Page 69 of Perfectly Charmed Pixie

That pleasant sigh easily transferred into a curse when I heard the bells hanging over the store entrance chime.

“Fucking hell,” I murmured. “Why tonight?” Pushing off my chair, my legs felt far heavier than they should.

I started for the curtain but slowed. Something didn’t feel right. Or, more to the point, I couldn’t tell who had just walked through my front door. I should be able to tell. The store was charmed to feed that information to me. The fact that I knew someone was there but couldn’t tell their species pinged alarm bells. It could be an innocent situation. Or, well, maybe not innocent, but not bad either. I was a warlock, and others came to me with all kinds of requests. A lot of individuals were in need, and some were in hiding—often with good reason. Charms were a good way to confuse the senses.

Pushing the curtain aside, I stepped behind the desk. My latest customers were on the other side. An odd pair, to be certain. Looking at the larger of the two, I was beyond glad Parsnip wasn’t here.

“What can I do for you?” I asked, head cocked to the side as I studied the smaller, humanoid-looking female and the ogre at her side. I might not be able to sense what she was, but the layered rings, necklaces, haphazard blond hair, and overall air screamed witch.

“Warlock Vander Kines?” she asked, a pleasant smile lifting her lips.

“That’s me,” I answered.

Exhausted as I was, I took the time to trip my protective shields. I didn’t know what she wanted, but instinct told me to be cautious. Witch magic wouldn’t be able to get through my shields. Neither would ogre strength.

“Wonderful.” Her smile widened, but it didn’t reach her light blue eyes. Clapping her hands together, the sound of metal hitting metal pinged through the shop as she craned her neck around the store. “This is aquaintlittle establishment.”

I bristled. “It pays the bills.”

“Does it?” That disturbing grin never once left her face.

I glanced at the ogre, a female with dilated pupils and a fine sheen of sweat on her brow.

My skin itched, and the ring on my pinkie flared to life. Danger. I just didn’t know what kind or what direction it was about to come from. I was glad I’d had the forethought to activate the protective shields surrounding my desk.

“I’m sorry, but it’s almost closing time.” I attempted to remain congenial. “If there is something I can help you with, please let me know. Otherwise, I’m afraid I need to finish up. I have other work to complete.”

“That’s a shame.” The witch shook her head, tossing her hair from side to side. “I always hated disappointing customers, but sometimes, needs must. Franny.” The witch quickly glanced at the ogre, a wave of her hand indicating she should come closer.

I tensed, sensing an impending blow to my shields. I still didn’t know what the two of them wanted or why they were here, but I’d been right to think they were up to no good. They were also about to be very disappointed when Franny tried putting a fist through my shields and instead got a nasty backlash for her efforts. The blow would hurt me internally, but I’d take it. I might be tired, but I still had enough energy to hold the charms.

I stared up at the ogre. “You think you can punch through my charms?”

Franny didn’t say a word. She just stood there, eyes glazed.

“Oh.” The witch laughed, the sound light and airy. “That’s so cute that you think I brought Franny here for her muscle.” Her laughter died, and a cruel, twisted smirk took its place. “My dear warlock, you, more than anyone, should know you don’t bring muscle to a magical fight.”

I crossed my arms, ready to be done with whatever this was. “You don’t bring a witch to a warlock-charmed stronghold either, Miss…?” Tired of calling herthe witchin my head, I wanted a name.

Her twisted smirk grew wider. “Letty. Letty Fox. I’m sure you’ve heard of me.”

My eyes flew wide, and anger filled every crevice of my being. “Oh, I’ve heard a little.” I didn’t want to stroke this witch’s ego. From what little I knew from Parsnip, she lived for that kind of thing.

“So modest,” she mocked. “I’m certain Parsnip has told you more than alittle.” Arm raised, Letty twisted her hand, fingers splayed, showing off an array of charmed rings. “And you’re correct. You don’t bring witch magic to a fight with a warlock.” Eyes narrowed, their pale blue sparked with an underlying glow. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d seen something so malicious. “You bring warlock magic. By the way, Lance sends his regards.”

I didn’t have time to react, not that I could have managed anything.

Pulling her arm back, Letty punched her fist forward. Visible cracks fractured the shields, and splintering pain lit me up from the inside. Pulling her hand back again, she punched forward a second time, then a third. On the fourth round, my shields shattered, and I collapsed with them. Fire raced through my insides, burning deep and pulling a scream to my lips.

I couldn’t remain silent, and my tortured cries brought Byx running down the stairs. I had a moment to note her ashen face and pinched, frightened features before blackness erased her panic from my vision. She might have screamed, but I wasn’t sure where mine stopped and hers began.

* * *

Pain.

All-consuming and draining was the first thing I realized upon waking. It was as if Byx had zapped me with a thousand-megawatt lightning strike. My groan was automatic. I probably should have tried to hold it in and play possum a little longer. It wouldn’t have mattered. I wasn’t alone, but my company was worse than I could have imagined.

“B-Byx.” My voice was scratchy, her name little more than a harsh echo in the damp room.Basement, my mind silently supplied.

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