Page 15 of Purrfectly Peculiar Pixie

In Lizbeth’s case, it would be reality. Unaware of the underlying deception, Lizbeth would an unwitting accomplice.

“I don’t like lying to her, but in the end, she’ll understand,” Johnny stated. It sounded like he was trying to convince himself more than me.

“Settling in well?” Lucroy asked as he glided toward the bar. Vamps had a way of doing that. They were so damn graceful that sometimes they appeared to float rather than walk. Despite his innate silence, I’d seen he and Leon’s approach.

I nodded, temporarily ignoring Leon. “I am. Johnny and Lizbeth are catching me up to speed.” I’d never worked in a bar before, but I had a fair amount of experience being a patron. “Learning different species’ liqueur preferences will be the hardest part.”

Johnny scoffed. “That and knowing what beverage will get one species high and another dead.”

I blinked.

“Don’t worry about it. Lizbeth and I’ve got your back. You’ll learn quick enough and if you’ve got any questions, just ask. Mostly it’s the humans you’ve gotta watch out for.” Johnny shook his head. “I swear, if I live a thousand years, I’ll never understand humans.”

Lizbeth walked past and uttered a quiet “ditto.”

Ignoring her, Johnny said, “If I had a dime for every time a human came in and asked for some dangerous shit on a dare, I’d be a rich faun. Their lives are short enough, you’d think they’d take a little more care.” With that final lament, Johnny walked away, heading to the washing station and storage area. The washing station was one of my first lessons. From what I understood, it was Wendall’s spot when he was here. When he wasn’t, that would be one of my designated areas.

“Although colorfully said, Johnny, as usual, is correct,” Lucroy said. “Please take care of our lessheartyandwisecustomers. The paperwork is endless when there is a death within the bar. If possible, should someone do something foolish and get themselves killed, please see if you can direct them off Dusk property before they expire.”

Thinking Lucroy was making a joke, I released a light chuckle. It died on my lips when I realized he was dead serious.

“Leon, I will leave Dusk in your capable hands. Peaches wanted to come in tonight, but he was gone from his orchard longer than he should have yesterday. He needs to stay there today. If I linger longer, I do not put it past my beloved to call Phil and ask for a ride into town.”

It sounded like Lucroy knew his beloved well.

“Frost, Peaches wanted me to tell you he’d like to visit, get to know you better. I do not believe I can keep him at home two nights in a row. Most likely we shall both see you tomorrow. As I said before, do not hesitate to let Johnny, Leon, or myself know if you require further assistance.”

“Thank you, Mr. Moony.”

“While appreciated, your thanks are not needed. My beloved is most distraught regarding this pixie smuggling ring. If your sacrifice gives him a modicum of peace of mind, then it is I who owe you thanks.”

I thought I caught a flash of crimson in Leon’s eyes but couldn’t be certain. Maybe he was as disturbed by the wordsacrificeas me. I didn’t plan on dying on this mission. Fading had stolen my mother. I refused to follow in her footsteps.

“Have a good evening, Leon,” Lucroy said before heading toward the parking garage, leaving Leon and me alone again.

Silence stretched between us, widening to an uncomfortable gap. Music started from somewhere. The sound was low, little more than a background murmur. I stood there, twiddling my proverbial thumbs, wondering if I was supposed to say something or not. Leon was statue still.

Irritated at myself for expecting more from this odd vampire, I swallowed a huff. The hair clips Byx gave me fed off my poor mood, reflecting my exasperation by standing on their hind legs and barking their distress.

My irritation only grew when Leon responded to my hair clips while he’d all but ignored me.

“Is that some kind of canine?” Leon asked while leaning forward, obsidian eyes fixated on my head.

“Meerkat.” Touching one of the clips, I inhaled deeply, forcing calm into my core. The hair clips responded by backing down. “According to Byx, they’re one of her new creations. They’re supposed to bark out a warning when a predator is nearby.” Reflecting on the choice, I grimaced. “Probably not the best option considering my current working environment.”

A single crimson eyebrow soared. “And they believe I am such a threat?”

I shrugged. “No idea.” I wasn’t about to tell Leon they’d probably fed off my unsettled mood rather than his lurking presence. “Vander pulled me aside and informed me some of Byx’s creations don’t always go to plan. Like I said, this is a new one. I offered to be the guinea pig.” The hair clips were adorable. I’d go to my grave before admitting that was the reason I’d agreed.

“Interesting.” Leon leaned back into his own personal space, evidently nothing more to say.

Tired of whatever the hell this was, I said, “If that’s all, I’ve got work to do.” I didn’t get far. Leon’s hand shot out, latching onto my wrist. His grip was just shy of painful. With a pointed glare at his hand, I slowly shifted my eyes until our gazes locked. When he didn’t release me, I asked, “Is there a reason forthis?” I pointedly glanced back at his vice-like grip.

“You are not a sacrifice,” Leon stated, tone so cold I thought the bar top might turn to ice.

“No, I’m not. On that we can easily agree.”

Leon’s grip eased and his fingers slowly slid from my skin. I hid my shiver, absorbing it into my body. Interestingly, the meerkats didn’t so much as twitter.

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