestly, I’m not certain. As much as I hate to say it, I think it’s not completely beyond possible. It would take a lot of skill and time. Possibly some trial and error too, but it isn’t completely impossible.” I shook my head. “Unfortunately, I fear the answer is yes. With that said, I can’t think of a single warlock out there that would do it. Assuming this is Alpha Belview’s doing—”

“Of course it is,” Peaches angrily spat.

“Then he has a reputation of not giving up once he’s got his sights set on something. I think eventually, with enough time and money, he has a chance of finding what he wants. Or maybe, more accurately, who he wants. At the time, I wasn’t sure who his target was. But after meeting Phil and Sedrick tonight, it wasn’t that hard to put the pieces together. I’m not sure why Alpha Belview has such a hate-on for those two, but they’re definitely in his crosshairs.”

“And, as is irritably typical of Arie Belview, he has made it impossible to irrevocably connect him to the offensive actions.”

Vampires rarely allowed their true feelings to leak into their voices. The frustrated anger I heard sing through Lucroy’s spoke volumes.

“I will need to speak with Ray. I doubt he will be able to charge Alpha Belview with anything yet, but I believe the fairy needs to be made aware that an alpha is out there seeking such a dangerous charm. No matter who is involved, fairies will not like the implications. They take their law very seriously, and a pixie bond is not only sacrosanct but protected under fairy law.”

I’d thought about contacting Ray myself. In retrospect, I should have reported the incident.

“Let me know if there’s anything else I can do to help.”

“Thank you. I’m sure Ray will have questions. I will direct him your way.”

“I’ll keep my eyes peeled.” Not that I’d really need to look out for a fairy visit. You knew when they came.

Down from his earlier joyful high, Peaches clung to Lucroy’s chest. “We have to warn them.” Peaches’s earlier indignant anger was replaced by abject despair.

“We will. You know I’ll do everything I can to protect Philodendron.” Lucroy’s fingers carded through Peaches’s hair, shifting and settling it over his shoulder, revealing the healing bite on his neck. Bending, Lucroy licked a strip across that mark, making it glisten in the low lights. Peaches shivered, and a light moan filled the air.

Parsnip uncomfortably shifted beside me.

“For now, your friend and his wolf are safe. Just like Philodendron, it is time to get you home. You need your land and your sprites.”

Peaches didn’t argue. He simply clung tighter, allowing Lucroy to shift below, moving so they were both out of the booth. Standing, hands cradling Peaches’s bottom and thighs, Lucroy shifted to the side of the table. Had Peaches’s wings been held aloft, it would have been difficult to see Lucroy at all.

“Forgive my early exit. I fear I’ve become a terrible host since finding my beloved. He is all I care about, the only one I now feel the need to please.”

“It’s fine and not rude in the least. Take care of your beloved.”

Lucroy inclined his head. From seemingly out of nowhere, Leon appeared with a heavy lavender shawl in one hand and pixie boots in the other. Leon placed the boots on Peaches’s feet before draping the shawl over his shoulders. Lucroy’s offer of thanks was soft enough that I barely heard it. When they left, I noticed they weren’t the only ones. Dusk’s population was far more anemic.

“Do they close soon?” I asked, completely unsure of the time.

“Officially, not for another hour or two. The sun won’t be up for four hours. I’ve heard the vampires will hang around a little longer, but the staff locks up by 4:00 a.m.,” Parsnip answered, our lonely little booth dimmer with Peaches’s absence. “I can’t believe someone could truly wish that upon a pixie. Especially a home-and-hearth one. They are about as benign as you get. Who is Arie Belview?”

It felt weird to think someone might not know Alpha Belview. I was sure that would stick in Arie’s craw and suddenly wished he were present.

“An alpha werewolf I hope you never have to meet,” I sincerely answered.

Parsnip’s hand still covered mine, a fact I wasn’t sure he was aware of. “I’ll bet he’s not too happy with you, having turned him down and all.”

“Nothing new there. Like I said, I turn down more commissions than I take. Byx thinks I should take more than I do, but mostly, we’re in agreement. She just wishes we weren’t always so close to missing rent.”

Parsnip stiffened, snatching his hand back. “Is that why you finally agreed to take my request? Because of the money?”

I wasn’t sure where the hostility came from. When Parsnip first entered my shop, he was willing to sell off an organ to get what he wanted. Now he seemed offended by the idea.

“No,” I honestly answered. “Not gonna lie and say it won’t be useful, but that’s not what finally made my decision.” Parsnip didn’t know it yet, but I didn’t plan on charging him nearly what he’d offered in payment. I felt bad enough taking anything from my one and only. When I’d figured a price, I’d charged what I always did for my time and then taken off 50 percent. If it were for anyone else, Byx would tell me I was giving my services away. But she’d understand this decision.

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