Page 85 of Purrfectly Peculiar Pixie

Lucroy answered, “Ray and Wendall went to Fairy. Ray believed Queen Silvidia would be interested in Shawn’s tale.”

Phlox’s nose scrunched. I’d learned that expression meant he was thinking. “I’m not sure what Alpha Belview has done to his pack falls under fairy law. That’s more in the Magical Usage Council’s wheelhouse. Mind you, it wouldn’t break my heart if Queen Silvidia decided to make an exception in this case.”

“Fuck that,” Sedrick rumbled. “I want first crack at Arie. If he weren’t such a fucking coward, this shit wouldn’t even be happening. We could have met in the challenge ring and been done with it months ago.”

Phil stiffened but remained silent. From what I understood, the outcome of such a match was not a forgone conclusion. As it was, Sedrick barely defeated Arie Belview’s designated second.

Vander ran his black-tipped fingers through his hair and said, “I think at this point, we’d all like a—”

“Ah, here you are.”

Everyone froze, each pair of eyes drawn to a pleasantly malicious voice none of us recognized. Those who required air for existence sucked in plentiful quantities. Phlox immediately slid by my side, feet landing on the ground. Phil’s feet were also planted on the dirt. Peaches and Parsnip remained aloft.

Lucroy took a measured step forward, placing himself in front of the group. Peaches followed, staying by his right side. “And you would be?” Lucroy drawled, voice devoid of all emotion.

Ourguestsmirked. “I thought it would be obvious what I am.”

“Of course it is, but that was not my questions. I asked who you are. Or would you prefer we simply refer to you asdjinn?”

ChapterTwenty-Eight

Phlox

Djinn.

Having met Aurelia, it was obvious what stood just beyond Peaches’s boundary. Devoid of any visible hair, the male’s body was covered in ink. His ears were larger and lay flat against his head. Metal hoops pierced his lobes and ran through his nose. He was large, in every conceivable way. The djinn struck an impressive figure—tall, broad, and well-muscled. Those impressive muscles were on full display as his only scrap of clothing was a navy patterned, Scottish kilt.

“He is called Janus.” Aurelia appeared from seemingly nowhere. “As time is meaningless, I am unaware the last occasion we saw each other.”

Janus grinned. Unlike Aurelia, his teeth were shark-like, filed into sinister points. “Aurelia. I heard you were slumming it with a bunch of pixies.” Janus tilted his head, expression cast in mock sympathy. “Unfortunate for you.”

Aurelia lifted a single brow. “That depends on how you define the wordunfortunate. I would not consider the likes of your current master an improvement upon my situation.”

Janus’s grin grew. “Now see, that was always the difference between you and me. I happen to like the wolf’s black soul.” Rolling his shoulders, Janus flexed his impressive physique. “He’s got some truly horrific plans. It is a relief, finding a master who knows how to wield one of us.”

While my heart stuttered, Aurelia seemed unruffled. “He is a master, just like all the others. The decisions are not yours. You are a mere puppet with another pulling the strings.”

Janus’s grin thinned and his eyes briefly flared, along with half a dozen tattoos. “I cannot argue that point. However, he will prove more entertaining than most.”

“And when he no longer provesentertaining?” Aurelia prompted.

“Then he will die, just like all the others. To be honest, I am looking forward to the challenge. In the meantime, I expect he will use me to great and terrible effect. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have amasterto get back to. See you again soon.”

As quickly as he appeared, Janus was simply gone before I could blink.

“Aurelia.” Lucroy’s tone was cold.

“It is unfortunate Janus is the one that was found. Even in the beginning, he was…unstable.”

“Unstable how?” I asked.

“Out of all of us, Janus was the first to eliminate his creator witch. While all djinn hated our creators, I am uncertain we would have turned on them as quickly if it weren’t for Janus being the first. He showed us it was a viable option.” For the first time, Aurelia flinched, the barest hint of emotion leaking through. “Out of all of us, Janus carries the fewest restrictions. His creator’s death sparkedconcernwithin the remainder. Our creators became increasingly paranoid and abusive.”

“I’m so sorry,” Peaches said sincerely. “I promise I will never do something like that, Aurelia.”

Eyes narrowing, Aurelia ran her gaze up and down the hovering pixie. “Time will bear the truth,” she finally answered. I suspect everyone but Peaches understood the underlying threat.

“I’ll do right by you. I swear.” Peaches flew higher, clutching Aurelia’s object of attachment close to his chest.

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