Page 71 of Purrfectly Peculiar Pixie

Phlox’s hope wound up being misplaced. Johnny was indeed already at the bar when we made our way upstairs. Thankfully, it was only Johnny. Lizbeth would be in soon. Johnny took one look at Phlox’s soiled pants, raised his head, sniffed, and then broke into a smile that took up his entire face.

“Not a word,” Phlox threatened before darting upstairs.

Johnny tossed a towel over his shoulder and soon peals of laughter filled Dusk. It was a joyous sound, one that I was not inclined to make in front of anyone except, perhaps, my beloved.

“I’m happy for you, boss-man.” Johnny’s hooves happily stomped behind the bar. He was on his riser and near eye level.

“Thank you, Johnny.”

“Maybe we’ll get another permanent pixie out of the deal.” He tossed me a wink. “One that actually works in the bar and doesn’t just drink all the honeysuckle mead.”

My happy façade instantly faded. Most wouldn’t be able to read vampiric expressions well. Johnny wasn’tmost.

“What put that frown on your face?” Johnny asked, leaning an elbow on the bar and coming closer.

My gaze instantly traveled to the stairway leading to the upstairs apartment. “I am uncertain if Phlox will want to stay.”

“Phlox?” Johnny’s nose scrunched in thought. “Is that Frost’s real name?”

“It is.” In inwardly cursed my slip. “He requested I call him Frost in front of others. I should not have spoken his true name aloud.” I wasn’t certain if it was meant to be a secret for a reason. What I did know was it was one of Phlox’s requests and I had just broken it.

Johnny waved me off. “I ain’t tellin’ no one. It’s a nice name, though. I like it.”

I liked it too.

“But what do you mean he might not want to stay? I’ve seen that look before—on Mr. Moony. Never thought I’d see it on another vamp, especially one so soon, but I’d bet a decade’s wages that Frost is your beloved.”

“Your monetary future is secure,” I promised, admitting Johnny was correct.

“Then what’s the issue? He’s not bonded to any land is he?” Johnny’s concerned brows drew close as he shot a glance upstairs. “If so, he’s been gone from it a long time.”

“He is not bonded as Peaches is,” I reassured. “Frost is, however, a happily employed pixie. He is an agent with the Magical Usage Council and enjoys his work. It is not a profession that allows him to remain in a singular location.”

Johnny’s eyes widened with awareness. Licking his lips, worry filled Johnny’s once happy eyes. “What does that mean exactly?”

“I am uncertain. All I am aware of is that if Frost will allow, I will not be parted from him for long.”

Johnny blew out a deep breath. “I get it. I just hope some kind of compromise can be found. I don’t like the thought of losing you and I know the boss won’t either. Have you spoken to Lucroy?”

“Not fully,” I admitted.

“He’ll understand,” Johnny confidently answered.

“I know.” And I did. Even if Lucroy hadn’t experienced what I was going through firsthand, he still would have been understanding. That was the kind of vampire he was. It was why I did not wish to leave his side. It was why the Southeast vampire nest was one of the fastest growing in not only the United States, but the world. Our admission requests grew daily.

“Speaking of the boss, I got a call earlier. Lucroy will be here early tonight.” Johnny became deadly serious. “I didn’t like the tone in his voice. Oh, I know, you vampires try and hide your feelings and you do a damn fine job of it. I’ve just known you both too damn long to miss the obvious. Or, well, I suppose what seems obvious to me.”

“You believe something more has happened?” I asked.

Johnny grunted. “When doesn’t shit happen? And yeah, I’m pretty sure he found something out. Wendall’s not scheduled to work today, so I’m not sure if he and Ray will show up or not.”

“I suppose we will find out soon enough.” Worry was rarely productive. The emotion was making an unwelcome comeback where Phlox was concerned. I’d thought I’d managed to nearly eliminate worry from my emotional catalogue. Finding my beloved proved worry was a far more difficult foe to slay than I’d previously thought.

My phone buzzed with a text. The words were simple. Phlox was grabbing a bite to eat and would be down when he was sated.

When I glanced back up, Johnny’s grin was back. “Yeah, I’ve definitely seen that look before.”

“As have I.” Lucroy’s smooth tenor eased through the otherwise empty room. “It pleases me to see you so settled, my friend.” Lucroy’s palm clasped my shoulder and offered a gentle squeeze. “Marian would have been overjoyed.”

---