Page 75 of Purrfectly Peculiar Pixie

Eyes wide, I’m sure they glowed yellow. I was furious. To think someone would stoop so low, to condemn a pixie to that kind of unspeakable death. Arie Belview had no soul. I was convinced. Before coming to Rutherford Haven, I’d heard the Belview name. The Magical Usage Council was well aware of a portion of the crimes he was accused of. It was also aware of the challenge that had taken place between Alpha Belview and Alpha Voss. At this point, it was believed Alpha Belview would run afoul of his oath and fairy law would eliminate him. Evidently, the alpha was a little too cunning or perhaps devious. Or maybe he was just lucky. I didn’t know. All I knew was that Alpha Belview needed to be taken out.

Lucroy’s dark gaze danced from Johnny to me. His typically emotionless voice held a tinge of sympathy when he said, “There is some chatter. Hearsay mostly. Some say Arie Belview managed to find a warlock willing to attempt such an endeavor.”

My claws dug into the bar surface and my lips pulled back. I could feel my teeth lengthen. I was ready to rend Alpha Belview into little more than chunks of flesh too small to make a good stew.

“As I said, it is merely hearsay.” Lucroy said nothing regarding my loss of control.

“Beloved.” I wasn’t certain when Leon stood, but he was suddenly by my side, eyes level with mine.

“He can’t do that,” I hissed. “I will shred him before he has the chance.”

Leon’s cool hands gripped my face, holding me steady. If it were anyone else, I would have lost my shit at being held down. “And I shall assist you in that endeavor.”

“We all will,” Johnny reassured. I had no idea what the faun thought he could do, but the conviction those words were spoken with eased my inner cat. “Phil’s my friend,” Johnny continued, fury echoing through every word. “It’s past time Arie Belview was put down.”

“Here! Here!” Lucroy echoed.

“Don’t leave us out.” Wendall slid through the swinging door leading to the washroom. Trinket on his shoulder, her feet pattering back and forth, mouth open and letting loose high-pitched yips. “Trinket wants in on the action too. She might be small, but don’t underestimate her.” Wendall sank his fingers into Trinket’s fur, vigorously rubbing.

“Only the foolish would do so.” Ray exited the washroom behind Wendall. His words brought a grin that nearly split Wendall’s face.

Lucroy stood and asked, “What is Queen Silvidia’s ruling?”

Ray and Wendall came closer, standing beside Johnny. “My queen has deemed Arie Belview an imminent threat.”

Imminent threat sounded promising. “So, she’s taking action?” I asked. When fairies intervened, it typically wasn’t pretty. A slap on the wrist wasn’t their way of handling situations. Death and utter elimination were more the fairy idea of justice. I suppose it made sense considering they rarely got involved in minor squabbles. When fairies stepped in, especially their queen, the shit had truly hit the fan.

Wendall huffed, fisting his arms on his hips. “She would if she could find him.”

“What?” Johnny and I said in unison.

Ray’s fingers clenched and the fire constantly ringing his pupils expanded. Heat pressed against my skin. It wasn’t enough to burn, simply raise the temperature.

“It seems Arie Belview has disappeared.” Ray’s voice was deathly quiet, its icy tendrils in stark contrast to the heat emanating from his body.

“Disappeared?” Johnny’s mouth fell open. “How in the hell does one disappear from the Fairy queen?” Johnny’s gaze snapped between Lucroy and Ray. “I mean, she’s fucking powerful as…” He waved a hand in the air. “Honestly, I’ve got nothing to compare her to. She’s powerful, and let’s leave it at that.”

Ray’s eyes slid closed, and he inhaled deeply. Wendall gripped Ray’s bicep before entwining their fingers. Giving Ray a chance to pull himself together, Wendall answered, “That’s a good question. My aunt’s really angry.” Wendall swallowed hard. “I, uh… That’s the first time I’ve seen her so mad. It’s scary.”

“She would never injure you,” Ray said defensively.

“Oh, I know that. I didn’t mean to imply otherwise. I’m just saying that Johnny’s not wrong. Aunt Silvidia is scary powerful and if she can’t locate Arie, then—”

“Then he’s found what he was looking for,” Lucroy coldly answered.

“I fear you are correct,” Ray agreed. “I believe we must all accept the idea that Alpha Arie Belview is indeed in possession of a djinn.”

“Goddess save us,” Johnny prayed.

My stomach cramped, filled with knots and squirmy discomfort. “I need to alert the Magical Usage Council,” I stated, tone flat. I didn’t want to make that call. Being the bearer of Armageddon-level news wasn’t all it was cracked up to be.

Despite my words, I sat there and made no reach for my phone. Disbelieving silence filled the air, surrounding us in a fog of uncertainty. That silence was broken by Johnny’s tapping hoof. His fingers danced along the bar surface, adding another beat. With a head shake, Johnny asked what was probably on all our minds. “If Arie’s got a djinn at his beck and call, then what the hell is he waiting for?”

The collective, oppressive silence was answer enough. None of us knew the answer.

ChapterTwenty-Five

Leon

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