Page 8 of Perfectly Perplexing Zombie

Sedrick gave a single nod. “Sorry, Lucroy. I didn’t mean to imply otherwise.”

“It is of little importance and was not considered an insult. Vampires strive to keep their emotions contained. If anything, you offered a compliment.”

“Vampires,” Vander lamented, but just like before, there was more fondness than heat.

I remained silent, waiting for an explanation, my curiosity pleasantly blooming. Vander Kines was in my debt. One aspect of that debt came in the form of trapping Alpha Arie Belview. Given Queen Silvidia’s recent request, I hadn’t had the opportunity to speak further with Vander regarding a plan. Perhaps this meeting had to do with Alpha Belview. One could hope. The sooner Arie was taken down, the safer the area would be.

“Some information has recently come to light.”

“Regarding Alpha Belview.” I thought it safe to guess. The name earned a sonorous growl from Sedrick and a flash of crimson eyes from Lucroy.

“Unfortunately, no. Or at least I do not believe we have any new information to relay,” Lucroy answered, eyes still softly glowing.

“I’ve got feelers out,” Vander added. “Warlocks aren’t a close bunch, but we do stick together at times, and I think someone trying to break a pixie bond is an issue ninety percent of us can agree is some fucked up shit.”

“That leaves an unfortunate ten percent,” I said.

“It does.” Vander gave an understanding nod. “We’re not great at policing ourselves, but maybe we can get our collective shit together just this once.” Vander shrugged. “I’m not saying I’m holding out a lot of hope, just that I’ve done what I can on that front. Mattie’s talked to local witch covens, but I doubt Arie will approach a witch. This is magical destruction, breaking at the very least. That’ll take warlock magical manipulation, not a witch. Arie’s smart enough to know the difference.”

“Smart and devious enough,” Sedrick growled. He’d lost control of his transformation, and thick, dangerously sharp claws tapped away at the edge of his armrest.

Lucroy’s hand rested on Sedrick’s shoulder, and as odd as it seemed, the vampire’s touch settled Sedrick enough that his wolf receded. It was a strange gesture of comfort and even stranger that it worked.

“Unfortunately, we have another concern,” Lucroy finally said once Sedrick calmed. “This one is, perhaps, more concerning, at least on a national and species basis.”

“Oh?” My eyebrows lifted.

This odd gathering had my attention. Fear was a useful agent, and fairies wielded it like a weapon. However, fear had its limits and drawbacks. Fairies had embraced law and order and, for the moment, enjoyed enforcing it. I had no illusion that the state of affairs would last forever, but at least for the time being, we brought a semblance of order to the chaos consuming Earth. But for all of Fairy power, we were not omnipotent, all-knowing creatures. We heavily relied on information passed along by other species. When those individuals were too fearful to share information, that became a problem.

I’d considered taking my concerns to Queen Silvidia but always reconsidered. In the end, such things seemed petty and beneath her.

Lucroy continued, “Have you heard any rumors regarding pixie trafficking?”

A shot of pure rage sliced through me, gone nearly as quickly as it arrived. “Not for many decades,” I honestly answered.

Lucroy’s expression remained one of bland indifference. “Unfortunately, recent events have led us to believe the problem is no longer relegated to the past.”

“And it’s not just ogres,” Vander said, tone nearly as deep as Sedrick’s.

My eyes darted around the room. Pixie trafficking was supposed to be a past issue. Ogres took pixie dust addiction seriously and had taken control of policing their own species. Recovery institutions could be found scattered throughout different nations. In many ways, ogres were just as much victims as pixies, at least when accidentally exposed. Pixie dust was highly addictive.

It would be disappointing to hear of ogres trafficking pixies again, but not all that surprising. Other species, however… “What in our queen’s name could they get from such an endeavor?”

“Money,” Sedrick answered thickly, making me realize I’d spoken out loud. “Greed is the root of most evil. Not all, but it sure as shit has its claws dug into most.”

“I cannot disagree,” Lucroy said.

“Neither can I. Cash is king, and power is its queen. You get both involved, and that’s a recipe for some nasty-ass shit.”

Vander once informed me he often turned down more commissions than he accepted. I thought Vander Kines was most likely the exception to the rule, but I didn’t have enough dealings with warlocks to say for certain.

“You have proof?” I questioned.

“Mostly hearsay,” Lucroy answered. “But I believe we can put you in touch with a pixie that knows more and could possibly give you the proof you require. Even so, it was concerning enough we thought it important to relay.”

I lowered my head in thought. “If someone is trafficking, it is an automatic death sentence. No questions will be asked, and judgment will be final. There is no excuse. Such action harms pixies and ogres.”

“Agreed,” Sedrick and Vander said in unison.

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