Page 72 of Purrfectly Peculiar Pixie

Familiar sadness flared, but it was tempered knowing Lucroy was correct. My maker would be happy for me. I only wished Marian had found what Lucroy and I had. If so, she would still be with us.

“Where is Frost?” Lucroy asked, scanning the Dusk’s interior.

“Upstairs. He needed a change of clothes, and I just received a text that he is going to eat prior to coming back down.”

Johnny snorted but didn’t share his knowledge regarding why Phlox was in need of fresh clothes.

“Have you learned something new?” I asked, making Lucroy still.

“I have. And what I do not know for certain I suspect. I spoke with Sedrick and Ray last night and they, unfortunately, agree with me.”

“That doesn’t sound the least bit ominous,” Johnny deadpanned. “You wanna talk privately or should I stay?”

“Your presence would be appreciated,” Lucroy answered. “I value your opinion.”

“As do I,” I agreed.

Johnny’s cheeks pinked but otherwise he remained silent.

“You left rather abruptly last evening. Does this have anything to do with why?” I asked.

“It does.” Lucroy sat next to me, elbows on the bar, hands folded, and chin resting within. “As you are aware, Leon, where vampires are concerned, time becomes a fluid entity. Nights run together and are often lost to us. That is the only excuse I can offer for not making connections earlier.” Lucroy’s eyelids slid closed and when he opened them again, crimson colored their margins. “Arie Belview is a weed I should have pulled long ago.”

Johnny’s lips pulled back in a sneer. “Alpha Belview. What has that jackass done now?”

“As usual, nothing we can currently prove, only speculate. I am concerned that by the time we can prove anything, it may well be too late.”

“Too late for what?” Phlox flew down the stairs, settling his bare feet on the floor when he reached the bottom. His dust wouldn’t bother Lucroy and me, but he abstained for Johnny’s sake.

I scooted my bar stool to the side, giving Phlox room. Instead of grabbing another chair, he hopped onto the bar and sat, feet dangling as they swayed back and forth. His bare ankles were too tempting, and I wrapped my hand around the closest one, rubbing my thumb along his flesh. Phlox sucked in a quick breath.

Ignoring my obvious affection, Lucroy answered, “There is a fair possibility Alpha Arie Belview is the mastermind behind the pixie trafficking ring.”

This time, Phlox’s inhale was more hiss than pleasure. “You have proof?”

Lucroy gave a miniscule head shake. “Circumstantial more than anything direct.”

Johnny’s grunt mimicked my own feelings. “Of course. Fucking asshole alpha.” Tossing his towel on the bar, Johnny pointed a finger Lucroy’s way. “He doesn’t even deserve the title. He uses his pack as cannon fodder and doesn’t give two shits when they lose their lives in his service. Sedrick would never act that way. Hell, you’re a vampire king and you don’t even act that way.” We all knew vampire kings and queens weren’t known for their altruistic ways. They protected nest holdings, but it was more in service to themselves than those they considered nestmates. Lucroy Moony really was different.

“Agreed,” Lucroy answered. “Regardless of our mutual opinions, Arie Belview will hold his alpha position until successfully challenged. That is shifter law and fairy law does not dispute it. As much as we all wish it weren’t so, Arie Belview is an imposing and powerful alpha. Precious few alphas could best him and that would be assuming Arie fought fair, a situation I am not willing to bet on.”

Johnny reluctantly agreed. “Sedrick could probably take him, but I don’t want to think about what would happen if he lost. And if he won…”

“He would be in charge of a pack he doesn’t want,” I finished.

“Exactly.” Johnny blew out a frustrated breath. “That pack’s gotta have a shit ton of issues by this point. I wouldn’t envy anyone that position.”

Phlox followed our conversation, silently taking everything in until he finally said, “I’m not nearly as familiar with Alpha Belview.”

“Consider it a blessing,” Johnny said.

Phlox gave Johnny an appreciative grin before becoming serious again. “What’s the circumstantial evidence?”

“Sylvie’s computer, for one,” Lucroy answered. “Hamish was unable to exactly pinpoint who she was communicating with, but he can track it back to within a one-hundred-mile radius of Rutherford Haven.”

“Seriously?” Phlox asked, leaning in enough that his silken hair brushed my arm.

“There is also the matter of what was discussed and Sylvie’s contact’s answer.” Lucroy glanced at me before saying, “We all know Leon wasn’t supposed to be taken. He was an unexpected passenger during Frost’s capture. When Sylvie tried to turn error into opportunity for profit, her contact’s answer was death.” Crimson flooded Lucroy’s eyes and Phlox’s inner cat growled. Johnny patted Phlox’s leg in sympathy. It was humbling knowing I would have been mourned by so many.

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