Page 61 of Perfectly Perplexing Zombie

My panic was obvious, and Silvidia placed a single finger over my lips, halting my ensuing word vomit. “Be at ease, Wendall. I already informed Hellfire that I will not do that. The decision is yours. I only suggested he use whatever means available to make you change your mind.”

My cheeks puffed out, and Silvidia removed her finger with a playful grin and light in her eyes. She appeared ready to say more when her eyes went distant. I got the distinct feeling she might be physically inside my bedroom but was somewhere entirely different in her mind.

With the gentlest of sighs, Silvidia’s shoulders rounded before she squared them. “I am afraid I am needed elsewhere. My duties call me home.” Rising, she cupped my cheeks before leaning over and kissing my forehead. “Fear not, Wendall. I am not used to losing and have no intention of doing so with you. The path might be winding and full of shadows, but the end solution will make itself clear. All you need to do is be mindful and recognize the solution when it comes.”

Before I could say another word, Silvidia opened a tear in the atmospheric fabric of my room and walked through. The rip closed behind her, leaving only her floral scent and my confusion behind.

ChapterTwenty-Three

Hellfire Rayburn

“You look like a righteous thundercloud,” Hamish accused while walking beside me.

He was careful and kept a few feet between us, not that it would save him should I unleash the turmoil brewing inside. My internal fire was desperate for release. As I stood outside Arthur Stover’s residence, I’d considered on more than one occasion allowing that fire free rein and burning his home to ash—hopefully with him in it.

Caution stayed my hand. As quick as my fire was, it might not be quick enough to eliminate Stover before he could wish his way out of the inferno. One could only imagine the swift retribution that would follow.

“Do you have something of import, Hamish? Or are you simply here to annoy me?” If it were the latter, then Hamish was playing a dangerous game. He was usually savvier than that.

Quietly contemplative, Hamish followed my gaze toward the unassuming building Stover called home.

“He is clever,” Hamish finally started. “For a human.”

“Humans are often clever. Thinking otherwise is what has gotten us into trouble in the past.”

Queen Silvidia had contemplated stepping into human affairs decades before she finally acted. However, there was always this niggling hope that humanity would find its way through the darkness. There were points of shimmering light, but those were nearly always snuffed out by their darker element.

“Hmm, I will not argue the point,” Hamish conceded. “This one has been wise with his wishes and covered his enormous wealth well. He currently has enough money to live ten lifetimes and never want for anything.”

“And yet that is still not enough.”

“Apparently not,” Hamish agreed.

“What do you believe Stover desires?”

There had to be something. If not, he would have already quit his job and moved on. There were endless ways of doing it. Given the means at his disposal, Stover could go anywhere he wanted. He could disappear, and none would be the wiser. He could hide from any who sought to take the djinn from him. So, why hadn’t he done that? What was still tethering him to this solitary, lonely existence?

Hamish grunted. “He wants what all who gain supposedly limitless power want—everything. Stover is the type of man who never has enough. He will never have enough wealth, enough professional accolades, enough recognition. I doubt the man could ever truly find love at this point. He is far too paranoid now to ever accept that another truly desires him and not what he has to offer.”

If that were the case, Stover was far more dangerous than I’d initially considered. When he was done with Wendall, what was next? If Stover desired power and authority over all, then at some point, he would need to go after Fairy itself.

“Are you suggesting—”

“It is only a matter of time,” Hamish agreed. “As per our agreement, I have kept a close watch on the good professor. His recent interests are a bit skewed from his previous studies.”

“Which were?”

“Ancient human development and civilizations. Naturally, with his interest in djinns, those interests also encompassed witchcraft, but only as it pertained to djinns.”

“And now?”

“Professor Stover has expanded his research and is actively seeking any and all information regarding Fairy. Thankfully, there is not much to be found. However, I doubt that will stop him for long. As you know, humans cannot enter Fairy on their own.”

“One of us has to be with them,” I acknowledged.

“Yes. But it is conceivable that with the djinn under his control, Stover could find a way in. If the djinn cannot access Fairy directly, it would be child’s play for her to force a fairy to escort Stover into our homeland.”

Breath hissed through my lips, and my exhale was full of smoke. I wanted to scream that Stover wouldn’t dare do such a thing, but I knew better. Instead, I asked, “Have you informed our queen?”

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