Page 7 of Perfectly Perplexing Zombie

I didn’t know the fairy lawyer personally. I’d seen him in the bar a few times. More recently, I thought I caught him staring at me a time or two. As a general rule, I tried to stay away from fairies. They scared the shit out of me, metaphorically speaking.

“Hmm…” Muriel patted me on the cheek. “Seems like we finally have an answer regarding why you reanimated differently than every other human.”

I licked my suddenly dry lips and stuttered, “W-we do?”

“You, sweetie, have a teeny-weeny bit of fairy blood.”

I sucked in an unnecessary breath. “I have what?” Those words were barely a whisper, but they shouted through my brain.

“From what I understand, the connection’s distant, but there.”

“And because of that—”

“You’ve got the fairy queen interested.” Muriel’s eyes widened, and her words were nearly as breathless as mine.

“The…the…”

Well, shit.What did I say to that? Even if I did have fairy blood, it had to be such a tiny amount as to almost be negligible. I certainly didn’t remember feeling anything but straight-up human. I hadn’t been powerful. My ears were round and human-simple. I didn’t sprout wings, and my eyes didn’t change color. I was, for all intents and purposes, the most ordinary human male that had ever lived.

Death and my subsequent zombification had made me far more interesting than I’d ever been as a living, breathing human.

ChapterFour

Hellfire Rayburn

It had been some time since I’d been to Sedrick Voss’s place of business. With the custody battle concluded, the alpha werewolf had little need of my services. I was uncertain why he’d called for this meeting today or asked me to come to the mine, especially at this late hour. The sun hung low on the horizon. Brilliant shades of coppery red mixed with golden orange filled the sky. Twilight wouldn’t be far behind. By all accounts, Sedrick should be at home with his bonded pixie, niece, and nephew.

The area was nearly empty, with only three vehicles parked near the office. I easily recognized two of the three and murmured, “Interesting.”

There was no sign of Sedrick’s employees, and the mine sounded quiet. The dwarves must have called it a day, and most likely, the two humans Sedrick employed had gone home as well.

Climbing the steps to Sedrick’s office building, I wondered what Lucroy Moony was doing here and whom the other vehicle belonged to.

I didn’t bother announcing my presence. Sedrick would undoubtedly hear my footfalls and recognize them. When I got close enough, he’d scent me as well.

The door to the office was open, muted voices echoing into the small reception area. Those voices ground to a halt, and Sedrick’s deep baritone said, “Come on in, Ray.”

Doing as requested, I stepped through the doorway. My gaze flicked around the room, easily taking in the three occupants. I wasn’t necessarily surprised by the third, more intrigued as to why we were all gathered together sans their pixie partners.

From left to right, I greeted those in the room. “Lucroy, Sedrick, Vander. To what do I owe the pleasure of this meeting?” Curiosity was a precious gift, one that I rarely got the experience of enjoying. When you had thousands of years in your rearview mirror, very little came as a surprise.

Seated, Sedrick rested his elbows on his chair while thick fingers steepled across his broad chest. Lucroy rested his elbow against the tall back of Sedrick’s chair, casually lounging. As for the warlock, Vander’s ass was poised on the edge of Sedrick’s desk, his long legs stretched before him, crossed at the ankle.

“We have a problem,” Sedrick answered.

Considering what this odd group had in common, I asked, “A pixie problem?”

Vander grunted. “What other kind is there?” His words were harsh but spoken with fond reverence.

“Indeed,” I answered, stepping deeper into the room. “And what is the nature of this problem?” I had difficulty concluding what would require fairy involvement between the three of them.

Vander glanced back at Sedrick, a murderous look on his face. “One of you tell him. If I do, I’ll probably just dissolve into cursing and casting.” Vander waved a hand, his blackened fingertips little more than a dark blur.

“Perhaps it would be best if I relay the information.” Lucroy Moony’s silky, soft voice was in deep contrast to the others.

“Go for it,” Sedrick answered. “You’ll give the rundown in the most dispassionate way possible. I’m with Vander. Maybe I can’t cast, but I can curse and growl.”

“Very well.” Straightening, Lucroy stepped forward, placing his position equal to Sedrick’s. “My companions are correct. However, do not mistake my calm demeanor for apathy. I assure you, I am anything but apathetic.”

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