Page 68 of Perfectly Charmed Pixie

After checking out the progress on Peaches’s newest addition, I slid into my car and pulled out my phone. For a second, I hesitated, but in the end, my need won out, and I pulled up Vander’s number and hit the send button. It rang five times before going to voicemail. I left a brief message for him to call me.

Disappointed, I thought about calling his business number but figured if Vander didn’t answer his phone, then he was probably busy with a customer, and I didn’t want to interrupt that, especially when I didn’t really need anything important.

My hand drifted to the charm on my hip. It still amazed me how different it felt from Lance’s charms. This one was still pleasantly warm against my skin. My headaches had all but disappeared, and I felt energized again. I had an unhealthy urge to call Lance and brag about Vander’s abilities, but that was beyond reckless. So far, I hadn’t heard another peep from Lance’s direction, and it would be stupid to wave a red flag in front of that particular bull.

Starting my rental car, I turned up the heat and lumbered down the gravel path leading away from Peaches’s orchard. I knew the moment I passed through his protective boundary. That sense of safe belonging that enveloped me like a blanket disappeared. Peaches considered me a friend, and his bonded land responded in kind.

It was another weight added to my already heavy chest. Would Peaches still feel the same way about me if he knew the truth? I knew the most likely answer and rubbed the pain settling deep within my heart. Days like today made me wonder if my continued deception was truly worth it.

ChapterTwenty-Five

Vander

Fuck, I was tired. I rubbed my temples, trying to push away the headache that seemed to settle in and set up house. I’d yet to find a pain charm that eliminated it completely. The ache had become an unwelcome house guest, and it had company—fatigue.

“You want me to stay and watch the front?” Byx asked, climbing up on her stool and staring at me. There was a note of concern in her voice I didn’t like, mostly because I didn’t want her to worry. The problem was, she was most likely right to be concerned, and I didn’t have it in me to outright lie.

“Nah, I’ll be okay.” I offered a half-ass grin, one that used to be a little more carefree.

“That’s debatable,” Byx answered, crossing her arms over her chest. She had her dragon hair clips in again today, but they were simply lying there, no puffs of smoke and, thank Gaia, no fire.

“Won’t argue that point,” I agreed. “Regardless, I’ll be okay. We’re only open another hour tops, and you and I both know we don’t get much traffic this time of day. I think I can hold out until then.” I offered a weak wink.

Byx rolled her eyes. “You need to take it easy, Van. You’ve been working too hard. Given how drained Parsnip’s charm makes you, that’s not a good idea.”

Good idea or not, it was necessary. “Rent will be due sooner than later.”

“Yeah, and it wouldn’t be a problem if you’d charge Parsnip what those charms are worth.” Leaning forward, Byx tapped a finger on my workbench. “Mind you, there’s not enough money to pay for your life force, but that’s just my opinion.”

Typically, it would be mine too. “Money’s not what I want or need from Parsnip.”

Byx blew out a raspberry. “Yeah, I get it, and I…I wouldn’t push it if it meant you didn’t have to work so hard on other things just so we can get by. I think if Parsnip knew, he’d be more than happy to pay you and—”

“And I don’t want him to feel indebted like that.” I didn’t want Parsnip to think I’d worked so hard on his charm simply for money. Besides, it wasn’t like my one and only wasn’t willing to pay me. The cost just hadn’t come up, and I didn’t know how to broach the subject.

No, that wasn’t true. I didn’twantto broach it.

“Ugh.” Byx threw up her hands while sliding off her stool. “You are so frustrating, Van. I have no idea how Mamma put up with you for so many years.”

I chuckled. “Neither do I, but given the fact you’re stuck with me, maybe after a decade or two, you’ll figure it out, and you can let me in on the secret too.”

With a huff and a one-finger salute, Byx turned and headed for the stairs. “I’m gonna go study.”

She was halfway up the stairs when I said, “And bank some magic.” It wasn’t a question. It wasn’t exactly an order either. One of the first lessons Georgiana taught me was that you didn’tordera brownie to do anything.

Byx waved me off. “Yeah, yeah, and bank some magic.”

I had no idea if Byx would do it or not. Sometimes she was too contrary to work in her best interest. Then again, the same could be said for almost all of us.

* * *

Ichecked the clock. Less than ten minutes to go, and I could change the sign toclosedand wrap up for the evening. I didn’t smell anything delicious coming from the kitchen upstairs which probably meant that Byx had done what I’d asked and banked more magic. She was typically tired after doing that and didn’t feel up to doing much. Given my current depletion, I understood better than I would have liked.

I laid down the final thread of Parsnip’s second charm. I’d weaved this one slightly differently, hoping it wouldn’t pull as much on my energy. Time would tell. Parsnip had called and left a message while I was helping a client. I planned on calling him back in a few minutes but wanted to make certain I had plenty of time and wouldn’t be interrupted. The chances of a client coming in this late were slim, but it had happened before.

Laying the charm carefully on my workbench, I lifted my arms and stretched, back cracking and neck twisting.

“Damn, that feels good,” I whispered with a sigh.

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