Page 13 of Purrfectly Peculiar Pixie

“I did not mean to imply otherwise.”

“Of course not, Leon. As for your earlier inquiry, the Magical Usage Council is as dismayed as the rest of us regarding the lack of progress into the latest pixie smuggling ring. They have had no more success in their attempts to reach the masterminds than us. As such, they have decided to approach the issue in a decidedly different way.”

My already slow heart skipped a beat. I suspected I would not like this new approach. “How so?” I reluctantly asked.

“We have all been attempting to infiltrate the group from the angle of conspirator. The Magical Usage Council decided to send someone in a bit more covertly. From my understanding, their intention is to use Frost as bait.”

This time, my heart came to a dead stop. “Bait?” The tips of my fingers itched, my talons ready and waiting for release.

Lucroy interwove his fingers, casually placing his clasped palms on the table. “Indeed. It is an intriguing plan. Sedrick, Vander, and I spoke of this option but none of us could fathom willingly placing a pixie at such risk.”

“Does Peaches know?”

“About the Magical Usage Council’s plan or that we considered the idea previously?”

I had meant the latter but answered, “Both.”

“He was at the meeting last evening and is aware of the risk Frost is taking. As for our earlier thoughts on the matter… No, he is unaware. Sedrick, Vander, and I believed it unwise.”

It didn’t take a genius to figure out why. “Peaches or Phil would have volunteered.” Given Parsnip’s history, I doubted he would willingly place himself in that situation again. While undeniably brave, Parsnip’s underlying fear would likely impede his cognitive abilities.

“All too true.” Lucroy’s eyes briefly bled crimson before he regained control.

My gaze drifted toward Frost when Johnny let out a happy “whoop” followed by a round of applause. Johnny eagerly put Frost’s wings to good use and had him restocking the top shelf. A mix of shaded blues and ochres surrounded Frost in a haze of pixie dust. It truly was a unique combination.

“And what protections have been offered to Frost?” Centuries of practice kept the growl from my voice.

“According to Frost, two implanted tracking microchips along with a charm of Vander’s making and hair clips provided by his brownie ward, Byx. It is my understanding these charms are tracking devices as well.”

Such devices could be removed, and I said as much. “Microchips and charms are easily discovered.”

Lucroy’s grin stopped short of showing fang. “I believe Warlock Kines found a way around that problem. The charm is imbedded within Frost’s skin—below the surface. According to Vander, the charm will be impossible to remove and nearly as impossible to locate.”

A tiny fraction of my unease subsided. I still wasn’t a fan of this strategy, but I understood it.

“Forgive me, Leon, but you seem ill at ease with this plan,” Lucroy said.

Body stilling, I considered my words. “Perhaps my control is slipping.”

“Only I would notice, my friend.”

Lucroy’s words pulled my gaze from Frost. Lucroy was right. We could read each other better than most. I doubted any other, besides Peaches, would be able to parse out his current concern.

Relaxing, I offered a weak “I am unsure I understand and am even less certain I can explain it.” Being truthful and indicating vulnerability was not a typical vampiric trait. Vulnerable vampires didn’t live long within our harsh society. My relationship with Lucroy—the trust we’d built over the centuries—allowed me to show that quality now.

“Understood. Should you require a listening ear, mine are always available.”

“Thank you,” I answered sincerely.

Lucroy waved me off. “Think nothing of it. You have been a solid and reliable confidant over the years.”

While that might be true, I still valued Lucroy’s offer.

Another round of clapping, laughter, and clomping hooves filled the air. My gaze automatically shifted, zeroing in on the latest pixie to grace Dusk’s floor.

What was it about Frost that captured my attention and made me crave his blood?

ChapterFive

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