Page 19 of Purrfectly Peculiar Pixie

“Jesus, what happened to you?” Lizbeth scurried around the counter, quickly pulling out a stool and directing me into it. “Sit down before you fall down. I’ll get some water.” She darted off and I thanked the goddess that she was there and on a water mission.

“Here,” she said before sternly ordering, “drink.”

I didn’t hesitate and downed the contents in less than two minutes. Lizbeth was ready with a second bottle. I drank this one much slower and even managed to savor its cool feel.

“Thanks,” I huskily managed.

“No worries.” Her eyebrows scrunched, creating a tight V of skin in between. “Scratch that. Iamworried. Why do you look like something the cat coughed up on the rug?”

I chuckled, relaxing into the cooler room. Dusk wasn’t as cold as my apartment, but it was a damn sight better than outside.

“Thought I’d go for a walk.” Johnny told me Lizbeth could be trusted, but for her own safety, they tried to keep her out of the loop regarding the more dangerous escapades troubling Rutherford Haven’s residents.

“Yeah?” Lizbeth tilted her head, eyebrows still scrunched in concern and confusion. “Not a bad plan. Pixies thrive in this kind of weather, but you don’t look like you did a lot ofthrivingout there today.”

I waved a dismissive hand, my wings too tired to stir up a speck of dust. “I’m not your typical pixie.”

“So you keep saying.” Leon’s cold tenor made me shiver more than the air-conditioning. Leon’s joints popped, the telltale sound of a vampire on the cusp of transformation. My exhausted body immediately went on alert.

“Lizbeth, you wanna give us a minute here,” I said, never once taking my gaze off the livid vampire fuming a few feet away.

Lizbeth hesitated. Bless her human heart, she really was concerned. “I-I don’t know, Frost. I’m not sure this is the best time to do that.”

“It’s the perfect time,” I reassured.

“Maybe I should call Mr. Moony.”

I considered Lizbeth’s suggestion and shook my head. “Not yet. I’ll let you know if it’s necessary. Now, go on. I’ve got this.” I had no idea if that was true, but whatever had crawled up Leon’s dead ass and died, I didn’t want Lizbeth caught in the crossfire. She was too human-fragile to risk.

“Okay. I’ve got Mr. Moony’s number on speed dial and my finger on the button,” Lizbeth reassured as she walked away, the sound of the swinging door leading to the washroom quickly following.

Sitting on my stool, I reached inside myself. I didn’t have to dig deep. My inner shifter was ready, waiting, and impatient for release. Interestingly, Byx’s hair clips remained silent. I’d need to have a discussion with her. I didn’t think this design worked out the way she planned.

Silence fell like a heavy cloud. Leon stood there, nails shifting to talons before easing back into nails. The process repeated twice before he finally said, “You left the building.”

“Sure did, Captain Obvious. I leave the building all the time.”

Leon tilted his head, and I heard the distinctive popping of his joints elongating. “During the day,” he growled.

“Yup. It’s hot as hell out there.” I reached for my water, stupidly or valiantly ignoring my pounding heart.

“The sun is up,” Leon answered.

I rolled my eyes. “Again with the Captain Obvious. Yes, the sun is up. Well, not now, but it was earlier. I don’t see the problem.” The problem was that I’d nearly expired in the heat. But I didn’t think that’s the angle from which Leon came at the problem.

“You could have been injured. Or captured.”

“That’s kind of the point.” It was the wrong word choice.

Leon lost control of his transformation and soon a scary-as-shit vampire towered above me. Call me an idiot, but I still didn’t scream for Lizbeth to call Lucroy. Did it really matter, though? Lucroy would never get here in time. Either I handled the situation or I was a bleeding husk on the floor.

Hunched, Leon’s eyeteeth elongated to the point they hung past his lower lip. He snapped them at me but didn’t move closer. I could see his internal war, struggling behind his obsidian eyes.

I could shift. I’d have a better chance that way. I’d probably still end up as mincemeat, but I’d get in a few good swipes. Right now, I needed reason, not claws.

“Leon.” I kept my voice calm and steady. “I’m not injured. Maybe a little dehydrated and hot, but not hurt. No one took me. I’m perfectly safe.”

Leon’s roar shook the building. He snapped his fangs, eyes now blown crimson. His talons clicked as he flicked them together.

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