Page 72 of Perfectly Perplexing Zombie

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Mattie showed up about fifteen minutes after the rest of us crowded into Peaches’s small cottage. It was tight quarters, but no one complained about the scent of decay that had to be wafting off me. Ray stayed close by. He stood, allowing me to sit. He seemed to like walking and talking. It took twenty, maybe twenty-five minutes to explain his insane idea to the rest of us.

Peaches was so good. It was clear holding still was difficult, but he managed and didn’t flood the room with dust. Parsnip was equally considerate even though it didn’t look nearly as taxing on him.

“Do you really think that will work?” Parsnip asked. He sounded more curious than doubtful. Sitting on Vander’s lap, Parsnip turned and asked, “Is this even possible?”

Vander glanced at Mattie. The witch’s face was pinched, and she had dark circles under her eyes. “Theoretically,” Vander answered. “Mattie, what are your thoughts?”

Mattie’s chuckle was less than mirthful. “Oh, I’ve got so, so many, Van, and few of them are good.” She swallowed hard. “But from what research I’ve been able to do, I think, like you said, theoretically, it is possible. Frighteningly so. It’ll take time, though, and I’m not sure how much we have.”

“How much time?” Lucroy asked.

“And why do you think it will be limited?” Peaches threw in before Mattie had a chance to answer the first question.

“At best, a few minutes,” Mattie answered before she grimaced and added, “At worst, hours, maybe days, and that’s bad because as soon as Stover figures out what we’re doing, we’re toast.”

“Agreed,” Vander said, voice deep and melodic. “I doubt the murderous professor is just going to sit around and wait for us to free his most prized possession.”

I hated that was the way Aurelia was thought of. A possession. No sentient creature should ever be thought of that way.

“Can djinn magic get through a pixie bond?” Parsnip asked while his gaze raked the room. “Vander’s bonded to me. Fairy magic can’t get through that. If djinn magic is the same, then as long as I’m near, I can keep Van safe.”

“No one knows for certain,” Mattie apologetically answered, as if the lack of knowledge was her fault. “I don’t know that any previous attempts have been made.” She shrugged and then dropped her shoulders, looking utterly defeated.

“And that wouldn’t help Mattie out,” Peaches said. “We could always try here at the orchard,” he offered, and Lucroy went stone silent. “I could keep Mattie and Vander behind my barrier.”

Lucroy’s black eyes shifted to crimson as he stared over Peaches’s head toward Ray. Remaining silent, Lucroy let Ray take the verbal lead.

“While that is a generous offer, I doubt it would work and would place you and your orchard in peril,” Ray answered.

“I don’t see why.” Peaches crossed his arms over his chest and stood straighter, chin thrust out.

Mattie took up the cause. “Peaches, djinns are masters at figuring out work-arounds to their restrictions.” She swept her arms out, indicating Peaches’s home and orchard. “How far does your orchard extend? What are the limitations of your boundary? Aphids made it through because they harbored no intentional ill will. It would be nothing for Aurelia to figure a way in, and most likely, that would end in the destruction of your trees and land. It wouldn’t be her fault, and I doubt she’d find any joy in the act. If Stover wishes her to destroy you, her magical enslavement requires her to fulfill that wish by any means possible.”

“Djinns are very creative in finding those means,” Ray added.

Peaches deflated, and Mr. Moony hid his relief behind Peaches’s head. Pulling his beloved into his arms, Mr. Moony whispered something I couldn’t hear into Peaches’s ear. His pixie nodded in agreement and let the matter drop.

“Can the time be reduced?” Ray asked.

Vander and Mattie shared a doubtful glance.

“Honestly,” Vander answered with a sigh, “we’re not sure. It’s not like either of us has done this before, and we don’t exactly have another djinn to practice on.”

“I’ve read and memorized the spells used to create djinns.” Mattie looked like she could throw up any minute. “I hate having that knowledge, and when this is over, I want to discuss a forgetful charm with you, Vander. That’s warlock magic, not witch.”

“You know I’ll help however I can,” Vander reassured.

“I do, and that’s what I’m counting on. I don’t think I could do this with any other warlock.” Mattie didn’t have to say she wouldn’t trust another. “Georgiana bound us together. You learned from the best, and she trusted you with her knowledge. I’d be disrespecting Georgiana if I didn’t feel the same.”

“High praise.” Vander sounded genuine. “I wish Byx could be here to hear you say that.”

Mattie shook her head. “You and I both know it’s best to keep her as far away from this nonsense as possible.”

“Not that she’s happy about it.” Vander shuddered. “She zapped me a good one right before Parsnip and I walked out the door. I swear, she gets stronger and stronger every damn day.”

“That’s as it should be,” Parsnip scolded. “Besides, you probably did something else to deserve it.”

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