Page 62 of Purrfectly Peculiar Pixie

Erasmus shook his head. “Yeah, no. I mean, maybe a little, but not really. We both deal with the dead, but my talent lies in a slightly different area.”

Vander stepped in to clarify. “Necromancers bring back the dead’s consciousness. That’s not something priests or priestesses can do.”

“Except with me,” Wendall chimed in. “I was a little different because of my fairy blood.”

Aurelia’s eyes narrowed. “I am uncertain I understand the finer points, but I do not believe it is of any significance.”

Erasmus’s foot shifting increased, and he rubbed the back of his neck. “Well, in this case, I think it might be really significant. Then again, I’m not entirely certain.”

Ray moved closer and Wendall followed. Honestly, I think everyone tightened their circle around Erasmus.

“Explain,” Ray demanded.

Erasmus glanced at all of us before settling his gaze on Peaches or more precisely, what Peaches held within his hands. When he asked, “Can I see that?” and pointed at the amphora, everyone stiffened and the anxiety spilling into the night increased.

“Absolutely not,” Lucroy answered first.

“I’m sorry, Erasmus,” Peaches offered, “but I can’t just hand Aurelia’s object of attachment over to anyone.”

“Oh!” Erasmus waved his hands in a placating manner. “Sorry, I didn’t mean it like that. I just need to get closer. I don’t actually need to touch it. I mean, touching it might help, but I think I can figure things out without physical contact.”

Figure what out?I glanced around, wondering if I was the only one completely lost.

“Just give me a minute.” The first hint of irritation colored Erasmus’s words. “I’ve had this weird feeling since Peaches brought that amphora out of the woods. If I can get a closer look, I’ll be able to clear this up. I think.” Erasmus cocked his head to the side, thinking. “Sorry, I’m not trying to be obtuse on purpose. I’ve never met a djinn before or been around their object of attachment. This is all new for me too.”

Peaches looked to Lucroy first, followed by Ray. Neither seemed to have any direct objections. Then he asked, Aurelia. “Do you mind if he takes a closer look?”

Aurelia’s lips twitched into the hint of a smile. “I do not. Thank you for asking.”

“Of course,” Peaches answered before flying closer, Lucroy hot on his heels.

Holding out his cupped hands, Peaches moved the amphora a little closer. I wasn’t a witch, warlock, fairy, or brownie. As far as I was concerned, the lump of ancient clay Peaches held was little more than an antique.

It was way more than that to Erasmus.

“Holy shit. I didn’t know that was possible.” Erasmus held his hand closer, palm outstretched but just shy of physical touch. Licking his lips, Erasmus’s wide eyes darted from the amphora to Aurelia before he asked, “How were you created?”

Aurelia’s lips curled into a snarl. “Witch magic.”

Erasmus nodded. “Yeah, I know that much, but I mean, how did the witch create you?”

Aurelia’s animosity fled and she was left blankly staring. “I am not a witch. I do not know.”

Vander said, “We’d need Mattie here to give a full account or tell us as much as she knows. I’m no witch either, but I can tell you there are layered spells. The closest analogy would be an onion. Thankfully, Aurelia’s restrictions are on the outermost layer and the easiest to break. Deeper down, at her very core, is her connection to her object of attachment. That one would take days to reach and break. Why do you ask?”

Erasmus’s attention was glued to the amphora. “And all djinn have an object of attachment,” he stated more than asked.

Aurelia still answered, “Yes.”

“And whoever has possession of it controls you?” Erasmus asked.

“Yes,” Aurelia hissed.

“And when you touch the object?”

“I am pulled back inside. I am incapable of moving my object on my own.” Aurelia sounded infinitely disappointed by this fact.

“Interesting.” Erasmus continued staring at the amphora. “Like I said before, I’ve never seen anything like this. I didn’t know it was possible.” He swallowed hard. “That’s probably a good thing. I don’t think this kind of information would be beneficial if let loose into the world.”

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