Page 55 of Purrfectly Peculiar Pixie

While Lucroy didn’t appear terribly impressed with our latest visitor’s attire, he seemed a bit mollified by Erasmus’s words. “Your father led us to believe you are the correct necromancer for the job.”

Again, Erasmus shrugged. “I suppose that remains to be seen, but I’ll see what I can do.” He spread his arms wide and added, “That’s the best I can offer.”

“Well, it’s a damn site better than what anyone else in the room can say.” Vander rubbed his hands over his facial scruff before sighing. “I wish Sedrick could be here. Phil too,” Vander offered Parsnip. “I hope the problem in the mine isn’t bad.”

“And that Ruthie’s truly on the mend,” Peaches said, and Parsnip eagerly nodded.

Sedrick and Phil were supposed to be here but there’d been an unexpected issue with the Voss mine and Sedrick’s presence was needed. Phil could have driven out to Peaches’s on his own but evidently Ruthie got into a little trouble and had to shift a few times to heal a broken leg. She was still a bit hobbled and with Sedrick gone, Phil didn’t want to leave Ruthie and Dillon alone also.

“We can fill them in later,” Peaches said.

Lucroy remained silent, gaze fixed on Erasmus. The sun wouldn’t set for another three hours. While it might not be a physical threat, I’d noticed Lucroy was a bit grumpier when he had to be up during the daylight. The time of the meeting definitely ruled Leon’s presence out.

Erasmus’s gaze swept the room. “Not that this isn’t fun and all, but vampire company excluded, I don’t see anything dead around.”

Peaches sucked in an angry breath. His wings sped, filling the room with golden dust.

“Whoa.” Erasmus dramatically covered his nose. “Can you ease up on the pixie dust. I didn’t mean any offense.”

“Gaia save us.” Vander pressed his thumb and forefinger against the bridge of his nose.

“Ray and Wendall should be here soon,” Parsnip attempted to soothe. “They just had to snag Sylvie’s body. They travel a lot faster than—”

The air vibrated, a bright vertical slit ripping the air. Ray’s head popped through. He took a moment to peer around the room before simply stating, “We will take this outside.” The atmospheric tear sealed shortly after he disappeared.

“Shit, that’s impressive.” Erasmus’s eyes widened, bright green and wide.

“Yeah, yeah. Fairies are all that. Come on, Parsnip. Let’s do what the pretty fairy says and head outside where there’s more room.” Vander pushed out of his chair and Parsnip followed. I motioned Erasmus to go before me, and Peaches and Lucroy brought up the rear. When we exited the house, Lucroy kept to the shadowed porch.

We’d no more stepped outside than a flurry of bright lights swarmed toward us. Seeing one was impressive, but a cloud of twinkling stars was something to behold.

“They’ll want some of your dust. Are you okay with that?” Peaches asked me politely.

“It’s fine. I’m not sure I’m ready to be swarmed, so maybe just a few at a time.”

Peaches’s smile was near angelic. “They can abide by the rules. They’ll be thrilled.” Peaches met the horde a few feet out and laid down the current law. Thankfully, they seemed eager to abide my wishes.

“Fuck, it’s been an age since I’ve seen sprites,” Erasmus said, lifting his hand so one could perch. His grin appeared natural and completely at ease. “Pops has a colony in the forest surrounding his house. I used to play with them when I was a kid. I still go out and visit when I can. I’ve got no idea what they’re saying, but I like the high-pitched language.”

Personally, I thought there was something wrong with Erasmus’s hearing. But I suppose to each his own.

The air shimmered again, and Ray walked through the portal he created. Wendall wasn’t far behind and in between them was Sylvie’s limp corpse.

I drew in a deep breath. The witch looked like she’d just had her heart ripped out moments before, not days ago. Fresh blood still leaked from the wound.

“Stasis spell,” Wendall helpfully supplied when I gasped. “I know, I was surprised too when I saw her. The fairies Aunt Silvidia sent to the compound placed a stasis spell over the entire place. No one’s getting in or out, and nothing decays or decomposes. It’s like time stood still inside.” Wendall shivered. “It was weirdly uncomfortable being inside.”

“I should have had you remain in the garden outside,” Ray said. His tone was cool but there was a niggle of concern that softened it.

“No. It was fine. Weird, but okay.”

Trinket danced on Wendall’s shoulder, cooing and chirping her agreement.

“What the hell?” Erasmus leaned in and unwisely poked a finger in Trinket’s direction. The little scuttlebutt puffed up and opened her mouth but didn’t lunge. “Holy shit!” Instead of being afraid, Erasmus’s grin took up his whole face. “Those are some impressive chompers.”

Ray closely monitored the situation. “Scuttlebutts are very discerning. It is fortunate she does not believe you a threat, necromancer.”

Pulling his arm back, Erasmus stuffed his hands into the deep pockets of his cargos. “Nah, not a threat to anything living, that’s for sure. Now the dead, that’s a different matter.”

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