Page 24 of Purrfectly Peculiar Pixie

“You are concerned?” I asked, fishing.

“Of course I’m concerned. Knowing you, you’ll push things right up to the limit and the sun isn’t anything to mess with, not if you’re a vamp.”

While Phlox was correct, I answered, “The early rays would only cause severe irritation. I would survive their touch.”

Phlox blew out an exasperated breath. “And you think the thought of you in pain is better?” He held his hand out flat and tilted it back and forth. “That’s only marginally better than thinking of you as a pile of ash.”

“It is good to know you care,” I deadpanned.

“Ass.” Phlox backhanded me, the touch far gentler and more reserved than his previous whack. Head down, Phlox glanced my direction, his eyes uncertain as he chewed on his bottom lip. “Seriously, Leon. We have a problem. I was sent here with a mission and your attentions are interfering with that. Honestly, at this point, I don’t even know if this would work without you following me. It’s damn frustrating.” Phlox stopped flying and his bare toes landed on the sidewalk. Pixies didn’t seem to mind a little dirt and who knew what else on their bare skin.

Running his fingers through his hair, Phlox looked horribly dejected. “I hate failing.” Those words were barely above a whisper. “Especially this case. I… My mom, she…” Phlox angrily shook his head. “It doesn’t matter. That was a long time ago. This is now and this shit’s still going on. It’s even worse this time.”

“Because other species are involved?” I guessed.

Phlox nodded. “Greed’s a bitch. I’ll never understand how anyone can be okay with profiting off another’s suffering or death.”

Vampires had a different moral code. Some might say we had no moral code. That wasn’t completely true. Our second lives were much different than our first ones. The rules were different, the game was different, and success and failure were measured differently. One had to change or one quickly succumbed. Defeat often meant permanent death.

Head tilted, Phlox’s gaze found mine. His eyes were warm and understanding and a gentle smile tilted his lips. “I’m not sure you feel the same.”

“I do and do not. I do not relish suffering when it is unearned or has no greater purpose. Suffering and death are wasteful. Vampires do retain the urge to protect. It is only that what we value and deem worthy of that fierce protection often changes during our second lives.” I didn’t know how else to describe it. “Loyalty is a trait nearly every vampire admires.”Nearlydidn’t meanall. Lucroy and I knew that better than most, and by the time a vampire reached my age, they were also keenly aware.

“You’re loyal to Lucroy,” Phlox said.

“I am. I am also loyal to our nest and his beloved.”

“Peaches.”

“Unless Lucroy has acquired another beloved I am unaware of,” I teased.

Phlox reached out to smack me again, but this time I caught his wrist and pulled him close. Phlox came willingly, not an ounce of protest on his plump lips. He didn’t pull away when I dipped my head closer. He didn’t tell me to stop when I was mere inches away from his lips, and he didn’t so much as utter a whispered decent when I lowered my head.

Warmth exploded across my skin. I could feel the pulse of Phlox’s blood bounding through his flushed lips, the sound louder as it raced up his neck, flushing his cheeks. Needy sounds swam up from deep within his chest, escaping here and there as I licked and plundered his mouth. Rumbling began, reverberating through Phlox’s throat and pouring into the early morning air.

Phlox leaned into me, pushing his body against mine. I could easily feel the thick, solid length of his cock press against my leg. I’d managed enough blood earlier that my own erection answered the call.

Reluctantly pulling away, Phlox tilted his head back and gasped. “Air…fuck…need to breath.” I didn’t have such constraints and immediately began licking his luscious neck.

“Shit, that feels good,” Phlox panted. That odd rumbling continued. It was pleasant and spurred my actions. I dove in, nipping at the flesh and bringing that delicious blood closer to the surface. I wouldn’t bite, no matter how badly instinct told me to. I’d wait for Phlox’s permission. That didn’t stop me enjoying the taste of his flesh on my tongue. Nothing could stop that immense pleasure. Nothing except the sun.

Yanking away, I slapped my hand over my face. That stopped the stinging pain in my cheek, but my hand began sizzling.

“Shit! Goddess, Leon. Come on.”

Phlox grabbed my arm and pulled. He flew like a maniac, tugging me after as the sun continued rising. A few cups of blood and a day or two of rest and I’d be right as rain. But right now, the sun’s rays stung like a son of a bitch.

“Almost there,” Phlox shouted, barely tilting his head enough to look back at me. I could see Dusk rise up in the background. My body felt increasingly sluggish. It was still early enough that I wouldn’t fall asleep, but my body wasn’t as reactive as it should be.

I heard the jingle of keys as Phlox dug out the one for the front door. He dropped them once, cursed, and picked them up. Shoving the key into the slot, I heard the click of the door before Phlox grabbed ahold of my wrist and said, “Got it. Almost safe, just a—”

Phlox didn’t finish. Blindingly white light surrounded us. My stomach rolled and then I knew no more.

ChapterNine

Phlox

I keeled over and vomited all over the floor. My stomach cramped and I did it again, emptying everything and then some. I think I might have whimpered but couldn’t be sure. The scent of my own sick made my stomach role again.

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