Page 48 of Purrfectly Peculiar Pixie

With the wolves gone, I headed toward the table, easing into my previous seat beside Phlox. Being this close was agony and bliss all rolled into one complicated package.

“Leon,” Lucroy addressed, voice soothing and cool as always. “I noticed ourguestsvacated the property.”

“They have, but one left this behind.” I slid the note Sedrick’s way. I had to lean closer to Phlox to do so. The blood rushing through his arteries and veins sped as I neared. I scented arousal, not fear. What I also scented was confusion. Now was not the time to explore those feelings further.

“What’s this?” Sedrick asked as he snatched the paper from my fingers. His eyes widened as he stared at his name. “You said one of Arie’s wolves left this behind?”

“Lizbeth found it on the table, tucked under a glass.” It was obviously left on purpose.

Sedrick’s deep brown eyes briefly glinted gold as they scanned the table, finally resting on Phil. His mate could only shrug.

“I suppose we won’t know until you open it,” Phil wisely said.

“Yeah, but knowing Arie, there could be a nasty surprise waiting inside,” Sedrick just as wisely replied.

“Give it here.” Vander made a gimme motion with his fingers. Sedrick didn’t hesitate passing the note over. Running his fingers over the note, Vander closed his eyes. I’d seen him do that before. It meant he was concentrating, searching for magical threads.

“Anything?” Parsnip asked.

Vander shook his head. “Nothing I can sense. As far as I can tell, it’s clean.” Vander’s lips twisted. “I wish I could give you a hundred percent guarantee, but all I can say is that I don’t sense anything nefarious.”

Vander leaned across the table and handed the note back. Sedrick grabbed it and flipped the folded paper between his thick fingers. “Just because there’s no magic doesn’t mean the words inside aren’t toxic as hell.”

“A valid observation,” Lucroy agreed.

With a heavy sigh, Sedrick said, “Best get on with it then.” Opening the folds, Sedrick’s eyes scanned the brief message. As he read, his eyebrows shot up before scrunching down.

“What’s it say?” Peaches asked, wings twittering.

Phil leaned over Sedrick’s arm, eyes scanning the scant words. His mouth opened once, before he cleared his throat and read, “Help us, Alpha Voss. Alpha Belview has gone mad.”

The table went silent before Phlox finally asked, “That’s it?”

Sedrick gave a solemn nod. “That’s all it says.” He flipped the paper over, scanning it to make certain nothing else was there.

Again, silence settled in. None of us knew what to make of it. Lucroy said, “If it is a trap, it is far too vague to be useful. Unless…”

“Unless he’s trying to rile me up, get me to start poking around his pack. To what end, I’m not certain. This is Arie Belview we’re talking about.” Sedrick tapped his temple. “Logical thought isn’t a trait I associate with him.”

“Agreed. However, I do not believe I have ever thought of Alpha Belview asmad. The usage of the word in this instance implies insanity, or at the very least, a break with reason. In the past I have always found Alpha Belview filled with reason. While I may vehemently disagree with the thought process behind that reason, I’d hardly call himmad.” Lucroy glanced around the table finding agreeing nods.

“What in the goddess’s name is going on with him?” Phil asked.

Refolding the paper, Sedrick answered, “I have no idea. I just wish I didn’t need to speculate. Moon goddess, I just want Arie Belview to disappear. I want him out of our lives for good.” Sedrick rubbed his forehead. Phil leaned his head on Sedrick’s shoulder while wrapping his arms around his mate’s chest.

“I suppose I need to talk to Ray about this,” Sedrick said, his voice a little defeated. “I doubt fairy law can do much. This seems more like a werewolf matter to me, but I’d like to keep him in the loop.”

“Speaking of information loops…” Vander held up his phone. “I just got a text from Nick. Looks like Erasmus is willing to help out. As expected, the fee is…generous.” Vander swallowed hard. “Shit, if Byx saw this, she’d zap my damn phone.”

Parsnip leaned over Vander’s shoulder and whistled. “Bold, but it’s difficult to haggle when they’ve got us by the balls.”

Phil choked on a sip of honeysuckle mead. His face flamed and I wasn’t certain if that was due to embarrassment or asphyxiation. I did not miss breathing.

“When can the necromancer be here?” Lucroy asked, ignoring the financial sting.

“Nick says Erasmus is in Mississippi, so it won’t take as long as I thought. Once we give the okay, he’ll hop on a plane. I’d say tomorrow at the earliest. I’m assuming we’re all in agreement here?”

“Give him the go-ahead,” Sedrick said. “The sooner we get this sorted, the better.” He gave a heated stare that should have lit the note on fire. “Between this pixie trafficking ring and Arie’s continued bullshit, my wolf’s getting restless.” The last was said as little more than a growl.

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