Page 61 of Purrfectly Peculiar Pixie

Aurelia’s large eyes blinked while her expression remained blank, as if she were awaiting the real reason she’d been disturbed.

When nothing appeared forthcoming, Ray continued, “Djinn history has either been lost or purposefully forgotten. We seek information only, Aurelia.”

“And you believe this is a concern I share?” Aurelia sounded one part puzzled and two parts irritated. Call me crazy, but I didn’t think an annoyed djinn was a positive sign.

Gaze shifting from Ray to Peaches, Aurelia’s posture stiffened again when she asked, “Is this something you wish?” She didn’t call him Peaches, but Aurelia didn’t call him master either. Small steps were important.

Peaches wildly shook his head. “No. I won’t make you tell us anything.” Peaches shot Ray a pointed look. “Not even if that’s what others want.” Peaches gripped the amphora tight, and I noticed Lucroy took step forward.

“If that is my beloved’s choice, then he has my full support.”

“And mine,” Wendall quickly followed before lifting his watery blue eyes to Ray. “Listen, I know this is important, but if Aurelia doesn’t want to discuss her species’ past, then we need to respect that. We made her a promise and that’s important. I’m sorry, Ray, but I can’t ask Peaches to force her.”

Ray’s fingers carded through Wendall’s wavy blond hair, lightly skimming his scalp. “If those are your feelings, I will respect them.”

Witnessing a fairy defer to anyone less than 100 percent fairy, was…odd. Maybe Aurelia thought so too or perhaps it was the collective agreement that for once in her djinn life, she wouldn’t be forced into action. Whatever the reason, her demeanor instantly changed. Relaxing significantly, Aurelia’s stone-cold features also eased. I wouldn’t go so far to say she smiled, but she had a lot more in common with the Mona Lisa than she’d had about two minutes ago.

“Very well,” Aurelia said. “What is it you wish to know? I cannot guarantee I will have the answer and even if I do, I will decide if I wish to impart the information.” She glanced Peaches’s way and at his nod, Aurelia inhaled deeply and added, “However, I can promise not to lie. If I answer, it will be the truth as I understand it.”

“More than acceptable.” Peaches beamed. “Thank you, Aurelia.”

With a barely perceptible nod in Peaches’s direction, Aurelia turned her attention back on Ray. “What is it you wish to know?”

Ray didn’t hesitate. “Do you know how many djinn were created?”

“Twenty-seven,” Aurelia answered without hesitation. A collective groan went through our group.

“Twenty-seven. Shit,” Parsnip vocalized. “That’s a lot of djinn. Are they all active?” Parsnip glanced around our circle before settling his gaze on Aurelia.

“Do you mean, are they all awake and within a master’s possession?” When Parsnip nodded, Aurelia shrugged. “That is beyond my knowledge. We are not aware of each other on a subconscious level. I do notsenseother djinn. Generally, we make our presence known to one another.”

“Do djinn fight each other?” Vander asked.

Inhaling deeply, Aurelia’s gaze turned distant. “When we were first created, but it was quickly deemed futile.” Waving a dismissive hand, Aurelia calmly answered, “Djinn are equal. There were never any winners or losers. It was a waste of energy and time.”

I swallowed hard and spoke for the first time. “You mean, djinn can’t destroy other djinn?”

Aurelia’s gaze locked on me and this time she did grin. I couldn’t decide if it was malicious, curious, or fond. I figured I was safest to assume it was the first. “Another pixie? Your group becomes increasingly curious, Hellfire Rayburn.”

I’d argue that we weren’t exactlyRay’s groupbut that seemed like foolish semantics at this point.

“In answer, no, we cannotdestroyeach other. Nothing candestroya djinn,” Aurelia confidently stated.

“Um…I’m not sure that’s true.”

Every set of eyes bore down on Erasmus. Shoulders rounded, hands stuffed in his pockets and head hanging, Erasmus back tracked. “Like I said, I’m not sure it’s true. It might be but…”

“But what?” I asked. “What do you know?”

“And what are you?” Aurelia stepped closer. Her movements weren’t necessarily aggressive, but I didn’t like her increasing proximity. I wasn’t sure if Erasmus’s shifting feet were a sign he felt the same or if he was nervous because of his earlier statement.

Eyes slipping closed, Aurelia’s chin jutted out slightly. Multiple tattoos came to life, glowing in the early evening. It almost looked like she was scenting the air or maybe just concentrating really hard. Either way, whatever she did didn’t give her any further answers. Her eyes snapped open, and she glared. “Are you part of a species or are you a single anomaly?”

“Uh, I suppose I’m part of a species.” Erasmus glanced from Aurelia to Vander.

Clearing his throat, Vander said, “Erasmus is a necromancer. He is warlock born. They did not exist when you were created. It is very possible you have never crossed paths with them as necromancers are uncommon.”

“Necromancer?” Aurelia sounded more curious than judgmental. “Similar to the priestess, Muriel?”

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